Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 296 - 297 Gu Changqing! You are such a jerk!
Gu Mingzhu whined, "Thanks, Mom."
At that moment, Gu Yuanshan also stepped out of the study, laughing. "Yuanyuan, our daughter’s looks are unparalleled in Beicheng. Outside, who doesn’t say our girl is beautiful?"
Tang Yuan couldn’t help but smile. "That’s true."
Just as Gu Yuanshan was about to say something, Gu Changqing unexpectedly returned, with Ding Ning by his side.
Once back, Gu Changqing plopped down onto the sofa. Gu Mingzhu happily went over. "Brother."
As always, Gu Changqing ignored her. Only Ding Ning offered a faint smile. "Mingzhu."
With his narrow eyes downcast, Gu Changqing spoke, his voice tinged with coldness, "You all say there isn’t another like Mingzhu in Beicheng? It seems the Gu family has a tendency towards selective amnesia."
Tang Yuan spoke up, "Changqing."
Gu Changqing’s eyes were filled with indifference. "Auntie, you were once a true Beauty. But now, for fame and fortune... your looks and demeanor have both changed. Don’t you ever look in the mirror, Auntie?"
Tang Yuan was suddenly deeply embarrassed.
Gu Mingzhu bit her lip. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Gu Yuanshan became angry. "It was your aunt’s idea to have you back for dinner, and what do you do? You come back and immediately embarrass her... This family..."
As her father, he ultimately couldn’t bring himself to say the last few words. Changqing, after all, is the legitimate eldest grandson of the Gu family. He can’t easily offend his mother’s powerful connections. Besides, his personality changed so drastically because of Anxi’s situation— I always feel somewhat guilty! Deep down, I always hope this son will return and inherit the Gu family’s ancestral estate. As for Gu Corporation, that can be given to Mingzhu.
Gu Yuanshan couldn’t say it, so Gu Changqing said it for him: "This family... I just shouldn’t come back, is that it?"
Ding Ning approached him, supporting his arm. "Changqing."
Gu Changqing tilted his head to one side. "Do you think they’re right as well?"
Ding Ning’s expression was calm. "This is a Gu family matter."
Gu Changqing was satisfied.
Although he and Ding Ning were joined by a marriage alliance, it wasn’t as if he, Gu Changqing, had no say. If Ding Ning weren’t particularly adept and tactful in handling matters, they wouldn’t have been able to get along. For instance, he would go to Qingcheng for months at a time, and Ding Ning never questioned it.
Their relationship was understated, and that was fine. Intense emotions always lead to heartache. He adored little Anxi, cherished her like the apple of his eye... When Anxi was lost, the pain began, and it has lasted for many years.
Gu Changqing let out a long breath. "Then there’s no need for this meal."
Once Gu Yuanshan’s anger subsided, he calmed down and said, "What kind of talk is that! We’re all family. Are you going to skip dinner over a few cross words? Ding Ning, you should have a good talk with him."
Ding Ning merely smiled. She remained uninvolved and unconcerned with Gu family affairs.
However, Gu Changqing did give his fiancée some face. He patted her and said, "Sit down and eat."
When he relented, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, especially Tang Yuan, who had been terrified and only now began to recover. However, she had figured it out; the one Yuanshan valued most in his heart was still this son, Gu Changqing. The Gu Corporation might be good, but the network and status behind the Gu family were the most valuable assets. With those, how could they ever worry about not making money? Tang Yuan was dissatisfied but couldn’t voice it openly, so she could only resolve to secretly exert more effort later.
After dinner, Gu Yuanshan called Gu Changqing into the study to discuss matters. Tang Yuan, deeply concerned with the Gu family’s affairs, also listened in from the side.
In the living room, only Ding Ning and Gu Mingzhu remained.
Gu Mingzhu served Ding Ning tea, and they chatted casually.
With a smile, Gu Mingzhu said, "Sister Ding Ning, you must have heard about Gu Anxi’s situation, right?"
Ding Ning’s temperament had always been somewhat aloof; she wasn’t one for deep conversations.
Gu Mingzhu sighed. "Brother is indifferent to everyone, but he especially likes Gu Anxi."
She said, biting her lip, "I heard he gifted an ’Emperor Color’ establishment to Gu Anxi. Sister Ding Ning, please don’t be angry. My brother probably feels guilty towards Gu Anxi. I think the person he cares about most is still you, Sister Ding Ning."
Ding Ning lowered her gaze, taking a small sip of tea. "Really?"
Gu Mingzhu’s eyes shimmered innocently. "Of course, Sister Ding Ning. You are Brother’s fiancée. You’re undeniably the most important person to him."
Ding Ning said nothing, simply continuing to drink her tea.
After they left, Gu Mingzhu chuckled softly. Once Ding Ning knows about this, she definitely won’t like Gu Anxi; she might even come to despise her! That way, I’ll have another powerful ally. In the future, if anything happens, Sister Ding Ning will surely stand by me. Gu Anxi, you want to fight me? You’re far too inexperienced.
Gu Changqing drove Ding Ning home. After a while, Ding Ning suddenly spoke up, "Changqing, does Mingzhu really dislike Anxi coming to Beicheng?"
Gu Changqing glanced at her. "What did she say?"
He knew Ding Ning wasn’t a meddlesome person; she must have said something because she couldn’t stand it anymore, or perhaps she told him because she liked Anxi.
Ding Ning tilted her head, her voice tinged with sorrow, "They’re blood-related, aren’t they? Full sisters... Why would she try to stir up trouble in front of me? Changqing, I don’t understand."
Ding Ning’s own family was also very complicated. Which prominent family didn’t have men with mistresses and illegitimate children? That being the case, Gu Mingzhu and Gu Anxi were clearly the closest of blood relatives, yet Mingzhu insisted on treating Anxi as an enemy.
Gu Changqing had probably guessed. The car stopped at a red light, and he stared straight ahead. "Ding Ning, do you mind?"
"What?" Ding Ning turned to face him.
Gu Changqing kept his gaze fixed ahead, his voice calm. "That I’m good to Gu Anxi."
Ding Ning laughed. "Shouldn’t a brother be good to his sister?"
Gu Changqing abruptly turned his head, his gaze intense.
Ding Ning continued smiling. "Changqing, would you cheat?"
"I’m not interested," he stated bluntly, then added softly, "But I might not love you that much."
"How heartless," Ding Ning laughed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Gu Changqing’s narrow eyes glinted. He suddenly asked, "My place, or yours?"
Ding Ning’s body stiffened slightly. After a moment, her voice was soft, "Gu Changqing, you..."
"The meaning is obvious." He restarted the car, having made his decision. "Let’s go to my place then."
Ding Ning was stunned for another long moment. "No... Changqing, you’re driving too fast, slow down..."
The car abruptly stopped at the roadside. The man who had always been so composed, who had always said their relationship should be as tranquil as water, who had always claimed to be uninterested and unenthusiastic about that kind of thing, unbuckled his seatbelt, pulled her into his arms, and lowered his head...
Ding Ning’s voice was a mere thread. "Changqing, don’t."
"No refusals allowed," he rasped in her ear...
A long, long time later, he finally released her. "Made up your mind?"
Ding Ning’s face was flushed. She turned away. "Gu Changqing, you’re such a bastard!"
You’re good to your sister, treating her like the apple of your eye! It’s only because of her that you’re willing to be a little nicer to me!
A pang of bitterness went through Ding Ning’s heart. She clenched her fist and pounded his shoulder. "Gu Changqing, you really are a bastard!"
He chuckled, a hint of devilish charm in it. "Just realizing now? So, your choice, hmm?"
Ding Ning was a strong woman in the business world, never one for pretense... And just now, she too had been stirred.
Her face still turned towards the other car window, her voice low, "Didn’t you say we were going to your place? Why aren’t you driving?"
