Tomorrow as Bright as Day – Chapter 104
Chapter 104
Liang Jiancheng, who was in the United States, probably never imagined that Miss Ming would take the initiative to contact Gu Shuangyang.
There’s a saying: “”
Ming Xi felt that this was how she had previously perceived Liang Jiancheng’s mother, Gu Shuangyang. On New Year’s Eve, she left Gu Shuangyang’s study and drove back to Yicheng overnight.
Along the way, she was spirited and arrogant—that was indeed her truest reaction at the time. The reason was that she had truly fallen in love with Liang Jiancheng and hoped her love would be equally pure and unwavering, thus giving rise to a matching arrogance.
Liang Jiancheng loved her with his pride and generosity; how could she respond with humility and compromise?
However, after returning on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, she still compromised.
She had originally thought that such “compromise” would cost her dignity. Yet Liang Jiancheng had not let her lose even the slightest bit of pride; instead, he had given her the confidence that came with fifty million yuan.
During this time, Ming Xi was very clear about her own state. She was still herself, and her feelings for Boss Liang remained unchanged. Even though they had a fifty-million-yuan business relationship and had become client and service provider, it didn’t affect the purity of their feelings. Therefore, her antagonism towards Gu Shuangyang on New Year’s Eve didn’t stem from pride, but from her inferiority complex.
The increasingly capable, confident, and fearless Miss Ming found it difficult to accept that she could still feel inferior, even after her entire background had been investigated. Even now, when she already possessed considerable wealth and her career was thriving, the feeling remained. However, inferiority was a deeply ingrained emotion that could motivate her to strive for improvement.
Why couldn’t she admit that the somewhat successful Miss Ming still felt inferior?
Was it shameful to feel inferior in front of Gu Shuangyang?
Even someone as carefree and arrogant as Zhang Xia openly admitted that losing to Gu Shuangyang was nothing shameful. Thinking about it carefully, the shift in her thinking over the past few months could also be described another way: that Ming Xi being able to gain Gu Shuangyang’s favor and recognition was simply the highest honor.
It was precisely the pride born from inferiority that made her blind to Gu Shuangyang and causing her to overlook her own true self.
Many years ago, she had analyzed for Caini that Liang Jiancheng and Yang Minwen’s relationship was unique. Gu Shuangyang was like a towering mountain, firmly at the core of their relationship. Both Liang Jiancheng and Yang Minwen, to some extent, relied on Gu Shuangyang as backing.
But Liang Jiancheng was not someone who liked having a backing—he loved climbing mountains.
If Gu Shuangyang truly were a steep mountain of absolute authority, she would never have allowed her son Liang Jiancheng to climb it.
Her attitude towards Ming Xi on New Year’s Eve was the same—
Gu Shuangyang was willing to let Ming Xi climb her mountain, to use the towering mountain range Gu Shuangyang had built to help her stand higher and see further… Yet because her spirit had not been strong enough, she rejected Gu Shuangyang’s goodwill. That only showed one thing: her inner drive was not strong enough to support her pride, so she chose to retreat.
In this world, the only thing that can defeat an overwhelming pride is the growing upward drive within oneself.
The drive she did not have that night on New Year’s Eve—she had it now.
As she drove here, Ming Xi increasingly understood the meaning of the words Gu Shuangyang had said at Scully Hotel: that her understanding of Ming Xi was greater than Ming Xi’s understanding of her.
Could Miss Ming secretly admit something now? In truth, her thinking had already turned around long ago. It was just sometimes people simply need a moment of opportunity to act.
After Gu Shuangyang helped her at the Scully Hotel, when she returned to the private room, opened the door, and looked back at her—that glance had been a hint.
The second hint was when Gu Shuangyang and her driver came over and told her clearly: even if the two of them could not temporarily become family, she was still a Miss Ming whom she admired.
Gu Shuangyang had already tested her pride and her inner drive. As for her ability to understand and comprehend—would it satisfy Director Gu?
It was now eight in the evening. Holding the gift she had brought, Ming Xi stepped up the stairs one by one. In early May, the moonlight flowed like water across the villa courtyard, shadows of trees swaying softly. Above the steps of the villa entrance, a gentle and bright lamp illuminated her. Just as Ming Xi was about to free one hand to press the doorbell, the door opened for her first.
Yang Minwen stood inside, still elegant as ever, smiling as he said to her, “Ming Xi, long time no see.”
“Long time no see, Brother Minwen.”
Ming Xi was holding a very large gift box in her arms, with a briefcase in her other hand. Although her posture looked somewhat clumsy and rash, compared to the first time she came here, the smile on her face was much more relaxed, and her mindset more composed.
On her first visit, she had received various encouragements from Liang Jiancheng.
Liang Jiancheng was right; how could she not seize such valuable connections as Gu Shuangyang’s? What kind of arrogant little pig was she?
Knowing that Ming Xi would come, but not knowing she would come like this, Yang Minwen almost exclaimed in surprise. Why had she brought such a huge gift? He reached out to take it.
But Ming Xi did not let him help. She raised her chin slightly and politely asked, “Is Director Gu in the study?” Her meaning was that she could go directly to the study to see her.
Yang Minwen smiled knowingly and shook his head.
“Miss Ming, come have some late-night snacks with me first,” a familiar voice sounded from the dining room—authoritative, with a faint hint of command.
Oh. In that case, could she first take this gift to the study?
Yang Minwen smiled faintly. He wanted to tell Miss Ming that even if he helped carry the gift, he would not consider it a favor owed.
Ming Xi smiled with her eyes. That wasn’t why she didn’t want to trouble Brother Minwen. The main reason was that the gift was rather special—a unique handmade item. She was worried it might be damaged if shaken while being passed around. But Yang Minwen handled things carefully, so she finally handed the gift to him with confidence.
Then, she turned around and faced Gu Shuangyang.
Gu Shuangyang was sitting at the long dining table, drinking a bowl of health porridge. Besides that, several small snacks and refreshing side dishes were placed on the table.
Opposite Gu Shuangyang, the housemaid had already brought out Ming Xi’s portion of porridge.
“Come sit,” Gu Shuangyang said, pursing her lips slightly and indicating with her eyes for Ming Xi to sit down.
Alright. Ming Xi obediently sat down, picked up the spoon, and seriously accompanied Gu Shuangyang in eating the late-night meal.
Some matters were already clear to both sides and did not need to be spoken aloud. The fact that Miss Ming had appeared here tonight already explained everything. Gu Shuangyang would not say anything mocking either—everyone likes intelligent people.
Liang Jiancheng’s good judgment, wasn’t it inherited from her?
After finishing the warm late-night meal, Ming Xi followed Gu Shuangyang to the study.
Before New Year’s Eve, at that earlier dinner, Gu Shuangyang had already made it clear that if Ming Xi ever needed something, she was welcome to come here and sit for a while. But last year’s Miss Ming had come with Liang Jiancheng and considered herself his girlfriend, a future daughter-in-law who had not yet married into the family. Because of that identity, she developed a sense of resistance.
But how could the intelligent Miss Ming be bound by these identities?
The light in the study was much brighter than the one in the dining room—as bright as day.
Looking at Ming Xi’s young and beautiful face, Gu Shuangyang suddenly recalled her own youth. She too had once been constrained by the identities of Liang Jiancheng’s mother, the Liang family’s daughter-in-law, and the Gu family’s daughter. For a woman to truly break free from the restraints of these worldly identities may seem simple, yet in reality it is far from easy.
At the Scully Hotel, Gu Shuangyang had already witnessed Miss Ming’s attitude towards her shameless relatives. So far, Ming Xi’s actions and methods were sound. However, the young Miss Ming hadn’t yet grasped the true nature of humanity. In this regard, she could slowly guide her.
When dealing with mindless opponents or family members, if you cannot uproot them entirely or cut the grass and remove the roots, then you must divide and dismantle them from within.
And if the opponent cannot be divided, then you must gather them in.
Therefore, Gu Shuangyang had been waiting for Ming Xi to come find her on her own initiative.
When facing an opponent whose will was firm and whose mind was sharp, rather than spending effort trying to defeat them, it was better to strive to become allies.
Since Miss Ming had made her choice, Gu Shuangyang did not mind guiding her as if she were her own daughter. Her son Liang Jiancheng was too proud, and besides, a man’s heart always leans toward a woman—she understood that about men. In the future, Liang Jiancheng might become as compliant as young Yang Xiaoge.
It didn’t matter if Liang Jiancheng’s heart leaned toward his wife. But his wife’s heart, in the future, had to lean toward her.
That background investigation report on New Year’s Eve—did Gu Shuangyang spend so much effort only to drive Miss Ming away? That would be the greatest misunderstanding of her. She had only used it to test the extent of Miss Ming’s spirit and backbone, to see whether Miss Ming’s ambition and intelligence could understand the essential nature of wealth conflicts in this world.
Miss Ming did trade business. Since she had already resolved to bid for those three plots of land, she should have understood the most fundamental truth of trade—
In this world, only producers can truly control wealth.
The essence of trade is the contest of capital.
…
Yes, precisely because she had understood all of this, tonight Ming Xi stepped into Gu Shuangyang’s villa carrying a calm and clear intention. But this time, she did not come as Liang Jiancheng’s girlfriend, but purely in her own identity as Ming Xi. Setting aside Liang Jiancheng’s connection, she still felt deep admiration for Gu Shuangyang.
Just like last time, she sat facing Gu Shuangyang.
Ming Xi took out the recently written Mingzhou factory construction plan from her briefcase and handed it to Gu Shuangyang for review.
Gu Shuangyang reviewed this kind of proposal all year round. Even if she read ten lines at a glance, she could quickly grasp the key points. Moreover, Miss Ming’s proposal was written quite excellently.
Gu Shuangyang had previously wondered how someone with Miss Ming’s learning ability could have such an ordinary academic background. Only after seeing the background report did she understand that this girl had once been dragged down by fate, yet had fought a beautiful comeback battle for her life. It was quite astonishing.
The ability to keep learning throughout one’s life is the most respectable degree. That was what Liang Jiancheng had said recently when he refuted her.
“So… what kind of assistance does Miss Ming hope to receive from me?” Gu Shuangyang asked directly.
Since she had already come, Ming Xi had no need to hypocritically disguise her purpose. Pressing her lips together slightly, she said, “I want Director Gu to introduce a guide for me.”
In a society based on personal connections, Ming Xi knew very well that Zhang Xia could only connect with subordinates, not superiors. She needed a guide who connected her with those superiors.
Gu Shuangyang smiled and said, “Oh?” Then she continued reading the proposal.
Gu Shuangyang’s desk was extremely large, yet whether it was documents, recently read books, or the computer, everything was arranged neatly and in perfect order. Whenever Gu Shuangyang wanted any material, she could reach for it without even thinking. She gently opened a drawer and took out a contract. To save time, after reading Miss Ming’s factory project proposal, she also handed the export bidding agency document for Shuangyang’s sub-brand to Miss Ming.
A large enterprise’s electrical products couldn’t possibly rely solely on the Shuangyang brand; it would inevitably need to develop different product positioning for different markets. This sub-brand was positioned as relatively inexpensive and high-quality, targeting the burgeoning rural market domestically; internationally, Gu Shuangyang planned to finalize the export bidding for this sub-brand before her complete retirement.
Xinghai was also vying for this opportunity. Gu Shuangyang knew that Mingzhou had lost many deals to Xinghai in the past. If Mingzhou could secure this deal, it would recoup all the profits it had lost to Xinghai.
However, Gu Shuangyang handled matters fairly. Even if she intended to favor Miss Ming, she still needed to clearly see Miss Ming’s ability.
That was if Gu Shuangyang grew increasingly satisfied with Ming Xi’s business plan.
At the same time, as Ming Xi looked at the bidding document handed to her by Gu Shuangyang, she felt an unprecedented sense of wonder. Amid the tension, an extraordinary thrill emerged. Although her thoughts were somewhat chaotic, her chest and heart were filled with a clear and bright feeling.
She loved money, and she loved earning money even more. But the higher one climbed in making money, the more it relied on increasingly solid strength and confidence. Originally, as a foreign trader, she was like a service provider—the business and market depended on both buyer and seller. But once she obtained the agency rights of a super brand, combined with her own factory’s production capacity and her increasingly shrewd planning ability, she would no longer be merely an intermediary service provider.
“Not bad,”
Gu Shuangyang finished reading the proposal efficiently and put down the document. She liked people who spoke frankly and openly—only then could things be done efficiently. Liang Jiancheng used to come often; he was her son, so he was never polite. By comparison, Miss Ming was not only efficient but also polite. At the very least, she even brought her flowers.
“Miss Ming, how did you know I like tulips?”
Earlier, the tulips Gu Shuangyang had taken from the car had already been handed to Yang Minwen. After receiving them, Yang Minwen personally unwrapped the bouquet and carefully placed each flower into a vase. As Gu Shuangyang asked this question, Yang Minwen entered the study holding the vase filled with tulips and placed it where his wife could see it best from her desk.
How did she know Director Gu liked tulips? Of course, it was because—
“Fellow townspeople help fellow townspeople; in a foreign place it becomes a hometown.” Ming Xi improvised this somewhat slick phrase. The “foreign place” referred to Haigang—where she was now developing her career and which had become her new hometown. As for the “fellow townspeople,” who else could it be besides the thoughtful and helpful Mr. Yang?
However, Ming Xi had not specifically investigated what flowers Gu Shuangyang liked just for today’s visit. In fact, on New Year’s Eve she had originally planned to order a bouquet as a New Year gift. But during those days she had been completely guided by Liang Jiancheng’s arrangements; he had thoughtfully prepared everything. Thus Miss Ming’s own gesture of goodwill had arrived a little late.
Gu Shuangyang leaned halfway back in her executive chair. After placing the vase, Yang Minwen walked behind his wife and naturally kneaded her shoulders twice in an affectionate manner. Seeing this scene, Ming Xi’s eyes sparkled and the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
Gu Shuangyang knew what Miss Ming was smiling about, but she did not mind.
“…What else did Miss Ming bring today?” Gu Shuangyang asked again, having already seen the gift box in the study.
“I know Director Gu lacks nothing here, so I could only prepare a small gift according to my own intentions.” Ming Xi said with a bright smile. She bent down and smoothly opened the gift box, taking out a desk lamp exactly the same as the one on Gu Shuangyang’s right side.
Gu Shuangyang looked at the glass-shaded lamp in Ming Xi’s hand, a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth, a barely perceptible surprise on her face.
Yang Minwen was also astonished, though he maintained a smile.
Ming Xi carefully placed the desk lamp—which Li Tianming had hand-painted for her—on the left side of Gu Shuangyang’s desk, while Yang Minwen reached out to help guide the power cord.
The first time she came to this study, Ming Xi had noticed that Gu Shuangyang’s large desk should originally have had a pair of lamps. There were electrical outlets on both sides of the desk, and on the left side there was still an empty base. All these details indicated that there had once been two lamps on the desk, but perhaps due to damage or breakage, only the right one remained in use.
If a pair of lamps had once existed and one was still kept, it meant Director Gu must truly like this lamp.
As early as March, when she planned to bid for the land, Ming Xi had already been thinking about what gift would be appropriate if she wished to show goodwill to Gu Shuangyang. After much thought, she settled on this desk lamp. It just so happened that Old Ming could make lamps by hand. The first business she had done with Old Ming—the one with Pierre—had also been a desk lamp deal. At present, Tianming Electric’s main business was the production of lighting fixtures.
“So this was handmade?” Gu Shuangyang asked Ming Xi with a faint smile, a touch of gentleness softening her originally sharp features. Her facial features, quite similar to Liang Jiancheng’s, had not lost their elegance with the passage of time; instead, they had gained a unique charm.
Similarly, looking at this new lamp, Yang Minwen sighed softly. Why hadn’t he thought of ordering a custom-made one!
The lamp had indeed been a pair. During the China–US anti-dumping case on color televisions in the first half of last year, Gu Shuangyang had repeatedly answered calls from American lawyers in this study. Several times when progress had not gone smoothly, she had erupted in anger. The left lamp had been broken when she waved her hand in frustration. These two glass lamps had accompanied Gu Shuangyang for decades of work at her desk. Because the style was old, identical ones could no longer be found on the market.
It was even difficult to find a nearly identical substitute. Yet today Ming Xi had brought one as a gift.
The glass lampshade could still be adjusted flexibly. Tilting her head seriously, Ming Xi carefully adjusted the shade until it aligned horizontally with the one on the right. Gu Shuangyang paused, recalling that on New Year’s Eve Ming Xi had not taken any photos here. How had she remembered the lamp so clearly? Could it be that Liang Jiancheng had taken a picture for her?
“My taste happens to be similar to Director Gu’s. On New Year’s Eve when I saw this lamp, I thought it looked unbelievably beautiful at first glance, so I remembered it.” Ming Xi answered honestly, openly turning her small thoughts into words that carried a hint of flattery.
It was flattering, yet not overly ingratiating. Even Gu Shuangyang, who had heard countless compliments, felt pleased.
Through today’s interaction, Gu Shuangyang understood particularly well why the Miss Ming before her could win the affection of both Old Liang and Young Liang, and why even Yang Minwen by her side was willing to lend help. The refined intelligence that Miss Ming carried made anyone wish to become her benefactor.
She had finished reading the project proposal, but the things that would truly be useful to Miss Ming were not suitable to be discussed in the study.
Gu Shuangyang was in an especially good mood today—partly because of the bouquet of tulips Ming Xi had brought, and partly because the desk lamp she had angrily knocked down and broken last year had returned to the left side of her desk in such a wonderful way.
Gu Shuangyang brought Ming Xi into the villa’s private elevator and went up to the third-floor terrace. Before going up, she said to Yang Minwen, “Xiaoge, help us ladies bring some wine upstairs.”
Yang Minwen understood and nodded happily.
Director Gu had truly not been in such a good mood for a long time—good enough to drink wine at home. Even when last year’s anti-dumping case had concluded and Liang Jiancheng came here to ask her for resources, she had not been in the mood to have a few drinks with her own son.
When Ming Xi stepped out of the elevator onto the third floor and followed Gu Shuangyang into the rooftop garden, her eyes lit up. She had thought that Gu Shuangyang and Yang Minwen’s home would all be in the same luxurious and imposing style as the first floor. She had not expected that the rooftop garden on the third floor would fully reveal the romantic tenderness a woman could still possess after obtaining wealth and status. Without needing to personally manage everything, one could still enjoy such dreamy and magnificent beauty.
“Sit.”
Ming Xi chose the chair on the right.
Gu Shuangyang smiled faintly and sat on the left.
Soon Yang Minwen came up as well. He had selected a Japanese plum wine most suitable for ladies drinking together—low in alcohol yet rich in flavor. He also brought out two beautiful crystal glasses and set them for his wife and Ming Xi.
“Brother Minwen, won’t you drink a little as well?” Ming Xi asked politely.
“Don’t trouble him. He hasn’t touched alcohol for the past two years,” Gu Shuangyang explained.
“Oh.” Ming Xi responded softly.
“Next time you come over, I’ll drink tea with you and Jiancheng instead,” Yang Minwen said apologetically with a smile, offering another invitation.
Ming Xi suddenly felt a little embarrassed and lowered her face slightly.
Yang Minwen stood up and opened one of the windows of the rooftop greenhouse, allowing the gentle night breeze to flow inside. Immediately the evening wind drifted in, and Ming Xi could smell waves of natural floral fragrance. A faint scent floated through the air, refreshing and delightful.
Gu Shuangyang poured a little wine for herself and for Miss Ming. Yang Minwen had not touched alcohol these past two years because he had made a vow he intended to keep.
After drinking a little wine, some words—whether they should be said or not—could all be said. In truth, Miss Ming, who had struggled in the business world for several years, could already imagine it: bidding for land was easy, but building a factory was difficult. There were far too many connections and dealings that needed to be managed.
Moreover, Miss Ming’s factory was in Ning City, which was also Gu Shuangyang’s hometown. Today she had brought both flowers and a lamp—the purpose was self-evident.
Taking advantage of the rare opportunity, Ming Xi asked questions thoroughly, and Gu Shuangyang explained things clearly, acting as a guiding light for Miss Ming.
Some things Ming Xi could ask Liang Jiancheng, but Liang Jiancheng and Gu Shuangyang were not the same. When encountering particularly troublesome matters, Liang Jiancheng might personally handle them for her. Gu Shuangyang would not help her directly, but she could point out a path for her.
“Your approach and decision are fine. Just go ahead and do it. Call me if you encounter any problems.” Gu Shuangyang took a sip of plum wine, and half a second later, recited a phone number for Ming Xi, “138xxxxxx. Write down this number. Chen Shenlong—you can call him Uncle Chen. In the future, anything you deal with in Ning City, you can go to him.”
Ming Xi had an excellent memory and did not need Gu Shuangyang to repeat it. She immediately memorized the number. What surprised her was that she had always believed her own memory was good, yet Gu Shuangyang’s memory was even more astonishing—she could recite a number casually without even checking her contacts.
“Which construction company have you chosen? Have you decided?” Gu Shuangyang asked her again.
“Tianjian,” Ming Xi replied. Since Director He had been willing to take her business and had clearly stated the profit margin he would make, Ming Xi felt fairly reassured about Tianjian.
Since Tianjian was mentioned, Ming Xi told Gu Shuangyang about the price she had negotiated with Director He.
Gu Shuangyang did not do construction business, but no one understood factory construction better than she did. She nodded. Old He’s quotation was fairly honest—it could also be considered giving face.
However—
Whether in business or in life, one must learn to push one’s advantage at the right time. Right in front of Ming Xi, Gu Shuangyang called Director He. In just a few sentences, she demonstrated in a strong yet dignified way what it meant to take one step and advance another.
After the phone call ended, from the perspective of project costs, the factory construction project had saved Miss Ming tens of thousands more.
“Miss Ming, consider this the return gift for your desk lamp,” Gu Shuangyang said calmly, leaning back in the reclining chair, tilting her head slightly as she returned the favor.
Ming Xi: …
The renowned Gu Shuangyang truly lived up to her reputation.
Leisurely, Gu Shuangyang sat in the evening breeze and put down her phone. In this world, it was never easy for someone who wished to accomplish something in business—whether man or woman. One should not assume that because she now appeared dignified and relaxed, she had it easy. At every stage of life, pressure and responsibility always came intertwined with enjoyment.
Would Miss Ming in the future become someone like her?
Hard to say. Liang Jiancheng would probably be reluctant to allow it.
“Miss Ming, you are welcome to come sit here often,” Gu Shuangyang said, tilting her head as she extended another invitation to Ming Xi, who was savoring the wine.
“Of course, Director Gu,” Ming Xi agreed readily. If Gu Shuangyang was willing to guide her like this, then no matter how busy she was, she would still accompany Director Gu for a drink from time to time.
At the same time, quick-learning Miss Ming also tried pushing things a step further. With an agreeable yet clever expression, she leaned slightly forward and asked Gu Shuangyang: “However, since Director Gu and I cannot temporarily become family, under what pretext should I visit you frequently in the future?”
Gu Shuangyang frowned slightly. The way Miss Ming said this now was exactly like her son.
Both of them were shameless without even realizing it.
“I don’t mind calling you ‘sister,’ Miss Ming. How about you acknowledge me as your elder sister?” Gu Shuangyang joked, using playful words to brush off Miss Ming. After a pause she added a legitimate reason: “You already call Yang Xiaoge ‘brother,’ so am I not qualified to be your older sister?”
Uh… Ming Xi almost choked on her wine. The smile on her face was even more intoxicating than the plum wine in her glass.
The logic made sense—but considering her relationship with Liang Jiancheng, this would suddenly double the generational hierarchy! Still, it didn’t seem like she would lose anything from it.
“Director Sister Gu—” Ming Xi, quick-witted as ever, immediately followed Gu Shuangyang’s suggestion, offering this new form of address.
Gu Shuangyang was amused and laughed. Then she added, “Next time, you must call me that in front of Liang Jiancheng.”
Ming Xi laughed so hard her face almost twisted. Just then, her “big nephew”—Liang Jiancheng—called.
There was no need to wait until next time. Soon she could satisfy Director Gu’s request.