Chapter 961 - 958

Chapter 961: Chapter 958

Ling Yu wiped the corner of his mouth and stood up.

"Uncles, the time is about right, we should go to the front. Keeping the guests waiting is not good."

Everyone exchanged glances, each harboring their own thoughts.

Ling Yu glanced at Gu Xiaoning, nodded slightly, signaling her to follow.

Gu Xiaoning didn’t understand what use she was to him. But this atmosphere... she could clearly feel Ling Yu was fighting alone. Thinking of his injuries, Gu Xiaoning obediently followed behind him.

Le Zhengsheng watched all this, his heart filled with more confusion, and... something else.

He and Cui Ruoya walked at the back, Cui Ruoya’s eyes twinkled, she smiled.

"Asheng, the girl next to Ling Yu looks a bit familiar, as if I’ve seen her somewhere before."

She deliberately didn’t mention Gu Xiaoning’s identity as a test for Le Zhengsheng.

Le Zhengsheng frowned, staying silent.

Cui Ruoya naturally noticed that Gu Xiaoning and Ling Yu seemed to have an unusual relationship. She was sure Le Zhengsheng saw it too, so she deliberately said, "Oh, that girl seems to have a good relationship with Young Master Ling! I wonder who she is to him?"

Le Zhengsheng’s frown deepened, "Let’s go!"

Clearly, he didn’t want to continue this topic.

"..." Cui Ruoya froze, was Asheng upset?

Why? Because of Gu Xiaoning?

Then, is he upset because of Gu Xiaoning’s betrayal years ago, or because he still has feelings for her?

...

The courtyard was bustling with activity.

Ling Yu raised his glass, mingling among the crowd.

Gu Xiaoning frowned; here she couldn’t fake the wine for him, and watched as he drank quite a bit.

"Young Master Ling." Someone came to toast, "It’s your thirtieth birthday, I toast to you!"

After speaking, he drank it all first.

They were all elders, Ling Yu couldn’t refuse, he had to drink.

"Young Master Ling." The person continued, "I wonder how Elder Ling is doing now?"

Once this was said, the surrounding area suddenly fell silent.

It’s no longer a secret that Elder Ling is gravely ill and in a coma. Otherwise, Ling Yu wouldn’t have been rushed back to inherit the family business.

Finally, the moment had come.

Ling Yu curled his lips into a faint smile and said, "My father’s all good, thank you for your concern."

The real situation of his father couldn’t be exposed yet; otherwise, given the current turmoil in the Ling family, it would only be more chaotic.

"That’s good to hear." The person smiled, "Then, during the meeting two days later, will Elder Ling be coming to chair it?"

They were all crafty people, clearly each had their agenda... yet wearing masks, putting on quite the performance.

Ling Yu chuckled lightly, "Naturally, you will know during the meeting two days later."

"..."

Everyone was briefly stunned, then extended their hands to Ling Yu, "Young Master Ling, all the department chiefs and elders would like to meet you, could you honor us?"

"Of course." Ling Yu nodded slightly, with a gentle smile.

Gu Xiaoning watched him walk forward, hurriedly trying to catch up.

But was stopped by someone, "Hey, where’s this little girl from? Where are you going?"

"I..." Gu Xiaoning paused, looking at Ling Yu.

Ling Yu frowned slightly, "Wait for me outside."

Then, he gave her a reassuring look.

Gu Xiaoning could only halt, watching as he was surrounded by a group of people, walking forward.

Gu Xiaoning didn’t know what she should do, so she wandered to the table with long lines of food to find something to eat.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over her.

"Hmm?" Gu Xiaoning drank too quickly, a mouthful of juice spilled out, she quickly wiped her mouth with her hand.

"Tsk." Le Zhengsheng stood beside her, sneered, "Didn’t you eat?"

Gu Xiaoning widened her eyes, dumbly nodded, "Hmm."

Was he talking to her?

"Gu Xiaoning!" Le Zhengsheng gritted his teeth, appearing very angry.

Gu Xiaoning was at a loss, not knowing what she did wrong. She quickly understood, held the plate and was about to leave, "I’m sorry, I’ll go now..."

Lowering her head, she hurried to leave.

What? Le Zhengsheng was dumbfounded, what was her attitude?

Watching her slender back, Le Zhengsheng gritted his teeth and growled, "Gu Xiaoning, stand still!"

Gu Xiaoning’s back stiffened, her fingers clutching the plate, turning white at the knuckles, she couldn’t help but turn back and retort, "Mr. Le Zheng, don’t get angry at me. I really didn’t appear in front of you on purpose! How could I know you’d come to the Ling family as a guest?"

Gu Xiaoning’s eyes were a bit moist, "I have to live, I’m just working. If I don’t work again, I won’t be able to live!"

"I..." Le Zhengsheng hesitated, unable to respond.

Yes, it was him who said for her not to appear in front of him!

But she said she is working?

Le Zhengsheng frowned, "What work? What do you do at the Ling family?"

"Chef." Gu Xiaoning bit her lip, "I’m Young Master Ling Yu’s chef."

"You?" Le Zhengsheng raised an eyebrow, unbelieving.

He’s well aware of Gu Xiaoning’s culinary skills. Family meals are certainly good, but can Ling Yu really not afford a top chef? Had to hire Gu Xiaoning?

Thinking of the way Ling Yu looked at her earlier, Le Zhengsheng felt something was off.

He smirked, coldly, "You went to study in F City, right? Came back after two years just to become a chef? Gu Xiaoning, do you think I’m quite laughable? Saying this nonsense to me?"

Going to F City to study?

Gu Xiaoning felt bitter, it was just a cover!

Gu Xiaoning’s palms clenched, her mouth opened, the urge to explain rekindled, "Actually, Asheng, I..."

"Asheng..." Cui Ruoya came over from behind, naturally linking arms with Le Zhengsheng, "You’re here? I just went to the restroom and couldn’t find you, had quite a time searching."

Gu Xiaoning froze, her gaze falling on their linked arms...

Like a bone stuck in her throat, Gu Xiaoning couldn’t say anything.

She wanted Le Zhengsheng to be happy; she didn’t want to ruin his peace and happiness with her past sacrifices!

Cui Ruoya seemingly casually looked at Gu Xiaoning, "Who is this? Oh, looks familiar? Is it... the one beside Young Master Ling?"

"Yes." Gu Xiaoning nodded slightly, her heart aching severely, "Then I’ll be leaving now."

She couldn’t face this scene, the one she loved had someone else...

Holding the plate, she walked to a corner, shoved bites of food into her mouth with a knife and fork, without knowing what she was eating.

Tears fell into the plate, mixed in the food, unbearably bitter.

Suddenly, the band changed music.

The colorful lights flickered, Gu Xiaoning was slightly stunned, she looked up.

Ling Yu walked towards her, full of smiles, extending his arm, palm open to her, "May I have this dance?"

"..." Gu Xiaoning didn’t react.

Suddenly, a tight grip on her waist. In the next second, Ling Yu pulled her into his arms.