Chapter 40: This project is too difficult for you

Bai Cixian was very courageous when she smashed it, but after calming down, she cried out in fear.

She could not imagine how thunderously furious Gu Yunci would be when he returned shortly.

She timidly sat on the back sofa, with no intention of running.

Because if she ran this time, she knew she would never see Gu Yunci again.

Ten minutes later, the door was flung open with a bang, and Gu Yunci rushed back in a panic, startling Bai Cixian into flinching.

The cleaning auntie did not add insult to injury; she kept holding her tools and stood aside, waiting for Gu Yunci's instructions on how to handle it.

Gu Yunci stared at the flower on the floor and demanded of Bai Cixian, "Who gave you the nerve to touch my begonia?"

She trembled as she stood up, her eye sockets reddening, her voice shaking with tears, "Yunci brother, I didn't mean to, I'm suffering from morning sickness, my heart is also upset, I stumbled when I stood up and accidentally knocked over the flower."

"I know I was wrong, don't be angry, let me compensate you with another pot, okay?"

The chill emanating from Gu Yunci's whole body made the surrounding air freeze; just lifting his eyes brought an oppressive feeling capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Bai Cixian felt that even her breath was wrapped in the man's hostile, keep-away anger.

"Compensate? How would you compensate? With a camellia?"

Bai Cixian stood there stunned.

As it turned out, he wasn't unaware; he knew about many things.

At such a moment, explanation is inappropriate, tears are inappropriate, her very existence is wrong.

She held her lower abdomen, feigning morning sickness as she bent over.

"I'm sparing you, not because you're carrying my child, but merely because you're a pregnant woman.

"Get out, don't let me see you again."

Gu Yunci spoke in a low, deep voice, yet it was more chilling than shouting.

Bai Cixian left, walked to the doorway, glanced back, and saw him crouched on the ground tending the flower, his sleeves and fingertips stained with mud.

He is a person with severe mysophobia; this appearance is truly hard to understand.

Seeing Bai Cixian leave, the cleaning auntie squatted beside Gu Yunci and said, "President Gu, the flower's roots are broken; it will probably be hard to keep alive."

Gu Yunci squatted beside the flower bed, head lowered, silent.

The cleaning auntie saw fire burning in his eyes, yet he forcibly suppressed it, and she also felt heartbroken.

Yes, Bai Cixian is pregnant—what could he possibly do to her!

As soon as Bai Cixian left the office, she called Bai Lianyue.

"Mom, I've caused a huge disaster—I smashed the pot of begonia on Yunci brother's desk. He's furious and told me to get lost!"

There was a silence on the line for a moment.

Bai Lianyue's comforting voice came through: "It doesn't necessarily mean his love for Meng Shutang is undying; he's just angry you messed with his things."

Bai Cixian knew these were comforting words, yet a sharp jealousy surged in her chest.

"However, speaking of which, they haven't obtained a divorce certificate, so it remains a hidden danger.

"To avoid future complications, Mom thinks we should hurry and get them divorced."

Bai Cixian said, "I've racked my brains, trying every possible method."

"Actually, there's another way: ensure President Gu forces Meng Shutang to divorce."

Bai Cixian asked, "What method?"

On the phone, Bai Lianyue didn't say, "We'll talk when we meet."

"Mom, then what should we do about this?"

"It's fine; I'll call Uncle Gu for you in a bit, and we'll apologize to Yunci together."

Bai Cixian obediently replied, "Okay."

"However, daughter, impulsiveness is the devil; from now on you're not allowed to act like this."

Bai Cixian said, "I know."

The moment of smashing felt great, but afterward she realized it was irreparable, and her regret turned her guts green.

That night, Gu Yeheng organized a gathering.

As soon as Gu Yunci entered, he saw Bai Cixian turning to leave, but Gu Yeheng grabbed him and said, "Cixian is pregnant—think about it, if your mother were alive.

"Wouldn't she be the happiest person in the world right now?"

The man's Adam's apple rolled slightly.

Seeing this, Gu Yeheng said, "Women, after all, vie for affection and get jealous; we men should be more magnanimous."

Gu Yunci did not sit beside Bai Cixian; instead, he took the seat nearest the door.

This seat, from childhood to now, was the first time he had sat there.

Seeing this, Bai Cixian lifted her wine cup and said, "Yunci brother, I'm pregnant, my emotions are unstable, I momentarily lost control of myself.

Actually, every day I see you staring blankly at that pot of flower, feeling awful inside; I smashed it so you would look at me, look at our baby.

"Today... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, let me first offer this drink as a sign of respect..."

As she spoke, she raised her cup; Gu Yunci looked on, unmoved.

Gu Yeheng nudged him, "Pregnant women shouldn't drink alcohol; it's easy to cause deformities."

Gu Yunci raised his hand in a stopping gesture, "You're pregnant, don't drink."

After saying that, he stood up, picked up the wine cup on the table, and said, "The Group still has a meeting; excuse me."

Having said that, he tipped his head back and drained the cup, set it down, and left.

……

News of Bai Cixian's pregnancy spread throughout the Gu Group.

Everyone speculated wildly that the Gu President's secretly married young lady was none other than her.

When asked, Bai Cixian gave an ambiguous answer.

And Gu Yunci offered no explanation for such rumors.

For a moment, rumors swirled.

Every time Ruan An visits the Gu Clan, she is full of anger, "Sister Meng, they really went too far."

Meng Shutang instead advises her, "Don't be angry, it's not worth it."

The Intangible Cultural Heritage Project Tender Meeting at the Palace Museum officially begins.

Meng Shutang and Chen Man, carrying their documents, head over, and on the way they happen to run into Gu Yunci and Bai Cixian.

The man stands tall, broad‑shouldered and narrow‑waisted, his brows and eyes sharp, exuding a cold aura that says "keep your distance."

A faint scent of cedar constantly surrounds him, highlighting his naturally superior bearing, making him seem unattainable.

Every gesture radiates the dignity of someone long in power; with one hand in his pocket, standing casually, he makes those nearby instinctively hush.

Seeing this, Meng Shutang automatically stops and lets them pass first.

The man walks over, stops before her, "Don't worry too much about the outcome; this project is too difficult for you."

After speaking, several members of the Gu Clan laugh.

Chen Man looks and says, "President Gu, I'm pregnant; should I stage a claim?"

Gu Yunci, very gentlemanly, "No such intention, Mrs. Chen; your husband has performed well at the Gu Clan these two years, and I have high hopes for him."

After speaking, he strides right past them, not even giving them a glance.

Chen Man originally wanted to scold. But after he praised her husband, she couldn't understand him: "President Gu is already so rich, holding dozens of hundred‑billion‑yuan projects; he knows we're competing, so why does he still barge in?"

"We're a married couple; I once had many expectations for him, really… so cold and indifferent."

Meng Shutang watches his handsome back and is also a bit puzzled.

Could it be that he's waiting for her to beg him?

To beg him to step aside, giving her a way out.

But thinking that such a cold, heartless person could have empathy, she decides, never mind, let's keep fighting for it!

Inside the Palace Museum's multifunctional conference hall.

The banner of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Project Tender Meeting hangs unmoving on the wall.

Bai Cixian, dressed in a well‑tailored pink business suit, leans down to speak softly with Gu Yunci beside her, her smile blooming like a flower, holding a faint grin of confidence.

As the head of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, she has Gu Group behind her.

From qualification review to preliminary plan approval, everything has been green‑lit.

Chen Man glances and says lightly to Meng Shutang, "Did you see? The tea cups of several experts on the judging panel have already been swapped by Bai Cixian for custom high‑end models from Gu Group's brand."

The first to take the stage and present the project plan is also Bai Cixian.

She moves gracefully, showing no hint of pregnancy's heaviness, yet occasionally covers her lips.

After it happens several times, Chen Man asks, "What is she doing?"

Ruan An says, "She's pregnant, afraid no one will know; to publicize it in this setting, that's really excessive."

Chen Man says, "She can control her morning sickness; she can't be faking a pregnancy, can she!"

Not sure if it's an illusion, but after Chen Man said that, Meng Shutang saw Gu Yunci tilt his head toward this side.

Next group: Starry Studio.

As the host finishes speaking, Meng Shutang inhales deeply, clutching her laptop, and walks onto the stage.

Today she wears a white business suit, off‑white stiletto heels, sleeves rolled to the forearm, a deep‑V collar, subtly revealing a delicate clavicle.

A man seated in the audience sees the ancient pearl necklace on her neck and lowers his gaze.

Bai Cixian sees this and feels delighted.

Lu Shenyang sits at the center of the judging panel; as the project head of the Cultural Creative Department, he wears a leather jacket today.

His usually gentle eyes now carry professional caution, but when they meet Meng Shutang's, he offers an encouraging smile.

Gu Yunci sees this, his Adam's apple bobbing.