Chapter 8: 45 Days Later, the Relationship Will End

Meng Shutang wore a white long dress, its hem swaying gently with her steps.

Her skin was like congealed cream, her brows and eyes as clear and striking as a painting, her ink-dark long hair not overly styled, simply pinned up.

A few stray strands hung beside her ears, setting off her swan-like neck as exceptionally slender.

Standing there, she commanded her own aura, making even the great beauty Bai Cixian pale in comparison and seem utterly vulgar.

Bai Cixian saw him staring blankly at Meng Shutang and reminded him, "President Wang, President Wang..."

Wang Qiang snapped back to attention.

Bai Cixian said, "How many years to sign?"

She asked in a joking tone; the Gu Clan's Wenlüxiaozhen project was like a fine jar of wine — no alley was too deep to hide it.

You could tell just by looking at the visitors streaming in, and this was before the official opening. Once it opened, the scene would rival the Great Wall and Mount Huang.

"I wouldn't dare say too much, but with President Gu here, twenty years is absolutely no problem."

Gu Yunci had also noticed him staring at Meng Shutang, and gave a faint scoff. "President Wang isn't the one in charge, yet his tone is certainly grand."

Wang Qiang swallowed his pride, but didn't dare respond.

After the tour, Meng Shutang went to the restroom.

Wang Qiang finished dealing with Gu Yunci and followed.

As soon as Meng Shutang came out, she was cornered by Wang Qiang in the corridor.

"Are you a Gu Clan employee?"

Meng Shutang saw the ill intent in his eyes, shook her head slightly, and intended to leave.

Wang Qiang reached out to block her. "I'm in charge of the cultural tourism division at Yingxia Group. The boss of Yingxia Group is my brother-in-law, and I'm my sister's only brother.

Come with me, and I guarantee you'll live in comfort from now on, never having to brave the wind and sun again."

As he spoke, he flicked Meng Shutang's hair.

Meng Shutang stepped back. "Don't touch me."

Wang Qiang licked his lips and smiled. "Do you know how many women want to climb into my bed?"

Wang Qiang wasn't bad-looking — among men, he was the type with a fair bit of charm.

So when he said this, there was probably some truth to it.

"Or... are you like the other women in Jiangcheng, dreaming of one day marrying Gu Yunci?"

Meng Shutang looked at him, frozen in place.

Wang Qiang saw he had hit on what was in her heart. "Haven't you noticed? In Gu Yunci's eyes and heart, there's only that Bai Cixian.

Honestly, I don't even know what Gu Yunci is thinking — with such a beauty right beside him, he actually likes the Bai Cixian type."

As he spoke, he leaned closer, his elbow brushing against Meng Shutang's arm.

Meng Shutang swung her bag at him. "Get away from me, don't touch me."

Wang Qiang didn't stop; he even deliberately escalated things.

Cough!

A tall figure suddenly approached, stopping between the two of them, turning sideways to shield Meng Shutang behind him. "President Wang, your teacup was empty. I've had someone refill it for you."

Wang Qiang reined in his lecherous smile. "Then I'm truly grateful, President Gu."

After saying that, he glanced at Meng Shutang once more, then turned and left.

Seeing Wang Qiang gone, Meng Shutang turned to look at Gu Yunci. "Thank you."

Gu Yunci's brow furrowed coldly; his gaze never landed on her as he turned and walked away.

That evening, in the Wenlüxiaozhen office, Bai Cixian and Qin Zheng walked over holding documents.

Bai Cixian said, "President Gu, President Wang just called to say he's very satisfied with our cultural tourism base. Here's the letter of intent — please take a look."

The man looked at the cooperation proposal she handed over and, without even flipping through it, gently pushed it aside. "No need to discuss it."

Bai Cixian was shocked and turned to look at Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng also wore an expression of not knowing why.

This was Bai Cixian's first major deal since taking office, and it was with Yingxia Group at that — she had to sign it.

"Why?"

The man stood up, grabbed his suit jacket, and headed out. "Qualifications don't match, philosophies don't align — there are plenty of reasons. Blacklist them completely. A company like this doesn't deserve to work with us."

Bai Cixian stood frozen.

It was supposed to be a sure thing — how could he suddenly change his mind?

She called Wang Qiang. "President Wang, our cooperation... can't be signed for now."

Wang Qiang said, "But..."

Bai Cixian said, "No buts. Wait until Wenlüxiaozhen officially opens. But I do want to ask — how did you offend President Gu?"

Wang Qiang said, "I didn't offend him. Oh, I remember now — today outside the restroom I cornered a young woman, pale and slim, like a fairy. President Gu came over... She's just an ordinary employee. President Gu wouldn't go that far, would he!"

If the failure to sign the agreement was shocking, then learning that Gu Yunci had protected Meng Shutang was simply incomprehensible.

He didn't love her!

They were getting divorced!

Bai Cixian hung up the phone.

"It must be Brother Yunci's possessiveness acting up." After all, no man was willing to be a cuckold, let alone someone like Gu Yunci, who stood head and shoulders above the rest. "This Wang Qiang is truly useless — all he does is ruin things.

I need to think this through carefully and plan anew!"

Bai Cixian felt nothing but a headache.

……

After finishing her work at Wenlüxiaozhen, Meng Shutang returned to the hotel to pack her things.

She was tidying up when her grandmother called.

Meng Shutang picked up the phone and answered, "Grandma."

Grandma said, "Tangtang, have you come back from your business trip? I made something delicious for you; come to my house for dinner tonight."

Meng Shutang hesitated a moment, "Yunci hasn't come back yet; I'll ask him later if he has any other plans, then I'll let you know."

She hung up, finished tidying, and sat on the bed waiting for Gu Yunci.

After waiting a while, he still hadn't returned, so she called him.

He didn't answer.

She got up intending to look for him, but before she reached the door, it opened with a creak.

He glanced at her indifferently, then turned his gaze away from her face.

Meng Shutang hesitated, "Grandma just called, asking us to come over for dinner. Will you come with me?"

The man's hand pausing slightly as he took off his coat, his thin lips parting as if to say something, but he said nothing.

Meng Shutang saw this and said, "If you're not going, that's fine too."

The man didn't even lift his head, gave a slight nod, "I have to meet a partner later, so I won't be going back."

Meng Shutang nodded, turned, picked up her suitcase, and left the room.

On the way back, she passed a mall.

Amid the dazzling lights, she saw the man accompanying Bai Cixian as they picked out a necklace at a jewelry store.

She thought she might have been seeing things, and lowered the car window a little.

Gu Yunci always had a cold expression, but he looked far better than when he was with her.

The little hope that had just risen in Meng Shutang's heart slowly sank.

"I am merely a tool for his revenge; he never had me in his heart, which is why he can't even be bothered to keep up appearances."

In 45 days, he and she will completely end things.

From now on, she shouldn't harbor any illusions.