Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 488 - 489: Who exactly is Designer KO?

The old man happily watched their banter, but the old lady sighed silently to herself. King Jingyao did seem genuinely happy, but this sort of happiness also seemed stolen from the Bo Family.

The old lady felt both sorrow and some concern for her son. He was already a grown man; it was about time for him to have someone caring by his side. But looking at the current situation, it seemed there was little hope of that, with all his affection focused on his little rascal.

During the meal, each person ate with their own thoughts in mind.

Gu Anxi’s competitive spirit was stirred; she decided to come up with a remarkable design that would dazzle a certain someone.

Following this, the design competition hosted by King Jingyao’s office was in full swing, receiving over a thousand submissions in just a week, leaving the secretary-general overwhelmed.

Of course, he was also actively searching for the legendary KO, hoping that they would complete this design task, because people who could win Mr. King’s appreciation were indeed few.

Just as the secretary-general was getting a headache, he received a call from Italy saying they had apparently found the designer. The secretary-general was thrilled. "Send me their profile; I’ll contact them."

The secretary-general soon received a file. When he saw the file, he was somewhat surprised.

Gu Mingzhu? How could it be her? The building was designed several years ago; she was only fifteen at the time, wasn’t she? Such a prodigy?

However, the secretary-general still handed the file to King Jingyao, who frowned. "How could it be her?"

The secretary-general also found it difficult. As Mr. King’s confidant, he was well aware of King Jingyao’s current dislike for Tang Yuan and indifference toward Gu Mingzhu.

He quietly watched his master, awaiting instructions.

King Jingyao then spoke, "Make an exception for her to be in the final round of the competition."

"Then, you’re not going to meet her privately?" the secretary-general asked cautiously.

King Jingyao gave him a faint smile. "Why should I meet her? Oh, speaking of which, isn’t Lin Hua holding a concert? Inform her I will attend."

The secretary-general was startled but quickly realized. Mr. King was just creating a smokescreen!

King Jingyao looked up at him. "What are you thinking!"

He then sighed. "The old lady said I should find someone who can understand my needs and comfort me. I just don’t want her to worry."

The secretary-general asked softly, "Are you interested in Miss Lin Hua?"

The influential man leaned back on the sofa, his expression indifferent. "It’s not about being interested or not. We’ve known each other for many years; I don’t dislike her, I suppose."

In fact, there are plenty of dignified women like her. It might be because Lin Hua hadn’t shown any obvious ambition, so he didn’t mind her presence. When he occasionally needed a female companion, she was the first person he thought of.

The secretary-general just smiled. At King Jingyao’s age and position, he rarely had the impulsiveness of his youth; falling in love easily was out of the question. Considering King Jingyao’s attitude, he was probably just humoring the old lady, with no intention of settling down at all.

There is one person he might want to settle down with, but she’s someone else’s precious ’cub’!

The secretary-general went to make arrangements. King Jingyao reviewed the designs again; none of them met his standards.

「Over at the Gu family villa」

Tang Yuan paced back and forth. She then stopped and said to Gu Mingzhu, "Mingzhu, you must seize this opportunity."

Gu Mingzhu looked down at the designs on the table.

She understood design, but the building in Italy from years ago wasn’t her design, and she wasn’t KO.

However, the contractor for that building was an acquaintance of Tang Yuan’s. When King Jingyao’s secretary-general was searching for someone, Tang Yuan had somehow learned about it and immediately orchestrated a deception.

Gu Mingzhu was still a little uneasy. She whispered, "Mom, I’m worried things might change."

Tang Yuan reassured her, "It will be fine. KO only designed one building and then vanished; who knows who they are? Besides, if we can come up with a decent design that satisfies Mr. King, there should be no problem."

Gu Mingzhu bit her lip. "But I’m afraid my design won’t satisfy Mr. King."

Tang Yuan gave her a reassuring smile. "I’ve already asked a renowned master to guide you; you will surely be able to win this competition."

She persuaded further, "Mingzhu, this is an excellent opportunity. Mr. King greatly admires KO. When he knows your identity and sees your design, he will be amazed."

After these words, Gu Mingzhu’s unease seemed to disappear completely. She softly said, "Thursday is the deadline, Mom. Should I send this design to the master for revision?"

Tang Yuan nodded and smiled. "Yes! But don’t tell him you’re KO."

"Why?" Gu Mingzhu was puzzled.

Tang Yuan looked a little uncomfortable. "Because this Master Xunyi was KO’s teacher."

Gu Mingzhu was surprised and felt a hint of shame.

After a moment, she bit her lip. "Then I won’t say anything; I’ll just ask for guidance on the work."

Tang Yuan stroked her head, then paused for a moment before saying, "I heard that Mr. King went to see Lin Hua’s performance. Mingzhu, you’re not the only one who wants to marry King Jingyao!"

Gu Mingzhu looked down. "But I believe I’m the most talented and youngest among them."

Tang Yuan smiled. "Your mother has high hopes for you."

While they were talking, Shen Congwen arrived. Tang Yuan, knowing that Gu Yuanshan had recently started to rely on Shen Congwen again, was particularly polite. "Congwen, you’re here."

Shen Congwen gave a faint smile. "Mr. Gu asked me to come and discuss something."

Tang Yuan smiled. "Alright, you should go quickly."

Shen Congwen was in the study for about half an hour. When he came out, Gu Mingzhu was still there.

Seeing him come out, Gu Mingzhu immediately stood up. "Brother Congwen."

Shen Congwen looked at her quietly. "Is something wrong?"

Gu Mingzhu, dressed in a youthful, tender-yellow outfit, slowly walked over with her hands behind her back, her voice very soft. "Brother Congwen, don’t you have anything to say to me?"

He gave a faint smile. "Probably not."

A trace of moisture appeared in Gu Mingzhu’s eyes. "You never..."

Shen Congwen cut her off, his voice indifferent. "I’ve never liked anyone, not you, nor anyone else. Does hearing that make you feel any better?"

Gu Mingzhu’s eyes widened. After a pause, she asked, "Do you have... some psychological issues?"

"No," Shen Congwen answered very faintly. "It’s just very difficult for me to develop feelings for someone."

Gu Mingzhu was stunned for a moment. But, inexplicably, she did feel somewhat better psychologically. She wanted to say more, but Shen Congwen said quietly that he had matters to attend to and left.

He got into his car but paused for a good half minute.

He said it was very difficult for him to develop feelings for someone, but... it wasn’t really that difficult... He had liked someone before.

But it’s quite impossible now.

Shen Congwen wanted to smoke a cigarette, but after a moment’s thought, he gave up the idea.

「When he returned to his apartment」

His head ached. He lay down quietly on the sofa, remaining there until dusk fell and the room was completely dark.

In his daze, he sensed someone beside him, a very, very gentle presence...

He was startled and immediately sat up. "Zhou Yunchen?"

But when he opened his eyes, he saw his own mother!

Shen Congwen touched his forehead and slowly lay back down. "Mom, it’s you."

His mother’s expression was very complex, filled with heartache for her son.

She thought for a moment, then asked softly, "If it wasn’t because you were always getting injured and falling ill when you were little, forcing us to raise you as a boy, would you perhaps be able to marry and have children like normal now?"