Her phone kept ringing incessantly. Meng Nianyao glanced at it, realizing that all the messages were from Meng Haotian, so she chose to ignore them.
As the night grew later, just when Meng Nianyao was preparing to retire for the night, a knock echoed at her door. It was Ping Yang, accompanied by a somewhat inebriated Gu Wencheng. "Lady Boss, the boss had a bit too much to drink at a social gathering."
Meng Nianyao quickly stepped aside to let Ping Yang assist Gu Wencheng inside. Gu Wencheng sprawled on the sofa, audibly parched. Meng Nianyao hurried to the kitchen to fetch him a glass of water.
As she approached, Gu Wencheng opened his eyes and gazed at Meng Nianyao, motionless. "Mrs. Gu?" He articulated each word slowly, as if confirming a suspicion.
Meng Nianyao nodded. Gu Wencheng accepted the glass and took a sip. After finishing the water, he frowned and reclined on the sofa, closing his eyes.
Ping Yang glanced around and said, "I'll take my leave then."
Meng Nianyao glanced at him and replied, "Alright."
Once Ping Yang departed, Meng Nianyao set the glass aside and attempted to assist Gu Wencheng. "Lying here can't be comfortable. Let's get you to the bedroom to sleep…" Regrettably, Gu Wencheng appeared unresponsive and unmoving.
With no alternative, Meng Nianyao grasped his arm, looping it around her neck, and endeavored to lift him by the waist. However, Gu Wencheng's height of 1.8 meters, despite his lean appearance, translated into real weight. Meng Nianyao tried multiple times before begrudgingly managing to escort him to the bedroom. After laying Gu Wencheng on the bed, Meng Nianyao drew a deep breath.
However, her respite was short-lived. Suddenly, Gu Wencheng staggered, causing Meng Nianyao to lose her balance. Both tumbled onto the bed together.
Meng Nianyao found herself pinned under Gu Wencheng. The fall had left her with a painful twist of her waist. Gasping in discomfort, she waited for the ache to ebb before gingerly pushing Gu Wencheng aside. When she finally managed to free herself, Gu Wencheng promptly flipped over, almost tumbling to the floor once more.
Fatigued, Meng Nianyao had little strength left. Seeing Gu Wencheng's precarious situation, she reached out, clutching his clothes to steady him. When he steadied, she gingerly assisted him in removing his coat and shoes.
Meng Nianyao initially contemplated leaving Gu Wencheng be, but the overpowering scent of alcohol dissuaded her. Resigned, she ventured to the bathroom, where she wrung out a towel to cleanse his body. Gu Wencheng was in fine physical condition, appearing slender in attire but more robust when disrobed. His musculature was taut, yet Meng Nianyao held no interest. She was solely concerned with tending to him, striving to finish quickly and retire. Yet, as she began to dab at his abdomen with the towel, her wrist was abruptly seized.
She lifted her eyes to find Gu Wencheng peering at her with penetrating eyes.
"I…" She aimed to elucidate but found the world spinning before her. When she regained her bearings, Gu Wencheng had already pinned her down. His gaze, deeply focused, locked onto hers.
The two were in such close proximity that they could hear each other's every breath.
Meng Nianyao scrutinized Gu Wencheng's visage and scrunched her brows. "You're not intoxicated?"
Gu Wencheng's eyes were crystal clear as he observed Meng Nianyao for a moment before finally releasing her and rising. "Didn't Mrs. Gu request my cooperation? I'm just practicing in advance."
Meng Nianyao still lay on the bed. She lowered her eyes and softly murmured, "Thank you."
Gu Wencheng smiled and left without further comment, heading to the bathroom. When Meng Nianyao heard the bathroom door close, she couldn't conceal her exasperation.
The night passed quietly. Early the next day, Gu Wencheng departed the hotel before dawn. Meng Nianyao found herself unable to return to sleep after his departure.
Around nine in the morning, she received a call from Ping Yang, who explained that a pressing matter had arisen at the company, necessitating an immediate business trip. Meng Nianyao had to return to City B by herself. She consented and proceeded to pack her belongings.
In the afternoon, her plane touched down in City B. As soon as she powered on her phone, she was inundated with calls and messages from Meng Haotian.
Ignoring him, Meng Nianyao summoned a taxi and headed back to Splendid Garden. After she'd stowed her luggage, her phone rang once more. With a heavy heart, she retrieved the device and answered.
"Nianyao, why haven't you been answering my calls?" Meng Haotian's voice held an edge of desperation. "What's your decision?" he implored, as time was running out for Gu Corporation's entertainment city project.