After My Nemesis Discovered My Cross-dressing - Chapter 17

Gu Qian lay on the bed and yawned, feeling a wave of sleepiness wash over him.

77: “Go take a shower; I think I’m going to sleep first.”

Y: “Wait, I still have one more question.”

77: “You have so many questions.”

Y: “You mentioned meeting your old rival on this business trip. He isn’t competing for the same project again, is he?”

At the mention of Qin Yue, Gu Qian perked up a bit. He replied with a voice message: “Not this time, actually. But I’m also curious to know which company he is aiming for.”

Tomorrow, he would have Assistant Liang look into what exactly Huanyu’s recent project in Jiangcheng was.

Y: “That’s good then.”

Y: “Maybe you two can get along cordially in the future.”

Gu Qian let out a short laugh, replying in a lazy tone, “Getting along cordially is impossible.”

Y: “Why is it impossible?”

After thinking for a few seconds, Gu Qian typed a line into the input box.

77: “Because a rival is a rival; it’s impossible for them to become friends.”

The other side fell silent for quite a while before a reply finally came through.

Y: “Qiqi, you’re being too absolute.”

Y: “In my opinion, nothing in this world is absolutely impossible.”

Gu Qian blinked, keenly sensing that Y’s reaction was a bit strange.

77: “Why are you suddenly so interested in this?”

Y replied instantly: “Nothing, just asking casually.”

Gu Qian sat up from the bed, suddenly recalling the scene in the hotel elevator earlier that day when he ran into Qin Yue.

How could it be such a coincidence? On the same day, two completely unrelated people both asked him what perfume he was wearing.

Gu Qian knit his brows as an absurd thought surfaced in his mind.

Could Y and Qin Yue know each other?

No, he had never mentioned Qin Yue’s name to Y. Even if they did know each other, Y should not be able to easily link him to Qin Yue.

Gu Qian began scrolling up through their chat history, reviewing everything since they first met to confirm he had not exposed any real world information.

Just then, a new message arrived.

Y: “Alright, I do not know the specifics of your situation, so I will not talk nonsense.”

Y: “I just feel that having one more friend is always better than having one more enemy.”

Gu Qian breathed a sigh of relief, his mind at ease.

77: “I understand what you mean.”

The day he finally left Shengtai, they would no longer be rivals, but they probably would not become friends either.

Three days later, Shengtai Group, CEO’s Office.

Several managers walked out of the office one by one, each with a grim expression on their face.

The two secretaries in the office looked at each other and then simultaneously turned their gaze toward Assistant Meng, who was sitting nearby.

Meng Siyao was playing a game. Sensing something was off, he looked up. “Why are you all looking at me?”

Before anyone could speak, he struck a cool pose. “Could it be that you are all captivated by my handsomeness?”

“Oh, please!” Secretary Xia reached out and gave him a shove. “Stop being so narcissistic!”

Meng Siyao continued posing. “Is your Big Brother not handsome?”

“Stop joking, we have serious business.” Secretary Xia glanced at the tightly shut door of the CEO’s office and lowered her voice. “Could you find a moment to take a document in for me? President Gu needs to sign it today.”

“Sure.” Meng Siyao nodded without a second thought. “Give it here. I am idle anyway.”

He took the document from Secretary Xia, stood up, and knocked on the office door.

A voice came from inside: “Enter.”

Meng Siyao pushed the door open and walked to the desk. “Brother Qian, here is a document for you to sign.”

Gu Qian did not even lift his eyelids. “Put it on the desk.”

“Take a look and sign it now.” Meng Siyao thrust the document in front of him. “Little Secretary Xia is in a hurry for it.”

Gu Qian’s hand paused. He looked up at him. “Are you very free?”

Staring into those cold, pale pupils, Meng Siyao’s back stiffened. He let out a dry laugh. “I am not that free, haha.”

Gu Qian asked coldly, “Did Assistant Liang not assign you any work?”

“He did, he did!” Meng Siyao quickly denied it. “I am going back to my station to work right now.”

With that, he abandoned the document, turned, and bolted out the door, remembering to close it behind him.

Seeing his expression, Secretary Xia knew he had been scolded too. She pressed her hands together in apology. “I am so sorry, Assistant Meng. I thought President Gu would not scold you.”

Meng Siyao shrugged, his tone indifferent. “It’s fine, I am used to being scolded.”

“President Gu seems to be in a very bad mood today; even Assistant Liang got scolded,” Secretary Xu whispered from the side.

“I felt it too.” Meng Siyao rubbed his chin. “President Gu’s low pressure aura is even heavier than usual today.”

“But nothing has really happened lately; all the projects are progressing smoothly,” Secretary Xia tried to find a reason. “Could it be because of his private life?”

Secretary Xu was dismissive. “What private life could President Gu possibly have? He is busy working overtime every day.”

Secretary Xia: “True.”

As they spoke, Meng Siyao’s eyes inadvertently landed on the calendar on the desk. He suddenly realized what day it was.

His expression changed instantly, a rare look of solemnity appearing on his face.

Secretary Xia and Secretary Xu glanced at each other and tactfully lowered their heads to get back to work.

At the end of the workday, the office door opened from within.

Gu Qian walked out and headed straight for the elevator.

Meng Siyao stood up and followed, calling out softly, “Brother Qian.”

Gu Qian did not stop. “If it is about work, tell me tomorrow.”

“It’s not about work.” Meng Siyao followed closely behind, hesitating. “Brother Qian, are you going to…”

Gu Qian pressed the elevator button and turned his head. “What exactly do you want to say?”

Meng Siyao looked at him expectantly. “Do you need me to go with you to see Auntie?”

“No need.” Gu Qian withdrew his gaze and stepped into the elevator. “Go home.”

Meng Siyao wanted to try again, but the elevator doors slowly slid shut in front of him.

On the way to the cemetery, Gu Qian bought a bouquet of fresh white lilies.

Just as he arrived at the graveyard, the gloomy sky began to drizzle.

The driver, Uncle Wang, took a black umbrella from the car and opened it. “President Gu, let me accompany you up.”

“No.” Gu Qian took the umbrella. “Just wait for me in the car.”

Holding the lilies in one hand and the black umbrella in the other, he walked up the stone steps of the cemetery.

It was evening, and with the rain, the silent cemetery was completely deserted.

Gu Qian arrived at a tombstone and leaned the lilies against it.

He squatted down, his gaze falling on the familiar black and white photograph. He spoke softly: “Ms. Gu, I have come to see you.”

The photograph showed a young, beautiful woman. Her eyes and brows bore a resemblance to Gu Qian’s, though her features were gentler. She was smiling warmly.

Gu Qian reached out a hand, his fingertips lightly brushing the photo. “It’s been a while since I last visited. Are you lonely by yourself?”

The person in the photo remained smiling, frozen forever in that moment.

“It will be soon,” Gu Qian said slowly. “If nothing goes wrong, that person will be joining you soon.”

Without realizing it, the rain grew heavier, drumming loudly against the umbrella.

Gu Qian tilted the umbrella toward the tombstone, shielding the photograph from the heavy rain.

After a long while, he stood up and placed the umbrella over the tombstone. The large black umbrella covered not only the stone but also sheltered the lilies in a small, safe world.

“I’m leaving, Ms. Gu.” Gu Qian stepped back. “Next time I come, I should be able to bring you good news.”

He took one last look at the tombstone and turned to leave.

The rain continued to fall, quickly wetting his hair and shoulders, but he did not care. He walked down the steps one by one at an unhurried pace.

At the cemetery entrance, two black cars were parked one behind the other.

Qin Yue sat in the car behind. Watching the figure walking down from a distance through the half-open window, he frowned. “Why is he not using an umbrella?”

“President Qin,” Assistant Fang asked tentatively, “Should you go give President Gu an umbrella?”

Qin Yue turned his face. “Do you think that is appropriate?”

Assistant Fang: “Not really.”

Qin Yue turned his gaze back out the window, seemingly talking to himself. “Both his parents are gone.”

He believed he knew Gu Qian well enough. The first time he lost to Gu Qian, he had investigated the man’s background thoroughly.

Gu Qian came from a single parent family and grew up with his mother. His mother, Gu Shuman, was a famous fashion designer who later retired due to illness. It was at this time that Meng Ye appeared, providing much help to the mother and son as an old friend.

With the financial support of the Shengtai Group chairman, Gu Qian successfully finished university and went abroad for further studies. However, in his second year abroad, Gu Shuman unfortunately passed away.

Qin Yue stared at that thin but upright figure in the rain. His heart felt as if it were being squeezed hard by a giant hand, and his breath hitched in his throat.

Both parents deceased. When he first saw those words on paper, he felt nothing. But at this moment, an indescribable emotion surged in his heart without warning.

He wanted to get out of the car and hold an umbrella for Gu Qian. He wanted to give him a hug, or just quietly walk the remaining steps with him.

But in reality, he could do nothing. He did not even dare to appear in front of Gu Qian.

As the figure drew closer, Qin Yue rolled up the window, cutting off his view.

“President Gu!” Uncle Wang leaned out of the car. “How did you come down in the rain?”

“It’s fine.” Gu Qian walked to the car, pulled the door open, and sat inside.

Uncle Wang quickly handed him a dry towel. “Wipe yourself off first. It’s easy to catch a cold in this weather.”

Gu Qian took the towel and absentmindedly wiped the rain from his hair.

Uncle Wang said with concern, “I see your clothes are a bit wet too. There is a spare suit in the car; do you want to change?”

“No,” Gu Qian replied flatly. “Let’s just go back.”

The black Cayenne slowly drove away from the cemetery. The car parked behind also started its engine.

Assistant Fang asked, “President Qin, should we follow President Gu?”

Qin Yue countered, “Do I look like a stalker to you?”

Assistant Fang did not dare speak, but in his heart, he silently confirmed it.

Yes. You look exactly like one. You followed him all the way to a cemetery.

Qin Yue shot him a glance. “Are you cursing me in your head?”

“No, no, no!” Assistant Fang would not dare admit it. He changed the subject: “President Qin, where are we going now?”

Qin Yue tapped his finger on his knee. “Back to the old family residence.”

Gu Qian had just entered his home when the phone in his suit pocket vibrated.

He took out his phone and checked the messages while walking into the living room.

Y: “It’s raining. Did you bring an umbrella?”

77: “Just got home.”

Y: “You did not get wet, did you?”

Gu Qian took off his damp suit jacket, loosened his tie, and continued typing: “A little wet.”

Y: “Then go take a hot shower first.”

Gu Qian obediently put down his phone and went to the bathroom to shower.

After finishing, he returned to the bedroom and picked up his phone again.

77: “Finished.”

Y: “Remember to blow-dry your hair.”

Y: “Drink some hot water. Do you have any cold medicine? Mix a cup to prevent getting sick.”

Looking at the string of messages, the gloominess clouding Gu Qian’s brow dissipated slightly.

77: “I know. You are such a nag.”

The other side was silent for a moment before replying: “If I were by your side right now, I would not be this naggy. I would take perfect care of you.”

Gu Qian’s heart stirred. For a moment, he did not know how to respond.

These words from Y were not just a hint, they were a clear declaration.

Y: “Qiqi, are you really not curious at all about what kind of person I am?”

Gu Qian pursed his lips. What was meant to come was finally coming.

Before he could think of an excuse to refuse, another message popped up in the chat box.

Y: “Qiqi, if the real me is different from what you imagined, would you still talk to me?”

President Qin: Just laying the groundwork. I want to stand by my wife’s side legitimately.

Qiqi: It can be anyone, but not my arch-rival.