Just as Tang Yuan was lost in thought, Gu Mingzhu suddenly turned her head and said, "Mom, I’ve also heard so rumors about them. Apparently, Mr. Wang has taken quite a liking to Gu Anxi, and when I say ’liking’ I an... in *that* way..."
These were the scandalous whispers that a young girl would dare not imagine because the subject was too powerful and intimidating. He may not be old, but he was still an established, mature man who wouldn’t typically be interested in young girls, let alone interact with them closely.
Upon hearing this, Tang Yuan chuckled. "Of course not! Don’t overthink it. Mr. Wang has high standards. His interest lies entirely with illustrious ladies, those worthy of standing by his side."
Gu Mingzhu bit her lip, falling silent.
What she didn’t ntion was that she had heard Mr. Wang seed quite taken with Jiang Chaoge in the past... If that were true, did it an that Mr. Wang was attracted to won of the scholarly type?
Tang Yuan didn’t share Gu Mingzhu’s speculative thoughts. She returned to her room, thought for a while, but soon shrugged it off.
Kicking back on the sofa, she stealthily pulled out her phone and looked at a picture.
The man in the picture was tall and slender, with refined features—exactly her type. She had liked him for many years, but he had never once truly looked at her, Mrs. Gu. Though she was renowned throughout Beicheng, though her beauty was dazzling, he had never noticed her.
Indeed, everything turned out as Gu Yuanshan anticipated, with unexpected twists and turns, including the quieting of the matter of the Wang family acknowledging a daughter; it seed to have blown over, and there wasn’t a peep about it anymore.
The public began to dismiss it as a rumor, so even claiming Gu Anxi was deluding herself and had spread the story on her own.
Gu Anxi didn’t care. After all, she got the money, and she got the goods.
The old matriarch had sent a box of jewelry to the Bo family instead of giving it to her directly, making her intentions clear.
Mada Bo received the package. Upon opening it, she found a box full of shimring green jewels; the sight made her eyes light up.
These were treasures one couldn’t find on the open market!
It wasn’t just her; Wang Keru received gifts as well. The offerings were abundant and thoughtfully chosen. There was also talk of picking a date for Anxi to dine with the Wang family—just a private family al.
Mada Bo astutely noted they intended for Anxi to go alone and couldn’t resist discussing it with Bo Nianyao.
"This is likely another of Gu Yuanshan’s maneuvers," Bo Nianyao chuckled. "His good intentions probably backfired, sohow arousing King Jingyao’s suspicion, hence the discreet approach."
"Our Anxi is hardly soone to be hidden away!" Mada Bo fud. "Why the secrecy?"
Bo Nianyao gently patted his wife’s hand. "This is actually a good thing. Think about it, how old is Anxi? She’s barely in her early twenties. With such remarkable achievents already, if she were also openly favored by the Wang family, imagine how much envy and resentnt that would attract."
His reasoning soothed Mada Bo, her anger turning to relief. "You’re right, Nian Yao. I wasn’t thinking clearly."
Bo Nianyao shot her a look. "You only ever listen to my advice when it concerns our little treasure."
Mada Bo fell silent.
Bo Nianyao spoke again, "It’s better for children to be raised a bit less pampered. See? Being too outstanding attracts unwanted attention, doesn’t it?"
There were so things he didn’t say to his wife. They were both n, powerful n at that, but King Jingyao was several echelons higher. If such a man harbored certain thoughts... others wouldn’t dare comnt. As long as he didn’t act on them, those thoughts could be considered reasonably permissible. Fortunately, that man had said nothing and done nothing. Right now, the Wang family simply wanted Anxi as their daughter. The Bo family could hardly refuse. Anxi, sensible as ever, understood this. Despite her personal reluctance, she knew that for the sake of the bigger picture, she had to play the part of King Jingyao’s younger sister.
Bo Nianyao sighed softly, leaning back in his chair to rest. After a long while, he finally spoke, "Yun Er, am I getting old? Is that why I feel so powerless sotis? It wasn’t like this before. We’ve weathered so many storms."
Lin Yun went to him and gently massaged his scalp. "The Jiang family is also to bla for their deceitfulness," she murmured. "If Jiang Chaoge hadn’t caused such a fuss, our Anxi wouldn’t have caught Mr. Wang’s eye."
She paused, then added bitterly, "Ultimately, Jiang Chaoge was useless. If she had just managed to handle Mr. Wang, none of this would have happened!"
Yet, she knew perfectly well that if Jiang Chaoge *had* successfully handled Mr. Wang, the Bo family would have been in genuine peril. The hierarchy among the four great families would have shifted then, wouldn’t it...? But now, it was Anxi who was being wronged. Even as just a ’younger sister,’ etings would be unavoidable!
While they ached for her, Gu Anxi herself remained unperturbed, feeling no pressure at all.
When the Wang family car from the General Office arrived to pick her up for dinner, Mada Bo saw her into the vehicle.
Gu Anxi waved goodbye and climbed into the car.
Once inside, she realized there were people in the car. More than one.
The Secretary-General was in the front passenger seat, and King Jingyao was in the back. As she settled in, she noticed he seed to be resting with his eyes closed. Sensing her arrival, he rely murmured, "You’re here?"
Gu Anxi grunted an acknowledgnt and sat beside him in silence. Eventually, out of sheer boredom, she pulled out her phone and started a ga.
Although she had muted the ga, it’s hard to play so intently next to soone without making any sound at all.
King Jingyao opened his eyes; they were bloodshot, likely from fatigue.
He stared at her. "What are you playing that’s so engrossing?"
Gu Anxi replied without looking up from her ga, "Nothing soone your age would enjoy."
King Jingyao was visibly irked. He turned his head away, ignoring her, and propped his chin on his hand, gazing out the window.
He was, in fact, an exceptionally handso man, not old, and imnsely powerful. Naturally, a flock of won constantly surrounded him, eager to shower him with flattery. Though he rarely believed their words, they were pleasant to hear—unlike this little rascal, who relentlessly harped on his age! Honestly, what was one to do with her?
Witnessing his superior taking a hit, the Secretary-General in the front seat suppressed a smile, thinking this dynamic was actually quite good.
The young lady was attractive, had an interesting personality, and wasn’t intimidated by Mr. Wang. An occasional encounter like this could certainly lighten the mood. Yes, lighten the mood. Mr. Wang looked irritated, but deep down, he was probably enjoying it, right?
Just as the Secretary-General was musing, King Jingyao turned back and straightened his clothes. "From now on, when it’s just us, call Brother."
Gu Anxi didn’t even look up. "When no one’s around, huh? Those in the know would call ’sister.’ Those who aren’t might mistake for your secret little wife!"
King Jingyao was incensed all over again.
This girl was truly... perceptive and formidable! Was she trying to force him to publicly acknowledge their sibling relationship? He didn’t think she was doing it for vanity or other benefits. With her skills, hah, extorting people was practically second nature to her! That ant... she had seen right through his intentions! Instantly, King Jingyao felt a wave of discomfiture mixed with a pang of sourness. She truly had no romantic interest in him whatsoever! He was, after all, a man of high standing, not unattractive, and certainly not that old. None of his past female companions had ever complained about his... performance. He maintained himself well; he could satisfy a wife even at eighty! And yet, she disdained him so thoroughly! Infuriated, he lapsed into silence.
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