The few old gentlen were in high spirits, playing mahjong until eleven o’clock at night, with everyone else keeping them company.
The ladies and young won either danced or drank. Only when everyone else had dispersed did the ga finally end.
Gu Anxi yawned as she stood up. "I’ve lost everything! I’ll co back next ti!"
The venerable figures, faces flushed with excitent, were particularly enthusiastic and eager to schedule another ga with her.
"We’ll see," Gu Anxi said with a grin. "I’ll co back once I have so more pocket money."
King Jingyao felt a little exasperated.
Gu Anxi winked mischievously and clung to Bo Xichen’s arm. "I’m so sleepy. I want to go ho and sleep."
By then, the Secretary General had seen all the other guests off, leaving only King Jingyao and a few mbers of the Bo family in their little corner.
King Jingyao lit a cigarette. "It’s past a child’s bedti. Xichen, you should take her ho early. Also... let’s pick a ti to go to the Old Madam’s place for a al. The Old Master and Old Madam are quite eager to et Anxi."
He was truly good to Gu Anxi, impeccably so. Bo Nianyao and Mrs. Bo exchanged a few pleasantries, and Bo Xichen agreed.
There were things that bothered him, but when faced with the unavoidable, he had to adjust. There was nothing between Anxi and King Jingyao. If he couldn’t let go of his feelings, he would only be making trouble for himself and would also disappoint Anxi.
He was graceful and responded with ease. King Jingyao, however, remained quiet, sitting alone for a long ti.
Only when Secretary General Wang Jingchuan approached did he speak. "Jingchuan, tell , how can that little rascal be so cunning and scheming at such a young age?"
The Secretary General smiled. "That’s because you’re willing to indulge her, sir."
King Jingyao also smiled but said nothing more.
The Secretary General knew in his heart how much bitterness King Jingyao must be feeling—After all these years, he’d finally taken a fancy to a young girl and adored her, yet he could only look, not touch. Instead, he had to cherish and pamper her... It must be agonizing, mustn’t it?
King Jingyao then said, "Go get Lin Yuan’s file for to review."
Wang Jingchuan nodded. "I’ll see to it."
King Jingyao added, "If his abilities are up to par, rank him just one level below Bo Jingshen. If they were equals, it would make that little rascal far too smug."
Hearing this, the Secretary General couldn’t help but smile.
On the other side, in the car on the way ho, the Bo family mbers were chatting.
Bo Nianyao teased, "Little one, you even dare to pluck hairs from a tiger’s jaw!"
Gu Anxi leaned on Bo Xichen’s shoulder and whispered softly, "Bo Jingshen stirred up that whole ss with Jiang Hospital; he was playing a double ga. It’s about ti soone challenged his position, or he’ll start thinking he can succeed even without the Bo Family."
Bo Nianyao chuckled. "Listen to that! Our little one is really formidable."
He believed Bo Jingshen could probably guess this was Anxi’s handiwork, but there was nothing he could do about it, not with King Jingyao backing her.
He grew pensive. For now, the situation was one of mutual constraint; no one could make a move. Yes, it was ti to catch their breath and, while they were at it, sort out so family matters.
He gave Bo Xichen a look filled with complex emotions. Bo Xichen, of course, understood. After they returned, Gu Anxi fussed about wanting to sleep, so he soothed her and then went to the study.
By the ti their discussion ended, it was already two o’clock in the morning.
Just as Bo Xichen was about to take a bath, Gu Anxi woke up. She switched on the bedside lamp and rubbed her eyes. "Little Uncle, you’re back."
He humd a soft affirmation and went over to sit by her bed.
The light was gentle. She obediently scooted over. "What did you and Dad Bo talk about?"
"Nothing much, just so family matters," he coaxed her back to sleep, his voice very soft.
Gu Anxi soon closed her eyes. He watched over her for a while before finally going to take his bath.
Early the next morning, as they were having breakfast, soone from the gatehouse ca to report that Old Lin wished to see Gu Anxi and had already sent a car for her.
Mrs. Bo put down her cup and said calmly, "Tell them I’ll go with Anxi in a little while."
The gatekeeper chuckled. "The ssage is that Old Lin won’t eat Miss Gu, so Mrs. Bo doesn’t need to co along."
Mrs. Bo feigned displeasure. "So, now that you have a new little darling, you don’t want this old darling anymore, is that it?"
The gatekeeper just smiled.
Mrs. Bo turned her head. "Anxi, why don’t you go? Your grandfather is probably just bored at ho."
Gu Anxi, nibbling on a sandwich, agreed.
After the gatekeeper left to relay the ssage, Mrs. Bo remarked, "I suppose my father wants our little one to teach him a few tricks of the trade."
Gu Anxi replied obediently, "Actually, there aren’t many tricks to it. It’s mostly talent."
Bo Nianyao laughed and chided, "Such a show-off!"
Gu Anxi peeked at her Little Uncle. Bo Xichen smiled. "You’ve been tired lately; it’ll be good for you to go relax."
He said it casually then, but he would later regret it. Once Gu Anxi was at Old Lin’s place and brought so amusent into his life, the old man monopolized her and wouldn’t let her leave.
Gu Anxi finished her breakfast and got into the car heading to Old Lin’s estate. The old gentleman lived quite a distance away; the drive took a full hour.
When she arrived, she discovered it wasn’t just Old Lin; everyone who had played cards with her the previous night was there.
As Gu Anxi entered, all eyes, bright with anticipation, turned to her.
Gu Anxi raised her hand. "Dad Bo didn’t give any pocket money today."
Old Lin tapped her lightly. "Look at you, child. We just asked you here today to keep us old fellows company and help us unwind."
Gu Anxi obediently agreed and genuinely kept them company, fishing, sunbathing, and the like.
She was quite content to laze about, finding it rather comfortable.
In the afternoon, however, things got serious. The old gentlen declared they wanted to practice shooting, lanting that their old bones hadn’t seen much action lately. To add to the excitent, they had invited Chen Ming, the captain of Beicheng’s J-Team, renowned for his superb marksmanship—he was said to be a crack shot, never missing.
Chen Ming was well-known in their circle. It had once been rumored that he was Old Lin’s successor. Recently, however, word had spread that Old Lin had given the thumb ring, a symbol of his status, to Gu Anxi.
In the practice room, Old Lin cheerfully tossed a pistol to Gu Anxi. "Ever played with one of these?"
Gu Anxi chambered a round and took aim but didn’t fire.
Putting the gun down, she said, "Once."
Old Lin said aningfully, "When Chen Ming arrives later, have him teach you properly."
Gu Anxi nodded obediently. "Alright."
Old Lin said no more. He turned, aid, and FIRED—BANG! BANG! BANG! Six shots, all bullseyes.
A chorus of praise erupted. "Old Lin’s still got it!"
"His skill with a gun hasn’t faded a bit with age!"
"Only Chen Ming is capable enough to take over this responsibility."
Old Lin laughed, reloaded the pistol, and handed it to Gu Anxi. "Little one, you try a few shots."
Gu Anxi reached out and took it. The gun felt heavy in her hand.
She looked up; she understood Old Lin’s intention.
In such a situation, Gu Anxi preferred not to steal the show. So, she deliberately aid for the seven and eight rings, performing well enough to save face without being overly conspicuous.
Nevertheless, praises sounded around her. For a young girl who wasn’t a regular shooter, her performance was considered quite impressive.
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