novelraw Chapter 379 - 349: Negotiating Terms
Chapter 379 - 349: Negotiating Terms
The car arrived at Yujing Manor.Qiao Yuxian looked towards the manor.
Yujing Manor covers over 300,000 square meters, with an overall black architecture.
Just a glance gives a strong sense of oppression, mystery, and solemnity.
It was nighttime, and the entire exterior of the manor was brightly lit, shrouded in warm yellow lights.
But these gentle lights did not diminish the oppressive, mysterious feeling of the manor in the slightest; instead, the contrast made this feeling even more pronounced.
Qiao Yuxian wondered if it was because she’d been reading too many novels lately.
She felt the manor before her seemed like a demonic realm, housing a great demon who devours people without leaving any bones.
And these lights seemed to be guiding the souls.
The car stopped at the entrance, and Qiao Yuxian wanted to get out of the car.
But Gu Yanjing held her hand, preventing her from moving.
Qiao Yuxian looked at him with confusion.
Gu Yanjing gave her a reassuring look.
Qiao Yuxian didn’t understand.
Just then, the gates of the manor slowly opened to the sides.
The people inside came out and quickly stood on either side.
From the entrance to the inside, people on both sides dressed in black, each with a serious and respectful demeanor, standing in neat rows.
The driver started the car and drove straight inside.
Qiao Yuxian watched this display.
If it weren’t for the obvious respectful and submissive expressions on the faces of those standing outside, she would really think that these people on either side had paved a path leading to Naihe Bridge.
But now...the car just drove in without any formality.
This situation...
Qiao Yuxian looked out the window, and after a while, turned her head to look at Gu Yanjing.
Gu Yanjing, sensing her gaze, also looked at her.
After a moment’s eye contact, Qiao Yuxian spoke, "Mr. Gu, I remember... Dong Qian seems to really hate me, right."
Gu Yanjing said nothing.
Qiao Yuxian continued, "I suddenly have a bold guess."
Gu Yanjing still said nothing, observing her expression.
Qiao Yuxian also observed him.
Gu Yanjing’s silent reaction confirmed her suspicion.
Qiao Yuxian opened her mouth but couldn’t make a sound. After a few seconds, her lips trembled and she eventually just pointed a shaky finger at Gu Yanjing.
The driver, watching through the rearview mirror, thought to himself: Look at how furious our Madam is, she’s lost her voice.
Gu Yanjing grasped Qiao Yuxian’s finger.
But with her finger held, Qiao Yuxian continued to stare at him, scrutinizing him, trying to make him feel guilty.
Gu Yanjing stared back for a moment and then attempted to cover her eyes.
As he raised his hand, Qiao Yuxian’s expression turned fierce,
causing Gu Yanjing to pause, not daring to move.
The driver glanced again in the rear, a moment of terror flashed in his eyes.
Who is this Madam that could even frighten our Mr. Gu?
The car stopped, and Gu Yanjing and Qiao Yuxian got out of the car.
Three people stood by the door, upon seeing them, they nodded and called out, "Mr. Gu, Madam."
Qiao Yuxian turned her gaze from Gu Yanjing and greeted the three.
"Mr. Gu, Luo Shide Avenue has been completely locked down, and the area is being expanded for a search," one of them said. "People have already been sent to the clothing store, but the owner is not there, the search is ongoing."
Qiao Yuxian looked at Gu Yanjing.
Gu Yanjing said, "Check all the forces on Luo Shide Avenue, as quickly as possible."
"Yes."
After responding, the three of them left with the driver.
Gu Yanjing also looked at Qiao Yuxian.
Qiao Yuxian pursed her lips as she looked at him, her earlier anger, the eyes that sought to make him feel guilty, had disappeared, now she was obedient.
Gu Yanjing looked at her for a while, then held her by the nape and led her towards the front hall, speaking lightly, "Madam, let’s discuss terms."
Qiao Yuxian was led into the front hall.
In the front hall, the interior remained primarily black, with dark tones and an oppressive feel. Official source ıs novelhall.com
There were rows of chairs on each side, facing the center wall with a magnificent landscape painting hanging on it.
Gu Yanjing led Qiao Yuxian directly to the chair on the left and had her sit down.
He sat on the right.
As soon as they sat down, Qiao Yuxian immediately stood up.
Gu Yanjing paused as he poured water and looked up at her.
Qiao Yuxian, meeting his gaze, shuffled bit by bit towards him, right to his front, but said nothing, just looked at him.
Gu Yanjing looked at her, then poured a cup of water. "Earlier in the car, Madam, you said we should talk."
"I came to ask if I could use Yujing Manor’s resources to seal off Luo Shide Avenue and search for someone," Qiao Yuxian murmured softly, "You’ve already sent people, so...what’s left to discuss."
Gu Yanjing looked at her.
Qiao Yuxian moved closer in front of him, "Yujing Manor is yours, I am your wife, so... what’s there to discuss in letting your wife use manpower?"
"Moreover," Qiao Yuxian nudged his knee with hers, her face slightly reddening, "I’ve already offered myself, we don’t distinguish between us. I can use the people at Yujing Manor; you can use my people when you have issues, too."
"For free?" Gu Yanjing asked.
Qiao Yuxian hesitated, holding the cup in her hands, "I, I’ll give you a twenty percent discount."
Gu Yanjing looked at her.
"I’m offering this price only because you’re my husband," Qiao Yuxian stated, "No one else gets this privilege."
"Hmm." Gu Yanjing responded with a smile.
Qiao Yuxian also smiled, then she heard Gu Yanjing suddenly say, "Now let’s talk terms."
Qiao Yuxian’s smile froze, and her cheeks puffed like a dumpling.
So, everything she said earlier was for nothing.
"You, you, you..." Qiao Yuxian was at a loss for words. She had initially proposed discussing the terms. Now that he wanted to talk, she had no reason to refuse.
With her dumpling cheeks deflating, she said, "Alright. Tell me, what do you want?"
"Anything is fine?" Gu Yanjing asked softly.
"Yes," Qiao Yuxian said, "As long as I can give it."
"Make a bowl of noodles sometime," Gu Yanjing suddenly said.
Qiao Yuxian was momentarily stunned, not reacting until after a second, with a face full of confusion, "Huh?"
"The kind of noodles like last time at the Gu Mansion," Gu Yanjing pinched her small face.
Qiao Yuxian looked at him, "Just...a bowl of noodles?"
"Yes." Gu Yanjing pulled her hand, letting her sit beside him.
The chair was large, a bit cramped for two people, but they could sit comfortably.
"Your demand is too low." Qiao Yuxian shifted inside the chair to a more comfortable position, "I can make many kinds of noodles. I’ll slowly make them for you in the future."
"Hmm." Gu Yanjing was satisfied.
"Tell me what you want to eat," Qiao Yuxian thought of what Gu Yanjing might be worried about—that cooking would tire her. "Cooking a meal won’t tire me out; I’m not that delicate, am I?"
"You’re not delicate." Gu Yanjing kissed her on the corner of her lips.
Qiao Yuxian giggled, "Right, not delicate. It’s your care that makes me delicate."
Gu Yanjing gave a faint smile, watching her silently.
...