PB - Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Qi Simiao was adept at controlling the rhythm of a conversation. Throughout the meal, she didn’t say a single thing to spoil the mood. She knew how to read people, which always made chatting with her an easy affair. Gu Jianchu naturally understood and appreciated this, which was why she had pursued a closer relationship with her before. However, Qi Simiao’s obsessiveness was something she hadn’t anticipated.
“Jianchu, why don’t we go hang out at your place tonight?”
Gu Jianchu’s gaze rested on the freshly filled teacup. “My place is open for business as usual,” she said in a neutral tone. She lifted the cup, blew away the steam, and took a light sip.
“Jianchu, Qiao Qi isn’t right for you. Just look at this U.E. partnership—you two will have even more conflicts of interest in the future. You shouldn’t even be friends.”
Gu Jianchu set down her teacup, her expression turning cold. “This is none of your business.”
Every time Gu Jianchu enunciated her words so deliberately, Qi Simiao didn’t dare press further. But she knew exactly what kind of information Gu Jianchu needed. “I heard Gu Mingyi has been in frequent contact with members of the supervisory board recently, but I imagine you already know that.”
Gu Jianchu nodded in tacit agreement and asked, “Is there anything else?”
“I’ve already sent you the details on Ruifeng’s progress. I think it will be very helpful for your bid.”
At the mention of Ruifeng, Gu Jianchu’s expression flickered. She thought of Qiao Qi. Qi Simiao noticed her hesitation. Although Qi Simiao had closer ties to Ruifeng, emotionally, she wanted Rongfang to win the partnership. Liking Gu Jianchu was one reason, and hating Qiao Qi was another. She added a potent piece of information. “I also heard that Gu Mingyi has already met with that long-retired Director Wu from your company.”
A corner of Gu Jianchu’s mouth lifted. “You certainly know a lot. In any case, thank you for your tireless help. I have things to do at the office this afternoon, so I’ll be leaving.” As she stood, she added, “Oh, and tonight’s on me. Have fun.”
Outside the restaurant, Gu Jianchu called Liu Yanyan. “Look into Gu Mingyi’s recent movements.” After receiving a reply, she hung up and drove back to the office.
Gu Mingyi had met with Director Wu the day before yesterday. It wasn’t entirely unexpected; securing his support would be the best way to solidify one’s position at Rongfang. If she could think of it, Gu Mingyi naturally could too. She just hadn’t expected him to act faster than her, causing her to lose the initiative.
Liu Yanyan asked cautiously, “Should we go see Director Wu ahead of schedule?”
“No need.” Gu Jianchu smiled. “How much earlier could we be? Rushing over today would just make me look impatient. Postpone it for two days. Let him wait for me.”
“Understood. I’ll arrange it right away.”
On Gu Jianchu’s computer screen were the trade secrets about Ruifeng that Qi Simiao had sent. Including the previous one, there were two emails, neither of which she had opened. It wasn’t out of a commitment to business ethics or fair competition, but simply out of consideration for her relationship with Qiao Qi. Perhaps Qi Simiao had been right about one thing—her feelings for Qiao Qi were indeed different.
At the end of the workday, Qiao Qi was picked up on schedule by a car sent from Old Master Jin. A few hushed whispers circulated through the office, but the interest quickly faded. After all, it had happened so many times it was no longer strange. Her recent heavy workload had worsened her insomnia, leaving her with a splitting headache all day. She had taken more painkillers than Doctor Su prescribed, so during the day, she could only force herself to endure the pain.
Seeing her deathly pale face, Old Master Jin was deeply concerned. After dinner, he insisted she stay the night at the main residence to save her the trouble of traveling back and forth. Her head was indeed throbbing so badly that she lacked the strength to refuse. She nodded, returned to her bedroom, and after a shower, poured a glass of water and swallowed her painkillers and sleeping pills in one gulp. Then she lay down, hoping for a good night’s sleep.
Gu Jianchu knew Qiao Qi’s habits, so after working overtime until ten, she drove to Qiao Qi’s apartment. Not a single sliver of light shone from the house; she wasn’t back yet. But instead of Qiao Qi, she ended up waiting for Su Jiayin.
Su Jiayin was quite calm about finding her outside Qiao Qi’s home in the middle of the night. “She’s not home. Why didn’t you call before coming? That’s not like you.”
“On a whim.”
“So, what did this whim have you running over here for?”
Gu Jianchu raised an eyebrow. The evening breeze gently brushed the hair by her ear, a captivating sight. Her next words were spoken with uncharacteristic softness. “I wanted to ask her how her lunch was today.”
Su Jiayin looked at her in disbelief. “You’re insane,” she cursed. She took her phone out of her bag and dialed Qiao Qi. The phone rang for a long time before someone answered, their voice tinged with a rare, hazy sleepiness. “You’re over there? Not coming back tonight?”
“I’ve been too tired lately, so I’m sleeping here.” The sleeping pills were still in effect, and Qiao Qi’s drowsiness hadn’t faded, but she still managed to ask, “Is something wrong, for you to call so late?”
Su Jiayin’s gaze shifted to Gu Jianchu in the darkness. Her light-colored suit added to her elegant beauty. “I’m asking on someone’s behalf how your lunch was today.” Gu Jianchu let out a soft laugh, but the night wind carried it away. It was a pity Qiao Qi couldn’t hear it.
“Lunch?” Qiao Qi’s slightly sluggish mind was still trying to think out of habit. “Is Jianchu there too? Outside my apartment?”
Two questions in a row, each one clearer than the last. Su Jiayin handed the phone to Gu Jianchu, who took it and said softly, “Did I wake you?”
Qiao Qi sat up and leaned against the headboard. “Didn’t we agree to meet the day after tomorrow?” she asked.
“I just missed you.” Leaning against the car door, Su Jiayin gazed at the sky. Hearing their conversation, she secretly broke into a smile. Gu Jianchu couldn’t see her and wasn’t in the mood to care what she was smiling about. She continued, “Lunch tomorrow?”
“Okay. It’s late. Go home soon, and be safe on the road.” This time, Qiao Qi heard Gu Jianchu’s soft laugh, and a gentle smile touched the corners of her own eyes.
After hanging up, Gu Jianchu returned the phone to Su Jiayin. “Busy lately?” Su Jiayin asked. “Some people have even secretly started a betting pool on your competition with Ruifeng, wagering on which of you will ultimately win the partnership.”
Gu Jianchu raised an eyebrow. “How boring.”
Su Jiayin gave a noncommittal shrug. “Well, good luck,” she said. Seeing Gu Jianchu’s faint, ambiguous smile, she added, “I said the same thing to A Qi the day before yesterday. I’m very fair. By the way, I heard your uncle has been making some big moves lately. If you need any help, be sure to let me know.”
“Alright. You should head back.”
“Good night.”
On the drive back, the streets that were congested with traffic during the day were now empty. The city lights obscured the stars. Gu Jianchu couldn’t even explain to herself why she had wanted to see Qiao Qi. Perhaps wanting to see someone didn’t need a reason at all; it was a desire from the bottom of one’s heart, one that required no investigation.
Sometimes, unexpected complications can disrupt the best-laid plans. For instance, the lunch Gu Jianchu and Qiao Qi had arranged had to be canceled due to a sudden incident at a Rongfang branch company. Before boarding her flight, Gu Jianchu was still apologizing to Qiao Qi. While Qiao Qi reassured her, they didn’t set a new time to meet, because they both knew the next time they saw each other would be at the U.E. bidding conference.
On the plane, Liu Yanyan compiled the incoming information and handed it to Gu Jianchu. “It doesn’t seem like a random incident.”
“And Gu Mingyi?”
“He reportedly just returned to Beijing. President Gu, your thoughts?”
Gu Jianchu smiled. Some things were understood without being said. “Isn’t Linchuan City closer to Director Wu’s place?”
“Yes, it is. Are you planning to go there directly?”
Gu Jianchu nodded. Liu Yanyan opened her laptop and began to replan their itinerary. Outside the window, thick layers of clouds were visible. The monotonous scenery was soporific, and a flight attendant promptly brought a blanket so she could rest. Worried that the sound of her typing would disturb her, Liu Yanyan quietly asked for permission before moving to the row behind to continue her work.
She woke up when the plane landed. After the rest, Gu Jianchu felt much more refreshed. She began tackling the problem the moment she walked into the branch office. The disturbance at the factory wasn’t major, but the long journey was clearly Gu Mingyi’s way of making things difficult for her. Even so, by the time she finished her work and left the office, it was nearly one in the morning.
Qiao Qi had called after ten, but she had missed it. She redialed without hesitation, unconcerned that it was the middle of the night. As expected, Qiao Qi answered quickly.
“Working so late?”
“Why are you still awake?” Gu Jianchu gestured for Liu Yanyan to drive. “Still working?”
“I was just about to sleep. Are you back at the hotel?”
“On my way back now.” Gu Jianchu reserved her rare, soft-spoken words almost exclusively for Qiao Qi. “Nothing major happened here, so don’t worry. Get some sleep.”
“Okay.”
There was a gentle smile in Qiao Qi’s voice. Though she couldn’t see it, a smile bloomed on Gu Jianchu’s face as well. Only after she hung up did Liu Yanyan dare to ask for their destination.
“Leave two people here to handle the rest. We’re heading to see Director Wu now. We’ll try to be back by tomorrow evening.”
She was using the drama Gu Mingyi had stirred up as an opportunity to visit Director Wu. It wasn’t that she was afraid of Gu Yong finding out, but she didn’t want to provoke them into doing something even more outrageous.
“Is everything prepared?”
“It’s in the trunk.” The car was dim, but Liu Yanyan still noticed Gu Jianchu’s fatigue. “President Gu, you should get some rest. I rested in the lounge earlier, so don’t worry.” Gu Jianchu nodded and closed her eyes to rest.
They arrived shortly before six in the morning, before the city’s traffic had fully awakened. Having grown weary of the hustle and bustle in his old age, Director Wu lived in a mountain village on the city’s edge. Outside the house he’d built himself was a large flower garden, and this was the season when the flowers were in bloom.
Gu Jianchu chose to knock on Director Wu’s door at eight-thirty in the morning. The person who answered was Director Wu’s caretaker. They didn’t ask many questions upon seeing her, simply leading her directly to the master of the house. The garden was fragrant with flowers, and she took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the sweet scent.
“My flowers are blooming nicely, aren’t they?”
“Grandpa Wu, it’s been a long time.”
Gu Jianchu presented the gift she had prepared earlier: tea leaves and coffee beans. It was a very ordinary gift, but because she had never forgotten the small details of Director Wu’s daily life, it seemed especially thoughtful.
“I didn’t expect you to still remember my habits.” Director Wu’s tone was gratified. “Gu Mingyi came to see me before you did. At the time, I wondered when you would show up. I didn’t think you’d make me wait a whole week.”
Gu Jianchu said playfully, “So you were complaining that I came too late.”
Seeing her expression, Director Wu just smiled without speaking. When he saw she was about to say more, he raised a hand to stop her. “You must have driven through the night. Have you had breakfast?”
“Not yet.”
“Young people never know how to take care of themselves. Work is important, but your health is more important. Come, eat first.”
“Thank you, Grandpa Wu.”
At the breakfast table, Director Wu brewed a cup of the tea she had brought. “This tea is good, just the way I like it. It must have been difficult for you to prepare something so thorough.” He handed the brewed coffee to Gu Jianchu. “I already had coffee when I woke up. At my age, I daren’t drink too much in one day, but this smells wonderful.”
As he drank his tea, his tone shifted without warning. “Although Gu Mingyi came earlier, the fact that you could remain patient and make me wait for you is something I value highly.” Gu Jianchu continued eating without a word. She knew Director Wu had already made his calculations; she just needed to listen patiently.
“I watched you and Gu Mingyi grow up. Your grandfather and I always had a clear idea of your personalities and who was more capable of success. It’s a pity your grandfather passed away so early, and that your father and your uncle were in such a hurry to split the family assets, leading to the situation today. Bringing me tea and coffee and choosing to visit in the morning shows you put thought into it, but those two points alone aren’t quite enough for me to support you.”
“Please speak your mind, Grandpa Wu.”
Director Wu eyed her and continued, “I hear Rongfang is currently competing with Ruifeng for a partnership with an American company. I need a reason to feel assured.”
Gu Jianchu had anticipated this outcome. Things were already sliding in a direction no one could control. Since she was powerless to change it, she wouldn’t hesitate. “Please wait for my good news.” After leaving, she forwarded the files from Qi Simiao to Zhao Bo. She herself had never opened them. For a moment, she felt as if a great weight had been lifted.
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