Chapter 16 The Sense of Security She Longed For

Not long after Luo Minglang left for work, Zhang Guoguo called Xu Mengdie and moved their lunchtime meeting up to now.

When Zhang Guoguo saw Xu Mengdie at the agreed café, she was startled. Xu Mengdie’s face was covered in bruises, and her neck and arms were mottled with marks. Zhang Guoguo raised her eyebrows and sat down, saying, “How did you end up looking so battered?”

Xu Mengdie was a little embarrassed and put on her sunglasses. “This is my own business, it has nothing to do with you.”

“That’s fine.” Zhang Guoguo smiled, waved for the waiter, and ordered a cappuccino. Then she said, “Didn’t we agree not to contact each other anymore? I’m surprised you dared to call me directly.”

Noticing Zhang Guoguo’s sharp gaze, Xu Mengdie lowered her head. “I contacted you only because I’ve run out of options.”

“That’s your own problem. I’ve given you everything I owe you. Since you’re no longer useful to me, helping you is meaningless.”

“Who says I’m useless to you?” Xu Mengdie straightened, her hands clasped into fists and rubbing against the table. “If you let me do what you want, I can prove I won’t disappoint you.”

“I won’t deny that.” The waiter delivered the cappuccino, placing it in front of Zhang Guoguo. She nodded her thanks, continuing to look at Xu Mengdie.

“So, the reason you came to me for that matter is because you know that I am the one who understands An Ruier best in this world.”

Zhang Guoguo chuckled, unable to help herself. “I not only know about the collusion between you and An Ruier, I’m also aware of all the wicked things you’ve done. Do you believe that?”

“Of course I believe you. You’re the wife of the richest man—money and power can accomplish anything.” At that moment, Xu Mengdie removed her sunglasses, revealing eyes swollen and bloodshot, filled with unwavering determination. “But if you want to bring down An Ruier and Yaozun International, I am your only breakthrough.”

Xu Mengdie’s certainty was somewhat surprising to Zhang Guoguo.

In her eyes, Xu Mengdie had always been someone who put profit above all else. It was for profit that she betrayed Shen Linyue and conspired with An Ruier to harm her. Now, Zhang Guoguo saw her more clearly than ever—she was clever, and her scheming ran deep.

Without waiting, Xu Mengdie continued, “I don’t know what grudges you have against the An family, but I’m sure you hate them deeply. Let’s cooperate. You give me money and protection.”

Hearing this, Zhang Guoguo guessed that An Ruier was planning to make a move against Xu Mengdie.

After all these years, Xu Mengdie had been An Ruier’s close confidante, and now, with such a scandal, she would be the first to take the fall. Zhang Guoguo understood An Ruier well—her suspicion was intense, and she could turn white into black without needing proof. Zhang Guoguo had experienced her ruthless methods firsthand.

A clash between two deeply scheming and vicious women promised to be spectacular. So, Zhang Guoguo said, “For someone like me, money and your safety are trivial matters. The real question is whether you can bring me value. Some things aren’t just about words. I hope you understand what I mean.”

She pulled a hundred yuan from her wallet and placed it beside the untouched coffee. “I have something to do. Goodbye.”

Zhang Guoguo strode out in her red heels, donned her sunglasses, picked up her purse, and left the café. As she got into her car, she saw An Ruier rush in and slap Xu Mengdie.

The two exchanged heated words, slapping each other back and forth, drawing a crowd of onlookers. Not wanting to witness any more, Zhang Guoguo started her engine and drove away.

She arrived at the E.D Group building, only to be stopped by security. “Miss, may I ask who you’re here for?”

“Luo Minglang.”

“Our CEO? Do you have an appointment?”

She almost laughed, took off her sunglasses, and smiled at the guard. “I’m looking for my husband—do I need an appointment?”

The guard was stunned, and the receptionists at the front desk, who had been chatting about her and had seen her on the news, were amazed by her beauty in person. They hurried over. “Madam, let me check you in upstairs.”

As soon as she stepped out of the elevator onto the eighty-ninth floor, she was greeted by the president’s office—a row of female secretaries, fifteen or sixteen in total, each more beautiful than the last. For some reason, Zhang Guoguo felt a pang of jealousy.

Annie, the office manager, had just left the president’s office and, upon seeing Zhang Guoguo in her classic Chanel suit and pencil skirt, her face stiffened for a moment, but she quickly brightened and greeted her. “Madam, what brings you here so suddenly?”

Zhang Guoguo immediately noticed that Annie’s white shirt was buttoned incorrectly and asked, “Why, am I not allowed to come?”

“Of course not, Madam. You’ve misunderstood me. It’s an honor to have you here.”

“Is that so?” Zhang Guoguo remained expressionless. “Take me to see Minglang.”

“Of course, Madam. Please follow me.”

Annie knocked on the door and then pushed it open. To her surprise, Luo Minglang was wearing an open white shirt, his belt undone. Annie awkwardly turned away, while Zhang Guoguo instinctively looked at both Annie and her husband.

“I’m sorry, President, I didn’t know you were changing. I’ll step out,” Annie said.

Zhang Guoguo’s heart was tense; she hardly knew what to say.

Luo Minglang hurried to fasten his belt and came over to take her hand. “Guoguo, let me explain—it’s not what you think.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?” She looked up at him and smiled faintly. “Are you feeling guilty?”

“No, you’ve misunderstood. I was just about to change clothes for the gym. Annie knocked and came in unexpectedly.”

“Does she do that often?”

“More or less.”

“With such recklessness and disregard for rules and respect, why keep her by your side?”

“Annie’s been with me for six years. She knows everything about me, and I trust her deeply.”

“What if I insisted you fire her?”

“She hasn’t made any fundamental mistakes or caused the company any loss—I have no reason to fire her.” Luo Minglang couldn’t understand. Was it just because he had undone his belt and was now disheveled?

Suddenly, he realized Annie had left only minutes before his wife entered. It must have caused her to suspect something between him and Annie.

“Honey, Annie and I really are just colleagues. It was a misunderstanding—she left, and I started to change.”

“Is that so? Then why was her shirt buttoned wrong, and why were you disheveled as soon as I came in? Even if nothing happened, Annie has already affected my feelings toward you, stirred up arguments between us. With such a time bomb by your side, how can I be at ease? Besides, the way she looks at you is full of affection and love. I’m not stupid—I saw it the first time she came to our house. She likes you, that much is obvious. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?”

Security—such a thing can be gained in a moment, and lost just as quickly. We are powerless against it.

Direct feelings are the most vivid; what you see with your own eyes, even if untrue, takes time to be soothed. Just like Zhang Guoguo now—she didn’t want to be so willful, insisting he fire Annie. What she wanted was an attitude.

So she looked at Luo Minglang, her eyes full of hope, waiting for the answer that would reassure her.