eurekapd Chapter 281 Approaching
Chapter 281 Approaching
Downstairs, Zhou Yanchuan thought that by humbling himself and begging for peace, he could gain a place. Wen Qiyu thought that with gentle persuasion, he could quietly tighten the net.
They're all too civilized.
Approaching her requires strategy, patience, and catering to her preferences—that's the science.
But to ensure that this "closeness" remains undisturbed and to remove potential obstacles... sometimes, more direct and darker methods are needed.
He picked up an encrypted satellite phone next to him and dialed a number. The call was quickly answered, but there was no sound on the other end, only silence awaiting instructions.
Gu Xiaoheng's voice was calm and even as he whispered a few words in a somewhat obscure dialect. The gist of his message was: ensure that anyone attempting to investigate the background of his small biotech company encounters some "technical" difficulties, whether they are cyber hackers or corporate spies, and deter them from doing so. Also, keep an eye on the approval process for a certain overseas project of the Zhou Group; perhaps it's possible to artificially... introduce some delays.
He made no mention of Xiao Jiu, nor of any personal grudges. All his instructions were veiled under the guise of business competition and information security. Calm, efficient, and leaving no trace.
After hanging up the phone, he put the satellite phone back in its place and closed the metal cabinet.
He took out an inconspicuous wooden box from somewhere. Inside the box were several seemingly old-fashioned photocopies of bamboo slips, along with a stack of extremely detailed phonetic annotations written by his own hand.
His gaze was fixed solely on the photocopy of "Guangling San".
Gu Xiaoheng's pale, slender fingertips gently touched the musical annotations.
Then, he picked up the photocopy of "Guangling San" and its musical annotations, and went to his desk. The desk lamp cast a cold, white light. He took out a sheet of expensive stationery and began writing with a fountain pen in extremely neat, almost printed handwriting:
"To Miss Jiu:"
"I came across a fragment of the Tang Dynasty 'Guangling San' by chance. Although it is a reproduction, it still shows the exquisite musicality of the ancients. Thinking of what Miss mentioned about the guqin in her live broadcast a few days ago, I am taking the liberty of presenting it to you. I have also attached some of my humble opinions, which may serve as a starting point for further discussion."
"The music department's practice room, 'Songtao Pavilion,' is located in the southeast corner of the campus. It has excellent soundproofing and is equipped with a fine instrument. If you have some free time, would you be willing to come and chat with me tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm? We can appreciate this score together and I also look forward to hearing your elegant playing."
Respectfully submitted by Gu Xiaoheng
His words were extremely humble and polite, and his posture was very modest, completely different from the person who had just issued the cold command.
After finishing writing, he carefully folded the letter and put it into a simple, unsealed envelope.
He knew the little fox would definitely open it first. She wouldn't refuse such an invitation, one that carried an air of mystery and knowledge. Especially after Zhou Yanchuan and Wen Qiyu had both begun to show a certain "sense of powerlessness."
Gu Xiaoheng's lips curved upwards very slightly, forming a precisely calculated arc devoid of any warmth.
Approaching prey requires patience and camouflage.
Eliminating potential competitors... requires a knife in the shadows.
He possesses both.
The next day, the afternoon sun was shining brightly, casting dappled light and shadow on the ground through the sparse clouds.
Xiao Jiu held the sturdy envelope in her hand, her fingertips able to feel the texture of the paper inside. There was no sender's signature, only her name written in an extremely neat, almost cold handwriting. Leaning against the ginkgo tree below the dormitory building, she slowly pulled out the letter.
My gaze swept over the precise, printed handwriting. The content was humble to the point of being obsequious, creating an eerie contrast with the cold, controlling feel emanating from the characters. Especially the last "Respectfully submitted," which sounded like the execution of some rigorous ritual procedure.
Is this a fragment of the Tang Dynasty version of "Guangling San" in the Songtao Pavilion's qin room?
Xiao Jiu's lips curled up silently. This Brother Gu Xiaoheng, the way he approaches people, is like setting up a meticulously controlled experimental site.
interesting.
As she pondered how to reply, a deep, familiar engine roar approached from afar. The sleek black sports car stopped precisely in the parking space not far in front of her.
Zhou Yanchuan got out of the car.
He seemed to have dressed up deliberately today, wearing a well-tailored black shirt with one collar buttoned down and sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing his strong wrists and an expensive watch. But upon closer inspection, there was a subtle weariness in his eyes, and when he looked at her, the humble pleading look from yesterday had faded considerably, replaced by a deeper, more focused gaze that had settled in.
He was carrying a heavy-looking paper bag with the logo of a renowned, long-established private dessert shop in the city that required reservations months in advance.
"Jiu Jiu." He stepped forward, his voice steady, his gaze lingering on the envelope in her hand for a fleeting moment, almost too quick to catch. "I brought you some desserts, their almond tofu and osmanthus cake. You should like them."
He handed her the paper bag, his tone gentle, but that invisible strength was still wrapped in every movement—he remembered all her taste preferences and had the ability to immediately deliver anything she casually mentioned to her.
Xiao Jiu took the paper bag and smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Brother Yanchuan! I was a little hungry." She waved the letter in her hand, as if sharing an interesting story, "I just received a very formal letter, it's handwritten, inviting me to discuss the guqin score, how interesting."
An interest that I casually mentioned at some point was used as bait to lure this little fox into a trap. How interesting, truly interesting.
Zhou Yanchuan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. The guqin? He had never noticed her mention any interest in it. But he immediately suppressed the urge to press further, simply saying, "Really? You like the guqin?"
"Just a little bit," Xiao Jiu tilted her head and laughed carefree, "I just think it sounds nice. By the way, Brother Yanchuan, where are you taking me tomorrow night? You're being so mysterious."
She skillfully steered the conversation back to him, blinking her eyes and looking at him expectantly.
Zhou Yanchuan looked into her clear, innocent eyes, which seemed to reflect everything yet reveal nothing, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He was almost certain that she was deliberately bringing up that letter to test him, or rather... to provoke him, but he could only suppress all his surging emotions.
“It’s a preview of a private auction,” he tried to keep his tone casual, “with some nice jewelry and art that you might like, so I’m taking you to see it.”
"Wow! That sounds amazing!" Xiao Jiu exclaimed, feigning surprise as if she had completely forgotten about the letter about the guqin. "Then it's a deal!"
Just then, her phone started vibrating. The caller ID showed "Wen Qiyu".
Xiao Jiu gave Zhou Yanchuan an apologetic smile, answered the phone in front of him, and her voice instantly became soft and sweet: "Hello? Brother Yu~"