Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 359 - 360: Tang Yuan Desperately Seeks Help! Perfectly Misses Jing
Shen Congwen couldn’t move a muscle!
Zhou Yunchen finished his cigarette, crushing out the stub to the side. "I don’t fight with women."
With that, he released Shen Congwen and left.
Shen Congwen stood there alone for a long time...
When he returned to report to Gu Yuanshan, Gu Yuanshan was somewhat shocked. "You didn’t escort Zhou Yunchen home?"
Shen Congwen remained silent.
Gu Yuanshan, realizing he had been too hasty and direct, waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it, I’ll think of another way."
He couldn’t resist cursing Zhou Yunchen a few more times. Shen Congwen listened silently, then quietly suggested, "Zhou Yunchen might be able to arrange a meeting between Mr. Gu and the owner of An Pu."
Tang Yuan was the first to disagree. "What if they demand we withdraw the lawsuit? Are we to abandon Mingzhu’s reputation?"
Gu Yuanshan flared up. "Is this about reputation right now? This is an extremely pressing matter!"
He was also somewhat displeased with Tang Yuan. Couldn’t she set aside personal feelings at a time like this?
Tang Yuan, rarely rebuked by him, felt somewhat wronged but dared not contradict her husband at this moment.
Gu Yuanshan pondered for a moment. "Let’s monitor the situation. Congwen, put more effort into Zhou’s side. Separately, let’s also explore other options to see if we can resolve this urgent crisis first. No matter what, we can’t compromise Mingzhu too much."
Tang Yuan felt a sense of relief; it was best not to sacrifice Mingzhu.
After they each returned to their own thoughts, Gu Yuanshan also brainstormed numerous methods. He pulled strings and wined and dined contacts, yet still couldn’t secure even a tiny bit of Jing.
It wasn’t that he lacked influence, but An Pu had circulated a warning: any party supplying Jing to the Gu family would be cut off from future An Pu supplies. Who would dare to lend them any then?
Tang Yuan was also fraught with anxiety. After considerable deliberation, she still resolved to seek Bo Jin’s help.
After all, they were former classmates and friends of many years; surely Bo Jin would extend a helping hand for such an urgent matter out of old friendship. Tang Yuan felt that if she spoke softly and pleaded, Bo Jin wouldn’t refuse her this courtesy.
Naturally, she didn’t state her true purpose directly, fearing Bo Jin might refuse outright. Instead, she merely said she wanted to invite Bo Jin for tea to offer an apology.
Bo Jin hadn’t initially wanted to go. However, on second thought, she decided she wanted to see what tricks Tang Yuan was planning. So, not only did she go, but she also brought along Gu Anxi, who had been idling at home.
Gu Anxi didn’t refuse. Anyway, she wasn’t in a hurry. Niu Niu was having a grand time inside, even binge-watching drama series; Gu Yuanshan and Tang Yuan were the ones in a rush!
The moment she and Bo Jin stepped into the tea room, Tang Yuan looked up, her expression shifting slightly. She forced a smile. "Why did you bring her along too?"
Bo Jin smiled faintly. "There was no one at home, and I wasn’t comfortable leaving Anxi by herself. So I brought her out for a change of scenery."
Tang Yuan looked quite disapproving and couldn’t resist adding, "Bo Jin, that’s no way to raise a child. You can’t spoil her like that."
Bo Jin smiled. "Is that so? My brother and sister-in-law happen to think it’s perfectly fine."
Tang Yuan’s smile was strained. Barely sparing Gu Anxi a glance, her mind was solely focused on discussing important business with Bo Jin.
Of course, she first needed to ease the atmosphere before broaching the subject...
While they conversed, Gu Anxi leaned against Bo Jin’s shoulder, playing on her phone, effectively using Bo Jin as a cushion. Bo Jin simply let her, occasionally casting an affectionate glance her way.
Tang Yuan paused, then finally got to the point. "Bo Jin, the Gu family has encountered some internal problems. I’m here today with a rather awkward request. Jing... could you lend me a little?"
Bo Jin took a sip of tea. "Didn’t I introduce you to the An Pu Company? Their supply to the Cloud He Group is proceeding as normal!"
Gu Anxi, still playing on her phone nearby, briefly lifted her eyelids at this before resuming her game.
Tang Yuan certainly wasn’t going to reveal the full details. She said with some reservation, "Something has come up, Bo Jin. You’re truly the only one who can help me with this. Otherwise, I’ll lose my managerial position."
She had, after all, made a solemn pledge to Gu Ning.
Bo Jin feigned surprise. "Is it that serious?"
Tang Yuan wore a troubled expression. "Yes. If it weren’t so desperately urgent, I wouldn’t have come to you."
She implored with utmost sincerity, "Bo Jin, for old times’ sake, please help me this one time."
Bo Jin smiled faintly. "It’s not that I don’t want to help, but I lack the authority. I’ve told you before, the Cloud He Group’s Jing isn’t under my direct control. I only have usage rights."
Tang Yuan said softly, "You could use your name to help me requisition a batch from the An Pu Company."
Bo Jin maintained her faint smile. "And what if the An Pu Company finds out? Tang Yuan, how do you expect me to explain myself to my elder brother and to Xichen? You’re not unaware that Jing is incredibly scarce on the market right now. It’s hardly fair of you to ask me to be the villain in this."
Tang Yuan quickly interjected, "They won’t find out! The Cloud He Group must also be a major client of An Pu, aren’t they? An Pu wouldn’t dare to offend a major client so easily."
Gu Anxi chimed in at this moment, "Begging someone to sell you something, yet still acting like you’re the boss?"
Bo Jin chuckled reprovingly. "Crude, but true."
Tang Yuan’s face stiffened. After a moment, she said in a low voice, "Adults are discussing important business."
"Don’t want to talk with me around? Fine, I’ll go for a stroll." Gu Anxi stretched languidly and said to Bo Jin, "I’m going to wander around for a bit."
Bo Jin nodded. "Don’t wander off too far, and don’t eat anything questionable. I’ll take you for some authentic local cuisine later."
Gu Anxi casually agreed.
Once the door slid shut, Tang Yuan remarked, "That’s far too indulgent. You treat her like a child; you’ll spoil her rotten."
Bo Jin didn’t argue with her, just smiled. "If she’s spoiled, then she’s spoiled. So be it."
Tang Yuan composed herself and made another attempt. Bo Jin merely said quietly, "I’ve heard that a Mr. Zhang has some connection to the owner of An Pu. Tang Yuan, one should be merciful when possible. Withdraw the lawsuit, and everything will be resolved."
Tang Yuan’s expression soured. She lowered her head to pour tea, saying softly, "What about Mingzhu? We’ve already made public accusations. If we withdraw the lawsuit now, wouldn’t it make the Gu family look incompetent and tarnish Mingzhu’s reputation? What would people think of her?"
Bo Jin couldn’t help but sigh. "Tang Yuan, you place far too much importance on appearances."
Tang Yuan took a sip of tea and gave a bitter smile. "Bo Jin, you have no idea how difficult the situation is for someone like me, who has climbed up from the very bottom! So many people constantly talk behind my back."
Bo Jin sipped her tea lightly, her voice soft. "Yuanyuan, everyone makes their own choices in life. You’re complaining now, but have you considered the benefits of being Mrs. Gu? That’s the affluence you’ve always craved! For that affluence, you’d forsake anything—including Anxi, wouldn’t you?"
Tang Yuan lowered her eyes. "I have wronged that child, I admit. But Bo Jin, look at her—does she show me even a shred of affection? She constantly opposes me."
"It’s not Anxi who opposes you; it’s you who cannot stand her being superior to Mingzhu." Bo Jin’s words hit the nail on the head. "Had you ever genuinely cared for her, that child could not have remained unmoved."
This was Bo Jin, offering Tang Yuan one last chance.
