On Wednesday, Qiao Yuxian only had classes in the morning.
After class, she went out to eat with her roommates and then went shopping together, buying some things.
After 3 p.m., she parted ways with her roommate and headed to Zhouhui Bank.
She retrieved a cake of tea and a jade handpiece from the safe deposit box.
During her interactions with the old man, she had roughly figured out his preferences.
These items were collected for the old gentleman, but she temporarily kept them at the bank.
After picking up the items, she went to the mall, bought some supplements, and then took a taxi back to Fenglin Villa.
Sitting in the car, she thought about calling Shang Chen to tell him that he didn't need to pick her up from school.
As she took out her phone, she realized she didn't have Shang Chen's contact information saved.
Qiao Yuxian scrolled through her phone's contacts, her finger lingering on Gu Yanjing's number for a moment.
She thought for a bit but then exited the contacts page.
She tapped on her phone a few times, the screen went black, and the keyboard popped up.
Then, holding the phone with both hands, her thumbs pressed on the screen.
Lines of code scrolled across the screen...
In a little over a minute, she obtained Shang Chen's phone number.
Qiao Yuxian switched her phone back to its normal system, entered the number, and called Shang Chen.
...
Shang Chen received the call just after finishing a temporary meeting with Gu Yanjing and stepping out of the conference room.
He looked at the unfamiliar number on his phone and pressed to hang up.
The call came through again shortly, and he then answered it.
"Mr. Shang, it's me, Qiao Yuxian."
Shang Chen paused upon hearing her voice: "Miss Qiao."
Gu Yanjing glanced at him sideways.
He couldn't hear what Qiao Yuxian was saying, only hearing Shang Chen say: "I'll head directly to Fenglin Villa."
And then he hung up the call.
Back in the office, Gu Yanjing sat down and looked at him.
Shang Chen stood in front of the desk, locking eyes with him for two seconds, his mind racing, before coming to a realization and reporting in a businesslike manner: "Miss Qiao returned to Fenglin Villa and told me there's no need to go to the school."
After hearing this, Gu Yanjing lowered his gaze and began working.
Shang Chen stood for a while, seeing that nothing else needed attending to, and left the office.
Regarding Qiao Yuxian having Shang Chen's phone number, neither of them thought much of it.
Gu Yanjing assumed Qiao Yuxian got the contact information from Shang Chen, while Shang Chen believed Gu Yanjing had given it to Qiao Yuxian.
...
Qiao Yuxian returned to Fenglin Villa, changed her clothes, and applied a bit of light makeup.
Not long after tidying up, the sound of a car reached her from downstairs.
Qiao Yuxian grabbed her bag and went downstairs to the living room, finding not only Shang Chen but also Gu Yanjing had arrived.
Qiao Yuxian instinctively looked at the clock in the living room and then said, "You left early."
Gu Yanjing looked at her.
Qiao Yuxian was dressed in a plain-colored dress, with a length below the knees, and an outer layer of thin gauze. The light fabric draped from her shoulders to her forearms, simple and elegant.
The plain color of the dress subdued the allure of her looks slightly, making her appear more refined and lively.
Her hair was loose, slightly curled in gentle waves, beautiful, voluminous, and soft.
With a touch of light makeup, it made her look more gentle.
Gu Yanjing looked at her for a few seconds and said, "It's my company."
Qiao Yuxian: "...Alright, you're the boss; you set the off-duty time."
Gu Yanjing adjusted his cuff and said nothing.
After a few seconds, Qiao Yuxian walked a few steps closer to him, looking up and asking, "How does my makeup look today?"
Her skin was fair and delicate, her eyes bright, and her lips rosy and always moist.
Gu Yanjing lowered his eyes to look at her. They were so close that he could see each of her eyelashes clearly, but he couldn't really tell what makeup she had on.
Qiao Yuxian's eyes blinked; she didn't expect a response from him, as she adjusted her hair and said, "This makeup is perfect for meeting elders. Gentle, elegant, and obedient."
Watching her lips open and close as she spoke, Gu Yanjing's lips
tugged slightly, then he shifted his gaze away from her face and said, "Let's go."
"Mm." Qiao Yuxian didn't notice the fleeting oddness in Gu Yanjing's demeanor and went to the corner of the living room, "I bought some things for Grandpa."
Shang Chen, who had been standing aside, immediately moved to help carry the items.
"Too much," Gu Yanjing said.
Qiao Yuxian helped carry two things: "It's okay."
"I'll take it," Shang Chen said.
"No worries," Qiao Yuxian said, carrying them outside.
Gu Yanjing walked next to her and took the items from her hands.
With free hands, Qiao Yuxian smiled and followed him out.
When they reached the back of the car, they found the trunk filled with gifts.
She blinked twice, realizing what Gu Yanjing meant by "too much."
He had prepared things as well.
Qiao Yuxian looked at these things and suddenly laughed.
Hearing the laughter, Gu Yanjing turned to look at her.
Under his cold gaze, Qiao Yuxian didn't stop smiling; instead, she smiled even more joyously.
Shang Chen also glanced at her. While sorting things in the trunk, he thought: She's probably a fool or lacking a sense of fear.
Even with Mr. Gu being so intimidating, how can she laugh?
...
The Gu Family's Old Mansion is located in the most central area of the Capital City.
Next to the mansion is a Prince Mansion.
When constructing the old mansion, it was built according to the specifications of the adjacent Prince Mansion. It's even slightly larger and more splendid.
Red walls, green tiles, carved beams, and painted rafters, magnificent and grand.
This often caused tourists visiting the Prince Mansion to get confused.
The car drove through the gate and stopped.
As soon as Qiao Yuxian got out of the car, she saw Old Sir Gu waiting for them outside.
She immediately ran over, "Grandpa."
The hem of her dress fluttered, her hair spreading out. The previously silent mansion became lively with her clear and pleasant voice.
Gu Yanjing stood beside the car, watching her back, his cold eyes flickering.
"Slow down." Old Sir Gu, leaning on a cane, took a few steps forward as well, and said when she reached him, "The heels are high, be careful."
"It's okay." Qiao Yuxian held his arm with a smile, "I jog often; I'm quite good at it, high heels aren't an issue."
"So capable." Old Sir Gu was very appreciative.
"Of course." Qiao Yuxian saw Gu Yanjing coming over and said quickly, "If you don't believe me, you can ask Gu Yanjing, I'm quite good at running."
Old Sir Gu's eyes lit up, somewhat surprised, "You two go jogging together?"
"Yes." Qiao Yuxian looked at Gu Yanjing and said without a blush or heartbeat, "Am I good?"
Old Sir Gu also turned to Gu Yanjing, eyes sparkling with anticipation of his answer.
Gu Yanjing gave Qiao Yuxian a glance and replied nonchalantly, "Mm."
Qiao Yuxian was satisfied.
Old Sir Gu looked at Gu Yanjing for a moment longer, and then suddenly laughed, "Our Yuxian is really capable."
Gu Yanjing: "......"
"Exactly." Qiao Yuxian smiled as he approached, "A great-grandson is calling you, Grandpa."
"Indeed," Old Sir Gu responded, balancing the delicate tea cake Qiao Yuxian had laid in front of him, and opening the box containing the handpiece, "What a lovely pair. He'll be so delighted."
Gu Yanjing glanced at Qiao Yuxian, who was smiling, and then looked away, sipping tea, as if he hadn't just spoken.
Old Sir Gu seemed to envision his future great-grandson reaching out to him.
Qiao Yuxian smiled as well and waited until they finished moving everything in before taking the tea. She showed the tea cake to Old Sir Gu with care, and opened the box containing the handpiece, "There's also this handpiece."
The quality of the handpiece was excellent; even if it was not an antique, it was a precious artifact.
The tea cake appeared once almost at an auction, disappearing soon afterward.
At the time of auction, it fetched a seven-figure price; what its price is now is uncertain.
Being a well-connected person is an advantage.
Gu Yanjing looked at Qiao Yuxian's beaming face, then reverted his attention to himself sipping the tea, as if he was alone, as if he hadn't just spoken.
Old Sir Gu glanced at the items, then at Qiao Yuxian with a beaming smile, "Our Yuxian is truly impressive."
Gu Yanjing: "......"
"That's right." Qiao Yuxian smiled, waiting for everything to be moved, took the tea, "Tea for the grandpa, it's well-preserved, and very valuable, but the connections are what's more crucial." She hesitated before she added, "but you know, this tea cake once appeared at an auction and then disappeared after being sold at seven figures. Who knows what it's worth now."
Gu Yanjing, sipping his tea, took another look at these items and then at Qiao Yuxian.
The quality of the handpiece was excellent; even if it wasn't antique, it was a fine item.
To obtain these things for Old Sir Gu, it was clear that Qiao Yuxian had put her heart into it.
Noticing her radiant smile, Gu Yanjing averted his eyes and said, "Let's go."
Qiao Yuxian chuckled again, "Too many? Then let's keep some for next time."
"Sure." Gu Yanjing responded, "There's even a big great-grandchild for Grandpa calling me."
Qiao Yuxian laughed and joined them, as Old Sir Gu showed a pleased expression.
End of the conversation had left for them, there was silence.
"""