My Villain Is Super Sweet (GL) - CHAPTER 56

After being rejected, Fang Baihui didn’t get angry or upset; instead, he felt a bit regretful.

It wasn’t every day he met someone who could match him in all aspects, only to find out she already had someone in her heart.

How frustrating!
At the same time, he couldn’t help but view Gu Qingci in a new light.

She was the first woman to ever reject him!

Before this, he was always the one turning people down.

If Gu Qingci had read enough cliché CEO romance novels, she might have noticed that Fang Baihui’s current expression practically screamed, “Woman, you’ve caught my attention.”

The topic of an arranged marriage seemed to matter little to him now. Instead, he got serious about discussing business.

When it came to business, Fang Baihui was sharp and unyielding, refusing to give up even an inch.

Gu Qingci secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She calmly and confidently addressed his questions one by one, quickly shooting down some of the cleverly hidden traps in the terms.

From the outside, it appeared as if the two were having a pleasant and close conversation.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman standing together made for an eye-catching sight.

Others who had come with ulterior motives saw this scene and felt disheartened.

With someone like Fang Baihui as her apparent partner, they didn’t even have the courage to step forward and showcase themselves.

After all, they couldn’t compare to him in looks, strength, or even a clean personal history. Why embarrass themselves?

It was, in every sense, a total defeat.

They settled for showcasing their companies, flexing their strengths, and talking about potential collaborations instead.

Gu Qingci never expected Fang Baihui to act as a shield, warding off so many unwanted suitors and admirers.

It turns out, everyone has their unexpected uses when placed in the right position!

With Fang Baihui’s “help,” Gu Qingci’s business-focused banquet went smoothly without turning into some bizarre matchmaking spectacle.

After the banquet ended and everyone left, Gu Qingci and Fang Baihui finalized the dates for a business trip to Beijing for a site visit.

The two exchanged polite smiles and parted ways.

In Gu Qingci’s mind, she thought, Fang Baihui turned out to be quite useful. This friend is worth keeping.

In Fang Baihui’s mind, he thought, the more I see Gu Qingci, the more I like her. She’s sharp and always on point. It’s just a pity she already has someone in her heart.

But then again, feelings can change quickly. Relationships are all about breakups and reconciliations—it’s normal.

For now, he planned to use their collaboration as an excuse to spend more time with her. If she ever broke up with her current love interest, that would be his chance.

And if she didn’t? Well, maybe he could learn a thing or two from her partner about how to win over a smart and beautiful woman like her.

And if they did break up?

Perhaps, with more time spent together, she’d eventually fall for his good looks, gentlemanly manners, and respectful demeanor.

Anything is possible!

Feeling quite clever, he returned home and mentioned it casually to his elegant mother.

His mother, taking off her facial mask, laughed at him, saying, “That’s just an excuse. Can’t you tell? She’s trying to politely turn you down.”

“She never even mentioned to me that her daughter has a boyfriend!”

If Gu Qingci really had someone special, given her close relationship with her mother, it seemed unlikely she wouldn’t at least bring it up in conversation.

Fang Baihui froze for a moment but then thought about Gu Qingci’s determined expression. He insisted, “No, she really does have someone.”

His mother was skeptical but immediately called her new friend, Gu Minglan, to confirm.

When Gu Minglan heard that her daughter had confessed to having someone she liked, she was taken aback. Based on her calculations, it had likely been at least nine months.

Nine months was long enough to have a baby!

Yet her daughter hadn’t mentioned a word to her mother. Was there some unspeakable reason?

It made Gu Minglan uneasy.

Meanwhile, back in Beijing, Lin Lang was diligently overseeing their company while Gu Qingci navigated the social and business landscape in Rong City.

For this trip, Lin Lang didn’t accompany Gu Qingci, partly because the work in Beijing couldn’t be left unattended, and partly because Gu Qingci worried that the He family might try to meddle, putting Lin Lang in a difficult position.

With Gu Qingci gone, Lin Lang found herself with more free time in the evenings. She kept up her regular fitness and martial arts routines to stay in peak physical condition.

Recently, she had also discovered a new hobby—shooting real firearms.

This interest started earlier that year when she met a retired soldier at her usual training gym. After a heated sparring match, the two hit it off. From sparring partners to friends, they eventually started hanging out, and he introduced her to the thrill of live ammunition shooting.

Lin Lang was instantly hooked.

Her accuracy was impressive even as a beginner, surprising her new friends. While they expected her to do well due to her steady hands and sharp focus, her natural talent exceeded their expectations.

However, every time she returned from a shooting range, Gu Qingci would complain about the smell of gunpowder on her fingers, temporarily curbing her enthusiasm for the hobby.

But now that Gu Qingci was away, Lin Lang was free to indulge herself, embracing the life of a carefree single lady.

She started frequenting the range, occasionally inviting her sparring partners to join.