While waiting outside, Meng Shutang got a call from the hospital.
Her mother had choked on phlegm. The doctor said her condition was worsening, and they'd added several new medications.
None were covered by insurance. All had to be paid out of pocket.
One was an imported drug—extremely expensive.
Once, she would have asked Qin Zheng for help.
But now, with divorce hanging over them, she couldn't bring herself to ask.
She'd thought it over carefully.
The Palace Museum creative project wasn't a sure thing.
Losing her Gu Group exhibition job meant losing a huge part of her income.
Delivery driving? Ride-sharing?
Six months of that wouldn't earn her what one tour paid here.
She couldn't lose this job.
She glanced at the medical bill on her phone, lifted her head, and said, "Mr. Gu, I still want to keep the exhibition tour job."
"You waited all this time, apologized, and groveled—all for work?"
The man sneered, staring at her pale, delicate face reflected in the window.
"I need this job."
So it was always about money.
The man took a sip of tea. He'd never noticed how bitter it tasted before.
The warm, sharp taste made his brows furrow. He glanced at her slim figure outside the window. "Fine. I'll give you one more chance. Mess up again, and you're gone for good."
"Thank you." Meng Shutang bowed politely and turned to leave.
---
After leaving the CEO's office, she went to the secretary's desk. "Excuse me, I need tomorrow's exhibition schedule."
The secretary said, "Miss Bai took it already."
Meng Shutang didn't back down. "Mr. Gu told me to pick it up."
"You made such a big mistake today. Mr. Gu wouldn't—"
Qin Zheng walked over. "Give it to Miss Meng."
Meng Shutang took it. "Thank you."
She left without another word.
She worked at the studio for a while before heading back to Repulse Bay.
When she arrived, Gu Yunci was already in the living room, watching TV after his shower. She didn't greet him and went straight upstairs.
At work, he was Mr. Gu—she respected him.
At home, he was just her soon-to-be ex-husband. They were equals.
In the attic, she reviewed her tour script twice more.
When she thought he'd be asleep, she snuck downstairs to wash up.
At first, being separated from Gu Yunci had felt strange.
For three years, she'd woken up in his arms nearly every day.
But after days apart, she'd gotten used to it.
The attic was quiet and peaceful. No drama.
The only problem was no bathroom. She had to come to the second floor.
She heard noise downstairs but ignored it and went into the guest bathroom.
When she came out, she heard more noise—from the kitchen.
Aunt Zhang hadn't returned. Sister Li was fired.
She guessed Gu Yunci was hungry and trying to cook.
But he couldn't cook at all. Meng Shutang headed back to the attic.
As soon as she lay down, she thought about how hard he'd worked all day. Qin Zheng said he hadn't eaten lunch. Now he wasn't eating dinner either…
Even a stranger would help. And they'd shared three years of marriage.
Meng Shutang got up and hurried downstairs to the kitchen.
She walked in and saw Gu Yunci, flustered and sweating as he tried to cook.
Meng Shutang burst out laughing.
The man turned around at the sound.
Meng Shutang wiped the smile off her face. "What do you want to eat? I'll make it."
He didn't hesitate. "Plain noodle soup."
She'd never thought twice about it before, but today she was curious.
At work, Gu Yunci was famous for his picky, luxury tastes.
His private chef was headhunted from a five-star Michelin restaurant in Paris. Wagyu, truffles, caviar—flown in daily.
French dishes required complicated steps. He demanded precise doneness for every steak.
Filet mignon had to be rare. One degree over, and the whole plate was thrown away.
Pre-dinner wine had to be a specific vintage of Burgundy, with exact decanting times.
But at home, without his suit and tie, all he craved was a simple bowl of plain noodles.
Boiling water, noodles, a pinch of salt, two drops of sesame oil, scallions and cilantro. No egg even needed.
As she cooked, she glanced at him. He sat quietly in the dining area, staring at a glass of water like it held a secret.
She set it down in front of him. "Leave the bowl here. I'll wash it tomorrow."
The man didn't look up. He hummed softly.
---
The next morning.
Meng Shutang went downstairs. Gu Yunci had already left. The bowl was washed and put away.
She made herself the same plain noodle soup.
Not because she loved it, but because it was quick.
Aunt Zhang came home while she ate.
She saw the bowl. "Did Mr. Gu eat this too? It's his favorite. It must have warmed his heart."
Meng Shutang was confused. "This is his favorite meal?"
Aunt Zhang nodded hard. "Madam wasn't as skilled as you. She couldn't cook anything except noodles."
She paused. "Mr. Gu said once your noodles taste just like his mother's did when she was alive.
And coffee—only yours is good enough. He won't drink anyone else's."
Meng Shutang's heart jolted.
Yesterday, she'd seen a cold cup of coffee on his desk. He'd been drinking tea instead.
She stood up to clean up. "I'm finished. Are you tired, Aunt Zhang? Can I make you a bowl?"
Aunt Zhang shook her head. "I ate before I came."
When Meng Shutang carried the bowl to the kitchen, Aunt Zhang took it immediately. "Madam, I'll wash it. You go to work."
Meng Shutang went to change shoes. She remembered Sister Li. "Aunt Zhang, I fired Sister Li. I'll handle the housework from now on.
Don't worry about it. Let me know if you need anything."
Aunt Zhang was surprised, then smiled. "Alright."
---
Meng Shutang left for the Gu Group Building. She had another exhibition tour that day.
She'd messed up in front of VIPs yesterday.
Today, for the public tour, she had to be perfect.
Before the tour, she double-checked her assigned pearls and told the staff: "We're not displaying the physical pieces today. Don't touch them."
"Not letting people see them up close? Are you scared after what happened yesterday?
If you're that nervous, you shouldn't have taken the job back."
Meng Shutang turned slowly at Bai Cixian's voice. "I may be nervous, but I'm still a hundred times better than an amateur like you, Miss Bai.
How much do you really know about ancient pearls?
I think that's why Mr. Gu gave the tour back to me today."
Bai Cixian dropped the act. "You—"
"Miss Bai, the exhibition has 360-degree security cameras. Mr. Gu refused to check yesterday, but if I make another mistake today, I'm sure he will.
If Gu Yunci finds out you sabotaged me on purpose at yesterday's important event… and he connects it to the collapsed display stand at the cultural town…
No. That can never happen.
I'll stay by his side. I'll be his woman—legitimately!"
What will she do to make sure Meng Shutang is gone forever?