Chapter 177: Chapter 177: I Don’t Care
The banquet was about to begin. Usually, these people didn’t have a serious side, always jesting around, but today was a significant day for Tang Yuxiu, so they had to be a bit more earnest.
Though today didn’t seem to be particularly pleasant for Tang Yuxiu.
As the banquet started, everyone looked towards the stage. The host spoke at length, which Gu Yan found rather dull. Next up was the old Chairman’s speech; after he finished, it would be Tang Yuxiu’s turn to take the stage.
He wore his usual handmade black suit, expressionless. In front of others, he always seemed so unapproachable, exuding an air of invincibility.
His speech was in his usual style, consisting of just a few very brief sentences. Those present seemed accustomed to his temperament and had no objections, so they applauded.
It seemed that Tang Yuxiu’s gaze swept across the crowd, then he wanted to leave the stage. At this moment, Chairman Tang stepped forward, signaling Tang Yuxiu to wait, and then addressed the crowd once again, saying, "Thank you all for taking the time from your busy schedules to attend the Tang Family banquet. Besides celebrating for my son today, I also have an announcement to make."
This was unexpected, and everyone couldn’t help but be curious.
Chairman Tang said, "In a month, my son Tang Yuxiu will hold an engagement ceremony with the eldest daughter of the Nie Group, Miss Nie Rong. The specific date will be announced later, and we hope to see you all then."
The announcement shocked everyone.
Even Tang Yuxiu himself was unaware, and he frowned deeply, remaining silent.
Gu Yan suddenly felt faint, engagement, Tang Yuxiu and Nie Rong are getting engaged!
"I heard Miss Nie is actually involved with the General Manager."
"I heard from someone above that at the end-of-the-month banquet for the General Manager’s appointment as President, the Chairman would announce their engagement date."
The gossip she had heard suddenly surged into her mind. It wasn’t just baseless rumors; it was true.
Although the date wasn’t announced, it doesn’t make much difference now.
They are getting engaged.
Gu Yan’s heart ached dully. All she could do was suffer in silence, without even the right to question or feel heartbroken.
Listening to the surrounding voices continuously offering blessings to the elderly on stage and Nie Rong, who had somehow made her way to stand beside Tang Yuxiu, she felt an uncomfortable blockage in her heart.
Qin Junnan’s voice brought her back to reality, "Gu Yan, what’s wrong? You don’t look well."
Gu Yan shook her head slightly, "I’m fine. Maybe I’ve been standing too long in these high heels. I’m not used to wearing them."
Qin Junnan’s eyes showed a trace of pity, "I’m sorry to have made you suffer."
"How could it be suffering? Senior, you don’t have to blame yourself. I just lack the good fortune."
Perhaps she was destined to be like this, with both parents gone and an indifferent foster mother. To pay for her foster father’s illness, she had sold herself to a man, even falling in love with him, only to find him becoming someone else’s fiancé. She had completely become a redundant woman.
She never had much of a fortune in her life.
Whatever Qin Junnan said, she didn’t hear it, only responding faintly, "Sorry, Senior, I need to go to the bathroom."
"Alright."
Gu Yan walked toward the bathroom with her head slightly lowered, while Qin Junnan watched her thin figure with a furrowed brow, a bit worried.
In another corner, four people looked at Gu Yan’s dispirited appearance. Lu Yiyun swirled the wine glass in his hand, "It looks like this girl cares quite a bit about Brother Tang."
"Obviously," Xiang Linghao spoke up, "They both clearly have feelings for each other but just won’t admit it, leading to this situation."
"By the way, Second Young Master Tang, did you know your father was going to announce such news?"
Tang Mubei shook his head, "I didn’t."
"So, your old man kept it quite a secret. Aren’t you afraid that Brother Tang might back out if told beforehand? Announcing it in front of so many people, Brother Tang certainly wouldn’t rashly refuse now."
"The old man’s plans are so meticulous. With this scenario, even if Young Master Tang wants to back out later, he’d need to think twice."
After all, with so many people present, everyone knows about the Tang Family and Nie Family’s engagement. There inevitably must be an engagement banquet, or both families would lose face in the business world, becoming a joke.
"Sinister," everyone commented.
"Look at Young Master Tang’s face, perhaps he’ll end up fighting with your old man."
"Doesn’t matter."
Tang Mubei was indifferent. If he were suddenly given an arranged marriage by the old man, he’d probably be even more unable to bear it, simply walking away.
"I think our focus is, we have a show to watch again," Lu Yiyun said with a smile, looking quite excited.
With her remark, the group also thought it made sense since it wasn’t their issue, they might as well blissfully enjoy the drama between Tang Yuxiu and others.
The drama concerning Tang Yuxiu wasn’t something you could see easily.
In the bathroom, Gu Yan rinsed her hands with cold water, staring at herself in the mirror.
For the first time, she dressed up so nicely, partly to spitefully agree to attend the banquet with Qin Junnan, and also to witness firsthand as he became the youngest CEO in the business world, silently witnessing this moment for him, even if he didn’t care.
But in the end, she didn’t expect that dressing up to attend was actually to witness his future with someone else.
She felt like there was a little person in the mirror mercilessly mocking her.
Between two people, the one who falls in love first is the one who ends up in a mess. Unfortunately, her feelings not only ended in complete defeat but also had to remain hidden, forever unable to see the light.
She closed her eyes, wiped the water stains off her hands, and left the bathroom.
At the corner, she bumped into Gu Qin.
Gu Qin’s expression wasn’t great either. She had thought that since Gu Yan was no longer with him, she could take the chance to get closer to Tang Yuxiu, but she hadn’t expected Chairman Tang to suddenly announce Tang Yuxiu’s engagement to Nie Rong.
She felt unwilling and resentful. Was there really no chance?
Seeing Nie Rong’s content smile on stage, she just wanted to rush up and ruin it.
Why was she able to stand beside Tang Yuxiu? Just because of a better birth, taking advantage of proximity and opportunity.
Unable to stand the scene, she ran to the bathroom to calm down.
Now she couldn’t be impulsive, the engagement hadn’t happened yet. She still had a great chance.
Who would have thought she’d run into Gu Yan here, making her already irritated mood even worse.
"Gu Yan, what’s wrong, you don’t look so well." Gu Qin looked at her disdainfully. At times like this, she needed to find some balance through Gu Yan.
Gu Yan glanced at her coldly, not wanting to speak, just wanting to bypass her and leave.
But how could Gu Qin easily let her leave, immediately reaching out to stop her.
"Don’t go, it’s just the two of us here, I think we should have a good chat."
Gu Yan smirked sarcastically, "I have nothing to say to you, wasn’t it embarrassing enough just now?"
Gu Qin, remembering her own appearance earlier in front of Qin Junnan, got furious and glared at Gu Yan, "Don’t be so smug. How many of those rich sons are serious? Tang Yuxiu was just playing with you, and Qin Junnan is the same. Don’t really think you’ve become a phoenix perched high."
"What I am and how they treat me has nothing to do with you. Instead, don’t you want to get close to Tang Yuxiu? Your face doesn’t look good, what’s wrong? Out of hope?"
"How could it be!" Gu Qin adamantly retorted, "What’s so good about that Nie Rong? Just a good birth. Now it’s just an engagement announcement, they’re not really engaged. Even if they get married, they can still divorce. I won’t give up, I will definitely oust Nie Rong!"
Gu Yan gave her a knowing glance, "Good luck with that."
She really didn’t know where Gu Qin got her unwarranted confidence, always thinking she was the prettiest and best, yet in others’ eyes, she was nothing.
Gu Qin didn’t catch the meaning in Gu Yan’s words and proudly snorted, "Gu Yan, don’t you dare be jealous of me. You have nothing now, it’s a blessing from your previous life that you can attend such a high-class event. Just stay quietly by Qin Junnan’s side, don’t have any delusions. Ordinary people like you have no chance of marrying into a wealthy family."
Gu Yan’s mouth twitched slightly. Jealous of Gu Qin? What a joke. Even if she had billions in assets now, she wouldn’t give her a second glance. She really didn’t want to associate with her.
Her character was so poor, nothing worth saying.
"Gu Yan, out of sisterly advice, I just want to tell you, don’t set your sights on Tang Yuxiu. Don’t dream of competing with me."
Gu Yan let out a cold laugh, "Gu Qin, no one wants to compete with you. If you like Tang Yuxiu, go fight Nie Rong for him. Why say all this to me? You both want him, but I don’t care."
What’s not mine, no matter how much I like it, I don’t want it.
If you desire, it’s a luxury.
Besides, he’s soon to become someone else’s, and she certainly didn’t want to be the third party.
"I will drive that Nie Rong away. You better remember what you said now!" Gu Qin glared at her.
"Heh." Gu Yan chuckled lightly, without any discernible emotion, and bypassed her to leave.
Gu Qin looked displeased at her back and stepped towards the bathroom in her high heels.
Gu Yan headed towards the banquet hall but was suddenly grabbed by the wrist and pulled into a nearby room.
She instinctively wanted to call for help but had her mouth covered by the person.
A familiar cold fragrance hit her nostrils, and she froze slightly.
A moment of distraction, and she had been pulled into a pitch-black room, the door closed, and was pinned against the door.
The room was completely dark, she couldn’t see who was in front of her, but she knew who it was.
"Tang Yuxiu, what do you want?"
Tang Yuxiu placed a hand over her shoulder, leaning against the door, his dark eyes watching her in the darkness, completely calm, "Gu Yan, Qin Junnan’s girlfriend? Hmm?"
Gu Yan’s heart trembled; how did he know about this?
She recalled when Qin Junnan said this, feeling someone’s gaze, glancing back to catch a swiftly disappearing figure, looking very much like Tang Yuxiu.