Chapter 246: I Know You’re Young, But Still, Have a Little Restraint

"A husband-and-wife team. It’ll make it easier for us to get in. Don’t you agree?" He raised an eyebrow, then added with a lazy nonchalance, "It’s too late for you to disagree now anyway."

"..." ’Why wouldn’t I go?’

’The money’s already been spent. If I decide not to go with Lu Shijing now, I’d probably just be throwing more money away on some unscrupulous vendor.’

’It’s better to just make do and go together.’

Lu Shijing said, "I’ve scheduled a dinner meeting for tomorrow. I originally suggested the morning, but the manager said that a more senior director would only be back in the evening. So, I agreed to meet at night."

Gu Shengsheng nodded. ’If we’re going to meet them, we might as well get them all in one go.’

"I’m just worried about Yu Xi. She’s all alone, and I don’t know if she’ll do something reckless."

Lu Shijing said, "You’ve always been her idol. She’ll probably be thinking she should handle things the way you would. You don’t need to worry."

After he said that, Gu Shengsheng nodded and said, "Let’s hope so."

’But as long as we can confirm she’s okay, that’s what matters. Even if something did happen, like a kidnapping, they would probably contact Chen Yufan or Mr. Chen for the ransom.’

’So, tomorrow night should be enough time.’

Once they were done talking, Gu Shengsheng looked at Lu Shijing, who was sitting there looking perfectly composed, and said, "We’ve said all that needs to be said. I think it’s time for you to go to your own room and rest, Mr. Lu. Good night. See yourself out."

Lu Shijing glanced at the room number, then at the reservation on his phone. "Shengsheng, this is my room."

"Of course, since we’re still husband and wife, it wouldn’t be a big deal if you stayed and spent the night with me."

Gu Shengsheng, who had been feeling perfectly justified a moment ago, saw that her own room was next door and instantly deflated like a popped balloon.

She was so embarrassed she could have died, her toes curling inside her shoes. With a soft cough, she quickly walked out, shut Lu Shijing’s door, and broke into a run.

’Seriously... This is the first time I’ve ever done something so humiliating.’

Gu Shengsheng tried to calm herself down. It was already late. Once she got back to her own room, she quickly fell asleep.

The next day, she was in a video conference with Zhao Dehai and his team, discussing Pei Zuo’s voluntary donation of the cultural artifacts.

The sudden appearance of these precious artifacts had left everyone in Beijing City so stunned they were at a loss for words.

The story immediately made national and even international news.

You see, most of these Huaxian artifacts were known to have genuinely existed. Their existence had been verified in historical texts like the *Records of the Grand Historian* and the *Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government*, as well as in imperial daily records and other documents.

But modern people had never actually seen them in person.

How could their appearance in such large numbers not be a shock?

The more they thought about it, the more incredible it seemed.

’How can such a complex affair seem as simple as breathing in these people’s eyes?’

Zhao Dehai was discussing the matter with Gu Shengsheng, a large group of experts standing behind him, waiting to verify the artifacts’ authenticity. They were all skeptical, waiting to hear what Gu Shengsheng had to say during the video call...

As a result, the meeting was very long, lasting until dusk.

Gu Shengsheng heard a knock on the door and figured it was the hotel cleaning staff.

She called out, "The door is unlocked, come on in."

Who would have thought it was Lu Shijing, walking toward her in a loosely tied bathrobe, rubbing his hair with a towel. "Where’s the hairdryer?" he asked.

This very familiar and natural-looking scene was witnessed by all the prim and proper old experts on the other end of the call.

Gu Shengsheng scrambled to cover her camera.

She said, "It’s in my room, go get it yourself."

Recalling the looks on those old-timers’ faces, she was speechless. ’I can’t imagine what they’re thinking.’

’Every single one of them was looking at me with such benevolent expressions.’

The more they looked at her that way, the more awkward she felt. "From now on, remember to knock before you come in," she said.

"Don’t act like some kind of... delinquent house-husband. You’ll give people... the wrong idea," she said, her face grim.

Lu Shijing: ???

He was confused at first, but when he saw Gu Shengsheng’s ears turning red, he was suddenly overcome with the desire to tease her.

Hairdryer in hand, his hair still dripping,

he approached her step by step. "Shengsheng."

"What exactly do you find... improper?"

"Hm?"

Gu Shengsheng: "..." She immediately shoved him away!

She shoved him back, and seeing his wary expression, pushed him right out of the room and locked the door.

But the scent of his shampoo and body wash still lingered in the room.

Gu Shengsheng cranked up the air conditioning.

Then she sat back down and unmuted her video feed.

"Sorry, a small matter came up. Let’s continue." Gu Shengsheng’s expression was completely professional.

But every person on the call was looking at her with a knowing expression.

Zhao Dehai was the first to speak. "Our business here isn’t urgent, we old folks can wait. Your personal affairs are more important."

"Ah, Shengsheng. You and Shi Jing really are a good match."

"But you should still practice some self-control. You’re young, we understand."

"That’s right, don’t get divorced. Just stay together. You two are so well-suited. We were always thinking about which of our sons or grandsons to introduce you to, but seeing this, Shi Jing really is the best fit."

"After all, Mr. Lu is a very prominent figure in Huaxia these days."

Gu Shengsheng: "...Can we please get back to the matter at hand?"

Zhao Dehai said earnestly, "Right now, you *are* the most important matter!"

Gu Shengsheng was speechless. There was no way to continue the meeting now. She had no idea when this mess would ever end.

She simply ended the video call. It was almost six o’clock, the time she was scheduled to meet with the Rui City Foundation.

She needed to get Lu Shijing so they could leave.

Gu Shengsheng first sent a message telling Lu Shijing to get ready. Then, she applied some simple makeup and changed into an outfit suitable for a wealthy woman. After putting on a set of jadeite jewelry, she looked the part of a woman living a life of simple, abundant wealth.

She was wearing an elegant black suit. Just as she finished, Lu Shijing came over and stood beside her.

He, as always, was dressed in a well-tailored bespoke suit. Standing together, they looked undeniably well-matched.

Lu Shijing smiled. "Did you intentionally dress to match me today, dear wife?"

"Who’s your ’dear wife’?" Gu Shengsheng shot him a look that could kill.

"This is for the role."

Lu Shijing nodded, a smile in his eyes. "Right."

He extended his arm for her to take. "Come on."

"From now on, we’re just an ordinary married couple from Beijing City visiting Rui City."

"Mrs. Lu."

Gu Shengsheng reluctantly took his arm.

For once, Lu Shijing was the one smiling, while Gu Shengsheng put on a cold expression.

She glanced at Lu Shijing and said, "Later, we’ll need to coordinate with each other. I’m curious to see what this manager of theirs is like."

"Mm. The meeting is at the Rui City Restaurant. I suspect they’re planning ’special’ entertainment for us."

Gu Shengsheng was a little surprised. She had heard of the Rui City Restaurant—it was a place where many people went to "have fun."

It was a long-term haunt for the wealthy seeking entertainment.

’This is getting interesting. If they were truly legitimate, why would they arrange a business meeting here?’

Gu Shengsheng wasn’t buying it.

She found herself actually looking forward to the meeting. After all, she was curious to see just what kind of scum they were dealing with.