CHAPTER 403: CHAPTER 404: IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME, XICHEN, YOU’RE STILL KEEPING PEOPLE AT A DISTANCE

Gu Yuanshan took a sip of tea, then murmured, "I don’t quite understand it myself, but don’t spread this around, especially not to the Jiang family."

He paused. "This master from the Bo family, he’s not to be trifled with. It’s not just us; even the Bo family themselves consider him a hot potato now. You understand the stakes, don’t you?"

Tang Yuan hesitated. "He wants... Yuanshan, what did you tell them?"

Gu Yuanshan lowered his eyes. "I said his birth chart was perilous and his destiny ill-fated."

Although he and the Jiang family were currently working against the Bo family, Anxi was his daughter and very fond of Bo Xichen. He naturally wouldn’t do such a thing...

Tang Yuan looked at him for a long time before finally smiling. "You’ve always doted on her."

Gu Yuanshan remained silent for a while. "I just don’t want that child to hate me too much."

「On the third night of the banquet.」

The Gu family had meticulously prepared an evening banquet that exuded an air of utmost sophistication. Every notable figure from Beicheng attended, and the young women were each more radiant than the last.

Gu Mingzhu, wearing a haute couture gown, stood with Tang Yuan at the entrance of the hall, greeting guests as the hostesses.

Jiang Chaoge had put considerable effort into her appearance today. To accentuate her figure, she wore a strapless red dress that was incredibly alluring, drawing countless male gazes...

Gu Mingzhu said to Tang Yuan, "I just don’t understand. If she likes Xichen, why is she still helping the Jiang family?"

Tang Yuan smiled. "Women like her possess a strong desire to conquer. They feel that if they defeat a man, he will submit to her."

Gu Mingzhu pursed her lips and said nothing.

In her opinion, Jiang Chaoge wasn’t the type Bo Xichen would be interested in. Besides, they had coexisted peacefully for so many years; if anything were to happen between them, it would have done so long ago.

She really couldn’t stand Jiang Chaoge. Ostensibly, Jiang Chaoge acted very aloof, looking down on other women who used their looks to attract men. But wasn’t she doing the exact same thing now?

Gu Mingzhu was very clear: Jiang Chaoge wanted to outshine Gu Anxi.

Just as she was thinking of Gu Anxi, Gu Anxi arrived.

Unexpectedly, Gu Anxi was rather bundled up. She wore a white T-shirt under striped overalls, with a black jacket layered on top. The only adornment was an exquisite camellia pinned to her chest.

Her attire wasn’t casual, per se, but it exuded a sense of unpretentious style. Moreover, she didn’t seem to be in high spirits and was leaning against Bo Xichen.

Bo Xichen, in contrast, wore a classic black and white suit with a tie, occasionally glancing down at Gu Anxi.

Gu Mingzhu observed them, noticing their dynamic. Tang Yuan also took them in, and couldn’t help but recall what Gu Yuanshan had said the previous night—Bo Jingshen...

Tang Yuan smiled faintly but said nothing more.

There was no need for Gu Anxi to embarrass Madam Gu in front of so many people. She observed the proper etiquette, but it was merely polite and nothing more.

Upon entering the main hall, she sat on a sofa and casually ate some snacks. "Uncle, you don’t have to stay with me all the time! If you need to socialize, go ahead. I’ll just sit here."

Bo Xichen, as the future Family Head of the Bo family, naturally couldn’t be constantly by her side, engrossed in romantic affections. So, he patted her little head and then walked away.

Gu Anxi leaned against the sofa, idly playing on her phone.

She wasn’t feeling well today due to menstrual cramps, possibly from overexerting herself the day before.

Elsewhere, Bo Xichen was socializing with a group of cunning and sophisticated socialites, occasionally glancing over at Gu Anxi.

Just then, Jiang Chaoge walked over holding a wine glass. She instantly became the center of attention, primarily because her dress was so incredibly eye-catching.

Jiang Chaoge was a very assertive and independent woman. "Brother Bo," she asked, "would you honor me with a dance?"

The other older men looked at Bo Xichen, some even teased, "Xichen, what luck! Chaoge is quite a beauty!"

These socialites were hardly paragons of virtue themselves, many keeping countless mistresses. If Jiang Chaoge were to throw herself at them, they would accept her in a heartbeat.

Jiang Chaoge had chosen this occasion precisely because she knew Bo Xichen would find it difficult to refuse.

Bo Xichen smiled and was about to decline when an elegant voice interjected, "It’s been a while, Xichen. You still keep everyone at arm’s length. That’s not very good, you know."

All eyes turned towards the speaker. A distinguished-looking man slowly approached, accompanied by four or five people, though it was clear he was the center of their attention.

Beside him was Lin Xue, the most popular film starlet of the moment, clinging to his side like a delicate bird, utterly demure.

Bo Xichen laughed. "Cousin, you’re teasing me again!"

Bo Jingshen toyed with the thumb ring on his finger, appearing rather nonchalant. "A beauty offers herself to you, Xichen, yet you maintain your composure. You truly live up to your reputation."

Bo Xichen still smiled faintly. "It’s not a matter of composure; I simply brought a companion."

"Oh?" Bo Jingshen smiled. "Then I absolutely must meet her."

With that, Jiang Chaoge was momentarily forgotten.

Bo Xichen nodded, went over to Gu Anxi, and brought her over. "This is Anxi," he introduced.

When Gu Anxi approached, Lin Xue, standing beside Bo Jingshen, couldn’t quite maintain her composure. Lin Xue had been the most beautiful woman there, but she was instantly outshone by Gu Anxi.

Bo Jingshen sized her up for a moment. "Quite a remarkable young lady!"

He gestured to his secretary-general, who immediately produced a box. "This is a small gift from our master for Miss Gu, a token for your first meeting."

Gu Anxi was a bit bewildered. Why was he giving her a gift upon their first meeting?

Bo Xichen smiled. "Aren’t you going to thank your cousin?"

He reached out to accept it on her behalf and casually ruffled her hair.

Gu Anxi obediently said, "Thank you," making no other comment.

Bo Jingshen smiled profoundly, making polite pleasantries. "Although I don’t return often, I’ve heard a great deal about your exploits. For instance, the matter of Jing, and what happened at the shooting range yesterday. Xichen has truly found himself a treasure."

His words didn’t register much with the others, but Jiang Chaoge froze. Jing? Gu Anxi?

Bo Jingshen seemed to deliberately provoke the female doctor. "Chaoge, you probably don’t know yet. Anxi is a major shareholder of Anpu Company and the first person in the country to propose the extraction of Jing."

Jiang Chaoge was visibly stunned. No one had ever told her this.

At that moment, she sensed something was terribly wrong. It wasn’t just her; even Jiang Bin was becoming agitated.

His intuition told him they might have made a grave mistake. He turned his head. "Chaoge, tonight, you will go to Qingcheng. Understand?"

Jiang Chaoge nodded. "I understand, Uncle."

Jiang Bin’s hand clenched into a fist.

What a joke! That land cost several hundred million, and the machinery alone cost over two hundred million! And now, suddenly, Gu Anxi was the first person to extract Jing?

Jiang Bin felt a profound sense of unease.

Then, Bo Jingshen turned, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Chaoge, how about you accompany me for a dance?"

Being singled out by the powerful and influential Bo Jingshen, Jiang Chaoge had no choice but to comply, much to the evident displeasure of Lin Xue standing beside him.

Although Bo Jingshen had a fiancée from a prominent noble family—an arranged marriage—he had been doting on Lin Xue recently, and she had gradually grown arrogant from his favor.

After finishing a dance with Bo Jingshen, Jiang Chaoge made an excuse and withdrew.

Once the dance ended, Bo Jingshen dismissed those around him and sat down opposite Bo Xichen, a smile still on his face. "Xichen, I took care of that beauty for you this dance."