The Chronicle Of Seducing A Mature Woman (GL) - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Qian Lili’s eyes shot toward her like flying razor blades. If those eyes could talk, they’d be screaming: “Zhong Xiao-ou, what game are you playing? There’s brown-nosing, and then there’s whatever the hell this is. You filled everyone’s glass with liquor—even Little Fu, the new graduate intern—but you give the Vice President a glass of plain water? That is the most blatant piece of flattery I’ve ever seen.”

Xiao-ou ignored the stares, burying her face in her bowl of tomato and beef brisket soup as if she noticed nothing. At the head of the table, Gu Ming spoke up. “Opportunities like this are rare; I don’t often get the chance to have dinner with the Planning Department. My stomach hasn’t been great the last few days, so I’ll have to toast you all with water instead. Thank you for your hard work last week and your continued cooperation.”

The VP had raised her glass—well, water glass—so who would dare not drink? The initial resentment faded into the background. The Wuliangye was mellow and rich, and before long, everyone was buzzing. They stopped paying much attention to the VP. Manager Wen, sitting next to Gu Ming, didn’t dare toast her more than twice. Gu Ming’s other neighbor, Qian Lili, was a seasoned drinker; she dragged Xiao-ou into a game of finger-guessing, but Xiao-ou was so bad at it that Lili eventually got bored and moved around the table to challenge Manager Wen instead.

This left an empty seat between Xiao-ou and the VP. Having lost several rounds of the drinking game, Xiao-ou’s face was burning hot from the liquor. She didn’t dare look at the VP, terrified that a single glance might betray her hidden feelings—that she might do something reckless or unsettling.

As other colleagues swarmed Manager Wen to toast him, Gu Ming shifted her chair slightly to give them more room, bringing her very close to Xiao-ou. “Are you okay?” Gu Ming asked, seeing how flushed she was.

“Ah? I’m fine. My face just turns red the moment I drink,” Xiao-ou said, patting her glowing cheeks.

As the table became a chaotic blur of people trying to drown Manager Wen in more liquor, Gu Ming chatted casually with her. “How long have you been at Classic International?”

Xiao-ou sat up straight. “A little over a month.” “Are you adjusting well?” “Yes.”

Gu Ming seemed to remember something. She suddenly leaned in and whispered in Xiao-ou’s ear: “When we wrap up later, wait for me. Don’t leave too quickly.”

Xiao-ou was already tipsy, but now her face turned so red she lost all sense of direction. What is it? Wait for her? It felt like being told by the headteacher to stay after class. She wasn’t excited; she was anxious.

…

The Payback

After Gu Ming returned from the restroom, the party finally began to break up. Wei Hang and another designer hauled the unconscious Manager Wen out to find a taxi. Qian Lili and Little Fu came over to say goodbye, Lili grabbing Xiao-ou’s arm to leave together. Xiao-ou, remembering Gu Ming’s instruction, pried her hand away. “Little Fu, keep an eye on Sister Qian and get her home. I have something to take care of. You guys go ahead.”

The bustling private room emptied out until only Gu Ming and Xiao-ou remained. Xiao-ou’s heart raced. She thought, I really am in love with this Vice President. Looking at her, experiencing that long-lost feeling of “butterflies in the stomach”—the feeling of a heart that has lost its way—that had to be love. Why did she ask me to stay? Has she seen through my little crush?

Xiao-ou’s mind was racing until Gu Ming pulled a few bills from her wallet. “Firstly, thank you for staying with me last Monday. Secondly, I feel a bit bad—the taxi ride that night must have been expensive, and I forgot to pay you back when I got out. Is this enough?” Gu Ming handed her 500 RMB.

“…”

Xiao-ou screamed internally. She kept me back just to pay me back?! Yes, she had been a little stung by the taxi fare, but spending it on Gu Ming didn’t matter to her. There was no reason to be repaid for it. She waved her hands frantically. “No need, President Gu. It wasn’t much. You asked me to stay just for this?”

“Of course. I should have paid you back the next day, but I’ve been too busy. A taxi ride across the city isn’t cheap, and it’s not easy to earn money. Besides, you shouldn’t have to cover that.” Gu Ming pressed the money into Xiao-ou’s hand. Her fingertips grazed Xiao-ou’s palm, causing her hand to tremble.

Xiao-ou stood up, her stubborn streak kicking in. She handed the money back. “President Gu, I just happened to run into you. You’re my boss’s boss; staying with you was only natural. I’m sure any other colleague would have done the same.” She bit her lip, lying through her teeth to convince herself that she hadn’t gone back to that hotel specifically to find her.

“But it still shouldn’t be your expense…”

“How about this, President Gu? Let’s not argue over it. You keep the money. If you really want to thank me, could you just… treat me to dinner another time?” Finally, Xiao-ou thought, all that time hanging out with Chi Wei taught me how to create an opening.

Gu Ming saw she wouldn’t budge and put the money away. “Thanks to you, I didn’t drink tonight. Let me drive you home.”

“No, no need to trouble yourself. I’ll just grab a cab,” Xiao-ou said, playing the “polite” card. In reality, her heart was screaming: Drive me! Please! I hope there’s a massive traffic jam so we can sit in the car together forever!

To her horror, Gu Ming took her at her word. “Oh… alright then. Be careful on your way back. I’ll head out first.”

“…”

Xiao-ou wanted to slap herself. Why was I so polite?! If she had known Gu Ming was only being courteous, she should have been thick-skinned and said, “Yes, thank you so much!” No wonder Chi Wei said she’d never have a girlfriend.

Xiao-ou was a wreck inside, trying to maintain a calm exterior. Was it too late to take it back? Gu Ming was already standing there waiting to walk out together. As they reached the restaurant lobby, Xiao-ou decided to commit to a desperate plan: fake being drunk.

She had never acted in her life. As they neared the exit, she steeled herself. Her left foot caught her right foot.

Crack—thud!

Xiao-ou slammed face-first into the floor. She saw stars. I… this isn’t how it was supposed to go! She only meant to trip slightly and look unsteady, but she actually ate the floor. And why hadn’t the VP caught her?

Xiao-ou’s eyes welled up from the sheer pain. Gu Ming hadn’t had time to react before Xiao-ou lunged forward like a falling tree.

“Are you hurt?” Gu Ming knelt down and helped her up. “Sss… my face hurts.” Hitting a marble floor head-on was no joke.

Gu Ming examined Xiao-ou’s face carefully, worried she might have been disfigured. Luckily, the skin wasn’t broken, though a bruise was definitely forming. “Your face looks okay, but is anywhere else hurt?”

Xiao-ou felt her limbs and shook her head pitifully. “Forget it. Looking at you, I’d better drive you home.”

Gu Ming supported her as they walked. Xiao-ou wasn’t sure if she was crying from the pain or the success of her “accident,” but tears began to flow. Gu Ming, seeing her cry, coaxed her gently, “Does it hurt that much?”

Xiao-ou nodded. “Then you should try not to drink if you can help it in the future.”

Gu Ming fetched her car—an orange Audi Q3. As Xiao-ou sat in the passenger seat, she realized that “liquid courage” really was a thing, even if her face throbbed at the slightest touch.

“Where do you live?” Gu Ming asked as she buckled her seatbelt. “Qingyang Road.” “Put your seatbelt on,” Gu Ming reminded her. “Oh—”

Xiao-ou pulled at the belt, but it got stuck after a few inches. She tugged again, but it wouldn’t budge. Seeing her struggle, Gu Ming unbuckled her own belt and leaned across. Her body hovered over Xiao-ou’s as she untangled the strap and buckled it in for her.

For one second? Two seconds? Xiao-ou couldn’t breathe. It was the first time the VP had ever been that close—so close that Xiao-ou could feel the brush of her hair and the warmth of her breath. She was dazed for a long time. Fortunately, the alcohol-induced redness of her face hid her blush.

For the rest of the ride, Xiao-ou didn’t say a word. Even if nothing was possible between them, just sitting here together in the quiet was, for now, the greatest happiness she could imagine.