Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 454 - 455: Fate? What nonsense is Gu Mingzhu thinking again!
Half an hour later, the car stopped at a top-level club. King Jingyao ascended the steps, lighting a cigarette as he walked.
Today, King Jingyao was meeting up with a childhood friend, Shen Qinghe, to have a drink and chat about some issues.
But when he pushed open the door, in addition to his old friend, there was also a young girl.
King Jingyao recognized her. She’s the youngest daughter of the Gu family, isn’t she? Why is she here?
The secretary quietly asked, "Mr. Wang, will you still be having tea?"
King Jingyao replied casually, "Well, since I’m here, of course, I’ll drink it."
With that, he walked in. His old friend was the CEO of a company, the astronomically rich type, yet he couldn’t help but be somewhat reserved in King Jingyao’s presence.
King Jingyao smiled softly. "Qinghe, you’re being too formal. We’ve known each other since childhood. There’s no need for this."
Shen Qinghe relaxed a bit. He was about to speak but glanced at Wang Jingchuan first.
King Jingyao just laughed. "Jingchuan has been with me for quite a while. He’s one of us." He signaled for Wang Jingchuan to sit down.
At this point, Shen Qinghe seemed to remember Gu Mingzhu and smacked his forehead. "Look at me, I completely forgot to introduce her! This is an old friend’s child, Gu Mingzhu."
He chuckled again. "Mingzhu, this is a big shot, the one you often see on TV."
Gu Mingzhu gave a charming laugh. "Uncle Shen, I’ve seen him before."
Shen Qinghe looked surprised. "Really? Then it must be fate!"
King Jingyao pulled out a cigarette, and the secretary immediately lit it for him.
He took a drag and smiled. "I do seem to remember meeting her."
Shen Qinghe said, "Oh? What a coincidence! Why don’t we just have dinner together? We can eat here too."
King Jingyao showed no objection. He glanced at his secretary, and Wang Jingchuan immediately went to make the arrangements.
Once the secretary and Wang Jingchuan had left, Shen Qinghe began to praise Gu Mingzhu profusely. He complimented her talent, noting she was already making movies at such a young age, among other things.
King Jingyao’s gaze rested on Gu Mingzhu, clear and bright, looking very impressed. "Oh, that’s not bad."
Gu Mingzhu’s heartbeat quickened. She said softly, "My main focus is still on my studies. I am studying Chinese Literature at North City University."
King Jingyao looked somewhat interested. "North City U? It seems that Dr. Gu is also from North City U."
The corners of Gu Mingzhu’s mouth tightened briefly. "Yes, she also graduated from North City U."
King Jingyao laughed again. "So, how is your relationship?"
Gu Mingzhu lowered her eyes and bit her lower lip. "I treat her like my sister, but..."
She looked up and smiled. "But she doesn’t seem to like me very much."
As she said this, King Jingyao’s gaze turned somewhat profound, and he followed it with a soft laugh.
He didn’t say anything, and Gu Mingzhu didn’t dare to speak further.
After a moment, King Jingyao finally spoke, "Dr. Gu indeed doesn’t seem too easy to get along with."
Gu Mingzhu looked up in surprise. Her heart felt as if it had been smoothed out by an iron, a very comforting sensation.
The secretary, who had just re-entered the room, happened to overhear this. When men lose their integrity, they really can say anything against their conscience, he sighed inwardly.
Later, during the meal, King Jingyao chatted with his childhood friend but didn’t say much to Gu Mingzhu. Gu Mingzhu, however, behaved very appropriately by not interrupting. She thoughtfully served him food using the communal chopsticks.
Shen Qinghe took the opportunity to comment, "Mingzhu really is considerate! I wonder who will have such good fortune in the future."
He then chuckled. "The young lady is twenty this year, doesn’t have a boyfriend yet, and is very innocent."
Gu Mingzhu smiled. "Next month is my birthday. Uncle Shen and Mr. Wang, you must attend my birthday party."
Shen Qinghe immediately picked at her words. "Mingzhu, that’s not right. You call me Uncle Shen, but you call Jingyao ’Mr. Wang’. What’s the logic in that?"
Gu Mingzhu lowered her head, not saying a word.
Shen Qinghe started laughing.
King Jingyao, as if he hadn’t heard the implication, said, "That must be because you look a bit old, Qinghe."
Knowing the young lady felt upset, Shen Qinghe smoothed things over. "My bad! I should drink three cups as an apology. I’ll absolutely attend your birthday party, and I’ll bring a big gift."
Gu Mingzhu softly thanked him, then asked in a low voice, "Mr. Wang, will you come?"
King Jingyao wasn’t one to make people lose face. He held his cup and smiled faintly. "I’ll see if I have time."
The secretary chimed in at the right moment, "Mr. Wang is usually swamped with work."
Gu Mingzhu bit her lip. "Then, could I have a contact number?"
That was quite forward of her...
King Jingyao took a sip of tea. The secretary beside him immediately presented a business card, saying, "This is my card, Miss Gu. If you need to reach Mr. Wang for anything, please feel free to contact me."
Although Gu Mingzhu was slightly disappointed it wasn’t King Jingyao’s private number, being able to contact his close aide was already a very good outcome. So she accepted it with both hands.
King Jingyao wasn’t actually in a good mood. After a few perfunctory exchanges, he said he had other matters to attend to and left early. Shen Qinghe and Gu Mingzhu escorted him to the door.
The secretary opened the car door for his boss, allowing him to get in. Then, the secretary turned around. "Mr. Shen, Miss Gu, goodbye." After that, he walked around to the front and got into the passenger seat.
Once the car door closed, King Jingyao rubbed his forehead. "That Elder Shen is really getting muddled. To accept this kind of task... If he looks for me again, just refuse him on my behalf."
The secretary smiled. "And what if it’s Miss Gu Mingzhu?"
King Jingyao snorted. "If Gu Yuanshan weren’t still somewhat useful, I couldn’t be bothered with her! If she calls... just handle her. Don’t be too cold, but don’t be too warm either."
The secretary added, "So, you’re not interested then."
His boss immediately bristled. "Do you really think I fall for every woman I meet?"
The secretary said no more.
King Jingyao sat quietly for a moment, then said, "Let’s go to the hospital. I’ll spend some time with the old man."
After they left, Shen Qinghe looked at Gu Mingzhu. "Mingzhu, I believe I’ve successfully completed the task your mother gave me. It seems Jingyao quite admires you."
Gu Mingzhu smiled faintly. "Thank you, Uncle Shen."
Shen Qinghe chuckled. "You’re welcome! Just don’t forget your Uncle Shen when you soar to success one day."
Gu Mingzhu replied demurely, "I will naturally remember Uncle Shen’s kindness."
Shen Qinghe left first. Gu Mingzhu clutched the business card, a faint smile playing on her lips.
In the elite circles of Beicheng, the Wang Family represented supreme authority.
Although the four great families were wealthy and had extensive connections, they couldn’t compare to King Jingyao’s status—his was a position at the pinnacle of power.
Gu Mingzhu understood in her heart that there would be no shortage of women around King Jingyao. For instance, Lin Hua, a very well-known violinist, and countless other women desired to marry him...
But she would be the most outstanding one among them.
Not only did she want to make "Pain of Youth" a box office success, she also had to win an award!
She was determined to secure this year’s Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film!
At that time, Mr. Wang would surely see her in a new light.
