◇ 【067】 A crushing defeat
"The latest news," Zhao Rui turned back from his computer and pointed at the screen to say to Gu Juan, Zhang Cong, and Liu Hui, "I Am the Strongest" has indeed issued a challenge to Imperial Capital University, and the students of Imperial Capital University have accepted their challenge."
Zhang Cong asked nervously, "When are they going to compete?"
Zhao Rui said: "May 1st."
"That's five days from now, isn't it?" Liu Hui climbed out of bed excitedly. "We can have three days off for May Day. Will spectators be allowed in?"
"Admission is allowed," Zhao Rui said, "but due to limited space, even if we from out of town make it there might not be a seat. The competition will be held in the auditorium of Imperial Capital University."
"Will there be a live broadcast on TV or the Internet?" Zhang Cong asked as he turned on his laptop.
Zhao Rui said: "Yes, but I always feel it's a pity not to see the Chinese people get defeated in person."
Zhang Cong was already browsing the website, looking regretful. "I checked, the auditorium at Imperial Capital University can only accommodate 10,000 people."
Gu Juan thought for a moment and said, "If you want to go, I can ask the old man if he can get you some tickets."
Zhao Rui and the others all looked at him in surprise.
"real?"
"Let me ask." Gu Juan called Xi Lang, "Old man, is it convenient for you to answer the phone?"
"Xiaojuan, I'm in the office. Do you want to come see me?"
"No." "I'm the strongest." May Day will compete with students from Imperial Capital University. I'd like to ask if you can get four tickets."
Zhao Rui asked softly, "Aren't you going?"
Gu Juan waved his hand, indicating that they should talk later.
Xi Lang said, "No problem. I have ten tickets here. Who are these four for?"
"My three roommates, and one for Yinyin. Let's see if she wants to go... Okay." Gu Juan hung up the phone and said to Zhao Rui and the others, "We got the tickets."
Liu Hui said, "Thank you. How much? We'll take the photo."
Gu Juan said: "I didn't ask, let's talk about it after we get the ticket."
"Third brother, aren't you going?" Zhao Rui asked.
Gu Juan apologized, "The old man and I happened to have something to do that day, and he still has tickets. If I can still make it, I'll rush over."
"good."
On April 30th, as soon as classes were over, the May Day holiday began. Zhao Rui and the other two bought train tickets and headed to the capital together.
Gu Juan and Xi Lang set out early in the morning of May Day, taking the open road to the flower base. They had agreed long ago to spend May Day at the flower base.
Fortunately, it will be sunny in the next few days.
Aside from the road outside, which is still under construction, the interior of the Juanjia Flower Base was fully completed a few days ago, with staff gradually arriving, and the company was officially open before May Day. Because Gu Juan was short of time, he did not attend the previous opening ceremony.
Arriving at the flower base, a long line of more than 20 cars formed outside. Visitors had to buy tickets to enter the base's parking lot. The previous advertising had been very effective, and these people were attracted by its reputation.
Gu Juan and Xi Lang came to the ticket office. Gu Juan showed his ID to the staff, and the staff politely let them in.
One tourist in the queue was very dissatisfied, "Why don't they queue?"
The staff member said jokingly: "That's our boss, who dares to make him queue?"
The tourists were speechless.
After Gu Juan and Xi Lang entered, they saw that the parking lot was already quite a bit full. As they made their way through the maze, they passed by tourists who were struggling to get out, their expressions both awkward and amusing. They smiled at each other.
If they really can't get out, they can call the service office number published on the ticket for help, and the staff will come to take them in.
It's been a while since I last visited, and the base has become even more beautiful. Seas of flowers sway in the breeze, their fragrance lingering in the air. Bees and butterflies dance among themselves, creating a lively atmosphere.
Tourists took out their mobile phones and cameras and kept taking pictures.
Passing by the "Tumble, Little Buns" section, I saw quite a few children, aged two to seven or eight, rolling and playing in the flower fields, their laughter filling the air with joy. Standing nearby were some adults, their faces a complex mix of joy for the children's enjoyment and worry about whether their clothes, stained with flower and grass juice, could be washed clean.
Xi Lang raised the corner of his lips, put his arm around Gu Juan's shoulders, and gave him a thumbs up.
"Xiaojuan, come here, let me take a few photos of you too."
After taking the photos, the two continued to enjoy the scenery of the flower field. Little did they know that they had become part of the scenery for tourists as they walked side by side and smiled at each other.
Gu Juan and Xi Lang arrived home first. The kitchen, dining room, living room, and bathroom on the first floor, as well as the entire third floor, were all fully furnished. The other rooms hadn't been finished yet.
"The living room is beautifully decorated," Xi Lang said, pleased. The kitchen, dining room, and living room on the first floor, along with the entire third floor, would be his and Gu Juan's primary living space. They'd personally designed it after frequent phone calls and discussions. And it looked incredibly effective.
Gu Juan put down his backpack and looked around. "The base is mainly managed by Lan Na and Ji Xiyu. They handle all of this. I hired Ji Xiyu from a headhunting company. So far, I'm quite satisfied with him and have offered him the position of Deputy General Manager. Lan Na is in charge of personnel."
"This is a good arrangement. Let's go and take a look at our room." Xi Lang pulled him upstairs.
Xi Lang was very satisfied with the large bed he had personally selected online. He sat on it and felt its softness. "Xiaojuan, you should try it too."
Gu Juan ignored him and went to draw the curtains. In the distance, tourists were scattered sparsely around the flower fields; their laughter could be faintly heard. The fragrance of the flowers drifted in on the gentle breeze, refreshing the heart.
"Come." Xi Lang pulled him to the bed and pressed him down, looking at him with a warm and ambiguous gaze. "Is it soft?"
Gu Juan took the initiative and kissed him on the mouth.
Xi Lang hugged him tightly and deepened the kiss...
Gu Juan was pressed down and was at a disadvantage. She was soon dizzy from his kisses and couldn't control herself.
Xi Lang, however, let go of him, lowered his head slightly, not looking at him, and panted heavily, "Xiaojuan, I'm a little thirsty, go make me some tea?"
Gu Juan asked in confusion, "Why didn't you..." They had already done everything except the last step. There were several times when things were about to get out of control, but Xi Lang always managed to control himself.
Xi Lang pecked his lips lightly. "Xiaojuan, I am indeed old-fashioned, pedantic, and even traditional. I want to marry you and let you experience all the beautiful things in the world. There is no rush for other things."
Gu Juan was deeply moved. She wrapped her legs around Xi Lang's waist, and peppered his lips and cheeks with kisses. She smiled slightly and said, "Then you'll have to wait a long time." His schoolwork was so tight that he probably wouldn't have time to hold a wedding until he graduated from college.
"I'm not in a hurry." Xi Lang's eyes were full of satisfaction.
Gu Juan curled his lips, "I'll go make you some tea."
Xi Lang let go of him, relaxed on the bed, and calmed the restlessness in his body.
Gu Juan went downstairs to the kitchen, boiled a pot of water, and set up the tea table in the yard. He had secretly used spiritual spring water on the flowers, plants, and fruit trees in the yard, and the fragrance was even more charming than outside.
"Xiao Gu, you are here indeed."
Xi Zhuo, dressed in a suit and tie, stood outside the gate with a friendly smile on his face. Behind him stood a young man wearing glasses and carrying a briefcase, probably his secretary.
Xi Zhuo's appearance surprised Gu Juan very much, "Fourth Brother Xi, please come in."
Xi Zhuo motioned for his secretary to wait outside, and someone walked in. "You should already know that I'm the mayor of Zhulu City, right?"
Gu Juan nodded and handed him a cup of tea, "Please sit down."
"I stumbled upon your forestry contract and initially wondered if it was the same person. I didn't expect it to be you," Xi Zhuo said with a smile. "You're being so reserved. You should have told me earlier. I could have relaxed some of the contract's terms within the policy."
Gu Juan said, "I appreciate Fourth Brother Xi's kindness. When I first planned to open a flower base here, I didn't know Fourth Brother Xi was the mayor of Zhulu City. Fourth Brother Xi is so young and already the mayor of a city. I really admire him."
"I'm ashamed. I should thank you for investing in Zhulu City. This is also beneficial to me as the mayor." Xi Zhuo said with a smile, "Such a large flower base cannot be established without eight million. However, with my third brother helping you, it is not a difficult task." He took a sip of tea.
Gu Juan's face darkened. Perhaps this was Xi Zhuo's true intention.
Just as he was about to speak, Xi Lang's cold voice sounded behind him.
"Xi Zhuo, I should have warned you not to meddle in my affairs."
Xi Zhuo's hand trembled, and some tea spilled onto his pants. After a moment of panic, he calmed down, stood up, and with a proper smile on his face, he looked at Xi Lang. "Third Brother—" Meeting Xi Lang's piercing eyes, he was speechless for a moment! He was shocked. Perhaps this was the real Third Brother!
Xi Lang walked slowly closer, staring at Xi Zhuo with his sharp eyes, his aura becoming more and more imposing.
Xi Zhuo was completely intimidated by his pressure and could not move.
Xi Zhuo stood beside Gu Juan and put his arm around his shoulders.
Gu Juan shook his head and looked at Xi Zhuo calmly, "If Fourth Brother Xi is really curious about the source of my funds, you can check it out. It shouldn't be a difficult task for you, right?"
He remained seated, while Xi Zhuo stood. But Xi Zhuo still felt completely overwhelmed by Gu Juan's aura. It was an indescribable pressure.
"Third brother, I..." Xi Zhuo secretly regretted that he should have thought that his third brother came with Gu Juan. If he really went to investigate Gu Juan, his third brother would never forgive him.
Xi Lang released his grip on him and said indifferently, "I think you've been mayor for too long, and your mind has been blinded by money and power. Listen, even if I give all my money to Xiao Juan, it will have nothing to do with you."
Xi Zhuo was embarrassed and anxious, and hurriedly explained, "Third brother, I really didn't mean anything else! I just -"
Xi Lang raised his hand to interrupt him. "You don't have to explain to me. I have eyes and a heart, and I can judge for myself. Is there anything else?"
Xi Zhuo said dejectedly, "No. Third brother, Xiao Gu, I'm leaving first."
After Xi Zhuo left, Xi Lang leaned over and hugged Gu Juan, saying distressedly, "Xiao Juan, don't argue with that useless guy."
Gu Juan smiled nonchalantly, turned her head, and kissed his cheek. "I really didn't mind what he said. I realized a long time ago that the difference in status between us would arouse suspicion in others. That's why I wanted to establish my own business." He had Xi Lang and the space, two rare treasures, so he didn't need to care about others. He would treat those who treated him well with kindness, and he would never try to please those who didn't like him.
The cell phone rang at this moment.
"It's Zhao Rui." Gu Juan answered the phone, "Hello, Boss."
Xi Lang guessed, "Is there any new information about the competition?"
"Third Brother, did you watch the live broadcast?" Zhao Rui's voice was extremely anxious and excited. "The students from Imperial Capital University lost, miserably! Damn, it's too tragic!"
The phone was filled with noise, a chorus of high and low voices echoing through Zhao Rui's voice. He was clearly in a very noisy environment. If Gu Juan hadn't had sharp hearing, he would have barely been able to make out his words.
[Moumo discovered a mistake in Chapter 064. The total amount of money given to the designers should be 120,000. One chief designer, two deputy designers, and three assistants.]
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