C24 Flowers Blossomed on the Tree

Gu Zhiwei's apartment was conveniently located near Beiverlim University, just a short distance from Bo's Group.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone before the voice said, "I'm in a meeting."

"Ah!" Gu Zhiwei quirked an eyebrow. "So you can't bear to hang up on me even during a meeting? Am I that significant to you?"

After another pause, the man's steady breathing could be heard. "If there's nothing else, I..."

"Don't." Gu Zhiwei parted her red lips, cutting him off, "I want to see you. Finish up your work quickly and come pick me up."

The man offered no reply and simply ended the call.

Gu Zhiwei wasn't upset. She gazed at the name on her phone screen, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

Bo Yandong.

The name had a pleasant ring to it.

Inside Bo's Group's conference room, the attendees couldn't conceal their astonishment as Bo Yandong entered.

Was this a sign of trouble?

The stoic enforcer, the notorious workaholic, had actually stepped away from the meeting to take a call?

Who was it that could make Mr. Bo's lips twitch into a slight smile upon seeing the caller ID?

Could it be that their family's age-old, unyielding tree was about to blossom this early autumn?

The meeting resumed, but the usually resolute Bo Yandong seemed somewhat distracted.

"President Bo," Qin Chuan said softly, bringing Bo Yandong back from his reverie, signaling it was time for him to make a decision.

Bo Yandong's lips were tight as he lightly drummed his fingers on the table. "Let's adjourn for today. We'll continue the discussion tomorrow."

The room was filled with astonishment.

What had gotten into Mr. Bo? Why had he become so unsettled after that phone call, as if preoccupied with personal matters?

They had never seen Mr. Bo so out of character before. Could it be that... Mr. Bo was in love?

The air in the meeting room was thick with the scent of gossip as the attendees exchanged knowing looks.

After the meeting, Qin Chuan glanced at the schedule and remarked, "Mr. Bo, there are still two and a half hours until Miss Ruoshan's birthday banquet. Would you like to return to your office for a short rest?"

Mr. Bo had a busy day. He managed to catch only a brief nap at noon, but thankfully, the sachet from the young madam ensured he slept quite peacefully.

Bo Yandong shook his head and adjusted his tie, "No need, I'll go pick her up first."

There was no doubt that 'she' referred to Gu Zhiwei.

It dawned on Qin Chuan who had made that phone call.

This explained Mr. Bo's distracted state.

Qin Chuan wondered what the young madam had said on the phone to make Mr. Bo, who usually placed work above all else, drop everything and hurry to pick her up.

They had known each other for merely three days, yet things were moving so swiftly. If they spent a few more days together, might they be expecting the little master soon?

The thought alone filled Qin Chuan with glee.

"What are you standing around for?" Bo Yandong asked, a slight frown creasing his brow.

"Yes, Mr. Bo, I'll go start the car right away!"

Meanwhile, at the Gu family mansion.

Gu Ruoshan emerged in a stunning red gown, a crown atop her head, her makeup bold and flawless, assisted by the servants from the dressing room.

She brushed aside the servant and approached Lin Li with concern. "Mom, are you sure this is the right thing to do?"

"Of course, it is," Lin Li replied, her eyes betraying a hint of venom now that they were alone. "It's a brilliant strategy that serves two purposes: it deals with Gu Zhiwei and rids you of Qin Lang, that persistent fool."

"But..." Gu Ruoshan's brow furrowed, her hesitation apparent.

Lin Li took her hand, her voice filled with earnest, "My dear, you mustn't waver now. Gu Zhiwei has overstepped her bounds. I can't stand for it, even if you can."

She caressed her daughter's head affectionately, "You deserve the finest man in the world. This time, she's fortunate to end up with Qin Lang. It's not a bad outcome for her. Otherwise..."

If not for the pressing situation, she wouldn't have given Gu Zhiwei such an easy way out.

Otherwise, she would have ensured Gu Zhiwei's complete downfall, preventing her from ever joining the ranks of high society.

Gu Ruoshan lowered her gaze to conceal the burning resentment in her eyes. She nodded demurely and said, "I understand, Mother. A daughter should always listen to her mother."

Lin Li's lips curled into a satisfied smile, but her brow furrowed soon after. "Why is your makeup so heavy today?"

Gu Ruoshan stiffened, her hand at her side tensing slightly.

Gu Zhiwei had mentioned that Bo Yandong preferred her makeup that way.

Thus, she had instinctively copied Zhiwei's makeup style, instructing the makeup artist to aim for a refined look.

She was aware that she was merely imitating Zhiwei, yet she couldn't help herself.

With a forced smile, she said, "It's my birthday today, so I thought I'd dress up a bit more."

Lin Li pondered for a moment before nodding in approval. "That's a good idea. The young master from the Bo family might just appreciate your look."

At that, Gu Ruoshan's smile became genuinely joyful.

Tonight, she was going to be the center of attention, and Bo Yandong would surely notice her.

And as for Gu Zhiwei.

Ha! A woman who shamelessly flaunts her desires in public will be utterly disgraced, becoming the laughingstock of the entire city.

Then, Bo Yandong would certainly not spare her a second glance.

He was meant to be hers, Gu Ruoshan's man.

What she wanted, no one could snatch away!

Qin Chuan drove up to the road outside Elite Community and from a distance, he spotted a slender figure in black at the entrance.

The woman was dressed in a simple black linen gown, a small white flower tucked behind her ear, her makeup understated, giving her a vulnerable appearance.

Her face was usually marked by a cool detachment, but upon seeing the Rolls-Royce Phantom, it brightened with a radiant smile.

Qin Chuan caught his breath for a moment, suddenly grasping why Mr. Bo was so captivated by this woman.

She was no mere mortal, but a creature that could ensnare the soul!

"Mr. Bo, the young madam is here."

The man who had been resting with his eyes closed in the back seat immediately opened them at the sound of Qin Chuan's voice.

Qin Chuan deftly parked the car in front of Gu Zhiwei and stepped out to open the door for her.

Gu Zhiwei acknowledged him with a gracious nod and smile, then slid into the car with elegance.

No sooner had she entered the vehicle than she began to fidget, pressing her body close to Bo Yandong's, sinuous as a serpent, seemingly eager to entwine herself with him.

The man lounged comfortably against the leather seat, his fingers interlocked and resting on his crossed thighs. As he felt the softness of the woman's body against his arm, his eyebrows quirked ever so slightly. An exotic fragrance had somehow filled the car, teasing his nostrils with the scent of poppies blown by the wind in the dead of night. It was the aroma of Black Crow, as bewitching and alluring as she was.

Bo Yandong shifted his legs with a hint of discomfort and said in a cool tone, "Behave yourself."

Gu Zhiwei retracted her hand from his thigh with a smile, propping her chin on his shoulder to gaze at his captivating profile. "Did you sleep well last night, Yandong?" she asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

Bo Yandong's expression turned frosty, his lips pressed into a thin line, offering no reply.

With a slight smile playing on her lips, Gu Zhiwei's voice dripped with languor, "I, on the other hand, had a restless night."

Noting his silence, she affected a look of disappointment and pouted. Her delicate hand began to stroke his chest, "I had a dream about you last night. In it, you..."