Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 750 - 751: Gu Mingzhu, The One Who Saved You is Anxi! 3200 words

Chapter 750: Chapter 751: Gu Mingzhu, The One Who Saved You is Anxi! 3200 words

Min Xindou’s face appeared somewhat at a loss for words.

Old Wang immediately understood and laughed heartily. "I see now. It’s all because you’re with Zhou Yu. Come to think of it, that little rascal treats you quite well. If he really wanted to cause trouble, he’d be sticking to you like glue."

Min Xindou looked a bit awkward. After a pause, he seriously sought advice, "You said Zhou Yu... mostly ignores me. Do I still have a chance?"

Old Wang looked at him, then smiled. "Of course, there’s always hope. But... wait a minute, Old Min, aren’t you already living at Zhou Yu’s place all the time? What, still sleeping on the couch?"

Min Xindou remained silent. Old Wang’s eyes widened in disbelief. "No way! It’s been this long, you’ve done so many touching things, and serving tea, fetching water, even washing his feet—acting so subserviently is your norm, and still, none of that has moved him? ...Old Min, you must have hurt him very deeply."

Min Xindou still said nothing.

He felt like he could curse a blue streak.

After a long moment, he finally said slowly, "I genuinely came to ask for your guidance."

Old Wang pulled out two cigarettes, handed one to Min Xindou, and said, "Don’t even ask. I’m still a bachelor myself. If I had any real secrets to share, would I still be single now?"

Min Xindou, having been teased for a while, finally couldn’t resist hitting back, mocking Old Wang, "Whose fault is it that your standards are too high? If you’d just settled for Jiang Chaoge back then, you wouldn’t be in this sorry state."

King Jingyao patted his shoulder and chuckled silently. "Am I the type to settle?"

He had everything and certainly wasn’t lacking women. Why would he settle for a woman just for the sake of marriage?

Min Xindou had nothing to say.

The two went downstairs together and decided to share a car, giving them a chance to smoke and chat.

Beicheng was peaceful, and everything felt relaxed. Being two older men, they naturally felt free to say anything. Wang Jingchuan, who was in the same car, felt quite embarrassed listening and sat in the front, pretending he couldn’t hear.

The car arrived at the hotel. Most people had already arrived. Seeing the two important figures appear naturally drew a round of applause. Zhou Yunchen, as King Jingyao’s trusted aide, personally stepped forward to open the car door for his boss. As Old Wang got out, he patted Zhou Yunchen’s shoulder in approval. When Min Xindou alighted, he looked at Zhou Yunchen.

He was filled with complex emotions. It had taken him over a decade and a great personal cost to reach his current position, yet the young man before him seemed to have achieved it effortlessly. They both came from humble beginnings, and Zhou Yunchen had even been taken in by Gu Yuntian. How could their paths have diverged so drastically?! Min Xindou usually held himself in high regard and rarely envied others, but now a sour feeling welled up inside him. Even though Zhou Yunchen sensed this jealousy, he still smiled courteously, "Mr. Min."

Min Xindou offered a faint smile. "Thank you for your hard work."

Everyone here was a person of status; appearances had to be maintained.

At that moment, Old Wang turned his head. "Has that little rascal Anxi arrived yet?"

Zhou Yunchen replied with a smile, "Not yet. I’ve already called her; she should be here soon."

Old Wang feigned annoyance. "Look at this incorrigible sister of mine, Min Xindou! She’s the only one who dares to arrive later than me. A fine young man like Xichen is being completely led astray by her."

Min Xindou suddenly had a realization. Despite his own setbacks, he at least had a wife and child—albeit an ex-wife and an ex-child. Still, he was much better off than King Jingyao, who was in love with a young woman but had to put on a magnanimous front, offering blessings while constantly witnessing their affectionate displays. Who knew how bitter he truly felt inside? Compared to King Jingyao, he actually felt quite successful!

Feeling a surge of comfort, his words became more agreeable. "Yes, Xichen has indeed changed a lot recently, much more energetic. He used to be too reserved, lacking youthful vigor. Now he’s just right."

Old Wang glanced at him. He knew Min Xindou was teasing him. Heh, he and Min Xindou had been rivals for so many years; he understood him even better than Zhou Yu did.

Old Wang smiled. "Indeed, you’re right. One really should spend time with younger people! Min Xindou, the more you say it, the more I feel I should find a younger wife. Someone like Mingzhu would be perfect—talented and well-behaved..."

As he was speaking, his gaze fell upon Tang Yuan and her daughter. He lowered his voice, granting Min Xindou a shred of dignity, "Look, your eldest daughter is here, along with your ex-girlfriend."

Min Xindou was momentarily speechless. After a pause, he said sullenly, "Can we please not bring up the past? I just want to properly compensate Zhou Yu now."

As for Gu Mingzhu, she had always been raised well in the Gu family; he felt no guilt towards her. And frankly, he just couldn’t bring himself to like that child.

Old Wang chuckled, seemingly agreeing.

Gu Mingzhu spotted Min Xindou from afar and hesitated for a long moment before walking over.

Min Xindou felt a headache coming on. He pretended to rub his forehead, desperately wishing he could feign ignorance of her presence.

Gu Mingzhu was his number one skeleton in the closet. He had no idea who had invited the mother and daughter.

Old Wang was inwardly gloating. He watched Gu Mingzhu with a smile. "The old madam has been asking about you lately, saying you haven’t visited her even though you’re well now."

After all that had happened, Gu Mingzhu was no longer so prone to wishful thinking. She knew these were just polite words, so she replied obediently, "Then I’ll go visit her tomorrow."

Even though she said that, she wouldn’t actually go. The old master and old madam were living at Gu Anxi’s maternal home; how could she possibly go there?

Old Wang didn’t press the issue and turned to Min Xindou. "Old Min, why the long face? Now that you’re reunited, you should at least exchange a few words."

His words touched Gu Mingzhu, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She spoke softly, "Uncle Min, I know Gu Anxi only helped me because of you... I don’t ask for anything else, just thank you."

She had always believed that Gu Anxi’s last-minute decision was because of Min Xindou, because she was Min Xindou’s daughter. If something had happened to her, Gu Anxi wouldn’t have been able to face Min Xindou. Beyond this, she believed nothing else, certainly not that Gu Anxi possessed such kindness.

Her words surprised both King Jingyao and Min Xindou.

Min Xindou was relatively unfazed, but Old Wang wondered, Has this girl lost her mind? How can she be so clueless? Anxi may not like her much and indeed saved her on a whim, but what does that have to do with Min Xindou? He couldn’t care less about her, okay? Is she overestimating Min Xindou’s affection for her?

Old Wang gave a cold smirk. Let’s see how Old Min responds to this.

Min Xindou’s gaze was steady. He thought for a moment before speaking, his voice calm, almost cruelly so. "After the incident, I never once thought about you. The entire Beicheng was willing to risk everything for the people of the East; saving you was nothing in comparison," Min Xindou stated calmly. "Anxi saved you by her own decision. It genuinely had nothing to do with me."

The only person who could make him act out of personal consideration was Zhou Yu, and Zhou Yu alone.

Gu Mingzhu had approached full of hope, not seeking material gain this time, but merely some familial affection. Now, reality had dealt her a harsh blow. Deeply stricken, she stood there, stunned.

She couldn’t accept that Gu Anxi had saved her. She couldn’t bear the thought that it wasn’t Min Xindou’s doing, but purely Gu Anxi pitying her. She didn’t want Gu Anxi’s pity! She had never been inferior to Gu Anxi; she didn’t need it from her! But now, Min Xindou had been brutally direct, all but saying he didn’t care if she lived or died!

Her face was terribly pale, and she remained dazed for a long moment. Old Wang, finally showing a shred of compassion, glanced at Min Xindou and chided, "Look at you. Back when you were only concerned with your own pleasure, did you ever consider this day would come? She’s your own flesh and blood, after all. What harm would it do to tell a few pleasant lies?"

Then, he kindly patted Gu Mingzhu. "There, there. He’s unwilling to say nice things to coax you, so I will."

Gu Mingzhu wasn’t a fool. She took a step back and rubbed her eyes.

When she looked up again, she stared at Min Xindou. "In the future, I won’t delude myself anymore."

Then she looked at King Jingyao. "And you’re no better, with your ill intentions." With that, she turned and ran off, presumably to cry somewhere.

Min Xindou’s jaw tensed as he watched her retreating figure.

Old Wang, however, rubbed his chin, looking utterly innocent. Was I wrong to comfort her? It’s not often I console anyone.

He then looked at Min Xindou with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Alright, alright, the little lady ran off in tears because of you. The matter’s settled. She won’t be pestering you and disrupting your family’s happiness anymore. Young girls, they get over heartbreak eventually."

Min Xindou didn’t respond.

Old Wang nodded. "It seems, now that Zhou Yu is pregnant, you’ve decided to finally become a decent man."

He patted Min Xindou’s shoulder and smiled.

Just then, Gu Anxi arrived. She had barely stepped out of her car when Old Wang dragged her away. "Look how late you are! You’ll be drinking three penalty shots later. Everyone here is older than you, yet you have the biggest airs!"

As Old Wang pulled her along, Min Xindou waited for Bo Xichen, and the two men walked behind. Min Xindou couldn’t help but vent, "Only Anxi can keep Old Wang in check."

Bo Xichen smiled faintly. "What happened now?"

Min Xindou was reluctant to discuss what had just transpired. At that moment, Wang Yuan sidled up and whispered, "Mr. Wang always manages to get Mr. Min riled up."

Bo Xichen smiled. He knew it was undoubtedly about Zhou Yu.

After they had walked a few more steps, Min Xindou suddenly asked, "I saw Old Lin arrive. Your parents don’t seem to be here."

Bo Xichen paused, his voice slightly hoarse. "Father has been rather depressed lately. It will probably take him some time to recover. Mother is staying with him."

Min Xindou nodded. "Mr. Bo is a man of deep feelings and integrity. It’s a pity Bo Qing didn’t have such fortune."

Coming from a humble background, he deeply envied those with siblings and parents to rely on. Bo Qing, though illegitimate, had always been cared for. Growing up, he was known as Second Uncle Bo, and the younger generation of the extended family treated him with respect. He simply took it all for granted and became too fixated on his grievances. At this moment, he conveniently forgot that he and Bo Qing had once been like two peas in a pod, inseparable companions.

Min Xindou sighed. Bo Xichen, however, offered a faint smile. "Father simply cherishes the people around him."

Min Xindou was suddenly reminded of Gu Mingzhu, and a pang of bitterness struck him. His eyes scanned the surroundings, and he spotted Gu Mingzhu emerging from a shadowy area with Tang Yuan.

The mother and daughter cut lonely figures, lacking their former radiance...

When Tang Yuan saw Min Xindou, she said nothing and hurried past.

Gu Mingzhu’s eyes were slightly red; she had clearly been crying. Upon seeing Bo Xichen, she called out, "Brother Xichen."

Bo Xichen nodded and spoke a few gentle words to her. Gu Mingzhu’s eyes reddened again.

After moving out of the Gu family home, she and her mother had endured many cold shoulders. Even if her mother still knew some influential people, and they were managing to get by, their life was a far cry from their former glory. Especially after she was abducted... things had been terrible. Now, even Bo Xichen’s few words of gentle concern were enough to overwhelm her with a torrent of emotions.