TNSFC – Chapter 105

The moment Que Yining opened the door, Ningning came up to her, rubbing against her legs and circling around.

When she squatted down to pet him, Ningning had already flopped over, exposing his belly and chin, inviting Que Yining to rub them.

Although cats are creatures that sleep for twenty out of twenty-four hours a day and seem aloof, preferring to play by themselves, they are actually very afraid of loneliness. Because Que Yining and Gu Shanxue were busy with work, it was basically impossible for them to be home with the cat all day. Sometimes the housekeeper would take Ningning out for a walk, but most of the time Ningning was home alone, so he would be particularly clingy and excited when his owners returned.

Compared to when Que Yining first saw Ningning, he had gained a lot of weight.

He had transformed from a delicate, handsome young cat into a chubby homebody, especially after being neutered, becoming even more plump, but he looked very cute.

Que Yining gave him a good rub, placed her bag aside, and slipped on her slippers, looking around the house.

Gu Shanxue wasn’t home. She figured Gu Shanxue probably hadn’t finished work yet, so she first opened her own package and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

Humming a tune, she walked out of the bathroom while doing her skincare routine and sat on the large, soft bed.

Compared to before, Gu Shanxue’s home had undergone a major transformation, with traces of Que Yining’s life everywhere. There was even a photo of them together hanging on the wall.

Que Yining’s heart filled with joy at the sight of the photo, her fingers toying with the thin fabric on the bed.

Qiao Yuchu was more familiar with this kind of thing, so she directly told Qiao Yuchu what she wanted and transferred the money. Qiao Yuchu’s service was very thoughtful; she even washed it for her before sending it over, and it exuded a fresh fragrance.

The straps were somewhat complicated to tie, and Que Yining fumbled with them for a while before getting it right.

She looked at herself in the full-length mirror in the room, very satisfied with her physical assets, except… her belly really had a bit more soft flesh.

Que Yining touched her belly, feeling a little melancholic. This was all flesh that Miss Gu had nurtured with real gold and silver. It was a pity it hadn’t grown in the right place; if only it were a bit lower.

She put on an outer robe, sat in the bedroom, and asked Gu Shanxue when she would be home.

“Are you home yet? I might be a little while longer.”

The background noise on Gu Shanxue’s end was somewhat noisy, making her voice a bit unclear.

Que Yining heard the sound of a door, and then the noisy sounds disappeared. She figured Gu Shanxue must have stepped outside.

Que Yining: “Socializing? A drinking party?”

“Mm,” Gu Shanxue replied, raising her hand to look at her wristwatch. “It should end in about fifteen minutes. I’ll be home in half an hour.”

“Then I’ll wait for you at home.”

Que Yining’s voice was light and cheerful, with a flirtatious lilt that traveled through the electric current into the ears of the person on the other end of the phone, bringing a tingling itch.

After the call ended, Gu Shanxue stood there staring at her phone for half a minute before putting it away.

After getting Gu Shanxue’s affirmative answer, Que Yining dealt with some documents and then relaxed by playing some games.

The wall clock ticked steadily forward. Que Yining looked at the clock; exactly thirty minutes had passed since her last call.

But Gu Shanxue still hadn’t arrived. She stood by the bed, lifted the curtain, and saw no car approaching in the night, frowning slightly.

Que Yining knew Gu Shanxue was a very punctual person. The time she gave would definitely be within her estimate. If she couldn’t make it back in time, Gu Shanxue would definitely notify her.

Que Yining called Gu Shanxue. The ringing tone came from the phone, but no one answered.

Que Yining sat up from the bed, her brow furrowed. She called Gu Shanxue’s assistant, Anda, but again, no one answered. Que Yining’s expression turned cold, and various bad premonitions surfaced in her mind. After all, Gu Shanxue’s status as the female lead was always there; even if Que Yining had messed up the romantic plotline, it didn’t mean danger wouldn’t occur.

She immediately called Gu Shanxue’s bodyguard but received a reply that she was safe.

“She’s currently socializing… Yes, Assistant Anda is also here.”

The bodyguard’s gaze swept around the private room before quietly closing the slight gap in the door.

Que Yining breathed a sigh of relief. As long as nothing had happened, it was fine. She figured Gu Shanxue was probably held up by someone, since Gu Shanxue wouldn’t voluntarily break a promise she made.

To bring her wife home, Que Yining first took off the outfit she had painstakingly put on, changed into her regular clothes, applied some light makeup, and had the driver take her to the destination.

Skywater Grand Court, true to its name, was a famous money pit in Lu Su City.

This was a members-only establishment. A monthly expenditure of over 300,000 yuan was required to obtain a basic black card, granting access to the first and second floors. Que Yining remembered the bodyguard saying Gu Shanxue was on the sixth floor, which required a monthly expenditure of two million yuan to enter.

Que Yining had never applied for a card here, so naturally, she was stopped.

The handsome waiter was still explaining the rules with a smile when Que Yining interrupted him somewhat impatiently.

“You can charge it now. As soon as possible.”

Even though Que Yining wore light makeup tonight, her bright and beautiful face still exuded an air of nobility. She looked at her wristwatch, her expression full of urgency.

The waiter subconsciously felt she was either rich or noble and immediately went to find the manager to attend to her. The manager hurried over, wiping the thin sheen of sweat from his forehead. Seeing it was Que Yining, he immediately said he had been remiss.

“So it’s CEO Que. Please, come in. I’ll bring the bill for you to sign shortly. You’re going to the sixth floor, right? I’ll lead the way.”

Que Yining nodded. In the elevator, she suddenly asked, “Who else is in that private room on the sixth floor?”

“There’s CEO Fu Wenjing, and Third Young Master Yan. There are quite a few people. I’m not sure about the others.”

The moment Que Yining heard Fu Wenjing’s name, her expression darkened further. Although she knew Fu Wenjing wasn’t a bad person and the original romantic storyline was completely non-existent, it didn’t stop her slight aversion to him, especially since Gu Shanxue had said she was leaving but was held up. This made her even more displeased.

In the spacious private room, the lights were bright, and the air was thick with the smell of smoke and alcohol.

Gu Shanxue was negotiating a big deal today, involving several large companies and a number of small and medium-sized companies that played important supporting roles. There were no sleazy escorts, but the major client from another city was an out-and-out heavy drinker, insisting on everyone drinking to their heart’s content.

Gu Shanxue wanted to leave early but was stopped by him. With so many bosses present, Gu Shanxue couldn’t very well offend them, so she had to continue drinking. She wanted Anda to send a message for her, but unexpectedly, Anda was even drunker than her from taking drinks on her behalf.

Alcohol slowly numbed her senses. Gu Shanxue’s face was flushed red from drinking, but her mind was still on Que Yining.

“Hey, Boss Gu isn’t even concentrating on her drinking. Are you in such a hurry to leave? Is there someone waiting at home?”

Chen Jiu clapped his hands and laughed, his words full of teasing.

This was usually said to male bosses, but Chen Jiu felt it wasn’t out of place to say it to a female boss. After all, seeking warmth and pleasure was human nature. Who knew if this beautiful lady boss had someone at home or not.

Gu Shanxue nodded, which slightly surprised the others.

“No way, Sister Gu, you’re in a relationship? When did this happen? How come I haven’t heard anything?”

Yan Zishu inquired curiously. He had been in the same circle as Gu Shanxue since she returned to Lu Su, and he hadn’t heard a peep.

He looked at Fu Wenjing, who spread his hands, indicating he didn’t know either.

“Really? Well, I won’t make it difficult for you. Three more drinks, and you can go home and rest.”

Chen Jiu didn’t intend to get her completely drunk here. The beautiful boss’s face was flushed red, and some people nearby were already staring intently. Only then did he realize he had habitually treated Gu Shanxue like one of the guys when drinking.

It couldn’t be helped. Who asked this Boss Gu to appear so cold and aloof, yet her business tactics were ruthless, not like a woman at all.

Gu Shanxue smiled and thanked him, picking up her glass.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Everyone looked over and saw the door open, and a stunningly beautiful woman walked in.

“Que Yining, what are you doing here?”

Yan Zishu was surprised, but he didn’t look at Fu Wenjing anymore.

He didn’t think Que Yining’s arrival had anything to do with Fu Wenjing. Even though Que Yining had once been so infatuated with Fu Wenjing and pursued him relentlessly, that was already a year ago.

It had only been a year, yet it felt like a distant memory, so distant that it was impossible to associate them anymore.

The Que Yining of today was no longer the Que Yining of the past. She was capable and resourceful, a new power in Lu Su City. After she brought down Que Linyang, anyone in Lu Su City who mentioned her would describe her as ruthless and unscrupulous.

“I’m here to pick up my lover.”

Que Yining replied, her gaze fixed directly on Gu Shanxue.

Gu Shanxue looked at her, a smile appearing on her face, and reached out her hand.

In the warm halo of light, her eyes were like melting amber.

“Boss Chen, it should be acceptable for a family member to drink on her behalf, right?”

Que Yining recognized this guest of honor, a big shot from a neighboring city, a figure who moved in both legitimate and illicit circles. She spoke to him politely.

“Of course! CEO Que, I’ve long heard of your great name.”

Chen Jiu stood up, shook hands with Que Yining, and raised his glass to her.

Que Yining downed the three glasses of alcohol swiftly, without any hesitation.

“Good! Truly a pair, both straightforward in drinking and business. Next time there’s a chance, I’ll have a good drink with CEO Que.”

“Then please excuse us for not keeping you company any longer.”

Gu Shanxue pulled Anda up. Anda was thoroughly drunk, her face red, swaying as she followed her boss out.

Yan Zishu blinked, took a sharp breath, and nudged Fu Wenjing.

Yan Zishu clicked his tongue. “Those two got together? How come you’re not surprised at all?”

Fu Wenjing looked up, appearing very calm, and said, “I expected it.”

Fu Wenjing once had a small flutter of attraction for Gu Shanxue, but only a little.

Gu Shanxue was like a flower on a high, unattainable peak, and he had always thought so, until one day, he saw the light in Gu Shanxue’s eyes when she looked at Que Yining.

Sometimes, feelings like love are hard to hide.

He then dismissed any such thoughts, instead considering that if these two families joined forces, their strength would certainly be even more formidable, and cooperation would undoubtedly be better.

“It’s truly a bit unexpected, but then again, it seems within expectations. If they’re together, it seems no one can stop them.”

Yan Zishu murmured. Now Que Yining was the head of the Que family, the undisputed leader after the restructuring of Que Corporation. And the Gu family was already under Gu Shanxue’s control. They had absolutely no need to fear opposition from their families.

Outside Skywater Grand Court, Gu Shanxue had the bodyguard send Anda home, while she herself sat in Que Yining’s car, staring at Que Yining without blinking.

She looked dazed and adorable, unlike her usual frosty demeanor.

“Are you drunk?”

Que Yining touched her flushed face, wondering inwardly how much she had drunk.

“Not drunk at all.”

Gu Shanxue answered primly, but the cute lilt at the end of her words completely exposed the fact that she was already muddle-headed.