Drinking tea and reading newspapers nearby, Gu Nianbin looked distracted but actually never took his eyes off Du Xiaoxian. Noticing her uneasiness, he went up to her and asked gently, "What's wrong?"
At sight of him, Du Xiaoxian rushed over and grabbed his arm tightly. Although she still revered him, he was the only acquaintance she could find here. She got relieved when seeing him.
Gu Nianbin was amused by her reaction. He bent down and asked softly, "None of your taste? Then let's go somewhere else."
Du Xiaoxian shook her head like a frightened fawn, mumbling, "All of them are surrounding me, I..." She was too timid to speak out her nervousness in such occasions.
Gu Nianbin got her at once and dismissed the sales by a gesture. He found a seat for her and said, "Now they are all gone. You can choose freely. Show me what you like."
Du Xiaoxian looked at the clothes and the fancy shop, "Sir, the clothes here must be very expensive. I haven't got my salary yet. I'm afraid I can't afford such clothes."
Gu Nianbin smiled and ruffled her hair, "Don't worry. You can afford them." He didn't say he would pay for her because she was so determined about not receiving gifts for no reason. He had no confidence to persuade her. So he didn't refute her but echoed her words. Nothing else would be a problem as long as she accepted them.
Du Xiaoxian was relieved. The young master treated her so well and wouldn't deceive her. She got up, picked a pair of jeans and smiled at him shyly.
"Try this together." Gu Nianbin picked a white T-shirt for her and showed her the direction to the fitting room, "Need any help?"
Du Xiaoxian shook her head. She felt excited to try on new clothes no matter she would buy them or not.
After she went to the fitting room merrily, Gu Nianbin called the manager over and said a few words in whisper. The manager was surprised but still replied respectfully, "Yes, Mr. Gu. I see." Coping with many of a celebrity and top figure in this boutique, the manager had seen various women brought here to buy clothes and therefore had been used to special requirements. The girl brought by this customer was not like those women and the requirement was quite strange. Anyway, as long as the right mount of money was paid, he could do whatever was requested.
Du Xiaoxian came out in the new outfit after a while. She adjusted her clothes cautiously and gave Gu Nianbin a smile. Her ponytail slanted, probably messed up while she tried on the clothes, making her look even more lovely. Not to mention the sweet smile and her crystal-like eyes. She wasn't tall, but the blue jeans still outlined the curves of her straight legs perfectly. Her delicate collarbones half hidden by the neckline of the white T-shirt made her look innocent but attractive. She was nothing short of a little fairy that came out of nowhere.
Gu Nianbin looked at her for a while, and then suddenly coughed several times. "Do you like them?" He asked with a smile.
Gu Xiaoxian nodded. She had checked the price tag in the fitting room and couldn't believe in the number on it. How could a pair of trousers worth over ten thousand yuan? She herself wouldn't even worth so much money! She had been to the market in her hometown and witnessed the bargaining. She knew that those ridiculous prices were just bluffing.
"Manager," Gu Nianbin called, "Name a price."
The manager looked at him, "One hundred…"
One of the shop assistants around couldn't help but snicker. She covered her mouth and hid herself immediately when receiving a glance from Gu Nianbin.
Du Xiaoxian had always been timid in front of strangers. But this price was so high that she raised her voice, "One...one hundred?!" She could only earn a few hundred yuan by raising a pig with hard work. A pair of jeans as expensive as a pig leg? Unworthy.
Seeing her response, the manager became dumbfounded. It was an over 90% discount. Was it still too expensive for her?
Gu Nianbin asked, "One hundred for the pants? Or for the set?"
The manager understood him immediately, "For the set, of course."
"That's more like it." Gu Nianbin pulled Du Xiaoxian over and whispered, "What do you think? Clothes here are a little more expensive than those from your hometown. I think the price is fair."
Du Xiaoxian pursed her lips and stroked the jeans. She liked them and they fitted her well. However, the price was… But the young master was right. Prices in big cities were definitely higher. Besides, the young master was a businessman who knew how to bargain and what was a reasonable price. However, it was still too expensive for her. How could she wear such expensive clothes?
Gu Nianbin became anxious at her silence. He suddenly saw a few pair of loafers on display. He then raised his eyebrows and said to the manager, "Could you please give us a pair of shoes for free, since we have bought a whole set?"
The manager didn't get him at first, "Well…"
Du Xiaoxian pulled at Gu Nianbin's clothes and whispered, "Sir, forget it. It's too expensive."
He patted her hand with a smile and looked up at the manager, "We won't buy the clothes if you don't give us the shoes."
The manager had now recalled his requirement and therefore maintained his sour expression and said reluctantly, "Alright then, a pair of shoes for free."
Du Xiaoxian smiled. Now it was quite a bargain. She nodded at Gu Nianbin vigorously.
Gu Nianbin, the manager and all the shopping assistants were relieved.
She picked a pair of light blue loafers.
Du Xiaoxian left the boutique with a brand-new look. She was beaming with content, carrying a bag of the old clothes in her hand. Gu Nianbin looked at her and was cheered up somehow. He suddenly thought of a sentence from a book: "Happiness is contagious." Was he infected by Du Xiaoxian now?
After they got in the car, Gu Nianbin asked Xiaoding to keep the windows half open and drive slowly. Natural wind came in and the car was slow and steady. Du Xiaoxian got used to it gradually and didn't feel dizzy anymore.
At this time, Gu Nianbin received a call from Zhou Ting. She was calling to ask whether to cancel the planned meeting this morning since he didn't show up till now.
Gu Nianbin thought for a while and said, "Get ready for the meeting. I'll be there in ten minutes."
Overhearing it, Du Xiaoxian said at once, "Sir, please don't let me hold you up if you are busy. I can go to school by myself."
"Do you know where the school is?" Gu Nianbin threw his phone aside and turned to her.
"I can find it if you tell me." She raised her small face with her eyes shining brightly. Armed in the new outfit, she was a bit more courageous than usual and said confidently, "I didn't get lost all the way from my hometown to the Gu Mansion. Going to school is a piece of cake."
Gu Nianbin was fascinated by her confident look. She was now shining with youthful spirit and vigor. Girls should be like this, don't they?
Actually, he could ask Xiaoding to drive her to school and take a taxi to the company himself. But somehow, he didn't do so but asked Xiaoding to drive back to the company.
"Xiaoxian," he said while looking at his watch, "It's already too late for school. How about going to school this afternoon?"
"OK." She nodded obediently. She would do what the young master told her to without any doubt.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at Gu's Company. Du Xiaoxian had never been to such a magnificent office building before, so she got nervous again. Instinctively, she was afraid of all unfamiliar things. The staff walking by all looked at her with surprise while greeting to Gu Nianbin. They looked shocked and disdainful. She was even more frightened by their sights and thus bowed her head and hid behind Gu Nianbin like an ostrich chick.
Gu Nianbin walked in front and didn't notice her expression. But he sensed her fear as she was following him closely. He stretched his arm back and she grabbed it naturally. At this moment, Gu Nianbin felt that his heart was softly touched and his face looked even tender. He was relied on by many people: his parents, younger sister, employees, and even friends. He had an obligation to them. However, this was different. Du Xiaoxian's reliance made him feel joyful and content.
Zhou Ting was heading to the meeting room with a stack of documents when she saw Gu Nianbin emerging from the end of the corridor. She walked up to him and noticed a little girl behind him when drawing near. The girl looked timid, holding the boss’s arm tightly. This was a weird scene for Zhou Ting. She had been working with Gu Nianbin for five years, and had never seen him being so intimate with any woman…Could this be called intimate?
Her boss had always been poker-faced and aloof to women. But now…his face was still calm but his eyes were full of warmth. It seemed that he was in a good mood.
Being the principal secretary for five years, Zhou Ting believed herself quite observant. But she failed to tell the relationship between her boss and that little girl. Are they lovers? The timid little girl couldn't be his type. If not, why didn't her boss, a neat freak, get rid of the girl as she grabbed him so tightly? It was weird either way.
Gu Nianbin walked over, took the documents and said, "You don't have to participate in the meeting. Please take care of my guest."
"Yes, sir." Zhou Ting nodded and glanced at the little girl.
Gu Nianbin nudged the girl to the front and softened his voice, "Xiaoxian, I'm going to have a meeting. Miss Zhou will lead you to my office. She will take care of you, okay?"
Du Xiaoxian took a glance of Zhou Ting. In front of her was a tall beautiful office lady who looked smart and capable, making her feel ashamed of herself. She wanted to say that she was fine to be alone but failed to utter anything at last. Instead, she nodded slightly and left with Zhou Ting.Gu Nianbin stood there watching them away. Suddenly, he called Zhou Ting back and said in a low voice, "Go buy some snacks. Provide her with some movies or magazines to kill time. She can sleep there if she wants. One more thing, stay outside and check on her from time to time. Try not to make her uncomfortable or let anyone else in." He paused for a moment and said, "Call me if needed."Zhou Ting was surprised but remained calm. She said yes and then left. The boss's orders were always simple and straightforward, but this time were unusually long-winded. She was now curious about the little girl who could make the boss behave so abnormally.She trotted t
Gu Nianbin wanted to take Du Xiaoxian to eat western food, but he changed his mind on second thought. She would resist unfamiliar things out of instinct. He took her to a Chinese restaurant and asked for a quiet private room. He gave her the menu to order. Du Xiaoxian held the exquisite menu in her hand and flipped it over lightly. Then she returned it to him and shook her head shyly. She had never eaten any dish on it before. What if she ordered something that the young master didn't like to eat?Gu Nianbin didn't force her and took the order. While waiting for the dishes, he slowly told Du Xiaoxian what he had being thinking along the way. There were so many things he wanted her to know. She just listened quietly and occasionally nodded with a blink of her big eyes. Gu Nianbin was rarely so talktive, even himself found it hard to believe. Finally, he stopped and asked, "Xiaoxian, do you understand what I said?"Du Xiaoxian pursed her lips and said softly,
"Du Xiaoxian? What an old-fashioned name!" Yang Liying twitched her mouth with scorn. She was expecting a dashing rich boy instead of such a bumpkin to be her deskmate.Du Xiaoxian had been used to contempt since childhood and didn't care much about her words. But she was not used to be surrounded like this. She was very nervous and fearful for what would happen next. She looked more and more anxious and could hardly breathe in such an unknown environment.Fortunately, a good-looking young woman came in at this moment. This was their teacher, Ms. Jiang. She had just been summoned by the headmaster to talk about the new student. The headmaster asked her to take care of Du Xiaoxian and repeated Gu Nianbin's words in a more detailed way. She sensed the special background of the new student from the tedious instructions of the headmaster."All of you, back to your seat." Ms. Jiang dispersed the surrounding students and then asked Du Xiaoxian gently
When they returned to the office, Gu Nianbin took the bag that Du Xiaoxian had been carrying and put it on the table. He pulled her to the sofa to sit and pointed at the pile of snacks that Zhou Ting bought, "You must be hungry. Eat something first to stave off hunger. I still have something to do, so we'll go back home later.""Young master," Du Xiaoxian took a look of the snacks and was about to stand up, "Shall I go back first? I have to sweep the courtyard."Gu Nianbin stopped her, "It doesn't matter. Today is your first day of school. Forget about the chore. Leave it tomorrow."Du Xiaoxian had no choice but to stay. Gu Nianbin opened a chocolate bar for her and asked about her day at school. Du Xiaoxian blushed and said slowly, " Young master, I...I can't understand in class."Gu Nianbin stroked her hair with a smile, "Don't worry. Take your time. You'll understand gradually.""OK." Du Xiaoxian nodded, " I will st
From that day on, Du Xiaoxian's life had undergone tremendous changes.Every day, she left home early and returned late, getting familiar with the scenery on streets of G City and environment of the school.Sitting in the car, she tried to memorize the route back to home and the route to the Gu’s Company.She concentrated on classes and never allowed her mind to stray away. Gradually, she was able to understand them. As for classes in sciences, the young master said that she did not need to learn them and she did not understand anything either. Therefore, during sciences classes, she just lowered her head and drew on the notebook.She had always liked drawing. Back when she got bored at her hometown, she would pick up a twig and sat in the courtyard drawing randomly to kill time for the whole morning. She drew flowers, dragonflies, trees and grass as well as chickens, ducks, fish, pigs, sheep, dogs, cats…everything around her.
Just as Xia Xiaowan had expected, the news of her accompanying Gu Nianbin to the banquet made the headline in the entertainment section of Morning Post the next day.In the published picture, she smiled sweetly and gracefully, looking even more gorgeous than usual.Gu Nianbin beside her was also smiling gently and elegantly. He looked extremely handsome with deep eyes, a Roman nose, thin lips, and a firm chin slightly hold up.Xia Xiaowan took a sip of coffee. She spread the newspaper on the dining table and pondered over the picture in the newspaper.Du Xiaoxian also saw the picture.Standing in the corridor outside the dining room, she beheld her ladyship, with the newspaper in her hands, cheerfully talking with the master about the perfect match of their son and Miss Xia. She couldn't understand why the young master and Miss Xia were reported by the newspaper. When the master and lady went upstairs, she slipped into
Sitting in the car, Gu Nianbin asked seriously, "Now tell me. Why did you walk away alone?"Du Xiaoxian lowered her head and bit her lips. Blood seeped from the cut lips into her mouth. It tasted sweet.She didn't expect that she caused so much trouble for the young master and even bothered the police.She didn't expect the young master was so angry either. She was a fool. No wonder no one liked her. No wonder she had no friends.Now even the young master wouldn't like her. She was a nit, simply mindless. If she told the young master or Xiaoding beforehand, things would not be like this.So many people, including the headmaster, were bothered to look for her. How could she have the nerve to go to school tomorrow? The young master used his connections to send her to school, but...look at what she had done.Du Xiaoxian felt so guilty that even her guts were twisted and her body further shrank."
Du Xiaoxian felt something wrong when entering the classroom, as almost everyone was looking at her.Contempt and disdain were all over their faces, which Du Xiaoxian had been used to since childhood. She didn't care much about it and sat on her seat quietly.She assumed that they looked at her this way because of the incident yesterday. Even the headmaster was bothered after all.Yang Liying was not in her seat. She was chattering in a low voice with some girls. She snorted contemptuously at Du Xiaoxian and asked a girl in whisper, "Are you sure about what you saw yesterday?""Of course. She got on a bus and sat by the window and then got off and walked. I followed her all the way. Nobody came to pick her up.""What happened afterwards?""She was on foot while I rode in a car. It's hard to follow, so I left then.""What a pity," said Yang Liying, "If you followed her home, you would find out