Chapter 571: Chapter 571: Side by Side
When Ling Tianyou returned to the villa, it was already afternoon.
Gu Ningyue and Ji Qianqian had been playing games in the room and hadn’t come downstairs.
So when Ling Tianyou returned, he only heard laughter coming from upstairs and didn’t see Gu Ningyue and Ji Qianqian.
No need to guess, Ji Qianqian was in Gu Ningyue’s room.
She always liked to stick to Gu Ningyue, as if Gu Ningyue were her real sister.
Ling Tianyou had known this since the hospital.
"President Ling, you’re back. The Young Madam and Miss Ji are upstairs. Should I call them down?"
Ling Tianyou shook his head, "No need, I’m going to the study to organize some things. You prepare dinner."
"Yes." Aunt Zhang looked at Ling Tianyou and asked, "What would President Ling like to eat today? I’ll check if we have the ingredients."
Ling Tianyou glanced at the time on his wrist, "Make whatever we have. As quickly as possible."
They would be leaving in two hours, so there was no need for anything too elaborate.
Aunt Zhang was curious as to why Ling Tianyou, who usually lived so meticulously, was adopting this attitude, but she agreed and went to the kitchen.
After a while, she returned with several dish options. Ling Tianyou made his choice, and she went back to the kitchen.
As she was about to leave, Ling Tianyou called her back and asked her to check with Gu Ningyue if she wanted anything.
Aunt Zhang smiled and said, "President Ling is so good to the Young Madam."
Ling Tianyou didn’t say anything, prompting Aunt Zhang to leave.
He thought, for his fiancée, who else should he be good to?
Aunt Zhang went upstairs and knocked on the door, "Young Madam, President Ling is back and wants to know if there’s anything you want to eat."
"Tianyou is back?" Gu Ningyue was momentarily stunned, "When? I didn’t hear you."
Aunt Zhang smiled, "Just returned, he’s in the study now. Perhaps the Young Madam and Miss Ji were too engrossed to notice."
Gu Ningyue responded, though she didn’t know what Ling Tianyou was preparing, there was a gut feeling it was related to Ji Qianqian and Lu Qingqing.
Thinking this, Gu Ningyue glanced at the watch on her wrist. Her expression and gaze were highly contemplative, "Just make something simple!"
With two hours until departure, a simple meal would suffice.
If she ate too much and ended up in a fight, it would be bad if she had to throw up.
After all, she had experienced such situations before.
Once during a mission, someone placed by the organization was punched and didn’t dodge it, spilling what they had just eaten all over their opponent’s face.
Gu Ningyue had felt sorry for the revolting scene she witnessed, what bad luck to encounter someone who had just eaten tripe and then get vomited on.
How could they maintain any dignity in the underworld after that?
Although with her skills, Gu Ningyue was sure she wouldn’t face such an embarrassing situation.
But after being injured a couple of times, Gu Ningyue thought it best to be careful.
Definitely shouldn’t eat too much, just in case!
Aunt Zhang repeated the available dish options, and Gu Ningyue turned to Ji Qianqian, "Qianqian, is there anything you want to eat?"
Ji Qianqian tilted her head and thought for a moment, "No."
Gu Ningyue looked at Aunt Zhang, "Just make whatever. I’m fine with anything."
Aunt Zhang agreed before finally turning and going downstairs to the kitchen.
About half an hour later, a servant came upstairs to inform Gu Ningyue and Ji Qianqian that dinner was ready and that President Ling was waiting for them downstairs.
Gu Ningyue acknowledged this and looked at Ji Qianqian, "Qianqian, are you hungry? Shall we go down for dinner?"
Ji Qianqian nodded and obediently took Gu Ningyue’s offered hand, going downstairs together.
Ling Tianyou was already seated at the table. Seeing Gu Ningyue holding Ji Qianqian’s hand as they walked gracefully toward him, he couldn’t help but feel a little dazzled.
It had to be said, whether standing next to Chi Xingtong, Chen Rui, or Lu Qingqing, Gu Ningyue still stood out like a singular white crane.
Even now, standing beside Ji Qianqian, who bore a resemblance to Lin Daiyu, she didn’t appear in the least bit ordinary.
"What are you looking at so intently?" Gu Ningyue asked, pulling out a chair knowingly.
This body had indeed brought many advantages. It would be a waste not to debut.
But for Gu Ningyue, before the matters at hand were resolved, she had no such thoughts whatsoever.
Even after everything ends, she probably wouldn’t have any plans in that direction either.
She hadn’t enjoyed life properly in her past life before it ended. In this life, she was determined to savor it.
Work was out of the question; she just wanted to live freely for once.
"Nothing," Ling Tianyou cleared his throat and looked at Gu Ningyue, "After dinner and short rest, we should depart. I’ve already contacted Jin Chenglong and Lu Qingqing. How about your side?"
Gu Ningyue smiled, "Don’t worry, everything is ready."
In the afternoon, she had contacted Xia Yingbai, asking her to inform Shangguan Wuyue to confirm today’s meeting arrangements.
Fortunately, though peculiar, the other party had always adhered strictly to agreements.
This was something Gu Ningyue had always felt assured about.
"Have your people arrived?" Gu Ningyue suddenly asked, "There shouldn’t be any surprises, right?"
Ling Tianyou chuckled softly, his demeanor buoyant: "What, you don’t trust me?"
Gu Ningyue looked at Ling Tianyou and shook her head, "No, I just worry someone might disrupt again."
Last time, it was supposed to be a matter between her and Shangguan Wuyue, but the Heimu Organization suddenly intervened.
This time, there shouldn’t be anyone causing trouble, right?
Ling Tianyou wasn’t entirely privy to the events in Y City, so Gu Ningyue’s concern puzzled him, "Who would try to disrupt?"
Gu Ningyue thought for a moment, then shook her head, "Nothing, just some worry. Forget it, we’ll deal with it when it comes. You can’t avoid what’s meant to be."
After all, there shouldn’t be any reason for the Heimu Organization to make trouble with the Lu Family, right? The Lu Family and the Heimu Organization had no grudges.
Even the last Blood Jade incident was entirely a unilateral provocation by the Heimu Organization.
Gu Ningyue looked at Ling Tianyou’s face, "This seems to be the first time we’re taking action together."
"Have you forgotten about the Nan Shaoyue incident?" Ling Tianyou looked at Gu Ningyue, "Moreover, I saved you."
Remembering, Gu Ningyue cleared her throat, "This time is different! Last time you were behind the scenes, but this time you stand with me."
"What’s the difference?" Ling Tianyou smiled, "I’m still with you."
Hearing this, Gu Ningyue fell silent. Perhaps Ling Tianyou would never understand how wonderful it was to have someone stand alongside you.
