"Director Yu, if you have nothing else, I'm going to class. Bye." Xia Qingtian waved and was about to leave when Yu Linwan immediately stopped her.
"Xia Qingtian, did I say you could leave?" Yu Linwan, seeing Xia Qingtian acting like she wasn't taking her seriously, angrily took off her sunglasses and glared at Xia Qingtian. "Are you kidding me with that cheeky grin? You dared to stand me up! Aren't you afraid..."
Yu Linwan stopped herself mid-sentence.
Her trump card had to be saved for the last moment. If she revealed it now, she would be at a disadvantage again.
This time, no matter what, she had to gain the upper hand and absolutely could not be led around by the nose by this bitch Xia Qingtian.
With that thought, Yu Linwan took a deep breath and continued, "Xia Qingtian, I'm giving you a chance, don't waste it. If things really reach a point of no return, you'll be the one who suffers."
"I've always disliked overthinking things. If there's no turning back, then so be it. All roads lead to Rome; it's all about which path you take," Xia Qingtian said indifferently. "But Director Yu, you have really bad dark circles. At your age, anti-aging is very important."
"You!" Hearing Xia Qingtian call her old, Yu Linwan's face grew even more unpleasant with anger.
Did she not realize who kept her up all night?
"I'm not interested in your business, nor am I interested in the talent show. My heart is set on studying," Xia Qingtian waved her hand and prepared to leave.
"What if I told you what I want to tell you is related to Gu Yaoyang?" Yu Linwan raised her eyebrows, tilted her chin, and spoke with a tone of pride and arrogance.
Upon hearing Yu Linwan say that, Xia Qingtian chuckled and said, "If it's something related to Gu Yaoyang, I'll ask him if I want to know."
"And what if it's something even Gu Yaoyang doesn't know?" Yu Linwan snorted and said again, "I'll wait for you at Rosa Pub at nine o'clock tonight. If you dare to stand me up again, don't blame me for being impolite!"
After issuing this warning, Yu Linwan put her sunglasses back on, glanced at Xia Qingtian, turned, and left.
Xia Qingtian narrowed her eyes, watching Yu Linwan's retreating figure, and only looked away after a long while.
Had Yu Linwan found some sort of leverage over Gu Yaoyang?
After much deliberation, Xia Qingtian arrived at the appointment at nine o'clock that evening.
Rosa Pub wasn't at its busiest at this hour. Furthermore, Yu Linwan had booked a private room, making it even quieter. However, the lighting and atmosphere always carried a hint of ambiguity, thoroughly showcasing the venue as "not a proper place."
"You still came." Seeing Xia Qingtian appear, Yu Linwan smiled with extreme triumph.
No matter how arrogant Xia Qingtian was, she would have her crying days in the future!
"Director Yu, are you not welcoming me?" Xia Qingtian's tone was casual. "If you don't welcome me, why invite me?"
"Xia Qingtian, I know what you're trying to do." Yu Linwan took out a box of women's cigarettes, extracted one, and held it between her fingers. With a flick of her eyes, she signaled Xia Qingtian to be sensible and light her cigarette.
Seeing Xia Qingtian make no move, Yu Linwan frowned and flicked her eyes again.
"What's wrong? Was the eye corner surgery unsuccessful, and you have side effects?" Xia Qingtian asked.
"I didn't have double eyelid surgery! My face is all natural!" Yu Linwan's voice grew much louder.
Seeing Xia Qingtian's lack of compliance, Yu Linwan glared at her, then simply picked up her lighter and lit the cigarette herself. She took a drag, slowly exhaled a smoke ring, and then said, "The Gu family is an old and established family in Kyoto with deep roots. It's normal for you to want to climb up, but it's better to be realistic."
"Are you talking about yourself?" Xia Qingtian asked after listening.
"My Yu family is also an old and established family in Kyoto, a perfect match!" Yu Linwan felt she was different from Xia Qingtian.
"Your Yu family?" Xia Qingtian let out a light laugh and sat on the sofa opposite Yu Linwan.
Yu Linwan naturally understood the implication in Xia Qingtian's words, her face flushing instantly. Then, she let out a cold snort and said, "Regardless, I am currently the Gu family's daughter-in-law, the future matriarch of the Gu family. If you still hope to marry into the Gu family, it's best to be smart."
"The head of the Gu family is still alive, and you're already acting like the Gu family matriarch? Moreover, given Gu Yaoqing's philandering ways, even if he were to luckily become the head of the Gu family in the future, the position of matriarch might not necessarily be yours. I think Wen Shengsheng is a much better fit." Xia Qingtian spread her hands and said.
"Wen Shengsheng? Heh, a woman who went to Japan to film adult films and still wants to compete with me?" Yu Linwan laughed.
Xia Qingtian secretly sympathized inwardly but didn't feel too much, as this was something she had known since her previous life.
Yu Linwan's peripheral vision caught Xia Qingtian's expression remaining unchanged. She thought she had indeed judged Xia Qingtian correctly.
This Xia Qingtian was ruthless. If it were any other woman, she might have reacted drastically and lost her composure.
"I assume you've heard about Wanyou Entertainment's new variety show?" Yu Linwan said. "I've reserved a spot for you. Prepare to participate in the recording."
"Wanyou Entertainment's new variety show? Forget it. I'm afraid I'll be dragged down by Wanyou Entertainment to apologize." Xia Qingtian found Yu Linwan truly outrageous. What was with that matter-of-fact tone? "I've never apologized before and I'm afraid I won't be skilled at it."
"You!" Hearing the sarcasm in Xia Qingtian's tone, Yu Linwan's face turned completely grim. "Xia Qingtian, I've given you chances repeatedly, don't mistake my kindness for weakness!"
"Then I really thank you, Director Yu. Keep such a good opportunity for yourself." Xia Qingtian chuckled, stood up, and said, "I wish you soaring ratings and a beautiful fall. I'll take my leave."
"Don't you want to know Gu Yaoyang's secret?" Yu Linwan said coldly.
"I think you don't know it at all and just found an excuse to summon me." Xia Qingtian spread her hands and said, "Also, to be honest, I think you might have some sort of serious mental illness. Instead of wasting time with me, you should go see a specialist and get thoroughly checked, don't delay treatment.
I don't know about other things, but delusional disorder is best discovered and treated early.
With Gu Yaoqing's capabilities and character, you still expect him to become the head of the Gu family and for you to become the matriarch?
Wake up!
I see you're quite ambitious. Why can't you just be your own independent, beautiful self and pursue your career? Relying on Gu Yaoqing's abilities to become the head of the family? You might as well buy scratch-off lottery tickets!"
"At least Gu Yaoqing has the surname Gu." Yu Linwan said.
"The way you say that, everyone in the Gu family has the surname Gu, right? Gu Yaoyang also has the surname Gu!" Xia Qingtian said speechlessly.
"Gu Yaoyang, he doesn't have the surname Gu."