Tang Yuan sat alone, lost in thought for a long ti.
When Gu Mingzhu returned ho in the evening, she found Tang Yuan sitting quietly on the sofa.
She walked over. "Mom."
Tang Yuan managed a faint smile. "Mingzhu."
Gu Mingzhu bit her lip. "Aunt Bo Jin... she didn’t agree to help , did she?"
Tang Yuan couldn’t bring herself to repeat Bo Jin’s words to Gu Mingzhu. She just smiled. "No, it’s just that Gu Anxi is now part of the Bo family, so she chose to help Gu Anxi."
Gu Mingzhu lowered her gaze, then looked up again. "Don’t worry, Mom. Dad still has his connections, right? Once the movie is released and the box office explodes, no one will dare to look down on us anymore."
Her words had so effect on Tang Yuan, who nodded. "You’re right. Our Gu family doesn’t need to beg anyone. I was foolish this ti. We’ll have important people at our banquet next month, especially from the Chu family. You have to handle them well. Chu Ci is very popular now and knows many influential people; you must seize this opportunity."
Gu Mingzhu nodded obediently. "I know."
Tang Yuan’s confidence was rekindled. "We must find the best director and a top-notch team to make your ’Pain of Youth’ a great success. We’ll show everyone who supports Gu Anxi that Mingzhu is the truly superior choice."
Gu Mingzhu leaned into her mother’s embrace, a hint of triumph touching her lips.
Just then, Gu Yuanshan erged from his study. Seeing his wife and daughter, he seed a bit surprised. "You’re both back? Why so quiet? I have sothing to discuss with you."
As he spoke, Shen Congwen, who had followed him out, politely excused himself, knowing they had family matters to discuss.
Now, only the three of them remained.
Gu Yuanshan thought for a mont before speaking. "Here’s the situation. Congwen just told that Anxi, that child, has won another national computer award. Plus, she can paint and is a Nobel Chemistry laureate..."
Tang Yuan was instantly wary. "Yuanshan, what are you implying?"
Gu Yuanshan glanced at Gu Mingzhu. "Mingzhu, go upstairs first. I have sothing to discuss with your mother."
Gu Mingzhu nodded and went upstairs.
However, she sensed that what her parents were about to discuss concerned Gu Anxi, so she hid on the second-floor landing to eavesdrop.
Gu Yuanshan sat across from Tang Yuan, speaking in a low voice. "Yuanyuan, here’s what I’m thinking. The child has done very well for herself; it brings us honor. Even though her birth chart is unalterable, her current fortune has clearly changed. If we officially acknowledge her as part of our family, with the Bo family’s influence, I doubt anyone would dare to gossip!"
Tang Yuan was surprised. "Yuanshan, you want to acknowledge her? How would that make us look to others?"
Gu Yuanshan gestured to calm her. "Now, don’t get agitated. We can say the child was stolen years ago. As long as she cooperates, there won’t be any problems. You’ll have to talk to Mingzhu, though. She seems to really resent Anxi."
Tang Yuan felt torn. If things went as Yuanshan suggested, it might not be a bad idea. If the girl agreed, she could preserve her own reputation and, moreover, use Gu Anxi’s prominence to help Mingzhu.
Tang Yuan was, after all, an adaptable woman. After much hesitation, she actually agreed.
Gu Yuanshan patted her hand. "I knew you were an understanding and sensible wife. Leave Mingzhu to . She and Anxi are sisters, after all. There’s no need for such bitter conflict."
Tang Yuan nodded. "But Yuanshan, who will talk to the girl?"
Gu Yuanshan pondered. "How about we ask Changqing to talk to her?" Then he reconsidered. "No, that won’t do! We should go and talk to her ourselves. The girl has been wronged; she’s bound to have so demands. If we agree to them, it’ll be a happy outco for everyone."
Although Tang Yuan disliked Gu Anxi, she had truly felt the sting of humiliation today. She reasoned that even if they acknowledged Gu Anxi, the girl lived with the Bo family and wouldn’t be around much. Acknowledging her would please Gu Yuanshan and also prevent their relationship with Bo Jin and Gu Ning from becoming too strained. This would, in turn, benefit Mingzhu’s future. In truth, her considerations weren’t driven by any affection for Gu Anxi, but entirely by her own selfish calculations.
And Gu Yuanshan? Was he any different?
While the parents were busy with their self-serving sches, Gu Mingzhu, eavesdropping upstairs, heard everything and felt as if she’d been struck by lightning.
She never could have imagined that her parents would actually consider acknowledging Gu Anxi. What would her place in this family be then? Would she still be the pampered one? And Gu Corporation—would it still be hers?
Gu Mingzhu’s lips pressed into a thin line. She had to stop this...
* * *
After Gu Anxi finished her school commitnts, she began preparing for Jia Ren’s January cover shoot.
The opening issue of such a top-tier magazine usually featured international supermodels or A-list actresses. This was the first ti they were featuring non-celebrities, but Miss Rabbit and Da Hui were currently trending!
Bo Xichen naturally didn’t mind the small copyright fee; he was rely accommodating Miss Rabbit, especially since Miss Rabbit was usually very... cooperative with him!!!
The set was cleared for the shoot, given Bo Xichen’s status. The editor-in-chief personally selected the outfits, all of which were high-end designer wear. Moreover, the shoot itself wasn’t as formal as past ones. They opted to recreate scenes from ’Da Hui.’ The stunning visuals of the male and female leads were more than enough to captivate fans and let them imrse themselves in the world, which also served as the best possible promotion for ’Da Hui.’
Jia Ren released a few behind-the-scenes clips, drawing countless fans, and Miss Rabbit’s Weibo followers officially surpassed 40 million, with even international superstars among them.
’Da Hui’ was genuinely a massive hit!!!
Once Chen Shu had the proofs ready, she invited Gu Anxi for coffee.
Sitting face to face, Chen Shu pushed a copy of the proofs towards Gu Anxi. "They’re ready. Take a look, what do you think?"
Gu Anxi flipped through it admiringly, then complinted, "They’re excellent. Can I take it?"
Chen Shu smiled. "Of course, this copy is for you."
"Thank you." Gu Anxi treasured it, holding it to her chest for a mont before carefully placing it in her bag.
Chen Shu watched her. This girl is quite adorable. She might seem a bit aloof at tis, but once you get to know her, she’s warm, like a little ray of sunshine. And her relationship with Da Hui—no, with Dr. Bo—is genuinely wonderful. I’ve heard Gu Anxi is exceptionally talented. A love between equals like theirs is the kind that truly lasts! It’s always good for a girl to be independent.
Chen Shu smiled faintly. "I should be the one thanking you."
She leaned forward, speaking softly, "My salary increased by tens of thousands this month, and managent is even considering promoting to deputy editor-in-chief. Anxi, I really have to thank you."
Considering Gu Anxi’s or the Bo family’s influence, they could have easily declined, but she had successfully secured the feature for the year’s opening issue. If things proceed smoothly, it’s going to be a massive success, and the editor-in-chief is already very impressed with her capabilities...
So, she truly had to thank Gu Anxi.
Gu Anxi smiled nonchalantly. "It’s a win-win for both of us."
Chen Shu smiled; dealing with intelligent people was always a pleasure. The young woman before is only twenty, yet her way of handling matters and her interpersonal skills are no less astute than my own, and I’m a woman in her forties. Who said all academic prodigies were hobodies who wore black-rimd glasses? The one before is truly an anomaly. She’s simply too beautiful. Chen Shu gazed at that divinely favored face, sighing once more.
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