Once again, Chengdu said, “What I said before… I really thought you had been unfaithful to me. I lacked security, so I misjudged you. Lin Zhou, I’m sorry.”
Lin Zhou felt a pang of bitterness. After so many years, a relationship doesn’t simply vanish from memory. But she was Lin Zhou. She would never show sadness or heartache; in front of others, she was always strong and self-reliant. She was a resolute rose, no matter the setbacks, she would remain upright and unyielding.
She didn’t respond, which Chengdu had anticipated. Lin Zhou hadn’t shed a single tear even when her father was ill. Why would she be upset over him?
He nodded slightly, as a way of saying goodbye.
Lin Zhou watched Chengdu’s desolate back, opening her mouth as if to call him back, to tell him that she hadn’t interfered with his work.
But in the end, she stayed silent. What was the point of saying these things now? Since paths had diverged, it was perhaps better to let Chengdu think she was heartless, it might help him return to normal faster.
Her heart ached, compounded by the headache and heartache caused by Feng Yunni pestering her that morning about the heroine’s progress. She was in a foul mood.
Trying to relax, she found that alcohol no longer dulled her pain. Even drowning her sorrows now required considerable effort. After the last time, when she had gotten drunk and ended up in a confusing situation with someone she’d just met, she was even more unwilling to use alcohol as anesthesia. Alcohol was a troublesome thing.
After some thought, she decided that exercise suited her better.
She left the service center and stopped by the mall to buy some tennis equipment. After that day’s workout, she felt mentally and physically refreshed, far more enjoyable than running.
At Hefeng Tower, Wang Peng finished reporting work to Gu Minxuan and couldn’t help starting with company gossip.
“Early this morning, Miss Feng once again caused a scene in Assistant Lin’s office.”
Gu Minxuan had already heard this from Wang Peng two other times. He shrugged. “Isn’t that normal? She often causes a scene in my office too.”
Lately, Feng Yunni had been insisting on casting for Past Affairs. She said it was Lin Zhou’s promise, and that Lin Zhou and Gu Minxuan must handle it properly. Failure meant their work ability was lacking. Classic princess syndrome, late-stage, incurable.
Gu Minxuan thought to himself, anyone brave enough to marry this young lady in the future would need nerves of steel.
“Assistant Lin has indeed been busy with Miss Feng’s matter recently, but it seems there’s been little progress,” Wang Peng said with a furrowed brow, a hint of regret in his tone. “I always thought she was capable of anything. I didn’t expect there’d be something she couldn’t accomplish.”
“Director Xu didn’t reach his current status by being an easy target,” Gu Minxuan said, closing the files and stretching his neck. Sunlight spilled across his back, warm and lazy, making one feel comfortable.
“President Gu, are you planning to help Miss Feng secure the role? After all, you…” Wang Peng cautiously observed him. For others, it might be easy, but for Gu Minxuan, it was far too simple.
Gu Minxuan curved his lips. “Helping Feng Yunni? Forget it.” Even the distinguished young master felt stifled being assigned to Hefeng, let alone having to serve this “ancestor.” It was even more vexing to think about.
“But this entertainment company clearly exists for Miss Feng. If you don’t manage it, when will you return to the Gu Corporation?” Wang Peng asked, concerned.
“Even if I thrive at Hefeng, will returning be easy?” Gu Minxuan’s smile vanished. Moments later, he curved his lips into a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “What if I completely mess things up at Hefeng, yet still manage to unexpectedly unseat him as chairman? Wouldn’t he be surprised?”
Wang Peng inwardly rolled his eyes but remained outwardly respectful. “President Gu, stop joking. Even if such a day comes, would the board really let someone who’s messed everything up at Hefeng take charge?”
Gu Minxuan stared at the unusually serious Wang Peng he had been teasing. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. I have it under control. Since we’re helping Feng Yunni, we can’t just help her.”
Wang Peng immediately understood. “You mean… make Assistant Lin owe you a favor too?”
“Of course, maximize the benefit.” Gu Minxuan didn’t confirm or deny. At Hefeng, bringing Lin Zhou into his circle would smooth his path considerably. He turned to the floor-to-ceiling window, basking in the warm sunlight. “I have lunch with Lawyer Qin. You don’t need to arrange anything.”
Gu Minxuan had helped Qin Cheng with some business, lifting his spirits, and Qin specifically invited him to lunch.
After lunch, with nothing special planned for the afternoon, they decided to play some tennis. If Gu Minxuan had no plans in the evening, they could visit a bar afterward.
It was too hot outdoors, so Qin suggested the indoor tennis courts for better comfort. They eventually chose the indoor courts at Terry Hotel, which had the best environment.
Both Gu Minxuan and Qin Cheng were over 180 cm, with handsome faces and perfect builds, instantly drawing attention when they entered the court. Gu Minxuan frequented the place, so the staff knew him well, though they didn’t know he was the company’s vice president.
Before Gu Minxuan could speak, a staff member said, “Mr. Gu, your girlfriend is in court number 5.”
Gu Minxuan froze for two seconds, momentarily at a loss. The staff kindly reminded him, “The lady who was with you that Friday night, you were holding hands.”
Gu Minxuan finally realized that Lin Zhou was also there. The staff had only seen him holding her hand and didn’t notice that she had pulled it back in disdain, hence the misunderstanding.
He raised an eyebrow. “Girlfriend” felt unfamiliar. No one had ever called her that in front of him. Hearing someone else refer to Lin Zhou as his girlfriend was peculiar. It felt like a caterpillar crawling on his heart, tingly and strange, yet undeniably pleasant.
“Thanks!” Gu Minxuan turned to Qin Cheng. “You’ll have to amuse yourself today.”
“What! Gu Minxuan, you have a girlfriend?” Qin Cheng exclaimed. Gu Minxuan had arrived in B City single, and now, just over three months later, he already had a girlfriend. That wasn’t the main point; the real point was: “You’ve got a girlfriend, but now you can’t play tennis because she’s here? Can’t even introduce us? That’s putting romance over friendship!”
Gu Minxuan didn’t mean it that way. He was just concerned that Lin Zhou probably didn’t want to see Qin Cheng right now. After all, that night Qin had arranged the meeting between Chengdu and Lin Zhou. Only a few days had passed; anyone would feel awkward.
“Of course you can.” He draped an arm over Qin Cheng’s shoulder as they walked out. “But she’s not my girlfriend inside.”
“Who? Do I know her?” Qin Cheng asked, certain he must. Likely, they didn’t have a great relationship.
“Lin Zhou,” Gu Minxuan said.
Qin Cheng couldn’t help but exclaim, “What! Gu Minxuan, when did you get together with her? And holding hands in public like that!”
Qin Cheng’s focus seemed… slightly off.