Meng Shu Tang wore a white dress, the skirt hem swaying gently with her steps.
Her skin was like congealed fat, her brows and eyes as clear and picturesque as a painting, and her ink-black hair was not overly styled, just simply pinned up.
A few stray strands of hair hung by her ears, accentuating her exceptionally slender swan-like neck.
Standing there, she created a world of her own, making even the great beauty Ci Xian look dull and tacky in comparison.
Seeing him staring blankly at Meng Shu Tang, Ci Xian reminded him, "President Wang, President Wang..."
Wang Qiang came back to his senses.
Ci Xian asked, "How many years are you signing for?"
She asked in a joking tone; the Gu Corporation Cultural Tourism Town project was like a fine jar of wine, not afraid of being hidden in the deepest of alleys.
One could tell just by looking at the tourists coming in; it hadn't even officially started yet, but if it were to open, the scene would be comparable to the Great Wall or Mount Huang.
"I wouldn't dare say too much, but with President Gu here, twenty years is absolutely no problem."
Gu Yun Ci also saw him looking at Meng Shu Tang and gave a faint, cold scoff. "President Wang, you aren't the one in charge, yet you speak quite boldly."
Wang Qiang felt slighted but didn't dare to respond.
After the tour, Meng Shu Tang went to the restroom.
After finishing with Gu Yun Ci, Wang Qiang followed her.
As soon as Meng Shu Tang came out, she was blocked by Wang Qiang in the hallway.
"Are you an employee of the Gu Corporation?"
Seeing the ill intent in his eyes, Meng Shu Tang shook her head slightly and intended to leave.
Wang Qiang reached out to stop her. "I am in charge of the cultural tourism sector for Ying Xia Group. The president of Ying Xia Group is my Jiefu, and I am my sister's only younger brother.
If you follow me, I guarantee you will live in luxury and never have to suffer in the wind and sun again."
As he spoke, he toyed with Meng Shu Tang's hair.
Meng Shu Tang 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 was not bad-looking; he belonged to the type of man who had a certain level of attractiveness.
So, what he said was likely somewhat true.
"Or... are you like the other women in Jiang Cheng, dreaming of marrying Gu Yun Ci one day?"
Meng Shu Tang looked at him, frozen in place.
Seeing that he had hit on her worries, Wang Qiang said, "Can't you tell? Gu Yun Ci only has that Ci Xian in his eyes and heart.
To be honest, I don't know what Gu Yun Ci is thinking. With such a beauty by his side, he actually likes someone like Ci Xian."
As he spoke, he leaned in closer, his elbow brushing against Meng Shu Tang's arm.
Meng Shu Tang swung her bag to hit him. "Get lost, don't touch me."
Wang Qiang did not stop; he even intentionally intensified his actions.
Ahem!
A tall, slender figure suddenly approached and stopped between the two, blocking them with his side and shielding Meng Shu Tang behind him. "President Wang, your teacup is empty, so I had someone refill it for you."
Wang Qiang retracted his lecherous smile. "I am truly grateful to President Gu."
After saying this, he glanced at Meng Shu Tang one more time and turned to leave.
Seeing that Wang Qiang had left, Meng Shu Tang turned to look at Gu Yun Ci. "Thank you."
Gu Yun Ci's brows furrowed coldly; his gaze did not land on her as he turned and walked away.
In the evening, at the Cultural Tourism Town office, Ci Xian and Qin Zheng walked over with documents.
Ci Xian said, "President Gu, President Wang just called to say he is very satisfied with our cultural tourism base. This is the letter of intent for cooperation; please take a look."
The man looked at the cooperation proposal she handed over, didn't even flip through it, and pushed it away gently. "No need to discuss it."
Ci Xian was shocked and turned to look at Qin Zheng.
Qin Zheng also looked as if he had no idea why.
This was the first major deal since Ci Xian took office, and it was with Ying Xia Group; she had to sign it.
"Why?"
The man got up, grabbed his coat, and walked out. "Qualifications don't match, philosophies don't align—there are plenty of reasons. Block them completely. A company like that doesn't deserve to cooperate with us."
Ci Xian froze there.
It was a done deal, so how could it suddenly change?
She called Wang Qiang. "President Wang, our cooperation... cannot be signed for the time being."
Wang Qiang asked, "But..."
Ci Xian said, "There are no 'buts.' Wait, wait until the Cultural Tourism Town officially opens. But I want to ask, how did you offend President Gu?"
Wang Qiang replied, "I didn't offend him! Oh, I remember now. Today at the entrance of the restroom, I blocked a young girl—fair-skinned and thin, like a fairy—and President Gu came over... She was just an ordinary employee, surely President Gu wouldn't go that far!"
If not being able to sign the agreement was shocking, then knowing that Gu Yun Ci was protecting Meng Shu Tang was mind-boggling.
He didn't love her!
They were about to get a divorce!
Ci Xian hung up the phone.
"It must be Brother Yun Ci's possessiveness at work." After all, no man would want to be a cuckold, let alone someone as exceptional as Gu Yun Ci. "This Wang Qiang is truly useless.
I have to plan carefully and rethink this!"
Ci Xian only felt a headache coming on.
...
After finishing the work at the Cultural Tourism Town, Meng Shu Tang returned to the hotel to pack her things.
Just as she was packing, her Maternal Grandmother called.
Meng Shu Tang picked up her mobile phone to answer. "Maternal Grandmother."
Maternal Grandmother said, "Tangtang, are you back from your business trip? I made some delicious food for you all; come home for dinner tonight."
Meng Shu Tang hesitated for a moment. "Yun Ci hasn't returned yet. I'll ask him in a moment if he has any other arrangements, then I'll get back to you."
She hung up the phone, finished packing, and sat on the bed waiting for Gu Yun Ci.
After waiting for a while, he didn't return, so she called him.
He didn't answer.
She got up intending to go find him, but before she reached the door, it creaked open.
He glanced at her indifferently, his gaze shifting away from her face.
Meng Shu Tang hesitated. "Maternal Grandmother just called and asked us to go over for dinner. Are you coming?"
The man's hand, which was taking off his coat, paused. His thin lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he said nothing.
Seeing this, Meng Shu Tang said, "If you can't go... that's fine."
The man didn't even lift his head and nodded slightly. "I have to meet a business partner in a moment, so I won't be going back."
Meng Shu Tang nodded, turned to pick up her suitcase, and left the room.
On the way back, she passed a shopping mall.
Amidst the bright lights, she saw the man accompanying Ci Xian to pick out a bracelet at a jewelry store.
Thinking she was dazed and had seen wrong, she rolled down the car window an inch.
Gu Yun Ci always had a cold face, but it looked much better than when he was with her.
The small glimmer of hope that had just risen in Meng Shu Tang slowly sank.
"I am nothing but a tool for his revenge. He has never had me in his heart, which is why he doesn't even bother with superficial gestures."
In 45 days, he and she would be completely finished.
From now on, she should not have any illusions.
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