Chapter 63: Distance, the Close Ambiguity

The call paused briefly, then Meng Shutang's apologetic voice came, "Sorry, President Gu, after I finish eating I'll leave right away; how about I come to the office to see you tomorrow."

Gu Yunci was about to speak when a light cough sounded over the phone, followed by Meng Shutang's concern and Minister Lu's unfinished explanation.

"You're coughing, right? I told you not to eat anything spicy."

"Accompany you…"

Then the call ended.

He glanced at the midnight snack on the table—orange juice and all the non‑spicy foods she likes.

After four years apart, Meng Shutang's tastes had changed; she liked spicy food, and he still didn't know that.

To create the atmosphere of working overtime together, he even deliberately hid the streetlamp and used an orange nightlight instead.

Everything was just his pipe‑dream.

She really let it go.

Meng Shutang took Minister Lu to Qingluju.

"Lu Shenyang, this is the house I just bought; take a look—what do you think?"

Lu Shenyang changed into slippers and walked around, "Not bad, the kids' room looks nice; Xin Xin will definitely like it."

After that, he asked, "Gu Yunci, have you ever asked about Xin Xin?"

"I have asked, but I said I don't have children with him." He paused, "Xin Xin is only mine; I won't let him snatch her away from me."

There were many things to sort, and the Lalamove driver piled everything in the living room.

The two of them tidied up while chatting, just like in their childhood.

downstairs.

Gu Yunci leaned against the cold car body, one leg casually curled, the other foot lightly pressing the ground.

The chill of the car seeped through the thin fabric, yet he felt no cold, only a scorching, numb heat throughout his body.

He looked up at the lit window upstairs and saw Meng Shutang and Lu Shenyang tidying the new home together.

Their silhouettes intertwined, their laughter light, happier than when he and she cleaned Qian Shui Wan four years ago.

In the desolate autumn wind, fireworks flared and burned his fingertips, and only then did he snap back, a deep, muffled hum rumbling in his throat.

The smoke, tinged with sourness, completely concealed the lingering resentment and embarrassment in his eyes.

Meng Shutang and the others kept cleaning until the late night.

Lu Shenyang tucked the last few items into the fridge, "Come over tomorrow, and I'll wipe the cabinets and tables again."

Meng Shutang handed him the key, "Thanks for the trouble; the donation matters are indeed many, and tomorrow I still need to see Gu Yunci about some issues."

Lu Shenyang frowned, "Aren't you going to mention coordinating with Zhou Songyan?"

"Manager Zhou is on a business trip, so Bai Cixian was assigned to review; she gave me a hard time, and Gu Yunci took over the approval authority."

Lu Shenyang listened and stared at her.

Meng Shutang said, "Don't read too much into it; he said it himself, and he wants to wrap this up even more than I do."

Lu Shenyang nodded, "He really is busy; Minister Lu once sighed that you have to slip through the cracks just to get a word with him."

Meng Shutang's body stiffened slightly upon hearing that.

Is he really that busy?

She only remembers that whether four years ago or now, as long as she looks for him, she can meet him anytime.

Except for the incident four years ago at the exhibition when a bead necklace slipped, she argued with Gu Yunci, later apologized, and he made her sit despondently outside the office for three or four hours.

Wasn't it to watch her suffer, or was it merely his work mode?

No more thinking about it; it's all in the past anyway.

【9】 Meng Shutang turned off the lights and went downstairs with Lu Shenyang.

Meng Shutang turned off the light, and went downstairs with Lu Shenyang.

She will stay at Jixiang Hutong tonight.

Downstairs, Gu Yunci watched the lights go out with his own eyes.

Qin Zheng approached, "According to our investigation, Miss Meng sometimes goes to Minister Lu's house, and Minister Lu sometimes comes over."

"They… are indeed cohabiting."

The man's Adam's apple bobbed, "It's late; you should go back."

Qin Zheng asked concerningly, "And you?"

"I'm fine; I'll have another cigarette and then leave. By the way, keep investigating the child matter, and notify me immediately once there's news."

He could never believe that Meng Shutang could be so ruthless as to kill their child.

The next morning, Meng Shutang walked into the CEO's office.

The man's complexion was cold and dark, his eyes blood‑red, looking a bit unwell, as if he hadn't slept a night.

She gave a faint glance, then sat opposite him, "President Gu, can we begin?"

Gu Yunci gave a slight smile, "We can."

He sat in the spacious CEO chair, Meng Shutang sat opposite him, a massive mahogany desk separating them.

On the desk lay several yellowed documents and a few high‑resolution enlarged photos, the air scented with old paper and a hint of tense silence.

"This Ming‑dynasty gold‑inlaid jade filigree, though similar in shape, has gold‑wire patterns that are not at all the stitching style of that era."

Meng Shutang pointed to a jeweled headpiece in the photo, her pink fingertip tapping a minute corner.

"President Gu, look here: the authentic Ming court 'lei‑si' technique is 'you‑si mao‑diao'."

Gu Yunci leaned forward, his gaze following the direction she indicated, their heads nearly touching.

After a long time, Gu Yunci smelled the faint fragrance on her, was drawn by it, and turned his gaze toward her.

The woman was very serious, completely unaware that his mind was not on the artifacts at all.

Meng Shutang, seeing his silence, turned her gaze toward him.

Almost the instant before she looked over, the man lowered his eyes and stared at the photo, "Are you sure it's a fake?"

Meng Shutang nodded, "We need to see the actual item, but taking it out of the storage room involves cumbersome procedures, so I don't have (the chance)."

"If you're… not busy, come with me downstairs."

The man turned his gaze to her, "Not busy."

They were very close, the kind of distance where they could exchange breaths.

In the past, this would be the prelude to a kiss, a nervous yet sweet beginning, the distance at which he could lower his head to kiss her and she would close her eyes and melt.

Meng Shutang was startled for a moment, then stepped back like a frightened fawn and rose.

A flicker of dark light flashed in the man's eyes; after a few seconds, he rose slightly.

Meng Shutang lifted her notebook and other documents, left first, "I'll wait for you outside."

Gu Yunci threw on his coat and, a few steps behind, said, "Let's go together."

The two stepped out of the President's office and, at the doorway, ran into Bai Cixian.

Seeing them together, Bai Cixian was a bit surprised, "Meng Shutang, why are you here?"

Meng Shutang: "I came to report to President Gu."

Bai Cixian, shocked, "You haven't reported to me yet; how can you jump the chain of command?"

Before Meng Shutang could speak, the man slipped a hand into his pocket and said coldly, "Manager Bai, all your thoughts are not on work. Yesterday Wang Jiaojiao told you about the change to Teacher Meng's process permissions, right? How can you claim you didn't know!"

"Besides, jumping the chain? She's a distinguished guest invited by our Gu Clan, not your subordinate."

Having said that, the man left with Meng Shutang.

Bai Cixian pulled out her phone and found that, during yesterday's lunch, Wang Jiaojiao had indeed sent her a message in the group.

But her rank was low, so she hadn't paid any attention.

She stormed to the secretary's office, "Wang Jiaojiao, Meng Shutang's process was changed to President Gu's, why didn't you tell me?"

Such a small matter, and you can't handle it?"

Wang Jiaojiao, neither humble nor arrogant, "I @‑mentioned you in the group, you didn't reply, so I messaged you privately."

"You must have blocked me, that's why I didn't see it. Manager Bai, it's such a trivial matter, no need for me to run to the seventh floor myself, right?"

Bai Cixian, "Is this how you speak to me?"

Wang Jiaojiao, "Manager Bai, our secretary's office is administratively under the President's office, not under your jurisdiction."

"If I made any mistake, Special Assistant Qin will speak up."

The second basement of the Gu Building.

The two still sat face‑to‑face as before; Meng Shutang took out the gold‑inlaid jade and placed it in the middle, "Look here."

Gu Yunci frowned; at a glance, he couldn't see it.

Meng Shutang stood up, walked around the large work desk, and moved to his side.

She leaned slightly forward, took a high‑magnification loupe from her pocket, and held it close so Gu Yunci could examine the gold threads as fine as hair.

Gu Yunci shifted his chair back by half an inch; outwardly a gentlemanly gesture to give her space, but in fact it trapped her within the narrow gap formed by him and the desk.