Chapter 178: Shen Duan and Bai Cixian Are Together

Meng Shutang's ears felt slightly warm, she ate with her head down, ignoring him.

"If you think this is not right, shall we go get the certificate after we finish eating?"

He naturally leaned in graciously, but his tone was easygoing and gave Meng Shutang no pressure.

"Let's wait a bit longer!"

Gu Yunci said nothing, since Meng Shutang was destined to be his, he no longer felt the urgent grip of fearing loss that he had when she first returned, so he naturally didn't need to rush to prove anything with a certificate.

While the two were eating, Shen Duan's phone rang, saying a barbecue had been arranged at the seaside and inviting Gu Yunci to go.

Gu Yunci heard it was a group of friends there and readily agreed.

After hanging up, he said to Meng Shutang, "Shall I take you to the seaside later?"

Meng Shutang's mood had recently been hanging on Zhou Xingfan's illness, making her indeed tense, so she should go relax a bit.

But thinking of her mother on the sickbed, she felt that she had time to play, and it would be better to spend a while with her mother.

Yet when she looked up, she saw Gu Yunci casually seated beside the table, a loose silk nightgown draped loosely on him, the collar slightly open, his sensual clavicle exposed, and under the warm light he looked especially sexy.

His fingertips pinched the chopsticks, eating at an unhurried pace, his Adam's apple lightly bobbing, the lines on his neck forming a cold, hard curve.

It was clearly just an unintentional gesture, yet he performed it with a restrained yet alluring manner; merely sitting there quietly, he exuded a hormone aura that made it impossible to look away.

Meng Shutang admitted she was moved by Gu Yunci's masculine charm, "Alright, I'll go with you."

After eating, the two went upstairs to change clothes.

Meng Shutang's belongings hadn't been moved here; everything was newly bought for her by Gu Yunci.

She didn't know if they fit, but she couldn't go out in yesterday's clothes, so she opened the wardrobe to choose.

The wardrobe was filled with a dazzling array of clothes—cheongsams, skirts, everything—Meng Shutang knew they were going to the seaside, but the barbecue spot had been carefully arranged, so it wouldn't be cold.

So she chose jeans and a white sweater.

The clothes fit well, the material was exquisite, and they felt very comfortable to wear.

Gu Yunci still wore a suit as usual, but unlike his usual strictness, today he omitted the tie, unbuttoned two buttons below his neck, making him look lazy and restrained.

They drove to the seaside, and as soon as they arrived, they saw everyone's gazes sweep over them.

They weren't looking at Meng Shutang, but at Gu Yunci.

Gu Yunci, puzzled, asked Huo Yanchen, "What's up?"

Huo Yanchen tilted his head and pointed toward Shen Duan's direction; Meng Shutang glanced and was momentarily stunned there.

Shen Duan was at the barbecue, and beside him stood a girl in a white dress; from behind her features were hard to see, but the white veil on her face was so conspicuous that anyone familiar could instantly tell who she was.

Meng Shutang wasn't surprised to see Bai Cixian here, but was quite surprised that she was with Shen Duan.

Gu Yunci glanced, "What's going on?"

Huo Yanchen said, "I arrived early, caught a gist: apparently the foreign investors who had funded the Meng family withdrew, leaving Bai Cixian with no way out, and Shen Duan stepped in to help her.

But he didn't take over their business; he just bought a house and let the mother and daughter move in."

Gu Yunci listened lightly, then lost interest.

But Huo Yanchen's mouth opened, unable to hold back, "I've long noticed that Shen Duan feels something special for Bai Cixian."

Huo Yanchen first noticed it when Gu Yunci got drunk; Shen Duan called Bai Cixian to come pick up Gu Yunci, and even said the "tangtang" Gu Yunci shouted was Bai Cixian.

Facing Bai Cixian being with Shen Duan, his friends also chatted endlessly.

"Shen Duan keeps picking, why pick this one! Not to mention Gu Yunci, and even disfigured; the Shen family wouldn't consent."

"Gu Yunci clarified that he and Bai Cixian are completely innocent, but also said that Bai Cixian is a woman determined to marry into a wealthy family; seeing Gu Yunci had no chance, she turned to Shen Duan."

"Keep your voices down, we're all brothers."

……

She heard every word of their conversation without missing a beat; her hand paused slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

She turned to leave, but Shen Duan grabbed her, "This hurdle must be passed; do you intend to stay unseen your whole life?"

Bai Cixian was startled, "Actually, you don't need to wade through this murky water for me."

Shen Duan tightened his grip on her hand, "My feelings for you—I don't believe you're completely unaware?"

Bai Cixian remembered that four years ago, after Meng Shutang left, Gu Yunci locked her in a room, refusing food or drink.

She went to see him, but was driven out by Aunt Zhang.

She almost fell then; Shen Duan himself reached back to steady her, his grip on her hand tightening.

She was stunned for a moment, shocked by Shen Duan's frivolity, and shoved him aside.

But now thinking back, that wasn't frivolity at all; he was just overly nervous about her.

Bai Cixian felt some regret, wondering if she hadn't clung to Gu Yunci at first, and had joined Shen Duan upon realizing his affection, would she have avoided her family's ruin and disfigurement?

Speaking of this was too late, but her heart was indeed a bit calmer now.

If Shen Duan doesn't reject her, she decides to live well with him.

She'd had enough of being mocked and insulted; she never wants to spend a lifetime in the mud.

A stray glance caught Gu Yunci and Meng Shutang approaching, and she nudged Shen Duan's elbow.

Shen Duan saw this, called Huo Yanchen over, and then pulled Bai Cixian to stand beside Gu Yunci and Meng Shutang.

"Yunci, Miss Meng, you're here."

Bai Cixian stood half a step behind him, a bit restrained; Meng Shutang watched and felt it was somewhat unfamiliar.

In her mind, the scene of first meeting Bai Cixian resurfaced: she was driving a red Porsche, pampered by others, her brows and eyes full of unabashed arrogance and willfulness.

But now, having tasted life's bitterness, she clearly wasn't that overbearing anymore.

Bai Cixian stood behind Shen Duan and greeted Gu Yunci, "President Gu."

That address indicated she had let go of Gu Yunci, at least outwardly.

Sure enough, Shen Duan was delighted after hearing that.

Bai Cixian finished speaking, turned her gaze to the Meng Shutang beside her, "Miss Meng."

Meng Shutang gave a slight nod, "Miss Bai."

After a series of experiences, they returned to the very beginning.

While they were eating, Shen Duan came to Gu Yunci's side; Meng Shutang guessed he had something to say to Gu Yunci, and she found a random excuse to get up and leave.

Shen Duan looked at Gu Yunci and asked, "You won't be angry, right?"

Gu Yunci gave a faint smile, "What would I be angry about? I've reiterated more than once that I have nothing to do with Bai Cixian."

Shen Duan nodded, "That's good then."

Huo Yanchen looked at Shen Duan's cheap smile and said, "You really intend to be with Bai Cixian? You're not unaware of everything she's done these past few years!"

Why not look for a girl with a clean background? Forget her character for now—just the fact that her father is in prison, your mother wouldn't even consent!