Xu Cong felt even more embarrassed.
He had actually been threatened by a little girl about the same age as his own daughter.
But he never expected that his daughter would end up in the same class as Mr. Shen’s child.
Back then, he’d vehemently opposed his wife’s plan to send their daughter to such an expensive school. After all, the tuition was nearly half his monthly salary.
Although his wife was the one footing the bill, he was a grown man with his pride—he didn’t want people saying he relied on his wife to support the family.
That he couldn’t even afford his own daughter’s tuition.
Besides, there was really no need for a girl to attend such a prestigious school.
But that woman was used to calling the shots in everything and wouldn’t listen to him at all.
However, it now seemed there was a reason for the high tuition—it was all about the connections built up over the years.
He had made up his mind: once his son was born, he would send him there too.
“Click-clack-click…” The sound of high heels tapping on the floor echoed outside Mr. Qin’s office.
Accompanied by a knock, the secretary led in a woman wearing a black business suit, gold-rimmed glasses, and high heels.
The woman exuded a powerful presence.
She was clearly the type of strong, independent woman.
Secretary: “Mr. Qin, this is Ms. Gu. She says she has business to discuss with you.”
“Hello, Mr. Qin. My name is Gu An. Here is my business card.” ” As soon as she entered, the woman handed Mr. Qin a business card.
Spotting Shen Song’an standing by the door, she immediately greeted him: “Mr. Shen, what a coincidence—you’re here too?”
“Ms. Gu,” Shen Song’an nodded at her.
Mr. Qin glanced at the card and immediately addressed her: “ “Are you Senior Attorney Gu from Cheng’an Law Firm? I’ve heard so much about you! What brings you here today, Senior Attorney Gu?”
Cheng’an is one of the top three law firms in Beijing, handling cases worth tens of millions each. As the saying goes, ‘No one visits the temple of the Three Treasures without a reason.’ Surely his company doesn’t have any major cases that would require Cheng’an’s involvement?
“I apologize for the sudden disturbance, Mr. Qin. I’m here on a personal matter.” ” After greeting Mr. Qin, the woman turned to the young girl standing beside Xu Cong and said, “Xu Yuan, come here quickly.”
The moment the woman appeared, Xu Yuan’s eyes lit up, but she quickly lowered her head again. Only when she heard Gu An call her name did the young girl lift her head once more and whisper, “Mom.”
Hearing this, Mr. Qin looked at Xu Cong in surprise. “Xu Cong, what is your relationship with Attorney Gu?”
Ever since Gu An had walked in, Xu Cong’s expression had turned grim.
He knew full well that this woman was behind it all.
Caught off guard by President Qin’s question, he suppressed the anger in his eyes and forced a stiff smile. “President Qin, Gu An is my wife.”
President Qin was taken aback.
He hadn’t expected the manager of his company’s business department to have married such a capable woman.
But when he thought about why the two young girls had come to see him today,
it seemed that having a woman who was too capable wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
Xu Cong shared the same sentiment.
He felt there was no need for a woman to be too capable.
A wife who was too formidable made him look like a complete failure.
After all, he was a graduate of a prestigious university who had risen to the position of Sales Manager through his own abilities, earning a million-yuan annual salary.
Gu An had a strong personality; at home, she was just as bossy as she was at work, and she certainly wouldn’t pamper and coddle him the way Sun Qian did.
What man wouldn’t prefer a gentle, considerate woman?
Once he became Regional Director—and who knows, maybe in another two years he’d be the company’s Vice President—there would be absolutely no need to kowtow to a woman.
“Wow, Yuanyuan, your mom is so cool!” From the moment Gu An appeared, Jiang Xian’s eyes lit up just like Xu Yuan’s. Especially after learning that she was actually Xu Yuan’s mother, Jiang Xian couldn’t help but lean in and whisper in her ear.
Xu Yuan’s face flushed slightly as she looked in Gu An’s direction with a hint of admiration.
She, too, thought her mom was cool and amazing.
She wanted to become someone as amazing as her mom one day.
Just as Xu Yuan looked at her mother with admiration, Gu An turned to face her and asked, “Do you know what you did wrong?”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I shouldn’t have skipped school.” The little girl lowered her head and admitted her mistake in a soft voice.
“Good to know.”
Gu An didn’t scold her further in public. Instead, she turned to Mr. Qin and said, “Mr. Qin, I’m here to take this girl home. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“You’re too kind, Attorney Gu,” Mr. Qin replied with a gentle, humble smile and a sincere tone.
He knew full well that maintaining a good relationship with such a renowned lawyer would undoubtedly be beneficial for the company.
In this fiercely competitive business environment, no one could predict what legal issues might arise in the future.
And by cultivating a good relationship with him now, it might just come in handy at a critical moment.
Xu Cong, however, felt a pang of resentment.
Even his own boss was giving her face—was she feeling quite smug now?
Gu An didn’t bother to gauge Xu Cong’s reaction. She nodded to Mr. Qin, accepted his goodwill, and then called out to Xu Yuan, “YuanYuan, let’s go home.”
“Okay, Mom,” Xu Yuan replied obediently.
She then turned to Jiang Xian: “Xianxian, I’m going home.”
“Okay!”
Jiang Xian waved at her and said, “See you tomorrow.”
“Okay, see you tomorrow,” Xu Yuan couldn’t help but break into a smile, nodding vigorously.
She liked this new friend.
Very much, very much.
Gu An’s gaze fell on Jiang Xian’s face, then shifted to Shen Song’an behind her.
After nodding to him, she took Xu Yuan by the hand and walked out.
“President Qin, we’ll be taking our leave as well.” Shen Song’an also led Jiang Xian out.
Soon, only President Qin and Xu Cong remained in the office.
Just as Xu Cong was about to leave, he heard President Qin say, “Xu, building a career is important, but you also need to handle your family matters properly. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll grant you a few days off on behalf of the company. Come back to work once you’ve sorted out your family affairs.”
“Understood, President Qin.” Xu Cong’s heart skipped a beat, and his face turned pale as he realized President Qin had taken issue with him.
“Gu An, stop right there.”
Gu An was holding Xu Yuan’s hand and about to get into the car when Xu Cong, who had caught up to them, called out to her.
Xu Cong’s face was dark as he glared at her. “I never thought you were this kind of person.”
Gu An opened the car door, letting Xu Yuan get in first, then turned to face Xu Cong. “ “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play dumb!”
Xu Cong glared at her angrily. “You dare say this whole scene today wasn’t your doing? You act so nonchalant on the surface, but behind the scenes you’re pulling these underhanded tricks. I really misjudged you. Just tell me the truth—what exactly are you trying to do? I’m still Yuan Yuan’s father—what good would it do you to ruin me? We’re all adults here. Can’t we just part ways amicably?”
A barrage of accusations poured out.
The look Xu Cong gave her didn’t resemble that of a long-married couple; it was more like he was staring at his sworn enemy.
Gu An remained calm throughout, and only after he had finished speaking did she reply coldly, “You’re overthinking it.”