Chapter 33 I'm a little reluctant to leave.
This can be considered...
Another confession?
Shang Shu felt as if snow was falling in her heart, like the heavy snowfall of a deep winter in Aicheng, the kind of snow that adorns the whole world with a silver-white coat.
She loves snow, but unfortunately it never snows in Macau. In the past twenty-five years, she has flown to many countries to see it, and she often thinks that it would be wonderful if it snowed in Macau.
And today, that wish seems to have come true.
The snow, as white as icing sugar, was gradually covering her Rose Hall.
"See you tomorrow." Gu Sui straightened Shang Shu's crooked collar and said goodbye softly.
"If you have nightmares, you can call me, no matter how late it is."
"Mmm." Shang Shu kept her head down and only uttered a single syllable.
Her cheeks were burning hot, her heart was filled with snow; her world was experiencing both ice and fire.
*
The following week passed smoothly and quickly.
Shang Shu refused Gu Sui's request to pick her up and drop her off at Yijing Bay every day because she felt it was too much trouble and could easily cause her family's driver to lose his job.
Gu Sui said this was the least she could do to show sincerity in pursuing someone, and Shang Shu couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she had to discuss it with her properly and finally compromised by offering to take her home after get off work.
So every night, Gu Sui would escort her to the entrance of Yijing Bay, giving her some small instructions before she got out of the car, and then gently saying goodbye to her.
But that's all.
This reminded Shang Shu of the saying, "Feelings arise, but are restrained by propriety and righteousness."
This is very restrained and considerate.
Gu Sui went to have her stitches removed by herself. Shang Shu knew that she was afraid that Gu Sui would be sad if she saw it, so she deliberately chose to go when Gu Sui was busy.
The two also agreed that once Gu Sui returned, they would find a time to accompany her to see Liang Wanzhi again.
The last two sketches for the Spring/Summer series were also completed. Shang Shu added double-petaled lilies to the original theme, an idea she had after returning from Shanghai.
The necklace features a teardrop-shaped prong-set yellow diamond as the main stone, adorned with snowflake-set white diamond lily petals on one side. The overlapping petals allow light and shadow to flow and shimmer freely within them. The earrings also feature matching yellow diamonds, with an 18K gold wavy tassel chain hanging down from a single petal above the gemstone, the end of which is decorated with tiny white diamonds that sway with the ear, creating a light and lively effect.
She named this series:
"Flowing Lily"
Time flew by, and the day arrived when Gu Sui and Gu Xiangyi left the country.
When Shang Shu arrived at FBO, she saw Gu Qi talking to two people in the lobby.
She slowly exhaled and walked forward, smelling the faint woody fragrance in the air, her feelings were somewhat complicated.
Memories triggered by smell are often more vivid, more emotional, and more unforgettable than those triggered by sight or hearing.
She had indeed been to this FBO once before, three years ago, and it wasn't a pleasant memory.
Damn Proust effect.
"Go on, the young lady has come to see you off." Gu Qi raised his chin and said to Gu Sui.
Upon hearing this, Gu Sui turned around and saw Shang Shu standing in the sunlight not far away, elegant and charming.
The little girl wore a black cashmere coat with her hair open, layered over a beige turtleneck and a knitted cardigan. She wore a pearl necklace and a white silk satin skirt that covered her ankles. The skirt swayed gently in the light and shadow as she walked, making her look incredibly beautiful.
"Why are you dressed so nicely to see me off?" Gu Sui approached the person, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
Shang Shu put her hands in her coat pockets, trying to become immune to her compliments: "When have I ever dressed badly?"
Although she said it aloud, she couldn't help but feel secretly pleased, because she had indeed dressed up a little today.
Gu Sui smiled, then leaned forward slightly and got closer: "You look especially good today, so good that... I'm a little reluctant to leave."
Shang Shu's ears suddenly turned red. She subconsciously glanced at Gu Qi and the other person in the distance, afraid that someone would hear her.
Gu Sui was wearing a pair of Martin boots today. She was already a bit taller than me, and now she was even taller, so this gesture carried a hint of doting affection.
What's wrong with this person? How can they be so good at flirting!
She seriously doubted whether the aloof and ascetic Gu Sui had been possessed.
Shang Shu placed a finger on Gu Sui's right shoulder, gently pushing him away a little: "In public... don't be silly."
Gu Sui glanced around discreetly; including them, there were no more than ten people in total.
She suppressed her smile helplessly and looked seriously into Shang Shu's eyes, saying, "During winter time, the time difference between Macau and London is eight hours, so I should be here from the time you fall asleep until you wake up."
"How do you know when I need to sleep..."
Shang Shu knew that Gu Sui's implication was about what he had mentioned before: that she could call him if she had nightmares.
Gu Sui was used to her stubbornness, knowing that as long as she listened to what he said, that was good enough.
She continued repeating those old, clichéd admonitions: "You should smoke less..."
"You should drink less alcohol too. You've told me that so many times." Shang Shu smoothly picked up where Gu Sui left off, playfully scolding him for his nagging. "It's only for a week. People who don't know better will think you're going to be gone for a year..."
Gu Sui was taken aback, then burst into laughter.
To Gu Qi and Gu Xiangyi, who were secretly observing, their actions seemed quite ambiguous.
"Tsk, I didn't realize my aunt was such a smiley person." Gu Xiangyi crossed her legs, holding a Swiss roll in her hand, and tilted her head to look at it from time to time.
At this moment, Gu Qi couldn't care less about being Gu Xiangyi's mother and instead transformed into a gossipy girlfriend.
She took a sip of her coffee: "What's this called again? It has a sour, pungent smell of being in love."
Gu Xiangyi stuffed a Swiss roll into her mouth, expressing skepticism about the word "relationship": "It seems that Sister Shang Shu hasn't agreed yet, has she?"
Hearing the somewhat disrespectful way they addressed each other, Gu Qi found it amusing: "Knowing my sister as I do, I bet... it's probably hopeless this year."
“I vote against it.” Gu Xiangyi shook her head. “You have to observe carefully before you can draw a conclusion. Look, Sister Shang Shu’s ears turned red after saying a few words to my aunt. I think there’s potential.”
"Your aunt is very tight-lipped. Find out as much as you can on this trip and share it with me when you get back," Gu Qi ordered, thinking that young people like Gu Sui and Gu Xiangyi might still have something to say.
"Understood, Mother." Gu Xiangyi dusted her hands and accepted the task.
The concierge walked up to Gu Xiangyi with a smile and gently reminded her, "Ms. Gu, the plane is ready. This way, please."
Gu Xiangyi glanced at Gu Sui, who was also reminded not far away, stood up and said goodbye to Gu Qi: "Then I'll be going."
Gu Qi nodded, not having much to say in return. After all, it was only a week's trip, and her aunt would be with her, so she was naturally very relieved.
The two on the other side, however, were not so decisive.
"Then... send me a message when you land." Shang Shu lowered her eyes, still feeling somewhat reluctant at the moment of parting.
"Does it have to be after landing before you can send it?" Gu Sui smiled and tilted his head to look into her eyes. "There's Wi-Fi on the plane, the kind that makes video calls very smooth."
"Who wants to video chat with you... I'm very busy, okay?" Shang Shu looked up abruptly upon hearing this, then guiltily put her hands back into her pockets, her eyes darting around.
Gu Sui looked at the ripe ears and tugged at the person's sleeve: "Then thank you, President Shang, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to see me off."
"Have a safe journey." Shang Shu couldn't help but smile.
She watched as the person took two steps and then stopped in place, and was puzzled when she saw Gu Sui turn around and say to her, "Eat your food properly."
Seeing that everyone was looking at her after Gu Sui's voice, Shang Shu felt both warm and a little embarrassed.
It sounds like I'm giving instructions to a child...
She bit her lower lip and waved her hand, not caring whether Gu Sui could hear her or not, and whispered, "I know."
Gu Qi stood side by side with her in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window, watching the two walk across the tarmac and board the plane.
"Ah Sui likes you very much." Gu Qi stared at the slowly retracting gangway and smiled faintly.
Shang Shu glanced at Gu Qi, and seeing that he was still staring at the plane, she opened her mouth, unsure of what to say.
“I didn’t mean anything by it. I know you have your own considerations,” Gu Qi continued. “I think that as long as Asui can be with the person he likes, no matter what the outcome, at least the process will be enjoyable.”
"Chairman Gu..."
"Don't be so formal with me, just call me 'sister' like Ah Sui does." Gu Qi chuckled twice as he listened to the awkward address.
“Okay… Sister Gu Qi.” Shang Shu nodded, touched by Gu Qi’s deep conversation despite their brief acquaintance.
As the plane slowly took off, Shang Shu remembered something and said to Gu Qi, "I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. Guangjing helped a lot in resolving the S&S matter. Thank you, Sister Gu Qi."
Although she didn't know whether Gu Qi, who was busy managing the entire group, was aware of what Guangjing Media was doing, she, as a direct beneficiary, still had to show due respect.
"You're too kind. After all, we are legitimate partners, and this is what Guangjing should do."
Gu Qi looked at the sensible little girl in front of her with satisfaction, and couldn't help but recall how she first met her at Lin Cui's birthday party. At that time, the little girl was quite hostile towards her, but now, thanks to Gu Sui, she called her "sister" at every turn, which made her heart feel sweet.
She glanced at her watch and said, "I was thinking of inviting you for a coffee and a chat, but I have a meeting soon and I'm in a bit of a rush. I'll treat you to a meal another time."
“Okay, Sister Gu Qi, you’re busy.” Shang Shu replied. She knew that the other party was a very busy person, and she was planning to go to the company soon anyway.
So the two walked out of the waiting room together, said a brief goodbye, got into their respective cars, and left FBO one after the other.
*
Back at the company, Shang Shu sat in her office staring at her phone on the desk.
It's all Gu Sui's fault, making her unable to contain her anticipation for the next dozen or so hours.
She simply put her phone down and turned on her computer to find something else to do.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and Song Lan came in carrying a tablet to report the upcoming schedule to Shang Shu.
"Preparations for the Macau Jewelry and Gemstone Exhibition will begin this month, and the venue will be the Macau Art Museum..."
"I have to attend Miss Shang's engagement party on Tuesday..."
"..."
"Finally, I need to attend a charity gala hosted by the museum at 7 p.m. tonight, and the dress is already prepared."
These past few days, Shang Shu has been so preoccupied with sending Gu Sui off that she almost forgot about the banquet.
She leaned back in her chair, somewhat dazed. Before she knew it, it was December, and another year was drawing to a close.
She still felt it was all unreal. Gu Sui, just like that, had returned to her side in the fourth year since they parted.
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