The Scheming Ex-Husband's Courtship
Chapter 215 - 202: Is it?

Chapter 215: Chapter 202: Is it?

Back then, she was still tender-aged, her face carrying traces of baby fat that hadn’t completely shed. She stood at the lofty lectern, her voice crisp and pleasant, her expression calm and composed.

It wasn’t until she stepped down from the podium, holding a large bouquet of flowers and walking towards her father...

"Young Master Qian, Young Master Qian." Xiao Ran called out twice but Mu Shuoqian did not respond. He hesitated, wondering whether he should remind him again, when suddenly the sound of thunderous applause filled the room. Like a floodgate opening, reporters swarmed towards Gu Qili, who had just descended the stage.

Faced with the sudden blockade of countless microphones, the composure Gu Qili had on stage was no longer there. She could speak eloquently at the lectern, her gaze searching through the dense crowd for Mu Shuoqian’s assistance, but the corner where he had been was now empty. She was somewhat unsure if she was seeing things; he might not have been there at all.

"Could you tell us, how confident are you about securing this project?"

"May I ask, Miss Gu, what position do you hold? How long did you prepare for this statement?"

"Is Miss Gu a professional?"

At this moment, Li Ruhai stepped forward. He stood in front of Gu Qili, shielding her from the reporters. With a smile, he said, "You can ask me any questions. I am the Planning Director, Li Ruhai."

Reynolds and his party did not accept any interviews and had already entered a side door. Gu Qili hastily stood on her tiptoes to look over, just in time to see Reynolds wink at her again before he hurriedly left.

That glance of his held layers of meaning – amazement, recognition, admiration, and some complex emotions difficult to decipher, certainly more than a simple blink.

Li Ruhai was still engaging with the media. Gu Qili and her assistant took the opportunity to slip back to the green room.

"Miss Gu, you were absolutely amazing." The assistant’s eyes brimmed with excited tears. He thought he would never be able to repay the losses he caused even if he worked for a lifetime, but Gu Qili had miraculously turned the tide at the crucial moment, although she looked even younger than him.

Gu Qili was quite embarrassed by the praise, as she had improvised on the spot. Moreover, whether she would receive official recognition remained uncertain; it was too early to look too pleased.

"Qili, you truly exceeded my expectations," said Li Ruhai as he shook off the journalists, his face flushed with excitement as he pushed open the door of the conference room. Overwhelmed, he dropped formalities and directly took her hand in his, vigorously shaking it up and down.

To him, Gu Qili was now a lucky star, a savior, the goddess sent by heaven to rescue him. "I am truly grateful to you on behalf of everyone."

"President Li, the results aren’t out yet, don’t get too excited," Gu Qili’s hand hurt from his grip, as she reminded him with a laugh and a wry face, "It’s still not certain who will end up with the project."

It was only then that Li Ruhai released her hand, but the smile on his face did not fade in the slightest: "Your presentation was even more brilliant than we anticipated, and nobody expected you to deliver it entirely by yourself. You should have seen the thunderstruck faces of the other company directors; they clearly didn’t understand but still tried to look knowledgeable. Ah, it’s hilarious even thinking about it now."

Gu Qili couldn’t help but silently critique: It seems like you didn’t understand either, Uncle.

"Alright, let’s head back now and report the truth to the president, ha ha." Li Ruhai was acting like a victor, as if ready to march home triumphantly bearing his banner and beating his drums for recognition and reward.

Gu Qili smiled helplessly and followed Li Ruhai. As they left the green room, she spotted two very familiar figures hurriedly leaving, one after the other.

It was Mu Hewen and Qi Meihui.

Gu Qili couldn’t help but feel puzzled. This self-recommendation event had nothing to do with those two; they wouldn’t go so far as to attend an irrelevant meeting, would they?

Oh right, Mu Hewen seemed to have made a bet with Mu Shuoqian: if they successfully secured the project, he would have to leave. Was he here to see the outcome?

Was it really just that simple? Gu Qili immediately thought of Li Ruhai’s lost laptop. Could all these incidents be related to Mu Hewen? To force Mu Shuoqian out, he would likely stop at nothing.

"Miss Gu, what are you looking at?" Li Ruhai noticed she wasn’t following and stopped to wait for her.

Gu Qili quickly caught up, withdrawing her distant gaze and shaking her head, "Nothing."

Mu Hewen and Qi Meihui both got into the car parked outside. Qi Meihui looked upset, and as soon as she spoke, her mouth was filled with dissatisfaction and disappointment towards Mu Hewen, "Mu Hewen, is this what you called having everything prepared? You saw it with your own eyes; rather than being flustered, that Gu Qili managed to steal the spotlight. If Dad finds out about this, he might even change his impression of her. More importantly, you’ve bet with Mu Shuoqian; if he really wins this project, you’ll have to resign. Have you considered, once you leave, where could you go? Are you counting on joining Muguang Entertainment? You know what Dad is like. For years, he’s been clinging to the Mu Family’s power and only reluctantly gave up the position of president a few years ago. He would never agree to you going to Muguang Entertainment; he’s afraid you’ll steal his thunder."

"Are you done yet?" Mu Hewen said impatiently, pulling out a cigarette.

"Wow, Mu Hewen, what’s with that attitude? Are you tired of me? Do you have someone else on the side? Tell me, tell me." Qi Meihui bombarded him with questions in rapid succession, while hitting Mu Hewen’s shoulder with her fist.

Mu Hewen, annoyed by her fuss, nevertheless tried to pacify her by grabbing her hand, comforting her, "Wife, don’t guess wildly, I’m dedicated to you, how could I have someone else? Don’t worry, today’s presentation was just a formality, it’s impossible to settle the final result so quickly. As long as the result isn’t announced, we’ve still got a chance to overturn it, right?"

"You’d better get moving. If this project succeeds, neither you nor I will end up well," Qi Meihui said tersely, sitting up straight, her mood finally easing somewhat.

On the drive back, Gu Qili sent a message to Mu Shuoqian: Are you back at the company?

Everything that happened today feels like a dream in retrospect.

Soon, his reply popped up: Hmm, just got here.

"Why didn’t you wait to leave with me?"

"Had some urgent matters to handle so I came back earlier. I’ll pick you up after work tonight, what would you like for late-night snacks? I’ll buy them."

Gu Qili pondered for a moment: Haven’t decided yet, will tell you when I think of something.

"Okay."

Mu Shuoqian stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the hotel in the distance. Xiao Ran knocked on the door and walked in, calling out from afar.

Mu Shuoqian did not respond, holding the phone and staring at a cloud in the sky, lost in thought, as if stuck in some past memories.

Xiao Ran couldn’t see his expression but felt a faint sense of helplessness exuding from him.

This took Xiao Ran by surprise; he had followed Mu Shuoqian for five years, and the Mu Shuoqian he knew was always composed and unflappable in chaos, but just now he had clearly seen a panic on his face that he seemed unable to control.

Was there anything the big boss couldn’t solve?

Mu Shuoqian finally heard footsteps and turned around, his face returning to its usual indifference. He walked over to his desk, leaned over to extinguish his cigarette in the ashtray, and after sitting down, looked at Xiao Ran: "What’s up?"

Xiao Ran said, "We found the people and the evidence."

"Hmm."

"I think they haven’t given up yet, they might stir up some trouble."

"Have someone follow them."

Xiao Ran nodded, then added, "Should President Li come straight up when he returns later?"

"Tell him to go to the HR department to file a demotion report. The position of planning director will be temporarily vacant; let him reflect for three months before discussing further."

That Mu Shuoqian didn’t send him straight home to retire, Li Ruhai was already deeply grateful.

Gu Qili went back to the restaurant to continue working. Everyone knew she had taken a leave of absence but no one knew what she was up to.

That evening, Ah V came over, and Gu Qili went with him to check on the wine she had brewed. It was too early to see any significant changes, but she squatted in front of that bottle as if it contained some rare treasure, handling it with unwavering attention for a long time.

The wine she made with simple methods certainly couldn’t compare to what Mu Shuoqian usually drank. She didn’t seek for a great taste; she only hoped that it wouldn’t upset his stomach after drinking it.

Ah V took out several books from his bag and handed them to her: "Here are the books you borrowed from me and the notes I’d made previously. I found them all in the box, hoping they can help you."

"Ah V, thank you so much," said Gu Qili, wiping her dirty hands before taking the books. Some were already yellowed, but they were neatly covered with dust jackets, showing his careful preservation.

He obviously loved wine so much, why give up halfway? She could tell that he preferred to be a winemaker rather than a bartender, but since Ah V didn’t wish to talk about the past, she naturally wouldn’t dwell on it.

"Qili, you said you’re allergic to alcohol?" Ah V observed her joyfully holding the books, her beautiful eyes filled with intense delight.

"Yeah, I once sneaked a drink of my dad’s wine when I was little and ended up with rashes all over my body and couldn’t breathe properly. I was rushed to the hospital, and the doctor said I’m allergic to alcohol. Since then, my dad wouldn’t let me touch any wine, and I didn’t dare to drink any more."

Ah V looked down at the books, earnestly advising her: "I know your enthusiasm for wine, and I understand it’s for your father’s vineyard, but I must discourage you a bit—no matter how rich your theoretical knowledge is, no matter how much you love this profession, someone who cannot taste wine will never truly understand it. It’s cruel to say this, but it’s the truth."

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