Chapter 41: The Person She'd Secretly Loved for Ten Years Was Him

"Hello everyone, I am Meng Shutang from Starlight Studio.

Next, let me introduce — this is the four seasons of light and shadow our team captured over a year stationed at the Corner Tower of the Forbidden City, and this is the cultural creative sketch I drew, in which I blended a blue-green gradient into ancient glaze colors..."

After hearing just the opening, Bai Cixian in the audience could no longer sit still.

She looked down at the proposal binder on the table.

Gu Group's design was nothing short of lavish, having invited internationally renowned designers for a collaboration, and the promotional plan included top-tier celebrities and cross-platform livestreaming — the budget alone was a hundred times higher than Starlight Studio's.

But compared to Starlight's, their proposal had no distinguishing features apart from being expensive.

Starlight's was different — it was all heart and ancient charm.

Thinking this, she turned her eyes to glance at Gu Yunci beside her. The man sat there quietly in a black suit, his emotions unreadable, his gaze fixed unblinking on Meng Shutang on stage, a faint, complex ripple hidden deep in his eyes.

A staff member noticed Bai Cixian's nervousness and reassured her, "Manager Bai, the Forbidden City cultural creative project needs market influence and brand effect, not just sentiment.

Besides, Gu Clan's channels are promoted nationwide — that's something an insignificant little studio like Starlight could never match.

President Gu is personally overseeing this, so don't worry!"

Bai Cixian nodded. "I know."

After everyone had presented, there was an intermission.

The review panel went to the office next door.

Meng Shutang got up to go to the restroom.

There were 7 companies competing in the bid — 4 large and mid-sized corporations, and 3 studios.

Everyone felt they were all just running alongside Gu Clan.

"Honestly though, Starlight Studio's proposal was far more stunning than Gu Clan's. When did Meng Shutang get this impressive?"

"Starlight's been working with Gu Clan these past few years — their wings have grown full!

This is an open challenge. They're parting ways with Gu Clan from now on."

"No matter how good it is, I still don't favor Starlight. Just wait and see — Gu Clan will win the bid. Gu Yunci himself is here, and he never fights a battle unprepared."

Meng Shutang walked past as though she hadn't heard a thing.

Coming out of the restroom, while washing her hands, Bai Cixian walked over.

"Teacher Meng, your proposal today was indeed not bad. It's just a pity that compared to Gu Clan's, it falls far short.

After all, cultural creative products need to be commercialized. Gu Clan's platform is bigger and our channels are more numerous — that's something you can never match."

Bai Cixian had initially thought the biggest competitors today would be the other large and mid-sized companies, but after watching through everything, she realized that Starlight Studio — which she hadn't taken seriously from the start — was the real threat.

"It's fine to play around, but don't take it too seriously. Don't cry when you lose."

With that, she patted Meng Shutang's shoulder with her wet hand and turned to leave.

"No manners at all." Meng Shutang took a tissue from the side and wiped her shoulder.

A tall, slender figure approached, enveloping her petite frame.

"Your proposal today was good. Quite creative."

Meng Shutang ignored Gu Yunci and turned to leave.

Bai Cixian had already started walking away, but when she saw Gu Yunci coming this way, she stopped and waited for him.

She ended up entering the venue together with him.

The two had just sat down when Qin Zheng leaned over.

"President Gu, from what a few members of the review panel were saying, this bid seems to lean toward a culture-centric approach."

Which meant they favored Starlight.

Bai Cixian was shocked. "Special Assistant Qin, are you sure?"

Qin Zheng couldn't be bothered to respond to her.

In all these past bids, Gu Clan had never missed. This was the only time they let Bai Cixian take charge, and she wrote hundreds of pages — all of it showing off wealth.

Boasting about Gu Clan's platform, channels, and connections — did that even need saying? Anyone from Hua Guo would know that!

Bai Cixian couldn't be bothered about Qin Zheng's attitude. She looked at Gu Yunci.

As long as he spoke up, with Gu Clan's strength, turning the situation around wouldn't be difficult.

But Gu Yunci heard this and didn't seem to think it was any big deal. He only shifted slightly, still sitting there with his legs crossed.

Seeing this, Qin Zheng also sat down and said nothing more.

Bai Cixian was briefly stunned.

What did this mean? Was he planning to go easy and let Starlight get there first?

Bai Cixian was somewhat unwilling to give up. "Brother Yunci, if Meng Shutang really gains a foothold through this project and gets tens of millions in government subsidies every year, she'll care even less about you from now on."

The man's gaze was locked on Meng Shutang in the left rear. The woman was smiling faintly, chatting with Ruan An and the others about where the food was good — whether or not they won the bid today, she was treating everyone.

"This matter is very simple for you. One phone call and it's resolved."

Listening to Bai Cixian's prattle, a barely detectable panic rose in Gu Yunci's heart — unease, even.

Yet he also admired Meng Shutang.

That proposal just now was nothing short of perfect — the most stunning one he had seen in all his years leading the Group.

"Silence, everyone. We will now announce the bid results. Please welcome Minister Lu."

Lu Shenyang took the stage at an unhurried pace.

Gu Yunci slightly turned his eyes and saw Meng Shutang watching him without blinking.

"After comprehensive review by the panel, the winning company for this bid is: Starlight Studio."

The hall fell silent for half a second before thunderous applause erupted.

People praised the review panel one after another for defying the powerful and being fair and transparent.

Bai Cixian sat there, feeling she had lost all face.

Just now at the restroom entrance, she boldly provoked Meng Shutang, looking as if victory was certain; she now looks back and feels a little embarrassed.

When Lu Shenyang presented the winning bid document to Meng Shutang, he also encouraged her by giving a thumbs‑up.

Meng Shutang stood on the stage and said, "This proposal began with the two most precious memories of my life."

When I was fourteen, I went to Cangpinge and met a young boy; the light that fell on the top of his hair that day became the crucial inspiration for me to squat in the Forbidden City's corner tower and capture the seasonal light.

Gu Yunci listened, his hand tightening slightly.

At a time like this, she was still thinking of Gu Jin Xing.

So what does he count as in her heart over these years? A warming‑bed tool?

After a pause, Meng Shutang looked toward Gu Yunci's direction.

Gu Yunci's heart also stiffened slightly.

"Actually, later we met again; I was seventeen, at an Intangible Cultural Heritage ancient bead restoration exhibition."

I was speaking at length about a broken Han‑dynasty star‑patterned bead, and he sat opposite me and listened for a long time.

My heart was pounding then, but thinking that he was listening made me finish with both joy and nervousness.

That memory also formed the idea of blending a teal gradient into the glaze of ancient beads.

Because that day, he had a steel pen by his side, which was teal.

Gu Yunci's hand tightened slightly.

This memory does not belong to Gu Jin Xing; it belongs only to him.

Because that day, only he attended the Intangible Cultural Heritage ancient bead restoration exhibition.

That year he was twenty, and at a glance he noticed her; he sat there and listened for a long time.

When leaving, he even bought a hand‑made ancient‑bead pendant made by Meng Shutang; to this day, that pendant is still hidden in his study drawer, a secret he has never spoken.

"I thank the one who gave me this memory… although we are about to become strangers."

After speaking, Meng Shutang gave a slight bow and stepped down from the stage.

But Gu Yunci was completely stunned.

Isn't the one Meng Shutang loves most always her brother Gu Jin Xing?

Why does it sound like this now…

Before he could finish, Bai Cixian interrupted, "Brother Yunci, I suddenly feel a bit of morning sickness; where is the ginger candy juice you brought?"

Gu Yunci recovered and handed the packet to her.

After the judging ended, Lu Shenyang was blocked at the doorway by everyone.

"Minister Lu, the Gu Clan's proposal isn't bad either; why choose the more niche Fanxing?"

Lu Shenyang said, "The core of the Forbidden City cultural creation is 'cultural inheritance'; we don't want a flash‑in‑the‑pan hit, but a cultural symbol that can truly settle down."

Waiting for the others to finish leaving.

Bai Cixian still felt a bit indignant, "Minister Lu, do you dare say that in this judging you have not a single selfish motive?"

Lu Shenyang said, "Meng Shutang's ancient‑bead restoration skill can withstand any professional verification within the industry."

As for what Director Bai says, whether she is Mrs. Gu, or my childhood friend's sister, or just an ordinary craftsman, in this project the judging panel only acknowledges her work.

After speaking, he looked toward Meng Shutang's direction.

He saw Gu Yunci grip her wrist and pull her into the side aisle.