Chapter 175: Dating Preparations
When Yan Xi left the Medical University, it was already three in the afternoon.
The neon lights on the street lit up. While she waited for her car, she saw the promotional video for the movie playing on the big screen of the commercial building opposite.
This is a love movie. It's about the heroine traveling back in time when she's getting old, saving her first love, who died in an accident, and smoothing out the regrets of her life. At the end of the movie, the lovers finally get married.
She and Gu Shen would be the same.
Yan Xi firmly believed that she would go through the thin and thick with Gu Shen and help him get back on his feet.
They would walk hand in hand in the backyard. When she was tired, she could jump onto Gu Shen's back and let him carry her.
They would be together for years to come.
The car soon arrived. Yan Xi did not return to the Jingnan Villa first but went to Zhou Xu's laboratory.
She was very happy today. When she pushed the door open, there was a smile on her lips and her eyes curved like shallow crescents.
Zhou Xu could not help but ask, "Senior, you look very happy."
Of course, every girl would be very happy before a date. Yan Xi wanted to show off, but she was afraid that it would hurt Zhou Xu because he was still a bachelor.
Putting on a serious expression, she said, "I've already sent the pictures to the Medical University's laboratory for analysis. Have you prepared the experimental equipment here?"
"It's ready."
Yan Xi nodded. "I still have something on tomorrow night. You need to observe the results yourself. Send the report to me through email."
Zhou Xu agreed, but he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Senior, what appointment do you have?" After asking, he realized that he had said too much and looked at Yan Xi nervously.
Yan Xi was in a good mood now, so she didn't mind answering, "I'm going to have a movie date."
"With Mr. Gu?"
Yan Xi rolled her eyes. "Isn't it obvious?"
Zhou Xu smiled embarrassedly. "Have fun, then."
The relaxed atmosphere stopped abruptly when they arrived at the laboratory. The two of them changed into their white coats and put on their masks. Their expressions became serious again.
"Record the experimental data. Don't make any mistakes."
"Yes."
*****
Gu Shen took this date very seriously. He instructed Secretary Chen to order popcorn, coke, and other snacks that Yan Xi liked.
He specially asked Secretary Chen, "What else do I need to prepare for the movie?"
Secretary Chen answered genuinely, "Usually, there are also all kinds of milk tea drinks in the cinema. You can ask what the girl likes."
What did she like? Gu Shen lowered his eyes to recall how Yan Xi was salivating over the chestnuts and sweet potatoes.
"Order some chestnuts and sweet potatoes and send them to the villa tomorrow." After a pause, Gu Shen said, "Send some today too."
"Okay."
When Secretary Chen went out, she happened to bump into Gu Er. She leaned over and whispered in his ear happily, "I feel that President Gu and Madam's relationship is getting better and better. When he talks about Madam, his face lights up."
Gu Er sighed and looked worried. "President Gu won't be able to smile soon."
"What is it?"
"Yan Dong is here."
As soon as Gu Er finished speaking, Yan Dong walked over from behind. Secretary Chen stopped smiling and nodded at Yan Dong coldly before walking straight out.
Yan Dong had come this time for the development of the shops in the city center. For some reason, he felt uncertain, as if there was something he had yet to double check.
Moreover, he heard from others that Yan Xi and Gu Shen had been very close recently. A few days ago, someone even saw them drinking a cup of milk tea and peeling chestnuts together.
However, Yan Dong did not believe it. With Yan Xi's personality, it was already a miracle that Gu Shen did not despise her. How could he get along with her sweetly? Moreover, his daughter did not eat chestnuts at all. Perhaps the girl with Gu Shen was another one.
Yan Dong didn't care about this. Anyway, his daughter had already cut ties with him. Even if she died in the Gu family, he wouldn't be bothered. All he cared about now was whether his project in the city center could go smoothly.
Soon, Yan Dong was led into the CEO's office.
"President Gu." Gu Er said, "President Yan is here."
Gu Shen did not even look up. His expression was cold. "Everything has been explained in the contract. What are you here for?"
Chapter 176: She Doesn't Eat Chestnuts
Seeing Gu Shen's cold gaze, Yan Dong's heart skipped a beat and he quickly put on a fake smile.
What Song Li said a few days ago that he would rather be a dog beside Gu Shen was already wide-spread in the circle.
Yan Dong began to learn from Song Li.
"It's not about that piece of land in the city center. I heard that you've been receiving treatment at the Rehabilitation Center recently, so I wanted to send you some medicine. I bought them at a high price and got a professor from the Medical University to appraise them. They can be very helpful."
Gu Shen smirked, his eyes filled with mockery.
"I didn't expect President Yan to be so concerned about me."
Yan Dong chuckled. "Your health is more important than anything else."
"There's no need. You can keep these medicines for yourself."
"I bought them for..."
Gu Shen narrowed his eyes and interrupted unhappily, "Since when did President Yan think that you can change my mind?"
Yan Dong quickly shook his head and looked at Gu Shen carefully. After a while, he asked tentatively, "Can I see Yan Xi? Her grandmother misses her and asked me to give some dumplings to her."
Since they had already cut ties, there was no need for them to interact.
Gu Shen said impatiently, "Yan Xi is not available at this moment."
Yan Dong misunderstood. "President Gu, I understand. It's normal for men to find a few lovers. I can also help you persuade Yan Xi to behave herself and not interfere with your business."
"Lover?" Gu Shen's face darkened. "I wonder where President Yan heard that I have a lover."
Yan Dong did not realize that something was wrong. "You don't want Yan Xi to know? Don't worry, I won't say a word to her."
"Where did you hear that?"
Gu Shen repeated himself. His tone was even worse than before.
"This is what people in the industry said. They said that a few days ago, you had a cup of milk tea with someone outside and even ate chestnuts together. Yan Xi never ate chestnuts. When she was young, she was choked by chestnuts and never ate them again."
Gu Shen did not speak again. He just looked at Yan Dong. His indifferent expression made Yan Dong feel uneasy.
"President Yan, my company is too small to accommodate someone like you. Gu Er, send the guest out."
*****
At seven in the evening, Yan Xi arrived home on time.
Today's experiment went smoothly, so Zhou Xu was excited.
He just needed to observe for another day tomorrow and record the experimental data.
After returning home, Yan Xi took off her high heels. Xiaolan immediately came over to take them and handed her a pair of slippers.
"Is Gu Shen back?"
Xiaolan nodded. "President Gu got home around five. He's in the study now."
"I'll go up and take a look." Yan Xi passed by the living room and found a plate of stir-fried chestnuts on the table. They were fragrant and hot.
She picked up a few and jogged to the study.
"I'm back. Let's go down for dinner." Yan Xi jumped to his side. "Where did you buy this stir-fried chestnut? It tastes better than what I ate that day."
Gu Shen moved his gaze away from the file and watched Yan Xi throw the chestnut into her mouth. Then, she peeled one nimbly, as if she could not get tired of it.
"Yan Dong came to look for me today."
"Why is he here again?" Yan Xi muttered. "He's really persistent. Why is he looking for you?"
"It's not a big deal, but it sounds strange."
"What is it?" Yan Xi brought the peeled chestnut to Gu Shen's mouth.
"Yan Dong said that you got choked while eating chestnuts when you were young. After that, you never ate them again."
Yan Xi was stunned and did not know if she should eat the chestnuts in her mouth.
She quickly searched the Host's memories, but she did not find this at all.
"Is that so?" She said calmly, "Why don't I remember this? Did Yan Dong mix me up with his other daughters?"
"No." Gu Shen looked at Yan Xi quietly.
"Maybe I was too young and forgot about it. Besides, a moment of fear is nothing. A person can't give up on eating because of choking."
Looking back at his file, Gu Shen was silent again.
The file was sent to him by the Yan family when they got married. He had never read it before, but now he was interested in it. Then, he realized that there were a lot of things Yan Xi did not eat.
Chestnut was among them, but coriander wasn't.
A person's personality might change, but the food they liked would probably not.
Chapter 177: Public Display Of Love
"What's wrong?" Yan Xi asked. "Did Yan Dong say something bad about me to you again?"
Yan Dong was really hard to get rid of. Last time, he went to find Yan Xi, but it didn't work. This time, he even went to complain about Yan Xi in front of Gu Shen.
"No." Gu Shen shook his head. "He wanted to tell me about the project in the city center and something about you."
Gu Shen looked at Yan Xi quietly. All he wanted now was Yan Xi. Other than her, he didn't care about anything else.
He looked away and told Yan Xi what Yan Dong said.
"Little lover!" When Yan Xi heard it, she reacted very strongly. She asked with her eyes wide open, "What's so strange about us interacting sweetly? Why does Yan Dong think the girl can't be me and has to be your lover?"
After saying that, she looked at Gu Shen with a burning gaze to see what answer he would give.
Gu Shen felt an inexplicable sense of oppression. He was not even this nervous when he first established the company.
After thinking for a long time, he said, "He was blind and thought that everyone will do what he does, having a mistress or secret lover." He looked Yan Xi in the eyes and said, "But that's wrong."
Yan Xi pouted, looking aggrieved.
Gu Shen pondered for a moment before taking out his phone to point at Yan Xi. "Can I take a photo of you?"
"You want to take photos?" Yan Xi asked. "Do you want me to change my clothes or touch up my makeup? That way, I can look better."
"You're very beautiful already." Gu Shen added, "I can use BeautyCam."
"Really?"
"Yes." Gu Shen was certain. He instructed Yan Xi to sit on the swivel chair in front of the desk. "Put your hands in front of your chest."
Yan Xi raised her chin and looked at the camera arrogantly.
After a click, Gu Shen put down his phone and looked at the photo. Yan Xi immediately looked over.
"How's that?"
"Very pretty."
Yan Xi was indeed very beautiful, but her posture looked strange and stiff. It looked like the kind of photo the company would take for outstanding employees to hang on the notification board.
Gu Shen had been observing Yan Xi's expression. "Why don't I take another photo?"
"Just make yourself at home." Yan Xi looked around and sat on the sofa in the study. She then tilted her head to look at Gu Shen.
Gu Shen took a lot of photos this time and then handed the phone to Yan Xi. He didn't see any difference, but Yan Xi did.
"In this one, my eyes look smaller. This one doesn't have good light. This one has darker skin." After choosing for a long time, she finally chose five photos and deleted the rest.
"Why did you delete them?"
"Those photos don't look good." Yan Xi only wanted to leave her perfect self in Gu Shen's phone.
As her gaze landed on Gu Shen's side face, Yan Xi was suddenly struck by a thought. She turned on the selfie mode and took a photo of her kissing Gu Shen.
This was the photo that Yan Xi was most satisfied with today. Anyone could tell, with a glance, that they were a couple in love. She handed the phone to Gu Shen in satisfaction.
"Why did you suddenly think of taking photos?"
"I'll post it on my WeChat Moments," Gu Shen said seriously. He posted the six photos to his WeChat Moments and thought for a moment before writing.
[I like her]
*****
As the new rising star in the industry, Gu Shen's every movement was being watched.
As a result, his post caused a huge commotion.
Secretary Chen was the most enthusiastic.
[Our Madam is really capable. She has won President Gu's heart. I'm willing to give Madam the title of the number one wife in the world.]
[You don't have to say the obvious. I reckon that the first few photos were taken by President Gu. I really didn't expect him to know how to take photos.]
[Not only did he take photos, but he also took selfies with Madam. I think President Gu is being controlled by Madam.]
[So President Gu should be in a good mood tomorrow. Whoever has any rubbish proposal, take the chance.]
As soon as the message was sent in the group, there was no more discussion. They all swarmed to the computer to rush the proposal.