At this moment, Yu Xiaoduo was still sitting in front of the makeup mirror. That originally good-looking face had turned unusually strange under Yu Xiaoduo’s handiwork. She had applied too much blush, making her face look like a monkey’s bottom. The eye shadow was so heavy it looked like dark circles, and the lipstick shade she picked was way too gaudy.
The originally cold and glamorous Gu Wan’er had been harshly transformed into a girl working in a hair salon.
Yu Xiaoduo let out a “Damn,” turned around, and walked into the restroom to wash it all off. Looking in the mirror felt much better. Why even bother with makeup? Wasn’t it just unnecessary?
She checked the weather. Today, the temperature in Longhai City was as high as 38°C. Forget the stockings—it was way too hot. Better to pick a dress instead, a more form-fitting one.
Thinking about how Mr. Bai wore a stunning red outfit yesterday, Yu Xiaoduo also chose a red dress to change into. She even put on some expensive jewelry.
Standing in front of the mirror, she saw nice curves and the right amount of perkiness—so much so that she couldn’t resist giving herself a pat on the back.
She figured she’d drive the guys crazy. Gu Wan’er was probably thinking the same thing while changing her clothes. Ah, women, they always secretly enjoy being the center of attention.
Suddenly, the phone on the makeup table rang. Yu Xiaoduo thought it was Gu Wan’er calling, but it turned out to be an unknown number. If it were her own phone, she’d definitely hang up, but since it was for Gu Wan’er, maybe it was something important.
“Hello.”
“Wan’er, good morning.”
Huh, that voice sounds really familiar. Oh, right—Fu Yangxue.
“Morning,” Yu Xiaoduo replied casually.
Fu Yangxue was startled. Gu Wan’er had never spoken to her like that before. Instantly, she felt like there was a chance.
“Wan’er, are you free tonight? I’m putting together a little get-together. Consider it a welcome to Longhai City for you. It’ll be all people our age from the same circles—it’d be good for your future development too.”
“Sure, set it up,” Yu Xiaoduo agreed without hesitation, which left Fu Yangxue even more incredulous. What was up with Gu Wan’er today? She used to just turn her down. Now this sudden agreement felt almost uncomfortable.
“Great, I’ll come pick you up then.”
“No need, just send me the address.”
Fu Yangxue was overjoyed. Suppressing her excitement, she said, “Okay.”
After hanging up, Yu Xiaoduo chuckled to herself. So this is how easy it is for beautiful women to control men? Just listen to the tone of her voice—she was holding back, sure, but she still couldn’t hide that thrilling excitement. It was just like how she herself felt when seeing the girls in the 3D section. Seeing things from a different angle felt like discovering a new world. How fun.
Today, Yu Xiaoduo didn’t go up from the parking garage. Instead, she took the elevator from the company lobby—and it was rush hour. Employees were streaming into the company one after another.
When Yu Xiaoduo appeared in the lobby, everything around seemed to freeze. Both men and women stared at her. The women mostly showed admiration and envy, but the men were different—they looked amazed, yet with an endless thirst in their eyes.
Yu Xiaoduo sighed inwardly. Just yesterday, she had been one of them. Look at you guys, how cheap you look. Isn’t she just a woman? And you’re already acting like you’re about to kneel and worship her? So pathetic.
“Good morning, President Gu.”
“Good morning, President Gu.”
The receptionists greeted her respectfully.
Yu Xiaoduo gave a slight nod and walked toward the elevator. The space around her seemed like a vacuum—no one dared to get close.
At this rate, she thought, even I could act like an empress.
As Yu Xiaoduo stepped into the elevator, the crowd behind her instantly erupted into chatter.
“That’s our President Gu? That’s the first time I’ve seen her. She’s way too gorgeous.”
“Starting today, she’s my goddess. I’ll dedicate the rest of my life to this company, just to get a smile out of her.”
“Damn, you’re laying it on thick real fast. I’m different—I’m going to inhale every last bit of President Gu’s lingering fragrance.” And with that, he took a deep breath, which made the female coworkers roll their eyes at him. Just look at them—they’re like a bunch of horny mutts.
Meanwhile, Gu Wan’er was already sitting at her desk, reviewing personnel changes from the past few years. As colleagues gradually streamed in, whispered discussions began.
“Have you seen President Gu’s figure? I’m practically drooling. That perky butt is absolutely legendary.”
“Right? And that slim waist—hugging her would feel amazing.”
“You guys are too shallow. President Gu’s deadliest weapon is those legs you could play with all year long.”
Listening to the male colleagues’ gossip, Gu Wan’er’s eyelid twitched. She nearly crushed her mouse. She got up, walked to a quiet spot, and directly called Yu Xiaoduo. What the heck was this guy up to now?
Yu Xiaoduo was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the steel-and-concrete city. Her gaze was deep, her mood complicated. Then the phone rang, and that contemplative state quickly faded.
“Hello, Gu—”
“Yu Xiaoduo, what are you doing now? Why are people gossiping about you again?” Gu Wan’er asked in a low, suppressed voice. After listening to those male colleagues’ remarks, she felt like hitting someone.
“I didn’t do anything. I just took the elevator up from the lobby. Is there a problem?”
“What are you wearing today? Why are they all saying… saying you look so sexy?” Gu Wan’er couldn’t even find the right words to describe it.
Yu Xiaoduo sat down in the executive chair and propped her beautiful legs on the desk. “Just a very ordinary dress. Besides, they’re telling the truth—you are pretty, and you do have a nice figure.”
Gu Wan’er was left speechless. She couldn’t exactly argue with the facts.
“Can you be a little more low-key?”
“Ah, President Gu, you’re way too low-key. Hardly anyone in the whole company knows what you look like. A little exposure is necessary. It’s called winning people over.”
Gu Wan’er felt he had a point. “Alright… but are you wearing safety shorts?”
“Don’t worry, I am. Unlike some people who set others up behind their backs.”
“I apologized for that yesterday, and you’re still bringing it up.”
Yu Xiaoduo grinned. “Oh, by the way, one of your admirers called this morning. She set up a dinner for me to attend, and I said yes.”
“Why would you agree to that? Are you crazy?”
“President Gu, you really don’t understand men. Someone like me, a broke loser, knows my place. But Fu Yangxue is different—she has the means to pursue you. The more you reject her, the more excited she gets. It fuels her desire to win, but it also makes her lose her rationality and do something extreme.”
Gu Wan’er nodded silently, acknowledging the logic. “So what’s your plan for tonight?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle Fu Yangxue for you.”
With Yu Xiaoduo’s reassurance, Gu Wan’er felt at ease. Then she added, “Oh, I forgot to tell you something. Your parents wanted to go back to your grandmother’s house this weekend, and I said no. Is that okay?”
“No problem. Not going was the right call.”
Gu Wan’er was relieved—at least he wouldn’t accuse her of sabotaging him again.
“By the way, what’s your actual situation now? I heard from Mr. Bai that your two cousins control the company, meaning you’re basically being sidelined.”
Gu Wan’er’s heart tightened. So even Mr. Bai knew about that? What a terrifying woman.
“Yeah… it’s really tricky,” Gu Wan’er sighed.
