Cinderella Innocent and Boss Charming - Chapter 356

Chapter 356 Just Keep Smiling

Gu Guangxian and Fang Yaru wanted to hold a grand birthday party for Gu Niannian.

The news that the Gu family had a granddaughter had long spread among the upper-class circle of G City. Although Gu Niannian was an illegitimate child in the eyes of outsiders, she was still a precious granddaughter to Gu Guangxian and Fang Yaru. To them, Gu Niannian was a blessing from the heaven and the future of the Gu family. All the gossip was nonsense to them. In their opinion, Gu Nianbin and Du Xiaoxian would eventually get married. It was just a matter of time.

Therefore, Gu Guangxian insisted on hosting a grand event. He wanted everyone in G City to know that Gu Niannian was the young lady of the Gu family. His other intention was to make the women who were eyeing Gu Nianbin retreat. He and his wife considered Du Xiaoxian as their daughter-in-law.

Although Gu Guangxian retired years ago, he still had his connections. Many other retired big shots showed up after the invitations were issued in the name of Gu Guangxian. In an instant, the whole city was stirred by the event.

The birthday party was held at Jinxiu Hotel as requested by Xia Xiaowan and Gu Nianbin. Xia Xiaowan had been too embarrassed to see Du Xiaoxian after the latter returned. However, she wanted a chance to atone for her sins. Hence, when she heard that the Gu family was going to hold a birthday party for Gu Niannian, she immediately went to Gu Corporation to see Gu Nianbin.

At first, Gu Nianbin refused. He said that outsiders should not intervene in the Gu family’s affairs. However, he was powerless against Xia Xiaowan’s pleading. She sobbed so sadly that she nearly lost her voice. Gu Nianbin absolutely hated seeing a woman cry, so he was forced to agree to her request.

In fact, Gu Nianbin and Du Xiaoxian did not have much to do with the planning of this birthday party. Fang Yaru, Gu Guangxian, Gu Shanshan, Xia Xiaowan, and Shao Boqing and his wife were in charge of it. Even Jiang Kaiwei played a part in the planning after being coerced by his wife, Xia Xiaowan. All Gu Nianbin and Du Xiaoxian had to do was get dressed up and attend the event.

Du Xiaoxian stood in the dreamy hall and looked all around her. There were pink bouquets and pink ribbons everywhere. The blue screen at the door was decorated in pink petals that spelled out the words ‘Happy Fifth Birthday to Gu Niannian’. The huge LED screen displayed photos of Gu Niannian. The tables were arranged in a long line and draped in pink tablecloth with a delicate rose print. Amber wine glasses were arranged to form a huge pyramid that was taller than the average human. This sight was so dazzling that people who saw it were awestruck! The serving plates were also pink. With their bright glazed surfaces printed with flower petals, the plates looked like pink flowers blooming on the table…

Du Xiaoxian looked at the items one by one, and she wore a look of surprise. Only when her gaze swept over that familiar figure did she try to collect herself.

Gu Nianbin walked toward her. There was no hostility in his body language, nor was his gaze cold. There was a slight curve to his lips. He seemed to be smiling.

She stood there in a daze, feeling a little uncomfortable.

Xiao Bonian sent Ah Ling over to take care of Du Xiaoxian in the two days when they stayed in the villa on Yuefeng Mountain. During the day, she and Ah Ling would take Niannian up the mountain to sightsee. She did not feel bored at all.

Gu Nianbin returned every night, but he would always be back very late. She often heard him coming back after Niannian was already fast asleep. Du Xiaoxian knew that he was not going home because he did not want Fang Yaru and Gu Guangxian to see the wound on his face. It was just a little cut at the corner of his lip and was no longer visible once it scabbed over.

Yesterday, in the middle of the night, she felt thirsty and went downstairs to get some water to drink. When she passed by the hall, she saw someone sitting on the sofa. His figure was illuminated by the dim light that streamed in through the window. She was shocked but instantly calmed down. The figure was very familiar to her. In the darkness, his eyes were extremely bright as they focused on her.

She stood there and did not dare to move. As her eyes gradually adapted to the darkness in the room, Gu Nianbin’s face came into focus. The look in his eyes was very strange. There was a hint of confusion and surprise. However, he did not speak, nor did he move. He just stared at her.

That gaze had made her a little nervous. She wanted to leave, but her feet would not move. It was as if she were frozen to the spot.

Gu Nianbin finally stood up and slowly walked toward her. He trodded on the carpet and silently approached her step by step. She was extremely nervous and could only hear her own heartbeat going ‘bang, bang, bang!’

In the darkness, his eyes flashed like stars, looking as if they could snatch her soul from her body. Finally, she couldn’t help but turn around and run away. In her panic, she slammed into the wall. A low thud rang out. He strode over, grabbed her arm, and flipped on the light switch on the wall. The light on the ceiling suddenly shone brightly. She saw the tiny image of herself reflected in his eyes and could see her look of panic.

Gu Nianbin seemed momentarily stunned. He then quickly distanced himself from her. The light in his eyes dimmed as a look of coldness crept up his features once again. He went upstairs without a word.

Du Xiaoxian stood there unmovingly for a long time, waiting for her heartbeat to gradually stabilize before she went to the kitchen.

They stayed on the mountain for two days, but it was only last night that they had a soul-shocking encounter. His gaze was cold when he left, looking as if he disdained to talk to her.

Du Xiaoxian didn’t know why Gu Nianbin pretended to be so warm and gentle now.

At this moment, he approached her and raised his arm slightly. Du Xiaoxian did not know what was going on, so she just stood there in stunned silence. Gu Nianbin frowned and appeared a little impatient. “Are you going to keep me raising my arm?”

There were people watching them now. Du Xiaoxian suddenly realized what was going on and quickly took his arm. She understood that he was doing this for show. Regardless of what their relationship was like, they had to act as if they were in love in public. After all, this was their daughter’s birthday party. They could not embarrass the family.

Gu Nianbin led her to the door to welcome the guests.

Gu Nianbin was tall and elegant, while Du Xiaoxian was delicate and beautiful. They looked like a perfect match when they stood together.

Du Xiaoxian was actually terrified of occasions like this. She held Gu Nianbin’s arm tightly and tried to maintain a smile. On their way here, Gu Nianbin had whispered to her, “You don’t need to speak. Just keep smiling.”

There was a faint smile on his face when he said that, but there was no warmth in his voice. Du Xiaoxian knew his personality well. However, when she was afraid, she could hardly care about other things and instinctively leaned closer to him.

The guests entered the venue, and Gu Nianbin greeted them one by one, making perfect casual conversation. If anyone looked at the woman beside him curiously, he would introduce Du Xiaoxian to them in a gentlemanly way. He held her waist intimately and laughed naturally.

Although she knew that he was just acting, Du Xiaoxian was still a little flattered. She leaned into his arms and giggled.

She soon saw some familiar faces. Shao Boqing, Nina, and their son, Shao Chengxuan, all came together. Shao Chengxuan was also five years old, but he was a full head taller than Gu Niannian. He was a little gentleman, greeting Gu Nianbin and Du Xiaoxian very politely.

Xia Nanze and his parents came together. The incident back then made Xia Nanze’s parents very curious about Du Xiaoxian, whom they had never met before. They could not help but sneak a few more glances at her and greet her with a smile.

Ling Yun came with Cheng Mingchi. Du Xiaoxian was naturally very excited when she saw her old classmates. She let go of Gu Nianbin’s arm and shook hands with them. However, the hand around her waist tightened. Gu Nianbin pulled her back and whispered in her ear, “Mind yourself.”

Du Xiaoxian didn’t know what he meant by that. Was she not allowed to be happy?

However, she listened to whatever he said and obediently hooked her arm back around Gu Nianbin’s arm.

She then saw Shen Li and Zhou Ting come in together. They came in quick succession. She didn’t know if they came together.

Zhou Ting actually hated Du Xiaoxian, because she had seen what Gu Nianbin was like when he was in the depths of his pain. She thought that she would never be able to forgive Du Xiaoxian, but time had passed. Seeing Gu Nianbin and Du Xiaoxian standing together so intimately, what was there to complain about? She immediately gave Du Xiaoxian a big hug and whispered, “It’s great that you’re back!”

Du Xiaoxian was slightly shocked. This sentence sounded familiar.

She remembered that a long time ago, she had left Gu Nianbin once because Xia Xiaowan had driven a wedge between them. Later, the misunderstanding was cleared, and she returned to Gu Nianbin’s side. At that time, Zhou Ting also hugged her and said the same thing.

This sentence made Du Xiaoxian remember the promise she made then. She said, “I’ll never leave you again!”

Gu Nianbin’s gaze was glued to her face. It was passionate but filled with worry. She knew why his gaze was filled with so much uncertainty. It was because she had once made that oath and she had gone back on her word! He felt no sense of security when it came to her and that was why he refused to let her leave his sight.

She still remembered how he had begged her to go to the company with him. When she asked him why he wanted her to do that, he said it was because he was worried that she would be gone again when he returned! He was a grown man, but he looked at her so pitifully as if he would burst into tears if she did not agree. That expression filled her with guilt and sadness. She still remembered it until this day.

Gu Nianbin was still chatting with Zhou Ting. Du Xiaoxian listened carefully and realized that Zhou Ting had stopped working in the company. Instead, she was now running a flower shop.

“Xiaoxian,” Zhou Ting said with a smile, “I’m the CEO of a flower shop now!”

“The CEO?” Shen Li interjected, “You’re the only one there. You’re both the boss and an employee. What’s the point of pottering around those flowers and plants every day?”

“How can you be so sure that it’s pointless work?” retorted Zhou Ting. “Is it more meaningful to flirt with others all day long like you? I’m not on the same level as people like you with low-class interests!”

Gu Nianbin and Du Xiaoxian both laughed.

Shen Li smiled helplessly. “With your glib tongue, it’s really a pity that you’re not in the business world. You might even become a general manager in the future.”

Zhou Ting scoffed. “I don’t care about becoming a general manager like you, doing all sorts of immoral things while holding the title of being tall, rich, and handsome!”

“Hey! What do you mean by that?” Shen Li said, “Are you still mad at me because of the last time I stood you up? Are you holding on to that grudge until now? You’re so petty!”

“I am petty. You shouldn’t have called me over!” Zhou Ting seemed angry. Her every sentence seemed to give him a hassle.

When Du Xiaoxian saw them arguing, she couldn’t help but laugh. She hugged Gu Nianbin’s arm tightly and leaned into him in a natural way. Gu Nianbin looked at her quietly but didn’t respond. He just asked Shen Li and Zhou Ting to head in.

Xia Xiaowan and Jiang Kaiwei arrived late. When the two of them saw Du Xiaoxian, their smiles became a little strained.

Everything that happened back then was all thanks to these two, especially Jiang Kaiwei, the initiator of all this. If he hadn’t started the business war, Du Xiaoxian wouldn’t have left.

The relationship between Gu Nianbin and Jiang Kaiwei was not much better because of Xia Xiaowan! Gu Nianbin nodded at Jiang Kaiwei, which was considered as his greeting to the latter. Xia Xiaowan looked like she wanted to say something. However, with the constant stream of people coming and going, she did not say anything in the end. She just smiled at Du Xiaoxian, and then headed in with Jiang Kaiwei.

They continued standing there for a while longer. The number of people arriving gradually decreased. Shao Boqing came out and said, “Nianbin, it’s about time. You guys should come in!”

Gu Nianbin did not move. “You can start greeting the people inside. We’ll stay out here for a few more minutes.”

There weren’t many others who were due to arrive. Du Xiaoxian did not know why he still wanted to stay outside. However, at that moment, he was smiling and his eyes were warm. She was willing to stay close to him and let his breath surround her. It was so familiar and warm. Du Xiaoxian felt a little dizzy and made a bold move that even she herself did not expect. She looped her hand through Gu Nianbin’s arm and gently held his hand.