You Owe Me, My Love

Chapter 384 I Am Not Dying Until You Do

Liu Yan left for the airport at eight. Shen Yiyan's private jet had docked at the private airport.

Wu Nian went to see them off.

Liu Yan was reluctant to leave her. She gave her instructions again. “Remember, it doesn't matter if you can't strike a deal with her. Shen Yiyan has promised to give me a week off to travel. It's not much, but there's still enough time to run away. So don't force yourself. Come back soon.”

Wu Nian grinned back at her. “I know. You have to be careful, too. I dont think Shen Yiyan's men have the guts to kill you, but there may be others out to get you.”

Liu Yan shrugged. “Anyway, I'm leaving soon. Those people came because of Shen Yiyan. I'll be safe after I leave him.”

“Best of luck!” Wu Nian wished her in a gentle voice.

Liu Yan turned to leave, walked a few steps, before looking back at Wu Nian.

Wu Nian was smarter and more sensible than her, and she was much better at putting pieces together. Liu Yan had little to worry about, but somehow, she just felt anxious about the whole thing.

Wu Nian waved at Liu Yan as the latter boarded the plane.

She watched Liu Yan's plane take off before she turned around and left the airport.

In the afternoon, she went to the beauty salon.

Ai Wei'er had invited upper-class socialites to her birthday party, whereas she was attending the event mainly to discuss a collaboration with the woman. It would not do if she went in shabby clothes.

It took her a whole afternoon but she eventually got her hair done and put on exquisite makeup. The princess dress she got for the party was a bright saffron color, the style of which left her fair nape exposed to display the diamond necklace she bought that day.

She attended the party at six o'clock.

Wu Nian thought she was early, but it seemed a crowd of fifty had already arrived.

She instinctively searched for Gu Mingchen and Stephen.

However, she could not locate either of them. Mo Xue was nowhere to be seen as well.

She approached Ai Wei'er and presented the LV bag to her. “Happy birthday!”

But Ai Wei'er was arrogant as always, and she was evidently disinterested in her. She passed the bag to the maid next to her and greeted Wu Nian lazily, “Help yourself.”

Wu Nian nodded. She fetched a glass of wine and went to stand in a corner. Men came to strike up a conversation with her but she rejected them all.

More and more people entered the banquet hall. Wu Nian had yet to spot either Gu Mingchen or Stephen. Thus, she decided to wait outside.

Just then, an elegantly dressed lady walked out from the private room next to theirs. She was talking excitedly on the phone, “Xuyan, where are you? Okay... I'm coming now.”

Xuyan? Does she mean Su Xuyan?

Wu Nian recalled how confident Su Xuyan had been the other day. Strung by curiosity, she trailed behind the lady.

She saw the lady enter the parking lot and into a black Maybach.

Suspicious, Wu Nian bent over and approached the car quietly.

"Oh... Xuyan, be gentle.”

Wu Nian blushed when she heard the voice. She glanced at the Maybach, which was rocking up and down.

Still bending over, she hung her head and was about to leave when a pair of bright, leather shoes entered her line of vision.

She lifted her head, still blushing, and found herself face to face with Gu Mingchen.

“What are you doing here?” he asked her quizzically.

"Um..." Wu Nian could not find the words. “See for yourself.”

"See what?” Gu Mingchen responded in confusion.

Wu Nian pushed him away and walked into the hotel.

Gu Mingchen looked toward the parking lot, took note of the horribly shaking car, and understood at once. His Adam's apple bopped up and down provocatively before he turned around and entered the hotel.

Wu Nian was still waiting for the elevator when she noticed Gu Mingchen approaching. Images of the Maybach still lingered in her mind, making her feel self-conscious.

"Did you enjoy the view?” Gu Mingchen asked, gazing at her.

“I saw a lady coming out from the private room next door. She was on the phone, and she mentioned Xuyan, so I thought it's him. I followed her to find out what he's plotting, but... well,” Wu Nian explained.

“That Maybach belongs to Su Xuyan. There's no doubt about it. As for the lady you spoke of... she should be Mo Xue,” Gu Mingchen answered solemnly.

For a moment, Wu Nian was dumbstruck.

She knew that Su Xuyan was quite a player, having multiple girlfriends, but his targets were usually young and beautiful women. Not that Mo Xue was not pretty, but she should be well over fifty years old. Su Xuyan had quite incredulous tastes and methods, to say the least.

"So, I guess there's no way we can get the partnership now, huh?” Wu Nian surmised.

Gu Mingchen smirked. “Trust me. When I say there won't be any problems, I mean it. Don't you believe me?”

“Well...” He said that to Shen Yiyan and Liu Yan, didn't he? How's he so sure that I know?

Ding! The elevator door opened.

Gu Mingchen allowed Wu Nian to enter first. “Once Stephen arrives, just pretend that you don't know what's going on between Mo Xue and Su Xuyan. Talk to them as though nothing happened I'll assist you.”

“Alright,” Wu Nian replied, for no reason other than placing her trust in Gu Mingchen. When he said he could do it, he certainly could.

They entered the banquet hall together. When Ai Wei'er saw Gu Mingchen making his appearance, a change came over her. No longer disinterested, she rushed over to him almost fanatically and extended her hand. “Where's my present? Today's my birthday, you know. I've been waiting so long for your gift.”

Gu Mingchen took out a small jewelry box from his pocket and placed it in Ai Wei'er's hand.

Ai Wei'er opened the box excitedly. Inside was a beautiful hairpin with her alias carved on it, made of platinum and embedded with diamonds.

“It's gorgeous. This is the best gift I've received today. Thank you so much, Chen. Can you put it on for me?” Ai Wei'er handed the hairpin to Gu Mingchen.

Gu Mingchen took the hairpin and put it on for her.

Ai Wei'er smiled like a flower in full blossom and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Wu Nian bit her lip. She turned around, feeling strange all of a sudden as her eyes began to water. Once again, she stepped out of the banquet hall. She got to the corridor entrance, leaned against the wall with her head hung low, and stared at the ground in silence

Letting go of someone and giving them your blessing were two of the most difficult things to do in life.

She had made a clear decision to forget about him and wish him happiness, but seeing him being intimate with another girl still rubbed her the wrong way.

Humans are indeed strange creatures that often contradict themselves.

It took Wu Nian ten minutes to calm down, to convince herself, and to adjust her mood. When she got back to the banquet hall, she found Stephen.

He was having a chat with Gu Mingchen and seemed to be in a good mood.

Wu Nian walked up to him, smiling. “Good evening, Stephen.”

Stephen gave her a once-over and liked what he saw. He showered her with praises. “Wow, you seem to have lost some weight in just a few days. You have become prettier.”

“Thanks,” Wu Nian returned in kind.

“I haven't seen Mo Xue. But when I do, I'll introduce her to you,” Stephen said with a smile. He turned his attention back to Gu Mingchen, a twinkle glinting in his eyes.

They waited for another twenty minutes before Wu Nian spotted the lady, the one who had a tryst with Su Xuyan, entering the scene.

When Wu Nian saw her leaving a while ago, she had her hair tied up in a bun. Currently, she had her hair down.

“She's here,” Stephen said as he walked toward Mo Xue.

“It's been a while, Xue'er.” Stephen grinned at her.

Mo Xue chuckled softly. “It has, hasn't it? Why, I even thought you might be dead.”

“Well, you aren't, so naturally I won't. At least, not until you die first.” Stephen snorted

Wu Nian was not sure what to think about this.

Is this really the right way to go about when two long-lost lovers finally reunite?