PB - Chapter 71

Chapter 71

As the Lunar New Year approached, all the major companies entered their busiest season. Gu Jianchu had already returned to Rongfang. To avoid attracting attention, Gu Yong hadn’t left too abruptly. He was assessing the situation; if he felt safe enough, he naturally preferred to stay in Beijing. That way, he wouldn’t have to continue selling off his remaining real estate at a loss.

One day, he was out bowling with a group of old friends when he happened to run into Gu Jianchu, who had been invited by a client. The two hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and Gu Yong, contrary to his usual behavior, proactively approached her to say hello.

The others tactfully gave them space to talk. There was no warmth in either of their eyes. Gu Jianchu was repulsed by his pretense. She lifted her chin slightly, her gaze lowered in a condescending manner, waiting for Gu Yong’s affected opening line.

Gu Yong saw through her and sneered, “Jianchu, what’s the point? We’re all named Gu. Even a cornered dog will lash out.”

Gu Jianchu’s eyes grew cold. “Didn’t Gu Mingyi already try that? What, does Uncle want to have a go as well?” Gu Yong’s expression changed drastically, but she didn’t give him a chance to speak. “If Uncle wants Gu Mingyi to serve his full twenty years, you’d best disappear from here and stop being an eyesore. The few company shares you have left should be enough for you and Aunt to live on in retirement.”

Gu Yong understood. The shares he had been selling off intermittently had, unsurprisingly, all ended up in Gu Jianchu’s hands. He was furious, jabbing his finger at the air. “Gu Jianchu, let’s see how long you can stay smug.”

His blustering threats were clearly meaningless. Gu Jianchu ignored him and walked away. After finishing her game, she stepped outside. The sky in Beijing was a deep blue in the dead of winter, like a coat of blue paint brushed onto fragile glass. Gu Jianchu checked the time in Munich; it was still nighttime there. Her busy schedule had once again caused her to miss her call with Qiao Qi.

Qiao Qi was exceptionally busy at the end of the year. Just a few days after Gu Jianchu returned to Rongfang, Qiao Qi flew to Shenzhen and stayed for over ten days. She was supposed to return to Beijing, but her plans changed, and she flew directly to Europe for another twenty days. With Gu Jianchu also being very busy, they sometimes went several days without a single phone call, so swamped it was as if they were separated.

Fortunately, with the Lunar New Year approaching, Ruifeng Group was holding its year-end reception, which Qiao Qi, as president, had to attend. After finishing her work in Europe, she didn’t change her plans again and finally flew back to Beijing. The moment the plane landed, she hurriedly turned on her phone. A message from Gu Jianchu immediately popped up. A smile touched the corners of her eyes as she dialed her number.

“You’re at the airport to pick me up?”

“Take the same exit you used with Gu Fanchu last time. I’m waiting for you here.”

Qiao Qi’s appearance made the waiting Gu Jianchu’s eyes light up. Qiao Qi was wearing a long coat that reached her calves and a pair of high heels, making her already slender and upright figure seem even taller. Her slightly curled hair fell to her shoulders. Following closely behind her were four or five men, including Xu Yangpu, while Yao Qiu walked by her left side. She looked like a noble queen emerging from a grand castle with her retinue. And most importantly, she was walking toward her.

Qiao Qi was delighted to see her. “Not busy today? How did you find the time to come?”

The others took the hint, quickening their pace to follow Xu Yangpu to the parking lot, leaving only Yao Qiu to greet her. “President Gu, hello.”

Gu Jianchu smiled at her. “Secretary Yao, you can head back as well. I’ll be responsible for taking your President Qiao home.”

Yao Qiu didn’t even bother asking Qiao Qi, replying directly, “Alright, I’ll leave her in your hands then, President Gu.”

Several cars drove out of the parking lot one after another and onto the airport expressway. At the roundabout entrance heading toward the city, Gu Jianchu’s car veered off onto a side road. Xu Yangpu and Yao Qiu, who were ahead, only managed to catch a glimpse of her taillights. Inside the car, Qiao Qi studied Gu Jianchu’s expression, then asked knowingly, “Is this way back to Ruifeng faster?”

“You have half an hour to delegate your work over the phone.” She turned to Qiao Qi, smiling. “After that, all of your time is mine. Also, you are now my hostage. For two days.”

Xu Yangpu and Yao Qiu simultaneously received a conference call invitation from Qiao Qi. The group meeting that was supposed to be held was now to be co-chaired by Xu Yangpu and Jin Zhiyu. Yao Qiu rescheduled her agenda for the next two days, and all other miscellaneous matters were handed over to Jin Zhiyu. In short, she would not be taking any work-related calls for the next two days.

Gu Jianchu was very satisfied with these arrangements. The Qiao Qi of today was learning to enjoy this sudden sweetness. Gu Jianchu’s car continued north. The scenery outside the window was largely the same, but the sound of her own heartbeat was clearly audible from her chest. Gu Jianchu was the unexpected event in her otherwise unremarkable life, one that effortlessly stirred up waves.

It wasn’t until they passed through a highway toll booth that Qiao Qi realized they had reached a neighboring province. Both companies were too busy at year’s end, so Gu Jianchu couldn’t disappear for too long. She could only pick a nearby place to steal a moment of leisure. She and Qiao Qi hadn’t seen each other for over a month. The long separation and brief reunions left her feeling neglected. She had never felt such an urgent longing for anyone before, thinking of her whether she was walking or sitting.

In this city, located to the north, the snow had stopped but not yet melted. Gu Jianchu drove past the city and headed toward the outskirts, finally stopping outside the lobby of a resort around midnight. The moment Qiao Qi stepped out of the car, the cold wind raised tiny goosebumps on her exposed skin. Gu Jianchu took her hand and led her into the hotel lobby. Moving from the cold into the warmth, both of them couldn’t help but shiver.

The room Gu Jianchu had booked was on a cliff’s edge. There was a fireplace in the living room, but since neither of them knew how to light a fire, they had to call room service. The room’s extended terrace offered an expansive view. As it was nighttime, aside from the howling wind, the scenery was hidden in the hazy moonlight. The bathtub on the terrace had a temperature control system. Gu Jianchu set the water to be on the hotter side, the temperature Qiao Qi preferred.

The terrace was open-air. The moment Qiao Qi took off her bathrobe, she felt as if she had been plunged into an ice cellar. She stepped into the tub, and the heat surged up from the soles of her feet, finally bringing some feeling back to her numb body. The air was icy, the water scalding, and steam billowed around them. She lay back in the tub, gazing at the night sky, her body and mind at ease.

When Gu Jianchu came out, she was holding two glasses of juice. She placed them securely on a small table before taking off her own bathrobe and sinking into the water. The moment she entered, her brows furrowed involuntarily. “So hot.”

Qiao Qi hugged her from behind. “Your body is too cold.”

Gu Jianchu kissed her lips, lingering. She moved closer for a deeper kiss than before. Looking into Qiao Qi’s glistening eyes, she said, “Tomorrow, we’re going up the mountain. Skiing.”

A smile played on Qiao Qi’s lips. “Did Jiayin tell you?”

“I never would have thought that the gentle President Qiao’s favorite sport would be snowboarding.” As her body warmed up, strength returned to Gu Jianchu’s limbs. She turned around, pulling Qiao Qi into her arms. Her voice was seductive as she whispered by Qiao Qi’s ear, “Finished soaking?” Qiao Qi nibbled her earlobe in response.

The next day, they tackled an off-piste trail. It was less crowded and required a certain level of skill to attempt. Qiao Qi was surprised by how proficient Gu Jianchu was at the sport. She chose a snowboard, and Gu Jianchu did the same. An hour later, after waxing their boards, they carried them onto the ski lift. The weather was perfect today, with no clouds—a great day for snowboarding.

At the top of the mountain, Qiao Qi strapped into her snowboard and put on her goggles. With a light push, her board glided effortlessly over the thick snow. Her form was beautiful, skilled and confident. Gu Jianchu, a step behind, stood at the top watching her. My A Qi, she thought, has been constantly surprising me ever since I met her. She put on her own goggles and maneuvered her snowboard to chase after Qiao Qi.

The sunlight felt even warmer in the cold season. The two snowboarders chased each other through the world of ice and snow. The oncoming wind wasn’t gentle, but it was exhilarating. The shadows of green trees, covered in white snow, flashed past their eyes. On the seemingly endless trail, the tips of Qiao Qi’s hair trembled in the wind, her heart filled with joy.

After completing the run, Qiao Qi’s cheeks were flushed from the exertion. Gu Jianchu then took her to an open-air hot spring at the foot of the mountain. Unmelted snow lined the edge of the pool. After getting in, Qiao Qi rested her head on the side and closed her eyes. Gu Jianchu sat beside her, chatting idly. Around four or five in the afternoon, a dark cloud drifted in from the mountains, and a light, fine snow began to fall, creating a picturesque scene.

The snow grew heavier, making it impossible to soak any longer. They wrapped themselves in bathrobes and jogged to the changing room. After changing into warm down jackets, they headed back to the hotel through the heavy snow. In the lobby, Qiao Qi brushed the remaining snow off both of them. Gu Jianchu smiled, enjoying her thoughtfulness. Back in their room, after ordering dinner, she collapsed onto a lounge chair by the fireplace, not wanting to go anywhere.

That evening, Qiao Qi went out onto the terrace, hoping to see the stars, but unfortunately, dark clouds obscured the moon. She stood lost in thought in the darkness for a while, but couldn’t stand the cold and returned to the room in less than five minutes. Gu Jianchu was half-reclining on the sofa, watching her with an amused smirk. Qiao Qi shot her a warning glance before walking over and snuggling into her arms for warmth.

Su Jiayin’s call came at just the right moment. Qiao Qi answered on speakerphone. On the other end, Su Jiayin’s voice was tinged with jealousy. “Having so much fun you’ve forgotten all about home, have you? Looks like you two are having a great time without me.”

Qiao Qi chuckled. “It’s just that you’re too busy.”

Su Jiayin was not pleased. “You didn’t invite me either! You two are just too much.” Suddenly, a dog barked. She added, “You hear that? Even Ping An has a problem with you.”

Gu Jianchu took over the conversation. “Why would we bring you along on our date?”

Su Jiayin was left speechless. She huffed, “Gu Jianchu, you choose lovers over friends! You used to say I treated A Qi better than you did, and now you’re hogging her all to yourself. I’m very angry.”

Gu Jianchu was amused. “Miss Su, it’s late. A Qi and I are going to bed. You should get some rest too. Bye.”

After hanging up, Gu Jianchu shifted, resting her head on Qiao Qi’s lap. A lovely curve graced her lips. She said, “It was still snowing when we came back to the hotel this afternoon. How could there be stars tonight?”

Qiao Qi answered, “The weather changes quickly here.” Su Jiayin’s complaining texts were still coming in. As Qiao Qi typed out a placating reply, she asked casually, “What time are we heading back tomorrow?”

“We’ll sleep in tomorrow and go back in the afternoon.” Gu Jianchu reached up and moved her phone aside, her gaze sinking deep into Qiao Qi’s eyes. “A Qi, before I met you, I never thought I could settle down and be in a relationship with anyone.”

Qiao Qi gently squeezed her earlobe. “I thought so too.”

“But just now, when you asked when we were going back, for a split second, I had the urge not to go back at all.”

Qiao Qi’s fingers slid from her earlobe to her brow. She lowered her head and placed a kiss on her forehead. A smile spread across Gu Jianchu’s lips. She hooked her arms around Qiao Qi’s neck and passionately kissed her.

At one in the morning, Qiao Qi awoke from the windy, snowy night. The moaning mountain wind had startled her from her light sleep. The room was dim. Gu Jianchu was right there, within arm’s reach. She listened to the soft sound of her breathing, a rhythm of contentment in her own chest. She loved nights like this—waking from a dream at any hour to find her lover by her side.

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