CHAPTER 402: CHAPTER 403: A BIG SHOT! BO JINGSHEN

"The one from the Bo family’s collateral branch? The one in charge of economics and medical matters, Bo Jingshen?" Gu Anxi asked, biting her lip.

Bo Xichen patted her small face, "Yes, that Bo Jingshen."

He closed his eyes slightly. "Although he’s from a collateral branch of the Bo family, his position is so high that he’s not..."

There was a hint of helplessness in his tone. "In this matter, he clearly favors the Jiang family, which is why he has always maintained a watchful stance. This is also why I wanted to transfer Lin Yuan to Beicheng. Lin Yuan is dependable. Having him around Bo Jingshen is like having an extra pair of eyes."

Gu Anxi wrinkled her small nose, "It’s so complicated!"

"Simply put, his position is too high, making him difficult to control." Bo Xichen hugged her little head, his voice softening. "It was like this when Father was alive, and it will be even harder to manage once I become the Family Head."

Gu Anxi murmured, "Oh," quietly resting her small head on his chest, her small hand hugging him possessively. After a while, she looked up. "So he’s afraid that you all might not be able to handle the situation in C City, and is playing it safe by not taking sides, even though he knows the Jiang family is behind it?"

"Smart." Her uncle patted her head in approval.

The little fox then said in a soft, delicate voice, "I guess he’s planning not only to show goodwill to the Jiang family but also to package you up, his handsome cousin, and offer you to the Jiang and Gu families."

She grinned. "I just wonder which one you would be willing to settle for."

Bo Xichen lazily swatted at her. "And here you were, claiming not to understand anything! Your scheming rivals that of the shrewd Lin Yuan."

Gu Anxi stomped her foot. "Uncle, you’ve misunderstood me! It’s just that after being around these people... even a fool would learn to be crafty!"

Bo Xichen suddenly lowered his head, his voice growing a bit husky. "Why didn’t you say it’s because you’ve been with me that you’ve become smarter!"

Gu Anxi quietly rested in his arms, looking every bit the little fox.

At this moment, Lady Bo came upstairs to find Anxi and witnessed the scene. Very satisfied, she asked, "Anxi, your second uncle told me you weren’t feeling well. Are you better now?"

Gu Anxi shamelessly snuggled into Bo Xichen’s arms. "I feel much better with my uncle by my side."

Lady Bo smiled. "Alright, Xichen, you take good care of Anxi. Girls can be quite vulnerable during times like these."

Lady Bo, likely forgetting that Anxi had blown a large hole in the target earlier, only remembered that her precious girl was the cutest.

Lady Bo had come up to invite Gu Anxi to play a round of mahjong, to bond with the other ladies. Since Anxi was feeling unwell, Lady Bo had to go entertain them herself.

Although Lady Bo intentionally let others win some small hands, her skill was no match for Gu Anxi’s. Despite losing a little, the other ladies still complained that her skills weren’t as good as Anxi’s, and that Anxi was much more natural when she deliberately lost. This left Lady Bo both amused and frustrated.

Tang Yuan also had her share of social obligations and left with Gu Mingzhu and Jiang Chaoge.

Jiang Chaoge asked in a quiet voice, "Is Gu Anxi really that good at mahjong?"

Tang Yuan, somewhat tired, rubbed her neck while responding, "It’s not just ’good,’ she’s an absolute master."

Jiang Chaoge did not speak further.

Gu Mingzhu laughed. "Sister Chaoge, don’t copy the way she plays mahjong. That’s the pastime of married socialites. We, as young girls, should keep away from it."

Jiang Chaoge gave a faint smile. "Of course."

She just couldn’t fathom why the Bo family still favored Gu Anxi, even though Gu Anxi never seemed to care about her image. Didn’t high society always prefer a proper lady, someone like Gu Mingzhu? Yet, it was all too clear to her today that not only Bo Xichen but the entire Bo family seemed indifferent towards Gu Mingzhu. Of course, this was not something Jiang Chaoge could mention to Tang Yuan or her daughter.

When Jiang Chaoge left, Tang Yuan privately brought up a matter with Gu Mingzhu. "Mingzhu, prepare yourself well for tomorrow. That person is coming to show his support, and during the dinner, you must showcase your talents to everyone."

Gu Mingzhu bowed her head. "Mum, I don’t want to play the piano anymore."

Tang Yuan was taken aback but soon understood. "Alright! Since we’re the hosts this time, it’s better to be a bit more low-key."

She paused before adding, "We must do well with ’Pain of Youth.’ We need to strive for its domestic box office to surpass Da Hui’s. That will pave the way for your future."

Gu Mingzhu nodded. "I will stay close with the production team."

Remembering something her husband had said, Tang Yuan lowered her voice. "You know about that person in the Bo family, right?"

"Bo Jingshen?" Gu Mingzhu bit her lip. "I know." He was a man who wielded significant power despite his young age.

Tang Yuan hesitated, then said, "This time, your father and Uncle Jiang are planning to do something big. The Bo family’s standing might not be so high in the future. I suspect the Bo family will make some maneuvers to strengthen its position, such as arranging a marriage alliance..."

Gu Mingzhu frowned. "Mom, are you talking about Bo Xichen?"

Tang Yuan added, "This is just your father’s speculation. Ultimately, it depends on how you feel about it. I imagine that Dr. Jiang wouldn’t let such an opportunity pass."

Gu Mingzhu laughed softly. "Mom, are you confused?"

She paused, then said, "If the Gu family stands at the top, why should we have to curry favor with the Bo family? I don’t want Gu Anxi’s hand-me-downs."

Tang Yuan gazed at her.

Suddenly, Gu Mingzhu spoke, "Mum, I... I like Shen Congwen."

Tang Yuan was taken aback. "Mingzhu?"

Gu Mingzhu’s smile was tinged with bitterness. "I know you and Father wouldn’t approve. So..."

Apparently understanding Mingzhu’s intention, Tang Yuan realized her daughter was planning to make a move on Shen Congwen after getting married. When did Mingzhu start having such dangerous thoughts?

Gu Mingzhu spoke again in a soft voice, "Mom, I know you’ve always liked someone."

Tang Yuan’s face changed drastically. After a long pause, she finally said quietly, "Mingzhu, are you out of your mind? I don’t want to hear such things from you again, do you understand?"

Gu Mingzhu didn’t make a sound and walked upstairs quietly.

Tang Yuan stood there alone, her face still pale with shock.

When had Mingzhu seen through her secret? She thought she had hidden it so well all these years. She had shown that man special favor, yet he had never spared her a single glance...

It was only after calming her emotions that Tang Yuan returned to the villa. Just as the study door opened, out walked Shen Congwen.

Seeing Shen Congwen again stirred complex emotions in Tang Yuan. She merely nodded and entered the study.

Gu Yuanshan was sitting there. He glanced at her. "Back so late from playing cards?"

Tang Yuan hummed a reply and went over to refill his teacup with hot tea. Gu Yuanshan suddenly said, "Yuanyuan, Bo Jingshen just called, asking about Gu Anxi’s birth horoscope."

Tang Yuan was pouring the tea, and her hand trembled slightly. She looked at Gu Yuanshan. "What is he trying to do?"

Handing him the cup, she then sat down beside him.

Her gaze remained fixed on Gu Yuanshan, with a strong feeling that something significant had happened.