Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 550 - 551 What, Congwen is Voluntary? 3000 words
Gu Yuanshan wanted to see someone, so he habitually called out, "Congwen."
He called twice, but no one answered. The study was quiet. Only then did he realize that Congwen had already left the Gu family.
He sat there quietly for a long time.
After a lifetime of splendor, he found himself with only a sister to confide in, and no one else.
At this moment, he felt a pang of regret. If I hadn’t agreed to Anxi’s request, would Congwen still be by my side? Then he wouldn’t have fallen into Zhou Yunchen’s clutches, constantly being bullied by that scoundrel.
Gu Yuanshan sighed deeply and got up to instruct his driver, "Prepare the car."
The driver, an old-timer himself, saw his master in this state and figured he must have suffered a great blow. He felt sympathy but knew it wasn’t his place to say anything. If only Mr. Shen were here, he would surely be able to console him.
After a short while, Gu Yuanshan got into the car. The driver turned his head and asked, "Mr. Gu, where would you like to go?"
Gu Yuanshan thought for a moment. "Go to the Cloud He Group."
The driver chuckled. "We can go, Sir, but I’m afraid they won’t have started their normal workday yet..."
The driver, being an old hand, instantly guessed who Gu Yuanshan wanted to visit. He didn’t mention whether the other party would want to see him; even if they did, they might still be sleeping in.
The young head of the Cloud He Group was famous in Beicheng for her relaxed approach to work. She managed her subordinates so effectively that they became like combat tools, and the company’s performance soared like a high-speed train, making everyone else envious.
Hearing this, Gu Yuanshan remembered and grew somber. "Then let’s find a good breakfast spot first. Old Lin, it’s my treat."
Old Lin knew Mr. Gu was in a foul mood, so he readily agreed. He tried to chat with Gu Yuanshan on the way, but Gu Yuanshan wasn’t very talkative.
Gradually, the driver dared not say much more. He drove to a well-known breakfast restaurant and, as they got out, made a point of saying, "Mr. Gu, this Hong Kong-style restaurant is incredibly popular. It’s always packed. If you don’t come early, you won’t get a seat."
Gu Yuanshan knew Old Lin was trying to cheer him up. A bitter and astringent feeling rose in his heart; To think that now, only my driver is willing to try and console me. He managed a faint smile, and they went in together.
Old Lin was quite relaxed and handled everything from ordering to pouring tea and water, being as considerate as possible. Once they were settled, he said softly, "Sir, this pine needle tea is a specialty here. Please try it."
Gu Yuanshan took a sip. It was nothing but bitter, yet he smiled and said, "It’s not bad."
Old Lin also smiled. "If you like it, let’s drink a bit more. It’s still early."
As they were talking, Old Lin’s eyes suddenly fixed on a spot—
Gu Yuanshan, not understanding, asked, "What are you looking at, Old Lin?"
Old Lin quickly waved his hand. "Nothing, nothing. My eyes were just playing tricks on me."
Gu Yuanshan felt he wasn’t being truthful and followed his gaze. What he saw struck him like a thunderbolt, leaving him utterly scorched, inside and out.
That couple... that couple feeding each other—wasn’t it Zhou Yunchen and Congwen?
His capable assistant and confidant, Congwen, was being held by Zhou Yunchen, who was feeding him something. Congwen silently shook his head, indicating he didn’t want any more, but that Zhou fellow was still forcing him.
This was truly too much!
At this moment, Gu Yuanshan felt just as he had when he found out Tang Yuan had cuckolded him; he wanted to rush over and tear Zhou Yunchen to shreds. After the events of last night, Gu Yuanshan was on the verge of a complete breakdown.
With such blatant stares from the two older men, Zhou Yunchen naturally noticed. He glanced over and then said with a smile, "Mr. Gu."
He then lowered his head to Shen Congwen and said, "Your former good master."
Shen Congwen glanced at Zhou Yunchen, then looked towards Gu Yuanshan.
They were no longer master and servant, so there was no need for excessive politeness. Thus, she merely nodded slightly as a greeting. But in Gu Yuanshan’s eyes, this had a different interpretation: It means Congwen is completely under Zhou Yunchen’s thumb, afraid, and controlled in every way by that scum surnamed Zhou!
For a moment, his heart ached terribly. Such a fine young man, ruined! And I was the one who personally sent him to this fate.
Gu Yuanshan was silent for a moment, unable to eat the food before him; it felt as if it were stuck in his throat.
Old Lin found it hard to understand his master’s feelings. Yes, Mr. Shen, such a refined and decent man, sitting so intimately with that Zhou fellow as if no one else was around... He must have been forced! How pitiful Mr. Shen, such a miserable man!
Gu Yuanshan could no longer stomach the food. He put it down and said painfully, "I need to talk to Anxi. This is outrageous! Congwen, at the very least, used to be my subordinate. How can he be treated like this?"
Old Lin nodded eagerly, his eyes fixed. "Mr. Gu, you should eat more. You have a tough battle ahead. Mr. Shen only has you to stand up for him now."
Mr. Gu had such a hard time last night, roaring all night long. Now he’s about to fly into a rage again so early in the morning. It really isn’t easy for him!
Old Lin glanced again towards Shen Congwen’s table. Sigh, that blatant affection, that Zhou fellow is being so excessive! I can’t bear to look!
Gu Yuanshan couldn’t eat or watch any longer. He simply went out early and sat in the car, seething with anger, his beard practically bristling. Old Lin stood by, softly consoling him.
Although Gu Yuanshan was heartbroken, Old Lin wasn’t Gu Ning; Gu Yuanshan couldn’t bring himself to wail in front of Old Lin. So he endured it. When they arrived at the Cloud He Group building, he was determined to confront that little rascal, Gu Anxi!
Anyway, I absolutely must get an explanation today! I’ve wronged Anxi, that kid, but Congwen did nothing wrong! After all these years with me, who would have thought it would end like this for him!
Gu Yuanshan was particularly vulnerable at this moment, eager to fight injustice. He was truly shaken by Tang Yuan’s betrayal. Now, the slightest disturbance made him feel as if the sky were about to fall.
He was getting old, and after a restless night, his spirits were low. Nevertheless, he forced his tired old eyes to stay open and wait. Finally, at 10:30, Gu Anxi arrived. The car was from the Wang family; she had spent the night at their place with Bo Xichen.
Gu Anxi got out of the car, greeted her driver, and was about to enter the building when Gu Yuanshan immediately exited his own car. "Anxi."
"Mr. Gu." Gu Anxi smiled faintly. "What brings you here? You don’t look too well."
This insolent girl! Gu Yuanshan inwardly fumed but kept his expression calm. "Do you... have some time to talk?"
Gu Anxi smiled. "If you’re looking for a VIP membership, you should talk to my little uncle directly. I’m not in charge of Yunxi Hospital matters anymore."
Gu Yuanshan felt the sting of her implied jab and was exasperated, wishing he could tear up that will on the spot. Yet, his rational mind told him that entrusting the Gu Corporation to Anxi was the most sensible arrangement. It’s the most reasonable, yes, there’s nothing wrong with it.
He suppressed his anger. Old Lin, standing nearby, pricked up his ears. After a moment’s thought, he seemed to understand. Could it be that Miss Mingzhu isn’t actually a child of the Gu family? His gaze towards his master grew even more sympathetic.
Gu Yuanshan turned his head. "Old Lin, wait here for me."
He still very much wanted to talk with Gu Anxi, so he looked at her with pleading, almost sparkling eyes.
Gu Anxi, figuring she had nothing urgent that morning, didn’t object and led Gu Yuanshan into the Cloud He Group lobby.
In Beicheng, Gu Yuanshan was a significant figure. Yet now, he was meekly following behind Young Executive Gu. This sight stunned the Cloud He Group employees—
Is Young Executive Gu that formidable? Has she actually managed to subdue Gu Yuanshan?
Consequently, everyone who saw Gu Anxi greeted her respectfully, "Young Executive Gu."
Those respectful greetings, delivered with such deference, were quite impressive and slightly lifted Gu Yuanshan’s spirits.
It’s alright, the sky hasn’t fallen yet. At least my own two children are doing well. Changqing’s business is thriving, and Anxi is so capable and successful... This is quite good.
Gu Anxi didn’t speak to him on the way, leading him directly to her exclusive office on the top floor. After some renovation, the roughly 200-square-meter office had been transformed into a very trendy space. One wall was covered with posters of Gu Anxi’s favorite bands. Another wall held shelves displaying her collection of figurines, including Disney princesses from various countries. In short, it looked less like a vice president’s office and more like a comfortable living area, especially with the large, soft sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, where Gu Anxi loved to lounge and play games. Secretary Tang had also been spending a lot of time there recently.
Gu Yuanshan watched all this, a sigh escaping him.
Gu Anxi gestured for him to sit and asked Secretary Tang to bring two cups of tea. Gu Yuanshan took a sip—it was top-grade.
Compared to this, that pine needle tea Old Lin recommended tasted like horse piss.
Gu Yuanshan sat, taking a few more sips of tea, before saying softly, "Anxi, I know I’ve wronged you in the past. I won’t try to make excuses. I just came to see you."
Leaning back on the sofa, Gu Anxi smiled faintly. "There’s no need to say you’re sorry. I’m doing quite well now."
Naturally, Gu Yuanshan wouldn’t bring up the will. Mentioning it would only make this child look down on me. Besides, she probably wouldn’t accept it now anyway.
He was silent for a moment, then lowered his voice. "Actually, the reason I came to see you today is to ask for a favor."
Gu Anxi raised an eyebrow. "About Congwen?"
Gu Yuanshan was astonished. Could this child read minds?
Of course, Gu Anxi couldn’t read minds; she was just guessing. She looked out the floor-to-ceiling window and chuckled. "If you’re really here because of Congwen, then I must tell you, Mr. Gu, you don’t understand Congwen at all. If she is unwilling to do something, no one can force her."
The ’he’ Gu Yuanshan thought of and the ’she’ Gu Anxi spoke of were different. Hearing her words, Gu Yuanshan felt as if he’d been struck by lightning— 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
What? Congwen... he... is doing this voluntarily?
Naturally, Gu Anxi wouldn’t elaborate. Shen Congwen still liked to wear shirts and keep her hair short, just as before. She had, however, reportedly quit smoking; otherwise, nothing much had changed. Zhou Yunchen liked her that way, so why should Anxi spoil things? Still, seeing Gu Yuanshan’s anxious and guilty expression was quite... satisfying!
Just as they were speaking, someone arrived.
It was none other than King Jingyao’s secretary-general, who had come to deliver coffee and black tea.
