Extra 2.3

In the office of a certain military art troupe in the capital.

Art Soldier A: “I saw her enter a man’s car. The men who attend such dinners are usually wealthy or distinguished overseas Chinese. The car didn’t look cheap. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed she was like that.”

Art Soldier B: “I saw it too. The man looked quite old. He must be married, right? So, she must be having an affair?”

Art Soldier C sneered, “You see how arrogant she usually appears. I wonder how many private affairs she’s had. If she hadn’t benefited from men, how could she have reached this position on her own?”

Art Soldier A: “Isn’t she afraid of ending up in trouble? It’s strange that despite all the scandals, no legitimate wife has come forward to report her. Why can’t she just find a man to marry? Why does she have to be involved in scandals?”

Art Soldier B responded, “But there has to be a man willing to marry her. Would you dare to marry her? Who knows when the hat on their head might turn green? Your shoes will get wet if you frequently walk along a certain path. It’s not that no one has reported it; it’s just that the time hasn’t come!”

Art Soldier C sneered again. The sound of high heels approaching indicated Jiang Xue’s arrival. They exchanged glances, immediately lowered their heads, and fell silent.

Jiang Xue could guess what they were talking about from their knee-jerk reactions, but she didn’t care. She gave them a faint glance and walked into her own office.

Art Soldier C asked in a lowered voice, “Do you think she heard us?”

Art Soldier B: “Even if she heard us, what’s the point? Is she going to cause a scene? The one who should feel guilty and embarrassed is her, not us.”

Art Soldier B, whose name was Chen Yi, had previously harbored a secret crush on a battalion commander. Unfortunately, the commander showed no interest in her. Later, by chance, she learned that he actually liked Jiang Xue, who was nearly ten years older than him. Since then, Jiang Xue had become a thorn in her side, a scheming and seductive presence. If she had found evidence, she would have reported her long ago.

In fact, Jiang Xue had no idea that the battalion commander liked her. She didn’t even know his name.

Art Soldier C: “Did you see her qipao? I saw it in a window display at Guowang Mall a while ago. It cost this much.” Art Soldier C made a gesture indicating the price.

The other two were shocked. Art Soldier A: “So expensive? That’s equivalent to several months of our salaries!”

Chen Yi did not hide her jealousy. She said, “You think she’s like you, who has to pay for things herself? If I’m not mistaken, her dress is a non-sale item, and you can’t buy that even if you have the money.”

-o-o-o-o-o-

Jiang Xue filled out the marriage application form. She originally planned to find a time to deliver it to her leader during lunch, but thinking of the gossip she had just overheard…

She lightly tapped the desk with her pen, deep in thought, and after a moment, picked up the application form and headed out.

After a while, she picked up the application form and walked out. Please go to the HR department and deliver this form to me. Just say it’s urgent, and I’ll provide the groom’s information later.”

After saying this, Jiang Xue placed the form on Chen Yi’s desk and walked away with a sway in her high heels. Before leaving this morning, She forgot to ask Gu Zhanwang for the information.

The other two gathered around: “What’s that?”

Chen Yi took a look and said in astonishment, “Marriage application form? She, she, she wants to get married?”

The other two said in unison, “No way?”

Art Soldier A asked, “Is it the man who drove the fancy car and took her away last night?”

Art Soldier C was full of jealousy. He even gave her such an expensive dress. Having such a good man willing to marry her at her age, she has really struck gold.”

Art Soldier A: “With that man’s age, it’s definitely a second marriage. He might even have a few children.”

Chen Yi said, “Gu Zhanwang, originally from the capital, an expatriate, thirty-eight years old, unmarried, investor in Guowang Mall…”

Chen Yi bit her lower lip and didn’t want to read anymore: “How could a man with such good conditions fall in love with her? Are all men blind?”

Art Soldier A: “Maybe he is very ugly and bald.”

Art Soldier C: “He spoke on stage last night. Didn’t you see? He was elegant and poised, with excellent looks and manners. Even the leaders went to toast him personally. He’s far better looking than the rough men in our military district. I just didn’t expect such a good man to be unmarried and end up with a rotten deal. It’s truly perplexing.”

Art Soldier A didn’t give up: “Maybe he had some hidden disease? For example, he is not good in that aspect?”

Art Soldier C shook her head: “He looks very healthy. Forget it. It’s not us who are going to marry him anyway. What happened to him has nothing to do with us.”

Chen Yi nearly crushed the application form in her hand. She remembered Gu Zhanwang; a man as outstanding as him was unforgettable. She knew a man like that was out of her league, but why was he interested in an older woman who seemed so frivolous? Do men really like such women?

(T/N: Btch, stop projecting.)

Art Soldier A urged, “Hurry up and deliver the form before she gets angry and starts yelling.”

Chen Yi didn’t want to go but knew it was necessary.

By the time Jiang Xue finished her tasks, it was nearly lunchtime. She rarely went to the cafeteria for lunch. She didn’t want to crowd with everyone and disliked hearing gossip, so she usually ate out in the evening after work or while running errands. Eating two meals a day helped her maintain her figure, and she had grown accustomed to this routine over the years.

She was sorting out documents when the landline rang. The person on the other end of the phone said, “Director Jiang, a man named Gu is here to see you. We have already given him permission to come in. He asked me if you could let him come up.”

Feeling dazed from handling the documents, Jiang Xue didn’t immediately react. “Mr. Gu? Gu Zhanwang? Let him come up.”

Jiang Xue massaged her aching temples. Since she had prepared to live together with him in the future, such matters were inevitable. She just didn’t know what he had come for.

Gu Zhanwang came to the office carrying several lunch boxes and a fruit basket. “Hello, I’m here to see Jiang Xue. Could you tell me which office she’s in?”

Chen Yi and the others exchanged glances. Gu Zhanwang? Jiang Xue’s fiancé?

He really was a gentleman with an impressive presence.

Art Soldier A pointed towards Jiang Xue’s office. “In there.”
Gu Zhanwang smiled gentlemanly and placed the fruit on the nearest desk. “I brought some fruit for you all. Jiang Xue has always had a spoiled temperament, so thank you for your patience.”

After speaking, Gu Zhanwang walked inside, knocked on the door, and entered after hearing a “Come in” from inside.

Leaning back in her chair, Jiang Xue swiveled a few times and looked at him with a relaxed demeanor.

Gu Zhanwang put down the lunch box: “I went to ‘Three Meals and Four Seasons’ to see my godson and brought lunch to eat with you.” He then pulled out an envelope from his jacket. “You forgot to take my personal file when you left.”

Jiang Xue thought, “…………” Men really put on an act in front of others. Is he this anxious about getting married?

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Qipao