Jiang Lai grabbed Old Madam Gu’s cane before she could raise it again and said helplessly, “Grandma, there’s no need to argue with him anymore.”
Gu Xingyun wouldn’t listen to reason unless he suffered real consequences.
According to her memories from her previous life, Gu Corporation’s massive investment in the medical equipment sector — and the resulting cash-flow crisis — would erupt in just a few days.
When that happened, he would come looking for her.
After Gu Xingyun stormed out in anger, Jiang Lai went to Gu Corporation as usual.
Zhao Xiaodong saw her downstairs and approached with a troubled expression.
“Miss Jiang… President Gu said that starting today, you don’t need to come to work anymore.”
He didn’t know what had happened. Gu Xingyun arrived furious and ordered him to wait downstairs for Jiang Lai.
“So I’ve been fired?” Jiang Lai narrowed her eyes.
Zhao Xiaodong braced himself and continued, “Yes. President Gu said you should reflect properly these next few days, and come back when you’ve ‘figured things out.’”
“No need.”
Jiang Lai decisively took off her work badge and placed it in Zhao Xiaodong’s hand.
She had never been attached to this job. At first, she only came because she didn’t want her grandmother’s life’s work to be ruined.
But in this life, she would not cling foolishly to the Gu family again — she would save Gu Corporation in her own way.
She walked calmly out of the office building. Just as she was about to hail a taxi back to Minlai Apartment, she spotted Fu Boqing across the street.
He wore a khaki trench coat, carrying a box of small desserts, weaving through the crowd toward her.
“Why are you standing outside?” he glanced at the busy Gu Corp entrance. “Skipping work?”
“Fired,” Jiang Lai said lightly.
Fu Boqing immediately shut his mouth, opened the dessert box, and handed her a small cake.
“Here — a gift to celebrate your escape from misery.”
He casually ruffled her hair into a fluffy mess.
“Let’s go. I’ve already found you a place.”
“Mm.”
Jiang Lai followed him while eating the cake.
They soon stopped in front of Minlai Apartment.
Jiang Lai paused.
“You found my new place here?”
“What’s wrong?” Fu Boqing asked. “Master specifically told me to find you a good location. This was the most suitable nearby.”
“Nothing, just asking.” Jiang Lai shook her head.
They went to a nearby supermarket to buy daily necessities, then carried bags of items back to the building.
When the elevator doors opened, Fu Boqing almost bumped into Zhuang Hao, who was walking in while looking at his phone.
“Sorry,” Zhuang Hao said automatically.
His eyes flickered when he saw Fu Boqing, then shifted to Jiang Lai with a meaningful look.
He hurried into the elevator and pressed the close button.
As soon as the doors shut, he messaged Pei Jingchuan.
[Zhuang Hao: Why is there a new man beside Jiang Lai? Do you know who he is?]
He paced nervously inside the elevator.
Pei Jingchuan quickly replied:
[Pei Jingchuan: ?]
Seeing how calm he was, Zhuang Hao typed even faster.
[Zhuang Hao: A guy I’ve never seen before — he looks pretty good and is quite close to her. They’re at Minlai Apartment right now. Aren’t you worried you’re getting cheated on?]
After a moment:
[Pei Jingchuan: Hmm.]
Zhuang Hao stared at the single character and felt ridiculous for panicking.
If Pei Jingchuan wasn’t anxious, why was he so worked up?
He shoved his phone into his pocket.
Stay calm now — but if something really happens, just wait till you panic later!
Jiang Lai and Fu Boqing returned to the rented apartment.
He cleaned inside and out, organizing everything they bought.
“If you need anything else, tell me. I’ll be staying nearby for now.”
“Thanks, Senior Brother.” Jiang Lai smiled.
Fu Boqing often moved around for missions, so this was normal to her.
She stood up and straightened her clothes.
“Come with me to get my luggage.”
“Such a hassle,” he muttered — but still changed his trench coat for a shorter jacket to make carrying luggage easier.
Room 1103 was half-open.
Jiang Lai knocked casually and pushed the door open.
Her luggage was still unpacked since she hadn’t told Fu Boqing she found a new place.
As she bent down to change into slippers, she suddenly met Pei Jingchuan’s gaze.
He sat on a single sofa, legs crossed, a tablet resting on his knee.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” Jiang Lai paused.
“I came back to get a document,” he replied calmly.
His eyes swept past her and landed on Fu Boqing behind the door.
“Friend?” Pei Jingchuan asked lightly, though his tone carried a subtle edge. “Aren’t you going to introduce him?”
Fu Boqing stepped inside and nudged Jiang Lai with his elbow.
She had told him she was staying with a “friend” — he assumed it was a woman.
He hadn’t expected a man.
Jiang Lai answered calmly, “He’s a distant cousin I knew before returning to the Gu family. He works in Nancheng.”
“Yes.” Fu Boqing smoothly followed her lead.
At the same time, he sized up Pei Jingchuan.
The man wore a dark gray suit, cold and composed, handsome in a sharp, aristocratic way.
Strangely, Fu Boqing couldn’t read anything about him.
He asked directly, “I’m Lai Lai’s cousin. May I ask who you are?”
“Her fiancé,” Pei Jingchuan replied evenly. “Didn’t she mention me?”
He stood up and handed Fu Boqing an invitation from under a magazine.
Fu Boqing opened it.
It was a Pei family banquet — officially announcing Pei Jingchuan and Jiang Lai’s engagement.
Tch.
Jiang Lai really hadn’t been idle after coming down the mountain — she even got a fiancé.
He folded the invitation and slipped it into his pocket.
“I’ll attend. Thank you, Mr. Pei.”
“Lai Lai has been staying here and causing trouble for you. I’ve found her a new place — we’re here to collect her things.”
Pei Jingchuan gestured graciously. “Please.”
Fu Boqing turned to Jiang Lai, his smile disappearing.
“I’ll wait outside. You owe me an explanation.”
“Got it, Senior Brother — circumstances forced my hand!” Jiang Lai raised her hand obediently.
Then she dashed into the guest room to pack.
Her belongings were few; she finished quickly.
When she came out with her suitcase, Pei Jingchuan was leaning against the doorframe.
“Leaving?” he glanced at the suitcase.
“What about the Zhuang Group project — don’t you owe me an explanation?”
Using his name to battle Gu Xingyun…
He hadn’t realized before that his fiancée was this capable.