Suddenly remembering something, Shen Meixiu looked up at the second floor, "Where is Xingxing? Is she upstairs?"
If Ye Shaoting brought his girlfriend back, Xingxing definitely couldn't be the first one to meet them.
Without waiting for the butler's reply, Shen Meixiu rushed upstairs. Without knocking, she pushed the door open unceremoniously.
Xingxing's room was empty.
Not here?
Shen Meixiu walked in, checked the bathroom, and then looked at the balcony. After confirming she was truly absent, the anxiety in her heart finally subsided.
Turning to the servant who had followed her, she gave instructions, "Contact the flower shop and have them send some fresh flowers over. Let's make the house feel a bit warmer."
Fresh flowers could visually uplift people's moods, and their fragrance could further stir emotions.
The butler, following her instructions, immediately went downstairs to contact a familiar flower shop.
While waiting for the guests to arrive, Shen Meixiu also kept busy. Standing in front of the wardrobe, she rummaged through her clothes, selecting an outfit for the evening.
Two hours later.
Gu Xiuyu arrived at the Ye residence.
This was his first time visiting the Ye residence. Looking at the villa before him, he turned to the back seat and took out the gift he had prepared.
"Mr. Gu, shall I leave the car for you?" his assistant asked.
"No need. I'll notify you in advance when we're done," Gu Xiuyu replied.
He expected to drink alcohol when dining with Ye Qianzhi.
Standing at the door, Gu Xiuyu rang the doorbell.
A few seconds later, a servant emerged from the living room.
"Are you a guest invited by the eldest young master?" the butler asked, looking at the exquisite gift in his hand.
Had he arrived too early?
Glancing at the watch on his wrist, Gu Xiuyu looked up and asked, "Has Mr. Ye not returned yet?"
Speak of the devil.
Ye Shaoting's car came around the corner.
Hearing the familiar voice, the butler immediately announced, "Our eldest young master has returned."
As soon as he finished speaking, the car stopped in front of Gu Xiuyu.
Ye Shaoting hurried out of the car, "I'm truly sorry, there was some traffic on the road."
"It's fine, I just arrived as well," Gu Xiuyu replied.
His gaze fell on the gift in Ye Shaoting's hand, and Ye Shaoting said, "Mr. Gu, it's fine if you just come, why bring gifts? You're being too formal."
"It's only proper," Gu Xiuyu said, handing the items to the butler in front of him. "These are for Uncle, and some are prepared for the children."
Dine at the home offered an opportunity to interact with Ye Ziyu's children and understand them better. After all, their previous brief encounters had been met with considerable hostility from them.
Ye Shaoting observed Gu Xiuyu's gaze, understanding his intentions through his eyes.
By winning over the children, he could foster a closer relationship with Ye Ziyu. It was a roundabout but well-thought-out strategy.
However, those children were not as easy to get along with as he might imagine.
Ye Shaoting didn't dampen his spirits. He extended his arm, leading Gu Xiuyu inside, "Mr. Gu, let's go inside and talk."
As they entered the living room, Shen Meixiu, who had been upstairs getting ready, ran down excitedly.
"We have a guest?"
Her voice reached downstairs before she did.
Gu Xiuyu turned towards the staircase.
"Shaoting, is this the guest for tonight?" Shen Meixiu asked, her expectations instantly dashed as she saw Gu Xiuyu beside Ye Shaoting.
How could it be a man? Shouldn't it be a woman?
Gu Xiuyu observed Shen Meixiu, guessing her identity based on her age, "Hello, Auntie. I am Gu Xiuyu."
"Mom, this is Mr. Gu from the Gu Group," Ye Shaoting said, seeing Shen Meixiu's prolonged silence and introducing Gu Xiuyu to her.
Whether he was Mr. Gu or Mr. Yu, he wasn't the daughter-in-law she had hoped for, making her preparations and dressing up all in vain.
Shen Meixiu's spirit wilted like a frost-bitten eggplant. She came downstairs dejectedly, "Yes, welcome, Mr. Gu."
Ye Shaoting watched her trail her skirt as she laboriously descended the stairs.
Gu Xiuyu stood awkwardly in front of the sofa, unable to understand why Shen Meixiu harbored such strong animosity towards him. Had they met before? Yet, in his memory, this was their first encounter.