Long Time No See (GL) - Chapter 24

Within those few short words were hidden so much of Yun Shu’s helplessness and loss.

It turned out she had always lived in such unease.

Gu Weiran covered her heart, the pain making her want to beat her chest. Her heart felt waterlogged, and with a gentle squeeze from Yun Shu, tears overflowed.

How ridiculous. When did she become so prone to crying? She was clearly an emotionally numb person. She clearly didn’t care about anything.

But what was this profoundly unforgettable feeling? Was it really love?

It was as if she had always been on a journey of emotional exploration, and in the ambiguity of the answer, she had finally seen herself clearly.

There were two unread messages left. The content was: “There’s a drinking engagement tonight. Will you come back?” A location was attached afterward.

Was she afraid she would be too angry to return?

That had been the original intention. She had wanted to move out. But the slap in the face came so quickly. Heartache had long since overshadowed everything else. Compared to that, what did a few scolding words matter?

Tearfully, Gu Weiran pressed the phone to her chest, unable to stop worrying.

Shouldn’t she avoid alcohol after gallbladder removal surgery? Last time was a dinner, this time it was a drinking engagement…

No. Gu Weiran couldn’t leave Yun Shu unattended. She had promised to use these three months to make up for her guilt.

She had chosen to act on her own. Since she wasn’t asking for anything in return, she should accept all the consequences, including Yun Shu’s blame.

Besides, Yun Shu had apologized so humbly. How could she bear to hold a grudge any longer?

All thoughts of never forgiving, never wanting to see her again, and hating her were tossed aside by Gu Weiran.

She hailed a taxi and rushed to the location of Yun Shu’s engagement.

She wouldn’t leave this time, even if she saw people like Bai Jie there.

How Yun Shu was, or what her attitude was, didn’t matter anymore. She needed to be honest with her own heart and face this deeply engraved feeling openly.

Xuan’an Grand Hotel Private Room

The drinking had gone on for three rounds, and the people at the table clearly weren’t done yet. Yun Shu had organized this engagement, inviting executives from Xuan’an’s real estate industry and media bigshots.

“It’s rare for General Manager Yun to be back. We should all toast her another round.” Ma Tian, the regional president of Longxing Real Estate, raised his glass. Under his call, the others quickly responded, except for Bai Jie.

Yun Shu had already consumed several cups of baijiu. If she drank any more, it would be like last time, and Bai Jie couldn’t bear it.

“Brother Ma, you clearly haven’t had enough. I’ll drink that one for you. Come on.”

Ma Tian said, “Hey? Old Bai, you can’t always do this. Always playing the protective escort, how are we brothers supposed to have fun?”

Bai Jie smiled awkwardly. “Brother Ma, what are you saying? If General Manager Yun gets drunk today, people will think us old men are bullying a woman.”

That seemed to make sense? Ma Tian hesitated. Yun Shu smiled and stood up. “Brother Jie, don’t make it hard for Brother Ma. He’s right that it’s rare for me to be back. Opportunities like this are few. We shouldn’t spoil the fun. I’ll drink this first as a toast.” She raised her glass to drink, but the private room door was suddenly knocked open.

Seeing Gu Weiran enter, a flicker of surprise flashed in Yun Shu’s calm eyes.

“Apologies, General Manager Yun, I’m late.” Gu Weiran’s face was slightly flushed, her hair was a bit messy, and there was a hint of a smile in her eyes.

She calmly walked up to Yun Shu and said in a low voice, “I’m sorry.”

Yun Shu’s eyes were glistening, and her gaze traveled over Gu Weiran’s face. She couldn’t help but smile radiantly, a beauty that was enchanting. When she lowered her eyes in a slight smile, she exuded a captivating charm.

Her mood was as warm and peaceful as an April breeze.

Yun Shu understood what that apology encompassed. She also understood what her arrival meant.

“It’s good that you came. I thought you wouldn’t make it.” She tucked a strand of hair behind Gu Weiran’s ear, her hand sliding down her shoulder to grip her hand, a silent response.

The tacit exchange between the two made the scene seem natural.

Ma Tian narrowed his eyes and asked, “Who is this little beauty?”

“Hello, I am…” Gu Weiran was about to introduce herself as an assistant when Yun Shu interjected, “She’s my daughter, Gu Weiran.”

The statement shocked everyone. Even Gu Weiran stared wide-eyed at her. She pouted, concealing an indescribable awkwardness.

Why suddenly call her ‘daughter’? Having just realized her feelings, being referred to this way carried a forbidden sense of incest, making Gu Weiran’s heart tremble, her face turning crimson like flying peach blossoms.

They had heard snippets of Yun Shu’s story, but seeing it in person was still surprising.

“So this is your teacher’s child. She’s all grown up.” The speaker was Liu Yong, Vice General Manager of Xuan’an Real Estate Media. He was acquainted with Yun Shu and knew about the situation.

Bai Jie seized on Liu Yong’s words to break the awkwardness. “Don’t be surprised. I envy General Manager Yun. She has a grown child without any fuss.”

Someone chimed in, “Old Bai, if you’re envious, hurry up and win over General Manager Yun. You can just have one yourself then.”

Bai Jie looked at Yun Shu with a hint of shyness. She smiled without speaking, then looked at Gu Weiran.

Gu Weiran’s face looked troubled. Yun Shu squeezed her palm, unsure if it was a hint or a reminder.

The situation became awkward again. Everyone knew Bai Jie liked Yun Shu, but Yun Shu never gave him a definitive answer, and with the Chairman Ming rumors circulating, no one could pick up the conversation.

Ma Tian scanned the group and picked up his glass again. “Alright, alright. I’ve been craving this wine for a while now. Are we drinking or not?”

“We are. I’ll drink with you.” Yun Shu drank the entire glass in one go. The baijiu, like a fierce fire, burned from her throat to her stomach, but Yun Shu didn’t even flinch. She simply wiped her lips gracefully. “Drinking with Brother Ma requires straightforwardness. All of you must be punished.”

“Yes, yes, we all drink.” The others responded and clinked glasses.

She handled the social engagement with ease, experienced and in control. She spoke thoughtfully and measuredly, saying what was necessary and remaining silent when appropriate.

Seeing Yun Shu calmly drink so much, and then have her glass refilled, Gu Weiran’s brow furrowed. Of course, she couldn’t escape either.

Business negotiations are inseparable from drinking culture. Gu Weiran knew that she couldn’t come here for nothing today.

She observed that Ma Tian was slightly older, and everyone respected him. He was clearly a heavy drinker.

How could Yun Shu cope with this pace of drinking? Gu Weiran wanted to find a way to satisfy the old man so he could enjoy himself but wouldn’t be able to continue.

“Brother Ma, Brother Yong, my daughter here worked in planning at Fengqi for several years. Her capabilities and professionalism are quite good. You must give her a chance if you have projects in the future.” Yun Shu personally poured wine for the men and introduced Gu Weiran, emphasizing Fengqi Communication.

“Fengqi Communication? I think I’ve heard of it.” Ma Tian seemed lost in thought.

“It’s a great honor for our small company to be remembered by you.” Gu Weiran was sharp and clever, capable of immediate reactions based on what others said.

Yun Shu smiled with satisfaction and whispered in her ear, “This General Manager Ma is the head of Longxing Real Estate. He’s from the North and loves to drink. His habit is white wine first, then beer. They just acquired a piece of land in the North District and should be issuing a tender soon.”

Gu Weiran looked at her, moving her lips without speaking. It turned out Yun Shu was introducing her to connections again, paving the way for her.

“Come, come. It’s the first time I’ve met Little Gu. I’ll toast you, and General Manager Yun too.” Ma Tian had a deep tolerance for alcohol, like a bottomless pit. Drinking with him required considerable capacity.

“Of course. Our Weiran will rely on your care in the future. Weiran, you must learn from Brother Ma whenever you get the chance, understand?”

These were polite formalities, which Gu Weiran understood. But she was unwilling to let Yun Shu touch any more alcohol, nor did she want to give the surnamed Bai a chance to shield her from drinking. She looked around and saw two unopened cases of beer nearby. There was very little white wine left, as they had already finished five bottles.

Heavy drinkers are often greedy for the drink. To fully satisfy him, she needed to use her wits.

Gu Weiran decided to try something.

“Drinking one cup at a time is too boring. Brother Ma has great capacity and is generous. I, Weiran, might be overestimating myself, but I want to challenge you to a round of basin-drinking.”

“Oh? How does basin-drinking work?” Ma Tian put down his glass, looking at her with interest.

What trick was she up to now? Yun Shu propped her chin on her hand, her eyes full of doting affection as she watched her.

Gu Weiran asked the waiter to bring two basins, about twenty centimeters in diameter, and then brought over a case of beer.

“I have a classmate from the North. At a party, someone wanted to challenge him to chug from bottles, but he found it beneath him. So he brought two basins, poured all the beer in, and students took turns drinking against him, but no one could beat him. I wonder if Brother Ma is interested in this style of drinking challenge? If so, I, Weiran, want to go all out with you this once, as a small punishment for my being late today.”

Yun Shu squinted at her. Her exaggerated tale sounded like a stand-up comedy routine. What classmate doing a basin-drinking challenge? It was likely fabricated.

“Hahahaha, interesting! You with your small frame dare to drink like that? I’m afraid you can’t handle it, and General Manager Yun will blame me later.”

Even with a thousand worries, Yun Shu showed no emotion. She merely said lightly, “As long as everyone has a good time.”

Her not stopping her meant she could go ahead. Gu Weiran was free of concerns.

Yun Shu had set up this gathering to introduce her to connections. It would be foolish not to appreciate it. She would have to rely on these people’s goodwill later.

Her hint that Ma Tian loved to drink was enough to confirm that this drinking session had to happen today.

No matter what, at least Yun Shu wouldn’t be angry today.

The others felt that Gu Weiran was somewhat overestimating herself. Who could handle drinking like that?

She took the bottle opener and pop-pop-popped open four bottles in a smooth, practiced motion, like a veteran.

In drinking, Gu Weiran had never met her match. She only knew that she had never been drunk or blacked out. Even mixing drinks only made her slightly tipsy.

With four bottles of beer poured into the basin, Gu Weiran picked it up, intending to show sincerity, and offered it to Ma Tian. “I’ll go first, Brother Ma. You must keep up.” She looked at Yun Shu with a sly smile and began to chug.

Yun Shu didn’t know Gu Weiran’s capacity. Her fingers clenched tightly. Drinking like this was very harmful to the stomach, but she couldn’t stop her. If she wanted to secure Ma Tian as a resource, her presence alone wasn’t enough. Gu Weiran had to face him independently.

Seeing Gu Weiran start, Ma Tian was eager to try and quickly got into the zone.

He hadn’t been this excited in a long time. Gu Weiran’s basin was soon empty, and Ma Tian followed suit. The two were like long-lost friends of different generations, not forgetting to clink basins during the drinking. Their hilarious interaction elevated the atmosphere of the drinking party to a climax.

That evening, Gu Weiran was the focus of everyone’s attention. Amidst the clinking of glasses, she couldn’t help but catch Yun Shu’s figure in her peripheral vision.

She had successfully shielded Yun Shu from all the alcohol, as she had wished.

She didn’t know how much she had drunk. She only felt her stomach was bloated like a volcano about to erupt. Ma Tian had already rushed to the restroom several times, still excitedly adding Gu Weiran on WeChat.

“Drinking with Weiran is truly enjoyable. I really don’t like people who are timid and reserved. By the way, the tender is next month. You absolutely must come, alright? I’ll have someone send you the bid documents. As long as your proposal isn’t too terrible, I’ll give all future new projects to your company. But you have to drink with me!” Ma Tian was already half-drunk and blurted out this direct assignment of business, showing his satisfaction and fondness for Gu Weiran.

“Thank you, Brother Ma. I’ll bother you once a month from now on.”

“Hahaha, good, good.”

The drinking party was drawing to a close. Ma Tian was completely passed out, and the others were also tipsy. Gu Weiran couldn’t hold it in and rushed to the restroom.

Although she had been frequently running to the toilet, she had managed not to vomit. Now, her stomach felt like a raging storm, making her constantly nauseous.

Seeing Gu Weiran’s poor condition, Yun Shu ended the gathering. To prevent Bai Jie from insisting on taking her home, she arranged for him to take Ma Tian back and called a designated driver. The others were left to their own devices.

After handling everything, she walked into the restroom. Gu Weiran’s retching was incessant. Yun Shu frowned, regretting that she hadn’t stopped her. Although the outcome was satisfactory, the cost was a bit high.

She even wondered whether pulling Weiran into the torrent of the business world was good or bad.

But she couldn’t accompany her for a lifetime. If she didn’t pave the way for her now, who knew when the next opportunity would arise?

Alas… Yun Shu sighed deeply. Gu Weiran came out with her head drooping. She felt terribly dizzy but could still clearly see Yun Shu’s face.

“Are you alright?”

Gu Weiran shook her head, weakly lifting her eyelids. “Better than being scolded by you.”

She staggered to the sink, turned on the faucet, and splashed cold water on her face, trying to clear her head.

Yun Shu was filled with guilt. She walked closer to Gu Weiran and quietly asked, “Are you still angry with me?”

“What’s there to be angry about?” Gu Weiran shook her head. The water on her face touched Yun Shu’s eyelashes. She blinked lightly, her eyes full of allure, unintentionally charming Gu Weiran again.

“I spoke carelessly. Please forgive me, Weiran.”

Yun Shu’s appearance gradually blurred. Gu Weiran’s eyes were heavy, almost unable to stay open, but she still felt a strong urge to get closer to Yun Shu.

She slightly opened her arms and said with a playful smile, “Hug me, and I’ll forgive you.”