Gu Tingye spoke methodically, “You have two choices.”
“First, pay me a certain amount for the use of my body. I can let bygones be bygones and treat it as if I was harassed by a rogue for a night.”
Fang Mian’s mind was in chaos. “How much does President Gu want?”
“One hundred million.”
“…”
Fang Mian accepted her fate. “Can you give a discount? Even if President Gu is indeed delicate and precious, the price doesn’t have to be that outrageous, right? Besides, last night was my… my…”
First time…
Fang Mian gritted her teeth. “Forget it. Just tell me the second choice.”
Because money—she truly didn’t have it.
And she did indeed get a taste of swan meat.
Gu Tingye said calmly, “Since you can’t pay, then pay with some physical effort. I can reluctantly accept that.”
Just pay with physical effort?
Feeling like she had scored a bargain, Fang Mian agreed without hesitation. “Deal.”
Gu Tingye raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly. “Assistant Fang agreed so readily?”
Fang Mian was afraid he would go back on his word. “I hope President Gu keeps his promise.”
“My character is beyond doubt, Assistant Fang. Otherwise, Tianyu wouldn’t have achieved its current status.”
That was true.
Fang Mian said awkwardly, “I was being too petty. Please don’t take offense, President Gu! I’m just not sure what this physical work… specifically entails? I’d like to hire some help.”
“No need for help. Assistant Fang alone is enough.”
“Please clarify, President Gu.”
Gu Tingye’s eyes shimmered, concealing a hint of desire. “Go on ten dates with me. After ten dates, we’ll be even.”
Fang Mian trembled all over, frozen like stone.
She really didn’t want to be the kind of girl who understood instantly.
But that was the reality.
Was this the good character he had just boasted about?
Gu Tingye’s tall and perfect image in her mind was rapidly crumbling.
Fang Mian made a last-ditch effort. “What if I say no?”
Gu Tingye picked up his phone and waved it in front of her. “I recorded a video last night.”
“Do you want me to play it for you alone? Or play it for the entire company, or even the whole world?”
Fang Mian’s face instantly turned pale. “I never expected the esteemed President Gu to have such a hobby!”
“Compared to Assistant Fang’s deliberate attempt to seduce her superior, my little trick is nothing. It’s purely for self-protection. Having been in the business world for so long, it’s always good to have a backup plan. Don’t you agree?”
Fang Mian gritted her teeth in anger. “Will President Gu delete the video after ten dates?”
Gu Tingye’s thin lips curled slightly. “Naturally.”
Damn it!
Truly, trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice.
Indeed, none of the Gu family are good people!
Returning to the Fang family home, it was just lunchtime.
Coincidentally, Gu Ziqian was also at the Fang family’s dining table, having a meal.
They weren’t even married yet, but he certainly didn’t act like an outsider.
Truly worthy of being a member of the Gu family.
Just as shameless as Gu Tingye.
“Sweetheart, you’re finally back from your business trip? Come sit and eat.”
Fang Mian glanced at him unhappily. “No need, I’ve already eaten. You all go ahead.”
She said softly to her mother, “Mom, I’m going upstairs first.”
“Alright.”
A moment later, Gu Ziqian came up to the second floor to find her.
Fang Mian was hanging up the freshly washed clothes.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart? You seem a bit unhappy? You didn’t even eat.”
With that, Gu Ziqian wrapped his arms around Fang Mian’s slender waist and rested his face against the crook of her neck.
Fang Mian pushed him away with a look of resistance. “It’s nothing, I’m just not hungry.”
“Then what would you like to eat tonight? I’ll take you out.”
“No need. I have a proposal to revise, no time.”
Seeing his enthusiasm met with cold indifference, Gu Ziqian suddenly flared up with his young master temper. “You don’t want this, you don’t need that. Fang Mian, do you even see me as your future husband?”
Fang Mian gave him a cool sidelong glance. “What do you think?”
That look was piercing.
As if seeing right through everything.
Gu Ziqian’s heart skipped a beat, inexplicably feeling a bit guilty.
Fang Mian finished hanging the clothes on her own and returned to the sofa, opening her laptop to start working.
After steeling himself for a moment, Gu Ziqian sat down beside her again with a cheeky grin.
“If I remember correctly, your period is due in ten days, right?”
“Since you’re on leave today, how about… we get a head start on newlywed life tonight? Help you relieve some work stress.”
“Anyway, we’re getting married in two months, might as well start early…”
“Gu Ziqian.” Fang Mian cut him off coldly. “Let’s break up.”
The air suddenly fell silent.
After a long pause, Gu Ziqian found his voice again. “What nonsense are you talking? We’ve been together for five years, the wedding date is set, and now you’re telling me you want to break up?”
Fang Mian stared into his eyes, enunciating each word clearly. “I’m serious.”
Gu Ziqian still refused to believe it. “Give me a reasonable reason for breaking up.”
“My body isn’t clean anymore. I cheated.”
Gu Ziqian froze.
A few seconds later, he suddenly burst out laughing. “Today is April 1st, April Fools’ Day. You really had me going there for a second, your acting was so convincing. Good thing I caught on in time.”
Fang Mian glanced at her phone screen.
It really was April 1st.
Speechless…
Gu Ziqian coaxed, “Alright, alright, I won’t push you. I know you’re a perfectionist, wanting to save your first time for the wedding night. I’ll respect that.”
“It’s also my fault for not being more considerate. You just got back from a business trip, you should rest more. I shouldn’t have taken my temper out on you.”
“I’ll head back to the office now, let’s meet up tomorrow. Bye!”
Watching the door close, Fang Mian felt utterly exasperated.
She had brought up breaking up six times already, and each time Gu Ziqian thought she was just making a fuss, brushing it off with excuses every time.
When would this arrogant young master from a wealthy family ever change his self-righteous attitude?
Early the next morning, Fang Mian was waiting for the elevator on the first floor of the company, holding her laptop.
“Good morning, President Gu!”
“Morning.”
“Good morning, President Gu!”
“Mhm.”
As the commanding sound of leather shoes grew closer, Fang Mian’s heartbeat also lost its rhythm.
The executive elevator was on the inner side.
Gu Tingye would inevitably pass behind her.
Should she greet him as usual?
As Gu Tingye drew nearer…
Fang Mian felt the temperature around her suddenly rise by more than ten degrees.
Just then, the elevator doors opened.
She quickly lowered her head and said, “Good morning, President Gu.”
Then, like a flash of light, she darted into the elevator and pressed the close button.
Watching the doors gradually shut, she let out a sigh of relief.
She even generously gave Gu Tingye outside the elevator a faint, professional smile.
Just as the elevator doors were about to close…
A long, slender hand suddenly reached in.
The elevator doors opened once more.
The smile on Fang Mian’s face instantly froze.
Gu Tingye’s lips curved slightly. “Good morning, Assistant Fang.”
With a long stride, he actually deigned to step into the employee elevator.
Seeing the president enter Elevator No. 1, the employees outside all swarmed into the adjacent Elevator No. 2.
Gu Tingye stood tall and straight to the side, hands in his pockets.
It seemed there was no escaping this.
Fang Mian feigned composure and pressed the button for the 58th floor.
Then began the agonizingly slow wait, each second feeling like a year.
When the number changed to 21.
Gu Tingye, unable to bear the silence, spoke first. “When does Assistant Fang plan to start our first time?”
Fang Mian’s eyelashes trembled. “President Gu, there are surveillance cameras here.”
Gu Tingye chuckled lightly. “What? Does Assistant Fang think I’m someone to be ashamed of?”
“No.”
“Then does Assistant Fang think what we arranged is something to be ashamed of?”