You Owe Me, My Love

Chapter 390 What Does It Have To Do With Me

Gu Mingchen was a proud man.

But Wu Nian had used his love for her against him, trying her hardest to exhibit her wayward, assertive, petulant, and crude personality so that he could see how difficult it was to get along with her.

She was confident that she would be able to repel him very soon if she kept this up until one day, he would finally exhaust all his love for her.

But it wouldn't matter to her. She could love him enough for the two of them and she knew that this was the right thing to do.

Gu Mingchen had sacrificed enough for her.

She could still remember how he looked in his military uniform—upright, plainspoken and dignified, able to win wars before they even begin. His lofty presence was the kind that was profound and inherent.

She could also remember the first time they met. He had said, “I'm a soldier. I will protect you.”

He had attended military school at a young age and started from Special Forces, making outstanding accomplishments and working his way up without the help of his family. He went deep behind enemy lines, disregarding his own life, and achieved victory. Protecting his country was his dream. He wasn't forced, and it was truly his passion.

But because of me, he had almost been labeled a spy who betrayed his country.

Because of me, he had almost died on a deserted island.

Because of me, he had left the military.

How could I ever bear to put him in danger again?

Wu Nian wiped her tears away and turned on her side. She had completely lost her appetite. She curled into a ball.

Perhaps he'd feel sad and tormented for a while, but after he overcomes this period of time and all those feelings have disappeared, he would finally be free.

After lying on the bed for half an hour, Wu Nian heard a knock on the door.

She got up from the bed and opened the door only to see that it was a hotel staff.

“Ma'am, this is the steak you ordered,” the staff said respectfully.

Wu Nian was perplexed. “I didn't order this. You've come to the wrong room.”

“This is the right room. A gentleman with the surname Gu placed the order. He didn't want you to go hungry,” the staff explained patiently.

Realization dawned on Wu Nian. Gu Mingchen was the one who ordered this.

But how did he know I didn’t order room service?

“I see. Thank you.” Wu Nian nodded.

The staff pushed in the cart and took off the lid to reveal a piece of juicy steak, some salad, Foie Gras, and a glass of red wine.

Wu Nian cut into her steak while studying the proposal Gu Mingchen had prepared.

She searched through Baidu whenever she came across something she didn't understand and made sure to memorize the key points, paying special attention to the points that were crucial in convincing Mo Xue to collaborate.

She had just finished eating when her phone rang.

Seeing that it was from Stephen, she swiftly picked it up.

"Where are you? Mo Xue just called me over,” Stephen stated.

“I'm at the hotel. I'll meet you in the lobby.” Wu Nian kept the proposal in her bag, tidied up her hair, and applied simple makeup onto her face, which included foundation cream, eyeliner, mascara, lip balm, and lipstick. Deeming herself presentable, she went downstairs in a flurry.

Stephen was already waiting there. Dressed casually, he was accompanied by his butler who helped carry his painting tools.

“Sorry that I'm late,” Wu Nian apologized.

“It's fine. We just arrived anyway.” Stephen gave her a once-over before remarking, “You looked really beautiful yesterday. No men would've been able to resist your charm.”

Wu Nian wasn't sure what to make of this.

In order words, he’s saying that I'm not beautiful today.

When Stephen mentioned yesterday, her mind was immediately transported back to the rooftop. Recalling about what happened there, her face turned crimson red and she quickly lowered her head to conceal it.

Just then, a Rolls-Royce pulled over in front of the hotel's entrance.

Stephen's butler opened the car door courteously for them.

Stephen slid into the backseat and Wu Nian took the seat next to him, while the butler sat in the front passenger seat.

Stephen looked Wu Nian up and down again.

Unsettled by his scrutiny, Wu Nian asked, “Is there something on my face?”

“Your dress is very pretty. It suits you very well,” Stephen commented with a grin.

“Thank you,” Wu Nian answered politely.

Stephen released a chuckle. “Aaron called me this morning and asked about your situation.” “Indeed, you know my situation better than I do.”

“You didn't call him?” Stephen queried.

“I woke up too late and I was having my meal just now, so I didn't have the time,” Wu Nian explained.

"Oh, is that so?” Stephen chuckled again.

Wu Nian couldn't help but feel that she was missing something. Feeling upset, she didn't strike up a conversation and turned to look out the window instead.

One way or another, I have to settle matters with Aaron, just not now. I'll think more about it after dealing with Mo Xue.

After about half an hour on the road, the car arrived at Mo Xue's castle.

There were two expressionless guards standing on duty at the gates.

Because the driver was sent by Mo Xue to pick up Stephen, after going through a brief inspection, they were allowed passage.

Mo Xue's castle had a dreamy vibe to it. Beyond the gates lay a rose garden. Usually, roses wilted in September, but the roses here were in full bloom and emitted a pleasant fragrance.

After passing through the garden, they came upon a vintage courtyard and a lake. The car drove on for another three minutes before arriving at the majestic and ancient-looking castle.

Mo Xue's butler was already waiting by the front doors.

Wu Nian followed Stephen in and walked along a very long corridor before finally reaching the doors to the main hall.

Before entering, she could already hear a young girl's laughter coming from inside.

As soon as the guard in the main hall opened the doors, she saw Mo Xue, Ai Wei'er, an unfamiliar man, as well as Gu Mingchen.

Surprise flashed across Wu Nian’s face as she did not expect Gu Mingchen to be here. She bowed her head and entered the hall.

Mo Xue glanced sideways at Stephen and remarked contemptuously, “You brought someone with you? Since when did you switch careers from a painter to a lobbyist?”

“I was afraid you'd be tricked, so I thought I'd introduce a reliable person to you.” Stephen took the seat across from Mo Xue unceremoniously.

“You're probably the one who tricked me the most.”

“Let's not get into whether it was me who tricked you, or the other way around. You should discuss business with her first.” Stephen picked up an orange from the table and started peeling it leisurely. Mo Xue rolled her eyes at him before speaking to Wu Nian in a flat tone, “Come with me. There are too many irrelevant people here.”

It didn’t take a genius to know that Mo Xue was specifically referring to Stephen.

Stephen showed no reaction as he continued enjoying his orange.

Wu Nian followed Mo Xue into the latter's study.

Mo Xue sat on her chair gracefully and spun it one round before peering at Wu Nian with a lazy expression. “Since Stephen introduced you, I'll give you a chance. I want a nine-to-one split. Nine for me, one for you. If this isn't the ratio, you can forget about having a collaboration.”

Wu Nian curved her lips into a smile. “Do you know how many jewelers there are in A City?"

"What does that have to do with me?” Mo Xue raised a brow, looking arrogant.

“Mo Xue, since you've taken an interest in A City's market, it's probably because you've witnessed its citizens’ spending power. In the past two years, A City has been developing at breakneck speed. The annual sales of luxury goods exceed eight hundred billion and jewelry occupies sixty-five percent of the market. In A City, the profits reaped from jewelry are very objective.”

"So?" Mo Xue shrugged.

“My company can grab eight percent of the market because my boss is a pinnacle figure in A City's political and socialite circles. We hope to settle with a fifty-fifty split. The details are all here in this proposal.” Wu Nian handed the proposal to Mo Xue.

Mo Xue took it and swept her gaze over it before scoffing. “The pieces of jewelry are mine. Even the designers are mine. All your company would be doing is buying them from me. Yet, you're asking for fifty percent of the profit? That's a little too high, don’t you think?”

"When a movie is released, the sales team generally takes sixty percent of the sales,” Wu Nian pointed out.

Mo Xue put the proposal aside and stared at Wu Nian coldly while emanating an imposing aura. “Before we get further into this, I have a question for you. What's your relationship with Gu Mingchen?”