"Getting married at a young age, huh," Qiao Yuxian said.
The three of them laughed again.
Zhao Meng added, "We’ve bet on her situation, but is there a bet on mine?"
"Of course, there is," He Xin replied.
Qiao Yuxian and Zhao Meng looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
He Xin glanced at them, took a sip of her juice, and said, "It’s better if kids don’t know too much."
Qiao Yuxian looked at her then turned to Zhao Meng.
Zhao Meng was wearing a sports outfit with sleeves rolled up to the elbows, smiled, and said, "They’re betting on whether I like men or women."
He Xin choked on her juice.
Qiao Yuxian looked at them without speaking.
Zhao Meng smiled again and said, "I’m a bit curious about what He has bet on."
He Xin remained silent.
Zhao Meng looked at her.
Qiao Yuxian looked at them both and kindly rescued He, "We’ll see whether He wins or loses at the end."
Zhao Meng laughed again, "True."
He Xin glanced at both of them and sighed slightly, "Kids these days are too curious."
"She’s talking about you," Qiao Yuxian said to Zhao Meng.
"Clearly about you," Zhao Meng replied.
"Sorry, but you’re the youngest here," Qiao Yuxian added.
"Do I even look younger than you?" Zhao Meng said.
"Doesn’t matter, I’m older than you anyway," Qiao Yuxian responded.
He Xin listened to their banter and laughed quietly.
After dinner, Gu Yanjing came to pick up Qiao Yuxian, while Zhao Meng gave He Xin a ride home.
Qiao Yuxian waited until they left before crossing the street to get into Gu Yanjing’s car.
It was already nine o’clock, and since Su Qi had finished his blind date for Meng Yan, he was the one driving.
Gu Yanjing was sitting in the back, still handling some work.
As soon as Qiao Yuxian got in the car, she saw the laptop on Gu Yanjing’s leg and said, "I could’ve gone back myself. You’re so busy but still came to pick me up."
"Not busy," Gu Yanjing closed the laptop and reached out to touch her face.
Qiao Yuxian held his hand and slowly squeezed his fingers, "As if you’re not busy."
Gu Yanjing stayed silent, looking at Qiao Yuxian’s ring finger on her left hand.
Seeing he didn’t speak, Qiao Yuxian followed his gaze to see what he was looking at.
She instinctively covered her left hand with wide eyes at Gu Yanjing.
She always put the ring back on before going home from work every day.
Today, she forgot because she was out playing with Zhao Meng.
She just got into the car, and he noticed it right away.
Gu Yanjing looked at her wide eyes staring at him.
After a few seconds of eye contact, Qiao Yuxian spoke first, "I need to explain."
Gu Yanjing glanced at her nervous expression, responding, "Alright."
"The ring is too big, too noticeable. And it obviously looks expensive." Qiao Yuxian’s voice dwindled from loud to soft as she spoke, "Since I’m just an intern, I wanted to keep it low-key. Plus, I’m afraid people might gossip about me, saying I got taken care of at such a young age."
Qiao Yuxian observed his expression and said, "Okay, maybe I’m overthinking it. But what if? What if someone spreads rumors that you’re a sixty-something-year-old, bald, big-bellied, greasy man who’s involved with a young girl?"
Su Qi held back his laughter with all his might.
If that were true, wouldn’t Mr. Gu be slandered by his own company’s people?
Gu Yanjing pinched her face and gently shook her head.
Qiao Yuxian laughed and said, "I think you should praise me for having such a sense of crisis."
"Yes. You should be praised," Gu Yanjing replied, "Su Qi, turn back to Jinxia Building."
"Yes," Su Qi responded.
Qiao Yuxian blinked, "What are we going there for?"
"To buy a ring," Gu Yanjing said succinctly.
Qiao Yuxian’s eyes brightened, "To buy a more low-key one?"
Qiao Yuxian smiled, holding both of his hands and rubbing them repeatedly.
Su Qi was driving in the front, thinking: No way Mr. Gu would let his wife wear a ring he didn’t buy as their wedding ring.
Even if it’s temporary, it has to be bought personally by him.
After coming out of the mall post ring purchase, Qiao Yuxian kept admiring the ring on her hand.
The design was still low-key but it cost quite a bit.
Not only did Mr. Gu buy one for Qiao Yuxian, but he also got one for himself.
They agreed they’d wear this pair during Qiao Yuxian’s internship, then switch back after it ends.
On the way back, Qiao Yuxian sat in the car, constantly admiring her ring.
A ring bought by someone else feels different than one you buy yourself.
While she admired the ring, Gu Yanjing watched her.
When they were almost at Fenglin Villa, Qiao Yuxian remembered something long overdue.
She twisted the ring on her right hand’s ring finger and asked Su Qi, "Special Assistant Su, how’s the blind dating going lately?"
Su Qi looked back at her and instantly replied, "Not very ideal."
"None suitable at all?" Qiao Yuxian asked again.
Her question hit the mark.
Su Qi replied with a smile, "Not at the moment."
Qiao Yuxian turned to look at Gu Yanjing, "Where do you find these blind dates?"
"Marriage agency," Gu Yanjing blandly said.
Seeing his reaction made Qiao Yuxian twitch her lips.
Qiao Yuxian looked at Gu Yanjing with slight displeasure and asked Su Qi, "Why isn’t there a single suitable person?"
"Boss lady, it’s not my pickiness. It’s just that when I mention being busy with work, they all lose interest," Su Qi explained.
"Do you have someone you’re interested in?" Qiao Yuxian asked.
"I don’t have any strong feelings, I think anyone would do," Su Qi replied, "The marriage agency sets up blind dates according to my criteria, they’re all good. Anyone would work, as long as the girl is willing."
Qiao Yuxian pondered and then turned to Gu Yanjing, "What does he mean by that?"
Su Qi was bewildered as he glanced back through the rearview mirror.
Gu Yanjing looked at her.
Qiao Yuxian said, "It means he hasn’t found someone who makes his heart beat faster."
Gu Yanjing stayed silent.
Qiao Yuxian continued, "This mechanical way through a marriage agency is wasting time, he won’t find anyone this way."
Su Qi dared not speak.
In his mind, he was cheering.
Boss lady, go for it! Boss lady, go for it!
Go for it! Go for it!
Boss lady, you’re awesome!
Gu Yanjing watched Qiao Yuxian. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝙣𝙚𝙩
Qiao Yuxian felt Gu Yanjing’s gaze and directly asked, "I think he doesn’t need to go on these dates anymore, what do you think?"
Gu Yanjing looked at her without speaking.
Qiao Yuxian added, "There’s no need for it. Why waste money on that? I’ll handle finding a partner for Su Qi. I guarantee to handle it smoothly."
Su Qi was gripping the steering wheel tightly, his palms sweating.
He sensed something was a bit off with Mr. Gu’s vibe.
Qiao Yuxian also sensed it,
But she wasn’t as nervous as Su Qi. Seeing he remained silent, she asked, "What do you say?"
Gu Yanjing was looking at her without saying a word.
Not wanting to disappoint her, he finally said, "Okay."
"You agree?" Qiao Yuxian blinked.
Gu Yanjing nodded, "Yes. He shouldn’t go on blind dates anymore."
Qiao Yuxian beamed, "Alright, Special Assistant Su, your future is my responsibility now."
Su Qi kept his gaze on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel sweating profusely.
In his mind, he was happily shouting, "Thank you, Madam!"
Gu Yanjing looked over, sensing they were hiding something from him.
But he figured it couldn’t be anything major.
Otherwise, not even a thousand Su Qi’s would dare hide it from him.