Chapter 184 - 73: Gu Mingyuan’s Confession (Part 2)
Zhong Mufeng linked her arm through Jiang Li’s. "If it’s just the two of us, I think it’ll be really awkward."
Jiang Li raised an eyebrow. "What’s so awkward? It’s not like he’s setting you up on a blind date."
Zhong Mufeng pinched Jiang Li’s waist in annoyance. "You’re never serious."
The two of them teased each other all the way to the door of the private room. Inside, Gu Mingyuan heard the knock and immediately sat up straight. He put his phone down, turning it facedown on the table. "Come in."
He looked at the door expectantly, but when he saw who had arrived, he couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.
’Zhong Mufeng never said Jiang Li was coming!’
Although he was surprised, as a CEO, he had excellent control over his expression. He immediately smiled and nodded. "Miss Jiang, Miss Zhong."
Jiang Li nodded. "Mr. Gu, we meet again."
Zhong Mufeng nodded as well. "Mr. Gu."
The two of them sat down across from Gu Mingyuan, still arm in arm, leaving him a bit speechless.
’Am I some kind of terrifying person?’
’Sitting so far away from me.’
As soon as they were seated, Jiang Li spoke up. "By the way, a younger brother of mine is coming in a bit. I hope you don’t mind, Mr. Gu?"
’If Gu Mingyuan minds, I’ll just tell Jing Jichuan not to come.’
’After all, Gu Mingyuan organized this dinner. If the host isn’t happy about it, then my guest naturally can’t join.’
Gu Mingyuan smiled. "I don’t mind. Of course not."
’Would I dare say I mind?’
’If I so much as hinted that I minded, my partnership with Jiang Li would probably be over.’
’I’m not an idiot. It’s just one younger brother. No reason he can’t come.’
’Since Jiang Li is already here, what’s one more person?’
It was Zhong Mufeng who then belatedly said, "I’m sorry, Mr. Gu. I should have told you I was bringing Li beforehand."
But there wasn’t a hint of apology in her eyes.
Gu Mingyuan stood, rinsed their teacups, and poured them each some tea. "It’s my honor to have dinner with Miss Jiang. There’s no need for apologies."
Jiang Li shot Zhong Mufeng a teasing look. "Mr. Gu is quite the gentleman."
Zhong Mufeng was speechless. ’What does him being a gentleman or not have to do with me? How dare she tease me about it.’
Gu Mingyuan explained, "It’s not about being a gentleman. This is just basic social etiquette."
’As a man, if you invite a woman to dinner, you have to take good care of her.’
’Especially when it’s the woman I want to pursue.’
’Ever since he last met Zhong Mufeng, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind.’
’Love at first sight might be cheesy, but he was just that kind of cheesy guy.’
’Men like beautiful women, just like women like handsome men. It’s the same principle, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of.’
So, after confirming his own feelings and learning that Zhong Mufeng didn’t have a boyfriend, Gu Mingyuan decided to pursue her.
’After all, you have to make your own opportunities in life. No one’s just going to hand them to you.’
Jiang Li heard this but only smiled, saying nothing. She just kept looking at Zhong Mufeng, her eyes asking, ’What’s this all about? From the looks of it, I think Gu Mingyuan wants to pursue you?’
Zhong Mufeng’s skin crawled under Jiang Li’s stare, and her eyes darted around. "It’s nothing, don’t be ridiculous."
Playing the part of a spectator who loved to stir the pot, Jiang Li propped her chin on her hand and tilted her head, looking at Gu Mingyuan. "Mr. Gu, what made you suddenly decide to invite our dear Qingbao to dinner?"
Gu Mingyuan glanced at Zhong Mufeng, then back at Jiang Li. He cleared his throat twice. "I’m not one to beat around the bush. And since you’re Mufeng’s best friend, Miss Jiang, let’s just be open about everything today."
Seeing Gu Mingyuan’s serious expression, Zhong Mufeng’s heart sank. She had a bad feeling about this.
Sure enough, a moment later, Gu Mingyuan said, "I like Mufeng, and I want to pursue her."
Zhong Mufeng’s eyes went wide. ’Wait, I’m not some nation-toppling beauty. How could Gu Mingyuan possibly like me?’
Jiang Li, completely unsurprised, nodded. "That’s perfectly normal. Our Qingbao is beautiful, has a respectable job, is humble..."
Listening to Jiang Li’s endless stream of praise, Zhong Mufeng wished she could just clamp a hand over her mouth.
’She wasn’t nearly as great as Jiang Li was making her out to be.’
Finally, Jiang Li took a sip of tea. "It’s not just you. I have several other friends who like her too."
Gu Mingyuan immediately clarified his intentions. "I’m looking for a serious relationship with the goal of marriage. I hope you’ll give me a chance to pursue you, Mufeng."
Zhong Mufeng was mortified. ’Are you serious, dude? We’ve only met a few times, and you’re already talking about dating with marriage in mind?’
’Even a midlife crisis romance doesn’t move this fast.’
’Besides, Gu Mingyuan is the CEO of a major corporation, and I’m just a regular person. How could I possibly be in his league?’