Cen Assistant had a difficult expression on his face, but since Old President Gu had spoken, he went ahead and said it directly.
"It was Old President Gu. He just arranged for Miss Zhou to be your assistant."
The smile on Shen Tang's face instantly disappeared.
The assistant position was somewhat sensitive, [she] would probably be in contact all day...
Shen Tang looked towards Gu Huaian, wanting to know how he would respond - would he refuse?
He probably wouldn't right, that was his dad after all.
In that moment, thousands of thoughts flashed through Shen Tang's mind, eventually settling on "Congratulations to the happy couple on their 100 years together."
Gu Huaian was vaguely irritated. He didn't like Zhou Qinglian, yet his dad had looked favorably on her since she was young.
He had rejected her unambiguously more than once.
Furthermore, with the Gu Family's current status, they didn't need a marriage alliance to move up another level.
Moreover... Shen Tang had finally taken a small step forward, only to now retreat back into her shell.
She talked boldly but lacked courage. She was very cowardly.
Gu Huaian's face darkened. "I don't agree. If he has a problem, tell him to come find me."
"Okay."
Cen Assistant turned and left. Not long after, Gu Huaian's phone rang.
Shen Tang had a feeling the person calling was his dad.
Sure enough —
"Gu Huaian, have your wings hardened so you don't even listen to your own father anymore!"
The phone volume was too loud, so Shen Tang heard it clearly, feeling very awkward.
She picked up her plate, about to leave, but Gu Huaian grabbed her hand.
She shook it off but failed.
Shen Tang didn't use too much strength, she wasn't there to fight after all.
How could Gu Huaian's strength be so great?
A warm feeling spread from her wrist, unlike Gu Jin'an grabbing her. She wasn't as against it.
Gu Jin'an?
When did that happen?
After hearing Shen Tang's thoughts, Gu Huaian grew suspicious. He temporarily kept this incident in mind, and coldly said:
"Dad, I don't like Zhou Qinglian. You should stop trying to set us up. Don't forget, I'm already married."
"What is that Shen Tang worth — "
Gu Huaian coldly said. "Dad! She is my wife, you may not like her but please give her due respect."
The phone went silent. After a long pause: "Unfilial son."
Gu Huaian didn't respond further, directly hanging up the phone.
Shen Tang smiled awkwardly. "Uh we're just contractually —"
Gu Huaian firmly said: "Shen Tang, I don't like her."
"Oh..."
Right, if he liked Zhou Qinglian he would have been with her already, rather than remain single for so many years.
Thinking this, Shen Tang began free associating again. Could it be this guy's first time? Does he not have sexual needs?
Wait... could he have some kind of hidden illness...
Her gaze started to drift downwards but her wrist was suddenly yanked powerfully.
"Let's go after eating."
This time when Shen Tang tried pulling back her hand, there was no resistance. Only that piece of skin still retained the warm feeling, vaguely burning.
The two put their plates away properly before leaving.
Only then did the people around them relax.
"Wow, President Gu got married!"
That's right, Gu Huaian didn't speak too loudly earlier, but was very clear in the quiet environment.
"My crush is over, wah wah wah..."
"Don't be sad, you never had a crush to begin with."
"You sure know how to comfort people, wah wah wah..."
Soon Cen Assistant walked in and instructed them to keep this incident to themselves and forbid external spread.
That's right, it was what Shen Tang asked for.
Gu Huaian was vaguely unhappy. "Why?"
"I don't want to trend on social media again."
Shen Tang was truly afraid, with everything that happened to her trending online; her constitution was too frightening.
While others wished to trend, she had enough of always trending. Being too frequent easily produced fatigue amongst the public.
Moreover, they were only contracted married. If they divorced in the future and she found another partner, it would not bode well if netizens compared the two.
Hearing Shen Tang think so far ahead while he, her current partner, was still around and she was already considering a new partner, Gu Huaian's face darkened like the bottom of a pot.
Should he say she was heartless?
Shen Tang felt the temperature next to her drop. Not understanding why.
Noticing Gu Huaian's tightly pursed lips, Shen Tang was somewhat confused. Why did this guy suddenly become unhappy?
After thinking about it, she attributed the cause to the earlier phone call. That must be why.
Gu Huaian: "..."
It's just as well, at least she won't wear herself down internally.
"Hmph." Thinking this, he gave a cold laugh.
Seems even more upset now.
Two flowers blooming, each exquisite.
Gu Family Ancestral Home.
Old Master was angrily huffing and puffing, furiously throwing the phone to the side. "Unfilial son! That unfilial son!"
Old Madam Gu impatiently glanced at him. "Do you have nothing better to do all day than meddle for no reason?"
"How is this meddling?"
"The blessings of descendants come from the descendants themselves. Huaian is not a child anymore. Surely he still has the right to choose someone he likes? I think that Shen girl is quite good, looks pretty too. A child from her and Huaian would probably look even better."
Gu Huaian was around the age where those his age had mostly married and had children.
Every time Madam mingled with those ladies and heard them boast about their children, Old Madam Gu was envious.
Old Master Gu fell silent.
To be honest, there were no complaints about Shen Tang's looks. She surpassed Zhou Qinglian. But...
"I promised Old Brother Zhou that I would take care of Lian girl."
Their friendship went back decades.
The Zhou Family was chaotic. Zhou Qinglian's father had at least dozens of illegitimate children. Before Old Master Zhou passed away, the most worried was this granddaughter.
Old Master Gu had promised him that he would take good care of Zhou Qinglian.
"There are many ways to take care of someone. Do you have to sacrifice Huaian's entire life?"
"Qinglian is so good. Other than plain looks, is she not better than Shen Tang in every other aspect? Shen Tang just returned after studying abroad, while Zhou Qinglian went into entertainment to earn money without even graduating college."
The more he talked, the straighter he stood.
That's right! He was doing this for his son's sake.
"So? Huaian has already gotten married."
"Married couples can divorce."
"Gu Mingde! Are you planning to divorce me too?"
Old Master Gu's expression drastically changed. "Wife, I did not..."
"I won't listen, I won't listen! You sleep in the study tonight." Old Madam Gu directly turned and left.
Old Master Gu looked at He Uncle. "Uncle He, did I say anything wrong?"
He Uncle faintly smiled. "I feel the Lady is right."
Old Master Gu: "..."
He helplessly shook his head. "You all don't understand me."
He Uncle's face remained expressionless, while roasting endlessly in his mind: We truly don't understand your logic.
Old Master Gu picked up his phone to call Zhou Qinglian.
"Don't cry Lian girl, that rotten brat is wrong. I will teach him a lesson for you."
"You directly go to work tomorrow, I'll see who dares to say anything."
"Rest assured, I have approved only you as my daughter-in-law."
Just as the words left his mouth, Old Master Gu suddenly felt a chill down his back.
Glancing back, Old Madam Gu was staring at him.
He was so frightened his heart skipped a beat. "Uh, let's not talk for now. Come by the house if you're free."
"Wife why did you come back down again?"
Old Madam Gu gently flicked her sleeve where no dust existed. "Let me make this clear. If you interfere with Huaian again, we will get a divorce."
"Talking nonsense. We're old, what good does a divorce do? How embarrassing?"
"Weren't you the one saying married couples can divorce? If you insist on using marriage to provide care, then you marry her yourself."
He Uncle's mouth twitched, nearly laughing out loud.
Well played!