Chapter Nine: She Truly Smiled with Joy.

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Not long after Han Yuncai and Gu Yao finished talking about Qian Mu, Gu Yao received a friend request from him. Once accepted, a message quickly arrived:

“Yao Yao, it’s Qian Mu. Long time no see!”

Though it was just a text, the tone revealed a sunny personality. Gu Yao, seemingly infected by the cheerful vibe, smiled and replied:

“Long time no see.”

They exchanged a few words about their recent lives. Despite over a decade apart, perhaps due to Qian Mu’s outgoing nature, Gu Yao felt no awkwardness or unfamiliarity in their conversation. It was as if they were truly old friends reunited after a long time.

Eventually, after Qian Mu suggested meeting for a meal, they ended the chat. Gu Yao naturally agreed, but not for that evening—Qian Mu had to work late. They arranged to meet the following night.

The next day, Gu Yao busied herself with selecting products. She also chatted with several job applicants who had sent resumes and met two of them at a nearby café in the afternoon. In the end, only one showed interest in joining. Gu Yao added her on WeChat and told her she would be notified before the store’s opening. However, Gu Yao knew the opening was still far off, and if the young woman needed a job urgently, she might not wait. So, she held no high hopes.

After the two interviews, Gu Yao glanced at the time. It was three in the afternoon—two more hours until Qian Mu finished work. She pondered, asked for Qian Mu’s company address, and drove to a nearby mall to browse while waiting.

Regarding Qian Mu, if her memories were limited to childhood, Gu Yao quite liked this handsome little brother. He was lively, sweet-tongued, and always snuck her snacks whenever they met. Back then, Gu Yao wore braces, and Han Yuncai seldom allowed her sweets, so nearly all her treats came from Qian Mu’s secret offerings.

Near five o’clock, Gu Yao received a message from Qian Mu:

“Yao Yao, I’ll be off in fifteen minutes. Where shall we meet?”

Walking toward the elevator, she replied:

“I’m near your office. I’ll come pick you up.”

She also sent him her license plate number for easy identification.

At exactly five, Gu Yao’s car pulled up beneath Qian Mu’s office building. After about ten minutes, someone tapped on the window. She turned as the window rolled down, revealing an overly handsome, strikingly handsome face.

“Qian Mu?”

Gu Yao raised an eyebrow slightly, asking with certainty.

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The man outside wore a white T-shirt and beige cargo pants. His mixed heritage gave his face sharp, refined features. Upon hearing Gu Yao’s voice, he smiled brightly.

“It's me, Yao Yao.”

Gu Yao immediately smiled and nodded toward the passenger seat.

“Get in.”

Without hesitation, Qian Mu opened the door and slid in. The black Jaguar swiftly drove away.

Not far off, a tall figure stood on the steps outside the building, eyes dark and heavy as he watched the car depart.

Lu Zheng had not expected to see Gu Yao’s car beneath the company. Nor did he expect she was there to pick up a man.

His chest felt tight and aching. He was angry but forced himself to hold back.

He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and inhaled deeply. The smoke drifted around him, nicotine soothing his nearly exploding emotions.

After a moment, he asked:

“Is that guy from our company?”

Ming Lang, standing behind Lu Zheng and having seen everything clearly, eagerly defended their boss in his mind.

“He’s a new employee named Qian Mu, responsible for data collection at Anyuan.”

Ming Lang’s words fell as Lu Zheng fell silent again, puffing his cigarette, eyes still fixed on the direction the car had gone, lost in thought.

It was rush hour; people came and went at the company entrance. Some purposely greeted Lu Zheng, others avoided him, and some quickly adjusted their clothes and hair, hoping to leave an impression.

Lu Zheng ignored them all. He finished his cigarette on the steps, gaze distant.

After a long while, he finally spoke:

“Ask about his relationship with Miss Gu tomorrow. For now, track where they went.”

Ming Lang nodded immediately, pulling out his phone and opening a map app. A red dot moved slowly on the screen...

A hotpot fish restaurant.

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Before Gu Yao and Qian Mu, a three-pound fish lay cooked in the pot. They ate and talked; after over ten years, there was no awkwardness.

When discussing work, Gu Yao was surprised to learn Qian Mu now worked for a company under the Bolun Group.

Qian Mu was actually employed by the Lu family’s company! What a coincidence!

But this also proved Qian Mu’s ability. The Bolun Group’s companies had high standards and were not easy to enter.

Moreover, Qian Mu’s entry had been smooth—one interview and he was hired.

After finishing their meal, they stepped out of the mall and strolled around the plaza outside. Gu Yao found it easy to talk with Qian Mu.

He was emotionally intelligent and articulate; conversations with him required no effort.

They reminisced about childhood. Lincheng was a small city; driving around it took only about forty minutes, and life moved slowly.

At that time, Gu Yao’s father was still alive, and her mother did not work outside. The three lived simply but warmly in their old Lincheng home.

Sadly, misfortune struck—her father died from illness. Perhaps afraid of painful memories, Han Yuncai had taken Gu Yao back only three or four times in nearly ten years, twice for funerals, the rest for important family matters.

By now, Gu Yao hadn't returned in a long time.

Upon hearing Gu Yao’s sigh, Qian Mu smiled.

Handsome as he was, his smile softened his eyebrows and eyes, causing passing young women to glance back involuntarily.

“No worries, Yao Yao. Whenever you go back, you can take me along. Lincheng has changed a lot. It’s not as flashy or lively as a big city, but the culture and scenery are quite nice. It’s a key tourist city now!”

“I’ll be your tour guide.”

Gu Yao chuckled softly.

“Alright, I’ll definitely find you then.”

Her lips curved, red and bright; her eyes curved with warmth. The night breeze lifted her hair, blurring her features but making her even more enchanting.

Nearby, in a car by the parking lot, the window was down. In the twilight, the interior was dark, but a crimson glow flickered inside.

A man rested one arm on the window, a cigarette between his tight, crimson lips, his gaze cold and stern.

Several girls passed by and glanced back. One gasped softly upon seeing him. They all blushed, slowed their pace, nudging and teasing each other before finally moving on.

But the man looked cold and aloof, intimidating enough to scare them off.

Otherwise, surely one would have asked for his contact info.

Lu Zheng was unaware of the girls’ disappointment. Even if he knew, he wouldn’t care.

His only concern was that woman laughing brightly not far from the car.

She looked genuinely happy.

After all these days, and several meetings, she had never smiled so radiantly at him before.