Chapter 172: Official Announcement

By the time Meng Shutang saw this post, several hours had already passed.

She finished showering, carried a glass of water to the dining hall, sipped, casually opened her phone, and saw the screenshot Chen Man had sent her.

Chen Man joked, saying she and Gu Yunci were back together, and asked when they would remarry.

After reading, she sent a rose emoji to indicate she had seen it, then opened Gu Yunci's Moments and saw that photo.

The side profile and work setting—any familiar eye would instantly recognize her.

The top‑tier domineering CEO's rare Moments naturally sparked an earth‑shaking reaction; Meng Shutang glanced and saw that every mutual friend had liked it.

She, after reading the flood of flattering comments below, also liked Gu Yunci's post.

After liking, she didn't exit; she recalled an old boss's comment that Gu Yunci's Moments background and avatar were both pictures of him with Xin Xin, and she opened his profile deliberately.

The avatar was from a time at Qian Shui Wan when she and Xin Xin were playing in the garden mud.

The profile picture, however, was a student photo of hers from many years ago.

A white T‑shirt, jeans, canvas shoes, riding a pretty women's bicycle with a bunch of fresh flowers in the basket…

She didn't even know when that picture was taken, but the background shows a tree‑lined path beside Zhenxi Lake at Jiang University.

Meng Shutang felt a little dazed as she looked, …

She stared at her own smiling face for a moment, then returned to Gu Yunci's Moments.

His post was essentially a proclamation of their relationship to the whole world.

She still wasn't mentally prepared, feeling a little nervous, like a opened bottle of Sprite—still calm on the surface, but bubbles fizzing out.

Meng Shutang didn't notice that every mutual friend had liked the post—except… Gu Jin Xing.

Gu Jin Xing was abroad, yet his mind couldn't settle.

Especially when he saw the post, he was so agitated he could barely sit still.

Zhang Ning also saw it, and while pacing back and forth, urged him, "Sir, since Shutang has found her happiness, you should let go too!"

Since school, Zhang Ning had admired the wealthy heir Gu Jin Xing, silently keeping tabs on him.

Because her family background was ordinary and her looks plain, many urged her to give up that feeling.

But when Gu Jin Xing grew close to Meng Shutang, no one said that.

"Shutang is so beautiful, a sight that lasts a thousand years; she and Jin Xing are truly a perfect match."

"If I were as good‑looking as Shutang, I'd join the entertainment industry and become a big star!"

…

Zhang Ning couldn't understand; her family background was the same as Meng Shutang's, even a bit better—at least she didn't have a mother in a vegetative state.

Why, then, could Meng Shutang, just because of her figure and face, be worthy of Gu Jin Xing?!

Gu Jin Xing had been devoted to Meng Shutang for four years without change; even after she became his sister‑in‑law, he still couldn't let her go.

After that engagement banquet, Gu Jin Xing seemed abandoned by the world, yet Zhang Ning voluntarily came to his side as his assistant.

She understood his habits, his temper, his taboos.

She even offered to become his mistress, discarding her dignity, to relieve him…

But he refused; his politeness toward her was extremely distant, courteous as if she were a stranger.

In her presence, he only talked about work, never about friendship.

Even when people misread their relationship, he never explained anything.

With him, she was just a cold‑used female assistant; she knew she had to be perfectly obedient to stay by his side.

But today, she could no longer watch him stumble further.

"Sir, stop being obstinate; do you really think President Gu isn't aware of the series of actions we took back there?"

With his wisdom and tactics, he must have known long ago.

He never reacted because he valued your brotherly bond.

Since he chose to turn a blind eye and let the past go, you should let it go too!

And also, Shutang has always had only him in her heart. After all this time, you should see that they've long been of one mind, and no one can intrude.

Gu Jin Xing listened quietly; Zhang Ning thought his mind had drifted, but he drained the wine from his goblet and said, "Buy me a ticket; I want to return to Jiangcheng."

After speaking, he suddenly turned, handed her a check, "You've followed me for many years and are tired. You've always wanted to open a cake shop, this is the seed money for you."

Zhang Ning looked at the amount and said, "That's too much."

"It's not too much; you deserve it!"

After that, Gu Jin Xing went upstairs, grabbed his suitcase, and left the house; Zhang Ning saw it and gave a bleak smile.

He had already decided; whatever she said earlier, he probably didn't even know.

Gu Jin Xing returned to Jiangcheng on an afternoon.

He quickly tidied up and called Meng Shutang, inviting her to a dinner at Tangxia Si Yan.

Meng Shutang politely declined; she decided to stay with Gu Yunci and also to draw a line with Gu Jin Xing.

"Jin Xing, I'm sorry, I'm very busy with work."

"What about after work?"

"I promised Xin Xin I'd go back and make her a cake."

Meng Shutang thought that by saying this, Gu Jin Xing's sensitive nature would no longer force her, and perhaps he would never proactively contact her again.

But the silent pause on the other end was broken by Gu Jin Xing's pleading voice.

"Seven years ago, we were both supposed to marry, but you called off the wedding and chose my brother."

"We both loved each other, after all; you owe me."

"Shutang, I know that last time I dragged you into the sea, it erased the little debt you still felt toward me."

"But I was really too excited then, you know. Let's meet once, speak openly, clarify everything, and finally put an end to it."

Meng Shutang's heart lake had originally been calm, but after hearing those words, it became turbulent again.

Good, I'll go find you.

But we've made it clear; after this, I won't owe you anything.

Since Gu Jin Xing last dragged Meng Shutang to Chen Bi Shan Zhuang, madly urging her to jump into the sea, any lingering affection and debt she felt for him had already been utterly shattered.

She still harbors unease toward Gu Jin Xing, but it's daytime and they're in a downtown restaurant.

Surely he wouldn't dare act rashly.

She intended to say a few words, settle everything, and then leave.

Meng Shutang arrived at Tangxia Si Yan, where Gu Jin Xing was already waiting.

Seeing her enter, he rose gallantly and pulled out a chair for her.

Meng Shutang remained composed and polite, but Gu Jin Xing saw at once that they could never go back to how things were.

He didn't press the matter, picked up a wine glass and poured her a drink, saying, "I know you hate me and fear me." As he spoke, he set the glass beside her hand, "Before, I was hot‑headed and dragged you to the seaside. Lately I've given it serious thought—you and my brother are well suited; I shouldn't have come between you, stirring up trouble."

He paused, then said, "I asked you out today mainly to say farewell—I'm leaving Jiangcheng for good and won't bother you or my brother again."

Meng Shutang sat quietly opposite him; when he lifted his wine glass, she gave a faint smile, "Jin Xing, I'm driving—I can't drink."

Gu Jin Xing glanced at the wine glass instinctively, "Oh, I forgot—shall we have them bring another bottle of juice instead?"

Saying that, he started to rise to call the waiter, but Meng Shutang stopped him, "No need, Jin Xing—I didn't come here just to eat."

Having said that, she lowered her eyes to glance at her watch, "Anything else you need to say? I have a meeting and must leave."

Gu Jin Xing reached out and took her wrist, looking at her watch, "That Patek Philippe 'Ultimate Romance' was bought for you by my brother, right?"

Meng Shutang pulled her hand back, "Yes."

Last time at the racetrack, Gu Yunci accidentally lost her watch, compensated her, and bought this model.

"The seven‑year promise is finally fulfilled. This one‑of‑a‑kind watch is worthy only of one‑of‑a‑kind you," Gu Jin Xing said.