CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: THE PLOT SUCCEEDS

Seeing Gu Yan, she quietly heaved a sigh of relief, then came over with a warm and charming smile, affectionately linking arms with her.

It was the first time Gu Qin was so warm towards her, and Gu Yan felt very uncomfortable, awkwardly withdrawing her hand and calling out, "Cousin."

Gu Qin wasn’t bothered by her attitude, glanced over her outfit, and frowned slightly, "Why are you wearing this outfit?"

Gu Yan looked down at herself, a white shirt and jeans, the most ordinary attire. Although it wasn’t as... daring as Gu Qin’s, she didn’t see anything wrong with it.

"Isn’t it okay?"

Inside, Gu Qin felt a trace of disdain and disgust but outwardly she smiled and said, "It’s nothing, this will do. President Liu is already inside waiting, make sure you speak well for Uncle later, go on in."

Gu Yan nodded, and under Gu Qin’s half-pushing guidance, entered the private room. Gu Qin closed the door behind her with a satisfied smile.

Gu Yan was clueless.

The President Liu whom Gu Qin referred to was a middle-aged man with a bulging stomach, an oily face, and a semi-bald head, with small eyes that glinted in a way that made people uncomfortable.

Gu Yan felt a bit hesitant and walked slowly. Gu Qin pushed her from behind, hastening her steps to sit beside this President Liu.

Gu Qin sat on the other side, smiled, and introduced to President Liu, "This is my cousin, she’s quite fresh and lovely, a filial and good girl." She turned to Gu Yan and said, "Say hello to President Liu."

Gu Yan forced an uneasy smile, "Hello, President Liu, my name is Gu Yan."

President Liu squinted at her, though it wasn’t really squinting; his eyes were just too small, and Gu Yan always felt as if he was squinting.

"Haha, hello, Miss Gu. Since you are Gu Qin’s cousin, no need to be formal, there’s a big meal on the table, eat whatever you like, if it’s not enough, just order more."

"Thank you, President Liu." Gu Yan awkwardly clutched the strap of her crossbody bag, not picking up her chopsticks or drinking anything.

Besides dishes, the table was full of alcohol. She had no appetite and didn’t like drinking, plus it was her first time in such a place, making her nervous and too cautious to make a move.

"Miss Gu, how about a drink?"

While Gu Yan was lowering her head in silence, a rather plump hand holding a glass of red wine reached out to her.

Gu Yan shook her head slightly, "No, thank you, I don’t drink."

Saying this, President Liu’s face showed displeasure. Gu Qin quickly gave her a meaningful look and said, "Gu Yan, don’t be ungrateful. It’s an honor that President Liu is toasting you, even if you don’t drink, have a couple of sips."

Gu Qin’s meaning was clear: her father’s medical expenses were still in his hands, and whatever he asks her to do, she should just do it. If she displeases him, she may get nothing.

Gu Yan paused, grasping Gu Qin’s implication, and for her father’s medical bills, what was just a glass of wine? She’d drink it.

She picked up the glass, calmed her nerves, and put on a smile facing President Liu, "I’m sorry, President Liu, being here for the first time, I’m a bit uneasy. Please excuse me for anything inappropriate. I toast to you."

After speaking, Gu Yan raised her head and downed the glass of wine in one go, suppressing her discomfort.

President Liu and Gu Qin exchanged a quick glance, a sense of a successful scheme in the air.

Gu Qin saw satisfaction in President Liu’s eyes.

"Since Miss Gu is so forthright, I must not lag behind." President Liu said, also downing his glass of wine in one go.