Chapter 56: The Appraiser I Want Is Only You

The rain outside the window fell thick and fast; hearing the rain, Meng Shutang came to the window holding a water cup, and when she saw the person outside, her gaze froze.

Through the curtain of rain, that tall, upright figure stood before the window, motionless.

His suit jacket was already soaked through, his trousers fluttering in the cold wind; he was like a soldier, motionless, watching her inside the room.

Meng Shutang's fingertips tightened slightly, the rim of the cup nearly embedding into her palm.

Her heart seemed to ache as if drenched by the rain, yet she still told herself over and over, "No being soft-hearted!"

After work, Meng Shutang rode back in Chen Man's car.

The night darkened, and the road surface was lit by streetlamps into colorful bands of light.

Meng Shutang looked straight ahead, chatting and laughing with Chen Man. "I know a hotpot place that's pretty good. Let's go sometime."

The red light came on, and the car stopped steadily.

She subconsciously looked out the window, casually glancing at the rearview mirror.

That single glance made her entire body freeze again.

At a distance neither too near nor too far, in the traffic, that familiar Maybach followed silently behind.

The car window half-lowered, Gu Yunci's profile was hidden in the interplay of light and shadow, one hand controlling the steering wheel, the window lowered an inch or so, a good-looking hand exposed outside.

He followed just like that, unhurried and silent.

Like a stubborn shadow.

Meng Shutang's chest tightened, her breathing thrown off half a beat.

She quickly looked away, her knuckles turning white, forcing herself to pretend she hadn't seen anything.

Chen Man noticed. "What's wrong?"

The green light came on, the car started, and the black sedan behind also steadily followed.

Meng Shutang forced a smile. "Nothing."

It wasn't until Meng Shutang got home safely that she, standing at the window, saw the car leave.

Over the next few days, unsurprisingly, Gu Yunci came again.

But he never disturbed them.

He only stood in that spot, quietly watching, never entering the studio.

Every time he came, Meng Shutang knew.

But she pretended not to see, ignored him, and didn't drive him away.

Meng Shutang still ran between the hospital and Wanxing Ge. She discovered something quite remarkable: when she mentioned Meng Zhibang, Zhou Xingfan had a reaction.

Once, whether it was an illusion or it truly happened, Meng Shutang saw Zhou Xingfan's pinky finger move.

She told Huo Yanchen this news; Huo Yanchen said this was a good sign and that they would monitor and observe.

Meng Shutang felt that since she could talk about things concerning Meng Zhibang at the bedside and Zhou Xingfan could sense it—

then if they found Meng Zhibang and had him talk to Zhou Xingfan, would she wake up very soon?

She put in a great deal of effort searching.

In one city, Meng Zhibang seemed to have vanished; he simply couldn't be found.

She also went to the Meng family garden, but before she could get close, she was driven away.

So Meng Shutang went to Jixiang Hutong, and in a leather suitcase, she found a diary.

Written by Zhou Xingfan after her newlywed days.

"Today I quietly tidied his desk again; it felt as though doing so would let me get a little closer to him."

"It was clearly the most ordinary of ordinary days, but just thinking of him made my heart melt into a soft mess."

"Our daughter was born, and Zhibang named her Shutang. I asked why, born in the chill of autumn, she was called begonia.

He said, 'Shu' is the clarity and brightness of autumn, like the gentle breeze when she came into this world;

'Tang' is the begonia flower—though it blooms in spring, it tucks all its tenderness into the years, keeping the peace year after year.

I really like this name, and I believe our daughter likes it too."

Meng Shutang did quite like her own name, always thinking her mother had chosen it, never expecting it was Meng Zhibang.

From the name alone, Meng Zhibang had poured abundant love into this daughter of his.

But why couldn't he be found in the same city? She truly couldn't understand.

Could it be that he was dead or in prison?

Gu Group.

28th floor, CEO's office.

Qin Zheng said, "President Gu, I heard them say the Second Young Master went to see Chairman Gu. Chairman Gu scolded him a few times, saying that if you hadn't been guarding against him openly and covertly, who knows what kind of huge mess he'd have caused. Chairman Gu also praised you, saying that these past few years you've run the Group steadily and thoroughly, and everyone up and down respects you, and told him to learn from you."

He paused. "I don't understand—the Second Young Master has money to spend, isn't that good enough? Why does he have to go causing trouble?"

"He's the second son; nothing will ever come his way, so he's resentful."

"In my view, the Second Young Master simply isn't cut out for business.

The year before last, he was sent abroad to manage a branch company, and in less than half a year it nearly went under.

You went over there yourself, personally supervised for three months, and brought it back to life."

"Enough about him." The man handed him a document. "Help me contact Minister Lu Shenyang, and tell him our Gu Group has collected a batch of national-grade cultural relics, and I wish to donate them to the Palace Museum free of charge."

Qin Zheng understood the man's intent in mere seconds, but there were some things he had to remind him of.

"President, Minister Lu doesn't like you; he even embarrassed you to your face over Miss Meng.

If we go through him, won't he just find someone else to appraise them, without using Miss Meng at all?"

Gu Yunci picked up his teacup and rose, coming to stand before the floor-to-ceiling window.

The man, dressed all in a black suit, was strikingly handsome with a reserved presence, long gone was the frantic anxiety of pursuing Meng Shutang from days past—only the detachment and shrewdness customary of a business magnate remained.

"Lu Shenyang is upright, gentle, and methodical in his work. As long as I make a request, he won't harbor any selfish motives."

That afternoon.

In the administrative area on the second floor of the Palace Museum, Gu Yunci met with Lu Shenyang.

The instant their gazes met, the air stalled almost imperceptibly.

those blunt words from a while back surfaced inopportunely — not eased, but without any smoke of conflict either.

Lu Shenyang did not look away. He took the initiative to extend his hand toward Gu Yunci. "Welcome, President Gu."

As a public official of the Palace Museum, he gave a slight nod, his courtesy impeccable, as though receiving any ordinary donor.

Gu Yunci clasped his hand, gave it two light shakes, and released it. "Minister Lu is too courteous."

The two entered the office, and Lu Shenyang served Gu Yunci a cup of freshly brewed tea.

Gu Yunci received it with both hands.

"On the phone this morning, I heard from Special Assistant Qin that you intend to donate a batch of cultural relics to the museum.

This gesture is truly commendable. On behalf of the museum, I thank you," Lu Shenyang spoke first.

Gu Yunci said, "Minister Lu is too courteous. These cultural relics ought to belong in a public collection anyway. Letting more people see them can be considered putting them to full use.

It's just that this batch of cultural relics has been kept in Cangpinge, and after a long time, some of the items have deteriorated and need restoration.

Furthermore, the inventory and provenance records for the cultural relics are also incomplete.

So we need the museum to provide a professional and trustworthy appraisal lead to assist us in completing this."

He paused, not naming anyone directly, yet every word was precise, locking onto Meng Shutang's identity:

"I've heard that you have a young key staff member here who handles things reliably, with zero errors in the projects she's previously managed.

I want her to be solely in charge of this matter."

Hearing the man's request, Lu Shenyang understood the man's intent almost in an instant.

Why he was donating cultural relics, and why he had sought him out.

He studied him steadily, yet could discern no selfish motive on that peerlessly refined face — only a stern, selfless righteousness.

It was he himself who had been petty.

"No one else will do?"

"Other than her, no one will do!"

"Rest assured, I will certainly arrange the most trustworthy person to liaise with you."

"I trust that Minister Lu's arrangements will not disappoint me."