Chapter 172 - 157: Without High Mountains, the Plains Are Not Apparent

Chapter 172: Chapter 157: Without High Mountains, the Plains Are Not Apparent

It was three in the afternoon. The sun slanted across the sky, painting it in a soft, amber hue, like watercolor bleeding softly across rice paper.

A gentle breeze drifted by, carrying faint wisps of warmth.

The air was filled with the faint, fresh scent of plants, with just a hint of sweetness.

Wang Wan Ning followed the location Gu Heng had sent her and parked her McLaren 720S by the side of the road. Carrying the Hermes bag Gu Heng had given her Yesterday, she walked into the tea house.

"The top floor."

"A reservation for Mr. Gu."

Wang Wan Ning responded to the attendant’s greeting with a smile.

"This way, please..."

Hearing that Wang Wan Ning was a guest for the top floor, the attendant’s demeanor instantly became more deferential. They bowed their head slightly and led the way.

They took the elevator and soon arrived at the top floor.

"Thank you."

Wang Wan Ning thanked the attendant politely, her posture elegant and poised.

"You’re very welcome."

The attendant replied respectfully before taking the elevator back down. Wang Wan Ning, meanwhile, walked around the Chinese-style screen in front of the elevators and entered the main area of the top floor.

Soon, Wang Wan Ning saw Gu Heng.

He was sitting by the window with three middle-aged men seated across from him.

Although Wang Wan Ning didn’t know who they were, she could tell from their bearing alone that they were no ordinary men.

As Wang Wan Ning watched the lively and cheerful Gu Heng, her mother’s words from last night came to mind, and a complex emotion flickered deep in her eyes.

However, the complex expression was fleeting, quickly replaced by her bright, sweet smile.

CLICK, CLACK, CLICK...

As Wang Wan Ning quickened her pace, her footsteps drew the gazes of everyone on the top floor.

In contrast to her casual style from Yesterday, Wang Wan Ning was dressed in a more ladylike fashion today.

She wore a beige dress, its hemline falling just to her knees.

Her slender arms and long, shapely legs were left bare. A bow was tied in her smooth, ash-brown hair, and she wore Valentino high heels. She exuded a youthful aura, mingled with a touch of elegance and nobility.

Liu Sheng, Han Lixin, and the others had incredibly sharp judgment. They could spot a fake socialite from a mile away, and it was obvious that the young woman who had just appeared was the genuine article.

"Wan Ning, come sit over here."

Seeing Wan Ning arrive, Gu Heng waved and gestured for her to sit beside him.

"Coming!"

Wang Wan Ning quickened her pace, her reply crisp and clear.

"Let me make some introductions."

"This is Wang Wan Ning, the youngest daughter of Chairman Wang Junjin of Junyao Group."

Gu Heng introduced Wang Wan Ning to Liu Sheng and the other men, and then introduced the three of them to her in turn.

"Liu Sheng, President Han, Chairman Lei, hello."

"Miss Wang, hello."

After exchanging greetings, none of the men, including Liu Sheng, offered a handshake. Though they were unsure of the exact relationship between Gu Heng and Wang Wan Ning, they all acted with discretion.

After the brief introductions, Wang Wan Ning quietly sat beside Gu Heng. Noticing his teacup was empty, she picked up the teapot and poured him some more.

"Thanks."

Gu Heng saw this and turned to Wang Wan Ning to thank her.

Their eyes met. As Wang Wan Ning gazed at Gu Heng’s handsome face, she recalled her mother’s words from the previous night, and she couldn’t stop a faint blush from creeping onto her cheeks.

’When all was said and done, she was just a girl who had barely turned eighteen. And last night, her mother had been talking about having children. No matter how precocious or ambitious she was, it was impossible not to have a reaction seeing Gu Heng in person.’

"You’re welcome."

Wang Wan Ning replied in a low voice and quickly averted her gaze.

Gu Heng didn’t notice the change in her expression and continued his conversation with Liu Sheng, Han Lixin, and the others. Their topics were wide-ranging, from the current state of finance and cutting-edge technology to industry prospects and policy trends. For Gu Heng, it was proving to be another enlightening day.

About half an hour after Wang Wan Ning’s arrival, Captain Lu Ning of the Hang City Economic Crime Investigation Division approached, accompanied by Yang Wenjie and a few other people.

"Mr. Gu, we’ve verified all the details."

Lu Ning spoke very politely. "I apologize for taking up so much of your time. Now, if you could just sign here and add a thumbprint, we can wrap this up."

"Thank you for your hard work, Officer Lu."

Gu Heng took the legal document from Lu Ning and glanced at Yang Wenjie. When Yang Wenjie gave him a subtle nod of approval, Gu Heng picked up a pen and, as instructed, signed his name and added his thumbprint at the bottom of the document.

"Liu Sheng, President Han, Chairman Lei, thank you for your trouble today."

Gu Heng handed the document back to Lu Ning and slowly rose from his chair. "I’ll find a restaurant. Let me treat you all to a meal to show my appreciation."

"Chairman Gu, please don’t go to the trouble."

"I’m flying straight back to Yanjing in a bit. I have a meeting at headquarters tomorrow morning."

Seeing Gu Heng stand, everyone understood the meeting was concluding. Han Lixin was the first to respond to his dinner invitation.

"Chairman Gu, really, there’s no need."

Lei Yibin waved a hand as well. "I have to head back to Hang City with Captain Lu to give another statement."

"Chairman Gu, I don’t have anything pressing, myself."

"But I thought I overheard you and Miss Wang making plans for later?"

Liu Sheng smiled at Gu Heng. "How about we save this meal for another time? A good meal is worth the wait, as they say."

Since all three men were declining, Gu Heng didn’t press the issue and readily agreed.

"Then we’ll schedule it for another day."

Gu Heng said with a smile, "As for you, President Han and Chairman Lei, I’ll be sure to contact you in advance the next time I’m in Yanjing or Hang City."