Chapter 16: The Best Boss

She had applied to so many companies and held other jobs on the side; it was naturally impossible for her to spend all day meeting with various bosses in private.

Furthermore, marital feelings are often not something to be discussed with outsiders. Had it not been for today's unexpected turn of events, she might not have even known they were on the verge of divorce.

If she had discovered this any later, whether or not these shares were easy to sell would have been secondary; she might have faced a massive plunge in stock prices instead.

In that case, she would have to minimize the influence of other factors tomorrow and strive to complete this transaction.

Thus, she said quite openly, "In that case, let me ask my husband if he has time. Could you wait for me for a few minutes?"

She was a married woman now; attending a "couple's business dinner" alone would be too awkward. She might even be scrutinized with strange looks by the other lady.

If that happened, she might not be able to keep her temper in check.

For the sake of the money...

"Your husband?"

Li Jingxiu frowned.

When had he heard of this?

"Yes, we just registered our marriage today. He isn't someone from the company, and we are currently keeping the marriage private. Mr. Li, please don't spread word of this."

Gu Lanxi profited from whatever she invested in, and she was highly sensitive to crises. Whenever she sensed something was wrong, she would retreat without leaving a trace. Often, people only realized her brilliance once the dust had settled.

While Li Jingxiu wanted the shares in her hands, he couldn't help but wonder: was she pessimistic about his company?

Upon discovering she intended to keep the marriage private, he immediately imagined she wanted to reduce her holdings to below 5%. He breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed.

***

When Lu Nanting returned home, he went straight to the study to write feverishly.

This young man, having just entered marriage, found his inspiration flowing like a spring due to today's events. In just half an hour, he had written a new song.

Just as he was about to head to the recording studio to try a demo, he received a call from Gu Lanxi.

"A business dinner? I need to bring my spouse?"

Lu Nanting hadn't expected that right after his "probationary period" ended, such a good opportunity to show his face would come along. His eyes nearly lit up with excitement!

Was she intentionally arranging this dinner to introduce him to business partners just to make him happy?

Lu Nanting's mind was racing.

Seeing his excitement, Gu Lanxi didn't hide it from him: "I have some shares I want to sell, and the other party is bringing his wife. It would be a bit awkward if I went alone. If you are free, I'll give them an answer so they can arrange the itinerary."

After speaking, fearing he wouldn't take it seriously, she emphasized, "This transaction is very important."

Many businessmen like to bring their significant others to business dealings because a partner with a stable marriage can put others at ease.

For example, his father would always bring his mother whenever a female companion was required.

His two older brothers were the same.

Although he was different from his father and brothers—being the one who was brought along rather than the one bringing the partner—he didn't mind; it was simply a matter of different professions.

"Roughly when? Let me check my schedule."

Lu Nanting was not an irresponsible person. He had many important tasks scheduled in advance; if he changed his plans, the arrangements for dozens or even hundreds of people would be disrupted.

He wouldn't disregard everyone else's well-being just for his wife.

Today was his birthday and he had important matters to attend to, so he had cleared his schedule in advance, but he would be busy again starting tomorrow.

Seeing that he didn't agree immediately but answered this way, Gu Lanxi appreciated his attitude of prioritizing work. She urged him to check quickly.

Li Jingxiu was still waiting for her reply, so she really couldn't delay too long.

After scanning his schedule, Lu Nanting took the opportunity to slip in his own updates, naturally reporting his itinerary to her

"Tomorrow morning there's an indoor rehearsal. The band changed drummers, so it's best to practice together before the performance. In the afternoon, I have a clothing fitting; part of the costumes for the next concert are finished, and they need to see how they look on me so they can make adjustments if necessary. As for the evening, I don't have anything scheduled; I was planning to use that time to move house."

Gu Lanxi hadn't mentioned the moving matter today, so Lu Nanting's mention of it now carried an obvious implication.

"Alright, then I'll pick you up tomorrow at noon. We'll eat, and then I'll take you to your fitting."

The business world is like a battlefield; Gu Lanxi had already entered a state of combat readiness. Her mind was entirely focused on tomorrow's transaction, so she didn't pay much attention to the subtext.

Lu Nanting took her lack of response as a non-answer. Though disappointed, it was within his expectations.

"No need. Just send me the time and location once you've decided. I have a driver, which will be more convenient for you."

He had to bring bodyguards when he went out, whereas Gu Lanxi only had two cars and not enough drivers. Sneaking off to register a marriage was one thing, but doing it frequently like this was unsafe.

"That works too."

The two of them talked on the phone from different floors without finding it strange.

Hearing Auntie Wang calling from outside that dinner was ready, Gu Lanxi casually asked him, "Have you eaten? If not, come downstairs and eat with me. We can exchange some basic information about each other later, so we don't run into conflicts while living together."

Never mind that Lu Nanting hadn't eaten; even if he were about to burst from fullness, he would crawl downstairs at the invitation of his wife to share a meal.

Having just returned and not yet having had time to shower, Lu Nanting took a lightning-fast "combat shower" before heading downstairs. Gu Lanxi happened to be hanging up with Li Jingxiu.

Hearing her tell someone she would see them tomorrow at noon, it was clear there were real arrangements. She wasn't just playing with him, so his mood improved significantly.

He washed his hands and sat at the dining table with an air of intimacy and naturalness, showing no sign of being a guest.

Gu Lanxi hung up and was dialing again. Seeing him seated, she sat down as well, gesturing for him to eat while waiting for the call to connect.

Once connected, she gave direct instructions, clearly speaking to a subordinate.

"I have something to do tomorrow. The original schedule is canceled."

Fei Yunxiao was very disappointed when she received the call: "The colleagues were all looking forward to it today; the receptionist even ordered fresh flowers. Sigh~ but it turns out you can't make it."

The eight members of the studio all liked this boss very much.

Because she was generous with money, frequently issuing bonuses, and rarely interfered with their work. As employees, everyone loved working for someone like her.

Gu Lanxi gave a gentle smile: "The high-temperature subsidy will still be paid, plus an extra ten percent."

Fei Yunxiao immediately cheered up.

Once it was mentioned in the group chat of eight, no one had any objections.

Although the boss was young and beautiful—a blessing just to look at—as long as the money was right, those were secondary matters.

After hanging up, Gu Lanxi placed her phone directly on the sideboard.

Thinking of the two hundred million about to be in her hands, she smiled particularly sweetly.

"Even though you celebrate your birthday on the lunar calendar, today is still a special day. Don't worry about moving just yet."

Lu Nanting hadn't expected her to bring this up immediately, and his expression turned bitter: "Did I do something wrong to make you angry?"

The nanny Gu Lanxi hired was surnamed Wang and was an expert in Cantonese cuisine. When Gu Lanxi was home, she stayed home; when Gu Lanxi went to a film set, she went to the set.

Her primary task was to handle Gu Lanxi's three meals a day and the daily tidying of the house; tasks like organization and cleaning were handled by specialists.

She was an exceptionally perceptive and tactful person. She brought the food to the table, greeted Lu Nanting, and then calmly returned to the maid's quarters.

Heaven knows how shocked Auntie Wang had been fifteen minutes ago when she received notice from her employer that she had a flash marriage and would soon be living with her husband, requesting more food for dinner.

Fortunately, having worked around celebrities since she entered the industry, she had developed a "clam-shell mouth"—knowing exactly what to say and what not to say. After hearing the boss's instructions, she simply replied with a "Yes" and didn't show a hint of abnormality throughout the process.

The main course tonight consisted of two golden-brown pan-seared red snapper, accompanied by lightly blanched bok choy with minimal oil and salt, and steamed eggplant. Knowing he was coming and fearing there wouldn't be enough, Auntie Wang had also stir-fried squid with bell peppers.

The fresh squid had been intricately scored, and the red, yellow, and green bell peppers were cut into small pieces and tossed in. It looked exceptionally beautiful.

An exquisite, luxurious six-seater French-style round table with a double-layered marble top—the middle layer could rotate—was currently laden with the beautiful, delicate dishes.

The two sat opposite each other, but Lu Nanting had no appetite for food; he just stared at her.

Pursing his lips like an injured large dog, he remained silent, his eyes full of hurt.

Truly, how the heavens revolve.

*The wife of the author I follow also only updates once, and the time is irregular.*

*Alright, you may begin laughing now.*

(End of Chapter)