CHAPTER 276: CHAPTER 258: OLD FLAME?

This voice, not too high or too low, but firm and commanding, was clear enough for everyone present to hear.

Gu Qili, surprised at first, immediately turned around, her eyes meeting Mu Shuoqian’s indifferent yet deeply affectionate gaze. No matter how many people surrounded them, or how dazzling the setting was, his eyes were only fixed on her from the beginning to the end.

If she were to be compared to a pearl and gem, then everyone else would be trash, not even worthy to stand as a backdrop.

Gu Qili never expected Mu Shuoqian to come, and this intense joy made her speechless as she tried to speak; words failed her, but her eyes were already brimming with tears.

He, dressed in a deep black casual suit, stood tall and erect, the sparkling lights of the hall paling in comparison to the glint in his eyes.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he gracefully walked towards her, naturally bending his right arm.

Gu Qili quickly came to her senses and slid her hand through the crook of his arm, affectionately clinging to it.

While the crowd was still stunned and motionless, a hurried voice approached from afar: "Young Master Qian, is that really Young Master Qian? I thought my old eyes were deceiving me."

The man who strode out from the hall was none other than the father of the groom, Boss Jiang of Qiansheng Department Store, followed by the groom and bride.

"Jiang Chao, hurry up and greet Young Master Qian," Boss Jiang urged his son.

The groom, though unsure of who he was, immediately reached out with a smile, upon seeing his father’s excitement: "Young Master Qian, hello."

Mu Shuoqian was indifferent to his extended hand, which left the groom somewhat embarrassed, until Gu Qili timely intervened, taking out a red envelope from her bag and handing it over to the bride Zhang Xi: "Wishing you a harmonious union for a hundred years."

"Thank you, Qili, I’m so happy you could come," Zhang Xi said as she took the red envelope and gave her a hug. She too was curious about the conspicuously distinguished man beside her and gently nudged with her mouth, "Qili, is this your boyfriend?"

"Yes." Gu Qili, typically unconcerned with explaining herself to others, still took the initiative to introduce him out of respect for the bride, "Mu Shuoqian."

Mu Shuoqian, who looked upon everyone with indifference, merely nodded slightly at the mention of his name before pulling her into the hall.

"I’m not mistaken, am I? Is that Mu Shuoqian? President Mu Shuoqian?" The word ’president’ echoed with gravity, sending shivers through the group that had been mocking Gu Qili just a moment earlier.

Especially the man who wanted to introduce Gu Qili to a divorcee; he wished he could bite off his own tongue, filled with regret and dismay.

The onlookers who were enjoying the spectacle were all shocked, while Boss Jiang couldn’t stop smiling. He never dreamt that Mu Shuoqian would attend his son’s wedding—a fact that, once publicized, he was sure would send his company’s stock soaring the next day.

"Gu Qili is now with Mu Shuoqian? How is that possible?"

Someone couldn’t help but ask Deng Feifei, "Fei’er, you were schoolmates in college, you should know. Is it true that Qili is with Young Master Qian now?"

Deng Feifei, nonchalantly admiring her nails, said saltily, "All I know is that if you say one more bad word about her, you might want to consider leaving Aus City."

She wasn’t one to forget easily; the lessons of her past were etched deeply enough to last a lifetime.

With Deng Feifei’s remarks, everyone was even more convinced that Gu Qili had indeed found herself a powerful backer.

Someone immediately covered their mouth, hoping that Mu Shuoqian hadn’t heard their earlier remarks.

Mu Shuoqian was sitting at a table in the corner, and due to the cold aura emanating from him, only he and Gu Qili occupied it, as others gave it a wide berth.

"We’ll leave after the ceremony is over," Gu Qili shook his arm, knowing that he disliked attending such events.

"Hmm, let’s go to Xiangshan Club for a meal later."

Soon, the ceremony began with speeches, champagne popping, ring exchange, and finally, the bride throwing the bouquet.

Gu Qili wanted to join in the fun and thus made her way into the crowd, her hands clenched together, nervously watching the stage. It was said that whoever caught the bouquet would be the next lucky woman, and she wanted to seek a blessing for her love.

Mu Shuoqian sat leisurely, his gaze ardently following her figure as she stood on tiptoes, head held high, hands twisted together in tension.

Mu Shuoqian inwardly chuckled at her silliness; a smile slowly creeping across his face. Shouldn’t one be reaching as high as possible to catch the bouquet?

But before his smile could fade, a familiar figure blocked his view. Upon seeing who it was, Mu Shuoqian’s expression darkened in an instant.

Amidst the crowd’s cheers, Gu Qili caught the bouquet as she had hoped, and those previously wagging their tongues didn’t dare to speak lightly anymore, merely watching her from a distance.

If what Deng Feifei said was true, then the former Miss Gu of the Gu Family was unattainable, and the current Gu Qili was someone they all feared.

After all, no one dared to challenge the authority of Mu Shuoqian.

Gu Qili walked back with the flowers in high spirits. From a distance, she saw a woman standing in front of Mu Shuoqian, and Mu Shuoqian was standing too, seemingly conversing with the woman.

She thought it might be the bride’s mother or mother-in-law and was about to walk over when someone suddenly jumped out and stopped her with an outstretched hand: "Qili, do you remember me? I’m Qiu Yufei."

Gu Qili hadn’t expected to see her here and blinked in surprise.

Qiu Yufei still had that smiling expression: "We must be fated to both attend the wedding. We definitely have to drink three glasses together later."

"I’m allergic to alcohol. I can’t drink, and also..."

Qiu Yufei interrupted her before she could finish, decisively pulling her by the hand: "Qili, come, let me introduce you to my mother and brother."

Mother? Brother?

Gu Qili was a beat slow to react, only realizing when Qiu Yufei took her by the hand and brought her to a lady— the same woman who had been talking with Mu Shuoqian.

When Mu Shuoqian saw her approaching, his usually immaculate expression suddenly slackened and even became panicked.

"Mom, this is Gu Qili, a friend I recently made," introduced Qiu Yufei confidently.

It was only when Qiu Yufei spoke that Qiu Lan turned her head around. Gu Qili was struck with surprise when she met Qiu Lan’s eyes; she had seen her before, picking up her scarf at the airport.

Qiu Lan glanced at her, intending to look away, but when she heard Qiu Yufei’s introduction, her eyes suddenly narrowed with intense scrutiny and doubt.

However, her expression changed so swiftly that no one noticed. In the end, she simply nodded faintly and then continued talking to Mu Shuoqian.

"Shuoqian, why would you come to a wedding? Don’t you always hate these kinds of events?"

Gu Qili didn’t know if Mu Shuoqian responded; all she felt was a myriad of noises chaotically interweaving in her head.

Qiu Yufei’s mother is also Mu Shuoqian’s mother. Why didn’t he mention his mother coming to Aus City? Does he not want her to meet his mother?

"Big brother Shuoqian, this is Qili. She works at your company. With several tens of thousands of employees in your Lisboa, you probably don’t know her, right?" Qiu Yufei said to him with a teasing look, then turned her gaze toward Gu Qili, "Qili, this is your big boss."

As Qiu Yufei looked at her, Qiu Lan’s gaze also fell on her.

Gu Qili thought this was the first time she was meeting her mother-in-law, and although it was rushed, her attire was proper, not letting Mu Shuoqian down. However, Qiu Lan’s demeanor was too aloof, exactly like when she first met Mu Shuoqian. Like mother, like son; their appearance and presence were so similar.

But she was not afraid, because this was Mu Shuoqian’s mother, and therefore, her mother too.

Gu Qili opened her mouth but before a sound could escape, the always silent Mu Shuoqian suddenly said, "I don’t know her."

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded over Gu Qili’s head, splitting her through and through.

In that moment, her mind went completely blank.

After saying that, Mu Shuoqian strode out briskly, brushing against Gu Qili’s arm with his right arm in his haste.

Gu Qili’s shoulder moved back slightly, jolting her awake from her shock.

When she looked up again, Mu Shuoqian was already close to the doorway, with Qiu Yufei following not far behind, apparently saying something to him.

Gu Qili was still somewhat bewildered when she suddenly heard Deng Feifei’s mocking voice: "What, your boyfriend just walked away from you?"

Gu Qili ignored her, but Qiu Lan, who was not far off, paused slightly in her step upon hearing that, glancing over her shoulder with her gorgeous eyes.

Gu Qili moved past Deng Feifei back to her seat, picked up her bag from the chair in a dazed state, and accidentally bumped into the table. But it was as if she couldn’t feel the pain, her mind spinning with Mu Shuoqian’s recent unfamiliar and cold voice.

He said he didn’t know her. He had actually declared in front of his mother and sister that he didn’t know her; his response was so resolute, his departure so nonchalant, while she stood here like a fool, becoming a joke.

"Tsk tsk, I did see some big shots," Deng Feifei’s gaze followed the direction the three had left in, "That young one is called Qiu Yufei, a very famous photographer, and that beautiful woman, if I’m not mistaken—"

Gu Qili’s mind reacted slowly; she had intended to grab her bag and leave, but upon hearing Deng Feifei’s words, she couldn’t help but stand still.

Because she had opened a celebrity styling store, Deng Feifei was very well-informed about the fashion industry. Although she wasn’t completely sure, those two looked exactly the same as the people she had seen in newspapers, magazines, and interviews.

"Right, doesn’t Mu Shuoqian dislike women? Why would he be with them? He seems to have left you alone and walked away. Could that be his mother and an old flame?" Deng Feifei’s words completely devastated Gu Qili.

Clenching her bag tightly, she rushed out without saying a word.