A hundred flavors of life

Chapter 1466 Gu Xiaojiao Grits Her Teeth! (Please Subscribe!)

After staying at her best friend's house for a few days, Gu Xiaojiao felt like she had an epiphany. She thought that if a man could be relied on, pigs would fly. She had sacrificed so much, but that bastard didn't react at all. He didn't even bother to make a move!

The next day, she started getting dressed up. Her best friend, Tao Honghong, saw her like this and asked in surprise:

"Has she finally come to her senses and is planning to become a rich housewife?"

Gu Xiaojiao said irritably, "What do you mean by being a rich wife? I've made up my mind. I'm going to work, I'm going to work hard, I'm going to earn money on my own and buy my own house!"

Tao Honghong laughed and said, "That's going to be a long wait. But if you can earn 20 million from the commission on selling jewelry, how much do you think I, as the store manager, would earn? Keep it up, sister!"

The two arrived at the jewelry store together, and Gu Xiaojiao noticed that the atmosphere inside had changed. Although it was too early and there were no customers yet, everyone seemed a bit cautious.

"Sister Hong, what's going on?"

As soon as she stood behind the counter, Gu Xiaojiao secretly asked Tao Honghong a question.

"The new boss has been inspecting the company's stores these past two days, and yesterday there was news that the boss was going to make some adjustments to the company's staff. They're probably afraid of losing their jobs!"

"But we're fine. We're so pretty, the shop needs us to be its face!"

Tao Honghong tossed her hair with her hand, looking completely confident.

Gu Xiaojiao found it amusing and whispered:
"You even said that others want to be the boss's wife? Judging from your smug look, I bet you're the one who wants to be the boss's wife!"

Peach-red eyes crinkled with a smile as she chuckled softly, "Is it really that obvious?"

The two stood inside the most prominent island counter in the jewelry store, chatting happily. The other saleswomen didn't object, since Tao Honghong was the store manager.

Just then, Tao Honghong's eyes changed, and her expression became somewhat tense:
"Oh no, Gu Xiaojiao, your high school classmate is here again!"

Gu Xiaojiao looked outside and immediately felt a pang of misery. Sure enough, she saw her college best friend, that bitch Xiaoya, getting out of a taxi and turning to walk towards her.

Sisters!

She quickly called out, "My slutty classmate is here again, using the same trick as last time. Everyone, please help me out! I'll treat you to Starbucks for lunch!"

The saleswomen around were tempted when they heard that Starbucks was available, but they all looked at Tao Honghong and waited for the store manager's approval.

Of course, Tao Honghong had to stand up for her best friend. She said to those around her:

"Why are you all looking at me? Don't you want coffee?!"

The saleswomen around her then laughed and said that there was no problem and they would definitely help Gu Xiaojiao perform the scene well.

Gu Xiaojiao quickly took off her uniform, revealing a stylish silk blouse underneath. She then tidied her hair, looked in the mirror, and, finding everything to be okay, looked outside.

Xiaoya came with a bad attitude, radiating low pressure and negative energy. As Gu Xiaojiao got closer, she noticed that her college best friend, who had been radiant just a few days ago, was quite different.

Xiaoya originally had very well-maintained skin, and with her exquisite makeup and luxurious outfit, she looked like a wealthy socialite.

But now Xiaoya's skin is dull, and she has dark circles under her eyes. She looks extremely haggard, as if she has experienced some kind of blow.

The moment she entered, her gaze was fixed on Gu Xiaojiao.

Gu Xiaojiao warmly greeted them:
"Oh, Xiaoya, I heard you've come looking for me several times. I'm so sorry, I was on a business trip a couple of days ago, attending a jewelry exhibition in South Korea."

Xiaoya's eyes were bloodshot as she angrily shouted:
"Gu Xiaojiao, where's your husband? Tell him to come out, I want to settle accounts with him!"

When she said that, the other saleswomen all looked on with amusement. They knew that Gu Xiaojiao was pretending to be the boss's wife in front of the other party. They originally thought that the 'boss' was fictitious, but now they saw that Xiaojiao really had a boyfriend!

Gu Xiaojiao quickly said, "Calm down, why are you trying to settle scores with my husband? He didn't do anything to you!"

"Nothing's happened yet?"

Xiaoya was furious:

"Because of your husband's nonsense, he now wants a divorce. He also said I committed marriage fraud, that I should leave with nothing, and that if I don't agree, he'll sue me in court."

She screamed somewhat hysterically:

"Gu Xiaojiao, I'm giving you one last chance. Call your husband out right now and have him explain things to him, or give me an explanation. Otherwise, I'm not done with you!"

Gu Xiaojiao hadn't expected things to be so serious, but thinking about the backstabbing things her college best friend had done to her, she felt a surge of satisfaction.

But he couldn't show it on his face, so he could only explain:
"Xiaoya, calm down. What do you want my husband to explain?"

"If my husband is really talking nonsense, then not only you, but I won't let him get away with it either. What right does he have to talk about my best friend like that, right?"

"But think about it carefully, he wasn't lying. You have indeed had several abortions!"

"Although there are some discrepancies in the number of times, the difference isn't significant. Besides, it's already quite remarkable that a traditional Chinese medicine doctor could diagnose this by just looking at the patient and not taking their pulse!"

The saleswomen, led by Tao Honghong, are thoroughly enjoying this drama, finding it even more satisfying than watching several episodes of a TV series. This kind of sisterly feud is like a movie come to life!

Xiaoya pointed at Gu Xiaojiao: "Xiaojiao, fine, you want to break ties with me, huh? Yes, I've had an abortion, but what about you?"

Seeing that the pretense had been broken, Gu Xiaojiao was not intimidated at all and immediately straightened her back:
"What did I do? I've done nothing wrong. I just borrowed your bag a couple of times, what's the big deal? What girl isn't vain and loves to look good? I even treated you to several meals because of it. On the contrary, you disregarded our sisterly bond, telling everyone about me borrowing your bag and even trying to steal my boyfriend. I have a clear conscience towards you, but you might not feel the same way."

"what"

Xiaoya screamed:
"Fine, so you want to play this game? Then don't blame me. I've already investigated you these past two days. You're not the owner of a jewelry store at all; you're just a saleswoman in this store. What are you pretending for? You're thirty-one and still not married, just trying to sell yourself for a good price. 2003, I wasn't wrong."

Although Gu Xiaojiao had already communicated with her colleagues and they all knew that she wanted to buy back her own property, she still found it hard to accept that Xiaoya had exposed her in public, and her face turned pale instantly.

Everything she carefully concealed from her bitch best friend was still discovered by the other woman.

Gu Xiaojiao could even imagine what kind of nasty things would be said about her in her university class group chat soon!

But just then, a voice suddenly appeared at the shop entrance:

"What's wrong? Can't you talk things out?"

Gu Xiaojiao and Xiaoya subconsciously looked towards the door and saw Hua Shier, dressed in a casual suit, standing there with a smile on his face.

Seeing them looking over, Hua Shier waved the chocolate cake in her hand and smiled at Gu Xiaojiao:

"I just happened to be passing by and remembered that you love this, so I brought it over especially for you!"

When Xiaoya saw Hua Shier, she pointed at him, about to explode, when she heard the saleswomen in the store say in unison:

"Hi boss!"

Hua Shier waved his hand: "You guys do your thing, we need to talk about something!"

Xiaoya asked in surprise, "Are you really the owner of this place?"

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Gu Xiaojiao turned around and mouthed to Tao Honghong:

"Girl, you're a true friend!"

Tao Honghong had a strange expression. She opened her mouth and then gave a slightly unnatural smile.

Hua Shier said to Xiaoya:

"I told you the truth about what happened last time. I apologize if it caused you any inconvenience. But if you try to be unreasonable and keep harassing my wife, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Xiaoya originally wanted to pounce on Huahua Twelve and scratch her face, but when the other party spoke, a faint pressure emanated from him, just like being scolded by the head teacher in elementary school, as if she had met her nemesis. She didn't dare breathe, stunned and speechless.

Hua Shier waved his hand: "Let's go. Don't come here to cause trouble again. I'm not always this easy to talk to!"

"oh oh."

Xiaoya hurriedly walked out, but after leaving the store and walking a distance, she realized that her reaction was not right.

He wanted to turn back and demand an explanation, but the thought of how he felt earlier made him hesitant, so he could only leave helplessly in the end.

After all, if the other party is really that rich, she can't afford to offend them now.

Once Xiaoya left, Gu Xiaojiao finally relaxed and turned to smile, saying, "Sisters, you guys reacted quickly and are so loyal! I meant Starbucks at noon!"

None of the saleswomen said a word; they all flashed standard eight-tooth smiles.

Gu Xiaojiao was a little puzzled: "Still acting? Oh, I see."

She suddenly realized, "Is it because this guy is good-looking that you're all pretending to be ladies?"

Gu Xiaojiao announced with a smile, "Forget about him, he's already taken!"

Hua Shier's face twitched. "You're the one who's a dog's tail flower!"

Although the group of saleswomen, led by Tao Honghong, had strange expressions, their eight-tooth smiles remained unchanged.

Hua Shier Chao Gu Xiaojiao said, "Do you have time now? Would you like to have some cake together?"

As he spoke, he shook the five-tiered chocolate cake in his hand again.

Gu Xiaojiao then realized that the chocolate cake in Hua Shier's hand was a cake displayed in the window of her favorite coffee shop.

Because there was a bus stop next to that coffee shop, she could see the cake in the shop window every time she waited for the bus after get off work. However, the price of six hundred yuan always made her hesitate to buy it. She never expected that Hua Shier would actually deliver the cake she had been longing for to her today.

Gu Xiaojiao didn't believe that Hua Shier knew she was craving the cake. She could only believe that it was fate, a meeting of minds.

At this moment, her heart was filled with sweetness, and the resentment she had felt towards Hua Shier for not calling her these past few days vanished instantly.

"Why did you buy this? It's so expensive!"

Although Gu Xiaojiao complained, she smiled sweetly. The saleswomen around her, including Tao Honghong, who were also smiling, were all thinking to themselves, "This damn stench of love!"
"If you like it, that's fine. Do you have time? Let's take it down together."

Gu Xiaojiao was more than willing, but still looked hesitant: "Right now, I'm at work."

Just then, Tao Honghong spoke up, "It's alright, Xiao Jiao, don't worry, I'll give you half a day off, is that enough?"

He looked at Hua Shier when he said the last sentence.

Gu Xiaojiao exclaimed happily, "Sister Hong, I love you to death!"

Saying that, he grabbed Hua Shier and left!
Once outside the store, her face flushed, she asked, "Where are we going?"

Hua Shier pulled her hand and walked to the roadside. A Rolls-Royce Phantom drove up, and Gu Xiaojiao complained:

"You didn't rent a car again, did you? How can you be so wasteful? This car is so expensive!"

Hua Shier smiled and said, "I've booked a good restaurant. Let's go, I'll treat you to dinner!"

Seeing this, Gu Xiaojiao wasn't disappointed and happily got into the car.

In a French restaurant in Shanghai, Gu Xiaojiao sat down and looked around with some surprise:

"This shop is so famous, why is there no one here today?"

"It might not be lunchtime yet. Come on, let's have some cake first, and then we'll order!"

Hua Shier opened the cake, and Gu Xiaojiao picked up a knife to cut it. At this moment, Hua Shier stopped her and said, "Wait a minute." He then took out two candles with the numbers 1 and 8 on them, stuck them on the cake, and lit them with a lighter.

Then, to Gu Xiaojiao's astonishment, he snapped his fingers, and in the next instant, several musicians appeared around and began playing the birthday song.

Happy birthday, Gu Xiaojiao!

Gu Xiaojiao's eyes welled up with tears. Ever since she became an orphan at the age of twelve, no one had remembered her birthday. Gradually, she stopped caring about it. In this moment, she felt that giving up her long-held wish to buy back that home for the man in front of her was all worth it.

She was both crying and laughing, not tears of joy, but a release from being enveloped in warmth:
"How did you know it was my birthday today? Don't tell me you saw my ID card. The date on my ID card is inaccurate; it's one day different from my birthday!"

Hua Shier smiled and winked: "Does that matter?"

Gu Xiaojiao couldn't stop crying and laughing: "How can it be 18? I'm already 31!"

Hua Shier held her hand:
"This is how I see you. Of course, in my own name, I also wish you eternal youth, and may you stay eighteen forever!"

"Hate!"

Gu Xiaojiao got up, walked around the dining table, and threw herself into Hua Shier's arms, kissing him passionately.

The musicians around him all had smiles on their faces, and seeing this, they played even more joyfully.

This meal was the happiest Gu Xiaojiao had eaten since she turned twelve. She felt that after losing her parents, she had finally found her own happiness.

She no longer felt an urgent need to buy back her old home, because she felt that she would have her own family someday.

After finishing her meal, Gu Xiaojiao glanced at her watch and suddenly exclaimed:
"Oh no, I promised to buy my colleague coffee!"

Hua Shier laughed and said, "It's not too late to make it later. Good things come to those who wait!"

"You think you're so eloquent!"

The two seem to be developing feelings for each other.

"Then it's time to go!"

Although she was reluctant to leave, Gu Xiaojiao still had to go back to work.

Just as he was about to get up, Hua Shier took out a file folder:

"This is my birthday present for you. Don't look at it now; open it when we get back!"

Gu Xiaojiao happily accepted it: "Alright, let's see what tricks you're up to!"

The two left the restaurant and got into the Phantom. Gu Xiaojiao was still wondering:
"This restaurant has good food, how come there isn't a single customer even at mealtime? If it's like this, it won't stay open for long."

Hua Shier smiled but didn't say anything. He escorted Gu Xiaojiao to the jewelry store and waited for her to get out of the car before waving goodbye.

Gu Xiaojiao, carrying a file folder, walked into the jewelry store with a happy expression. Just as she was about to say thank you, she saw her sisters, each holding a cup of coffee. Tao Honghong smiled and said:
"Xiao Jiao, thank you for treating me to Starbucks!"

"I paid for it?"

Gu Xiaojiao was slightly taken aback, but then she suddenly understood and beamed with joy:

"He must have ordered the coffee behind my back. It's okay, thanks everyone for playing along!"

Tao Honghong said speechlessly, "You're still pretending, are you? Do you want me to call you 'boss lady'?"

Gu Xiaojiao came over and took Tao Honghong's hand: "Alright, Xiaoya isn't here anymore, we don't need to act anymore!"

Tao Honghong took out her phone, logged into the company website, and showed it directly to Gu Xiaojiao, saying with a mix of amusement and exasperation:

"I think you're the one putting on an act. How long are you going to keep this up?!"

Gu Xiaojiao took the phone with a puzzled look and looked down. In the most prominent position on the company's homepage was a clear photo.

The man in the photo is wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit and is inspecting the work of the Lujiazui branch. That face, those eyes, that half-smile expression, who else could it be but Hua Shier?

The headline was so eye-catching it was almost jarring: "The Group's New Chairman, Mr. Hua Shier, Inspects Branch Operations, Emphasizing Brand Upgrading and Service Innovation."

Gu Xiaojiao stared at the screen, her eyes unblinking: "Chairman?"

The scenes of her time with Hua Shier instantly connected in her mind, and many questions suddenly became clear. For example, the restaurant at noon was empty except for them; it must have been booked out by this guy.

Gu Xiaojiao's face showed a look of surprise and realization:
"Damn it, Twelve's the new boss? I'm in for it!"

Thinking of something, she quickly took out the file bag that Hua Shier had given her to see what birthday gift was inside. When she opened it, she was surprised to find that it was the property certificate for her family's villa.

At this moment, the mysterious boss whose face she couldn't see also materialized in her mind. Gu Xiaojiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but she was mostly happy.

She thought about how she had been fooled for days, had to struggle internally, and had to do all that mental preparation. Most importantly, there was the day she had offered to bring him food after drinking.
Gu Xiaojiao was a little embarrassed and complained through gritted teeth:
"Hua Twelve, you filthy bastard, no matter how rich you are, you're still a scoundrel!"

Thank you to 08a and Little Tiger of the Demon Realm for the donations, and thank you to all the brothers who voted with monthly tickets and recommendation tickets. Thank you so much!