"Let's go then, I will give you a tour casually."
"Why don't you have floor-to-ceiling windows here?" Nian Suian asked, walking to the window. Recalling the obligatory floor-to-ceiling windows in the office of a typical rich CEO, she found it strange that Gu Junxing didn't have them.
"... I have acrophobia."
"Oh…" Nian Suian truly hadn't expected this reason... it was indeed grounded.
"Nothing much to see outside. Can I have a look inside?" The interior of Gu Junxing's office had the same decorating style as his home, which in simple terms could be described as a chilling aesthetic perfect for winter.
"There's a rest room inside, and a small tea room." Gu Junxing led the way and opened the door to his rest room.
Entering to take a look, Nian Suian found the room surprising simple with only a single bed, a couch, and a coffee table. There weren't any backup clothes as she had imagined from her superficial understanding of a rich CEO's office, based mostly on novels and TV. Seems like the reality wasn't so.
"Knock knock."
Just as Gu Junxing was about to speak, there was a knock at the door.
"Someone is looking for me, rest here for a while."
Nian Suian nodded and took a seat on the couch.
The door of the break room was left open, and Nian Suian could hear the conversation outside.
A man was referring to Gu Junxing as boss Gu, saying he had come a few days ago when Gu Junxing was not there.
He continued: "You got married to Suisui, which makes you my nephew-in-law. We're close relatives now."
Nian Suian was puzzled. Was he calling her Suisui?
Creeping to the door, as she hesitated whether to go out, Gu Junxing spotted her.
Gu Junxing even directly went up to hold her hand... Nian Suian just froze, forgetting to resist.
Leading Nian Suian by the hand, Gu Junxing introduced the middle-aged man who’d been sitting on the couch. The man greeted her warmly as ‘Suisui’.
"Suuisui! How coincidental for me to see you in the company today, I've been planning to visit you at home!"
Nian Suian mentally cried for help... this man seemed to recognize her, but since she wasn't the original host and had no memories, she was totally clueless and unsure how to react.
But the middle-aged man laughed, not surprisingly that Nian Suian didn't recognize him.
He explained on Nian Suian's behalf: "The last time you saw me, Suisui, you were in your teens. No wonder you forgot, I'm your cousin uncle!"
Of course, Nian Suian didn't remember any such person and didn't know how to react, so she could only seek Gu Junxing’s assistance with her eyes. How did a person she didn’t recognize claiming to be her cousin uncle suddenly appear in Gu Junxing's company?
Gu Junxing pinched her hand comfortingly, "Don’t worry, I will explain later."
"How could you get married without telling your family? Your parents are no longer around, so your cousin uncle is the closest relative you have left. Had your cousin not discovered this online, we would have no idea that you were married!"
Nian Suian had no clue and continued to play dead. However, it seemed like the man on the opposite side was too deep in his own world to notice Nian Suian's reactions.
"If you ask me, Mingkai is not at fault here. I am, after all, your cousin. Your parents are no more, it is certain that I will take care of you. Would I harm you, ever?"
Upon hearing this, Nian Suian abruptly lifted her head. Nian Mingkai was the name of her father. Could it be that not only did she share the same name and surname with the original host, but their parents were the same too?
"Mr. Nian," Gu Junxing interrupted the man's words, "I will have someone evaluate the investment matter. Let's end the conversation for today."
"This..." The man didn't expect Gu Junxing to end the conversation so abruptly. He could only turn to Nian Suian, hoping that this cousin of his would say something.
Yet, his disappointment was inevitable. Nian Suian would not look at him, and Gu Junxing stood up blocking the man's line of sight.
"Mr. Nian, please show yourself out," Gu Junxing made it clear that he was dismissing the guest.
Even if Nian Minghui had thick skin, it didn't seem right to sit down any longer. He found himself wanting to be mad but didn't know who to lash it out on. He came to seek Gu Junxing's help today, so he had to maintain a smiling face and said to Gu Junxing, "We are all family, do drop in for dinner sometime."
Gu Junxing didn't nod nor shake his head. He simply opened the door and said to Assistant Li who was waiting outside, "See Mr. Nian out."
Nian Suian was utterly confused. Upon his return, she quickly asked, "What was all that about today?"
"Don't worry, it's not something that can be explained in a few words. Let me tell you slowly," Gu Junxing comforted her, then went to fill up two cups of warm water.
"The man who came today is called Nian Minghui. He claims to be your cousin. When I was home recuperating from an injury, he visited twice. Today is his third visit."
"Is he really my cousin?"
Gu Junxing nodded. He wasn't surprised by Nian Suian's lack of recognition of her cousin as he himself had never met him before. The only confirmation for him was the name and some past incidents.
"So, why did he come to you today? According to him, we've not seen each other for over a decade. Our relationship can't be good. Why would he suddenly approach me, his cousin?"
"He mentioned that his company is facing some financial problems, and he asked if I could invest. I did not agree."
"How could he have the audacity to come to you after all these years of no contact? Why didn't he come to me directly?" Nian Suian didn't understand, no one approaches a cousin-in-law before the cousin after not seeing each other for over a decade.
"I guess he didn't contact you directly because he couldn't find you, while finding me was evidently easier."
Nian Suian nodded. This explanation seemed reasonable. However, she still had doubts. Although she wasn't the original host, she still wanted to understand certain things. For instance, if a so-called cousin comes to her this time, more might follow in the future.
To understand the past, asking Gu Junxing was the most direct and simplest way for her now. Nian Suian thought, a person like Gu Junxing wouldn't have married her without any reasons, he must know something.
But Nian Suian knew that to find out things, she couldn't just bluntly ask Gu Junxing: Why did we get married? That would be too direct, too foolish, and might expose her unease.
So she asked Gu Junxing, "I just heard him mention my father, and he seemed quite dissatisfied? But since we haven't been in touch for so many years, what right does he have to be dissatisfied?"
"It's easy to guess why."
"What?"
"Knock, knock, knock."
Someone was at the door, forcing them to stop their conversation.
"Mr. Gu, the representative from Fengdu Real Estate has arrived and is waiting for you in the conference room downstairs."
"I know, I'll be right down," Gu Junxing replied, then turned back to Nian Suian, "Why don't you rest in the room for a while, or would you like to go out for a walk? I have a meeting now and must attend."
"It's okay, I'll just stay in the office." Nian Suian felt too unsettled inside to consider going out.
"Alright, then wait for me to come back."