Chapter 167: He's Back

"This time, Gu Mianmian really was overestimating herself. I already know what happened. Since you've long been acquainted with the chairman of Bai Shi Group, let this serve as a lesson to her that there's always someone better out there."

Gu Yeting spared no effort in coaxing Gu Wenyan, comforting her and urging her not to dwell on what had happened.

Gu Wenyan looked at the concern and care surfacing on that face—the one she had once despised most in the past—and smiled, calm and unruffled.

"After all this, do you think Gu Mianmian will learn her lesson and keep a low profile from now on?"

Gu Wenyan was suddenly very curious how Gu Yeting would answer.

Gu Yeting frowned slightly, but his answer was somewhat unexpected to her: "I don't think she can change."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"That's who she really is."

Gu Yeting said, "Mianmian's inner arrogance, and all that resentment and jealousy toward you…"

He let out a long sigh. In the past, he couldn't understand why the sister he trusted most had this other side to her—a side he found hard to accept.

But facts proved he had indeed misjudged her, and misplaced his trust all these years.

All the affection and care he had given Gu Mianmian crumbled beneath her repeated deceptions and the fury that rose in him once he saw the truth.

So Gu Yeting now understood perfectly what kind of person Gu Mianmian was, and he would never trust her again.

Moreover, Gu Mianmian's current behavior only confirmed to him that his judgment had been right.

Anyone who made even a few inquiries around Gu Group lately would know what had been going on.

Gu Mianmian, having promised she could secure the partnership with Bai Shi Group, had been suppressing Gu Wenyan at the company in every way she could. Though her words sounded hypocritically sweet, her actual actions were aimed at sidelining Gu Wenyan and driving her out of Gu Group.

Gu Wenyan smiled faintly. "So, do you believe she won't let go from here on out?"

Gu Yeting's expression darkened slightly. "You mean she'll still come after you… I'll go find her and warn her not to cause any more trouble."

"If she wants to keep staying in this family, she must—"

Gu Wenyan cut him off. "There's no need. I'll handle these things myself. Even if you warn Gu Mianmian now and make her back off for a while, do you think every incident from now on will require you to step in and interfere?"

Gu Wenyan looked at him calmly and said, "I'll handle it myself. You don't need to meddle."

Gu Yeting was at a loss for words. He wished Gu Wenyan would rely on him now and accept his help, but he had missed the best window. His biological sister no longer needed her brother…

He was consumed by regret, yet powerless to make things right.

He could only sigh: "If you need anything at all, you must tell me."

Gu Wenyan did not agree to his request.

After returning to her room, she video-called Bao Sihan. He had been on a business trip these past two days—abroad for an important cross-border negotiation—so he wasn't in Jingcheng, and they hadn't seen each other for two days.

She really did miss him a little…

When the video call connected, Gu Wenyan watched a faint smile surface on the man's still-stern face. Unable to contain herself, she leaned closer to the phone: "When are you coming back?"

Bao Sihan had just gotten back to the hotel. Because of the time difference, he still had a dinner engagement to attend later.

He tugged at his tie, his expression turning languid, and smiled at Gu Wenyan: "Flight tomorrow afternoon, arriving domestically… you'll probably already be asleep."

"Oh, I was thinking of picking you up at the airport."

"No need. Be good. Once I'm back, I'll come find you."

Gu Wenyan nodded: "Mm, then hurry back."

Bao Sihan raised an eyebrow, the warmth in his eyes gradually spreading, and asked with a smile: "Did you miss me?"

Gu Wenyan cleared her throat, a little embarrassed, but still told him softly: "Maybe just a little."

When he was usually in Jingcheng and they could see each other anytime, this feeling of missing him wasn't quite so pronounced.

But now… Gu Wenyan realized her feelings for Bao Sihan had quietly grown deep without her noticing, so once he left, her longing for him became impossible to control.

Bao Sihan's lips curved up: "I'm very happy to hear you say you'll miss me."

"And you?" A faint pink spread across Gu Wenyan's cheeks, making her look especially lovely and enchanting.

The man's gaze darkened, his eyes on her growing more intense: "Yanyan, I wish I could hold you right now… what do you think, do I miss you or not?"

"…Hmph, you're terrible!"

Bao Sihan and Gu Wenyan chatted briefly before his secretary knocked on the door to hurry him, and they had to end the call for the moment.

News had already spread within Gu Group about how Gu Wenyan had turned the tables and secured the partnership with Bai Shi Group. Countless people found it hard to believe—they had never imagined that in the end, it would be she who became the savior, landing the partnership Gu Group had wanted most.

Gu Mianmian no longer had the face to go to the company, so she took a day off.

Gu Yechen, for his part, had no objections, so that morning he simply went to Gu Group together with Gu Wenyan.

Regarding everything that had happened yesterday, Gu Yechen didn't say much, but he still took the trouble to explain to Gu Wenyan: "I'm the eldest brother in this family. You two are both my sisters, so there are many things I need to balance…"

"I know. You don't need to explain yourself to me. She's your sister too. Besides, you've always treated Gu Mianmian as your own sister all these years—that kind of bond can't change overnight. I'm not angry with you."

Gu Wenyan said indifferently: "And I'm not asking you to do anything to punish her over yesterday either."

Gu Wenyan was clearly smiling, but there was no warmth in her eyes, and the curve of her lips carried a faintly cool edge.

Knowing she must be displeased with his approach, Gu Yechen frowned and added: "I'll tell Mianmian to stay out of the Marketing Department as much as possible from now on. If she wants a leisurely position, I'll arrange one for her."

"But the company's actual affairs… won't be handed to her anymore."

In truth, that statement alone was tantamount to a death sentence for Gu Mianmian.

From now on, Gu Mianmian might still receive shares in Gu Group and live as an idle heiress, but as for holding any real power at the heart of the company—that was virtually impossible.

The mistakes she had made this time had already laid bare the flaws in her character and her lack of ability.

Gu Wenyan didn't look at Gu Yechen. She turned her gaze to the scenery outside the window, hiding the curve of a smile at her lips, and said lightly: "It's up to you, big brother. Whatever you decide is your business. I won't interfere."

Hearing the cool detachment in his sister's words, Gu Yechen could only sigh helplessly to himself.

The first thing Bao Sihan did upon returning to Jingcheng was go to Gu Group to pick up Gu Wenyan—he didn't even have time to go home first.

When Gu Wenyan got off work and saw his car downstairs, delight welled up in her heart, and she quickened her steps, rushing over.

The moment she pulled open the back door and got in, the man hooked his strong arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace.