Chu Ci said very plainly, "It’s exactly as you think."
Gu Anxi was shocked and swallowed hard. "Then... I won’t intrude on you two."
The phone call ended. She turned her head to look at Bo Xichen beside her. "Uncle, it feels like we’re living in a fantasy world." She buried herself in his arms and let out a little yelp.
Bo Xichen laughed softly. "Chu Ci also seems to be 28; it hasn’t been easy."
Gu Anxi huffed, "Do you also think you’ve had it hard?"
Uncle Bo smiled. "It feels like everything has been compensated for, doesn’t it?"
Gu Anxi’s face grew warm, and she stopped talking to him.
Upon returning to Si Garden, Bo Xichen wouldn’t let her do anything. Unless there was an incredibly important operation, he would stay at ho, watching over her. Gu Anxi hadn’t felt this bored in a long ti, so she settled on the couch with a comic book.
A little later, she asked casually, "Oh, Uncle, isn’t it Gu Mingzhu’s birthday today?"
Bo Xichen responded with a quiet "Hmm," but said nothing more.
Gu Anxi asked him in a low voice, "Is no one going?"
Bo Xichen was working on his laptop nearby, his voice even softer. "Your Father Bo and Mother Bo have discussed it. Since you’re still unwell, they said it’s fine if Second Uncle goes to make a token appearance."
Gu Anxi murmured an "Oh."
He looked up then. "Mother Bo seems quite angry."
Gu Anxi cuddled obediently against him. "But I have people who care about ."
After this incident, Wang Keru brought over various soups and broths every day, but the taste was truly indescribable—and not in a good way. Mother Bo, especially, doted on her as if she might lt away, and the entire Bo household did the sa.
Thinking about it, Gu Anxi found it quite amusing. As she laughed, she began to playfully pester him, but Professor Bo said with a straight face, "You can’t."
She paused before realizing what he ant. Balling her hand into a fist, she lightly tapped his arm. "Uncle, you’re so naughty."
After that, she behaved, obediently snuggling in his arms and keeping him company while he handled his work.
The Orchid Room was quiet, a peaceful serenity filling the space.
...
anwhile, at the Gu residence, preparations were in full swing for Gu Mingzhu’s birthday.
The banquet was held at Beicheng’s grandest hotel. Most of Beicheng’s high society was in attendance, the most prominent among them being King Jingyao.
King Jingyao had just returned from a two-day business trip and was unaware of Gu Anxi’s car accident. He fully expected Gu Anxi to be there as well. Despite a flight of over ten hours, he was still radiant and remarkably striking.
Gu Yuanshan, accompanied by Tang Yuan, went out to greet him, while Gu Mingzhu, standing to the side, was a picture of youthful charm.
A man of King Jingyao’s stature naturally drew attention with his every move. He exchanged a few pleasantries with ease before entering the banquet hall.
His secretary-general, who had arrived earlier, whispered to him, "Mr. King, the Bo family mbers haven’t arrived yet."
King Jingyao frowned. "What’s going on?"
The secretary-general lowered his voice. "It seems Miss Gu was in a minor car accident! She was in Mrs. Gu’s car at the ti."
King Jingyao asked lightly, "How is she?"
"A slight concussion! She was discharged today and is resting at ho," the secretary-general relayed all the information he had gathered.
The magnate glanced back at the radiant Mrs. Gu, his brow furrowing. That little rascal is so agile, yet she got injured. How did Mrs. Gu co out unscathed? And she still has the heart to throw a birthday party for her younger daughter here! Isn’t the other one her daughter too?
The secretary-general dared not comnt.
Just then, Bo Qing arrived, representing the Bo family, which at least saved Gu Yuanshan a bit of face.
Bo Qing’s deanor was cool; he had never been a particularly warm person. Gu Yuanshan did inquire about Gu Anxi’s condition. Bo Qing nonchalantly replied that she was fine, then proceeded into the main hall.
Gu Mingzhu quietly asked Tang Yuan, "Mom, do you think the Bo family deliberately stayed away?"
Tang Yuan smiled. "Perhaps they were too busy!"
Seeing Bo Qing still stirred so excitent in her... but Tang Yuan could never forget the way Bo Qing looked at Gu Anxi.
Gu Mingzhu was unaware of her mother’s thoughts and whispered again, "As long as Mr. King is here, it’s fine!"
Tang Yuan composed herself and patted Gu Mingzhu’s hand. "It’s good that you understand what’s important."
She then whispered further instructions, "When the dancing begins, you can invite Mr. King. He’s the most distinguished guest tonight; no one will say anything."
Gu Mingzhu quietly humd in acknowledgnt.
Tang Yuan had currently pushed her personal feelings aside, wholly focused on promoting Gu Mingzhu.
If Mingzhu could just get close to Mr. King, everything would turn around.
The mother and daughter chatted as they returned to the hall.
The banquet hall was a swirl of fragrant perfus and elegant figures, bustling with an indescribable liveliness. It had been several years since such a grand event!
Gu Mingzhu pressed her lips together slightly. Even without the Bo family, she was still that dazzling pearl, still Beicheng’s foremost young lady.
At that mont, a well-known emcee from Beicheng was on stage, engaging the audience. After a few witty remarks, he invited Gu Mingzhu up to announce her partner for the opening dance.
Everyone present had already guessed it would be King Jingyao. His status was undeniable, and prominent figures like him usually indulged young ladies on such occasions.
Gu Mingzhu was incredibly excited, looking stunning in her white gown. She went on stage and, her voice trembling with excitent, spoke a few words before inviting Mr. King for the opening dance.
The young won at the event were envious. After all, Mr. King didn’t attend just anyone’s birthday, and they had heard he treated Gu Mingzhu quite specially.
After Gu Mingzhu made her announcent, she held her breath. The lighting technician searched for King Jingyao, but he was nowhere to be found.
Just then, soone finally ca over and whispered, "Mr. King left half an hour ago."
Gu Mingzhu bit her lip, finding it hard to believe and feeling acutely embarrassed, unsure how to recover from the awkward situation. Fortunately, the emcee was experienced. "Mr. King has probably just stepped away for a mont. In that case, let’s have soone else start the dance."
Although the mont was smoothed over, its significance was entirely different. Gu Mingzhu forced herself to finish the dance and then left the stage, feeling extrely wronged.
By then, Tang Yuan had already heard that King Jingyao had left and quietly inford Gu Mingzhu.
Gu Mingzhu murmured, "Why did he suddenly leave?"
Tang Yuan gently consoled her, "A man like Mr. King always has endless commitnts."
She added, "Mr. King sent you a gift. It’s a very rare pair of South Sea pearl earrings. You’ll like them."
Gu Mingzhu took them and looked at them silently.
After a mont, she said softly, "Then he must have had sothing important to do."
Tang Yuan knew she was feeling anxious and insecure, so she gently comforted her for a little longer.
In the hotel parking lot, King Jingyao was already in his car. The secretary-general, seated beside him, asked in a low voice, "Sir, if you go now, won’t it attract criticism?"
"What’s there to criticize?" King Jingyao snorted coldly. "I just want to see how badly that little rascal is hurt. Besides, I’m not sneaking into so maiden’s chamber in the dead of night; I’m going to the Bo residence."
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