PB - Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Qiao Qi was tired, so she took the opportunity to hide out and relax in the bedroom. Gu Jianchu kept her company. The weather was clear, and with the balcony curtains open, they could see the bright stars in the night sky. She had been forced to make so much small talk during the party and just wanted some quiet now, so she chatted idly with Gu Jianchu.
Gu Jianchu asked her, “Are you going back tonight?”
She shook her head. “The Chairman told me to stay.”
Qiao Qi’s skin was naturally fair, and the blood-red ruby on her chest was exceptionally beautiful. Gu Jianchu’s gaze lingered there. “The necklace suits you.”
“It’s a gift from the Chairman.”
Gu Jianchu found her choice of address amusing. “Do you call Old Master Jin that to his face?”
“I’m used to it.”
“His treatment of you is interesting. First, he ignored all the outside rumors, and today he tacitly approved of Jin Zhiyu and Qi Sitian’s actions. He doesn’t clarify anything, but you can see he’s put thought into you.” Gu Jianchu shook her head and smiled. “Old Master Jin’s thoughts are really hard to guess.”
Qiao Qi was silent for a moment before saying, “He’s actually very conflicted. He wants to do his best to compensate me, but he also has to protect his own pride.” When the Old Master had first proposed this banquet, Qiao Qi had wanted to refuse. What ultimately changed her mind was his sincerity. It wasn’t about letting bygones be bygones; she simply didn’t have the heart to reject his deliberate attempts to please her. In the end, she was soft-hearted.
A knock at the door interrupted the warm atmosphere in the room. Su Jiayin’s voice followed. “You two young ladies can come out now.”
Qiao Qi opened the door. Su Jiayin stood outside, a meaningful smile on her face. “I waited twenty minutes before coming up to get you. I gave you two plenty of time.”
Gu Jianchu said, “Then we’ll have to thank Miss Su.”
The three of them became the center of attention as they descended the stairs together. Su Jiayin’s claim of going up to get them was more of a cover story. No one paid attention to when they had specifically gone upstairs, but seeing the three of them come down together, everyone naturally assumed they had gone up together. Qiao Qi returned to the Old Master’s side, and Gu Jianchu, checking the time, figured it was about time for her to leave.
Gu Jianchu and Gu Fanchu had driven over themselves, while Mr. and Mrs. Gu had taken the family car. When it was time to leave, however, Mrs. Gu got into Gu Jianchu’s car. Gu Jianchu knew this was her mother’s way of telling her to come home tonight. Once she started the engine, the other two cars followed, driving out of the Jin family’s large estate.
Gu Jianchu was driving, and Mrs. Gu kept glancing at her. After a few times, she smiled. “Mom, what is it you want to say?”
Mrs. Gu said, “It’s her birthday today, why did you dress so flamboyantly? And that watch you’re wearing—are you afraid people won’t see that your relationship isn’t simple? The older you get, the more trouble you cause.”
Gu Jianchu retorted, “Don’t I look good?”
“You look good. My daughter was the most beautiful one here tonight.” Mrs. Gu looked at her daughter, who was truly stunning, and a hint of delight appeared in her expression. But then she remembered this whole outfit was for a woman, and she felt a little sad. “You’re so beautiful, you could find anyone. If you haven’t found someone you’re satisfied with, you can just take your time. The family has never pressured you. How could you be so cruel as to break my heart?”
“A Qi is wonderful.”
“Wonderful how?” Mrs. Gu recalled the banquet and listed her complaints. “She’s average-looking, and she’s so tall and thin—that kind of figure is all dried up. She’s not warm with people either. When she sees her elders, she just offers a few pleasantries. She doesn’t know how to talk.”
Gu Jianchu disliked her mother’s assessment of Qiao Qi. She said, “Whether you like her or not, I must ask you to respect me. After all, she is my girlfriend.”
Her daughter’s attitude of siding with an outsider hurt her as a mother. She added, “Your Auntie Lin also praised how beautiful you were tonight and asked me if you’d found a boyfriend. I didn’t even know how to answer.”
Their family had a harmonious relationship, and a mother was still a mother. She softened her tone. “A Qi really is wonderful. When I have time, I’ll bring her home so you can spend more time together. Mom, the decision I’ve made won’t change. I hope you can understand, and please know that I truly love her.”
Mrs. Gu huffed. “I’ve never seen you so devoted to anyone before.”
Gu Jianchu chuckled lightly. “You’ll come to like her, Mom.”
After Gu Jianchu left, Su Jiayin departed around the same time. Qiao Qi felt even more exhausted from socializing. She was merely a symbol at this banquet; her presence or absence didn’t really matter much. The Jin family was large, so her absence wouldn’t be considered rude. She took her leave from Old Master Jin, who saw the weariness on her face and waved her off, letting her go upstairs to rest.
Back in the bedroom, Qiao Qi removed the heavy jewelry. She had drunk a bit too much today, so a bath wasn’t a good idea. When she emerged from the bathroom, she had changed into a comfortable nightgown. Not feeling sleepy yet, she draped a robe over her shoulders and stood lost in thought on the balcony. The night wind blew, but it couldn’t scatter the dense canopy of stars in the sky.
Qiao Qi didn’t know when the banquet ended. She came in from the balcony, still not sleepy, and went to the study to work, focused and absorbed. The restructuring of the Shenzhen factory was proceeding in an orderly manner. U.E. and Rongfang’s collaboration was also in the factory construction phase. What she needed to compete for was the time-to-market after production began. For now, everything was going smoothly.
The night was the same night, but everyone had their own way of passing it, so it also felt like many different nights. Qi Simiao, for example, vented all her lust for Gu Jianchu and her jealousy of Qiao Qi onto another person—a person who had to be connected to Gu Jianchu to give her even a sliver of comfort.
After their passion was spent, Qi Simiao quickly pulled away to take a shower. Gu Mingyi leaned against the headboard, smoking and waiting for her. When Qi Simiao came out drying her hair, she smelled the smoke and frowned. Gu Mingyi took a deep drag and deliberately blew a cloud of white smoke in her direction, a sarcastic smile on his face. “I saw you trying to seduce Gu Fanchu tonight. What, you failed to hook him, so you came running to me?”
“Why would Young Master Gu care about me?” Qi Simiao untied her bathrobe and changed her clothes with her back to Gu Mingyi.
Gu Mingyi tossed his cigarette butt, pulled her over, and pinned her to the bed. He held her down firmly, grabbing her chin with a mocking tone. “Don’t think I can’t see that the person you like is Gu Jianchu. You’re only targeting me and Gu Fanchu because of her.”
He released his grip on her and continued, “And what about her? She gave someone a watch identical to her own. Right, what kind of person is Gu Jianchu? Would she do anything that didn’t benefit her? Qiao Qi is the future master of Ruifeng, while your useless father was kicked out of Ruifeng long ago. What do you have to compete with?”
Qi Simiao was clearly provoked, but she restrained herself. “Young Master Gu seems to have forgotten that he’s been kicked out of the game himself.”
Her words hit a nerve. Gu Mingyi’s eyes instantly turned vicious, his expression twisting into a snarl. He calmed his heaving chest and spoke menacingly, “Sooner or later, I will take Rongfang back.”
Qi Simiao sneered at him. “And how will you take it back? Young Master Gu, anyone can make empty boasts.”
Gu Mingyi was so furious he could only glare, unable to form a rebuttal. A breath caught in his chest, rising and falling. He suddenly got up, completely releasing Qi Simiao. She didn’t move, just watched him warily. Gu Mingyi dressed with his back to her. Only after he left did Qi Simiao get off the bed and finish putting on her half-worn clothes.
The next day, after breakfast, Qiao Qi first went with the Old Master to the study. What they discussed was unknown to anyone else. Jin Zhiyu couldn’t care less, but he was stopped by Jin Zhihuan on his way out to work.
“Zhiyu has grown up. You know how to play both sides now.”
“What are you talking about, Big Brother?” Jin Zhiyu had no intention of wasting energy beating around the bush with him. He said bluntly, “Sister Qiqi has taught me a lot these past few years. I admire her for that. And compared to you, Big Brother, she’s more like a real sister.” He emphasized the word “real.” He glanced at the time and added, “Big Brother, I can’t chat. I’m not the president; I’ll get my pay docked if I’m late.”
Jin Zhihuan’s eyes darkened, but he said nothing more. Jin Zhiyu smiled, got into his car, and drove away. Jin Zhihuan was left fuming, and he ended up venting his anger at the office. For the rest of the day, anyone who went to his office was chewed out on some pretext.
In the study of the large house, the Old Master first asked about Qiao Qi’s health, to which she gave a simple reply. Then he asked, “I hear that ever since Zhiyu came back, your Second Aunt has been sending lunch to you at the office?”
“Yes.”
“Fawning over nothing. What kind of good food could she possibly make? Don’t force yourself.” Qiao Qi remained silent. He continued, “You didn’t go home to see your parents on your birthday yesterday. Do you have any plans?”
“I’ll go back this weekend.”
The Old Master looked at her, his gaze benevolent. “Do you know why I called you in here?” Qiao Qi lowered her eyes. She knew but didn’t respond. He said again, “I’m old. Ruifeng will have to be handed over to you sooner or later. I want you to take over the chairman’s position directly. As for Zhihuan, we’ll leave him be for now.”
Qiao Qi finally lifted her eyes, her tone calm. “I’m not ready yet.”
She hadn’t refused. The Old Master smiled. “It will be yours sooner or later, so why not now? This is Grandpa’s second gift to you.”
“Wait another two years.” She rarely offered explanations. “Wait until I’ve won back the project I lost.”
The Old Master was both surprised and very satisfied. He smiled. “Alright, as you wish.” But his tone shifted, growing serious. “However, I’m only leaving Zhihuan his position because his surname is Jin and I don’t want to create an ugly family scene. But if he dares to pull any more tricks that harm the group’s interests, you must do what you have to do. Do you understand?”
Qiao Qi nodded. She glanced at the grandfather clock in the room. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head to work now.”
“Go on.”
As expected, Qiao Qi was busy when she arrived at Ruifeng. Gu Jianchu called her in the morning to ask her to lunch, but Qiao Qi had to go to a branch office around noon and then bought a ticket for the latest flight to Shenzhen that afternoon. Lunch had to be canceled. The first thing Qiao Qi did after getting off the plane was call Gu Jianchu.
Gu Jianchu asked her, “When are you coming back?”
Qiao Qi walked out of the airport. The person sent from the branch office to pick her up had been waiting outside. Seeing she was on the phone, he only greeted Xu Yangpu. She replied, “Next Monday.”
It was only Tuesday. That meant they wouldn’t see each other for six days. “Does it have to take that long?”
“I also have to go home for the weekend.” Qiao Qi coaxed her, “How about we have lunch together when I get back on Monday?”
Gu Jianchu could hear the gentle coaxing in her voice, and a smile naturally crept into her own. She reminded her, “No sneaking drinks, rest early, and don’t hide it from me if your headaches act up.”
Qiao Qi smiled and promised, “Okay.”
When President Qiao was on the phone, her smile was undeniably sweet. The person from the branch office couldn’t help but steal a few glances. Even at the distant Shenzhen branch, all sorts of rumors about Qiao Qi had made their way there.
But no matter how many variations of President Qiao’s identity there were, there was one thing he could be sure of: for President Qiao to not only return to Ruifeng after the U.E. incident but also hold a high-profile birthday banquet meant her status in the Jin family was extraordinary. Understanding this point, he knew he had to be even more vigilant in his duties.
The suitable apartment that she had asked Yao Qiu to look for here had been secured. Qiao Qi moved in that night. The bedroom was still decorated to her exacting standards, with all the furniture and supplies identical to her place in Beijing. But when she went to sleep that night, she felt like something was missing. Perhaps it was because of the unfamiliar city, or perhaps it was simply that a similar room made it easier to think of Gu Jianchu.
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