Gu Nanyuan Is Truly Venom Mouthed

Gu Nanyuan's face was a mix of shock and disbelief. "A test play?"

This woman is sharp, Feng Xian mused with a sly grin hidden behind his calm demeanor. A woman of her caliber wouldn't be so easily deceived. If she were, the vultures of this city would have already stripped her of everything, including her dignity.

But Feng Xian was no ordinary man. He wasn't a predator looking for scraps. He was a wolf king—calculating, dominant, and always in control.

"Han Yue and I are working on a project together," Feng Xian said nonchalantly. "Oh, and once I take over the Feng Group, I'll be expanding into real estate."

Gu Nanyuan's frown deepened. Her company had just ventured into real estate, and this declaration hit uncomfortably close to home. Before she could respond, Feng Xian delivered the real blow.

"Shen Group has expressed interest in collaborating with me on the Lantau Island reclamation project. It'll be the perfect launch for Feng Group's real estate division."

Her fingers tightened on her lap, betraying her unease. That project was critical to her plans, and she had spent months preparing to outmaneuver Shen Group. But with Feng Group entering the fray, her confidence wavered.

"Director Feng," she began cautiously, testing the waters, "why would you share such critical information with me?"

Feng Xian shrugged with feigned indifference. "What's so critical? Once Shen Group and I win the bid, it'll be public knowledge anyway."

Gu Nanyuan's sharp gaze narrowed. "If that's the case, why did you confront Shen's people earlier?"

"Simple," Feng Xian replied coolly. "I despise underhanded tactics. I prefer to crush my competition fair and square."

The sheer confidence in his tone made her doubt her preparations. Was he truly as formidable as he seemed?

The car came to a stop outside the city center. Feng Xian opened the door. "I have business to attend to. You can take the car back."

"Wait!" Gu Nanyuan called out, her voice tinged with urgency. She composed herself quickly, offering him a smile. "Thanks for earlier. Let me treat you to a drink."

Feng Xian paused, pretending to consider her offer. "Hmm, a drink, you say?"

"Are you seriously going to make me beg? This is the first time I've invited a man for a drink," she added, raising an eyebrow.

Feng Xian chuckled. "How could I refuse an invitation from a beautiful woman?"

Gu Nanyuan couldn't shake the feeling she'd just fallen into a carefully laid trap.

---

On the way to the bar, Gu Nanyuan's phone buzzed. It was her younger brother, Zhang Lingyi, calling from the hospital.

"How's your check-up?" she asked casually.

"Everything's fine," he replied. "Where are you now?"

"I'm with Feng Xian. We're heading to Dijue Bar."

"What?!" Zhang Lingyi's voice boomed through the car speakers. "Second Sister, you hate drinking, and you hate him even more! What are you doing with him?"

"Brother," she sighed, her patience thinning, "I have my reasons."

"You don't understand! Feng Xian is not a good person!" Zhang Lingyi's tone was frantic, almost desperate.

Gu Nanyuan stole a glance at Feng Xian. He kept his focus on the road, his expression unreadable. She felt a pang of guilt but pushed it aside.

"Director Feng has been nothing but polite. You, on the other hand, are being immature. That's enough. Goodbye." She ended the call abruptly.

---

In the hospital, Zhang Lingyi's anger boiled over. He hurled his phone against the wall with a loud crash. His mother, Ling Qingxiao, approached him with a worried frown.

"Xiao Yi, calm down," she said gently. "Your sisters have their own lives. Don't let this distract you."

"Calm down?!" Zhang Lingyi spat. "Second Sister just scolded me because of him! That bastard Feng Xian thinks he's untouchable. Just wait, I'll show him!"

Ling Qingxiao's face darkened. "Don't underestimate him. Feng Xian is no longer the naive boy you remember. He's dangerous now, and you'd do well to avoid provoking him."

"Dangerous?" Zhang Lingyi sneered. "He's nothing without his father's shadow."

Despite his bravado, Ling Qingxiao's words left a sliver of doubt in his mind. He clenched his fists, muttering to himself, "Thirty years in Hedong, thirty years in Hexi. Don't bully the young and poor, Feng Xian!"

(A/N: The novel is truly incomplete without the use of this famous, cliche line hehe🌚)

###

At Dijue Bar, Feng Xian settled into a booth while Gu Nanyuan went to the restroom.

"Well, well, if it isn't Master Feng," a mocking voice drawled. A heavily made-up woman with a snake-like face sauntered over, clinging to a muscular man in a tight vest.

Feng Xian recognized her instantly—his ex-girlfriend, Xiaona.

Her lips curled into a sneer. "Still pretending to be someone important, huh? Too bad for you, I've upgraded."

Her new boyfriend smirked. "This is the guy you dumped? He doesn't look like much."

Xiaona's laughter grated on Feng Xian's nerves. "Of course. He's useless—couldn't even last three seconds in bed! Pathetic, really."

Feng Xian leaned back, unfazed. He wasn't the same man who'd fallen for her tricks.

But before he could respond, a cold, cutting voice interrupted. "If he's so pathetic, what does that make you for dating him in the first place?"

Gu Nanyuan stood there, her gaze icy as she sized up Xiaona and her boyfriend.

The man's eyes lit up at the sight of her. "And who might you be, gorgeous?" he asked, licking his lips.

Xiaona pinched the muscular man's arm sharply, her glare fixed on Gu Nanyuan.

Gu Nanyuan blinked, a playful smile curving her lips. She stepped forward, wrapping her hands around Feng Xian's arm.

Feeling the soft warmth pressing against him, Feng Xian raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Gu Nanyuan looked up at him, her eyes shining with affection.

"I'm Gu Nanyuan, Feng Xian's girlfriend," she announced sweetly.

The muscular man's jaw dropped in disbelief.

"No way! Impossible!"

He flexed his chest, trying to regain some confidence. "Hey, beauty, a guy like him can't satisfy you. Why not upgrade to someone like me?"

Gu Nanyuan gave him a disgusted look before replying with deliberate smugness, "No one compares to Feng Xian. He's amazing. So amazing, in fact, that I can barely get out of bed for days after!"

Her tone shifted, and she glanced meaningfully at Xiaona. "Maybe that's why I don't waste my time with unattractive women."

Xiaona's face flushed with rage.

"You—!" she sputtered, but her gaze wavered, unable to deny that Gu Nanyuan was far prettier.

"You just wait!" Xiaona hissed before storming off, dragging the muscular man behind her.

Once they were gone, Gu Nanyuan immediately let go of Feng Xian's arm, her demeanor snapping back to calm indifference.

"Sit," she said coolly, gesturing toward a nearby table.

They sat down, and Gu Nanyuan ordered two drinks. She studied Feng Xian, the bar's dim lights reflecting in her eyes, making her look even more captivating.

"Director Feng, I helped you just now. It's only fair you return the favor."

Feng Xian leaned back lazily. "Oh? I was planning to deal with them myself. You just got in the way."

Gu Nanyuan crossed her legs and propped her chin on her hand. "Did I?" she asked, unfazed.

Feng Xian smirked. "Not really. But I don't like owing favors. Tell me, what do you want?"

She didn't beat around the bush. "What's the Feng Group's bid for the Lantau Island reclamation project? How much are you offering compared to Shen's Group?"

Feng Xian chuckled. "That's confidential information."

At that moment, the waiter arrived with their drinks. Gu Nanyuan raised her glass to Feng Xian, then downed it in one go. A few drops slid down her neck, which she wiped away gracefully.

"There's my sincerity. Can you answer now?"

Feng Xian couldn't help but smile inwardly. This woman was bold, he'd give her that. He drank his own glass in one gulp before replying, "We're still negotiating with Shen's Real Estate. Nothing's finalized."

Gu Nanyuan's eyes gleamed with interest. If no deal had been struck yet, there was still hope for her to snatch the project away.

"Director Feng, the reclamation project will shape the future business landscape of the Imperial City. I can offer you 3% more profit than Shen's Group. What do you say?"

Feng Xian leaned forward, his voice low and teasing. "One question per drink."

Gu Nanyuan stared at him, feeling her heart race under his intense gaze. But she wasn't one to back down. "Fine."

She grabbed another glass and drank it quickly.

Feng Xian clapped lightly, impressed. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But tell me, if you're offering the same as Shen Yunnan, why should I switch to you?"

Gu Nanyuan smiled, despite the heat in her cheeks from the alcohol. "Because I'll make it worth your while. How about that extra 3%?"

Feng Xian poured her another drink and gestured for her to take it. Gu Nanyuan obliged, finishing it in one go.

After a few more drinks, her fair skin glowed with a rosy tint, her cold demeanor softened by the alcohol. "If it's not about the money, what are you interested in?"

Feng Xian smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. He didn't answer, only staring at her in a way that made her pulse quicken.

Feeling the atmosphere shift, Gu Nanyuan slammed her glass down and stood up, swaying slightly. "You've misunderstood me, Director Feng. I'm not that kind of woman. This conversation is over."

She stumbled toward the exit, her head spinning but her instincts sharp enough to recognize danger. As she reached the street, a shadowy figure blocked her path.

"Where are you going, Miss Gu?"

The voice belonged to Xiaona, who smirked darkly as she stepped closer.

Gu Nanyuan took a step back, only to bump into the muscular man from earlier.

"What... what do you want?" she asked, her voice trembling as she glared at them.