The Green Tea Supporting Girl Is Still Playing Her Role Today (GL) - Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Fang Ningshu felt her worldview implode, her face twisting in shock as she hurried downstairs to investigate.

But as she approached, the two were chatting and laughing, the intimate moment she thought she saw already gone.

Noticing her, Wen Pinghan looked over. “Ms. Fang, is something up?”

“I saw you two from afar, so I came to say hi.” Fang Ningshu flashed a practiced smile, her gaze briefly lingering on Xie Zhifei’s red lips before discreetly studying Wen Pinghan’s smooth, fair cheek, which bore no trace of red marks.

She must have seen it wrong.

She’d gotten herself all worked up. They were on the first floor—if they’d really been kissing, she wouldn’t be the only one to notice.

“What’s Brother Gu talking about upstairs?” Xie Zhifei asked.

“I wouldn’t know. When Mr. Gu discusses serious matters, he has me step out,” Fang Ningshu said with a smile.

Look at that—watertight professionalism!

Xie Zhifei gave a small smile. “How many years have you been with Brother Gu?”

“Ten years,” Fang Ningshu replied.

Xie Zhifei nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a long time. You must know him better than we do, seeing him every day.”

The words warmed Fang Ningshu’s heart, but her face remained a smiling mask, betraying no real thoughts. “Ms. Xie, you and Mr. Gu grew up together—you know him far better. I’m just his employee, doing my job.”

“So, do you like Brother Gu more, or the job?” Xie Zhifei asked suddenly.

Fang Ningshu froze, quickly saying, “The job, of course. I’m not sure what Ms. Xie means by that?”

“Nothing, just asking. Don’t mind me.” Xie Zhifei grinned. “Go on with your work—we won’t keep you.”

“Alright, see you both later.” Fang Ningshu nodded, turned, and headed upstairs. At the corridor, she glanced back at Xie Zhifei, unsettled by the question. Had Xie Zhifei seen through her feelings?

No way—she’d hidden them so well.

And something else nagged at her.

Xie Zhifei was getting awfully close to Wen Pinghan. That didn’t seem like how you’d treat a rival. Was it an act, or were they genuinely getting along?

When Gu Zhizhang had a moment, she casually mentioned, “I ran into Ms. Xie and Ms. Wen downstairs.”

“Yeah.”

“They seem to get along well.”

“They do.” Gu Zhizhang took a sip of his drink and smiled. “Ah Fei figured out my feelings for Wen Pinghan early on. She’s been playing wingman, cozying up to her. Turns out, Wen Pinghan’s her employee too.”

“I see.” Fang Ningshu nodded.

So, Xie Zhifei had noticed Wen Pinghan before she did and made the first move, pretending to bond with her.

“By the way, look into whether Li Hongyan’s been working with Qisheng lately,” Gu Zhizhang said, still hung up on Xie Zhifei calling him “Brother Li” earlier.

“Yes, sir.” Fang Ningshu didn’t ask why—she just did what the boss asked.

Before the banquet officially started, Zhao Xiaojing emerged from her room. A moment later, Li Feng followed, his face lively and spirited again.

“Made up?” Xie Zhifei whispered to Zhao Xiaojing.

“Whatever. He’s decent-looking, so I’ll keep him around for a bit,” Zhao Xiaojing shrugged, then pulled her toward the center. “Come cut the cake with me.”

The elders came down from the second floor, and everyone gathered around, waiting for Zhao Xiaojing to cut the cake.

Xie Zhifei popped open champagne and handed it to Zhao Xiaojing, who poured it into the pyramid of glasses.

Others grabbed a glass, toasting her happy birthday.

At the back of the crowd, Wen Pinghan held her glass, watching Zhao Xiaojing at the center, standing before a towering cake, flanked by her best friend and boyfriend, with loving family behind her, laughing loudly and shining with joy.

Wen Pinghan lowered her eyes, a wry smile tugging at her lips, and downed her drink.

The dance began.

She set down her glass and walked outside.

The courtyard was warmly and romantically decorated, a cool breeze brushing past. She sat by the fountain, letting the wind blow over her, when she sensed someone approach.

“Why’re you out here alone? Want to dance?” Gu Zhizhang asked.

Wen Pinghan turned, smiling and shaking her head. “I don’t know how.”

“I can teach you.”

She shook her head again. “I just want to be alone for a bit.”

Gu Zhizhang sat beside her, sighing. “Why do you keep pushing me away? Did I do something wrong?”

“Mr. Gu, we’re not from the same world. Don’t waste your time on me. I’ve got a lot to deal with, and I’m tired,” Wen Pinghan said.

Gu Zhizhang looked surprised. “I’m making you tired?”

Wen Pinghan stayed silent.

He felt hurt. “Then I’m sorry. It’s my first time pursuing someone—I might’ve gone about it wrong and pressured you.”

Wen Pinghan smiled faintly, catching sight of Fang Ningshu approaching in her peripheral vision. “Mr. Gu, you should see how many people admire you.”

“But they’re not you.” Gu Zhizhang looked at her earnestly. “You’re the most special person to me. It’s the first time I’ve felt my heart race. I don’t see your concerns as problems. If we’re together, we can overcome anything. If you want, I’d even pluck the stars from the sky for you.”

Fang Ningshu nearly tripped, her high heels letting out a sharp clack.

Gu Zhizhang looked up, frowning, clearly annoyed at the interruption. “Something up?”

“No…” Fang Ningshu adjusted her expression.

“Then head back inside.”

“Yes, sir.” Fang Ningshu turned, looking at the lively, paired-off crowd in the living room, then back at the two figures by the fountain. Under the influence of alcohol, she couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer and ran to the bathroom.

It took her a while to emerge. When she opened the door, Xie Zhifei was standing there.

“What’s wrong?” Xie Zhifei asked. “Your eyes are so red.”

“Just got some wind in the courtyard—I tear up in the breeze. Sorry for the laugh.” Fang Ningshu smiled.

Xie Zhifei stared at her for a moment, making Fang Ningshu uneasy. She stepped aside. “Your turn.”

“I’m not here for the bathroom. I saw you go in for a while and thought you might be drunk, so I came to check,” Xie Zhifei said with a smile.

“I’m fine, just had a stomachache.”

“Good. Want to grab a drink?”

After a pause, Fang Ningshu nodded. “Sure.”

They went to the second-floor balcony, where Fang Ningshu drank glass after glass.

“Something on your mind?” Xie Zhifei asked.

“No.”

“If not, don’t drink so hard. It’s your body—you’ll regret it if you wreck it working for Brother Gu.”

Fang Ningshu gave a self-mocking smile. “In your eyes, am I just someone slaving away for Mr. Gu?”

“Yup,” Xie Zhifei said bluntly. “They say you’re the best dog Gu Zhizhang ever raised.”

Fang Ningshu burst out laughing, tears welling up as she did.

“What do they know?”

“Exactly, outsiders know nothing. But what about you? Why do you slave away for him?” Xie Zhifei asked.

Fang Ningshu wiped her tears, saying nothing.

Xie Zhifei didn’t press. Looking down at the courtyard, she noticed Zhao Xiaojing and Li Feng slip out, kissing in a corner.

The balcony was right above them.

Clearly, Fang Ningshu noticed too.

“That’s Xiaojing—loves boldly, says it loud when she likes someone. If it works, great; if not, she moves on. I envy her freedom,” Xie Zhifei said, her tone tinged with admiration.

Fang Ningshu, hiding her own feelings like Xie Zhifei, felt a pang of kinship. How she wished she could be as carefree as Zhao Xiaojing.

“Mr. Gu just confessed to Wen Pinghan,” Fang Ningshu said, taking another sip.

“Yeah? Not surprised,” Xie Zhifei smiled.

“You’re not worried?”

“About what?” Xie Zhifei laughed. “Brother Gu’s just caught up in the moment. He and Wen Pinghan are from different worlds. She loves spicy food; he prefers mild. A three-hundred-yuan cake is a splurge for her, something she’d feel obliged to repay, while three million is nothing to him. She’s calm and independent; he’s passionate and eager to move mountains for her. Even if they got together, it wouldn’t last.”

Fang Ningshu asked, “Who do you think Mr. Gu will end up with?”

“If I were him, I’d choose someone equal or who could help my career. Life’s long—he’ll figure out who’s right for him,” Xie Zhifei said.

Fang Ningshu nodded slowly, her words quietly fueling her courage. Glancing toward the fountain, the alcohol loosened years of suppressed feelings. With newfound boldness, she turned and went downstairs to find Gu Zhizhang.

“Mr. Gu, I need to talk to you about something. Can we speak?”

“What is it?”

“Something important.”

“Alright, let’s go.” Gu Zhizhang stood reluctantly and led her to a lounge.

After they left, Wen Pinghan looked up at Xie Zhifei, rubbing her arms.

“Cold?”

“Not bad. Moving around helps.” Wen Pinghan stood, stomping her feet a few times.

Xie Zhifei couldn’t help but laugh. Hearing the waltz music from the villa, she grabbed Wen Pinghan’s hand, placing one arm around her waist. “Dance a bit—you won’t be cold.”

“I don’t know how.”

“I’ll teach you.”

“Alright then.” Wen Pinghan took her hand, following her movements, listening carefully to her steps. After a few tries, she got it.

“Wow, Sister, you’re so smart,” Xie Zhifei praised.

“I’ve seen it before—just never had the right teacher,” Wen Pinghan said with a small smile.

The fountain gurgled as they danced around it. Xie Zhifei asked softly, “What did Brother Gu say to you?”

“He confessed, I guess.”

“And you…”

“Didn’t say yes.”

Xie Zhifei smirked. “Why not?”

“He said he’d pluck the stars for me. I told him to go get one now, and he was speechless. All talk, no action.”

“Haha, don’t say that about him. He didn’t mean it like that. I’ll talk to him for you—don’t be mad. It makes me sad to see you upset. I’d hate for you to feel hurt~”

“You’re laughing harder than anyone,” Wen Pinghan said, rolling her eyes.

Xie Zhifei: “Hahaha!”*