Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 373 - 374 Shen Congwen! I have no intention towards Miss Gu
Gu Changqing didn’t plan on dedicating his all, and it was best if Ding Ning didn’t put all her heart and soul into him either. If they got along well, becoming a harmonious couple in the future would be enough. He wouldn’t cheat; he would be loyal to the marriage. That was already enough. Anything more, he wasn’t prepared to give. But now, she wanted it. He could try to placate her, but what then? She would likely often ask for things he couldn’t give. Gu Changqing never forced feelings, and Ding Ning wasn’t his first girlfriend... He didn’t know if she was crying now.
He stood there, watching quietly. After about half an hour, Ding Ning drove her car away.
She didn’t come up, and he, surprisingly, felt somewhat pleased.
Gu Changqing closed his eyes slightly and let out a long sigh.
Perhaps... it shouldn’t have been so quick...
He hadn’t slept well all night. The next morning, his head ached a little, and it throbbed even more after receiving a call from Gu Yuanshan...
No matter how reluctant, he still made a trip back to the Gu family villa.
Gu Yuanshan closed the door to discuss matters with him. Gu Changqing keenly noticed Shen Congwen’s absence, so he patted his trouser leg, sat down, and said calmly, "Where’s your confidant?"
Gu Yuanshan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Mingzhu..."
He’d barely gotten her name out when Gu Changqing laughed. "Isn’t Shen Congwen doing well! Weren’t you quite appreciative of him?"
With only his son present, Gu Yuanshan decided to be frank: "I don’t approve of Mingzhu and Congwen, so Congwen has rarely come to the villa recently."
Gu Changqing laughed again. "You seem to be overthinking things. I don’t believe Assistant Shen has those kinds of intentions toward Mingzhu. Isn’t it ridiculous to be so guarded? Besides, Mingzhu’s temperament is a precise inheritance of the essence of you and her mother. How could she easily entrust her life to someone?"
These words made Gu Yuanshan’s face flush red then pale. He was furious!
It’s better when this son isn’t around. Every time they meet, he either embarrasses me or picks a fight! He doesn’t act like a son at all!
Gu Yuanshan said emphatically, "Anyway, it’s always better to prevent trouble before it starts."
"Aren’t you afraid of chilling Assistant Shen’s heart?" Gu Changqing smiled. "Although I don’t like him, he’s excellent at his job, loyal to you, and presentable. Such talent is one in a thousand. If he’s angered away, where will you find another one?"
This struck a sore spot for Gu Yuanshan. He sighed softly. "I called you here for this matter. The monthly banquet is next week. It’s a week-long event where the young people will be eating and living together, and I’m worried something might happen. So this time, I want you to preside over it and make sure things go smoothly."
Gu Changqing smiled faintly. "Doesn’t Aunt enjoy these kinds of activities?"
Mentioning Gu Ning, Gu Yuanshan sighed softly again. "Your aunt is always flying around these days and isn’t willing to manage company affairs anymore. I’m really stretched thin right now. Changqing, the banquet is one thing. More importantly, I want you to come back and take over Gu Corporation."
Gu Changqing was blunt: "Sorry, I’m not interested."
Gu Yuanshan added, "Mingzhu is a good child, but lately, I’ve seen she’s more suited to artistic pursuits, not material for business. So, Gu Corporation still needs you to take over."
Gu Changqing suddenly said, "Why don’t you consider Shen Congwen? He’s a very talented individual. Being an assistant is a waste of his talent."
At this, Gu Yuanshan seemed taken aback. "Him?"
Shen Congwen is indeed capable, but I’ve never thought of grooming him to be the head of Gu Corporation. In my mind, Shen Congwen should be by my side, working for me. And Congwen has never shown any signs of ambition.
Gu Changqing chuckled. "See? Never thought of it, right? Dad, you can’t retain talent that way. I heard An Pu really likes Congwen and is keen to poach him."
"Is that so?" Gu Yuanshan pondered this. He really needed to plan carefully.
Although he disapproved of the matter between Mingzhu and Shen Congwen, he still had to retain him. After all, he was a capable subordinate, and others couldn’t compare.
Gu Changqing agreed to handle the banquet and then left.
Gu Yuanshan then performed a divination for Shen Congwen.
The hexagram showed: Shen Congwen will have no woman in his life! No marriage!
Gu Yuanshan felt relieved. In that case, even if I make some small promises, I reckon nothing will go wrong.
So, he called Shen Congwen over, saying he had matters to discuss.
Shen Congwen had felt somewhat neglected by Gu Yuanshan lately. Mr. Gu no longer passed many matters through him, and he was hesitating about whether to resign. He wasn’t slow; naturally, he understood this was related to Gu Mingzhu. But it was hard to explain such things, so he could only offer a bitter smile.
Now that Gu Yuanshan has summoned me, it must be related to this.
With the door closed, only the two of them were in the study. Gu Yuanshan, who had been cold to him for quite some time, unusually patted his shoulder today. "Congwen, Changqing and I discussed something earlier. Changqing strongly recommended you. I also believe you’re a great talent. So, starting tomorrow, besides handling matters here for me, you will also concurrently serve as Vice President of Gu Corporation. Although it’s a VP role, Gu Ning doesn’t involve herself much these days, so many things will be up to you to decide."
Shen Congwen was startled.
Gu Yuanshan smiled faintly again. "The other day, didn’t I tell you to find a girlfriend? Ai, it was my oversight as a father not to realize about you and Mingzhu... My bad. When Mingzhu is a bit older..."
However, Shen Congwen calmly refused, "Mr. Gu, you’ve misunderstood. I harbor no improper thoughts towards Miss Gu."
Gu Yuanshan was stunned.
This... Even if you don’t, you can’t just say it outright! Is Shen Congwen too insensible?
Seeing Gu Yuanshan’s disbelief, Shen Congwen gritted his teeth. "I already have someone I like."
Gu Yuanshan was taken aback again: What young woman could possibly outshine Mingzhu?
He immediately thought of someone and tentatively asked, "An Xi?"
It must be An Xi. Otherwise, no other young woman is prettier or more talented than Mingzhu.
Shen Congwen said softly, "In any case, I already have someone I like."
Gu Yuanshan was slightly disappointed. So it isn’t An Xi.
He wanted to ask more, but then he thought, isn’t it better if Shen Congwen has no such intentions? The stone that had long been pressing on his heart finally lifted. He could retain a talented man, so why wouldn’t he be happy?
When Shen Congwen came out, he happened to meet Gu Changqing.
He stopped. "Thank you, Young Master Gu, for speaking up for me."
Gu Changqing, hands in his pockets, smiled faintly. "I wasn’t helping you. I just can’t stand some people thinking too much of themselves. It’s that simple."
Shen Congwen smiled. "Regardless, from my perspective, thanks are still due."
Gu Changqing narrowed his eyes. "You refused just now, didn’t you?"
"Yes," Shen Congwen said firmly. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Gu Changqing chuckled. "Interesting! Quite a backbone. Keep it up!"
Shen Congwen suddenly asked him, "Young Master Gu, have you ever liked someone?"
