Naughty Puppy Will Be Eaten by a Bad Woman - Chapter 20

Could it be… that Gu Xianyue’s rare bloom of affection will never bear fruit?

Yu Longyan likes women.

The moment those words left her lips, Lingxi couldn’t help but tense up, glancing at Gu Xianyue’s reaction.

To her surprise, Gu Xianyue merely cast her a faint glance, her eyes dark and unfathomable.

“Oh, I know,” she said.

Lingxi was taken aback. In her memory, Gu Xianyue wasn’t the type to pay attention to celebrity gossip.

“How did you find out? Did you see it trending?”

Gu Xianyue shook her head, her unwavering gaze fixed on the phone screen.

The livestream’s high resolution clearly showed Lu Zhao drinking water, beads of sweat faintly visible on her neck. Yu Longyan’s gaze lingered briefly on Lu Zhao before shifting away, resuming her attempts to stir up drama.

This subtle movement went unnoticed by the bullet comments, but it didn’t escape Gu Xianyue’s sharp eyes.

Her voice deepened, tinged with barely suppressed anger.

“I could tell.”

After Lu Zhao finished her livestream and reviewed the footage, she put on her long wool coat, wrapped a scarf around her neck, and finally stepped out of the studio.

Despite her precautions, Lu Zhao still sneezed a few times.

“Are you catching a cold?” Yu Longyan asked with concern, wearing only a thin down jacket.

Lu Zhao buried her face deeper into her scarf and shook her head. “It’s nothing, just the sudden change in temperature.”

Strange, she thought. I took every possible precaution. How did I still get sick?

Yu Longyan glanced at the half of Lu Zhao’s face visible above the scarf, noticing the tip of her delicate nose was already red from the cold.

“Want to grab dinner after work?” Yu Longyan asked casually as they walked out side-by-side.

Lu Zhao’s long lashes fluttered slightly. “Maybe another time. I have something to take care of later.”

Perhaps because the scarf muffled the lower half of her face, Yu Longyan thought Lu Zhao’s voice sounded a bit muffled.

“Alright, just let me know when you’re free next time,” Yu Longyan said, dropping the subject without pressing further.

They parted ways at the elevator.

Back in her office, Lu Zhao immediately pulled out her phone and texted Gu Xianyue:

President Gu, could I come to your company to discuss something? It’s about the International Medical Summit next month, and I think it would be best to discuss it in person.

She tapped send.

While waiting for a reply, Lu Zhao stared at the moon avatar in the chat window, feeling an inexplicable tremor run through her body.

She suddenly realized she had been so eager to message Gu Xianyue that she had forgotten to turn on the air conditioning.

The air conditioner hummed to life, slowly circulating warm air as the outdoor unit emitted a steady, reassuring hum.

After what felt like an eternity, a notification pinged. Gu Xianyue replied: When?

Lu Zhao glanced at the time. It was already past office hours. She would need to go home first, grab the red wine, and then head to Yunqing…

About half an hour from now?

As soon as she sent the message, Lu Zhao began packing up her things.

Gu Xianyue replied: Okay.

“Let’s go! Take me out for a nice meal,” Lingxi said, noticing Gu Xianyue tapping her phone and her expression softening.

Gu Xianyue looked up. “You go ahead and eat. I’ll send you the restaurant details later. I’ve already made a reservation. I have something to take care of first.”

Lingxi stared in disbelief, her voice filled with anguish. “Seriously? Your best friend flies all the way back from abroad to see you, gives you a week’s notice, and you’re ditching her for your first meal together?”

Gu Xianyue put away her phone and pulled out her makeup kit to touch up her look. “Lu Zhao is coming over soon to discuss work matters.”

Lingxi watched her apply makeup.

Gu Xianyue’s makeup had barely faded all day. To Lingxi, she still looked radiant, making the touch-up seem unnecessary.

Lingxi narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.

“Hey, why don’t we all eat together? It’d be a perfect chance for me to meet Little Reporter Lu,” Lingxi suggested, seizing the opportunity.

“Alright,” Gu Xianyue replied immediately, as if she had been waiting for Lingxi to say just that.

“Wait, what did you call her?” Gu Xianyue asked, her long eyes, now enhanced by makeup, looked both alluring and dangerous.

“I called her Little Reporter Lu~ What’s wrong?” Lingxi teased with a mischievous grin.

“Don’t call her that,” Gu Xianyue said, putting away her makeup bag, her voice as cold as ice.

Then she added, “Connie might get angry.”

“Sure, sure,” Lingxi replied with a smile, knowing Connie wouldn’t care. She saw through the pretense, understanding who would actually be upset.

Lu Zhao’s arrival at Yunqing Group caused a minor stir. It was the time when employees were leaving for the day, and as she followed the receptionist inside, she drew curious glances and hushed whispers.

“Isn’t that… Reporter Lu from the press conference?”

“How dare she show her face here? Doesn’t she fear President Gu will tear her apart?”

“I bet she’s here to apologize.”

The whispers reached Lu Zhao’s ears. They’re right, she thought. I am here to apologize.

The receptionist offered to carry the heavy red wine gift box Lu Zhao was holding, but she politely declined. She felt it would be more sincere if she carried it herself, even though it was quite heavy.

The receptionist led her to the General Manager’s office door, bowed respectfully, and left.

The imposing door to the General Manager’s office loomed before her. This was Lu Zhao’s first visit, and she was genuinely impressed. Yunqing Group truly lived up to its reputation as one of the nation’s top medical device conglomerates. From the moment she stepped into the building, she had been captivated by its minimalist, grand, and meticulously designed aesthetic.

The subtle details hinted at Yunqing’s considerable financial resources.

Just as she was about to knock, Lu Zhao noticed a screen-equipped intercom and doorbell embedded beside the door.

Such a lavish budget, she thought. Typical of Yunqing to spare no expense on such things. This level of office design and amenities would never be considered by the Provincial Television Station.

She pressed the doorbell and waited. To her surprise, the door opened automatically.

Lu Zhao stared in disbelief.

Though she had seen her fair share of extravagance as a reporter over the years, this was the first time she had encountered an office door that opened automatically.

As she stepped inside, the door closed smoothly behind her.

“Oh, Reporter Lu! Long time no see~”

The first to greet her was a familiar face. After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Zhao recognized her.

“President Ling? It has been a while. How are you?” Lu Zhao replied with a polite smile, exchanging practiced greetings with Lingxi.

“Just call me Lingxi. No need for formalities. By the way, what’s this?”

Lingxi noticed Lu Zhao was carrying a gift box that looked quite heavy.

Gu Xianyue turned her head at the sound.

“This is a bottle of red wine for President Gu,” Lu Zhao said with a smile. “She’s been a great help to me lately.”

Lingxi took the wine and opened the box. “Wow, this is top-shelf stuff! I tried to get some in Sarawi, but you know how the transportation is there… Gu Xianyue, you’re in for a treat!”

Lu Zhao glanced nervously at Gu Xianyue, who nodded stiffly, her expression unreadable.

“Lu Zhao, why don’t you join us for dinner? Lingxi will be attending the International Medical Summit next month.”

Lu Zhao’s eyes lit up, but what truly thrilled her was that Gu Xianyue had reverted to calling her by her name, instead of the formal “Reporter Lu” she’d been using these past few days.

She nodded, her lips curving into a smile that revealed two shallow dimples. “With Lingxi? Absolutely!”

When Gu Xianyue heard Lu Zhao’s enthusiastic “With Lingxi?”, her gaze darkened again.

Is being with Lingxi really that exciting?

Completely unaware that Gu Xianyue had misunderstood her, Lu Zhao secretly rejoiced, feeling that her efforts had not been in vain.

She walked up to Gu Xianyue and pulled another item from a shopping bag.

“Gu Xianyue, this is for you,” Lu Zhao said, her peach-blossom eyes curving into a bright smile.

It was a gray cashmere scarf from Hermès, seemingly a newly released design.

Earlier, on her way home from work, Lu Zhao had passed by the Hermès boutique and been instantly drawn to the scarf. She imagined how beautiful it would look around Gu Xianyue’s neck, perfectly complementing her cool and refined aura.

She would never have bought such an expensive scarf for herself, but to properly apologize to Gu Xianyue, the gift had to be impressive.

Choosing a gift for Gu Xianyue had been a dilemma, as the woman seemed to lack nothing. However, since this scarf was a new arrival, Lu Zhao figured she probably didn’t have it yet. She promptly made the purchase.

Fortunately, her recent live streams had been wildly successful, earning her substantial commissions. Buying the scarf was well within her means.

When Gu Xianyue saw the scarf, her eyes, which had been clouded, lit up again.

“Mm, thank you,” she said, her expression neutral, revealing neither satisfaction nor dissatisfaction with the gift. She simply walked to her desk, picked up a paper cutter, and snipped off the tag.

Then, she wrapped the scarf several times around her neck.

Lu Zhao watched Gu Xianyue put it on, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Just as Lu Zhao had imagined, the gray cashmere scarf perfectly complemented Gu Xianyue’s refined aura.

The soft, warm gray cashmere scarf draped loosely around her slender neck like a wisp of warm mist. The gentle texture of the fabric softened her sharp jawline, lending her otherwise slightly severe features a touch of classical, painterly softness.

Lu Zhao’s gaze lingered, unable to tear itself away.

“You look so beautiful wearing it, really,” Lu Zhao said, her praise now simple and sincere.

Gu Xianyue’s lips curved into a smile. She knew Lu Zhao’s words were genuine.

Lingxi, who had been observing the entire scene, suddenly felt like a third wheel.

She found herself missing her girlfriend Connie, who was currently overseas.

“Hey, are you guys hungry? Should we grab some food first?” Lingxi interjected, feeling like she needed to break up whatever was happening between them before it went on any longer.

Though they probably don’t even realize they’re being all mushy, she thought.

“Let’s go. I’ve already sent you the address,” Gu Xianyue said, picking up her purse and preparing to leave.

She paused, picked up the bottle of wine, and said earnestly, “Next time, just ask the receptionist to bring it up for you. Don’t carry such heavy things yourself.”

Lu Zhao was about to say it was no problem, but when Gu Xianyue smiled down at her, she simply nodded.

Lingxi, a seasoned veteran of the dating scene, immediately sensed the undercurrents between them.

She swore that before Lu Zhao arrived, she hadn’t been sure what was going on. She’d assumed Gu Xianyue merely had a casual interest in Lu Zhao—the kind you might feel for someone who catches your eye at a bar when you’re single, which would explain why she’d suggested grabbing dinner together.

But now she realized something was off with Gu Xianyue—it seemed she was serious.

If she had known this earlier, she would have been more considerate and given them their space.

Oh well… might as well make the best of it.

The problem was… she could read Gu Xianyue’s attitude clearly, after so many years of friendship. But she couldn’t figure out Lu Zhao at all—she didn’t even know if Lu Zhao liked women.

On the way to the garage, Lu Zhao was attentive and asked about Lingxi’s recent activities, making her feel like she wasn’t intruding.

During a lull in the conversation, Lingxi secretly used her “radar”—something she was usually very confident in, having been right every time before.

By Lingxi’s standards, Lu Zhao’s appearance definitely leaned toward the “sweet and fresh” side, but her style was a bit cooler.

But these things were tricky; you couldn’t judge solely by appearances, or you’d fall into stereotypical traps.

The result was… she couldn’t sense anything.

Lingxi could sense that Lu Zhao wasn’t the type to settle into a traditional married life with children, yet she couldn’t quite picture Lu Zhao in a romantic relationship either.

Lu Zhao carried herself with such natural ease, her gaze meeting Gu Xianyue’s with a purity devoid of any romantic undertones. This only made Lingxi’s own thoughts seem impure by comparison.

Instinct told her Lu Zhao wasn’t straight, but neither did she exude any overtly queer vibes. Instead, there was a faint sense of detachment, like a planet orbiting on its own fixed trajectory, neither revolving around anyone nor being captured by anyone’s gravitational pull.

Could it be… that Gu Xianyue’s rare bloom of affection was destined to wither without bearing fruit?

Lingxi started her car and watched through the windshield as the two women got into the same vehicle.

Before getting in, Gu Xianyue reached out and wrapped her arm around Lu Zhao’s waist in an intimate gesture. To Lingxi’s surprise, Lu Zhao didn’t flinch away but instead tilted her head back, smiling as she spoke to Gu Xianyue.

Lingxi rubbed her eyes, her confusion deepening.