Shu Juan didn’t know why, but a chill crept up from the soles of her feet, cold enough to make her scalp tingle.
Gu Hong said, “How could that be, President Huang? Didn’t you already…”
President Huang said, “Didn’t what? You have the nerve to make me wait an entire night for nothing?”
Gu Hong quickly explained, “I don’t know where things went wrong. I really did send her to the room last night…”
President Huang’s anger had yet to subside. “With the way you handle things, you can forget about getting promoted under me.” He paused, then added, “But the higher-ups have spoken. I just got word—tomorrow you’ll be appointed General Manager of the Product Division.”
Gu Hong was overjoyed, nodding and bowing. “Thank you, President Huang. Thank you. I won’t let down your cultivation and expectations!”
Before the call had even ended, the sound of glass shattering rang out from behind him.
Gu Hong immediately hung up and turned around. He saw Shu Juan standing barefoot in the living room, in front of the broken shards of a glass and a puddle of water.
The lights from outside illuminated her, making her look as pale as a ghost.
Gu Hong was startled, but kept his composure and said coldly, “What are you doing here?”
Shu Juan’s eyes locked onto him. “So, when you asked me to accompany you to the reception, your plan was to arrange for me to entertain your boss?”
Gu Hong saw no point in hiding it anymore. “You heard everything. You know I’ve been a director in the Product Division for five years now. If I don’t move up this year, I’m afraid others will trample me down.
“Coincidentally, President Huang met you once before. I don’t know what it is about you, but he’s never been able to forget you. He promised me that if you spent one night with him, he’d give me the promotion.”
Shu Juan’s eyes turned bloodshot with rage. “Gu Hong, you’re despicable! We’re husband and wife—I have never done anything to wrong you!”
Only then did she realize that last night she hadn’t gotten drunk—she’d been drugged.
And the one who had drugged her was the person she trusted most at her side! The father of her child!
Gu Hong showed not a trace of shame. “If you could help me get promoted, wouldn’t that also be for the good of this family?”
Shu Juan screamed hysterically, “But did you ever think about me?!”
The shouting woke Gu Qianqian, and his grandparents came out as well.
Zhou Hui quickly wrapped her arms around Gu Qianqian. “What’s all this shouting in the middle of the night? Shu Juan, you’re the one who did such a thing—how dare you make a scene?”
Shu Juan looked at Gu Qianqian and Zhou Hui with pleading eyes, her voice choked with tears. “Mom, it was all Gu Hong—he set me up…”
Zhou Hui had heard most of it from inside the room. She glanced at Gu Hong and said, “He was doing it for the good of the family too.”
Gu Hong’s father, Gu Jianguo, scolded, “Don’t air your dirty laundry in public! What will the neighbors say if they hear?! Everyone, go back to your rooms and cool off!”
Gu Hong said, “This time, who knows which random man got the benefit of you. Even though you couldn’t help me at all, at least I still got promoted. You see, even without you, I can get it done on my own merit.”
Gu Jianguo asked, “You got promoted?”
Gu Hong looked rather triumphant. “Just got the news. Tomorrow I’m being promoted to General Manager of the Product Division.”
Zhou Hui beamed with joy. “Oh my, that’s wonderful news! We have to celebrate! I’ll go buy two fish tomorrow!”
Shu Juan felt all her strength drain away. She realized that the whole family was overjoyed at Gu Hong’s promotion—no one cared about how she felt.
She clenched her teeth so hard she tasted blood in her mouth. “Gu Hong, all these years I was blind. I couldn’t see what a disgusting face you really have!”
To her surprise, what answered her was Gu Qianqian’s angry, childish voice: “You shameless! You’re a worn shoe! You’re not allowed to yell at Daddy!”
Shu Juan looked at him in disbelief. “Worn shoe?”
Gu Qianqian said matter-of-factly, “Grandma said that since someone else has worn you, you’re a worn shoe—dirty!”
Shu Juan’s eyes were bloodshot as she glared at Zhou Hui. “This is how you teach him?”
Zhou Hui looked a little guilty, but said, “I didn’t say anything untrue. If you can do it, others can talk about it!”
Gu Jianguo barked, “Enough! Everyone, back to your rooms!”