Liu Neng, however, suddenly flung He Ruyan's hand away, "Get lost, don't bother me."
He Ruyan, caught off guard, stumbled backward and fell to the ground, tripping precariously. Her skirt, not even covering her knees, nearly exposed her.
Liu Neng lowered his head, smashing it onto the ground in a standard kowtow posture.
"Granny, I'm so sorry. I was blind and didn't recognize your importance before. Please don't blame me. I'll never covet beauty again."
The middle-aged man started crying, his head bleeding from the impact, yet he continued to kowtow.
Gu Nian also paused, raising an eyebrow slightly, "Is there something?
"Of course, there is, something very important. I should have realized it long ago," Liu Neng said repeatedly. "From now on, you'll be in charge of all cooperation between Liu Corporation and Gu Corporation. If you fancy any project and want Liu Corporation's investment, just tell me."
Everyone present felt as if they had gone deaf.
Liu Neng explicitly wanted Gu Nian to handle cooperation between Liu Corporation and Gu Corporation, and he was begging?
Liu Corporation, as an investor, was letting Gu Nian pick projects? Wasn't that just handing over money for Gu Nian to play with?
What kind of spell had Liu Neng fallen under?
When He Ruyan heard Liu Neng say that she wouldn't be handling the cooperation, her face turned pale. Forgetting she had just been pushed, she quickly said, "CEO Liu, did you make a mistake? Gu Nian is just an intern; how could she understand these things?"
Liu Neng glared at her impatiently, "I'm happy to let her fritter away money, what's it to you?"
He Ruyan choked and couldn't help but blurt out, "CEO Liu, did this little slut drug you to make you say such things?"
Liu Neng wasn't like this before!
Although he was pleasant and easy to talk to, he still possessed the shrewdness and cunning of a businessman. How could he hand over the initiative to a nobody? And beg to do so?
"Slap!"
The crisp sound of a slap echoed loudly in the air.
He Ruyan's eyes widened. She cupped her reddening cheek, utterly stunned.
"CEO Liu, you hit me?"
Liu Neng's hand was still in mid-air.
The middle-aged man's face showed impatience. "What's wrong with me hitting you? I'll tell CEO Gu later. I never want to see you again. Hurry up and get lost! Do you need me to drive you out of Jingdu?"
Although Liu Corporation wasn't as huge as Bo Corporation, it was still a well-known enterprise in Jingdu, and forcing someone out of the city wasn't difficult.
He Ruyan, with her ordinary background, turned pale at his words and dared not say anything else. "CEO Liu, if I've done anything wrong, please tell me directly. I can change. Please don't do this."
She had struggled in Jingdu for so many years and finally gained a foothold at Gu Corporation; she absolutely couldn't leave.
Liu Neng sneered, "Just because you treated her poorly, get lost now and don't waste her time."
He Ruyan, clutching her face, shot Gu Nian a venomous glare and turned to leave the office.
When Liu Neng turned to look at Gu Nian, his expression instantly softened into a friendly one.
"I still don't know how you address..."
"Why are you doing all this?" Gu Nian asked directly.
Liu Neng paused and was about to speak when Gu Nian made a stopping gesture. "Let's talk in the conference room."
Liu Neng immediately put on a fawning smile and nodded, "Okay, whatever you say is fine."
Gu Nian led the way into the conference room, leaving the astonished crowd outside.
Gu Nian sat calmly in the main seat, while Liu Neng sat properly at the side.
"I have nothing to do with Bó Mùchēn," Gu Nian stated directly.
Liu Neng quickly replied, "I understand, I understand. President Bó told me that he changed his tune solely out of consideration for you."
Liu Neng's desperation earlier turned into surprise when he heard Bó Mùchēn change his tune, as if it were a dream.
Gu Nian's lips twitched slightly. She hadn't expected that man to say that.
Liu Neng continued on his own, "Don't worry, I will reform myself from now on and follow your lead. You are my reborn benefactor!"
Liu Neng was not stupid; he was very smart. Making someone who habitually held a high position change his tune was akin to the sun rising from the west – an impossibility.
Yet, Gu Nian had done it, which could only mean that Gu Nian's position in Bó Mùchēn's heart was extremely important.
Liu Neng had already privately resolved that no matter what happened, he had to elevate Gu Nian, so that Bo Corporation would treat Liu Corporation better.
Gu Nian's lips twitched slightly. She knew Liu Neng's small calculations. "I'm saying it again, I have nothing to do with him. It's useless to try to please me."
Liu Neng continued to nod, "I understand, I understand."
Gu Nian, too lazy to waste more words, said, "Weren't you going to the restroom? Go quickly."
Liu Neng then remembered and said with a grin, "I'm not going anymore. I can hold it."
Gu Nian: "..."
"Miss, it's Old Master Bó's birthday in a few days. I have a nice gift here. Would you like it?" Liu Neng said with a fawning expression. "It will definitely help you and Young Master Bó get together then."
Gu Nian was speechless. Well, this person was convinced she was involved with Bó Mùchēn.
Chapter 41 Gu Ya Ya Disappeared
Explaining this to him would only lead to more confusion, and Gu Nian was too lazy to bother. She simply refused, "I don't need any gifts."
Liu Neng nodded, smiling obsequiously. "Understood, I understand. It seems Granny already has a gift for Old Master Bó."
Gu Nian's lips twitched slightly. Would planning it in her mind count?
For Old Master Bó's birthday banquet, even if Gu Nian didn't pay attention, many things revolved around this banquet.
Gu Nian's eyes flickered. Likely, Bó Mùchēn had already given that painting to Yán Mòqīng.
Thinking about it, she had helped fulfill their wishes.
Just as she managed to get rid of Liu Neng, the kindergarten teacher called again.
Thinking of that mini-Bó Mùchēn, Gu Nian was hesitant to answer, but after a few seconds of thought, she picked up.
Fortunately, this time it was about Ya Ya.
"Ya Ya's mother, Ya Ya disappeared while napping. She's not on the surveillance footage either, but please don't worry. We've already sent people to look for her."
Gu Nian took a deep breath. "Have you searched the entire kindergarten?"
"We've searched everywhere, there's no sign..."
Gu Nian almost lost her composure, but at this moment, nothing was more important than Ya Ya's safety.
Could it be that those people from abroad had found her location and therefore targeted Ya Ya first?
Gu Nian tried to contact Ya Ya immediately. Her daughter, who usually replied quickly, was unresponsive.
Gu Nian had no choice but to pull up the surveillance footage from the surrounding roads. Seeing Gu Ya Ya's small figure walking on the street brought her some relief.
At least it proved the child had left on her own, not taken by someone else.
In the footage, Ya Ya eventually got on a bus, and the destination displayed was the hospital.
Gu Nian's heart skipped a beat. She immediately put down what she was doing and rushed out of the office.
After she left, the people in the office exchanged glances.
"She's so arrogant, this Gu Nian."
"How could she not be? She handled CEO Liu and even got CEO Liu to tell Director Gu to handle..."
Mid-sentence, the speaker stopped, looking awkwardly towards the manager's office. He Ruyan, who had just taken out a box of items, walked out with a grim expression.
"Are you all very pleased?" He Ruyan asked them coldly.
No one dared to speak. He Ruyan didn't intend to listen to their responses either. She snorted, "One day, I will return."
She cast a fierce glare at Gu Nian's empty seat, hugged her belongings, and strode out.
Unaware of what was happening in the office, Gu Nian rushed to the hospital and headed straight for the VIP ward.
Before reaching the ward door, she heard a kind, aged voice from inside, "Did the little girl get lost? Would Grandma take you back?"
Gu Nian's heart leaped. The door was pushed open from the inside. Without thinking, she turned her back, but was pulled into a hug.
A familiar scent hit her. Gu Nian froze, and then the door of the adjacent room opened. She was pulled in with the child.
"Thank you, Grandma." A child's tender voice rang out.
It was a little girl's voice, no doubt, but it wasn't Ya Ya's.
Gu Nian breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart was still pounding.
"Little girl, you just need to go that way. Don't get lost again in the future. Just like my granddaughter Niannian."
Through the door, Gu Nian heard Grandma's voice. Her vision blurred, and she raised her hand to wipe her eyes, which were filled with tears.
As her body was held, Gu Nian looked up and this time saw clearly: it was Bó Mùchēn's face.
"Why you again..." Gu Nian couldn't hold back this time, gritting her teeth, "Why are you everywhere..."
Outside, Grandma Gu walked back slowly, accompanied by light coughs. "Didn't Mùchēn say he'd visit me today? Why isn't he here yet? Let's wait a bit longer."
Gu Nian's question caught in her throat. Looking at the man, she suddenly didn't know what to say.
The door to the next room had already closed. Grandma Gu had gone back inside.
Bó Mùchēn looked down and then at her. "Now do you know why I'm here?"
Gu Nian cleared her throat twice and pouted, "How would I know you'd come to see Grandma? Why are you here?"
Bó Mùchēn said calmly, "It's on the way. I just need to get some medicine for Old Master."
Gu Nian felt a bit suspicious in her heart. Couldn't he have asked Chén Zé to get the medicine?
However, considering how much that person cared about Old Master Bó, coming to get it himself wasn't impossible, though some things still felt strange.
"You should see my Grandma less often from now on," Gu Nian said after some thought. "She needs to know about our divorce."
Bó Mùchēn's gaze instantly turned much colder. "Aren't you afraid of upsetting her when she finds out about her condition?"
"I'm a doctor. I know what I'm doing."
"Then I'll tell her directly."
After saying this, Bó Mùchēn reached for the door handle, but Gu Nian quickly grabbed his hand.
"Wait, not now!"
If Grandma found out now, she would have no way to cope.
Bó Mùchēn looked down at the woman holding his hand and said calmly, "Since you're afraid, then don't say anything."
"But you'll get married eventually," Gu Nian said clearly.
"I won't."
"Then Yán..." Mòqīng?
She didn't believe Bó Mùchēn would really keep Yán Mòqīng's status ambiguous forever.
Just as Gu Nian was about to continue, the door was suddenly opened. The patient from this room returned. "Oh my, young people, even your passion should have some discretion. This is someone else's room."
Bó Mùchēn and Gu Nian were standing very close. At first glance, it could indeed lead to misunderstandings. Before Gu Nian could speak, Bó Mùchēn let go of her hand and left directly.
Gu Nian watched the man's retreating back and pouted.
She wasn't unhappy, so why was he upset?
Gu Nian felt that since the divorce, she was understanding Bó Mùchēn's thoughts less and less.
However, the priority now was... Ya Ya.
Gu Nian intended to access the surveillance footage, but when she reached the lobby, Gu Ya Ya was there, holding a sign.
Seeing the words on it, Gu Nian's eyes welled up again.
The sign had childish handwriting: "Great-Grandma, can you please forgive Mommy?"
Passersby couldn't help but look. "This child is so filial, asking for forgiveness on behalf of her mother."
"What a cute child, so sensible looking."
Gu Nian strode up to Gu Ya Ya. The little girl's eyes widened when she saw Gu Nian. She looked at Gu Nian with rolling eyes. "Mommy, why are you here?"
Gu Nian hugged her daughter and scolded her with mock anger, "I should be asking you, who told you to come? You didn't even tell me. Do you know how worried Mommy was?"
Gu Ya Ya whispered, "I was worried about Mommy too. I didn't want to see Mommy sad. Mommy said Great-Grandma was in the hospital. I thought if I held this sign, Great-Grandma would see it."
Gu Nian took a deep breath. "Silly daughter!"
Gu Ya Ya snorted, "I'm not silly... Huh? Is handsome uncle here too? He's looking over here!"
Gu Nian, unable to contain her emotions, felt her heart skip a beat.
Chapter 42 Do Not Leave! Remarry Me!
Without time to think, Gu Nian immediately hugged Gu Ya Ya, not daring to turn around, wanting only to leave.
"Gu Nian."
Bó Mùchēn had already spoken.
Gu Nian's body stiffened. It was impossible to pretend not to be there. They had just met, and Bó Mùchēn knew exactly what she was wearing.
But she couldn't let Ya Ya be exposed!
"Mùchēn Gēge, why are you so slow? I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Yán Mòqīng's voice sounded from not far away.
Bó Mùchēn shifted his gaze and replied, "Something held me up."
Yán Mòqīng cheerfully chimed in, "I've got my medicine, let's go."
"Okay."
The people behind them moved further away and did not approach.
Gu Nian breathed a sigh of relief while also rolling her eyes.
So, he was primarily accompanying his "white moonlight" to get medicine. And he had told her it was specifically to get medicine for Old Master Bó. He was truly playing both sides.
She had almost thought... he had come to see his Grandma.
Gu Ya Ya blinked her big eyes. "Mommy, handsome uncle is walking so close to that auntie."
Gu Nian hugged her daughter tighter, her voice calm. "They are a couple, of course, they walk closely."
Gu Ya Ya bit her lip, a little unhappy. "I don't like handsome uncle anymore. Hmph, I originally thought he and Mommy were a good match."
"He was never a match for me."
Even when they were married, it was just a charade, a physical connection.
Gu Nian's heart ached slightly.
This feeling was perhaps like something that once belonged to her, now being reclaimed by its rightful owner.
However, soon she would probably no longer care.
Later, Bó Mùchēn did not contact her proactively, and Gu Nian certainly wouldn't seek him out. The two of them acted like strangers.
Gu Nian felt reassured. Seeing her holding her daughter at the hospital that day, he had probably forgotten about it by the time he saw Yán Mòqīng, or simply didn't care.
"Niannian, are you going to Old Master Bó's birthday banquet?" Zhōu Yuè asked casually while helping with cooking.
She thought for a moment, then added, "Old Master Bó is celebrating his 70th birthday this time. Many people will be attending, it should be very lively. We can go and see the world."
Zhōu Family's status in Jingdu was neither high nor low. This opportunity to attend Old Master Bó's banquet was hard-won, and there were likely limits on the number of guests, making it a valuable chance.
Gu Nian knew her friend's good intentions and refused decisively, "You go. I won't."
Zhōu Yuè looked at her wistfully. "Really not going? Although people like Zhī Yáoyáo will be there, Sū Zǐmò and the others will be there too."
Gu Nian just found another excuse. "I have something to do that day."
"Okay."
Zhōu Yuè didn't try to persuade her further.
The next day, as the banquet began, Gu Nian was browsing her social media during her lunch break and saw Zhōu Yuè's post about the Bo Family Old Residence.
"Checking in at the Bo Family Old Residence. Wishing Old Master Bó longevity like the East Sea and a life as long as the Southern Mountains."
Below were a bunch of envious and congratulatory comments.
Gu Nian scrolled down. Her account was mostly filled with people from the elite circle, all posting similar well wishes for Old Master Bó's birthday, including Yán Mòqīng's.
Yán Mòqīng: "As long as Grandpa Bó likes my gift. Wishing Grandpa Bó eternal youth and lifelong health and peace."
Below was a picture. Gu Nian intended to scroll past, but her finger slipped, and it opened.
It was the calligraphy and painting she had given to Bó Mùchēn before.
Gu Nian clicked her tongue. That painting was indeed taken by Yán Mòqīng to present as a gift. Their good news was probably coming soon.
As Gu Nian expected, just as the banquet ended, Zhōu Yuè called. "Holy crap, Niannian, huge news! Yán Mòqīng and Bó Mùchēn are really getting married! They announced it at the birthday banquet."
Gu Nian's reaction was quite calm. "It's been so many years, and they even have a child. Isn't it natural for them to get married now?"
Zhōu Yuè: "...That makes sense."
Zhōu Yuè paused, then continued, "But Young Master Bó's announcement was so sudden this time, right at the end of the banquet. Old Master didn't object either, and he was smiling so proudly at Yán Mòqīng, looking like a smug little winner."
Zhōu Yuè rambled on, finally summarizing, "This wealthy circle is truly unfathomable. We really can't predict what these rich and powerful people will do next."
Gu Nian thought, indeed, unfathomable, just like that man. Too strange.
It was already half an hour past closing time, and it was almost time to pick up Ya Ya.
As she entered the parking lot, before reaching her car, several stern-looking men in suits suddenly appeared beside her.
Gu Nian's body instantly tensed. The man in the lead walked directly in front of her. "Madam, Old Master wishes to see you."
The only ones who would call her Madam were people from the Bó family...
Gu Nian's eyes flickered for a moment. She relaxed her body and said calmly, "I can see him, but please don't call me Madam anymore. I'm divorced; please call me Miss Gu."
"Yes, Madam." The man made a gesture of invitation, while the others blocked Gu Nian's escape route.
Gu Nian curved her lips and secretly sent a message to Zhōu Yuè, asking her to pick up Ya Ya, then got into the car.
The Bo Family Old Residence was not close, situated in the suburbs, nestled on a mountain. It took two hours to reach the old residence.
"Madam, please this way." A middle-aged man in a tailcoat politely made a gesture of invitation.
This was Butler Old Ji from the Bó family. Gu Nian had visited the old residence before and had met this butler.
Hearing him address her the same way, Gu Nian curved her lips again.
The surroundings were meticulously decorated. The birthday banquet had just concluded, and many staff members were still tidying up.
In the main hall, Old Master Bó rested in the main seat, wearing a festive red jacket. His face was crisscrossed with wrinkles, his eyes narrowed, like a coiled tiger.
Before entering the Bó family's residence, Gu Nian knew that Old Master Bó must have been a formidable man in his youth, perhaps even legendary, and comparable to Bó Mùchēn. He had retired only after grooming Bó Mùchēn.
"Grandpa Bó." Gu Nian said respectfully.
Old Master Bó slowly opened his narrowed eyes, exuding an aura of pressure, yet also a hint of kindness. "Niannian, do you know that today is my seventieth birthday?