novelraw Chapter 16 Stop
Chapter 16 Stop
"How did the auction go?" Gu Yanshen looked up from the computer screen and at Lin Chen, who had just entered the office.
"Miss Lu should be fine; the materials have been delivered to Lin Xiangqian as planned." Lin Chen placed the documents on the table.
"it is good."
Gu Yanshen nodded, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on his phone—the chat box at the top remained silent.
"Actually, I don't quite understand," Lin Chen hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Now that we already have Lin Xiangqian's information, wouldn't it be more straightforward to just have him withdraw from the auction? Why force Miss Lu to bid according to the expected 30 million?"
"If Lin Xiangqian withdraws from the bidding, they will immediately have a backup plan. That's the variable we can't control." Gu Yanshen turned around, his voice steady and deep. "Besides, only by letting Lu Hao actually receive that 30 million in cash can he continue to maintain cooperation with Vice President Li. The Ruijing Resort project... must be pushed forward."
Lin Chen paused for a moment: "Have you mentioned these plans to Miss Lu?"
Gu Yanshen shook his head.
"If she finds out later, will she feel... like she was used?" Lin Chen's tone was complicated.
"It's a win-win situation," Gu Yanshen's gaze returned to Lin Chen's face, his eyes holding a deep meaning, "It's the optimal solution for her, for me, and for the overall plan."
Lin Chen sighed softly: "I'm afraid that explaining it later... will hurt feelings."
Gu Yanshen suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze locking onto him: "And you? When do you plan to explain yourself to me?"
Lin Chen's expression stiffened slightly, then she picked up the folder on the table and avoided his gaze: "I... I'll go take care of something first."
After he left in a hurry, Gu Yanshen's phone screen lit up.
The pinned chat box finally popped up with a new message:
It's done! I'll treat you to dinner tonight :)
Gu Yanshen's lips curved slightly as he replied:
【it is good. 】
Lu Xiran arrived at Yunyuji almost impatiently. The familiar old signboard, the familiar aroma of well water, and the uncles and aunts who had watched her grow up.
"Uncle Ye!" She spotted Ye Hansen checking accounts behind the counter at a glance.
"Ranran's here!" Ye Hansen looked up, his smile warm. "Your Aunt Lu is in the kitchen. She said you've been craving her meatball soup, so she's making it fresh for you."
"Thank you, Uncle Ye!" Lu Xiran's eyes lit up, and she ran into the kitchen. "Aunt Lu!"
"Oh, slow down, slow down!" Lu Fen said with a smile, bringing out a bowl of still-steaming soup. "Eat it while it's hot, it still tastes the same as always."
While enjoying the long-awaited meatball soup, Lu Xiran chatted with Ye Hansen and Lu Fen about the business of Yunyuji over the years. The two had managed the shop impeccably, maintaining its good reputation, which put Lu Xiran at ease, and she decided to continue entrusting it entirely to them.
As they were chatting, their phone rang; it was Bai Fang.
"Ranran, Grandma has scheduled a wedding dress fitting for you. She's sent you the time and address; don't forget!"
Lu Xiran glanced at the time; it was already past 1 p.m., and it would take at least two hours to get there. "I remember, Grandma! I'll be right there."
"Should I have Yan Shen go and keep you company?"
"No need, no need, he has an important meeting today. I'll have Qiqi accompany me, and she can take lots of photos for you to see. You can give me your opinion!"
Bai Fang laughed heartily on the other end of the phone: "Okay, okay, Grandma will keep an eye on things for you. But the most important thing is that you like it!"
"What Grandma likes, I like too!" Lu Xiran sweetly coaxed the old woman.
After hanging up the phone, she chatted with Ye Hansen and his wife for a few more minutes before leaving in a hurry. She then met up with Jin Qiqi and headed straight to the wedding dress shop.
The first dress I tried on was an extremely gorgeous, heavily embroidered lace wedding gown. The enormous skirt was layered and cascading, with countless tiny crystals and pearls hand-sewn into intricate floral patterns that shimmered with a soft ivory-white light under the lamplight. The bodice featured an exquisite vintage stand-up collar and long-sleeved lace, exuding elegance, nobility, and extraordinary presence. However, once I put it on, I could barely move freely; I felt like a beautifully wrapped classical doll.
Jin Qiqi exclaimed repeatedly, "She has such a queen-like presence! When she appears, she'll definitely cause a sensation throughout the city!"
The photo was sent to Bai Fang, and sure enough, it won the grandmother's favor, who praised it as "grand" and "impressive".
The second wedding dress was the one that caught Lu Xiran's eye the moment she walked in.
It was a satin mermaid wedding dress. The lines were extremely simple and smooth, gracefully outlining the figure from the waist down, before cascading down to the calves like a mermaid's tail. The back design was the essence—a deep V-neck cutout extending to the waist, adorned only with three small, matching satin bows along the spine, subtly revealing the beautiful curves of the back and the expanse of fair skin, exuding an innocent yet unconscious sensuality.
The fishtail skirt consists of three layers: the innermost layer is soft lace, the middle layer is smooth satin, and the outermost layer is covered with a very thin layer of gauze. As you walk, the three layers of material gently rub against each other, creating dreamy ripples.
The neckline is fitted with a V-neck, also covered with a layer of hazy tulle. The small red mole near the collarbone is faintly visible under the tulle, adding a touch of charm.
Lu Xiran fell in love almost at first sight.
As she stepped out of the fitting room and onto the circular display stand, the shop assistant placed a long veil around her head, its edges embroidered with tiny starlight. She turned slightly to adjust the veil, and only then, through the reflection in the mirror, did she see Gu Yanshen, who had been standing quietly in the shadows, seemingly out of nowhere.
His steps had stopped at some point, and he stood there, his gaze fixed on her as if drawn by an invisible force, never looking away.
His bride.
The word struck him with an unprecedented sense of reality.
In that instant, a surge of almost uncontrollable emotion seized him—he wanted to go over, to lift the veil, to hold the girl before him, who was so beautiful she seemed unreal, tightly in his arms, to kiss away all the trepidation in her eyes, and to make her truly his.
His hands, hanging by his sides, curled slightly as he used great restraint to suppress the almost unleashed impulse back into his heart.
"Ranran! Oh my god, this outfit suits you even better than the previous one! Although it's not as glamorous, it really brings out your elegance. It's practically tailor-made for you!" Jin Qiqi excitedly held up her phone and took pictures from every angle. When she turned her head, she saw Gu Yanshen, and her eyes lit up immediately.
"Oh my, Mr. Gu, when did you arrive?" She smiled mischievously, her gaze sweeping over Gu Yanshen's obviously dazed face. She immediately had an idea. "Perfect timing! Mr. Gu, why don't you help Ranran change into a toasting dress? The shop assistant and I will go pick out a few more for her!" With that, she pulled the shop assistant aside without further ado, winked at her, and the two of them quickly slipped out of the area.
"Huh? Qiqi! Haven't we already chosen our toast dresses...?" Lu Xiran instinctively tried to call out to her, forgetting that she was still standing on a slightly higher display platform and even more forgetting the constraints of the fishtail skirt. She tripped and fell forward.
The anticipated collision did not occur.
She fell into a firm and familiar embrace.
Gu Yanshen caught her steadily. He leaned down slightly, and the two were instantly very close.
Startled, Lu Xiran looked up and met his deep eyes, which were so close to hers. Within them surged intense emotions she couldn't decipher, so burning that it made her heart tremble.
The air seemed to freeze.
Then, with a soft "whoosh" sound—
Gu Yanshen raised his hand and decisively pulled the heavy velvet curtain of the fitting area shut.
Completely isolate yourself from all lights, sounds, and any outside prying eyes.