Long Time No See (GL) - Chapter 31

The words that slipped out were the deepest voice in Gu Weirong’s heart, and they were her profound love for Yun Shu.

When she first took over Fengqi, she thought she had no attachments, dared to gamble and act, and could afford to lose. Now, for her, everything in this world was external possession, all disposable and all capable of being let go.

Except for Yun Shu. She couldn’t let go, and she didn’t want to.

She was too afraid that Yun Shu would leave decisively, leaving no trace of thought behind, just like five years ago.

Gu Weirong’s hand tightly enveloped Yun Shu’s in her palm. The moment their fingertips touched, a warm current quietly entered Yun Shu’s heart. Gu Weirong’s eyes were bottomless, shining with an indistinct light that shone into Yun Shu’s soul.

Yun Shu was too familiar with this kind of gaze. She had seen it in Ming Yan and also in Bai Jie.

The desire in Gu Weirong’s heart turned into a blazing fire, burning around her intensely and searing Yun Shu’s heart.

She stretched out her other hand, placed it on the back of Gu Weirong’s hand, and patted it lightly, “Don’t be foolish. Come with me. You don’t want the company anymore? You don’t want home anymore?” As she spoke, she slowly pulled the distance between them, finally sitting opposite each other, seemingly close enough to touch, yet as far as the horizon.

Gu Weirong’s heart felt like it had been hollowed out, her empty palm feeling only coldness.

“Where is my home? The house has been sold. Without Mom and Dad, and you not being here, to me, any place is just a place to live. A house is merely shelter from the elements. As for the company, if you can leave Mingde, why can’t I leave Fengqi?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. When in a position, you must fulfill your duties. You are the core of the company, and you can’t give up easily. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, the money on that card can help you in an emergency.” The card Yun Shu had gotten for Gu Weirong had almost become a sealed memory. Gu Weirong didn’t know how much money was in it, but Yun Shu had a sense of proportion; it was enough to resolve all her predicaments and emergencies.

“Can you stop always acting like you’re arranging a fallback for me and about to withdraw? It makes me sad.”

“Alright, alright, alright.” Seeing Gu Weirong getting emotional, Yun Shu stopped the topic, “Let’s not talk about this. Focus on getting through this key period first.” Gu Weirong remained silent, not in the mood to reply. “I’ll go outside and check on them.”

She turned and left the office. At this moment, she didn’t know how else to ease her mood besides work. Yun Shu’s words felt like a thousand-pound weight pressing on her chest, heavy enough to suffocate her. After staying at Fengqi for half an hour, Yun Shu needed to leave, and Gu Weirong could only “prioritize romance over friendship” and leave her colleagues behind first.

After much thought, she felt that Yun Shu was not her usual self today. Had something happened between her and Ming Yan, or something else? Suddenly saying these things to her without any warning.

Her words and actions seemed to be reminding her that she might leave at any time, perhaps even earlier than three months. The two remained silent all the way home. After returning, Yun Shu went to the balcony to make a call again.

This time, Gu Weirong stayed in the living room and didn’t leave. Occasionally, she would hear Yun Shu say: “That can’t be done, no, it’s inappropriate, think again.”

This tone of consultation seemed to be about making some major decision. She always felt she couldn’t enter Yun Shu’s world. Many unknowns were stuck between them. She was holding nothing back, but Yun Shu was becoming more and more mysterious.

“You should focus on settling the Xuan’an project first. We can talk about other things in a few days.”

The person on the other end of the phone was Ming Shangdong. He worried every day, fearing Ming Yan would do something extreme and also fearing that Yun Shu would genuinely leave. “Don’t worry about the project. Think more about Yan Yan.”

“You and Yan Yan are equally important. How can I not worry about you?”

“Be clear-headed. Yan Yan is more important, understand?” Yun Shu was serious when talking on the phone, a bit more stern than usual, making her intimidating. What exactly happened during the five years she missed Yun Shu?

Gu Weirong was increasingly curious about her relationship with Ming Shangdong, why she insisted on staying at Mingde despite being labeled a “mistress” or “third party,” and more curious about the kind of life she had lived these past few years.

The conversation continued. Yun Shu would sometimes sit up and sometimes stand up. Turning around, she saw Gu Weirong was still in the living room. She made a gesture, signaling her to go take a shower and rest. Gu Weirong was unwilling and pretended not to see it.

“Wait for me.” Yun Shu walked back to the living room and said softly, “Weirong, go take a shower and sleep.” “What about you?” Gu Weirong accidentally glanced at her screen, and the three big words “Ming Shangdong” prominently came into view. “I will manage myself. Be good, go quickly.”

The phrase “Be good” made Gu Weirong’s bones feel soft. Could she still say no? She could only happily follow the “command.” She just felt that the Ming family was very strange; from the father to the daughter, they all entangled Yun Shu.

The strangest thing was Yun Shu’s attitude toward them—aloof yet close, hot and cold. It seemed they were very important, yet she could abandon them at any time. Yun Shu retreated to the balcony, curling up tiredly on the sofa, and continued the phone call.

“Who were you talking to just now? So gentle.” Ming Shangdong asked curiously. “My teacher’s daughter.”

“You are still living together? Where do you live? Not on Thirteen Street, right?” Ming Shangdong’s question surprised Yun Shu. She sat up straight, “How did you know?”

“Oh my god, I called Yan Yan earlier to ask where she was, and she said she was wandering around Thirteen Street. She mentioned your teacher’s daughter when she came out to me, and said something about her being a love rival and that I shouldn’t take her lightly. I’m afraid she…”

Yun Shu’s face suddenly changed. She hadn’t expected Ming Yan to actually follow her.

“Xiao Shu, don’t be so heartless toward Yan Yan all of a sudden. Taking things gradually is better. That child has been spoiled by her mother and me and acts without considering the consequences.” “I know. I’m tired. I’m hanging up now.”

Yun Shu immediately called Ah Jie after hanging up, instructing him to find Ming Yan on Thirteen Street no matter what and protect her closely. This was too reckless. Wandering around unfamiliar places was very dangerous, wasn’t it?

Putting down her phone, Yun Shu paced back and forth, worried about Ming Yan yet concerned about Gu Weirong. Gu Weirong came out after her shower and found Yun Shu still lying on the balcony.

She seemed to like closing herself off. That place was like a private room in her heart. Once the door was closed, Gu Weirong couldn’t get close.

There were too many words she wanted to say, but she never found the right opportunity. Her mood changed instantly with Yun Shu’s words, always stopping abruptly mid-sentence. Sometimes she couldn’t continue herself, and sometimes Yun Shu would stop her.

Gu Weirong didn’t dare to express herself excessively. She was afraid of crossing the safety line, entering Yun Shu’s untouchable territory, and being counterproductive. She didn’t have much time, yet she couldn’t rush things; she could only wait and see.

Today, she should just go to sleep obediently.

Walking back to her room, she found a glass of milk on the bedside table.

When did she come in? While I was showering? Gu Weirong was cured every day by this glass of milk. No matter what disputes she and Yun Shu had during the day, or with what conversation and mood it ended, as long as Yun Shu was home, she would always prepare a glass of milk for her before bed.

Milk helped with sleep. With sweet happiness, Gu Weirong fell into a dream. As for Yun Shu, she only felt relieved enough to rest after Ah Jie found Ming Yan. But she suffered from insomnia.

Gu Weirong’s affectionate confession, her own absolute words to Ming Yan, and Ming Shangdong’s admonishment made her mind a mess.

She took two pills and held her head, attempting to sleep, but the medication seemed ineffective today. She tossed and turned for a long time, only feeling a little sleepy around four in the morning. She was too tired. Tormented by insomnia for years, she found it even harder to sleep when troubled.

Every day, she had to force herself to stay awake, preventing herself from collapsing.

Following the high-level personnel changes at Mingde, the Xuan’an company also underwent earth-shattering changes. Wang Sen came to work as if nothing had happened, ignoring Gu Weirong, as if nothing had ever transpired.

In the management conference room, Yun Shu looked at Wang Sen without saying a word, not announcing the start of the meeting. The atmosphere dropped to freezing point; no one knew what Yun Shu was going to do. She was waiting for someone.

Ten minutes later, Ming Yan appeared in professional attire. Carrying the authority and momentum of a leader, she announced the personnel changes. Wang Sen was dismissed due to suspected kickbacks and misconduct. The position of City Deputy General Manager would be held by Bai Jie.

This was a coordinated effort by Yun Shu and Ming Yan. Wang Sen knew he couldn’t compete with Yun Shu and had sought help from the chairman’s wife, Shen Hanqi. But he hadn’t expected Yun Shu to find Shen Hanqi’s weakness—Ming Yan.

Everyone knew this eldest daughter was Shen Hanqi’s favorite and her precious jewel. Between a chess piece and her daughter, she chose her daughter without hesitation. Therefore, Ming Yan could easily enter the HR department and become the influential HR boss.

This method of expulsion left Wang Sen humiliated. Soon, he would be infamous in the real estate industry, and in severe cases, no one would dare to hire him again. “Yun Shu, you are ruthless. You remember this!” Before leaving, Wang Sen fiercely left this sentence, directing all his resentment toward Yun Shu.

Letting Wang Sen leave this way was already an exceptional act of mercy from Yun Shu. If it weren’t for the sake of Mingde and Gu Weirong’s reputation, such conclusive evidence could have at least sent him to a detention center, leaving a permanent criminal record.

After announcing the personnel appointments, Ming Yan left without saying anything else, only giving Yun Shu a deep look before departing. Ming Yan’s departure brought in a Bai Jie. His office was next door and he would move in once Yun Shu left.

Every day, Gu Weirong would see Bai Jie trying to curry favor with Yun Shu. He was very smart, handling the balance just right so as not to offend Yun Shu. Their balanced and harmonious interaction even made some colleagues ship them as a couple, saying they were a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman.

Even rumors could turn into invisible sharp swords, repeatedly stabbing Gu Weirong’s heart. Yet, it was inappropriate for her to even get angry, so she could only suppress the feelings inside.

The important milestone event was approaching. Everyone was overwhelmingly busy, and Yun Shu worked until the middle of the night every day. Gu Weirong felt sorry for her and didn’t want to only think about romance or add to Yun Shu’s troubles. Thus, she deeply buried those emotions in her heart.

The launch ceremony for the Xingtai Natural Valley project arrived as scheduled. The site was bustling with people: media, partners, fans, and citizens all converged there.

The most exciting part was the presence of the movie queen, Lu Jingyan. She rarely participated in commercial activities, and her attendance caused a huge sensation. Hot searches and live broadcasts reported the situation simultaneously on that day.

Gu Weirong led her team backstage, constantly monitoring data and reports from all media. Photos and short videos of the front-of-house ceremony were shared through the group chat by other staff.

Hearing that Su Qing and Lu Jingyan came together, she really wanted to go to the front to see, and even more so to see Yun Shu. But she had to guard the back end. The effect of the campaign and advertising had to be maximized today. She had to personally oversee it. Not holding things back, and even playing a crucial role, was the greatest help she could give Yun Shu.

“Quickly make these photos into a nine-grid collage, and follow up with short videos immediately. Also, include the existing pictures in our promotional article to ensure it’s sent out immediately. Keep good communication with those big self-media accounts.” Gu Weirong was organizing things in an orderly manner when a “crackle, snap, pop” sound came from the front, followed by a surge of commotion.

Gu Weirong’s heart leaped, “What’s going on?”

She rushed out of the office and headed towards the stage, running into Lü Xin, the assistant manager, who was running back. Gu Weirong grabbed her and asked, “Sister Xin, what happened?”

“Someone set off smoke sticks to create chaos. Two crazy fans of Lu Jingyan suddenly attacked the stage. It’s a mess over there now. Weirong, quickly find me the media list.” Gu Weirong grabbed her wrist, asking anxiously, “Attacked the stage? What about her, what about her?”

“Her?” Lü Xin didn’t react.

“I mean Yun Shu! How is she?!”

Without waiting for Lü Xin’s answer, Gu Weirong took off running towards the chaos.