Chapter 58: Four Years Ago She Was My Defeated Opponent, and She Still Is Now

Lu Shenyang hung up the phone and immediately called Gu Yunci back.

"President Gu, Wanxing Ge just replied. They said they can take on this project."

Gu Yunci's magnetic voice came through the phone. "Is that so? Minister Lu certainly never disappoints."

"But I'm also warning you—if you dare use official business to bully her, I'll make your entire donation office unable to function."

This was the first time Lu Shenyang had used official business to voice a personal sentiment.

Gu Yunci gave a faint smile. "Minister Lu, I'm not that kind of person."

That evening.

Chen Man sent Meng Shutang several sets of apartment photos.

"There are plenty of listings, no need to rush. Take your time and look patiently.

It's a buyer's market right now. Once we find something suitable, we'll set up a meeting.

By the way, I didn't have her send the ones that were too run-down.

I only sent a few new apartments. See what you think."

Meng Shutang looked through them and wasn't quite satisfied.

"Manman, are there any apartments that have been sitting for two years or more?

The overall renovation on these few is nice, but they're too new. With elderly and young ones at home, living in a brand-new apartment always feels a bit unsettling."

"You're so thoughtful. When we bought our place, we moved in just three months after renovation and airing out.

Alright, as long as you're willing to tell me what you want, my neighbor has plenty of quality listings, all in high-end complexes.

I'll talk to her tomorrow and have her send a few more sets."

After that, Chen Man sighed with emotion. "You know what? That apartment I just mentioned to you—the landlord bought it for 4.5 million. Now the market's sluggish, and the price got slashed in half. Sister, you went abroad for a few years and dodged the housing crash entirely."

The next day.

Gu Group.

Gu Yunci personally received them along with several senior executives.

"President Meng, welcome." The man wore a soft-textured dark shirt, tieless, with two buttons undone at the collar.

He looked a few shades less sharp than his usual business self, and a few shades more gracious than was his norm.

Looking at his extended hand, Meng Shutang did not take it.

"Regarding the donation, I'd like to confirm some details with you."

The man wasn't offended. He withdrew his hand with a faint smile. "Let's talk inside."

He stepped aside in a gesture of invitation and quietly accompanied her all the way through a private passage behind the storage room.

Everything displayed here was cultural relics, not open to the public.

The entrance and exit were heavily secured; ordinary people couldn't get in at all.

Passing through two long corridors, he stopped before a heavy alloy password door. He pressed his fingerprint lightly, and the door slowly opened to both sides.

"For the foreseeable future, you'll be working here."

The moment Meng Shutang saw it, she paused slightly.

The storage room was large, but the area Gu Yunci indicated was an independent studio arranged with great care.

Spacious and bright. One entire wall was lined with climate-controlled, dust-proof display cabinets, specifically for storing calligraphy, paintings, ancient beads, and porcelain.

At the center was a broad workbench covered with a soft velvet pad, and even the lighting was warm light that wouldn't damage antiquities.

In the corner, a small rest area had been thoughtfully partitioned off.

The sofa was in the light-colored genuine leather material Meng Shutang liked best. Beside the coffee table was a small raised side table with a soft floor lamp.

Next to it was a little mini fridge, neatly stocked with fruit and assorted beverages.

Those who knew would know this was a work area.

Those who didn't would think it was a vacation.

The only pity was that the storage room had no windows. Otherwise, it would be perfect.

"President Gu, the rest area isn't necessary." Meng Shutang's throat tightened slightly.

"All the collections in here are very precious, and they're to be donated to a museum—there's no room for error.

This studio is only for your…" He gave a light cough. "Only for your use. You can organize, record, and research here, or come handle donation-related matters without having to run back and forth."

He paused, his gaze falling on her face, so light it was almost imperceptible. "As for the rest area, don't overthink it. It's just a place to rest.

Security here is twenty-four hours. Absolutely safe."

Since everything was already set up, Meng Shutang didn't decline further.

"Who will be my point of contact for this project?"

"Zhou Songyan." The man adjusted his collar.

Meng Shutang heard this and said nothing.

Ruan An frowned slightly. Before coming, Chen Man had told her that this project was Gu Yunci's way of targeting Meng Shutang.

Having Manager Zhou as the point of contact was quite unexpected.

While she was thinking it over, Gu Yunci handed two access cards to Meng Shutang.

"Of course, if President Meng needs anything, you can contact me directly, or you can contact Qin Zheng."

After they left, Meng Shutang and Ruan An began working.

Meng Shutang said, "An'an, this is the list of donated cultural relics. Follow this list and organize the provenance materials.

After you've verified them, let me take a look."

Ruan An said, "Okay."

As for Meng Shutang herself, she began carefully examining the cultural relics and started restoration work.

Most of the artifacts were well preserved; only a very few court beads had some damage.

She put on white gloves, brought the court beads to the workbench, and began working.

……

Gu Clan, seventh floor.

Bai Cixian was organizing documents when Qiao Mo pushed the door open and walked right in.

Back when Qiao Mo was a supervisor, she used to do this; at that time, they had a good relationship.

Bai Cixian hadn't minded it then.

But now that she was a manager, she truly could not tolerate Qiao Mo's behavior.

"Why did you come in without knocking again," she lifted her gaze slightly, complaining.

Qiao Mo acted as if she hadn't heard, "Manager Bai, you still have the mind to work? Do you know that something major happened in our group these past few days?"

Bai Cixian gave a faint smile—as long as it wasn't Meng Shutang coming to Gu Clan to pester Gu Yunci, nothing was a big deal.

"What major thing could there be? Look at you, jumping at every little thing."

Qiao Mo said, "I just heard from Manager Zhou that President Gu is donating a batch of artifacts from the storage room to the Palace Museum, and they've sent people over."

Bai Cixian said coolly, "I knew that already. Uncle Gu mentioned it."

"But do you know who's in charge of the artifact restoration and authentication?"

Bai Cixian's hand paused slightly, "Who—Meng Shutang?"

Qiao Mo nodded, "Yes. I just stood on the seventh floor and watched with my own eyes as President Gu led a group of people downstairs to meet her.

I even saw them take the executive elevator together down to basement level two.

I also made some discreet inquiries—it was President Gu who pressured the Palace Museum into specifically assigning Meng Shutang to be in charge."

Jealousy pricked Bai Cixian's heart like fine needles; her expression remained impassive, but her mind was already in turmoil.

"A while ago, President Gu suddenly had people move a batch of artifacts up to the 28th floor, saying the artifact storage areas on basement levels two and three were leaking and needed repairs.

After the repairs were done, everything was moved back.

At the time, you said he did this only to guard against Gu Ye'nan, afraid that the auction couldn't be faked and he might get ideas about stealing things.

But I think that's not it at all.

The rest area specially set up on basement level two was prepared for Meng Shutang.

Four years have passed, and Meng Shutang is still the moon in his heart, the pearl in his palm."

Bai Cixian couldn't bear to listen anymore, "Whose side are you on, anyway? If you like her so much, you go over there!"

With that, she irritably shut her laptop and picked up the water beside her to drink.

The water was scalding; she immediately spat it out, soaking her skirt, and hastily grabbed a tissue to wipe her clothes.

"Of course I'm on your side. I came over only to tell you—if you keep sitting and waiting to die, you'll never be the young madam of the Gu family in this lifetime."

Bai Cixian sneered, "Don't worry. Four years ago, she was my defeated rival, and she still is now."