"You're too kind, auntie." An Duo smiled politely. "I should have come to visit you earlier. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time recently."
Gu Ruochu's least favorite part of attending such gatherings was the toast.
It was one thing to toast the director, but she still had to toast Huo Nanchen.
She had just poured herself a glass of wine when the foreigner beside her stood up and accidentally touched it. Gu Ruochu's hand slipped, and she spilled the wine.
"Sorry!"
The foreigner pulled out a tissue and handed it to her apologetically. "I'm sorry. That was unintentional."
"It's all right."
Gu Ruochu was relieved. She finally had an opportunity to leave. Huo Nanchen and An Duo had been talking throughout, and Gu Ruochu's heart had felt even more stifled.
Why hadn't he ignored her and sat somewhere else?
Gu Ruochu had been irritated by his behavior.
"I'm sorry, I need to go to the washroom."
Gu Ruochu thought that she had found a legitimate reason to leave the table, but An Duo suddenly looked at her and smiled charmingly. "Miss Gu, I don't see any traces of alcohol on your dress. Why don't you sit down and eat!"
Gu Ruochu was stunned.
She sank back into her seat with an impatient look on her face. Had Huo Nanchen brought An Duo with him so that she could purposefully pick on her?
"It's good that you didn't wet that pretty dress." Gu Ruochu did not expect Joshua, the foreigner, to strike up a conversation with her. Gu Ruochu politely acknowledged him but did not think much of it.
However, Joshua was more enthusiastic and began to ask her some personal questions. "Miss Gu, I see that you're very young. I don't think you have a boyfriend right now, do you?"
Jin Ye was enjoying his meal, but upon hearing Joshua's flirtatious remark, he immediately choked on his food. Gu Ruochu had just taken a sip of wine and also choked on it.
"No."
Everyone at the table turned to look at Gu Ruochu.
Before everyone could recover from the shock, Joshua happily followed up on his question. "Miss Gu, are you really single?"
An Duo watched from the side and suddenly smiled meaningfully. "Joshua seems to have taken a fancy to Miss Gu? Perhaps she should give him a try?"
Joshua had not hidden his admiration for Gu Ruochu and felt encouraged by An Duo's words.
Gu Ruochu furrowed her brows. She did not expect this foreigner to be so straightforward. They had only exchanged a few words, and he already appeared to have developed feelings for her.
She was already married! How could she possibly have a boyfriend?
An Duo was provoking her on purpose.
"Miss Gu, I like you very much. Can you be my girlfriend?"
Gu Ruochu was still cursing in her heart when Joshua blurted out his proposal excitedly. He even put his hands on her shoulders.
"Sir... We don't even know each other yet."
Gu Ruochu stuttered as she calmly pulled his hand away from her shoulders.
"It's all right. We'll know each other after tonight. Miss Gu, don't be shy. I'm a gentleman."
"..."
Gu Ruochu tried to persuade him solemnly. "Sir, I don't have any intention of getting a boyfriend for the time being. Let go of me!"
As soon as Gu Ruochu finished speaking, Huo Nanchen pulled Joshua's hand away. The force sent Joshua tumbling down from the dining table. "Mr. Joshua, she said she's not willing. Why are you touching her?"
Huo Nanchen's voice had a sense of overwhelming anger.
Joshua lay on the ground as he looked at Gu Ruochu and Huo Nanchen with a confused expression.