Naughty Puppy Will Be Eaten by a Bad Woman - Chapter 28

“I prefer it a little sweeter.”

Fang Lin was about to stretch her legs and take a stroll to the bar when she passed by Lu Zhao and Gu Xianyue and saw the scene.

Lu Zhao’s head was nestled in the crook of Gu Xianyue’s neck, sound asleep. Gu Xianyue had one arm wrapped around Lu Zhao from behind, both women slumbering peacefully, intimately entwined under the same blanket.

Fang Lin gazed at the serene tableau, finding it remarkably pleasing to the eye.

Their relationship is so lovely.

But then she remembered Lu Zhao’s recent invitation to meet, during which she had mentioned a “friend.” With Lu Zhao and Gu Xianyue being so close, wouldn’t that make the friend jealous?

Though Fang Lin had never dated a woman, she figured many relationship boundaries should apply universally. Shouldn’t Lu Zhao be more mindful of boundaries with others?

Hmm… but then again, Lu Zhao hasn’t officially defined her relationship with that “friend.” So, technically, she’s free to do as she pleases.

In that case, it shouldn’t matter if I lean on her a little, right?

She’s such a sight for sore eyes… Gu Xianyue, a straight woman, sighed inwardly once again.

Several more hours passed before the plane finally landed at Capital International Airport.

Gu Xianyue carefully rose from her seat before Lu Zhao woke up, gently nudging Lu Zhao back into her own seat.

Perhaps due to the medication, Lu Zhao had slept soundly throughout the flight. Gu Xianyue only lightly shook her awake just before disembarking.

“Lu Zhao, we’re here.”

Still groggy from sleep, Lu Zhao slowly opened her eyes and saw the already-opened cabin window.

“Oh… that was fast…”

Gu Xianyue watched her rub her eyes and chuckled softly.

It wasn’t fast at all. During the entire flight from south to north, Gu Xianyue had barely dared to move, afraid of waking Lu Zhao. Her arm had even gone numb from being used as a pillow.

As they disembarked, Gu Xianyue asked Lu Zhao, “You must be very familiar with the Capital by now. Where do you want to go for a good meal tonight?”

Lu Zhao nodded. “Yes, I spent four years at university here… But tonight, aren’t we supposed to be with President Gu?”

Gu Xianyue paused, slightly surprised. “What?” She hadn’t expected Gu Yu to invite Lu Zhao along.

Lu Zhao looked puzzled. “Didn’t President Gu mention it? I thought you knew.”

By the time they disembarked, Sheng Huaixing and his team were already waiting at the arrivals gate.

Seeing them approach, Sheng Huaixing, who had been chatting animatedly with Gu Yu, immediately turned his attention to Gu Xianyue.

“Miss Gu, it’s been too long! We’ve been waiting for you,” he said with an exaggerated smile, reaching for her bag.

Gu Xianyue subtly sidestepped, leaving him grasping at air.

“Manager Sheng, good to see you,” she greeted him coolly.

Sheng Huaixing awkwardly withdrew his hand, noticing Lu Zhao beside her.

He had known the Provincial Television Station’s Special Project Team would be attending, providing an opportunity to promote Shengye’s new products. Since his attempts to curry favor with Gu Xianyue had failed, he decided to shift his efforts to Lu Zhao, hoping to gain her favor instead.

“Reporter Lu, what’s your baggage claim number? I’ll get it for you,” Sheng Huaixing offered, thinking this would demonstrate his gentlemanly manners and earn him points with Gu Xianyue.

To his surprise, Lu Zhao didn’t take the bait. She simply replied politely, “Thank you for your kind offer, President Sheng, but I don’t have much luggage.”

Gu Xianyue understood immediately. Her mother’s subtle warnings on the plane hadn’t ended; this was about drawing a clear line between Lu Zhao and Sheng Huaixing.

Gu Xianyue couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Gu Yu probably hadn’t anticipated that she and Lu Zhao would still be just friends by now.

Even so… the mere sight of Sheng Huaixing made her nauseous.

How could such a morally bankrupt waste of space be considered her equal, let alone someone she was now expected to maintain a relationship with at Gu Yu’s behest? All because he was the “eldest son” of the Sheng Family?

In Gu Xianyue’s opinion, if Shengye Group ever entrusted real power to Sheng Huaixing, the company would collapse on its own without Yunqing needing to lift a finger.

After collecting their luggage and exiting the airport, Gu Xianyue and Lu Zhao’s group prepared to part ways.

Lu Zhao and her group were staying separately from Gu Xianyue, whose luggage had already been sent to her accommodation by a designated staff member. Lu Zhao nodded to Gu Xianyue before leaving with Zhou Muting and the others.

Gu Xianyue watched Lu Zhao’s retreating figure, her brow furrowing slightly.

Why didn’t Lu Zhao say something like “See you later” as she usually does? Why did she leave so abruptly this time?

Perhaps she’s just too tired. After all, she took medication. That’s understandable.

Yes, that explanation makes sense. Satisfied with this reasoning, Gu Xianyue turned and walked away without hesitation.

She didn’t notice that Lu Zhao had stopped after walking a few steps, turning back to gaze at her retreating figure.

“Lu Zhao, come on, what are you still looking at?” Fang Lin urged her.

“Mm, let’s go,” Lu Zhao replied, taking one last look at Gu Xianyue’s tall, elegant silhouette before turning away and walking forward.

Zhou Muting, who had observed the entire scene, adjusted her glasses and remained silent.

Lu Zhao was acutely perceptive. She had immediately noticed Sheng Huaixing’s subtle attentiveness toward Gu Xianyue and Gu Yu’s tacit approval of it all.

During the drive to the hotel, Lu Zhao remained quiet, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window.

Even after a long absence, she still felt intimately familiar with this place. Passing through Nanluoguxiang, with its red-walled courtyards and gray-tiled roofs, then through towering skyscrapers and steel forests… there stood her alma mater.

This had been the purest chapter of her life, where she had finally broken free from the entanglements of her past through sheer effort. In this place where no one knew her, she had thrived, hungering for knowledge…

Of course, she still hadn’t forged any deep connections here, nor had she ever intended to stay, despite several professors urging her to pursue further studies as graduation approached.

This place was good, but it wasn’t her hometown. Her hometown was Qingcheng, and though she had no family there, she instinctively felt that Qingcheng was her true home.

Lu Zhao was lost in thought when Zhou Muting, noticing her reverie, gently asked, “Xiao Lu, are you feeling nostalgic?”

Lu Zhao smiled faintly. “A little.”

Zhou Muting beamed, her expression warm and caring like that of an ordinary elder. “You rarely mention your university days. I only know you participated in many competitions and won numerous awards…”

Lu Zhao: “Hmm… I didn’t really have much fun in college either. I didn’t make any close friends—I was too busy.”

Zhou Muting followed up, “I see you’re quite close to President Gu now. Would you consider her a friend?”

Lu Zhao blinked, subtly concealing a flicker of disappointment.

“Yes, I suppose she’s a friend,” she replied softly.

Zhou Muting gazed at the young woman, already weathered by experience despite her youth. Behind her rimless glasses, a pair of eyes flashed with an inscrutable emotion before settling back into their usual warmth.

“It’s good for young people to make friends, but you must be careful who you trust… When I was younger, I made some poor choices in that regard…”

“Oh, you’ve never shared this before! I want to hear!” Fang Lin, ever the gossip enthusiast, immediately chimed in.

Zhou Muting, however, skillfully steered the conversation elsewhere with a few practiced remarks, leaving the topic unresolved.

Lu Zhao sensed Zhou Muting’s unspoken message, and a seed of doubt sprouted in her mind.

Poor choices… Is she talking about Gu Xianyue?

No, that doesn’t make sense. If Gu Xianyue’s character were truly questionable, Zhou Muting wouldn’t be offering such roundabout warnings.

Could it be… that my feelings have been discovered?

Lu Zhao believed she had been extremely cautious, carefully concealing her feelings and avoiding unnecessary conversation with Gu Xianyue. How had she still been discovered?

Could it be… the keen insight of the older generation? If so, Lu Zhao had to admit defeat.

But she harbored no illusions about a future with Gu Xianyue. She chose to interpret Zhou Muting’s words as a reminder to keep her feelings hidden.

But… how could she hide them any further?

The banquet was held in a centuries-old courtyard mansion. Palace lanterns hung low, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow across the blue-brick courtyard. Inside the private room, Gu Yu sat at the head of the table, with Sheng Huaixing and Gu Xianyue seated beside her.

Despite Gu Yu’s subtle glances urging Gu Xianyue to sit next to Sheng Huaixing, Gu Xianyue pretended not to notice.

Lu Zhao arrived and took the seat next to Gu Xianyue.

“How’s the hotel?” Gu Xianyue asked, turning to Lu Zhao as she sat down.

“It’s fine,” Lu Zhao replied. “I’m sharing a room with Fang Lin.”

Gu Xianyue remained silent, her gaze fixed on Lu Zhao.

A sudden realization struck Lu Zhao. After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “It’s a twin room.”

Gu Xianyue nodded. “Send me the location later.”

Lu Zhao was about to comply when an odd feeling washed over her.

Since they didn’t live together or need to travel together, why was Gu Xianyue being sent this?

She asked softly, “Why?”

Gu Xianyue looked slightly surprised, as if she hadn’t expected Lu Zhao to question her. She was about to answer when Sheng Huaixing interrupted.

“Miss Gu, this Burgundy is a special vintage I brought back from a French vineyard. Its smooth, gentle flavor reminds me of you.” With that, he poured a small amount into a decanter, then poured some into a stemmed glass and handed it to Gu Xianyue.

Lu Zhao’s heart twisted with a sour feeling, and she couldn’t help but mentally mock Sheng Huaixing’s choice of words.

Gu Xianyue… Sometimes she could be quite gentle with Lu Zhao, but based on her understanding of Gu Xianyue, the latter would absolutely despise being described as “smooth” or “gentle.”

Even interrupted, Gu Xianyue maintained her composure. She didn’t take the glass; instead, she tapped the table lightly with her slender fingertips, signaling Sheng Huaixing to set it down.

Gu Yu, seated at the head of the table, her silver-streaked hair meticulously styled, fixed Lu Zhao with a sharp gaze. She spoke slowly and deliberately, “Reporter Lu, I heard you reported on the orphanage scandal ten years ago. Truly… commendable courage.”

Lu Zhao calmly took over the conversation. “I only provided the evidence. The Provincial Television Station handled the reporting.”

A knowing smile played on Gu Yu’s lips. “But some truths might be better left unrevealed… Perhaps not every child is as fortunate as you were, to find a suitable guardian…”

Lu Zhao smiled but remained silent.

What a perfect “Why don’t they eat meat?” moment.

Gu Yu turned to Sheng Huaixing, her tone softening. “Huaixing, how has your father been lately? He mentioned wanting to discuss a potential collaboration with Xianyue.”

Sheng Huaixing immediately responded, “My father has always admired Miss Gu’s capabilities and… he’s quite fond of her. He hopes we can establish a close partnership in the future.”

Sheng Huaixing deliberately emphasized the word “fond,” imbuing it with a sticky, uncomfortable undertone that made Gu Xianyue uneasy.

Gu Xianyue suddenly raised her hand, her fingertips lightly tapping her wine glass.

She glanced at the waiter, her voice cool. “Please replace this glass.”

The waiter paused, then leaned in to ask, “Ma’am, is the wine not to your liking?”

A faint smile curved Gu Xianyue’s lips. “It’s too bitter. I don’t like it.”

Her gaze swept past Sheng Huaixing before settling on Lu Zhao.

“I prefer something sweeter.”

The crisp clink of Lu Zhao’s silverware echoed through the room.

A moment of silence fell over the entire gathering.

Sheng Huaixing’s smile faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and chuckled, “Then I’ll bring a sweeter bottle next time.”

Gu Yu sensed Gu Xianyue’s resistance and was about to speak when a voice interrupted her.

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry! The traffic was terrible—you know how it is in the Capital…”

The newcomer bustled in, radiating energy despite her age. Dressed in formal attire, she still looked remarkably vibrant.

Lu Zhao watched her intently before calling out, “Professor Yu?”

Yu Yanqiu had just removed her coat. Hearing her name, she looked up at Lu Zhao, her face lighting up with surprise. “Lu Zhao? Xiao Lu!”