Chapter 1145: Chapter 1203: Do You Think I’m Cute?
Over here, Gu Anxi put down her phone, smiled again, and then started to prepare herself.
Because she was pregnant, she naturally wouldn’t dress too elaborately. Although her belly was still flat, she felt there still should be a sense of ceremony as a pregnant woman.
She ran to the closet to take a look and finally picked out a light purple wool dress she had worn before. She tried it on and thought she might have put on a bit of weight... but it still looked great.
Gu Anxi didn’t want to spend much time on this matter, so she quickly tossed the clothes aside, thought for a moment, and then dialed a phone number.
The person on the other end was quite surprised to receive the call; it was none other than Lin Shuang.
"Happy New Year, President Gu." Lin Shuang was very respectful, as she always knew her boundaries. Although she and Gu Anxi were somewhat acquainted, now they were in a superior-subordinate relationship.
Here, Gu Anxi spoke lightly, "Vice President Lin, let’s have dinner together tonight at Si Garden."
Lin Shuang was taken aback and instinctively felt it was inappropriate. She knew what Si Garden was, not a place outsiders could easily access. She had only met Little Gu a few times, and such hospitality during the New Year made her a bit uneasy.
Gu Anxi knew she was a bit hesitant, so she smiled faintly, "It’s just a casual meal, Manager Ma and Manager Wang will also be there."
This finally put Lin Shuang’s mind at ease, and she quickly agreed. But as she put down the phone, she felt a slight unease—
Her appointment as Vice President at Cloud He Group wasn’t smooth. Managers Ma and Wang were deep-rooted here, especially Manager Ma, who was a prominent figure accompanying Little Gu to Jiangcheng with high hopes of promotion to Vice President. However, she intercepted that opportunity due to certain events, leaving Manager Ma quite dissatisfied. Her days at Cloud He Group were not easy...
As Lin Shuang felt uneasy, Managers Ma and Wang arrived at Si Garden. Both were long-time personnel of the company, and upon arrival, their first task was naturally to pay respects to Old Master Bo and Mrs. Bo, speaking quite a bit of gossip.
When Gu Anxi arrived, Manager Ma was in the midst of speaking ill of Lin Shuang. Seeing her come over, he immediately shut his mouth.
If Manager Ma feared anyone in the Bo Family, the first was Gu Anxi.
Little Gu’s way of tormenting people was without drawing blood... he hadn’t lived enough.
And what he said, Gu Anxi also heard, but she was indifferent, sitting on the sofa, looking quite casual.
Old Master Bo, seeing his beloved grandchild, immediately brought over a cup of warm milk tea, placing it in her hand along with a few more words, making Managers Ma and Wang inwardly marvel: "When did Old Master become so attentive and caring? He’s practically coddling Little Gu like a baby."
However, since Old Master dared to spoil, Gu Anxi dared to accept, snuggling on the sofa, sipping milk tea while casually saying, "Vice President Lin will be coming for dinner later."
On hearing this, Managers Ma and Wang exchanged glances, after which Manager Ma couldn’t maintain his expression, lightly coughing, "Little Gu, I know Vice President Lin is tough to manage, and you... have some connection with her, but isn’t favoritism like this due to personal reasons somewhat... unfair to the rest in the group?"
Though it was a question, he spoke cautiously, truly fearing this little devil.
Gu Anxi smiled, "So, who do you think I’m being unfair to?"
Manager Ma rubbed his nose, remaining silent... he didn’t dare imply himself. However, while he didn’t dare voice it, he signaled Manager Wang to speak on his behalf...
Manager Wang received the cue but pretended not to see it.
This Old Ma, not daring to directly challenge Little Gu, wanted to drag him into the fray, but he’s not that foolish.
But honestly, he wasn’t too pleased with Little Gu’s arrangements either. In terms of seniority and talent, Old Ma wasn’t inferior to that woman. That woman... was just good-looking, but Little Gu is a woman too, so that advantage shouldn’t be significant.
Ultimately, it was because Little Gu respected her uncle!
Both Ma and Wang harbored their own thoughts, bottled up with the feeling that after all their hard work, they were just making wedding dresses for others.
Gu Anxi naturally knew what they were thinking. Ever since Lin Shuang returned to the headquarters, she also had Secretary Tang return, so she knew the affairs of Cloud He Group clearly, Lin Shuang’s work wasn’t going smoothly.
Of course, she could have reprimanded Manager Ma on Lin Shuang’s behalf, but... it seemed Manager Ma wasn’t entirely at fault, and given Zhou Yunchen’s current absence with An Pu, she had other arrangements.
During the conversation, Ah Xiang came over, "Vice President Lin has arrived."
Managers Ma and Wang were suddenly stunned, especially Manager Ma, feeling particularly uneasy, coughing lightly, "Little Gu, why did you invite her over?"
"Why, can’t she come? Or do you have any objections against her?"
Manager Ma immediately rubbed his nose, not daring to speak. At this moment, Old Master Bo spoke up, "Little Ma, you should be more magnanimous. Lin Shuang is a woman, you have to protect her. When she arrives, don’t wear a grumpy old face; it’s the New Year, you don’t want others to see gloominess."
Manager Ma really wanted to sew Old Master Bo’s mouth shut, but he dared not, so he had to say with intentional grievance, "How could I stoop to arguing with a woman."
Old Master chuckled again, coming over to pat his shoulder, "That’s right, women need to be protected. Besides, Lin Shuang is so beautiful, Little Ma, you’ve been single for many years, so why not give it a try."
Manager Ma’s face blushed immediately, "Old Master, this... this... I have no such intentions."
Old Master continued smiling, "It wouldn’t be too late to have that intention once you meet. I think it’s a good match; your ages are suitable. Just pay attention to your image, don’t be too crude, I think Lin Shuang is quite discerning."
Manager Ma, hearing this, felt his thoughts stirring. He had lost his wife in his early thirties and remained unmarried for the sake of his son, who has now settled abroad; he was somewhat lonely. Indeed, it was time to find a partner... Old Ma was somewhat picky, but thinking of Lin Shuang’s appearance, his heart wasn’t untouched.
Gu Anxi was listening too, lightly coughing, "Lin Shuang might be rather cold; she may not be suitable for Manager Ma."
"Feelings can be nurtured." Old Master patted Manager Ma’s shoulder again, and Manager Ma felt quite excited. Compared to the Vice President position, having a capable and beautiful wife was more to his liking. So now, the things about Lin Shuang that used to irk him appeared agreeable, longing to have someone matchmake, to give it a good try, then return home as a couple, working in the same company. Just imagining it made him want to spruce up completely and meet her in a radiant manner.
But there wasn’t enough time, so he could only put on an act, planning to appear cultured later.
He heard Lin Shuang enjoys classical novels.
Here, Gu Anxi personally went to the front hall to welcome the guest. To her, Lin Shuang was a special guest, more than just the Vice President of the group. More importantly, she was an acquaintance of her uncle, so privately she treated Lin Shuang as an elder.
Although Lin Shuang came from a humble background and was entering a prominent household for the first time, she was worldly enough not to lack any of the expected courtesies. Whether it was the number of elders to be attended to in the Bo Family or the necessary New Year gifts and red envelopes for the staff, she had everything prepared. However, Gu Anxi personally came to welcome her, leaving Lin Shuang somewhat taken aback, prompting her to call out, "Little Gu."
The weather was cold, and Gu Anxi was dressed warmly. She smiled and said, "Just call me Anxi in private."
Lin Shuang was momentarily stunned and then smiled, "Okay."
She handed over the gifts, and then another red envelope, "This is for you."
Gu Anxi glanced at the gifts, "These are for my Bo mom, and the red envelope is for me?"
"Yes, since you mentioned it’s in private, I’m much older than you, so a red envelope is appropriate," Lin Shuang said gracefully.
Gu Anxi cheerfully put the red envelope into her pocket and then led her to the dining room. Even in the biting cold, the Chinese-decorated dining room was warm, with the evening lights casting a comforting amber glow. The aroma of food filled the air, making Lin Shuang feel a mix of discomfort and genuine warmth, alongside a slight envy of the girl before her.
In such a setting, Gu Anxi’s achievements seemed insignificant because, here, she was genuinely happy.
Gu Anxi led Lin Shuang to the grill, reaching out her hand, "Warm up a bit, it’s really cold outside."
Lin Shuang stood alongside, grilled for a while before taking off her coat to hang it up. She noticed that Gu Anxi was wearing layers underneath and paused; despite the bulk, she still looked slender.
Following Lin Shuang’s gaze, Gu Anxi smiled, "I’m a bit afraid of the cold."
Lin Shuang smiled knowingly, "I heard from your uncle, Anxi, you’re quite brave."
Gu Anxi lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes cast shadows under the lights, resembling cute little fans. She softly replied, "To survive."
For a moment, Lin Shuang’s feelings became complex again. She wasn’t sure if the envy she felt earlier was justified.
But Gu Anxi seemed indifferent, smiling lightly, with her lips forming an adorable little smile, stirring a desire within Lin Shuang to pamper her.
This sudden emotion startled her, instinctively wanting to resist, yet Gu Anxi caught the change in her expression, and slightly smiled, "Do you find me adorable?"
Lin Shuang was taken aback: who asks such a question?
She wanted to deny or change the subject, unwilling to be led by a girl half her age. But her lips moved, unable to refuse, subconsciously nodding instead.
Gu Anxi lowered her gaze again, "Actually, if you want to see me often, there might be a way."
Lin Shuang was even more confused, yet undeniably intrigued by the idea of seeing this young girl more often.
Gu Anxi looked up, "If you were with my uncle, wouldn’t you be my aunt?"
Lin Shuang was utterly astonished.
She never expected Gu Anxi to bring this up, stunned for a long moment before squeezing out, "Little Gu... "
Gu Anxi tilted her head, her expression innocent and naive, "My second uncle divorced because of you. Aren’t you accountable? I saw him alone in Jiangcheng a few days ago, quite lonely."
Lin Shuang prided herself on navigating life boldly, having faced all sorts of situations, but this brazen young girl left her helpless. In the end, she could only whisper hoarsely, "I... am not you..."
Those dark words, she couldn’t utter them. Even though she had wronged Wang Kegui, even though she exchanged that for a deputy general manager position... she couldn’t say it.
Could she blame Gu Anxi? No, she couldn’t because she had done it.
Gu Anxi was far more straightforward and shameless than Lin Shuang, never hesitating after taking action, bold and justified, always looking to gain more even after profiting... Seeing Lin Shuang stammer, she felt delighted, "My uncle still thinks about you, asking about your situation every time we meet."
Lin Shuang froze, then whispered, "Doesn’t he hate me?"
Gu Anxi tilted her head and studied her for a long moment before smiling faintly, "How could he hate you? He’s not that foolish, probably guessed it long ago. In other words, whether you’re there or not, he and Gu Xiufen couldn’t go on, and divorce was inevitable."
——Because Gu Anxi holds grudges, not allowing those who harmed her to stay in the Wang Family and inherit.
Hearing this, Lin Shuang’s emotions grew even more complex, and after a long pause, she could only mutter powerlessly, "Anxi, you’re quite the negotiator."
If she had known this earlier, she might not have agreed, or perhaps she would have for money, but not to stay by Gu Anxi’s side... Staying means inevitably facing Wang Kegui one day, which Lin Shuang doesn’t want.
Gu Anxi chuckled, "Relax, I’m kidding."
Lin Shuang froze again as Gu Anxi suddenly said, "The old man really likes you, wants to introduce someone, someone you know and will see shortly."
Lin Shuang was truly taken aback by the warm intentions. If she had a choice, she would rather offend someone than come today.
Just as she was about to refuse, to claim she wanted to stay single, those words went unsaid as someone approached.
The manager of Wang and Ma, along with the elderly Bo and Lady Bo approached together. Lady Bo, upon seeing Lin Shuang, beamed warmly, "Anxi has been waiting for you to come. Please sit."
Lin Shuang felt a bit constrained, especially in the presence of Wang and Ma.
And she soon realized who the old man wanted to introduce: Manager Ma.
She had zero interest, but in Si Garden, she kept a respectful demeanor, eating when asked, drinking when prompted... No one mentioned that during dinner, giving her a moment of relief, but before she relaxed, Manager Ma placed a dish in front of her, friendly and intimately, "Xiao Lin, eat more, you’re too thin."
Lin Shuang immediately choked, quite embarrassed... Manager Ma wanted to pat her back, thought it inappropriate, and politely handed her a tissue instead.
Seeing this, Gu Anxi felt amused, covertly taking out her phone to send a WeChat message to Wang Kegui——
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