Long Time No See (GL) - Chapter 30
“Are you looking for me?” Yun Shu’s eyes were filled with a smile, calm and serene, like the water of a late autumn lake, intermingling with a gentle tenderness that completely captivated Gu Weiran.
She nodded, answering without concealment: “When are you going back?”
“I promised Yan Yan that we’d have dinner together, so later. You…” Yun Shu’s gaze drifted to Yang Ou not far away, “It looks like you won’t be going back anytime soon either.”
“Without you, it’s just someone else’s house. There’s no point in me staying. You go ahead. Since you promised to have dinner with her, you should see it through. Don’t worry about me.”
“Hmm.” Yun Shu still wanted to say something, but Ming Yan called to urge her to go upstairs.
It turned out that the reservation time for the rooftop restaurant had arrived, and Ming Yan had gone ahead first.
When leaving, Yun Shu also looked back for Gu Weiran, but because the crowd was dense after the show, she was forced to move forward.
After Ming Yan left, she deliberately paused outside, wanting to say a few words to Gu Weiran.
“I’m leaving now. Next time you come out for a movie, don’t fall asleep.” Seeing that Gu Weiran was still a little sleepy-eyed, Yun Shu couldn’t help but find it endearing, but when she thought of Yang Ou’s meticulous care for her, her heart couldn’t help but ripple.
“That depends on the person. If I went with you, I definitely wouldn’t sleep.” Gu Weiran was treading cautiously on the edge of testing the waters.
Yun Shu understood her implication. After living together for so many years, they indeed had never watched a movie together.
“Looking at you, I really wouldn’t dare to easily ask you out. I’m leaving now.” Yun Shu smiled and turned around, beginning to look through the New Year’s film schedule on her phone.
“Where are you eating?” Gu Weiran’s voice came from behind. Yun Shu looked back and smiled, “Seventh floor.”
The seventh floor was the most luxurious high-end restaurant in Century City. A rich second generation was indeed a rich second generation, truly squandering money like dirt.
Gu Weiran originally wanted to follow, but then thought better of it, deciding not to waste money impulsively. She didn’t have dinner with Yang Ou. Instead, she returned to Mingde, drove her car away, changed her clothes, and returned to Century City.
She wanted to wait for Yun Shu to come out and drive her home.
At the Cloud Summit View Restaurant, the glass walls and waterfall curtain flowed quietly.
A violinist stood by the table, playing “Moon River” for the two diners. This song always makes people pause and reflect, and it also made Yun Shu increasingly aware of some issues.
The melody was like heavenly music, sounding out the romance of the night, and also stirring up the thoughts deep in people’s hearts.
Ming Yan cupped her face, gazing infatuatedly at Yun Shu. How could there be such a wonderful woman in the world? Sometimes she was as plain as a chrysanthemum, sometimes as elegant as a vanilla orchid, sometimes humorous and witty, and sometimes cold and solitary. They say women are ever-changing, and most women spend their money and energy on clothes and makeup, but Yun Shu’s elegance and charm were etched into her bones.
The first time she saw her standing next to her father, Ming Yan fell in love with her. At that time, she was rebellious, flamboyant, and uninhibited, but she changed after meeting Yun Shu.
Ming Yan worked hard on her studies and career, all so she could stand by Yun Shu’s side.
When the music ended, she gave a generous tip. Yun Shu took a sip of water, gently wiped her mouth, looked up, and said, “Yan Yan, I have something I want to talk to you about.”
“Say it, I love to listen to anything you say.” Ming Yan sat up straight, ready to listen intently.
“Is it because I spoiled and indulged you that you might have misunderstood?”
“Misunderstood what?” Ming Yan asked, then realized, “Are you talking about me liking you?”
Yun Shu nodded.
“Me liking you has nothing to do with how you treat me. I started pestering you after I fell for you, don’t you remember?”
“It is indeed my fault. I never took your words to heart, thinking you were just joking, a child’s way of acting spoiled. I didn’t think you were so serious. I apologize.”
“Don’t be. Liking you is my business. I was young before and truly naive, but now I’m very clear. You also know I can’t hide things in my heart; everything shows on my face. When I like something, I want to possess it, but people aren’t objects that can be bought with a lot of money. What I want is your precious heart.”
Yun Shu frowned slightly and said indifferently, “But I don’t like you.”
Ming Yan’s smile froze. Although she had anticipated this outcome, her heart still suddenly ached.
Yun Shu’s directness was very hurtful, but she was willing to accept it. “I know you don’t like me, and at most you see me as a sister, but time will give me a chance. I won’t give up easily. I’m going to pursue you, unless you get into a relationship or get married someday.”
“Don’t waste your time on me. We have zero possibility.” Yun Shu had never had to go to such lengths to reject someone. She originally intended to resolve it gently, but Ming Yan seemed deeply obsessed.
“Sister Yun, don’t be so absolute. Nothing in this world is absolute. Some people fall in love at first sight, others grow in love over time, a steady stream. How can you be so sure you won’t be moved by me and fall for me?”
“I won’t.” Yun Shu was firm. “Yan Yan, if you insist on continuing this way, I can only choose to leave Mingde.”
Ming Yan was stunned. She hadn’t expected Yun Shu to threaten her own position just to sever her intentions.
“Why? Are you homophobic or do you just hate me?”
Yun Shu shook her head, “I have no prejudice against same-s3x relationships, and I certainly don’t hate you. We can be like biological sisters, but not lovers. I will only say these words to you once. If you force me again, I will make sure you never see me again.”
“That’s not fair to me!” Ming Yan couldn’t help but slam the table, the sound drawing the attention of others. She said indignantly, “I don’t accept your reason! Is liking someone a crime?”
Yun Shu was ice-cold and unmoved. She stood up and said slowly, “Some liking is a crime.”
Ming Yan’s liking for her was a crime, and her own indulgence and spoiling was also a crime.
She would rather sever the bond than let things develop this way.
If she had been vigilant earlier and nipped the bud of Ming Yan’s feelings, things might not have come to this today.
Yun Shu left Ming Yan and walked away alone.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Ming Shangdong’s number.
“Did you talk her out of it?”
“I did my best. I don’t know if she listened, but if she insists on pestering me, I will leave.”
“How can you use yourself to threaten her? What will I do if you leave?” Ming Shangdong’s tone was frantic, afraid that Yun Shu would actually leave. He knew Yun Shu was a woman of her word and capable of doing it.
“This is the best and most appropriate solution.”
“No, before her mother finds out, I need to figure out a way to resolve this. Don’t even think about leaving right now, absolutely don’t.”
“I won’t if she stops her meddling. Hanging up.”
Yun Shu sighed softly. Perhaps not every decision she made was right, but she had to be fair to herself and to others.
People cannot live so selfishly. Sometimes one cannot help but be constrained by circumstances, and the responsibilities that must be fulfilled should be.
She hoped tonight’s conversation wouldn’t cause Ming Yan too much harm.
The night enveloped the city like a net cast down. The glittering neon lights of Century City illuminated the people shopping, dining, and relaxing.
Looking up at the colorful sky lit by the lights, Yun Shu’s deep sense of loneliness was exposed to the cold, desolate air. Her vision caught a slight glimmer, and amidst the twilight crowd, a strikingly bright red caught her eye.
She stopped and stared. The clamor gradually subsided in the chilly quietness. Not far away, Gu Weiran was walking towards her with a beaming smile.
The faint light shone on Gu Weiran’s face. The bleak and lonely winter night began to brighten and warm because of her appearance.
She was wearing the scarf Yun Shu had given her, exquisitely beautiful and naturally graceful. Against the backdrop of the night, she possessed a beauty that seemed to transcend the mundane.
People rushed past her, but Yun Shu only saw Gu Weiran.
“Done? I’m here to take you home.”
Gu Weiran’s sweet smile transformed into a warm current, slowly flowing into Yun Shu’s heart.
She suddenly noticed that Gu Weiran had changed her clothes. “Did you go back?”
“Yes, I went back to get the car. We have a car, right? We don’t have to take the Porsche, do we? I think her sports car is narrow and not as comfortable as ours.”
“That’s right, I’m not used to riding in it either. Let’s go back.” Gu Weiran completely swept away Yun Shu’s gloom. This subtle change made her feel both happy and worried.
The better things were now, the harder the parting would be.
Yun Shu wasn’t afraid of gossip, nor was she worried about being penalized or fined for the performance agreement.
She was afraid that Ming Yan wouldn’t listen and would insist on pursuing and liking her. If that happened, the only outcome would be leaving Mingde.
The planned three months might change because of Ming Yan’s coming out. Yun Shu couldn’t just leave without a word; some things needed to be arranged in advance.
She was silent the whole way, thinking intensely about this matter.
Gu Weiran noticed her preoccupied expression and couldn’t help but ask, “Why did eating a meal make you so unhappy?”
Yun Shu snapped back to attention and chuckled, “No. Where is Yang Ou?”
“He went back to the company to work overtime.”
“Working overtime at this hour?”
“The event is about to start; they’re all still at the company.” This kind of critical-period busyness was common in planning companies; Gu Weiran was used to it.
Yun Shu checked the time; it was already past eleven o’clock.
She had a sudden idea and asked, “I want to go see your company. May I?”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.” Yun Shu had often passed by Fengqi over the years, sometimes lingering downstairs, but she had never gone up.
She wanted to see the place where Gu Weiran had worked for over three years.
“A client inspecting a vendor’s work late at night—this must be unprecedented in the industry. Of course, it’s our company’s honor. I’ll take you right now.”
Gu Weiran enthusiastically drove toward the company, stopping halfway to buy a pile of snacks. No one expected Gu Weiran to return at this hour, and even less did they expect Yun Shu to show up. Those who were previously sleepy instantly perked up.
“General Manager Yun, please have something to eat.” Yang Ou enthusiastically invited her. Gu Weiran waved her hand, “She won’t eat these.”
Yun Shu looked at the pile of snacks, pointed to a lollipop, and said, “Give me one of those, please.”
“A lollipop??” Gu Weiran was incredulous. She didn’t think Yun Shu would eat such things, and she hadn’t seen her eat them in the past.
Yang Ou handed it over with uncertainty. Yun Shu smiled, “Thank you.”
She didn’t engage in much conversation with others, looked around, and walked straight to Gu Weiran’s office.
“Since when do you like eating lollipops?” Gu Weiran pressed.
Yun Shu peeled the wrapper, put the candy in her mouth, sucked it, and answered calmly, “To relieve boredom.”
“To relieve boredom? People smoke to relieve boredom.”
“I eat this because I don’t want to smoke.”
Even when her mood was at its lowest, Yun Shu would never choose to smoke. She always remembered that Teacher Lin disliked women smoking and hated the smell of smoke.
She glanced at the computer on the desk and asked, “Can I use your computer?”
“Yes, this computer works fine.” Gu Weiran turned it on for her, not understanding what Yun Shu was going to do.
Yun Shu quickly entered work mode, concentrating on the screen. Gu Weiran didn’t disturb her, just sat opposite her obediently.
Bi Shumin once said: “Only when a person puts their entire being into their best state can they transform into a soft gauze and warmly embrace this scarred world.”
Gu Weiran didn’t know if Yun Shu was in her best state, but she felt that at this moment, all the warmth was surrounding and enveloping her.
How happy would it be if it could be like this forever?
She works, and I wait beside her, or I work, and she waits. In the same room, doing different things in their respective fields, but sharing the same concern.
Even when together, she would miss her.
Unfortunately, this was just her wishful thinking and fantasy.
Yun Shu suddenly looked up and asked her, “What is your company’s current operating cost?”
“Uh, probably less than two hundred thousand.”
“Rent?”
“Ten thousand per month, plus one thousand for property management fees. Water and electricity are separate.”
Yun Shu took out a pen and wrote on a piece of paper as she spoke: “Your company, including you, only has ten people. You’re not taking a salary right now, so you need to support nine people. The average salary is already almost twenty thousand. Isn’t that too high?”
“Why are you calculating this for me?”
Gu Weiran was pulled back to reality from her fantasy by Yun Shu. The calculation made her heart ache.
“I gave everyone a two-thousand raise after Uncle Da left. As you can see, everyone is working very hard, working overtime so much they’re almost living at the company. I don’t intend to make a lot of money, but I want to keep everyone, and I want the company to survive.”
Through the glass door of the office, Yun Shu could see everyone working tirelessly. She lightly tapped her pen, contemplating.
“Mingde’s office building has an eighth-floor office. The area is larger than this, and the internal price is only eight thousand per month, and it’s fully furnished. If you’re willing, you can move there, and I will arrange it for you. Also, relying only on the Mingde project is not enough. For Longxing Real Estate’s bidding next month, you need to proactively contact General Manager Ma; you can’t wait for them to contact you.” Yun Shu had just been looking up office building information and confirmed the price before mentioning it to Gu Weiran.
“Eight thousand a month for rent is really good.” Gu Weiran still hadn’t fully grasped Yun Shu’s intention.
“Also, your current team of 10 people is not enough. I roughly calculated that you should expand to more than 20 people because many clients look at the vendor’s scale and qualifications. If you want to establish your company’s brand, you must work with large developers. Furthermore, the use of personnel must be tiered; you can’t have everyone on high salaries. Appropriately promoting newcomers will help you control operating costs. If you configure two projects for every 4 people, you need to stably secure at least 6 projects. That way, you can still profit 100,000 to 200,000 every month. You must make good use of the resources I give you. I have already recommended you to participate in the bidding for Fangde Real Estate’s project next week. Someone will contact you tomorrow. You must secure two more projects before the end of the year. Remember to hire people in advance. The rest will be up to you.”
Gu Weiran was confused. Why was Yun Shu suddenly talking to her about company planning? She felt like something was wrong. “Wait, why does this sound like a parting instruction?”
“I don’t know how much longer I will stay in Xuan’an. In any case, if you find my ideas useful, you can adopt them. The resources are stable connections, so even if I’m not at Mingde, they will still give me some face. Make sure you manage it well, do you understand?” Yun Shu was determined. If she was ultimately forced to leave Mingde, she had to finalize these arrangements before she could leave with peace of mind.
“You’re going to leave Mingde?? Isn’t three months a long time? Are you planning to leave already?”
Yun Shu lowered her eyes, sucking on the lollipop, the sweet taste failing to lift her spirits.
“Everything is uncertain. Maybe I’ll leave early, maybe on time, maybe…” Yun Shu paused, the thought of leaving feeling like a lump in her throat.
Gu Weiran anxiously grabbed her hand, as if she would lose her the next second. “Can you not go? I will perform well, I promise. You said you would consider not leaving if I performed well.”
Yun Shu’s fingertips touched Gu Weiran’s slightly trembling hand. She looked like a scared child, her eyes full of anxiety.
She said helplessly, “Weiran, what if I have a compelling reason to leave?”
Gu Weiran clutched her hand even tighter and said resolutely, “Take me with you. I can give up everything.”