The Cold White Moonlight Desires Me Every Day - Chapter 28

Gu Hewan’s voice was sharp with accusation, leaving no room for Ruan Tang to respond before she continued in a tone of elder authority.

“Ruan Tang, I know you grew up with her, but she drove you out of the country! After all she’s done to wrong you, how can you still be soft on her?”

“I’m not being soft,” Ruan Tang explained. “I just think there might have been some misunderstandings between us…”

Before Ruan Tang could present any evidence, Gu Hewan stamped her foot in frustration.

“Misunderstandings? Is the economic fraud charge you were falsely accused of fake? Or were those mercenaries who targeted you overseas and plotted against you in the shadows fake too?”

Gu Hewan gripped Ruan Tang’s shoulders and shook her back and forth twice.

“Xiao Tang! Wake up! Ni Yunshi’s crimes are countless!”

Seeing that Ruan Tang wouldn’t listen to reason, Gu Hewan abruptly changed the subject. “Even if it weren’t Ni Yunshi, I still need to promote someone to management. I can’t go far alone in the upper ranks.”

“Who says you’re alone? The Gu Family’s assets are your backing! Our veteran enterprise is supporting you!” Gu Hewan declared with unwavering confidence.

Ruan Tang pursed her lips and remained silent.

Her exceptional promotion to the management team was due to the Gu Family’s patronage, but this made her a target of envy. She couldn’t afford even the slightest mistake in business metrics or performance.

Moreover, the Gu Family’s real estate development business was vastly different from Ruan Tang’s cultural media industry.

The annual collaboration between their companies amounted to less than what the Gu Family’s monthly partnerships with industry peers generated.

To escape this predicament, her relationship with the Gu Family was like that of a fish to water.

A fish cannot survive without water, but water remains undisturbed without the fish.

“I know what you’re worried about. That’s why I came back this time—to help you secure your position,” Gu Hewan said, tossing a slip of paper from her bag.

It was her father’s approved annual leave request from overseas.

“I’ve cleared all my work for the past few weeks. From now on, for the next year, my time belongs entirely to you,” Gu Hewan declared, tilting her chin in a gesture that seemed to demand praise.

Instead of delight, Ruan Tang was startled. Her eyes widened, and she froze for three seconds before frantically waving her hands and turning to sit on the sofa.

“No, thanks. Your time, Miss Gu, is far too precious. I can’t afford it.”

“It’s a gift. No charge.”

Gu Hewan followed Ruan Tang and sat beside her, looping her arm around Ruan Tang’s and resting her chin on her shoulder.

“I’ve already done some online research and found a promising scenic area. I’m planning to invest in building a tourist resort there, and then we can collaborate on producing several seasons of a variety show.”

A successful variety show could become a long-term program, and the celebrity effect it generates would bring significant revenue to the resort.

Plus, partnering with the resort would greatly reduce location fees during filming.

However, the initial investment for the resort would be substantial.

Gu Hewan had already pulled herself back from the brink of hell once, saving Ruan Tang’s life. There was no reason for her to go to such lengths to help her again.

“Are you sure you’ve thought this through?” Ruan Tang pressed.

“Absolutely! I’ve already sent the proposal and draft contract to your work email,” Gu Hewan said with unwavering confidence.

Ruan Tang checked her phone and, sure enough, there was an unread email from Gu Hewan in her inbox.

“I’m offering you my full sincerity. Aren’t you going to give me any response?” Gu Hewan asked, pouting and raising an eyebrow, her bright almond eyes looking forlorn, like a neglected puppy.

“Hmm… what do you want?” Ruan Tang asked.

Aside from company stock and dividends, she didn’t seem to have much else to offer.

“Give me a work permit and ID card,” Gu Hewan said, extending her hand.

“What?” Ruan Tang asked, startled.

“Starting today, I’m your personal assistant.”

Gu Hewan spoke each word with such natural authority that Ruan Tang’s eyes widened gradually.

After a full half-minute, Ruan Tang sighed softly and chuckled. “Don’t joke around. You’re not the type to lower yourself like that.”

“Being your assistant isn’t lowering myself. You’re my own daughter, and I can’t leave you here feeling unsettled!” Gu Hewan gently tapped Ruan Tang’s nose.

Ruan Tang smiled faintly, offering no response.

When she lived with the Gu Family abroad, she had always been reserved and often relied on Gu Hewan’s care. Gu Hewan frequently joked about her being like a daughter. Over time, this banter had become a familiar routine.

“If you’re determined to take a year off here and find something to do, just tell Li Xiao when he gets back to work,” Ruan Tang said, letting her handle it.

After all, Gu Hewan would never cause trouble for her or harm her.

During their casual conversation, Ruan Tang suddenly remembered something from the past and asked, “Why did the birthday package you sent me include a set of wedding jewelry?”

“Why? Isn’t it obvious?” Gu Hewan countered, her eyes widening in mock surprise.

Ruan Tang shook her head, but Gu Hewan playfully pinched her nose.

“Xiao Tang! How old are you now? Shouldn’t you be thinking about your future?”

“I… I’m not considering that for now,” Ruan Tang said, lowering her gaze.

She had told Gu Hewan about her feud with Ni Yunshi, but she hadn’t revealed the ambiguous nature of their relationship, which was unconventional in society.

“What? Did you see some wealthy young man you couldn’t have?” Gu Hewan leaned closer, her gaze, now just inches away, held a hint of coldness. Ruan Tang shook her head in denial, and the chill in Gu Hewan’s eyes softened slightly.

“Then… is there no one you like? Don’t worry, I’ll help you settle everything,” Gu Hewan said, her confident smile returning.

“This is Li Xiao’s account. Add him,” Ruan Tang said, offering her phone without comment.

Sensing Ruan Tang’s attempt to change the subject, Gu Hewan pursed her lips and smiled, refraining from pressing the marriage topic further. Instead, she added the account and scrolled through other information.

“Oh, right! The old guard at the company are planning a welcome banquet for me. Let’s go together?” Gu Hewan invited.

Ruan Tang rarely attended meals with the core management team, so she naturally wouldn’t refuse this opportunity.

As for Ni Yunshi, since they lived together, she could explain later that evening.

With that thought, Ruan Tang reached for her phone to text Ni Yunshi.

But Gu Hewan had already grabbed her arm and was pulling her out the door. “Come on! Just relax and follow me. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Time flew by, and the lunch break ended.

Downstairs at Bai Mei’er.

Ni Yunshi waited at the office until mid-afternoon, but Ruan Tang still hadn’t returned.

She sent her assistant to inquire, and fifteen minutes later, the assistant rushed back in a panic.

“President Ni, President Ruan went out with Miss Gu Hewan. They seem to have gone to Grape Fragrance Manor.”

“What?!” Ni Yunshi’s face darkened instantly.

Grape Fragrance Manor was located on the outskirts of the city and was the most renowned winery in the country.

Ruan Tang had a low alcohol tolerance—one sip of beer could knock her out!

Going there would be like sending a lamb into a tiger’s den!

“President Ruan, if there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work…”

“Work my ass!” Ni Yunshi snapped, cutting off her assistant’s cautious words.

“Tell everyone to stop working and leave now. We’re going on a team-building trip!”