C18 She Was Already Being Bullied by You!

Bo Yandong steadied himself and shifted the conversation. "Is it really appropriate for you to attend the banquet dressed like that?"

Gu Zhiwei arched an eyebrow, her voice turning icy, "Why wouldn't it be? Attending Gu Ruoshan's funeral is already more respect than she deserves."

"People will talk; your actions could give them something to gossip about." He gently cautioned her in the end.

Gu Zhiwei paused, a flicker of emotion in her eyes. When she looked up again, her face was all smiles.

She wrapped her arms around the man's arm, nuzzling her head against his ear, "With you by my side, I'm not afraid of anyone bullying me."

Bo Yandong tensed as he felt the gentle nuzzle at his ear. He glanced down at Gu Zhiwei.

Her eyes were narrowed, reminiscent of a drowsy kitten, the initial cold haughtiness replaced with a touch of warmth. A sudden, tingling sensation struck his chest, as if grazed by a kitten's claw.

He was about to respond when his phone rang. Gu Zhiwei's eyebrows lifted at the sound, and she sat up straight.

Bo Yandong experienced a fleeting sense of loss as her warmth left his arm. He pulled out his phone, his brow furrowing at the caller ID.

It was Elder Zhang from the board of directors. After Bo Yandong hung up, he instructed Qin Chuan to pull the car over and promptly exited the vehicle.

"I'm sorry, there's an emergency at the company that I need to handle. You go ahead to the banquet. I'll..." He trailed off, not finishing his sentence.

He realized, just at the last moment, that he had almost made an unconscious promise to this woman.

Watching him step out of the car, leaving it for her use, Gu Zhiwei pulled at the corner of her mouth but remained silent.

At the Jun Hao Hotel, the second-floor hall buzzed with the voices of the assembled guests.

Gu Ruoshan, clad in a red gown and clutching a champagne flute, smiled graciously. As she navigated the compliments of the guests, she craned her neck, peering toward the entrance.

"Ruoshan, you look absolutely stunning today," Zhao Qiao gushed, draping an arm around her. "Once President Bo arrives, he won't be able to take his eyes off you. And that Gu Zhiwei? Next to you, she'll look like nothing more than a country bumpkin!"

A man of refined and scholarly demeanor brushed past them. Overhearing Zhao Qiao's remarks, he glanced their way and his brow furrowed slightly.

Gu Ruoshan blushed and smiled coyly.

Her makeup was exquisitely done, making her resemble a vibrant red peony.

Qin Lang, guided by a waiter, entered the banquet hall and immediately noticed the striking red dress at the center.

He paused, momentarily taken aback.

At first, he mistook her for Gu Zhiwei, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was Gu Ruoshan.

"Ruoshan," he said, pushing aside the odd sensation in his chest as he approached with a gift, "Happy Birthday."

Gu Ruoshan beamed as she accepted the present. "Thank you, Qin Lang. It means a lot that you're here."

Qin Lang offered a polite smile in return.

Nearby, Lin Li was engaged in conversation with several of the Gu family's relatives.

Spotting the distinguished man not far off, her face lit up with joy. "Yishu, you made it!"

Ning Yishu, the Ning family's eldest grandson, was one of the capital's most esteemed young talents.

Descended from the nation's founding heroes, the Ning family, despite its waning influence, remained one of the capital's most prominent families, second only to the Bo family.

"Aunt," Ning Yishu called out, his tone respectful yet distant.

Lin Li reveled in the acknowledgment, her smile widening as she approached. "I've heard you started your own company since coming back home this year. You truly live up to the Ning family name; the younger generation is formidable indeed."