Meng Shutang left the old mansion after breakfast. She needed files from Repulse Bay, so she headed home first.
She ran into Gu Yunci at the entrance, about to leave.
Aunt Zhang and Sister Li were cleaning—he'd eaten breakfast there.
She was shocked. Wasn't he supposed to be taking care of Bai Cixian? Why was he here?
She brushed it off, changed her shoes, and hurried upstairs.
Aunt Zhang asked if she'd eaten. She said yes.
She grabbed her things and went downstairs. Gu Yunci was still there.
She knew he had something to say. They got in the car.
He spoke slowly, coldly. "You're really cunning. Act weak and helpless in front of me, then use Grandma as your shield.
You'd use any dirty trick to push Cixian aside!"
Last night, after Grandma yelled at him, she'd sent the butler to teach Bai Cixian a lesson.
The butler was careful—no real harm, just a warning that Gu Yunci was married, and the Gu family's door was closed to her.
Bai Cixian was driving to the airport when her car was "accidentally" hit.
A thermos spilled, scalding her legs with boiling water, leaving bright red blisters.
Gu Yunci arrived to find the butler gone.
Bai Cixian threw herself into his arms. "Yunci, my legs are burned. I can't host the out-of-town meeting."
Meng Shutang stared at him, stunned. She knew nothing about Grandma's plan. "Mr. Gu, you've misunderstood."
"You don't have to try so hard," he said, his eyes dark and cruel. "Grandma told me last night not to divorce you for now.
Take your time. The title of Mrs. Gu is still yours—for now."
Meng Shutang felt suffocated. "I never wanted the title of Mrs. Gu."
"Didn't you? Why did you fight so hard for the Gu Group contract a month ago?"
She fell silent, head bowed in hurt.
"Make no mistakes at the cultural town meeting today. If you upset Cixian in any way, you're off the project."
Meng Shutang clutched her proposal, her eyes stinging.
Starlight Studio was in the corner of the Gu Group building's annex.
She'd chosen it to be close to Gu Yunci.
From her office, she could see the Gu Group logo, or stare at his office light late at night.
Now she felt stupid and ridiculous.
For the next 47 days, she'd have to watch him and Bai Cixian flaunt their love.
She didn't go to the studio—she headed straight to the 7th floor of Gu Group.
Before she reached the meeting room, she saw Bai Cixian chatting with staff.
It was cold autumn, but Bai Cixian wore a tight white sweater that accentuated her curves, and a camel skirt that ended at her knees, showing her slim, fair legs.
The red burn marks from the boiling water peeked out.
"Director Bai, you're so dedicated! Working even when you're hurt!"
"Director Bai has such beautiful legs—all the men in the cafeteria can't stop staring!"
Meng Shutang walked in and saw a colleague looking at Bai Cixian's ID photo.
"Director Bai, where is this? Your hometown? That huge locust tree is amazing!"
Meng Shutang's heart jolted at the words "locust tree." She glanced over.
Her feet froze when she saw the photo.
It was the garden of her old family home. How did Bai Cixian have this picture?
Bai Cixian noticed her, took the ID casually. "My mom used to visit this house. She took this for me."
Meng Shutang's doubts faded. Grandma had been bedridden and irritable before she died. They'd had many maids, and relatives visited often.
Bai Cixian must be a distant relative's daughter.
She sat in the corner with her laptop. Moments later, Gu Yunci walked in.
It was like they'd planned to arrive one after the other.
He sat at the head of the table. His dominant aura silenced the room instantly.
Meng Shutang's heart raced.
He never interfered with this project—he left it to the cultural department.
The department manager was on maternity leave, so Bai Cixian was in charge.
*Is he here to fire me?* she worried.
She needed this project's money for her mother's treatment.
Bai Cixian was the opposite—her smile was uncontrollable when she saw Gu Yunci.
"Let's start," he said, tapping the table, his eyes on Bai Cixian.
Bai Cixian glanced at Meng Shutang in the corner, bit her lip, and stood up. She limped to the podium, supported by her assistant.
She looked as delicate as a camellia in the wind.
The big screen read *Gu Group Cultural Tourism Department Quarterly Project Meeting*. Bai Cixian spoke confidently.
In the end, she criticized: "Gu Group wants a viral tourist spot, but this proposal is full of ancient pearl restoration and star pattern research.
Tourists come to have fun, not take an archaeology class.
You've revised it many times, Miss Meng, and you still don't get the point!" She turned to Gu Yunci. "Mr. Gu, I suggest we work with another studio."
Gu Yunci said nothing, his eyes fixed on Meng Shutang in the corner.
Everyone could tell he disapproved of her.
"It's boring, no highlights—just lectures," someone muttered.
"Is Starlight Studio using Gu Group to promote itself?"
Meng Shutang didn't argue. She walked to the podium calmly under everyone's gaze.
She took the laser pointer from Bai Cixian. "Most viral tourist spots fade fast. We need to be different.
The strength of *Millennium Star Glow* is exactly the archaeological feel you mentioned."
She pointed to the star patterns. "The star map on these pearls matches the 28 constellations of the Han Dynasty.
I've designed an interactive exhibit—visitors scan a code to find their constellation's ancient star, and try pearl rubbing themselves. That's a unique selling point no one can copy."
She paused. "As for restoration, we'll have a glass display with live demonstrations. That will draw crowds, trust me."
Bai Cixian paled. Meng Shutang didn't give her a chance to interrupt. She walked to the window and drew the curtains, then turned off the lights.
She clicked her presentation. The ancient pearls on the display lit up.
"Ice sculptures glow at night—these pearl patterns have the same magic."
Rich purple, glowing white, molten gold, soft pink—they flickered, weaving a bright galaxy in the dark.
Bai Cixian's face turned uglier.
Murmurs of approval broke out.
"Now I see why Manager Wang insisted on working with Starlight—what a talent!"
"Mr. Gu chose them, right?"
Meng Shutang spoke again. "This will keep visitors coming day and night."
Bai Cixian opened her mouth to retort, but Gu Yunci raised a hand.
"Excellent," he said.
Bai Cixian swallowed her words.
Just then, Qin Zheng pushed the door open. "Mr. Gu, the cultural town site called—there's an emergency. You need to go immediately."
Bai Cixian said quickly: "Mr. Gu, I'll go with you."
Gu Yunci frowned. "If you leave, who will handle this?"
"Qiao Mo and the others can. Miss Meng is here too."
She wanted to act agreeable, since Gu Yunci had praised Meng Shutang.
"No," Gu Yunci said, turning to Meng Shutang.
"Miss Meng, come with me. You're the professional—you know more about the pearl exhibit."
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked out.
Meng Shutang froze—she never expected him to choose her.
She snapped out of it, grabbed her laptop, and followed.
Bai Cixian's smile froze. She whispered to herself, so only she could hear:
"Meng Shutang, don't get complacent. This is only the beginning!"
Bai Cixian swore to destroy her. But what if the "emergency" at the site was a trap set just for Meng Shutang?