Long Time No See (GL)

Synopsis:

Gu Weiran often wonders — if her mother had never brought home Yun Shu, a woman trapped in hardship, they might never have met. There would have been no resentment born from Yun Shu later becoming her “stepmother,” no misunderstandings, and no doomed love years later — love that would make her fall, lose, and ache all over again.

Now, years after their separation, Weiran lives like an empty shell, haunted by fantasies of running into Yun Shu again — perhaps on a street corner, smiling as before and saying, “Weiran, long time no see.”

One afternoon, sunlight filters through the trees as Weiran, carrying her laptop bag, stands before a skyscraper marked Mingde Real Estate. Today is an important day — perhaps the closest she’s been to that woman in years.

Yun Shu is now a senior executive at Mingde, and also the deepest thorn in Weiran’s heart. Weiran has grown indifferent to most of the world, yet when it comes to Yun Shu, she still burns with complicated resentment — anger, sorrow, and an ache she cannot suppress.

Weiran’s small company, Fengqi Media, is attending a competitive bid for Mingde’s luxury villa project. Oddly, Mingde’s tender invitation had been sent to her company even though Fengqi’s qualifications fall short. Still, Weiran seized the chance — desperate to keep the struggling firm alive. For two weeks she worked tirelessly on the proposal, only to face public doubt and subtle humiliation during the presentation.

Among the four bidding companies, three are connected to Mingde’s senior management. Fengqi, on the other hand, has no connections, no backdoor access, and no political leverage.

During the review, Mingde’s general manager Wang Sen — a sharp, manipulative man loyal to the chairman’s wife — praises her proposal only to set her up for failure. He asks pointed questions about Fengqi’s size, client list, and high-end project experience, forcing her to confront her company’s weakest points.

Weiran answers gracefully, using wit and composure to redirect the conversation — complimenting Mingde’s achievements and appealing to the egos of the judges. Wang Sen seems impressed but ultimately dismisses her with polite finality, signaling her company’s elimination.

Weiran is prepared to lose — until the conference room door opens.
“President Yun has arrived,” the receptionist announces.

The atmosphere changes instantly. Everyone stands.
Weiran turns — and freezes.

It’s her.

Yun Shu.

Elegant in a beige suit, confident and breathtaking, she commands the room without effort. Years haven’t dimmed her beauty or aura; if anything, she has only grown more captivating. When her eyes meet Weiran’s, she smiles gently — and time seems to stop.

Memories surge back: her father’s announcement years ago —

“Weiran, Yun Shu will be your guardian from now on. I’ve added her name to the house deed.”
Weiran’s outrage. Her mother’s death not even six months past.
The betrayal. The shame. The disbelief.
Yun Shu, her mother’s student, had become her father’s new wife.

Now that same woman greets her softly, in front of everyone:

“Weiran, long time no see.”

The words stab like a blade wrapped in silk. Weiran can barely breathe.

Everyone senses their unusual connection. Yun Shu remains calm and poised, even as old emotions flicker behind her eyes. She takes control of the meeting, overturns Wang Sen’s bias, and announces a second round of bidding that gives Fengqi a fighting chance.

Her decision reshuffles the entire playing field — suddenly, everyone must reconsider their alliances. Whispers circulate: is Yun Shu the chairman’s mistress, or a self-made executive whose results speak for themselves?

When the meeting ends, Yun Shu singles out Weiran.

“Come to my office.”

Weiran is wary — does Yun Shu intend to extort her? Take a bribe? In their industry, such corruption is common, and Weiran no longer believes anyone is clean. But stepping into Yun Shu’s minimalist, pristine office, she feels disoriented — like she’s walking through a dream where the past and present blur.

Then Yun Shu kneels down in front of her.

Without warning, she removes Weiran’s high heels, revealing the raw skin of her blistered heels, and carefully applies bandages.

“Your feet aren’t suited for heels,” she says softly. “Don’t wear them anymore.”

The scent of Yun Shu’s perfume — or perhaps her natural fragrance — drifts through the air. Weiran’s heart twists. She wants to pull away, to reject her, to shout — but she can’t. Yun Shu’s calm tenderness disarms her completely.

A receptionist walks in with tea, nearly dropping the tray at the sight of the powerful “President Yun” kneeling before a young bidder, tending to her feet. The rumor mill will surely explode.

But Yun Shu ignores it all, finishing her task and speaking gently:

“All done. When you bathe, keep it dry so it doesn’t reopen.”

She says nothing about the bid, nothing about their past — leaving Weiran confused, angry, and aching.

As Weiran reaches the door, she hesitates, about to ask for Yun Shu’s contact — but Yun Shu’s voice calls out first, soft and certain:

“My phone number hasn’t changed.”

Themes

• Fate and reunion – The story revolves around an unexpected reunion between two women bound by love, betrayal, and time.

• Resentment vs. tenderness – Weiran’s hatred for Yun Shu’s betrayal wars constantly with her buried affection.

• Power imbalance – Once stepmother and daughter, now client and contractor — their roles have reversed, yet emotion remains entangled.

• Unspoken love – Every gesture, word, and silence between them hints at feelings neither can fully bury.