Chapter 148: Meeting a Love Rival

The young receptionist looked troubled. “Miss, may I ask if you have an appointment with our boss? If not, you can’t go up to see him.”

The woman raised her slender hand and removed the sunglasses from her face, revealing a pair of captivating peach blossom eyes.

Yet, those alluring eyes were now filled with disdain and contempt. “Who are you? I’m here to see Wen Jingxing. Do I need your permission? When I meet Wen Jingxing, I’ll have him fire an unprofessional employee like you!”

She spoke Wen Jingxing’s name directly, and with her domineering aura, the receptionist immediately faltered.

Had she really crossed someone she shouldn’t have?

The fact that the woman used the boss’s name so familiarly—were they really that close?

She didn’t want to lose this job!

This was a high-paying position she had worked so hard to secure!

The receptionist said, “Our boss is in a meeting right now. If you have business, please wait in the lounge. When the meeting ends, I will notify his secretary.”

The woman had thought her earlier display of arrogance would intimidate this seemingly gentle young girl, but the receptionist remained unfazed.

Her anger flared instantly, her face darkening. “Where is the person in charge here? Bring them to me immediately!”

Song Wanning had finally had enough and strode toward them.

The cameraman, always eager for gossip, had been filming the commotion from the start.

Netizens soon grasped the whole situation.

“Who is this woman? She dares to act so arrogantly in Mr. Wen’s company.”

“She looks so imposing, but I don’t like her—too domineering, like some spoiled rich girl.”

Song Wanning approached the woman, and the receptionist quickly spoke up, running out from behind the counter to stand beside her and whisper, “Miss Song, what should we do? This woman keeps claiming she’s close to the boss but can’t even show an appointment.”

Song Wanning patted her shoulder. “Alright, I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll handle this.”

The receptionist nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Miss Song.”

Gu Yan turned her head, irritated by the sudden appearance of this woman. She had just returned to the country after a long time—why was it so hard to see Wen Jingxing?

She scrutinized Song Wanning’s plain and almost rustic attire, and disdain slowly surfaced in her eyes.

Who did she think she was? It turned out to be some unsophisticated country bumpkin.

“And who are you? Do you think you have the right to meddle in my affairs?” Gu Yan snapped.

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Song Wanning shrugged. “You don’t need to know. But if you were really close to Jingxing, why not just call him directly instead of making things difficult for the receptionist? There’s only one explanation: Jingxing isn’t really close to you.”

“You—!” Gu Yan was momentarily speechless. She regretted being so anxious. She should have gone to see Wen Yi first and asked her to introduce her to Wen Jingxing. Then she wouldn’t be stuck here, harassed by these two petty individuals.

The receptionist, seeing Gu Yan silenced by Song Wanning’s retort, immediately bragged about the incident in the “Family in Harmony” group chat.

Meanwhile, Chen Shaoyuan, in the middle of a meeting, saw the message instantly.

His heart sank. Who was this woman brazenly clinging to Young Master Wen?

This was bad! He had to have this unnecessary woman removed quickly to prevent any misunderstanding with Miss Song.

But at this moment, Wen Jingxing’s expression was dark due to an unsatisfactory employee report.

All the employees kept their heads down, fearing they might be next to present.

Chen Shaoyuan lowered his head, watching the group messages scrolling on his phone under the table, torn about whether to inform Young Master Wen.

Downstairs, Gu Yan, having no more reason to argue, stubbornly said, “This is Wen Jingxing’s company. You’re not allowed to boss me around here!”

Song Wanning replied, “Likewise, this is Jingxing’s company, so you’re not allowed to act so arrogantly here.”

Gu Yan narrowed her eyes. “You’re no match for me. I’ve been Wen Jingxing’s childhood playmate. We grew up together, went to the same elementary, middle, and high schools. I’m the eldest lady of the Gu family—I'm a perfect match for him!”

Because the cameraman was a bit far away and his view was blocked by thick, large plants, Gu Yan had no idea she was being filmed.

Only now did Song Wanning realize that this was Gu Yan. She had returned so soon.

The receptionist, hearing Gu Yan’s boastful claims, quietly added, “Actually, this lady is our boss’s fiancée. In some ways, she really is closer to him than you…”

Gu Yan’s face tightened as she shot the receptionist a glare. “Shut up!”

Then she turned to Song Wanning, her eyes filled with disbelief. “You’re Song Wanning?”

After so many years, and all the sordid rumors, Gu Yan had expected Song Wanning to have become ugly and unbearable. Instead, she was surprisingly beautiful.

Not only more attractive, but her sharp tongue left Gu Yan speechless.

If that was the case, where did all those negative rumors about Song Wanning come from?

Could it be that someone hated her so much they deliberately spread lies?

Gu Yan’s expression eased somewhat, though she still didn’t look pleased facing her rival.

Song Wanning nodded graciously. “I am.”

“After all these years, you’ve only become more beautiful,” Gu Yan couldn’t help but say.

Song Wanning was puzzled. “You know me?”

“Weren’t we childhood friends?” Gu Yan looked even more confused.

“Is that so? I don’t remember much from childhood,” Song Wanning answered honestly.

She lacked the original owner’s memories, and since the story didn’t mention it, claiming she forgot was the safest lie. Otherwise, when Gu Yan pressed her, she’d be caught in contradictions.

The viewers in the live stream were more excited than Song Wanning.

“This is what happens when rivals meet—jealousy flares up!”

“Looks calm on the surface, but their eyes have probably been killing each other hundreds of times already!”

“Isn’t that a bit over the top?”

“Not at all. Didn’t Lady Gu’s intentions make it clear last time? She clearly fancies Young Master Wen.”

“Maybe that was just Lady Gu’s wishful thinking, and Gu Yan doesn’t really like him?”

Gu Yan’s eyes shifted. “Is that so…? Why don’t we take this somewhere else to talk?”

Since the other party took the initiative, Song Wanning didn’t hesitate and agreed immediately. “Let’s go.”

Gu Yan offered, “I’ll treat you to something to eat.”

Song Wanning shook her head. The snacks from earlier were already enough. “No need, just a casual walk.”

Seeing her calm demeanor and the invitation, if Song Wanning hadn’t read the story, she might have thought Gu Yan genuinely wanted to be friends.

(End of chapter)