‘Did you get a loan?’ Gu Jiao Wu asked.
Gu Jiao Wu received news Qiao Tan Yuan would rather risk Qiao’s company shares than come to him for help.
‘Why?’ Gu Jiao Wu asked.
‘Why not?’ Qiao Tan Yuan asked coldly. ‘Taking loans for new ventures is a common business transaction.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Gu Jiao Wu asked.
It didn’t matter how much Qiao Tan Yuan needed, whether one million or one billion dollars, Gu Jiao Wu would find the money for her. But she refused to ask for his help.
‘Mr Gu,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. She pulled her arm out of Gu Jiao Wu’s hold, and took a step back. ‘We’re divorced. Why do I need to tell you about my business?’
Gu Jiao Wu sensed Qiao Tan Yuan’s attitude toward him was different than the last time he visited her and Xiao Bao. Although she didn’t want to see him, she didn’t treat him coldly like he was a stranger. He hated seeing her distance herself from him.
‘What happened?’ Gu Jiao Wu asked.
Gu Jiao Wu wanted to know why Qiao Tan Yuan suddenly treated him like a stranger.
‘I told you, my business has nothing to do with you,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
Qiao Tan Yuan loved Gu Jiao Wu, but she wasn’t going to let him use her as a baby maker machine. She wouldn’t let him hurt her again, and take her daughter to give to another woman. She didn’t respect herself enough, but she wasn’t an imbecile. The Gu Jiao Wu standing in front of her wasn’t worthy of her love. She would be an imbecile to let him stay close to her, and hurt her again.
‘I can help you,’ Gu Jiao Wu said.
Gu Jiao Wu was certain something happened. Why else would Qiao Tan Yuan treat him differently than usual.
‘Thank you for the offer but I don’t need your help,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
‘It’s not in your best interest to keep being stubborn and reckless,’ Gu Jiao Wu said.
‘You don’t have to worry,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. ‘Zheng Quan’s company isn’t established in the market place. But I’m confident their products will sell, and be a profitable investment for Qiao’s company.’
Even if Qiao Tan Yuan thought there was a fifty per cent chance Zheng Quan’s company would prosper, but she would act one hundred percent confident in front of Gu Jiao Wu so he couldn’t look down on her.
‘Big sister is right,’ Qiao Jie said.
Qiao Jie heard Gu Jiao Wu’s voice, and walked into Qiao Tan Yuan’s office.
‘Mr Gu, thank you for taking an interest in Qiao’s company,’ Qiao Jie said. ‘Like big sister said, we made a good investment.’
Gu Jiao Wu only looked at Qiao Tan Yuan. ‘Qiao Tan Yuan, can we talk privately?’
‘I have nothing to say to you,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. ‘Gu Jiao Wu, we’re divorced. In the future you and I should live our own separate lives. I hope you won’t come to see me anymore. Xiao Bao, is my daughter and I won’t give her to anyone, including you.’
Qiao Tan Yuan hated Gu Jiao Wu toying with her while he was with another woman. She thought at least the cold hearted Gu Jiao Wu was better than the AH Gu Jiao Wu standing on two boats.
Gu Jiao Wu saw how much Qiao Tan Yuan hated him before she walked out of her office. He chased after her to get her to tell him what happened to make her hate him. But Qiao Jie stood in his way.
‘Gu Jiao Wu, you heard big sister,’ Qiao Jie said. ‘She wants to move on with her life. You should do the same, and stay away from her.’
Gu Jiao Wu was surprised at Qiao Jie’s disrespectful tone of voice. He watched Qiao Jie disappear with Qiao Tan Yuan. He didn’t know what he did to deserve their hate. His phone rang, and distracted his thoughts.
‘Um, I’ll be there soon,’ Gu Jiao Wu said.
In the evening, Qiao Tan Yuan returned home, and breast fed Xiao Bao. She stroked Xiao Bao’s face that looked exactly like Gu Jiao Wu. It made her scared Gu Jiao Wu would do anything to get Xiao Bao.
Qiao Tan Yuan reminded herself she didn’t need to be scared of Gu Jiao Wu. As long as she didn’t let him near her, and give him an opportunity to hurt her again.
‘Xiao Bao, you’re mummy’s little treasure,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. ‘Mummy is going to protect you, and not let anyone harm you.’
Qiao Tan Yuan silently cursed the AH Gu Jiao Wu. If he had Chu Da then he should stay away from her. In her eyes, he was a stranger.
The following morning at nine, a press conference was held in the lobby of Qiao’s company’s headquarters.
Qiao Tan Yuan wore a sky blue dress under a black jacket at the press conference. A hair stylist braided her long hair, and left hair strands on the side of her cheeks.
Qiao Tan Yuan saw Qiao Jie and Quan Zheng Hao walked into the lobby. Qiao Jie looked taller than usual in a white suit, and Quan Zheng Huo wore a black suit confidently.
‘Hello Executive Qiao,’ Quan Zheng Hao greeted.
Qiao Tan Yuan didn’t shake Quan Zheng Hao’s offered hand. She nodded her head politely, and looked at Qiao Jie.
‘Qiao Jie, go see if Manager Li of the PR Department has prepared everything,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
‘Yes big sister,’ Qiao Jie said and went to look for Manager Li.
‘Mr Quan, I don’t know why you targeted Qiao’s company,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. ‘But since we have a work contract, I hope your company’s employees will work diligently to make quality and profitable products. Otherwise I’ll show you what happens if you mess with Qiao’s company.’
‘Executive Qiao, your harsh words have injured my heart,’ Quan Zheng Hao said. He looked up and down Qiao Tan Yuan’s body. She looked beautiful in the blue dress. ‘I wanted to collaborate with Qiao’s company, and to have a profitable working relationship. Why else would I choose Qiao’s company?’
‘That’s your business,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. She wasn’t gullible like Qiao Jie. ‘I only want to know about profits and losses.’
Quan Zheng Hao could see Qiao Tan Yuan didn’t trust him. He stepped closer to her, and sniffed her.
‘Executive Qiao, you’re the definition of a beautiful rose,’ Quan Zheng Hao said. ‘Your beauty attracts men to you, but they’re scared to get too close because of the thorns on your body.’
‘Mr Quan, you’re the definition of a carnivorous flower,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
Quan Zheng Hao laughed, and wrapped an arm around Qiao Tan Yuan’s waist.
‘Executive Qiao, I’m interested in you,’ Quan Zheng Hao said. ‘Let’s go to dinner together after the press conference.’
Qiao Tan Yuan looked at Quan Zheng Hao’s arrogant face, and patted his neck.
‘Mr Quan, if you want to eat human flesh, go find another human to eat,’ Qiao Tan Yuan warned. ‘I’m not edible, one bite and you’ll be choked to death.’
Qiao Tan Yuan’s soothing warning words floated into Quan Zheng Hao’s ears. But he was focused on her gentle breath, and sweet body scent. He held her waist tighter and smiled.
‘I’m not scared of choking to death,’ Quan Zheng Hao whispered in Qiao Tan Yuan’s ear. ‘Especially being choked to death by a beautiful rose.’
Qiao Tan Yuan thought Quan Zheng Hao’s smooth voice sounded like a TV host’s voice. Suddenly Quan Zheng Hao spun her around to stand behind Quan Zheng Hao, and she saw Gu Jiao Wu stood in front of them. Gu Jiao Wu also wore a black suit, she admitted Gu Jiao Wu always looked tall and handsome in a suit.
Gu Jiao Wu glared at Quan Zheng Hao who was holding onto Qiao Tan Yuan’s waist, and he fisted his hands.
Qiao Tan Yuan wanted to move out of Quan Zheng Hao’s hold, but Quan Zheng Hao refused to let go of her waist. She glared at Quan Zheng Hao, and he smiled in return.
Gu Jiao Wu thought Qiao Tan Yuan and Quan Zheng Hao were exchanging loving glances, and made his heart uncomfortable.
Miss Chen entered the lobby, and saw Qiao Tan Yuan’s predicament.
‘Executive Qiao, it’s almost time to start the press conference,’ Miss Chen said.
‘Um,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.
Qiao Tan Yuan’s waist was freed, and she followed Miss Chen.
Gu Jiao Wu grabbed Qiao Tan Yuan’s arm. ‘Who is he?’
Qiao Tan Yuan didn’t understand why Gu Jiao Wu sounded jealous. What was there for him to be jealous about? Her life was none of his business.
‘It has nothing to do with you,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said. She smiled, freed her arm and looked at Gu Jiao Wu as if he was a stranger. ‘Mr Gu, this is Qiao’s company not Gu’s company.’
End of Chapter Fifty-Nine