The woman in the photo had long chestnut hair, a peach - blossom complexion and almond - shaped eyes. The mature and intellectual charm seemed to be engraved in her features, making people like her at first sight.
Xie Bingxia said without hesitation, "I know her."
Li Yishan, a world - famous architectural designer, was a childhood playmate of Gu Bei and Xia Jingwei. Five years ago, she went abroad alone for further study and became a top figure in the design field in just two years. She was truly a top student among top students and an elite among elites.
Hearing Xie Bingxia's words, Gu Bei raised his eyebrows and asked, "You know her?"
"Ah, sort of." Xie Bingxia regretted her hastiness just now. She was just too excited because she hadn't seen Li Yishan for a long time.
Qin Yifa stroked his moustache and asked Xie Bingxia with a smile, "Ho ho ho, great! Since Miss Xie also knows Designer Li, can you invite her?"
Obviously, if Xie Bingxia could invite Li Yishan, the Golden Wharf project would surely be hers.
"No problem!" Xie Bingxia promised, "Mr. Qin, just wait for my good news."
"Okay. We'll discuss the details later." Qin Yifa nodded in satisfaction and led Mrs. Qin away. Xie Bingxia glared at Gu Bei angrily, then gathered her materials and strode towards the parking lot.
Wang Mimi had been waiting for Xie Bingxia in the car. From afar, she saw Xie Bingxia coming, followed by a tall and imposing figure. Who else could it be but Mr. Gu? She exclaimed "Wow!" and almost wanted to abandon the car and run away.
Xie Bingxia opened the back - seat door, and Gu Bei got in as well.
"This is my car. Get out!" Xie Bingxia showed no good - will towards Gu Bei at all. But Gu Bei smiled instead of getting angry. "I underestimated you. It seems you're really bent on your career."
"Otherwise?"
"Fine. Since you're so dedicated to the company, come to my office to work tomorrow as my personal secretary."
"I don't want to!" Xie Bingxia blurted out. The idea of being a personal secretary sounded fishy. "I'll stay with Xie Shuwen. I'm not going anywhere! Also, don't compete with me for the Golden Wharf project. It's mine!"
Gu Bei was skeptical. "Can you really invite Li Yishan?"
Xie Bingxia was feeling guilty. She had boasted just now in a moment of desperation. Even if Li Yishan was Xia Jingwei's friend, so what? Could she bring Xia Jingwei back to life to find her? So she just stubbornly said, "It's none of your business. I'll figure it out myself."
Gu Bei tilted his head and looked at her nervously with amusement. Then he continued, "Well, let's make a bet. If you can invite Li Yishan, the Golden Wharf project is yours, and I'll never interfere again. Besides, as an extra reward, I'll tell you a story."
"Story?"
"A story about my past with my ex - girlfriend. I'm sure you'll be interested."
Sure enough, Xie Bingxia's eyes lit up. She said seriously, "You must keep your word!"
Gu Bei hooked his little finger and held it out in front of her. "Shall we pinky - swear?" Xie Bingxia slapped his hand away. "How childish." But Gu Bei took the opportunity to grab her hand, pulled her whole body towards him, and quickly kissed her on the lips.
Xie Bingxia pushed him away forcefully and raised her hand to hit him. "Gu Bei, you're asking for a beating again!"
Gu Bei reacted quickly and opened the door to get out, causing Xie Bingxia's blow to miss. She was so angry that her cheeks puffed up. Leaning against the back - door, he glanced at the person in the driver's seat and said in a bad tone, "The pretty boy Xie Shuwen assigned to you. Replace him tomorrow. I'll send Secretary Zhang to you!"
"Mind your own business!" Xie Bingxia snatched the car handle and slammed the door shut. Wang Mimi looked miserable. He murmured in his heart: Meeting Mr. Gu is definitely not a good thing. He silently started the car with tears in his eyes.
True to his word, early the next morning, Secretary Zhang stood respectfully at the door of Xie Bingxia's office.
"Secretary Zhang, go back where you came from. I don't need you here."
"Miss Li will fly back to China this afternoon. Are you sure you don't want the flight information?"
Xie Bingxia looked at Secretary Zhang. Seeing his confidence, she guessed that Gu Bei had paved the way for him. She had no choice but to compromise. "Tell Wang Mimi to drive. We'll leave later."
At 4 p.m., Li Yishan's flight landed at the international airport on time. She came out of the arrival gate in a hurry, looking for Gu Bei everywhere, but was blocked by a not - very - tall girl.
"Hello, Miss Li. I'm Xie Bingxia. I came here especially to pick you up."
Li Yishan searched for the information in her mind and then said, "You're the eldest daughter of the Xie family? Why isn't Gu Bei here?"
"He's busy with work. Don't worry about him." Xie Bingxia warmly invited Li Yishan into the car. "Where's your hotel, Miss Li? Or shall we go for a meal first?"
Li Yishan replied politely, "Please take me back to my apartment." Xie Bingxia knew that Li Yishan had never been the type to be overly familiar with others. She wouldn't easily get close to someone she had just met, but she wouldn't be moody or sullen either. When she spoke to people in a very polite way, it was a hint that she didn't want to get too close.
It would take some effort to get closer to her.
On the way back, Xie Bingxia was very well - behaved. She just chatted with Li Yishan about daily life and her experiences abroad, without mentioning anything about the project. When the car drove into the parking lot of her apartment, Li Yishan thanked her with a smile. "Thank you for bringing me back. This time I'm just coming back to visit my family and deal with some family affairs. I don't plan to take on any work."
This was equivalent to a veiled rejection. Although Xie Bingxia was anxious, she knew she couldn't be too hasty. She said with a smile, "I understand. Miss Li, you should rest first. We'll make another appointment some other day."
"Okay. Be careful on your way back." Li Yishan specifically told her before leaving.
Xie Bingxia subconsciously felt there was something behind her words, but she didn't think much about it. When she was leaving, as soon as the car drove out of the parking - lot exit, it was blocked by a black SUV.
Several men wearing black hoods and holding iron bars rushed out of the car and smashed Xie Bingxia's car wildly. They shouted, "Get out!"
Xie Bingxia was about to open the door to fight them, but Secretary Zhang immediately stopped her. "There are too many of them. We can't win! I'll call the police now!"
"By the time the police come, it'll be too late. Do we want Gu Bei to collect our corpses?"
Wang Mimi was quicker than Xie Bingxia. He first pushed one of them away with the car door, then jumped out like a nimble monkey and started fighting. Xie Bingxia didn't expect him to be so capable. It seemed he had some fighting skills.
Xie Bingxia kicked one of them over with a back - kick, snatched the iron bar from him as a weapon, and hit the bad guys one by one, targeting their weak points. She beat them so badly that they couldn't get up. She and Wang Mimi cooperated with each other, and soon there were only two enemies left. Victory was in sight!
However, soon their hearts sank. Another SUV drove over, full of people, even more fierce and tough than before.
They were doomed!
"Security guards, over there, hurry!" Li Yishan's voice came from afar. She led a group of at least seven or eight well - equipped security guards with electric batons in their hands, rushing straight towards them.
The bad guys who had just got out of the car immediately shrank back and shouted, "Drive! Drive! Hurry up!" And they disappeared in a flash.
At this time, the police car arrived at the scene with a siren. The remaining culprits were arrested on the spot and taken away directly.
"Are you okay?" Li Yishan asked Xie Bingxia with concern, seeing the bruise on her arm and the blood on her forehead.
"Thank you. You've helped me a lot. Otherwise, I..." Xie Bingxia couldn't continue.
"Malicious injury is a serious matter. You'll have to go to the police station to give a statement later. Don't be afraid. I'll accompany you."
At that moment, Xie Bingxia seemed to be back in the days when she and Li Yishan were very close sisters. She couldn't help but shed tears. Li Yishan was suddenly shocked when she looked at her, with a rather meaningful expression on her face.
In the police station, the medical staff treated Xie Bingxia's injuries, and Li Yishan poured a cup of hot water for her. Gu Bei rushed in through the door in a hurry, looking worried. "Bingxia—"