Chapter 240: A Beauty Who Brings Trouble

At the Zhou family's coming-of-age banquet, in addition to talented individuals from all corners of the country, there were even more socialites and professionals.

Thus, when Gu Yang appeared in formal attire, he immediately became the focus of many gazes.

With his excellent looks and extraordinary temperament, he had already secured a place for himself at tonight's banquet, regardless of his status.

"Editor-in-Chief Gu is attending the banquet as well?"

Ma Chulong asked instinctively, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized that Su Yan likely didn't know.

Because right now, her expression was almost as surprised as his.

Therefore, Gu Yang had not told Su Yan he was attending, and it was highly likely that Su Yan had not told Gu Yang either.

Ma Chulong immediately reached this conclusion.

It took Su Yan a few seconds to compose her emotions, showing no sign of abnormality.

However, her gaze fell upon Liu Yiyi, who was standing beside Gu Yang.

Not only had he come by himself, but he had also brought a female companion.

And this companion happened to be the very person she had just reminded him to keep his distance from.

This fact made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Gu Yang did not notice Su Yan in the corner. Following the gestures of the Zhou family, he approached Zhou Li.

After a round of pleasantries, Liu Yiyi presented the bouquet she was holding to Zhou Li.

Through the introductions, the surrounding guests learned of Gu Yang's identity; as the Editor-in-Chief of the largest publishing house in the capital, his value was naturally immense.

Many women's faces showed expressions of infatuation, looking eager to make a move.

Seeing this scene from the corner, four words suddenly surfaced in Su Yan's mind.

*A femme fatale.*

This term was very fitting for the current Gu Yang.

"Su Yan, should we go over and say hello?"

After all, everyone was here; it was impossible to avoid one another indefinitely.

"Let's wait a bit longer," Su Yan said indifferently.

After all, the current Gu Yang was very "busy."

Ma Chulong truly could not fathom what she was thinking.

If it were him, he would have certainly rushed to Gu Yang's side to declare his "sovereignty" long ago.

Aside from the Zhou family, there were naturally people Gu Yang knew in the hall, making social engagements inevitable.

Liu Yiyi followed his footsteps closely, the two of them looking like a perfect golden couple.

"Editor-in-Chief Gu, I heard that Old Mr. Zhou has recently been writing an autobiography and intends to publish it. I presume he plans to cooperate with your publishing house?"

People in the business circle were naturally well-informed; even things Gu Yang hadn't heard of were being discussed by the other party with great detail.

"If Old Mr. Zhou requires it, of course we can." Although Gu Yang disliked such occasions, he handled them with ease when actually faced with them.

"Editor-in-Chief Gu, is this beautiful lady by your side your girlfriend?"

Compared to serious matters, gossip was far more interesting.

Tonight, Liu Yiyi was dressed vibrantly, her face adorned with exquisite makeup and even her hairstyle was meticulously designed, making her look radiant.

Hearing the question, her smile grew even more brilliant, her beauty dazzling.

Gu Yang did not hesitate at all as he replied, "No, this is Liu Yiyi, a colleague from my publishing house."

However, even with his denial, the surrounding crowd cast knowing glances.

Gu Yang thought of Lu Feng, who had suddenly developed an upset stomach before they left. They were originally supposed to come together as a trio; then there wouldn't be this current trouble.

"President Wang, please don't joke. For someone as excellent as Editor-in-Chief Gu, I still need to keep working hard." Clearly, Liu Yiyi didn't need to say anything, yet she insisted on adding such a sentence, and after saying it, she didn't forget to cast a shy glance at Gu Yang.

As long as one wasn't blind, anyone could see her affection.

Moreover, the fact that Gu Yang "brought" her to the banquet was a signal in itself.

Gu Yang gave her a faint, sidelong glance.

"Brother Gu, why are you attending the banquet too?" Ma Chulan's startled voice interrupted the conversation.

The moment Gu Yang saw her, he immediately realized something, and his entire body tensed up significantly.

"Miss Ma, you all came as well?"

"You all" naturally included Su Yan.

At this moment, seeing Ma Chulan walk over, Su Yan exchanged a look with Ma Chulong and also walked toward them.

Ma Chulan nodded as a matter of course, her suspicious gaze wandering incessantly between Gu Yang and Liu Yiyi.

She had already overheard their conversation—so he actually brought this annoying woman to the banquet?!

Receiving the affirmative answer, Gu Yang's breath hitched, and he immediately searched the crowd for Su Yan's figure.

He soon spotted Su Yan not far away, and for a moment, he actually didn't know what to say.

Especially when he thought of Su Yan's warning yesterday, yet here was Liu Yiyi standing right by his side.

Liu Yiyi was initially a bit surprised, but she quickly regained her composure and leaned toward Gu Yang in an imperceptible way.

"Yan Yan, are you all attending the banquet too?"

Gu Yang knew very well that this was Su Yan's first time in the capital and that it was impossible for her to have any connection with the Zhou family. Therefore, the only possibility was that the Ma siblings were friends of the Zhou family.

Ma Chulong's subsequent answer confirmed his deduction.

"My younger sister and I received an invitation from the Zhou family, so we came to join the festivities."

Gu Yang was not the same kind of person as them, so there were things he could say and things he could not.

"I am here representing the publishing house," Gu Yang explained opportunistically.

There were many guests in the hall, but Zhou Li was still paying attention to the person he wanted to notice. After greeting those around him, he approached the group.

"I didn't expect Editor-in-Chief Gu to know Senior Brother Ma?"

Zhou Li's arrival drew even more attention to this side, and Kong Yueqing and the other three also walked over.

"Yes. Su Yan is Editor-in-Chief Gu's..." The words "fiancée" were already on the tip of Ma Chulong's tongue, but he forced himself to swallow them back.

Because he thought of a problem: Su Yan's current public identity was Ma Chulan's maid, a member of the Ma family. If he told everyone that Su Yan was Gu Yang's fiancée, it would naturally seem strange and would inevitably require a long explanation.

Furthermore, such an explanation would have to be a lie. Gu Yang didn't know about their situation; if things weren't cleared up or if they didn't coordinate, it would become an extremely troublesome matter.

As expected, even though he only said half a sentence, the focus immediately fell upon Gu Yang and Su Yan.

Especially Su Yan, who had previously had no presence at all; she received many inquisitive gazes, and even Zhou Li couldn't help but look at her a few extra times.

"Brother Ma, what did you say Miss Su Yan is to Gu Yang?"

Gu Yang was similarly hesitant, but the only thing he cared about was Su Yan's thoughts.

What their relationship actually was could only be decided by her.

While everyone held their own private thoughts, Su Yan spoke up.

"A friend. Editor-in-Chief Gu and the Ma family are very good friends."

A flash of disappointment and hurt passed through Gu Yang's eyes in an instant.

The Ma siblings, however, thought that Su Yan was merely trying to hide her identity.

Liu Yiyi's eyes gleamed with intent.

Zhou Li took in Gu Yang's reaction, looking thoughtful.

(End of Chapter)