Cindy's Interview Transcript

The first thing Cen Muxiao did upon returning to the study was look for that USB drive. Cindy's urgency made him feel there had to be some huge scoop buried in the interview, just waiting for the day it was exposed so the gossip-hungry public could feast.

Thinking it over carefully, aside from some ambiguous, hard-to-explain flirtatious history between him and Song Anning, there did not seem to be any real dirt on them. There had only been that joke-like incident at the wedding, and it did not prove anything.

Besides, given his status, even if Cindy had ten times the nerve, she would not dare use him as a publicity stunt, would she?

But her interviewee was Guo Lantai. Cen Muxiao had personally experienced that man's sharp tongue and skill at sophistry. Who could guarantee he would not imply something in a roundabout way?

Even without naming names, if Guo Lantai casually dragged some Tom, Dick, or Harry into it, he could spin a story about Song Anning and leave room for others to embellish it.

As he pondered this, Wu Tong's black USB drive was already plugged into his laptop. Without hesitation, Cen Muxiao opened the only audio file on it, along with the transcript Secretary Wu had specially compiled.

Cindy's voice came on first. "Hello, Mr. Guo! I'm Cindy, editor-in-chief of Nine Charms Magazine. First of all, congratulations on your wedding!"

Guo Lantai's somewhat casual voice followed. "Hello, Editor Cindy. Thank you for your blessings!"

Cindy said, "Would you mind chatting with me? Oh, I know you're the star of tonight and must be very busy, but I only need a few minutes. What do you say?"

Guo Lantai said, "You flatter me. It would be my honor to have a little chat with the great Editor Cindy. Though I'm not very good with words, so I hope I won't disappoint you!"

At that, Cen Muxiao could not help snorting. He had the nerve to say he was not good with words? If that mouth of his were not sewn shut, he could probably talk a hole in the sky!

The conversation in the recording continued.

Cindy laughed pleasantly. "Then I've really struck gold tonight. Getting to speak face-to-face with the wife of the head of Cen Group is more than enough for me to boast about to my peers. So, let me thank you in advance for giving me this opportunity!"

Cen Muxiao scoffed inwardly. What a load of nonsense!

Guo Lantai, however, stopped wasting words. After the pleasantries, he went straight to the point. "In that case, let's not stand on ceremony. Whatever you want to ask, please just say it."

Cindy said, "All right, then I'll gladly accept your offer."

Guo Lantai said, "Please."

Cindy said, "Um, could you first talk about how you feel at this very moment? Marrying into the Imperial Capital's foremost family, and with your marriage partner being the idol of countless young men and women—doesn't that require an exceptionally strong heart?"

Hearing that question, Cen Muxiao stroked his chin. Being able to form ties with the Cen family was already an honor for anyone, let alone becoming his, Cen Muxiao's, wife. Guo Lantai's pride and delight had been written all over his face. What was the point of asking that?

Still, he pricked up his ears and listened closely. What was written on Guo Lantai's face was not enough. He wanted to hear him say it himself.

Yet Guo Lantai's reply was surprisingly calm. "How do I feel? Of course, I'm overjoyed. Just like my husband, the joy and excitement of newlywed life are written all over our faces. Isn't that obvious?"

There was more than ten seconds of silence in the recording afterward. Cen Muxiao could picture Cindy's expression when she heard that. She was definitely wondering whether he was treating her like an idiot.

What blatant nonsense. As one of the people involved, Cen Muxiao could state with absolute certainty that, from beginning to end that day, he had worn only one expression: no expression. Even when his face had shown anything at all, it could only have been reluctance. Where had any joy or excitement come from?

Making things up out of thin air. Guo Lantai was really getting too full of himself!

After the silence, Cindy soon gave an awkward dry cough. He heard her clear her throat before continuing, "Um, perhaps we should change the subject!"

Cen Muxiao silently gave Cindy a thumbs-up. Right. She absolutely could not let Guo Lantai lead her by the nose, or that man would only push his luck.

"I heard that the Mr. Song who suddenly appeared tonight was once President Cen's object of affection—or perhaps his white moonlight. What do you think of his appearance? Did you feel his actions offended you?"

As expected, Cindy was interested in Song Anning. If a media professional did not dig into such a juicy story, she would be a disgrace to her profession!

Cen Muxiao simply leaned back honestly in his chair. He needed to hear exactly what Guo Lantai had to say about his Anning.

But in the very next second, Guo Lantai's answer far exceeded his expectations. The man gave a soft laugh and asked mildly, "White moonlight? The moon isn't that full tonight, so where would a white moonlight come from? Miss Cindy, everyone present tonight is a guest, here to celebrate our grand wedding. The performance may have been a little unexpected, but it was all well-intentioned. It cannot be considered offensive."

Cindy asked curiously, "Oh? So, from what you're saying, Mr. Song is merely President Cen's... ordinary friend?"

Guo Lantai laughed. "Other than one's spouse, people are naturally either family or friends. Since Editor Cindy could come, you are naturally a friend as well."

Upon hearing that, Cen Muxiao could not help giving a cold snort inwardly. Guo Lantai really knew how to save face for himself—making himself sound so special while defining Song Anning as an ordinary friend who had merely cooperated in putting on a show. He really wanted to deliberately render Anning invisible.

But on second thought, Cen Muxiao did not quite understand. So far, this conversation was not developing as he had expected. Guo Lantai had actually not taken the opportunity to slander Song Anning!

Could he really be that kindhearted?

Was this a strategic retreat meant to win Cen Muxiao over from the start?

Before he could think further, the conversation continued.

Cindy said, "Mr. Guo, I have to say, you truly are broad-minded."

Cen Muxiao sneered. This Cindy knew how to speak in irony too. If Guo Lantai were truly broad-minded, he would never have kissed him!

He was certain that man's mind was narrower than the eye of a needle. There was no way he could tolerate Song Anning.

Sigh, why had he thought of that kiss again? He had pushed Guo Lantai away the instant their lips touched, yet it seemed to have lingered for a long time, becoming a memory he could not forget!

Cen Muxiao could not help pressing a hand to his forehead. That man had too much bewitching charm. He must have been poisoned too deeply!

"Hahaha! Being broad-minded is nothing—I could sail boats in my belly!"

Guo Lantai suddenly laughed openly. The sound nearly made Cen Muxiao rise from his seat. His thick skin was beyond question, but Cen Muxiao had not expected Guo Lantai's laugh to sound rather nice.

Cen Muxiao's face darkened at once. It was just laughter. Who could not laugh? What was this nonsense about sounding nice or not?

Cindy actually laughed along with him. "Hahaha! I never expected you to be so humorous, Mr. Guo!"

Cen Muxiao had to admit that, by comparison, Guo Lantai's laughter was a little more pleasant to hear. Only a little.

Guo Lantai said, "You flatter me. Hm? Miss Cindy, have you been staying up late recently?"

"Ah? Why do you suddenly ask?"

Guo Lantai said, "Forgive my presumption, but when you laughed just now, your crow's feet and eye bags were very noticeable. You must have been overworking yourself."

Cindy's tone turned anxious. "Really? Is it that obvious?"

Guo Lantai said, "Yes."

Cindy said, "I'm sorry. I lost my composure just now and made a fool of myself."

Guo Lantai said, "Not at all. I do have a suggestion, though I'm not sure whether I should mention it."

Cindy said, "A suggestion?"

Guo Lantai said, "You know my mother, don't you? She's nearly fifty, yet there isn't a single fine line on her face. She has a secret formula. If you don't mind, I can share it with you!"

Cindy could not hide her excitement. "Mrs. Guo? She really does take excellent care of herself. I was just worrying that I had no way to contact her. Mr. Guo, you're so thoughtful. Then I'm all ears."

Guo Lantai said, "The Radiance Renewal line skincare products under Guo Group's cosmetics brand have only recently launched, but my mother has personally tried them herself. The results are genuinely excellent. You can give them a try!"

Cen Muxiao thought, Is this man trying to use Cindy to advertise his family's products?

Cindy said, "Ah? Ahahaha, all right, all right. I'll definitely try them myself!"

Guo Lantai said, "Mm, you definitely won't be disappointed. If they work well, you can recommend them to your friends!"

Cindy said, "Naturally. Beauty should be shared! But getting back to the subject, Mr. Guo, as President Cen's wife, do you really not mind that he has a white moonlight in his heart?"

Cen Muxiao raised his brows. Sure enough, she would not be led off track so easily. Wasn't she back to asking what she wanted to ask? And it was still about Song Anning.

Very soon, he heard Guo Lantai's reply. "Oh, please. There isn't one, but even if there were, I wouldn't be afraid!"

Cindy asked, "Why do you say that?"

Guo Lantai replied with a smile in his voice, "Because I'm the little sun in his heart. When there's plenty of sunlight, where would moonlight come from?"

Hearing this, Cen Muxiao instinctively pressed pause...