Chapter 106: Happy Cooperation

Xu An'an rushed to the open-air food stalls and ordered to her heart's content, even adding several cans of ice-cold beer. Barbecue alone would hardly be satisfying.

She had been craving this for ages.

The smell alone had her swallowing back saliva again and again.

Only when the owner brought out the dishes did Xu An'an realize she had ordered far too much. There was no way she could finish it all by herself. It would have been nice to have someone else here.

Then, without warning, Jiang Li's figure flashed through her mind.

Xu An'an was so startled that she shook her head hard. Why on earth had she thought of Jiang Li?

It had to be because she had been spending so much time with him lately, which was why he came to mind first. That had to be it.

Just then, a tall figure cast a shadow over her.

Once again, Xu An'an thought of Jiang Li first.

"Miss Xu."

Unfortunately, the person who had arrived was Gu Yang.

Gu Yang had been driving by when he noticed Xu An'an sitting alone at a table while waiting at a red light. Seeing her lonely back, he found a place to park.

Xu An'an froze for a moment, then curved her lips into a smile.

"Mr. Gu, what a coincidence. Why don't you sit down and join me for some late-night food?"

"Thank you, then I'll take you up on it." Gu Yang was dressed in a designer suit, but he did not mind at all. He sat down and opened a beer with practiced ease.

Thinking of the plan that had fallen through, Xu An'an felt that Gu Yang, right in front of her, was actually an excellent partner.

Although the Gu family had never been involved in any beauty-related projects before, they could always start now.

She lifted her beer and clinked it against his.

"Mr. Gu, a while ago I took part in a variety show."

"I watched it. It was quite interesting. I didn't expect Second Master Jiang to appear on a show either," Gu Yang said.

Xu An'an smiled and went on to tell him about her disfigured face. "Now look at me. You can't even tell there was ever a problem."

To make it easier for Gu Yang to see, she removed her makeup on the spot.

Her clear, fair little face, unadorned now, made her look like a college freshman.

Gu Yang studied her carefully, then looked away.

He was afraid that if he kept looking, he might develop feelings he ought not to have.

He had always been rational, and when it came to people and things without a future, he preferred to snuff out the budding thought before it could truly take root.

"The effect is indeed excellent. But is this prescription with the Jiang family?"

"It's with Second Master's people. I suppose I'm helping him with it." Xu An'an was not sure whether Jiang Li would place it under the Jiang Corporation or the Huadi Group.

Gu Yang thought about it briefly. If it really succeeded, it would certainly be good for the Gu family.

So he agreed to work with Xu An'an.

"Pleasure doing business."

"Pleasure doing business."

After they had both eaten and drunk their fill, Gu Yang suggested they take a walk. "I'm too full. I definitely won't be able to sleep if I go straight back now. Walk with me for a bit, and we can talk more about this project along the way."

Xu An'an was of course happy to oblige.

After all, who would refuse to talk about making money?

The two of them chatted for more than half an hour before they even realized it. By then the late-night meal had mostly settled, and Gu Yang offered to drive Xu An'an home.

Xu An'an was just about to follow him toward the car when she noticed two people arguing not far away. Looking closer, she realized—

Wasn't that Xue Shengnan and Tang Jin?

She hurried over quietly.

"What exactly do you want? I already told you, that woman kissed me first. I never expected it, so I didn't dodge."

"I only went to the hotel to discuss work. Could your mind not be so filthy?"

"Fine. If you insist on thinking that way, then believe what you want."

Tang Jin was furious. To anyone who didn't know the situation, it would sound as if the one in the wrong were Xue Shengnan.

Xue Shengnan's eyes were red, tears trembling in them. She could not understand where the man who had once yielded to her in everything, who had been so gentle and considerate, had gone.

Their engagement banquet was supposed to be soon.

She had already notified all their relatives and friends, and everyone was waiting to congratulate her.

She thought of how those relatives always introduced men to her, always saying she was getting on in years and cared only about work, that she would surely never marry.

Even her parents back in the countryside were always being laughed at.

If this whole matter collapsed now, then her parents would have even less standing at home, and the relatives would only mock her more cruelly.

Tang Jin knew perfectly well that Xue Shengnan was in a position where she could not step back now. After throwing his tantrum, he softened his tone to coax her.

"All right, all right. I promise that from now on I'll keep my distance from those female clients, okay?"

"And our engagement banquet is already prepared down to the last detail. We can't cancel it."

Xue Shengnan wiped away her tears and said flatly, "There's still a week left. I hope you mean what you say. If anything like this happens again, I absolutely will not forgive you."

Tang Jin felt that everything was already in his grasp.

He even raised a hand in a solemn vow. "Don't worry. There won't be a next time."

Seeing Xue Shengnan soothed by Tang Jin just like that, Xu An'an was furious, but she could not rush out and say anything. After all, Xue Shengnan had never told her about this.

Gu Yang stood behind Xu An'an and said softly, "Everyone has their own choices. As a friend, you've already done more than enough."

Xu An'an sighed and turned back.

"You're right. As an outsider, there isn't much I can do."

"Let's go back early and get some sleep."

Gu Yang felt that Xu An'an's mindset was actually rather good. At the very least, she did not insist on finding every possible way to prove how awful Tang Jin was. When it came to things beyond her control, she could let go easily.

After all, being too fixated on something was not necessarily a good thing. It only trapped a person until there was nowhere left to go.

On the way back, Xu An'an dozed in the passenger seat. She struggled to stay awake until they reached the building, afraid that if she fell asleep like this she would delay Gu Yang from getting home.

"Thank you. Get some rest early."

"All right. You too." Gu Yang watched Xu An'an go upstairs. He did not leave, but leaned against the car and smoked a cigarette.

At that very moment, Jiang Li came back.

He wore a dark, sour expression, and seeing Gu Yang here so late at night made his face even harder.

"What are you doing here?"

Gu Yang was a little surprised that Jiang Li would show up here. Then he understood something and said, "I just had late-night supper with Miss Xu and drove her home afterward."

Learning that Xu An'an had gone to eat with Gu Yang, Jiang Li immediately bristled.

He clicked his tongue. "Didn't expect the two of you to be on such good terms."

"Don't misunderstand. I only went over because I saw Miss Xu eating alone on the way and kept her company." Gu Yang thought they would be working together soon, and it would be best not to strain the relationship.

Hearing that Gu Yang had approached her on his own, Jiang Li's mood improved a little.

"So why are you still here?"

"I'm a little sleepy. Having a cigarette helps me stay alert so I don't drive drowsy."

"If you're sleepy, then don't drive. Stay here for the night." Jiang Li gestured for Gu Yang to follow.

Gu Yang did not think that was ideal, but since Jiang Li had said it, he must have had his own reasons. So he followed to see what was going on. If he could rest here for the night, that would naturally be best.

He had already thought it through. Sleeping on the sofa would be fine too.

The two of them probably would not start arguing because of him, would they?