The next day when Shen Tang woke up, the sky was already bright. Shen Tang went downstairs and as expected, Gu Huaian had already gone to the company.
Was this guy made of iron? Did he not need to sleep at all? He had slept so late last night yet woke up so early this morning.
Tao Sister laughed so hard her eyes disappeared. "Mistress, you're awake! Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Shen Tang smiled and hugged Tao Sister's arm. "I'm good, I haven't thanked you yet for helping me change and taking off my make-up last night. Oh yes, where are Anran and Wuyun?"
"They were taken back to the old house."
"Are they coming back?"
"Probably not..."
Tao Sister was also unsure, but she understood the reason. It was because the two little ones were too clingy. Eldest young miss (Gu Qing'an) felt they were distracting master and mistress from developing their relationship.
Shen Tang's brows furrowed. Why so sudden? Once they were back at the old house, they wouldn't get to meet as often. What was more upsetting was that she had gone out yesterday and didn't even get to send them off.
Shen Tang opened WeChat and found Gu Huaian. Her fingers lightly tapped the keyboard but she felt nervous when it was time to send the message.
The events from last night were still fresh in her mind. It was so awkward.
Shen Tang steeled herself and hit send with eyes closed.
Gu Huaian did not reply for a long time, probably busy with work.
Shen Tang thought for a bit. "Tao Sister, can you cook more food for lunch later? I want to deliver some."
"To deliver lunch for Master? Sure, I'll prepare more of what Master likes to eat."
Tao Sister hummed happily as she prepared the dishes. Every change in her tune revealed how delighted her mistress was.
Not long later, He Uncle came in. Tao Sister eagerly shared the news with him.
The two whispered to each other, stealing glances at Shen Tang occasionally. The gazes warmed Shen Tang's cheeks till they gradually turned red.
As lunch time approached, Shen Tang carried an extraordinarily large lunch box to Gu Group.
This was Shen Tang's first time visiting. All that was on her mind were scenes from novels where the front desk rejected visitors who came without an appointment, eventually leading to conflict between both parties.
She was apprehensive. Surely she wouldn't be denied entry...
It had to be said, Gu Group was indeed a premier enterprise, situated right in the heart of the city with an entire building to itself.
After Shen Tang alighted from her car, she could not help but be shocked for a moment.
Previously, she had only read in novels about how rich the Gu family was. Yet she did not expect them to be this wealthy.
Carrying the huge thermal container, she went to the front desk on the first floor.
"Excuse me, how do I get to Gu Huaian's office?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Shen Tang felt like there was something wrong with what she said.
The front desk staff looked up and the two made eye contact, both stunned for a moment.
Shen Tang was amazed by how gorgeous the front desk staff was. She was so beautiful Shen Tang almost went wild.
The front desk staff on her part was probably shocked by Shen Tang's identity. After a brief stunned moment, she resumed her smile and asked, "Do you have an appointment?"
"Um, no."
Damn, she forgot about needing an appointment.
Shen Tang inwardly whined. She was an uncultured swine for not having visited such large enterprises before. Please forgive her!
"May I have your name?"
"Shen Tang."
The front desk staff did not say anything more. Instead, she picked up the phone to inquire before pointing to a resting area at the side, "Miss Shen, please kindly wait over here for a while. Someone will come down to get you."
"Alright, thanks!"
Shen Tang sat at the resting area to wait. She casually picked up a magazine which contained interviews with Gu Huaian.
Tsk, what an annoying man. Even his pictures were so handsome. No wonder he was the most sought after fifth young master in the country.
Though he had an aloof look with that poker face of his.
"Miss Shen."
Hearing the voice, Shen Tang turned around. It was actually Cen Assistant!
"Cen Assistant, long time no see!"
"You're here to... deliver lunch for Chairman Gu?" Cen Assistant took over the lunch box as the two spoke while walking.
Shen Tang grinned. "Yup! I'm not disturbing you guys, am I?"
"No disturbance at all. But Chairman Gu is still busy. Please wait for a while longer in the lounge."
"No problem. You guys go about your work first."
Upon entering Gu Huaian's lounge, Shen Tang clicked her tongue. The minimalist cool-toned interior resembled the man himself.
But goodness, the place was so huge! There was even a gym area. No wonder he had such great physique despite the endless work and lack of rest.
Were all CEOs so hardworking that they even squeezed time out of work to exercise?
Shen Tang pinched the soft flesh on her arm. She had not exercised for a long time.
After a brief moment of guilt, she quickly justified it to herself.
She had just recovered physically and still could not engage in strenuous activities. She would think about this matter again in the future. Ahem.
She had no idea how long she waited but the room door was suddenly pushed open.
"Gu—" Shen Tang turned around, taken aback for a moment.
Because the person who entered was not Gu Huaian, but rather the Lotus Sis from Gu Huaian's mouth.
Didn't Gu Huaian say they were not close? What was she doing here? And she was even holding onto a lunch box!
The other party was also clearly stunned before nodding her head with a faint smile. "Hello."
"Hi."
The two women sat far apart from each other without exchanging any words. An eerie silence hung in the room.
Shen Tang wondered if the other party felt as awkward as she did. In any case, she herself felt rather awkward.
She discreetly sized up the lady opposite. Dressed simply in a white dress, hair flowing freely behind her back, light makeup for an au naturel look, the lady resembled a pure white lotus.
Please do not get the wrong idea. Shen Tang was merely speaking literally and had no intention of degrading the lady.
Shen Tang lowered her head to take a look at her own leisure wear and slippers, wriggling her toes slightly in discomfort.
Every minute and second that ticked by felt like agony. Just as Shen Tang could barely sit still any longer, the room door opened again.
This time, the person who entered was Gu Huaian. Clad in a well-fitted suit with every button meticulously buttoned all the way to the top, faint hints of fatigue showed between his brows.
"Gu Huaian!" Shen Tang immediately stood up.
"Huaian." The other woman also affectionately called out.
"What are you doing here?"
"I—"
Before Shen Tang could complete her sentence, the lady called Lotus hurriedly said, "I came to deliver lunch for you. Uncle said that you often skip meals irregularly. It's bad for your stomach."
Shen Tang's ears perked up to listen.
Uncle? Gu Huaian's father?
Damn, so he asked another lady to personally deliver lunch. His intentions were clear!
Their previous meeting was unpleasant. But it seemed normal for Gu Huaian to not be interested in her.
Gu Huaian cast a sideways glance at Shen Tang and rejected outright, "Thanks but no need. My wife has already delivered lunch for me."
"Wife?" The girl looked extremely shocked as if she were unaware of this matter.
Shen Tang was also very surprised. She did not expect Gu Huaian to put it so blatantly.
"Yes, this is my wife. Miss Zhou, we should refrain from overstepping the boundaries between men and women. Please do not come again in future."
With this, Zhou Qinglian nearly could not maintain the poise. "Huaian..."
But Gu Huaian paid her no heed as he looked towards Shen Tang. "Why are you standing there as a punishment?"
"No..."
His tone contained faint hints of threat that Shen Tang immediately decided not to say anything more.
She was sincere by nature and quickly swallowed the words that were about to spill out.
"Come over then if not."
Shen Tang hurriedly went over, lunch box in hand, stealing looks around her. "Shall we... eat together?"
The lady pursed her lips as her eyes reddened. On the verge of tears, she looked absolutely pitiful.
She trembled and after taking a look at Shen Tang, lowered her eyes, "I'll take my leave since I have matters to attend to."
As she stumbled out in hastened steps, her retreating figure seemed devastated.
Even Shen Tang felt bad looking at her. Then looking back at Gu Huaian's expressionless face without the slightest ripple.
"You—" Didn't he feel anything at all?
"Hmm?"
For some reason, the low hum from Gu Huaian carried vague threats.
As Shen Tang was sincere by nature, she hurriedly swallowed back the words she was about to utter.
"Uh... Are you hungry? Let's eat first ba."
"Mm."
Gu Huaian took off his suit jacket, leaving just the white shirt inside which faintly outlined his well-built chest.
Shen Tang stared with sparkling eyes. Wow so firm. She was so tempted to touch it.
It had to be said, even an action as simple as Gu Huaian rolling up his sleeves was a visual feast.
And those hands of his—bony joints yet long slender fingers. As someone with a hand fetish, Shen Tang could not help but ogle persistently as her thoughts stray uncontrollably.
Gu Huaian's actions paused for a moment as he sighed helplessly. "What are you looking at? Time to eat."
"Oh..."
Shen Tang stole another peek before withdrawing her gaze.
Damn! Gu Huaian must be heaven's favorite. Not only were doors open for him, it seemed like all windows were open too!
The disparity between humans...
