Long Time No See (GL) - Chapter 19

Gu Weiran stood silently rooted to the spot, her eyes slightly blurred as she looked at Yun Shu. Her legs felt like they were filled with lead, preventing her from moving forward.

Her appearance here was truly superfluous. She turned around, a faint pain in her chest. If she appeared rashly, it would be abrupt and might make things difficult for Yun Shu.

She couldn’t calm the bitterness and discomfort in her heart.

Perhaps she needed to cool down.

Yun Shu was a bit tipsy, but her mind was still clear. She handed Bai Jie’s coat back. “I’m not cold. You wear it.”

“Those old guys were deliberately trying to get you drunk. I called a driver, I’ll send you back first.”

Yun Shu leaned to the side, steadying herself against the wall to keep her distance from him. “Someone is picking me up. You go back first.”

“Must you treat me like this?”

Bai Jie felt helpless. Even as a good friend, Yun Shu was always careful with her words and actions. She never said anything ambiguous and never casually accepted his concern.

The words he had once wanted to use to confess had been choked back before he could utter them.

Sometimes Bai Jie felt that their relationship was worse than that of ordinary friends. His liking for her had become a sin, and also a burden on their interaction.

Sigh… Forget it, what could he do? Who told him he liked Yun Shu so much and couldn’t bear to make things difficult for her?

Yun Shu lightly pressed her forehead. She didn’t have the energy to answer Bai Jie’s question. As she leaned against the wall, her gaze wandered, and she seemed to catch a glimpse of a familiar shadow.

She looked up at a distance and took a few steps forward. The dizzying spin made her think she was seeing things.

There was clearly no one around. Why did she think she saw Weiran?

“What’s wrong?” Bai Jie looked in the direction of her gaze but saw no one.

“Nothing.”

It was so late; there was no way Weiran would come here, right? Yun Shu couldn’t help but take out her phone to check, but there were no messages from her.

She smiled and shook her head. Why did she feel that way? It was strange.

After a short while, the car picking up Yun Shu arrived. The driver was a young, artistic woman.

“Get in.” She smiled faintly and looked at Bai Jie. “Old Bai, hello.”

“Shuya? I was wondering who it was. I’m relieved it’s you picking her up.”

Cen Shuya, Yun Shu’s university alumnus, ran a psychological counseling office in the university town. In the early years, whenever Yun Shu drank too much in Xuan’an, Cen Shuya was the one who picked her up.

The reason Bai Jie knew her was because of the dinner gatherings.

He helped Yun Shu open the door and assisted her into the car, looking at Yun Shu with reluctance. “Remember to drink some hangover tea or honey water when you get back.”

Yun Shu didn’t speak, just nodded.

Cen Shuya smiled. “You take care of yourself.” With that, she drove the car away.

Yun Shu lay back in the back seat, resting her forehead and dozing off. What was that fleeting feeling just now? It was as if Weiran was nearby. She must have really drunk too much.

“Sister Shu, are we going back to Thirteen Street or to my place to rest?” Cen Shuya asked.

“Back home. Weiran might be waiting for me.”

“Does that young girl still hold hostility towards you now?” Cen Shuya was not unfamiliar with Gu Weiran, one could even say she knew her well.

During college, besides working part-time to help with her tuition, Gu Weiran also worked part-time at the psychological counseling office. Yun Shu had asked Cen Shuya to arrange this, and Cen Shuya went to great lengths to have Gu Weiran introduced there.

Yun Shu had silently done a lot for Gu Weiran, who was completely unaware.

“She’s different from before now. Aside from her somewhat arrogant and difficult personality, everything else is fine.” When mentioning Gu Weiran, a smile appeared at the corner of Yun Shu’s mouth. Cen Shuya glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “You’re consistently different when it comes to Teacher Lin’s family.”

“It’s a pity she’s no longer here.” Yun Shu lowered her eyes, lightly pursed her lips, and looked out the window. The moonlight was clear, and the night was gentle, but Yun Shu’s eyes were dull.

“I’ll sleep for a bit. Call me when we arrive.” She closed her eyes slightly, her heart sinking to the bottom. Alcohol always made a person more sober.

She had wrapped herself back into her shell, Cen Shuya sighed helplessly.

After leaving the restaurant, Gu Weiran walked along the old city river. Her heart was blocked, and she couldn’t clear it. Too many emotions were suppressed in her heart—regret, remorse, and bitterness—all tangled into a ball of yarn, impossible to cut, and difficult to untangle.

The early winter night was bone-chillingly cold. The cool wind blew through her woolen sweater. Gu Weiran couldn’t help but shiver.

She walked for a long time, looking at the night view of the river, the lights on the street corners, and the cool light show. But no matter how beautiful the night, it couldn’t enter her heart.

The beauty in this world was still not as good as Yun Shu.

Once, Xuan’an without Yun Shu was like a lonely city. Wherever she went, she felt numb.

Now Yun Shu was back, but she was sinking deeper and deeper into the vortex of emotions.

In fact, even if Yun Shu had her reasons back then, she was no longer the person she was.

Perhaps she had changed. The Yun Shu of the past only existed in Gu Weiran’s memory.

She walked aimlessly, unconsciously arriving at the entrance of Rose.

Gu Weiran felt like having a drink. Sometimes alcohol made her more sober.

Rose was a popular bar in Xuan’an, famous because of Sister Hong’s renowned reputation. Many people came here for Sister Hong, who was said to be a master mixologist and an expert at playing dice. She could play various musical instruments and even handle thugs.

Who wouldn’t want to catch a glimpse of such a legendary woman?

However, Sister Hong wasn’t often there; meeting her was entirely based on luck.

Rose was a quiet bar, often featuring resident singers. It was only a little past ten, and the booths were full. Gu Weiran sat alone at the bar, ordered a glass of whiskey, and drank it silently.

She didn’t know when it started, but whenever she was idle, her mind was full of Yun Shu, just like now.

It had taken her so long to completely remove Yun Shu from her life. She thought after five years, she had long let go, but the moment Yun Shu returned, she reverted to her original state.

“Will you suddenly appear, at the coffee shop on the corner, I will smile, wave, say hello, and sit with you for a chat…”

It was that song again.

Yun Shu’s phrase, “Weiran, long time no see,” echoed in her ears again.

It truly had been a long time. That parting lasted five years.

She clearly remembered being filled with both sorrow and joy on the day Yun Shu left. She told herself she was finally free, but every night thereafter, looking at the empty house, she felt like crying.

Coming home and not seeing Yun Shu also made her want to cry.

When she first started university, she often dreamed of Yun Shu, some dreams were very real, others very hazy. It wasn’t until she started her internship and work that she gradually replaced those dreams with busyness, actively trying to forget Yun Shu.

She got what she wished for—she got rid of Yun Shu—but she also buried her passion and anticipation for life.

“Another one, please.” Gu Weiran pushed her glass forward.

“What’s so good about whiskey? Try this.”

As soon as she spoke, a colorful cocktail appeared before her. Gu Weiran looked up. Sister Hong nodded with a smile. “Rainbow cocktail, mixed for you. Give it a try.”

“Sister Hong? You’re here.” Gu Weiran was pleasantly surprised.

“Yes, I’m here. Since we are so fated, of course I should buy you a drink.” Sister Hong made a gesture to invite her.

The rainbow cocktail had seven colors, each layer suspended in the glass. This crystal-clear, colorful world contained a tipsy atmosphere.

“Thank you, Sister Hong.” Gu Weiran picked up the drink and gently took a sip.

“How is it?”

Gu Weiran frowned. “It tastes a bit bitter and a little astringent. Didn’t you say you’d only buy me one when I understood the meaning of the rainbow?”

Sister Hong smiled, lit a cigarette, and slowly blew smoke rings. Her hazy eyes revealed the endless charm of a woman. This was the first time Gu Weiran thought a woman smoking could be so beautiful, even the way she held the cigarette was so elegant.

“Taste it again.”

Gu Weiran held the glass and tasted it again, feeling a lingering sweet aftertaste in her mouth. “Is it sweet?”

“Does it taste good?”

“It tastes good.” Gu Weiran couldn’t help but take a few more sips. Just as she was immersed in the sour, bitter, and sweet aftertaste of the rainbow cocktail, Yun Shu’s call came in. She looked at the caller ID, her heart aching involuntarily, and she flipped the phone face-down on the counter.

Sister Hong caught a glimpse of the caller’s name, took a deep drag on her cigarette, looked at Gu Weiran, and asked, “The rainbow cocktail is sour, astringent, and even bitter at first, but the aftertaste is very sweet and can linger in your heart for a long time. Afterward, you’ll find that when you recall its taste, it will only be sweet.”

“Mm, that’s right,” Gu Weiran nodded.

“Does that remind you of a certain feeling?”

“What?”

Sister Hong raised her eyebrows slightly, her red lips parted, and she made the sound of the word ‘ai’.

“Love?”

Gu Weiran was feeling down and was confused by Sister Hong’s words. What did a drink have to do with love?

“Sister Hong, what are you trying to say?”

“Every one of my special cocktails here has a story. The rainbow cocktail is one I mixed for myself and also for fellow travelers who are destined. Alcohol is something that goes down the throat, and then you forget it. Only personal experience will be unforgettable and forever preserved in the heart.”

“Actually, this drink is Sister Hong’s own story, isn’t it?”

Sister Hong smiled, put out her cigarette, and didn’t answer. Instead, she said, “Go home. It’s a blessing to be missed by someone. If someone is waiting for you, don’t let that wait be in vain.”

Gu Weiran looked down, flipped her phone over, and saw two new messages.

“Where are you?”

“Come home.”

These brief, powerful words stirred a ripple in her heart. Sister Hong’s words brought her sudden realization. What could be happier than Yun Shu waiting for her at home? Wasn’t this the scene she had missed, anticipated, longed for, and even dreamed of all these years?

She shouldn’t have walked away. She shouldn’t let her emotions lead her astray.

“Sister Hong, I’m going back now.” Gu Weiran quickly finished the rainbow cocktail and rushed out.

Sister Hong watched her hurried departure, smiled, and shook her head. If she still had the confidence and spirit of youth, would things have been different for her too?

Unfortunately, her messy past and humble background didn’t qualify her for the person her heart desired.

Leaving Rose, Gu Weiran hailed a cab and rushed back to Thirteen Street.

It was already past eleven when she got home, exceeding the bedtime Yun Shu had set for her. Gu Weiran quietly opened the door. Yun Shu was sitting lazily on the sofa watching TV.

This scene was very much like when she used to return from evening self-study.

At that time, Yun Shu stayed up late every day. Even when waiting for her, she would hold a pen, analyze client situations, and summarize her work, more diligent than Gu Weiran was at studying.

“You’re back.” Yun Shu lifted her eyelids, turned off the TV with the remote, and walked past Gu Weiran, saying lightly, “The milk is in the kitchen. Warm it up yourself. Go to bed early after your shower.”

Yun Shu’s head ached intensely. She couldn’t sleep peacefully until Gu Weiran returned, so she had been sitting on the sofa waiting.

Seeing her enter the door finally put her mind at ease.

Seeing her looking unhappy, Gu Weiran quickly said, “I have something to ask you.”

Yun Shu turned to look at her. “Ask tomorrow.”

“I must say it today. It won’t take up much of your time.”

“Alright, go ahead.” Yun Shu didn’t look happy. “But before you speak, I hope you can keep your phone accessible and get into the habit of replying to messages in the future.”

“I’m sorry.”

Gu Weiran’s soft apology made Yun Shu soften a little. How dangerous was it for a young woman to be outside so late? Didn’t she know?

Society now was not like the past. Yun Shu couldn’t help but worry about her safety. If they didn’t live together, it would be one thing, but since they were together, she couldn’t help but worry.

Yun Shu walked back to the living room and sat down on the sofa. “What do you want to ask? Tell me.”

Gu Weiran followed, sat up straight, and asked seriously, “You have no romantic feelings for Dad, and you have no actual marriage. You did that to take care of him and to become my guardian to look after my daily life, right?”

She asked everything in one breath. She longed to see surprise in Yun Shu’s eyes, anticipating Yun Shu’s truest reaction, but Yun Shu only lifted her eyelids, without even a fleeting moment of astonishment.

She was afraid that the letter was only written by her father to ease the tension between her and Yun Shu, and even more worried that she wouldn’t hear the answer she wanted.

Yun Shu took a cushion, placed it next to her head, enduring the headache, and looked at Gu Weiran. “It was a long time ago. It’s not important.”

“Not important? Because of those things back then, you endured the cold looks from the neighbors, the criticism from teachers and students at school, and my emotional abuse. Is that not important?”

“I don’t remember those things you mentioned anymore.”

“No one likes enduring the ridicule of others. I resisted talking to you before, and you never explained. Now that I’ve asked, can you please tell me?”

Yun Shu gently massaged her eyebrows; her exhaustion was evident. “Does it have to be now?”

“I want to know now.” Gu Weiran answered firmly. These things were more important than anything else. If she had known the truth earlier, she would never have let Yun Shu leave her for five years, and she certainly wouldn’t have repeatedly said she wanted to get rid of her.

Yun Shu nodded. “Fine, I’ll tell you. I respected Teacher Gu, it wasn’t about love. Both teachers supported me through college and took care of me for so many years. Even if I were to support you for the rest of your life, I couldn’t repay their kindness.”

“Then your meticulous care for me is only because they were kind to you?”

Did this mean all the gifts she enjoyed from Yun Shu were merely because of her parents’ good deeds and kindness? Gu Weiran’s eyes held an expectation and longing she had never shown before.

Yun Shu saw her own reflection in them. That fervent gaze seemed to turn into a ball of fire, tightly enveloping her.

She lowered her eyebrows and answered plainly, “It’s all in the past. Let’s not bring it up.”

She didn’t want to explain the past further. No amount of regret could bring Teacher Lin back, and no amount of pain and remorse could turn back time.

Yun Shu’s pain lay in living too clearly and thinking too rationally.

“I’m sorry,” Gu Weiran apologized again in a low voice. “I apologize for my past childish words and my actions that hurt you.”

Gu Weiran had been arrogant and stubborn since childhood. Yun Shu had never seen her speak this way. Her brows furrowed deeply. She couldn’t bear it and wanted to sever Gu Weiran’s obsession.

“You don’t have to look so guilty. If it weren’t for your family’s difficult situation back then, where would I have gotten the opportunity to go to Mingde? If it weren’t for your intense desire to get rid of me, I wouldn’t have left Xuan’an, transferred to A City headquarters, and risen rapidly ever since. Sometimes choice is greater than effort. My current status and achievements are enough to compensate for everything I lost. So, there is an arrangement in the universe.”

“The tone of your voice makes it sound like you’re celebrating your choice?”

“Isn’t that right?” Yun Shu smiled as she stood up and said casually, “It’s all thanks to you.”

“Don’t say that. I might actually believe you.” Gu Weiran felt suppressed, her brows furrowed into a frown.

What Yun Shu said was more powerful than anything else, making her deeply believe it.

When mentioning the past, she was still so calm and detached.

Yun Shu’s indifferent manner deeply hurt Gu Weiran. In the end, it was her own emotional excitement. She thought her apology would make Yun Shu happier. She thought they could grow closer by resolving their issues.

But even though Yun Shu was standing next to her, she felt so distant.

“I’m telling the truth. You driving me away also gave me freedom. After meeting Chairman Ming, what I’ve gained is far more than what I lost.” Yun Shu’s expression remained unchanged, her tone as calm as water, chilling Gu Weiran’s heart.

It was Ming Shangdong again. At a time like this, Yun Shu was still mentioning that old man’s name.

Gu Weiran became agitated. “Do you mean that after getting rid of me, you pursued the belonging and future you wanted?”

“You can interpret it that way.”

“You keep saying ‘Chairman Ming.’ You even went shopping with him. Is he your benefactor or your man?” Gu Weiran lost control of her emotions and shouted the question.

Yun Shu’s personal boundary was touched. Her expression instantly darkened. A trace of coldness flashed in her eyes, and she radiated an aura that warned people to keep away.

“My relationship with Ming Shangdong is not for you to criticize.”

Her voice was very calm, a calmness that was almost cold. Her former tenderness and care had vanished.

The Yun Shu of this moment was very unfamiliar.

This was indeed her private matter. Gu Weiran shouldn’t have been so nosy. What right did she have to ask, what position did she have to interfere?

It was utterly ridiculous.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Yun Shu returned to her room without even looking at her. The heavy slam of the door shattered Gu Weiran’s heart.

She was too naive, thinking everyone would be like her, holding onto their original intention, living on memories, and remaining obsessed for so many years.

She and Yun Shu had long drifted apart and couldn’t go back, but she could no longer drive Yun Shu out of her heart.

Her heart felt like the weather in the dead of winter, cold and trembling.

Yun Shu’s choice was not wrong; the mistake was hers. Perhaps these three months were the best time for her to make amends to Yun Shu. If they were destined to part, she couldn’t leave any more regrets.

Gu Weiran walked into the bathroom, filled the sink with water, and immersed her face in it. The coldness spread through her body, and her mind gradually cleared.

The unpleasant end to their conversation tonight was not the result she wanted, but she was powerless to change it.

She had said what was bottled up in her heart and received Yun Shu’s response. She had no regrets about the past.

Holding her breath underwater for a minute, Gu Weiran figured out many things. Just as she was about to suffocate, she suddenly lifted her head, coughed a few times, and finally felt less distressed.

She knew what she should do in the days ahead.

Inside the room, Yun Shu stared blankly out the window. When she turned around, her gaze fell upon the photo on the bedside table, and her heart involuntarily ached.

It was a photo Gu Lin had taken of Lin Yun and her. In the picture, Yun Shu was wearing a graduation gown, holding a bouquet of flowers and standing shyly. Lin Yun’s hand was on her shoulder, smiling brightly like the sun.

Yun Shu gently touched the photo and murmured, “Teacher Lin, I hope my words won’t hurt Weiran. Living without burdens is better than being tied down for life. I want her to live more freely and comfortably, without carrying any sense of gratitude or guilt. It’s meaningless. I will accompany her well on this path. Please don’t worry…”

After taking a sleeping pill, Yun Shu gradually felt drowsy. Her insomnia was erratic, and sometimes she needed psychological counseling from Cen Shuya to improve.

Hopefully, tonight would be dreamless.

After this deep conversation, Gu Weiran’s mindset was much calmer. In the morning, she didn’t check if Yun Shu was home and left on her own.

Gu Weiran decided to fully integrate into Mingde and get to know everyone. She started by treating everyone in the office to milk tea, then humbly went to each department to introduce herself and formally get to know everyone. Finally, she communicated with the planning department about their recent work.

While she was mingling with everyone, Yun Shu arrived. Following her was a woman wearing sunglasses and two bodyguards. After they entered the office, the bodyguards stood guard at the door.

The General Manager’s office area was like a fortress, and no one, not even Gu Weiran, could approach or return to her own office.

Just as she was wondering, she received a text message from her best friend, Su Qing: “I’m coming to Mingde right away to discuss film investment with General Manager Yun. I wonder if it will be successful.”

Gu Weiran: Your reach is quite long. She even manages investments?

Su Qing: What can I do if I don’t have money? I have to seek investment. With Jing Yan as the lead actor, there’s hope on General Manager Yun’s side.

Gu Weiran: Tut-tut, you’re even calling her Jing Yan. Well, I wish you good luck.

Su Qing: I hope Mother Yun (the vixen) can be generous.

You’re the vixen! Gu Weiran spat inwardly.

In the past, when Gu Weiran complained to Su Qing, she always liked to call Yun Shu a seductive vixen. Now she couldn’t bear to hear Yun Shu being called that.

She hadn’t realized that Yun Shu’s authority was so extensive, managing so many sectors of Mingde and even having decision-making power over investments. So, managing these project performances in Xuan’an was truly trivial for her.

Why did Ming Shangdong value Yun Shu so much? Was it really because of an unspeakable relationship between a man and a woman?

The thought of this made Gu Weiran feel distressed, and all her previous good spirits vanished.

“Little Gu.” Just as she was thinking this, she ran into Wang Sen.

“Hello, General Manager Wang.”

Wang Sen smiled and nodded. “General Manager Yun is busy with endless duties and meets with important figures every day. Why didn’t she take you along?”

“Oh, I’m just a small fry.” Gu Weiran continued the conversation along his thread. Wang Sen’s eyes darted around. “Want to chat in my office?”

Based on that exchange, he felt Gu Weiran had likely figured out the situation and that he could start testing her. He intended to use this little assistant to create trouble for Yun Shu and make her retreat in the face of difficulty.

Before entering the office, Gu Weiran turned on her phone’s recording function, fully prepared.

As long as Yun Shu was here, Wang Sen’s position was precarious. Bai Jie was cautious and highly capable in business, making him almost impossible to attack. Yun Shu wanted to promote Bai Jie to threaten his position, so Wang Sen certainly couldn’t sit idly by.

“Little Gu, you were doing quite well at the planning company. Is coming to the client side your career plan, or was it General Manager Yun’s idea?” He was cautiously testing the waters.

Gu Weiran knew what he wanted to know. She frowned and began to act: “I actually didn’t want to come to Mingde, but when General Manager Yun spoke, I didn’t dare to disobey. I had a lot of room for growth on the agency side, and even if I joined the client side, shouldn’t I be in the planning department as a planner? Look at my current awkward position; I don’t even know what I should be doing. It’s very annoying.”

“It seems like your development is somewhat restricted, and you look unhappy?”

“Yes, but General Manager Yun chose Fengqi, so I couldn’t disobey even for the sake of the company. Actually, we’re not that close. She just wanted to formally help me a bit, but it’s not what I want at all.”

Wang Sen pushed his glasses up, pulled over the ashtray, took out a cigarette, and smiled cunningly, “I also don’t see her valuing you that much. After all, your relationship is special. She should at least think of you. Being an assistant is not the way to go.”

“Exactly. What will I do after she leaves in three months? But I’m lucky to have met you, General Manager Wang. I wonder if I have the opportunity to learn from you properly, or perhaps have better development prospects?” Gu Weiran led the conversation step by step. She knew this old fox wouldn’t easily reveal his true thoughts, but she had to open the door first.

She wanted to help Yun Shu eliminate this crafty old man.

“Mm, Little Gu is indeed a smart person. We are both locals of Xuan’an, and neither of us wants to leave here. Learning is out of the question, but mutual assistance is necessary.”

Gu Weiran nodded repeatedly, inwardly cursing the old fox. His words were indeed cautious. He kept actively asking questions but didn’t express his own intentions, still maintaining his guard against her.

“How about this, let’s find some time to grab a meal privately? And don’t keep calling me General Manager. You can call me Brother Sen.” Wang Sen smoked, squinting at Gu Weiran. Compared to Sister Hong, he was truly repulsive while smoking.

Gu Weiran suppressed her disgust and nodded insincerely, “No problem. Let’s arrange it later. I’ll go back to work now.”

As soon as Gu Weiran left, Wang Sen took out his phone, stopped the recording, and smiled wickedly. He had a trusted subordinate edit the recording to only keep Gu Weiran’s voice, then sent it anonymously to Yun Shu’s email.

What would it feel like to be betrayed by someone close to you?

The important guest Yun Shu was meeting today was Lu Jing Yan. She represented Mingde Group in sponsoring Su Qing’s new work, The Lie, with Lu Jing Yan as the lead actress, with an investment of fifty million yuan.

Yun Shu was able to secure this investment because Mingde valued Lu Jing Yan’s influence.

She agreed to attend the project’s launch ceremony. Having such a figure endorse a real estate project was no small matter. It could not only be an opportunity to restore the brand’s reputation but also change the difficult situation of Mingde’s major projects.

One always had to remain vigilant in public figures’ appearances. After discussing the important matters, she personally escorted Lu Jing Yan downstairs from the VIP elevator.

The two had known each other for a long time but had met only a handful of times.

Lu Jing Yan’s mental state was poor, and she rarely interacted with people, seldom even seeing friends. Yun Shu supported her willingness to star in Su Qing’s work and hoped she could slowly emerge from the shadows of the past.

“Jing Yan, take care of yourself. We’ll meet again when we have time.”

Lu Jing Yan sat in the car, showing a rare smile. “You too. I’m leaving now.”

Just after seeing Lu Jing Yan off, Yun Shu received an anonymous email. It was an audio recording titled “Surprise.”

Her intuition told her it was not a good thing.

She returned to her office, downloaded the file, and pressed play, holding it to her ear.

“General Manager Yun chose Fengqi, so I couldn’t disobey even for the sake of the company. Actually, we’re not that close. She just wanted to formally help me a bit, but it’s not what I want at all.”

Upon hearing this sentence, Yun Shu’s expression changed.

This must be a conversation she had with someone else, but only Gu Weiran’s voice was present, clearly having been edited.

She didn’t finish listening and deleted the file and the email immediately.

Yun Shu knew in her heart who sent the anonymous audio and who had managed to loosen Weiran’s tongue.

This Weiran, how could she be so unprepared? Couldn’t she hear such obvious linguistic traps?

But why would Weiran say these things? Was it because she was angry about last night, or did she truly want to abandon her? Yun Shu fell into deep thought.

It was highly likely she was talking to Wang Sen, or maybe someone else.

Yun Shu was indeed unfamiliar with the people at Mingde Xuan’an Company, which greatly hindered her desire to restructure the team and replace the heads of departments.

At the same time, Yun Shu put herself in Gu Weiran’s shoes. Weiran loved her profession. If she kept making things difficult for her like this, would it truly make her unhappy?

This ran counter to her original intention.

Perhaps she should change her approach?

“General Manager Yun.” Lü Xin knocked on the office door. “The project name and proposal submitted to the headquarters have been approved and can be implemented. The cooperation agreement with Lu Jing Yan has also been drafted. Please sign it first.”

Yun Shu snapped out of her thoughts, carefully reviewed all the materials, and then signed her name.

“Have Gu Weiran prepare an independent promotion plan regarding Jing Yan’s participation in the project launch ceremony.”

Lü Xin looked at her in surprise. “Didn’t the Planning Department and Fengqi already finalize a draft? You want Weiran to do it too?”

“Have her do an independent one.”

“When do you need it?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Ah? That quickly…” Lü Xin knew this wouldn’t be easy. General Manager Yun had high standards in this area. They had spent so much on Lu Jing Yan. If the results were mediocre, she would be the one to take the blame.

“Mm, call her over.”

Yun Shu took a pen and wrote down some of her ideas on a piece of paper, even drawing a promotional roadmap. She was talented in marketing and had also been studying planning in recent years, reading a large number of professional books on the advertising industry, reviewing many case studies, and visiting various locations across the country, constantly expanding her thinking. Her professional ability was already superior to the Planning Department’s.

It was just that she rarely took the lead herself, and few people knew she also excelled in this area.

“General Manager Yun, I’m here.” Gu Weiran walked over with a neutral expression, standing by the desk like a serious student, awaiting instructions.

Yun Shu didn’t look up; she was focused on the paper and pen and didn’t want to be interrupted before clarifying her thoughts.

She didn’t speak, and Gu Weiran also remained silent, waiting quietly at the side.

The unpleasant conversation from last night was vivid in her mind. Gu Weiran tried to make their interaction more relaxed. Perhaps she really shouldn’t always dwell on the past.

She wanted to do something for Yun Shu to balance her guilt.

She would no longer ask inexplicable questions that offended Yun Shu. Everything today was payment for her past foolishness.

The office was quiet. Gu Weiran stood patiently. Just looking at Yun Shu’s focused, lowered head made her feel good, and she didn’t find being kept waiting inappropriate.

If time could pass slower, or stop altogether, she would be willing to immerse herself in the moment. Every angle of Yun Shu was pleasing to the eye.

One was writing, the other was watching. Yun Shu seemed to have forgotten her presence, and half an hour passed like this.

“Mm, that’s it.”

She seemed to be talking to herself. Both sides of an A4 sheet of paper were sparsely covered with notes. She put down the pen and then noticed Gu Weiran standing beside her. “When did you come in?”

“Huh? I knocked and said I was coming in. Didn’t you hear me?”

“I’m sorry. I might not have paid attention.”

“Oh, then…” Gu Weiran turned back, knocked on the door, and peered in, asking, “Then, General Manager Yun, may I come in?”

Yun Shu smiled and beckoned. “No need for that. Come here.”

She became gentle as water again. Sometimes Gu Weiran couldn’t tell which was the real Yun Shu.

“What did you do while I wasn’t at the company?” Yun Shu didn’t rush to talk about the proposal but chatted with her.

This question sounded more like a test.

“Nothing much. Just formally reintroduced myself to everyone and treated everyone to a cup of milk tea.”

Yun Shu smiled meaningfully. “Oh? Over forty cups of milk tea, and none for me?”

“I don’t remember you liking milk tea? Besides, you weren’t here.”

Gu Weiran had never been able to discern Yun Shu’s preferences, which gave her the impression that Yun Shu wasn’t a picky eater.

“How did you manage to spend so much, just for a self-introduction and familiarizing yourself with the team?”

“You can’t catch the wolf without sacrificing the cub.”

“What? Did drinking a cup of milk tea ‘catch a wolf’?” Yun Shu followed the thread, also wanting to see if Gu Weiran would reveal anything to her.

“I was just using a metaphor,” Gu Weiran deflected.

Yun Shu didn’t press further. The person who sent the email either wanted to stir up trouble or strike at her.

Did he want to lure Weiran into betraying her? To make things unpleasant for her?

Would Weiran, who was so smart, truly fall into someone else’s trap and dig a pit for herself?

Yun Shu contemplated for a moment, showing no emotion. She handed the paper she had written on to Gu Weiran. “Our C5 project is named ‘Star Valley of Nature.’ This is a cultural tourism project in collaboration with the government. You need to create a promotion plan specifically for Jing Yan’s participation. These are some of my thoughts; you can incorporate or reference them.”

“When do you need it?”

“Tomorrow.”

Gu Weiran looked up in surprise. “You’re trying to work me to death.”

“I only look at results; I don’t want to hear about difficulties.”

“You…”

Gu Weiran felt Yun Shu was deliberately making things hard for her. She had already done this for Fengqi, and Fengqi’s ideas had been aligned with the Planning Department’s and submitted to her.

What did she mean by having her start over?

Everyone knew the significance and importance of Lu Jing Yan. She had racked her brains for the last proposal, and the entire team had brainstormed several times and checked many case studies to produce the complete plan.

“If you can’t do it, you can concede and tell me in advance.”

“Reverse psychology has never worked on me, you know that.” Gu Weiran was the type of person who grew stronger with every challenge and was not easily swayed by others. She rarely admitted defeat and would never surrender.

Difficulty meant challenge. This was her best chance to showcase her professionalism to Yun Shu.

Whether Yun Shu was doing this genuinely for work or to make things difficult for her, she had to complete it.

I must stand up for myself!

Taking Yun Shu’s ideas, Gu Weiran plunged into work. She was astonished by Yun Shu’s clear thinking. Although they were scattered ideas, each one was brilliant when taken individually.

Gu Weiran felt she had wasted three years in the real estate advertising industry. Compared to Yun Shu, she felt truly inferior.

She stayed up all night for this proposal. Although she submitted it on time the next day, what she received was Yun Shu’s endless revision suggestions.

“This needs to be perfected.”

“That is unsuitable.”

“You need to consider Jing Yan’s identity.”

“You must closely adhere to Mingde’s corporate culture and project attributes.”

“Don’t forget this is a government project.”

Yun Shu could always find countless reasons to raise doubts. Gu Weiran was miserable every day, suffering through the ordeal. She was close to losing all confidence due to Yun Shu’s criticism.

The terrible thing was that every time she tried to propose her own idea, Yun Shu would always think of a better one, making it impossible to refute.

Her expertise was trivial compared to Yun Shu’s; she was utterly defeated.

Gu Weiran worked from dawn till dusk for this proposal, almost developing panda eyes from staring at the PowerPoint. In the end, after making revisions according to the requirements, Yun Shu still found fault with it.

“Although it needs to be innovative, it can’t be too whimsical. It must also be combined with the Fengqi set. That is the final proposal I want.”

“Can’t you state all your requirements at once? When I make it practical, you say it lacks creativity. When I make it creative, you say it’s too whimsical. What exactly do you want?”

“I’ve already told you what I want. How you do it is your business.”

The door to Gu Weiran’s office was open. The argument between the two of them drew everyone’s attention. Although Gu Weiran was complaining and trying to resist, she wasn’t genuinely trying to quarrel with Yun Shu. She wanted to put on a show for a certain person.

“You are truly a difficult leader to serve. I think no one can satisfy you. No matter how well I do, you will find fault.”

Yun Shu’s face darkened. She glared at her and said, “Are you questioning my professionalism or are you questioning…”