Chapter 17

Going on Honeymoon

Meng Nianyao was roused from her sleep by a knock on the door. She rubbed her temples, mustering the will to open it.

“Lady Boss, can I have your ID card? I’ll assist you in booking a plane ticket,” Ping Yang inquired.

“Plane tickets?” Meng Nianyao questioned.

“Yes,” Ping Yang confirmed.

“What’s the purpose?” Meng Nianyao asked.

Ping Yang explained, “I’m heading to South City. The boss is going on a week-long business trip to South City, and his schedule isn’t packed. South City has some lovely scenery, and the boss wants to take you for a stroll as a kind of honeymoon.”

Meng Nianyao declined firmly, saying, “No, thanks. I don’t need a honeymoon.”

“Lady Boss, you…” Ping Yang looked concerned. “I’m just the assistant.”

Meng Nianyao, running low on patience and sleep-deprived, retorted, “Please, don’t disturb me again. I wish you a successful business trip in advance.” She raised her hand to close the door.

“Mrs. Gu,” Gu Wencheng interjected as he approached, leaning against the guest room’s wall. He regarded Meng Nianyao with a faint smile. “Mrs. Gu, are you dissatisfied with my honeymoon arrangements? Do you believe it’s only a business trip with a side of honeymoon? If you’re unhappy, I can have Ping Yang arrange a different honeymoon location for you, and I’ll accompany you 24/7. Of course, judging by my observations, Mrs. Gu seems to prefer staying at home. That’s fine too. We can book a suite with a king-size bed and sleep together until we naturally wake up. It’ll be a unique experience…”

“Enough!” Meng Nianyao snapped at Gu Wencheng, fearing he might say something inappropriate. Although she knew he was provoking her, she responded, “I’ll go.” She turned around and returned to her room, fetching her ID card from her wallet and tossing it to Ping Yang. “I’ve given you my ID card. Please don’t disturb me. Thank you.” She closed the door forcefully.

That afternoon, Meng Nianyao accompanied Gu Wencheng and Ping Yang to South City. The temperature in South City was considerably cooler than in Sea City. After leaving the airport, Meng Nianyao shivered in the cold breeze.

Gu Wencheng glanced at Ping Yang, who nodded and draped Gu Wencheng’s coat over Meng Nianyao’s shoulders.

Meng Nianyao turned around and Pingyang smiled. “The boss is afraid that you will be cold.” After saying that, Pingyang went to contact the driver who came to pick them up.

Meng Nianyao adjusted the oversized suit jacket and turned to Ping Yang with a grateful smile. Ping Yang then contacted the chauffeur who had come to pick them up.

Meng Nianyao tugged at the large jacket, glancing back at Gu Wencheng sitting in a wheelchair. He wore sunglasses, exuding an air of unapproachability.

The airport was bustling with activity, but Ping Yang didn’t return promptly. After a while, she rushed back, explaining that there was an issue with the driver. She had to deal with it and asked Gu Wencheng and Meng Nianyao to wait.

Meng Nianyao was overwhelmed by the noise surrounding her. She glanced at Gu Wencheng and asked for his input before pushing him toward a nearby Starbucks.

Selecting a quiet spot and settling into a seat, they flagged down a waiter to place their orders. Gu Wencheng had been consuming coffee consistently since boarding the plane, but now he couldn’t continue.

“Two glasses of lemonade,” Meng Nianyao ordered.

Once the waiter left, Meng Nianyao realized Gu Wencheng was looking at her with a faint smile. She couldn’t discern whether she had come to a realization the previous night or given up, or perhaps she had recognized that Gu Wencheng wasn’t as terrible as she had believed. Regardless, she felt more at ease in his presence.

“Mrs. Gu truly keeps her word,” Gu Wencheng remarked, meeting Meng Nianyao’s puzzled gaze. “You promised me yesterday to give yourself time to accept this, and your behavior today was quite commendable.”

Incidentally, the waiter returned with their lemonades. Gu Wencheng gestured toward one of the glasses, indicating it was for Meng Nianyao.

Meng Nianyao forced a semblance of a smile before turning to gaze outside. There was no tension between her and Gu Wencheng. It was merely a human interaction. He lent her his coat, and she ordered him some lemonade.

After about 20 minutes, Ping Yang returned in a rush, and they finally headed to the hotel.

Meng Nianyao had concealed her headache until now, pretending to be fine. But ultimately, she succumbed to drowsiness. She ignored Gu Wencheng and Ping Yang and, after receiving the room card, went straight to her room to rest.

When she awoke, it was already nightfall.

Meng Nianyao sat on the bed in a daze for a moment before slowly getting up. As soon as she stood, she noticed Gu Wencheng on the balcony, smoking.