Chapter 205 - Better Than Her?
Chapter 205: Better Than Her?
“Gu Xiqiao,” Baili Bin didn’t answer her, but instead directed his attention toward Gu Xiqiao. She was looking at Fu Xuejun. “Hello.”
Fu Xuejun was surprised, she didn’t expect Gu Xiqiao to react this way. “Hello, Miss Gu.” She glanced at the clothes that Gu Xiqiao was wearing, and smiled as she continued, “I just came back from abroad, so I don’t really understand the culture in the capital yet. Miss Gu, are you also from the capital?”
“No,” Gu Xiqiao replied easily, her expression indifferent and cold, but her tone not giving any impression that she was being impolite.
Fu Xuejun’s heart beat harder in her chest at the answer. “Then, you’re still a student, Miss Gu? Is your family alright with you coming to the capital alone?”
Gu Xiqiao’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I don’t have any family.”
“Is… Is that so.” Fu Xuejun’s heart froze, feeling a chill from the smile on Gu Xiqiao’s face. But when she looked again, her face had cleared up, leaving only the gentle, indifferent expression on her face. “I’m sorry.”
While they talked, her gaze was fixated on Gu Xiqiao.
Beautiful.
Although she was only wearing ordinary sportswear, it did nothing to hide the beauty of her face. Even as a girl herself, Fu Xuejun was unable to find any flaws in Gu Xiqiao, but she didn’t feel any jealousy in her heart at all.
Having good looks without anything great inside, that was something people called a flower vase.
In this era, flower vases would only be playthings to the aristocrats.
She had gone through the information that Wanqi Jue had given her. After reading it finished, relief had coursed through her. She had initially thought that with Baili Bin’s involvement, the girl must have some special existence. But in the end, she was just a girl that had been raised by a country woman? Compared to people like Fu Xuejun who had been receiving various kinds of education since their childhood, they were practically from different worlds.
Even if Baili Wenxi recognized her, she probably wouldn’t have any thoughts about it. She would naturally let her know the difference between Gu Xiqiao and their family when the time came.
She just couldn’t understand Baili Bin, leaving an upright cousin sister like her and not wanting anything to do with her, but instead wanting a wild type like Gu Xiqiao?
What benefit could someone like that give to the Baili family? Without the support of their Fu family, could the Baili family stand up against the Shi family?
He really couldn’t tell the good from bad!
Fu Xuejun’s eyes darkened at the thoughts that ran through her mind.
“It’s fine.” The expression on Gu Xiqiao’s face didn’t change at all. “I didn’t take it to heart.”
“That’s good.” Fu Xuejun didn’t bother continuing on that line of conversation, and instead said, “I still have a speech to give at A University. Mom, Cousin, Miss Gu, I’ll excuse myself to get ready first.”
She really didn’t understand why her mother had called her to come over here so early in the morning.
As she said those words, she paid attention to Gu Xiqiao’s expression, and as expected, the other looked like she was surprised.
Being able to give a speech as a new student in A University was already an honor.
Fu Xuejun was bored now with the interaction, she had expected to encounter a complicated and difficult person, but she didn’t expect the girl to be so low-key and boring. If she knew, she wouldn’t have bothered coming back in person.
Baili Wenxi finally came back to herself. From the time Fu Xuejun had raised the topic about the banquet in front of Baili Bin, she had already intended to teach her a lesson. But then this girl appeared in front of them suddenly, and Baili Wenxi fell into a trance, not bothered about Fu Xuejun at all.
When she said that she ‘had no family’, Baili Wenxi felt her heart ache. She continued to stare at Gu Xiqiao, and when the girl finally looked toward her, Baili Wenxi twisted the corner of her own clothes nervously.
She wasn’t this nervous, even when she had received an international award onstage on the first time.
When those clear eyes looked at her, she could see the brightness in them, like the stars shining in the dark night, and the blue skies that reflected in them.
Before Baili Wenxi could speak, she saw the girl straighten up, her eyes looking past her to something behind her. “Brother Jiang,” she said.
She didn’t know why, but a feeling shot through her, and she wasn’t sure whether it was disappointment or relief. Baili Wenxi followed her gaze and looked back, and she was met with a cold figure walking toward them. His steps were unhurried and stable, his head slightly lowered.
“Hm.” Jiang Shuxuan nodded, narrowing his cold eyes at Baili Bin, before turning toward Gu Xiqiao. “Why have you been here so long?” He had been waiting at the intersection for a long time, but she had not turned up.
“Uncle Tai went upstairs for a while.” Gu Xiqiao smiled. “I’m helping him to look after Brother Baili.”
“Brother Baili?” Jiang Shuxuan grabbed her hand and glanced at Baili Bin. “Does he still need you to look after him, how old is he now?” Was he some three year old that needed a nanny?
“Brother Jiang!” Gu Xiqiao chided lightly.
Jiang Shuxuan rubbed her head gently. “Go back and eat first.”
Baili Bin noticed that Jiang Shuxuan was still carrying two buns in his hand, and he immediately could imagine the other lining up at the shop to buy the food. “Qiao Qiao, why don’t you head back with Shuxuan to eat first.”
“Then, I’ll leave first.” Gu Xiqiao raised her head, seeing that Uncle Tai was already coming back toward them, she left with a peace of mind with Jiang Shuxuan.
The communication between the three of them were particularly harmonious, making it impossible for outsiders to join in. Fu Xuejun had been staring at Jiang Shuxuan the entire time, trying to contribute to the conversation, but she couldn’t’ find the chance at all. She could only watch the two leave in the end.
She was in a daze for a long time.
“Cousin, that person…” Fu Xuejun turned toward Baili Bin.
Baili Bin’s smile vanished the moment Gu Xiqiao left his sight. “Weren’t you heading back to get ready for your speech at A University?” Having said that, he turned away to exchange a few more words with Baili Wenxi, before Uncle Tai began to push him back.
He only came out every morning now with hopes that he would bump into Gu Xiqiao nowadays, after all.
And now that he already met her, there was no need to stay any longer.
Uncle Tai had respected the young mistress that was Baili Wenxi, but after hearing the words that Fu Xuejun had said, the impression of the entire family had gone down the drain, and he didn’t even bother saying anything before they left.
This entire family couldn’t even compare to Miss Gu.
Who do you think you are?
Fu Xuejun watched Baili Bin, but her heart was thinking about the other two who had just left. A flare of irritation well up in her, she had thought that someone like her wouldn’t be worthy of her attention, but Gu Xiqiao turned out to be really something else.
That man just now, it was obvious to see that he was a handsome man that was in a high position, but why would someone like him be together with that girl?
After being so thoroughly ignored once more, Fu Xuejun still didn’t feel frustrated about it, and her lips curved up into a smile.
Only one day after coming back and bumping into him twice, they really had some fate between them.
“Jun’er,” Baili Wenxi finally regained her bearings, turning her attention toward her daughter with stern eyes. “Why did you talk about those things to Bin’er just now?”
“Mommy, as soon as I came back, I heard that Shi Haixuan was going to marry into the Gu family, seeing Cousin as useless. Didn’t you say that his legs were better now? The Shi and Gu family are also still poking at the Baili family, I can’t bear to see Cousin treated like that!” (T/N: Just to clarify, this is not the same ‘Gu’ that is Gu Xiqiao’s family)
The explanation succeeded in slightly soothing the stern expression on Baili Wenxi’s face, but she still continued in a stern voice, “Jun’er, we still have things to consider in these matters. Next time, don’t talk to your cousin about this. He hasn’t had it easy for the past few years, do you understand?”
The year when the engagement was cancelled, the Baili family naturally understood the Shi family’s reasoning, but that didn’t mean that they forgave them for it. Especially during that time, it was a very serious blow dealt to Baili Bin.
And because of that, Baili Wenxi had a particularly bad impression of the Shi family.
When Fu Xuejun saw Baili Wenxi’s gentle expression once again, she knew that her mother had let go of the matter, and looped her arm around the older woman’s. “Let’s not talk about this anymore, I will apologize to Cousin next time I see him. Also Mom, I’ve decided that I will live here.”
“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to in the beginning, because there were too many people here?” Baili Wenxi was a little surprised at the sudden change of mind.
“You’re living here with Daddy, will you be able to rest assured if I were to live alone outside?” Fu Xuejun said, grinning brightly.
Before today, she didn’t want to live here at all. But after seeing that man today, she changed her mind instantly.
Not only that, she needed to have a good relationship with Baili Bin. She hadn’t wanted to bother in the past to cultivate this relationship with her cousin since it seemed like a wasted effort, but it seemed like Baili Bin wasn’t a lost cause after all, if he could have a close relationship with that girl just now.
Baili Wenxi shook her head as she laughed at Fu Xuejun’s words. “I initially had planned to have your dad find a housekeeper, but it looks like that’s not needed anymore. I’ll have someone bring your bags over later. The place is a bit small, and if you feel unused to it, you can still move out later on.”
Although in terms of tutoring she was very strict, Baili Wenxi spoiled Fu Xuejun in other matters. Fu Xuejun smiled again and said, “Thank you, Mommy. Then let’s go eat now, I have a speech today, will you be coming to watch?”
“I won’t go this time, you’ve riled Bin’er up just now, so I will visit him again after this,” Baili Wenxi said, shaking her head again.
“Alright.” Fu Xuejun didn’t push the issue and lowered her head instead. She knew that Baili Wenxi was not going to visit Baili Bin because of the reason that she had said, but was going to ask more about Gu Xiqiao.
That was fine.
No matter what happened in the end, a person like Gu Xiqiao who didn’t know anything would affect her at all.
***
After having her breakfast, Gu Xiqiao’s phone rang, and it turned out to be someone who hadn’t contacted her for quite a while, Xu Jing.
Xu Jing: Ahhhh, you came to school yesterday and you didn’t even tell me, Beauty Qiao!
Gu Xiqiao: I was afraid to disturb you.
Xu Jing: I’m surprised, you actually learned to make excuses. Will you still be able to ascend to heaven?
Gu Xiqiao: My logics stands shoulder to shoulder with the sun~
Xu Jing: … Are you trying to pick a fight with me?
Thinking for a while, she really hadn’t been back to class for a long time, and so she replied: I’ll go to school later, for class.
Xu Jing: Great! There’s going to be some event at ten, a speech by a top financial student. I’ll find you after I’m done with it, you’re not allowed to run off!
Xu Jing: I heard it’s some new student, a freshman from Stanford University. It sounds awesome, she has the looks and smarts. The school forum exploded with discussions the moment a notice was sent from the uni.
After Xu Jing sent that message, she was called away by the president of the journalism department. She was now a hot shot in the department, and the president would always take her to any big happenings. She was the only person in the entire university that could contact Gu Xiqiao and Luo Wenlang, after all.
“Student Luo?” When Xu Jing had reached the venue, there were already a lot of people gathered around. She noted that the first row seemed to consist of the head of departments, and it looked like the university placed a great importance on this one girl from Stanford University.
She didn’t expect to see Luo Wenlang here, however, and that was a real surprise!
Luo Wenlang turned his head, and he naturally remembered Xu Jing with his exceptional memory. Recalling that she was also Gu Xiqiao’s roommate, and had a good relationship with her, he flashed her a smile as he greeted her, “Good morning.”
“You’re also here?” Xu Jing naturally knew Luo Wenlang’s reputation in the Faculty of Economics and Management, but she didn’t expect that he would turn up for this.
“Just for a look see.” Luo Wenlang was also reluctant, he’d rather be back in Nine Heavens studying the arbitrage combinations that Gu Xiqiao had given to the group of analysts. As for Fu Xuejun’s international achievements, he didn’t think it was worth being called genius. You could take any plans from Nine Heavens and every single one would be far superior to whatever Fu Xuejun had done.
That was why he never intended to listen to this speech, but because the head of the management faculty had requested for his presence, he couldn’t deny it.
With the presence of the higher management of the Faculty of Economics and Management, coupled with Luo Wenlang’s appearance, the people who came to listen to the speech were chattering excitedly. This proved that the transfer student from Stanford University wasn’t just some commoner, and they were anticipating it even more.
At this moment, Fu Xuejun stepped onto the stage.
Seeing the crowded auditorium, her confidence didn’t falter a single bit.
From the heads sitting in the front row to the entire student body who was in the auditorium, every one of them couldn’t help but be impressed by her attitude.
Xu Jing held up her camera the entire time, until Fu Xuejun was finished with her speech before she finally put it down. Looking at the time, she rushed out in a hurry after.
When Fu Xuejun walked out of the lecture hall, everyone surrounded her, and there were many who were exclaiming and excited about her presence. There were even two more female students beside her.
“Student Fu, you’re awesome! A Stanford University student!” Both the girls couldn’t help but exclaim.
Fu Xuejun was used to these kinds of praises, so her expression didn’t change much. While listening with half a ear about the current school gossip from the two girls, she made her way toward the faculty building.
Until she saw a familiar figure.
She recognized her immediately, it was Gu Xiqiao. When she thought about it, the other should be a student here too.
“Do you both know her?” Fu Xuejun said, stopping suddenly, pointing at Gu Xiqiao. She was only asking out of curiosity, she didn’t expect the two to actually know her anyway.
Because she thought that Gu Xiqiao wouldn’t be someone who was well known.
Unexpectedly, the two girls froze suddenly, surprised coloring their faces as they exclaimed, “That’s Beauty Gu!”
“Beauty Gu?” Fu Xuejun pursed her lips, thinking it was a strange way to call somebody.
Seeing Fu Xuejun’s look, the two girls explained in detail to her. “You’ve just transferred here, Student Fu, so you wouldn’t know. Beauty Gu is our school’s pet! She’s awesome, she entered the school this year as the top ranker in the national finals, and she’s in the Faculty of Medicine. Only a freshman, but she’s been recruited by Professor Jiang into the national labs…”
“The research on cell fusion with Senior Zhu the last time, they managed to win the highest international award and the entire world was reporting about it. She’s definitely my idol, do you think I should go and ask for an autograph…”
The two girls kept chattering on, and their words echoed in Fu Xuejun’s ears. She had heard a familiar term, cell fusion.
“Isn’t cell fusion the latest topic for the international medical organizations?” She asked, a little doubtful.
Baili Wenxi had been searching for the latest medical advancement abroad, and right before they returned to China, she had inquired about the latest medical study by the international organization, cell fusion. The study had achieved various results and could be described as a research that was an impossible feat, and even a person who didn’t study medicine like her couldn’t help but acknowledge and admire it.
Now this girl was saying that Gu Xiqiao was involved in that research? How could that be possible?
“You may not know, Student Fu,” The girl was still explaining, a proud expression on her face, “But the patent belongs to Gu Xiqiao and Zhu Yuan. Initially when it was going to be first publicized in A University, the international medical organization didn’t believe it was anything big and thought it was just a waste of time, and sat on their arrogant a*s on their high horse, refusing to come for the reveal, and could only later see the reports later on. I’m sure they’re regretting it inside their hearts now!”
“I see,” Fu Xuejun replied with a forced smile on her face.
She recalled this morning, when she had bragged about giving a speech in A University in front of Gu Xiqiao. She had thought that the expression on Gu Xiqiao’s face was surprise, but it seemed like it wasn’t so?
Obtaining an international medical patent, interviewed by reporters across the country and international coverage.
Compared to her, Gu Xiqiao wasn’t bad at all!
Thinking about her triumphant feelings of being better than this person before this, feeling proud that she was indeed on top of her, her face flushed angrily.
Gu Xiqiao must have been laughing inside at her the entire time this morning?!