Chapter 13

Domineering dumb brute or obedient, cute little puppy, you pick which one?
Obviously, the little puppy!
Gu An’an decisively climbed into Xie Youjun’s passenger seat, ignoring Lu Xingyu’s expression of fury as if he’d just caught his wife cheating and one of them had to die today. She said to the little puppy, “Let’s go!”
The little puppy grabbed Gu An’an’s suitcase, put it in the trunk, and slammed it shut. Then he climbed into the driver’s seat: “Let’s go!”
Lu Xingyu’s face turned pale with anger, handsome as he was, the campus heartthrob, his brain clearly wasn’t working at full capacity.
He ran over, ruffling his hair in frustration, and banged on the window.
Gu An’an’s mind automatically activated the ignore mode, deaf to Lu Xingyu’s impotent rage.
Xie Youjun glanced at Gu An’an and slowly rolled down the window.
Facing his cousin’s angry expression, he bared his teeth in a grin: “Go home, bro. I’ll take An’an sister first~”
Then he pressed the accelerator and sped off.
The car shot forward with a roar, and Gu An’an saw Lu Xingyu’s slime bubble above his head turn from deep blue to pink in the rearview mirror.
She squinted, trying to make out the numbers, but at this speed, it was impossible. Still, it turned pink, so the value should have passed the passing mark, right? That idiot Lu Xingyu was supposedly growing closer to Su Ruan, why did his favor toward her not drop but rise?
Thinking of this, Gu An’an completely lost her cool: perverted freak!!!
The car tore down the highway. At first, she pretended to be indifferent, then stared blankly into the rearview mirror, furrowed her brows in thought, and finally completely collapsed. Xie Youjun concluded she was heartbroken.
He held the steering wheel with one hand, a black sports watch on his wrist. Young, yet experienced, he comforted her: “Sister, out with the old, in with the new. The next one will be better~”
Gu An’an turned to look at him.
The sunlight hit the handsome little puppy at just the right angle, and he smiled at her.
Gu An’an: “......”
The scent of Biluochun tea wafted into her nose, fresh and fragrant.
But she had no interest in either Lu Xingyu or Xie Youjun. Not just because she feared the corruption of her humble soul by the wealthy and decadent, but because she simply wasn’t into green tea types.
She appreciated Grandpa Xie’s kindness, but it was beyond her worth.
Though it was a family banquet, it was held at a hotel under the Xie family’s name.
Many people attended, some familiar, some strangers. As the hosts, the Xie family hadn’t arrived in full force yet.
Lu Xingyu’s mother, the eldest daughter of the Xie family, was a domineering CEO of a multinational enterprise. She owned numerous luxury brands and had close ties with the domestic and international fashion world.
When Gu An’an arrived at the entrance, she spotted Ms. Xie’s Land Rover.
Compared to flashy, sky-high-priced sports cars, Ms. Xie always kept things low-key. Her sharp features and formidable aura made the car and clothing mere accessories.
Lu Xingyu’s father, Lu Li, dressed in custom black, accompanied her, gazing quietly at his wife with unmistakable admiration. Even approaching fifty, his looks were still lethal, probably only Xie Jinxing could rival him.
Unfortunately, Lu Xingyu didn’t inherit his father’s luck in the reproductive department.
Whenever Gu An’an saw this couple, she felt an irresistible urge to ask Ms. Xie: “Have you considered having another child?”
If given the chance, she really would ask.
The couple had just gotten out of the car when they were surrounded. Camera flashes blinded them, but security kept photographers at least a meter away.
Tomorrow’s headlines would definitely be flooded with news of the Xie family.
Previously, the public speculated that Xie Jinxing’s return would spark a brutal struggle with the Xie family’s eldest daughter. Many predicted that his decisive methods would stir turmoil in Beijing, even nationwide.
Yet, according to rumors, Xie Jinxing hadn’t shown his face publicly. He was so low-key that the press couldn’t dig up a single clue.
None of this concerned Gu An’an.
As soon as she arrived at the hotel, Xie Youjun took her to get styled.
The Xie family rarely held large-scale banquets, maybe twice in five years.
The first time was when Gu An’an had just arrived at the Xie household. She didn’t remember why. This time, Grandpa Xie wanted Xie Jinxing to officially inherit the family business, so a banquet was held to announce his status to elite circles.
“Do I also need to get styled?”
Gu An’an didn’t understand. Why would she need styling just because Xie Jinxing was being announced as heir? Was she supposed to perform on stage?
Please, Mary Sue-style miracles, don’t attack me now, I’d die.
Gu An’an nervously clarified: “Just so you know... I only play ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ on the piano. Maybe ‘Happy Birthday’ if anything.”
Xie Youjun: “......”
Whatever nonsense she was babbling, today she had to be styled!
The team styling Gu An’an was from Lu Xingyu’s mother’s company, celebrity-level designers with top-notch skills. Gu An’an, previously only a moderately pretty school goddess, now looked dazzling, as if she’d been put through a ten-level beauty filter with ultra-glam lighting.
Even Xie Youjun was dumbstruck. He’d always known she was pretty, but this...this was stunning!
His sharp, mischievous gaze seemed frozen, staring at Gu An’an in awe.
Gu An’an noticed he had slightly curly hair. His dazed look finally gave him the youthful charm of an eighteen-year-old.
Embarrassed, she tugged at the fabric, worried it revealed too much: “Is it too revealing?”
“No,” said the designer, a very ‘manly’ makeup artist, grinning. “This is exactly the effect we want! Show it off!”
Xie Youjun, still stunned, cleared his throat: “An’an sister, I’ll check if Grandpa has arrived. You rest here. I’ll call you when it’s time.”
Gu An’an: “Oh.”
Nice, she could avoid socializing.
The styling team left quickly, satisfied with their work.
Gu An’an, now like a giant figurine on the sofa, had nothing to do, so she pulled out her phone to play games.
Timi might be useless, but wasting time with timi was top-tier.
After thirty minutes, six minutes into the game, being killed five or six times, Gu An’an finally lost her composure and shouted in chat: “Jungler, are you picking mushrooms in the jungle?!”
Just then, the lounge door creaked open.
Gu An’an looked up, and suddenly locked eyes with Su Ruan.
Su Ruan was dressed in a standard black server uniform, her expression innocent and clueless, unaware of the danger as she entered the VIP lounge.
Gu An’an: ???
Gu An’an: ...She’s here too?!
She peeked at the sign on the door: VIP Lounge – Do Not Disturb.
The two stood in silence, staring at each other.
The in-game battle raged on, and the overly lively background music made the moment awkward. Su Ruan’s smile faded, her expression gradually serious.
Her bright doe-like eyes met Gu An’an’s, and she spoke clearly: “Sorry, I took the wrong door.”
Then she casually exited and closed the door.
Gu An’an got goosebumps and froze.
...What just happened? Why did her throat suddenly go dry?
Outside the hotel, a long Bentley slowly stopped. The door opened, and a tall figure stepped out.
A tailored suit, a simple tie clip, a wristwatch of considerable value, enough to outshine everyone.
The media swarmed immediately.
A team of security rushed forward, blocking photographers.
Although this Xie family banquet was publicly known, it was for upper-class circles and business partners only. Media who got the news weren’t turned away but weren’t VIPs either.
No journalist dared take photos. Nobody dared offend the Xie family.
“BOSS, Grandpa is waiting.”
Xie Jinxing nodded.
The banquet was at 8 PM; it was still early. Xie Jinxing went to meet Grandpa first, planning to go downstairs only when the banquet officially started.
He walked leisurely, but with long legs, disappearing from the media in a blink.
He took a special route to the VIP lounge on the second floor.
The elevator chimed. He stepped onto the carpet and saw a fuzzy back of a head at the end of the corridor, looking left and right, sneaking around.
Xie Jinxing stood still, watching the person dash recklessly toward him.
Gu An’an, with her game to play, didn’t want to move. The designer had dressed her in ballet-style lace-up heels. Walking in them felt like dancing on a knife’s edge.
If possible, she would stay in the lounge all night. But she had just heard Lu Xingyu and Su Ruan’s voices.
These two big threats together left her, a mere side character, completely helpless.
Fight or flee, no shame in fleeing.
Yet, she moved too fast, braked too hard, and spun like a little dancing girl on a music box before landing on her backside.
A hand caught her just in time.
Silence.
...Considering Gu An’an’s age, the stylist had chosen a black backless cocktail dress.
A thin strap tied behind her neck, a large bow at the lower back, layered skirt flaring out, showing long legs. Looking in the mirror, she appeared like a giant human gift.
Now, a warm hand pressed against her shoulder blades.
Ahhhhh...Oh my God, will the heroine tearfully demand she be skinned alive later?!!
Gu An’an, as if struck by lightning, jumped three meters back, pressed against the wall, eyes wide, staring at the sudden presence.
Xie Jinxing lifted her up. Clean, civilized hands, gentle and quick, then slowly placed her back down. His gaze lingered for a moment on the delicate skin, then his hands returned behind his back. He looked down at her quietly.
Her lashes fluttered, sweat on her nose, her beauty accentuated by the glamorous dress.
The air seemed to thin.
No one spoke.
Finally, a low, pleasant male voice sounded, like a dream: “Why are you panicking and running?”
Gu An’an fiddled with the wallpaper with her fingers, looked up briefly, then quickly lowered her gaze.
She said: “Uncle, there are two cockroaches over there.”
Xie Jinxing paused, raising an eyebrow.
This high-end hotel maintained impeccable hygiene. Cockroaches wouldn’t appear in the VIP corridor.
His eyes lingered for a moment on Gu An’an’s partially exposed collarbone, then shifted to Li, his assistant: “Oh? Li, have housekeeping come up.”
Li immediately reached for his phone.
Gu An’an: “???”
“Wait, no,” she quickly stopped him.
Though scolding is wrong, could these two men read the room? Didn’t they notice her sarcasm?
Not wanting to create extra work, she apologized immediately:
“Sorry, Uncle, I was being sarcastic. There aren’t any cockroaches, it’s just two people in love. I exaggerated.”
A subtle smile flickered in Xie Jinxing’s eyes. He asked, “Someone you know?”
Gu An’an blinked.
“Xingyu?”
Gu An’an: “......”
She paused, tugging at her mouth: “It’s Lu Xingyu and his working senior, Su Ruan...”
Xie Jinxing glanced down the corridor.
Crystal lights reflected off the carpet, a dimly luxurious atmosphere. He lowered his hands from behind his back, the smile fading.
Pressing his lips together, he waved at Gu An’an: “Don’t like that? Go play in my lounge.”
Xie Jinxing’s lounge was on the third floor. Outsiders, even Lu Xingyu, weren’t allowed.
“Ah?” Gu An’an froze.
Xie Jinxing: ?
Gu An’an: “...Oh. Thanks, Uncle.”