Face of Jade Group Headquarters.
As Gu Xiyan was organizing documents, she recalled the events of the previous day, and her silver teeth clenched tightly, her heart full of shame and annoyance.
She still couldn't let go of being toyed with by Mu Jinyu last night.
But what irritated her the most was that she had been taken advantage of, and she didn't even know the person's name.
As Gu Xiyan's silver teeth were almost grinding to bits, on the couch beside her, a beauty whose figure and appearance were no less stunning than hers, crossed her perfect jade legs, tightly wrapped in silk stockings, and chuckled:
"Hey, Xiao Yan, did you really just pick someone up off the street to pretend to be your boyfriend yesterday? And it actually intimidated your family?"
Gu Xiyan turned her head and glared at Yu Linglong, speaking bitterly, "I'll say it again, I didn't just find anyone; he was dressed like the War King Lin Feng you described, so I thought he was that War King you recommended, and I just pulled him away! This is all your fault!"
Yu Linglong quickly apologized, "All right, all right, it's my fault, my fault. I blame myself for not sending you Lin Feng's photo in time, causing you to be taken advantage of."
Gu Xiyan rolled her eyes and didn't bother to explain any further to her best friend.
Yesterday, after receiving a call from Yu Linglong and sensing something was off, she had still let Mu Jinyu slip away. She originally intended to bury this embarrassing incident deep within herself, not telling anyone.
But Yu Linglong, crafty as she was, knowing that she couldn't get any information directly from her, started inquiring from the side with members of the Gu Family, eventually learning about what happened during the birthday banquet...
Then, combining the snub she received from War King Lin Feng, she deduced some truths.
When they arrived at the company early today, she immediately started teasing her relentlessly, laughing about how even finding a fake boyfriend went wrong. Then, she comforted her, saying that although she lost out to that nameless man by quite a bit, the result was not bad—after all, the Gu Family and Zhang Qiu Huai would no longer dare to be so aggressive towards her.
As for Gu Xiyan, she could only somewhat comfort herself with those thoughts, but her heart still couldn't let go.
Seeing that Gu Xiyan remained silent, Yu Linglong didn't want to tease her best friend any further. Glancing at the time on her watch, she let down her crossed legs and said leisurely:
"Okay, it's not early anymore, that 'Trotsky' master should be about to arrive at the café we agreed on. Let's head out."
"Mhm," Gu Xiyan responded, having nearly finished preparing the documents on Master Trotsky and his company.
Having secured the documents, the two instructed their secretaries and assistants with a few words before leaving the company.
Half an hour later.
The two women arrived at the elegantly decorated café they had agreed upon and began to wait for the fashion icon from abroad, Trotsky.
As the appointed time nearly approached, yet there was no sign of Master Trotsky, Gu Xiyan and Yu Linglong's pretty faces showed a hint of displeasure. Yet, they didn't just storm off.
Because their Face of Jade Group needed to collaborate with the international luxury brand behind Master Trotsky due to difficulties in its current development, they felt they had to endure even though he was late.
Operating independently of the Gu Family's networks and resources had indeed won Gu Xiyan her freedom, ensuring she couldn't be easily pressured by them, but at the same time, she lost the opportunity for rapid development, leaving Face of Jade Group still a moderately sized fashion company.
But Gu Xiyan had no regrets about her decision.
Nearly ten more minutes passed.
Gu Xiyan and Yu Linglong were growing very impatient, realizing that the international fashion icon must have stood them up. Even though they were angry, there was nothing they could do but return and find another way.
Just then,
Master Trotsky, who was over ten minutes late, finally arrived with his entourage, fashionably late.
"Sorry, sorry, traffic jam on the road..."
Master Trotsky was a middle-aged man nearing fifty, his once golden hair and handsome face now showing quite a few white hairs and wrinkles under the ravages of time.
But though he was older, his heart wasn't, and his attire was still very trendy, flamboyant and ornate, which made him look very artistic.
Gu Xiyan and Yu Linglong had already carefully studied Trotsky's preferences and personality on their way there; now, hearing his words and seeing his expression, they knew that he was merely humoring them.
Their dissatisfaction grew, but since they were the ones in need, Gu Xiyan had to force a smile on her pretty face and said hypocritically in English, "Not at all, not at all, we haven't been here long, Master Trotsky. Now that you are here, let's go into the café to discuss this collaboration."
"Good, good, good..." Trotsky nodded to them perfunctorily, but he didn't move.
He looked around as if he were searching for someone, and then, he spotted a woman with a bold outfit and a snake spirit face hurrying towards them. A smile broke out on his face, and he quickly waved his hand to signal, "Over here, over here, Miss Wang, we were just waiting for you..."
Seeing this, Gu Xiyan and Yu Linglong exchanged glances, and their hearts sank.
Wasn't Trotsky supposed to be discussing a collaboration just with them?
Why had another person suddenly appeared?
Could it be... that Trotsky never took them seriously at all, and had simultaneously arranged to meet representatives from other companies as well?
They were extremely angry, but given the current predicament of their company, they couldn't afford to walk out in a huff.
Once the flamboyantly dressed snake-faced woman approached, Gu Xiyan also recognized her identity.
Wang Huanhuan, President of Huanyue Company, whose business, like their Face of Jade Group, focused on luxury goods including apparel, accessories, perfumes, watches, and home decor...
The two companies were in the same line of business and could be considered arch-rivals.
However, her company had recently secured the agency for a luxury brand, and its development in River City was now rapidly outpacing their Face of Jade Group.
With Wang Huanhuan's appearance, Yu Linglong had little hope for the collaboration.
Just as she thought about storming off, Gu Xiyan held onto her, shaking her head slightly to signal her to wait and see.
Yu Linglong could only suppress her anger, standing aside like an idiot, waiting for Trotsky and Wang Huanhuan to finish talking.
Trotsky wasn't overly arrogant and didn't completely ignore Gu Xiyan and Yu Linglong; after leaving them hanging for a bit, he came back to his senses, wrapped up the small talk with Wang Huanhuan, and said with a smile, "Now that everyone is here, let's go inside and talk."
"Of course, please," Gu Xiyan and Yu Linglong said through gritted teeth, yet with smiling faces.
Trotsky nodded at them and led his people inside first.
Wang Huanhuan gave Gu Xiyan a glance, her surgically altered snake face revealing a strange and unsettling smile as she said, "General Gu, President Yu, what a coincidence, I'll go in first."