BXBX NOVEL Chapter 131 - 131: Family Matters
Starry Night Restaurant was perched atop the mountain, offering a splendid vantage point to witness the sunrise.
Upon Bo Yi and Fang Yuan’s arrival, the sun had already climbed halfway into the sky. Its warm rays bathed the horizon, rendering it a breathtaking tableau reminiscent of an oil painting.
“It’s a bit late,” Bo Yi remarked, embracing Fang Yuan. “We should arrive earlier next time.”
Fang Yuan agreed, gazing at the picturesque panorama before her. “Nevertheless, this is truly enchanting.”
Previously, her hectic life had left her little time to appreciate the wonders of nature. Now, standing in this spot, her eyes and soul found profound contentment.
Bo Yi, admiring the radiant glow on her face in the morning light, chuckled. “Indeed, it’s a sight to behold. Almost seems impolite not to kiss you.”
The restaurant manager, witnessing their affectionate morning kiss, couldn’t believe his eyes. What was happening? They had merely held hands during their last visit, and now they were sharing a kiss?
After their lingering kiss, Bo Yi peered into Fang Yuan’s eyes and spoke tenderly, “Remember, you can always confide in me, whether you’re happy or unhappy. I’m here to listen.”
Fang Yuan raised her head and met his sincere gaze.
“Don’t carry it all alone, okay?”
Fang Yuan had always been reticent about her feelings, whether positive or negative. Even with Tang Nan and the others, she had seldom opened up.
Gazing into Bo Yi’s caring and earnest eyes, she nodded. “Yes, I’ll give it a try.” He gently stroked her face and smiled lovingly. “Now, let’s go have breakfast.” Following breakfast, Fang Yuan proceeded to her workplace. While perusing a stack of reports, she pondered the hidden secrets Zhao Quan might still have concealed.
“President Fang, Designer Gu is requesting your presence!” Wang Ning’s voice called from outside the door.
“Please, come in,” Fang Yuan said, allowing Gu Panpan to enter.
When Gu Panpan walked in, her eyes still held traces of tears.
“Good morning, President Fang. Here’s my new autumn design,” Gu Panpan respectfully handed the design draft to Fang Yuan, managing a strained smile. “Director Zhou asked me to deliver it to you and mentioned how incredible a designer you are…”
Fang Yuan noticed Gu Panpan’s reddened eyes. “You’ve been crying?”
Gu Panpan shook her head, but the emotions she had been suppressing overwhelmed her, and she started sobbing softly.
“Take a seat and collect yourself,” Fang Yuan said, not pressuring her with questions. She offered a tissue and waited for Gu Panpan to express herself.
Gu Panpan’s tears fell one by one. There were moments when she tried to be strong and hold back, but her emotions got the better of her, causing her to break down repeatedly.
Wang Ning, outside the door, was unaware of what had occurred and shook his head at Fang Yuan, sending her a WeChat message.
[President Fang, I have no idea what’s wrong with Designer Gu. Should 1 inquire?]
Fang Yuan replied: [No need.]
As Gu Panpan neared the end of her crying, Fang Yuan poured a glass of water for her and placed it in front of her. “Take a sip.”
“President Fang…” Gu Panpan didn’t anticipate such kindness from someone unrelated to her by blood. It reminded her of her family, and her eyes welled up with tears once more.
Seeing her cry again, Fang Yuan asked calmly, “Is this related to work?”
Gu Panpan shook her head.
“Family affairrs?”
Gu Panpan nodded.
Fang Yuan now grasped the situation, realizing the profound pain that only family could inflict.
“I…” Gu Panpan paused, struggling to find the words. “Today marks the anniversary of my father’s passing… But they have gone too far. They desecrated my father’s tombstone by littering on it. If I hadn’t visited today, I would never have known the extent of their disrespect.”
As Gu Panpan recounted this, her voice quivered, and she broke into tears once more. She had wished to keep her personal emotions separate from her work, but the image of her father’s tomb surrounded by trash filled her with anger and sorrow.
“I haven’t had the heart to tell my mother about it…” Gu Panpan’s tears flowed freely, cutting short her sentence.
Fang Yuan patiently waited for her to compose herself and inquired, “Was it a family member who did this?”
“Yes,” Gu Panpan replied through sobs, her heart heavy with the cruelty of her relatives.
“Interestingly, my family also operates a clothing company,” Gu Panpan shared after wiping her tears. “My grandfather founded it, and after his passing, my father took charge. A few years ago, my father tragically died in a car accident…”
Her voice choked with emotion as she continued, “My uncle claimed that my mother and 1 were ignorant about managing the company, so he seized control of it. He even found ways to diminish our holdings and eventually forced us out.”
Gu Panpan sobbed, “My mother used to own several properties, but they’ve all been taken away…”
A hint of surprise and concern crept into Fang Yuan’s voice as she inquired softly, “Haven’t your other relatives stepped in to help?”