Meng Shutang finished packing and walked out. She saw Gu Yunci and Zhou Songyan smoking under the corridor.
The wind blew strong, fluttering the hems of their trench coats.
Zhou Songyan spoke urgently. The man stood with one hand in his pocket, expression cold and quiet. He barely spoke, only frowning at the end.
Meng Shutang's heart sank. She turned quietly and left for the studio.
Evening.
Gu Yunci was happy to see Aunt Zhang home.
"How's Peng Peng in America? It's been a year. He must have grown taller."
Aunt Zhang nodded. "Taller and fatter. My son and I are so grateful to you, Mr. Gu. I couldn't afford to send him to college abroad without you."
Gu Yunci waved her off. "Don't mention it. You've been with the Gu family for years. I see you as family.
When Peng Peng succeeds, you won't have to work so hard."
He thought about Meng Shutang firing Sister Li. "Without Sister Li, can you handle the kitchen alone? Let her know if you need to hire another helper."
He meant Meng Shutang.
Aunt Zhang smiled. "Madam is sensible. I can handle the kitchen alone.
I never said it before, but having two maids was a waste."
Aunt Zhang was gentle and quiet, always knowing her place.
Gu Yunci was surprised she'd speak up for Meng Shutang.
His brow lifted, his eyes darkening.
But he was busy and didn't think twice about it.
He was making juice, his hands sticky from being distracted.
His shirt collar was tight, choking him when he bent down.
He wanted to loosen it, but his hands were full. He called, "Aunt Zhang, come loosen my collar for me."
The door clicked open.
Meng Shutang walked in holding a stack of papers. The hallway light framed her, making her eyes shine, her posture calm and elegant.
Aunt Zhang smiled. "Madam, you're home."
"Aunt Zhang."
Aunt Zhang looked at Gu Yunci. "Mr. Gu, I just mopped. I don't want to get your suit dirty. Let Madam unbutton your top buttons for you."
Gu Yunci was cold and sharp. He didn't catch her hint. He nodded casually. "Fine."
Meng Shutang didn't hesitate. She set the papers down. "What do you need, Mr. Gu?"
His voice was flat, used to giving orders. "Undo the top two buttons."
Meng Shutang nodded.
He was six-foot-three. She was five-foot-seven.
A full foot shorter than him.
She stood on her tiptoes. The top button was tight against his Adam's apple—prominent, sharp.
Chen Man had once said a man with a big Adam's apple was intense in bed.
It was true.
For three years, except during her period, Gu Yunci had never left her wanting. He'd leave her marked and sore everywhere.
She remembered once, begging him to stop when it was too much—and he hadn't quit.
Lost in memory, Meng Shutang froze.
The man thought she was too short to reach. He sat down.
Meng Shutang naturally stepped between his knees and bent over to help him.
From Aunt Zhang's view, the pose was deeply intimate. She smiled quietly and slipped into the kitchen.
Her cold, slender fingers brushed his warm Adam's apple. A strange, pleasant shiver ran through him.
The buttons were too tight. As she leaned over, her knee accidentally brushed his crotch. A sudden, light jolt.
The man stiffened. His Adam's apple bobbed. His breathing deepened.
He looked up at her downcast eyelashes. The air around them turned hot.
Meng Shutang didn't notice. She finished and left with her papers.
She hurried too fast. The top sheet fell at his feet.
He meant to pick it up and hand it back. But when he saw it was a part-time work schedule, his hand froze.
He scanned it quickly. All small hourly jobs near the office—waitressing, catering.
Bai Cixian had told him she'd seen Meng Shutang at a Cantonese restaurant. Aunt Zhang mentioned she'd been coming home late, going out on weekends. He'd wondered what she was doing.
He folded it and hid it on the cabinet.
---
Later, Aunt Zhang called them for dinner.
Meng Shutang arrived last. Aunt Zhang saw her putting eye drops in at the table. "Madam, what have you been working on? You're always on the computer, even at home."
Meng Shutang smiled. "There's a creative project at the Palace Museum. I want to apply."
Aunt Zhang grinned. "You're so talented. You'll get it."
Meng Shutang smiled. "I hope luck is on my side."
Gu Yunci listened silently, saying nothing.
After dinner, Meng Shutang helped Aunt Zhang clean up, then went upstairs.
Aunt Zhang was about to turn off the living room lights when she saw Gu Yunci sitting by the window, watching the night view. "Mr. Gu, should I turn off the lights?"
"Go ahead."
Aunt Zhang turned off the main light. "Should I turn on the accent lights?"
"No. Goodnight, Aunt Zhang."
She left.
A moment later, Gu Yunci heard footsteps hurrying down the stairs. He turned. Meng Shutang held up her phone flashlight, scanning the dining table anxiously.
She searched everywhere, even checking under the chairs.
When she couldn't find it, she checked the cabinet. She sighed in relief when she saw the schedule and took it upstairs.
---
The next day.
Meng Shutang ran into Zhou Songyan at the studio entrance.
"Shutang, we're having a victory dinner at Cloud Restaurant tonight at six. Bring your assistant!
Mr. Gu said everyone gets a 20,000 quarterly bonus—extra for our hard work."
Meng Shutang had seen Gu Yunci's cold face under the corridor last night. She thought he'd refused.
Guilt weighed on her—she thought her mistake had cost everyone their bonuses.
She was relieved to hear the news.
"Thank you, Director Zhou, but we'll pass. We aren't Gu Group employees."
Zhou Songyan was blunt. "Come! Your seats are reserved. I consider you part of the team. Don't be modest.
Other studios are coming too."
He left before she could reply.
Meng Shutang told Ruan An back at the studio.
Ruan An was thrilled. It was her first big event since graduation. She begged to go.
Meng Shutang gave in. After work, she drove her there.
Zhou Songyan had rented the entire Cloud Restaurant.
A gold victory banner hung above the main stage. Lights hung low, a champagne tower stacked high, desserts and drinks covering white satin tables. Warm light filled the lavish room.
Zhou Songyan gave a speech. Everyone raised their glasses, celebrating.
Suddenly, someone shouted: "Mr. Gu is here!"
The room went quiet. All eyes turned to the door.
Gu Yunci walked in with Bai Cixian on his arm.
The man was sharp-jawed and tall.
Bai Cixian smiled sweetly, graceful and beautiful.
Whispers broke out at once.
"The company's been saying Mr. Gu is secretly married. Could Bai Cixian be his wife?"
"I think so! Why else would he take her everywhere?"
"They look perfect together, like a real couple."
Ruan An was digging into blueberry cake. She shot to her feet, yelling:
"You're all wrong! She's the other woman!"
How will Gu Yunci react to the secret being exposed in front of everyone?