Chapter Three: Rear-Ended!
Parking Lot No. 2.
Ming Lang helped load the suitcase into the car trunk, then hurried off to find Lu Zheng.
Gu Yao stood in place, watching Ming Lang’s retreating figure, her mind momentarily blank.
After a while, she gave a self-mocking smile, tugging at the corner of her lips.
The matured Young Master Lu, indeed, could now flawlessly handle even the superficial formalities he once detested.
He was willing to lower himself to offer a smile to someone like her—a “nanny’s daughter.”
After smiling, Gu Yao opened the car door and got in.
This parking lot was specially designated by the Lu family for their household staff.
Among the cars parked there, Gu Yao’s was quite conspicuous.
Conspicuously cheap.
The Lu family’s cars assigned to servants were all at least half a million yuan, while Gu Yao’s car was just a little over two hundred thousand.
Amidst a crowd of luxury vehicles, even though it was new, hers seemed dust-covered.
Yet, driving away from the Lu residence in this car, Gu Yao still felt happy.
She was leaving the Lu family behind and had refused the old Madam Lu’s offer to bring her into the Lu Corporation’s Bolun Group.
From thirteen to twenty-five, she was finally free from the confines of the Lu household.
No longer dependent on others, no longer forced to endure the Lu family’s moods.
Her car was bought by her mother; her future home would be bought by herself; her work would have nothing to do with the Lu family’s connections.
From now on, no matter how modest her living or how hard her work outside, it would be earned by her own efforts.
No one would ever call her a parasite living in someone else's home again!
No one would say she had no place in their social circles!
The seven years of gloom weighing on her heart seemed to dissipate as the car drove past the Lu family gate, the dark clouds finally clearing.
...
Two days before moving into her new home, Gu Yao went out only once on the first day to do some shopping, then stayed in.
She was partnering with Chen Ping’an to start a business, and just handling loans, finding locations, checking housing listings, and selecting products was enough to make her head spin.
Unfortunately, Chen Ping’an’s current job wouldn’t end until next week, so he couldn’t assist her right away.
That evening, Gu Yao was scrolling through real estate listings on her tablet.
Suddenly, her phone on the table vibrated.
She picked it up, frowning slightly.
It was a message from Shu Nuan:
“Yao Yao, I’m off work! Let’s go out for dinner—I want to celebrate your return!”
Gu Yao smiled at the message and replied:
“Okay, send me the address, I’ll put on some makeup and come right away!”
Shu Nuan was Gu Yao’s college roommate. Though not from Ning City, she had coincidentally come to develop her career there after graduation.
They had been close friends at school, and Shu Nuan had long wanted to welcome Gu Yao back but had never found the time due to work.
Today, being Friday and with no work tomorrow, she finally had time.
Gu Yao finished getting ready, then drove to meet Shu Nuan.
They agreed to meet at a barbecue restaurant.
Over the meal, Shu Nuan asked about Gu Yao’s joint venture with Chen Ping’an.
Gu Yao took a sip of her drink and sighed:
“I’m realizing now that the beginning is always the hardest. These past two days, I’ve been looking at shop spaces, researching Ning City’s support policies for young entrepreneurs, and checking suppliers—it’s overwhelming.”
Shu Nuan listened with envy:
“Count yourself lucky. You’re a fresh graduate, just a year into the workforce, already buying a car and starting a business on a whim. Look at me, just a struggling worker bee!”
Gu Yao laughed immediately:
“True, but what if I fail? Then I’ll be in trouble!”
Hearing this, Shu Nuan quickly waved her hand:
“Oh, stop it! Don’t say such gloomy things before you even start!”
She then playfully fed a piece of meat to Gu Yao:
“Boss Gu~ Work hard! Become a little rich lady and then support me so I can taste the life of having money without working!”
Gu Yao couldn’t help but laugh. She raised her glass of orange juice to Shu Nuan:
“Here’s hoping your wish comes true!”
After dinner, it was only half past seven.
Shu Nuan insisted on riding in Gu Yao’s new car. With nowhere else to go, Gu Yao simply drove her around the streets.
Situated in northern China, Ning City’s summer nights darkened gradually after seven.
The roads were clear; car windows rolled down, letting in the cool night breeze.
Shu Nuan had just had a few drinks; likely feeling the buzz, she suddenly yelled and screamed out the window as they crossed a bridge.
Gu Yao’s sedan was practically transformed into a sports car by her exuberance!
Gu Yao shook her head helplessly, deciding to take her home directly.
At the end of the bridge, the traffic light turned red.
Gu Yao stopped the car and patted Shu Nuan’s shoulder.
“Nuan Nuan, tell me your address on the navigation... ah!!”
“Bang!!”
Before she finished speaking, the stationary car was suddenly struck hard from behind.
Gu Yao’s body jolted forward, thankfully restrained by the seatbelt.
Shu Nuan, previously dazed from the drinks, was instantly sobered by the crash.
Her eyes wide with fear, she looked at Gu Yao:
“What’s going on?!”
Gu Yao unfastened her seatbelt and opened the door:
“We’ve been rear-ended!”
She got out immediately.
Turning around, she saw the driver of the other car also stepping out, hurrying to inspect the front of his vehicle.
Seeing Gu Yao approaching, he paused:
“Xiao Yao?”
Gu Yao was also surprised. Looking at the middle-aged man, she said:
“Uncle Wang?”
Then, realizing something, her gaze fell on the black Bentley before her.
The interior was pitch black; the warm streetlight cast a golden glow on the roof, creating a shimmering effect that obscured any view inside.
“This...” Gu Yao gestured toward the Bentley with a meaningful look.
The man opposite seemed a little embarrassed, rubbing his hands together and smiling apologetically:
“Sorry, Xiao Yao. I was driving Mr. Lu home and got distracted for a moment. Didn’t expect to hit your car!”
He looked even more embarrassed:
“Your car is brand new, and I’m the one who crashed into it... this...”
Gu Yao remained silent.
He was driving Mr. Lu home—so the passenger was Lu Zheng.
Her eyes glanced at the dark windows, then quickly averted, showing no intention of greeting him.
She was not happy.
Her brand-new car, not even a day old, was already battle-damaged.
The entire rear bumper was dented inward.
But she could say nothing now, having to wait for the insurance and the traffic police to assign responsibility.
“It’s okay, Uncle Wang. Let’s wait for the police and insurance. It’s already like this,” Gu Yao said, pursing her lips, unsure of what else to add.
Shu Nuan emerged from the car, still a bit angry. Seeing that the other driver and Gu Yao knew each other and were quietly standing aside, she said nothing.
At that moment, the silent Bentley’s door suddenly opened.
A tall man stepped out slowly, exuding an impressive aura.
He lifted his head, his gaze seemingly meeting the woman’s not far away by chance.
Then he turned to the nervous driver beside him:
“Uncle Wang, how could you be so careless!”