Chapter 21 I Like You

Gu Cunxi stopped in front of Xiao Peiyin's office. She hesitated for a moment, then gently knocked on the door and said, "Meeting in the conference room in half an hour!"

Xiao Peiyin stared at Gu Cunxi blankly, feeling a little strange for a moment. There was no warmth in her words. She walked forward and asked worriedly: "Are you feeling unwell? You look pale, are you having a fever again?" As she spoke, she raised her hand and stroked Gu Cunxi's forehead.

"It's okay, the fever is gone. Don't worry. See you in the meeting room!"

With that, Gu Cunxi turned and left. After notifying all departments, she returned to her workstation with some anticipation in her heart. She began to build a framework in her mind for the subsequent department establishment, marketing promotion, and event planning, and made a list of staffing. She wanted to maximize the benefits for the company as much as possible, and she had to make sure she had the bargaining chips in her hands!

She looked at her watch and saw that it was almost time. She stood up and walked to Zhang Qiming's office: "Boss Zhang, I have already notified all the department staff!"

She saw that Zhang Qiming did not respond, but stared at the computer in a trance. After Gu Cunxi left, Zhang Qiming thought about it for a long time. He was sure that he had heard the name Gu Cunxi somewhere before, but he could not remember it for a while. Zhang Qiming kept recalling it in his memory.

Suddenly, he remembered a business trip to Beicheng over a year ago. He'd heard this name there before: a Huahai Group executive also named Gu Cunxi! Could it be the same person? Thinking of this, Zhang Qiming turned on his computer and searched for Gu Cunxi. Several news links suddenly appeared. He clicked on one and read: Embezzlement of public funds! Causing death! Murderer! At the end of the lengthy news report, a photo of Gu Cunxi being taken away by the police appeared. Zhang Qiming felt dizzy. It really was her!

Zhang Qiming came to his senses and saw Gu Cunxi standing in front of him. He was a little dazed, wondering if the news report was true. If it was, he would definitely not dare to hire such a person. However, Zhang Qiming did not want to judge the person in front of him based on just one piece of news, so he asked, "I'm suddenly curious, where did Miss Gu work before coming here?"

Seeing Zhang Qiming looking at her with scrutiny, his words full of probing questions, Gu Cunxi didn't know why he had suddenly become curious about her past in just half an hour. She didn't answer immediately, but remained silent for a long time before saying, "Mr. Zhang, if you want to know something, just tell me!"

She remained calm and composed, and Zhang Qiming wondered if it was because she had a good mental state or because she had truly done nothing wrong that she acted so guilt-free. He decided not to beat around the bush and spoke directly, "The former Planning Director of Huahai Group. I'd really like to know if the news reports are true."

As she expected, Zhang Qiming had found out. She slowly closed her eyes and chuckled helplessly: "If I say it's not true, will President Zhang believe me?"

"I really want to trust you!"

"I didn't embezzle public funds. 2.3 million is just a small profit for me. The position of Vice President of Huahai Group is worth far more than 2.3 million. What do you think I will choose?"

"Are you going to ruin your future for a mere 2.3 million? It's true that someone died, but it wasn't because I colluded with the construction workers to maliciously use inferior materials. I put a lot of thought into the HDKL event. In other words, as long as that event is successful, it can bring unpredictable and stable long-term income to the group. The position of Vice President of Huahai Group is undoubtedly mine. No matter how you look at it, the Vice President position is the most valuable. Mr. Zhang, do you think I'm going to shoot myself in the foot? I've already given you the explanation you want. As for whether you're willing to believe me, that's your business. You can withdraw my appointment at any time, or I can submit my resignation immediately!"

The explanation was well-reasoned. In fact, Zhang Qiming did not believe the news reports. Indeed! The position of vice president of Huahai Group is not something you can get just by thinking about it. As long as you sit in that position, you will have more money than 2.3 million. A person who can get close to the power center of Huahai Group is undoubtedly a person with great ability. Can his small temple accommodate her? Gu Cunxi is like a double-edged sword. Taking the risk of trusting her and keeping her can be glorious but also a disaster! Zhang Qiming walked to the window and looked outside quietly. Gu Cunxi looked at his silence and spoke again: "Since Mr. Zhang feels it is difficult to choose, I will not make it difficult for you. I will hand over the resignation letter to Manager Shi!"

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the door. Looking at Gu Cunxi who was about to leave, Zhang Qiming slowly said, "Let's go to the meeting room!"

As he spoke, he walked to Gu Cunxi's side. Gu Cunxi looked at Zhang Qiming, and after a long silence, he said, "If you decide to trust me, then I hope you can trust me. Of course, I won't let you lose!"

Zhang Qiming looked at her and smiled and said, "I'm old now, and I can't afford to lose anymore!"

After that, he opened the door and strode away. Gu Cunxi followed Zhang Qiming into the conference room. All the staff were present. Everyone was surprised to see Gu Cunxi followed Mr. Zhang in.

"Sorry for the long wait, today's meeting is very simple and only has one topic. The company has been considering setting up a marketing department, and today I want to announce an appointment."

"From now on! Gu Cunxi, as the Director of Marketing, will officially participate in the department's establishment, personnel management, and subsequent event planning. All departments, especially the Education Department and the Sales Department, must fully cooperate. After the managers' meeting, Mr. Gu will discuss the staffing arrangements for the Marketing Department with you. The recruitment standards will all be based on Mr. Gu's requirements!"

When Xiao Peiyin heard Zhang Qiming's appointment, she suddenly realized that she had been to Zhang Qiming's office. She didn't know why Gu Cunxi had changed so much. Wasn't she afraid of power and wanted to live a simple life? Why did she suddenly change her mind? Why did she accept Zhang Qiming's appointment... Why did she have to make things so difficult for herself?

"Cunxi, do you have anything to add about the meeting?" Zhang Qiming's words interrupted Xiao Peiyin's thoughts. She looked up at Gu Cunxi, her brows furrowed, her expression serious, her eyes firm and cold, as if she had become a completely different person...

Gu Cunxi looked at Zhang Qiming and nodded. He walked forward and said calmly, "From today on, I will work with General Manager Zhang to set up the marketing department. My future work will focus on market research, developing marketing plans based on the positioning of customer groups, developing new customer groups, marketing and packaging the company's products, and conducting online and offline promotional activities. I hope that the teaching department and the sales department can actively cooperate in future work. Regarding the recruitment of the marketing department, Manager Shi, these are my requirements for personnel!"

Shi Qingxian took the printed document from Gu Cunxi, looked at it carefully, and asked in confusion, "Are all of them new graduates with no experience?"

"Well, fresh graduates are easier to manage than those who have worked for years. They won't be as lazy at work, and their salaries are relatively satisfying. The company is in its developmental stage, so if we can't increase revenue, we can only cut costs. If we reduce investment in advertising and promotion, saving money will inevitably become a sunk cost if it doesn't achieve results. Taking all factors into consideration, we can only reduce investment in manpower in the early stages!"

Zhang Qiming admired Gu Cunxi with a barely perceptible smile on his face. Shi Qingxian paused and continued, "It seems these professional requirements for personnel have nothing to do with the marketing department..."

"Manager Shi, I need people with relevant internet expertise to do online promotion, optimize the company's keywords, increase site traffic, and improve rankings. I also need liberal arts graduates to control the copywriting of soft copy. How can you say there's no connection?"

It was the first time that Xiao Peiyin saw Gu Cunxi like this. She was standing there talking freely. Her thoughts were clear and every word she said was unquestionable and firm. Her long eyelashes were trembling slightly, her fair and flawless skin was faintly pink, and her lips were a rose-red color that was extremely sexy. Really... charming!

"Okay, then I'll conduct the recruitment according to Director Gu's requirements. Director Gu needs to be present during the interview!"

"no problem!"

Gu Cunxi looked at Zhang Qiming and said, "I have nothing more to add about the meeting. I will discuss some work arrangements with the relevant departments later."

"Okay, that's it for today's meeting. Adjourn!"

Zhang Qiming was the first to leave the conference room, and people from various departments also left one after another. Only Gu Cunxi, Xiao Peiyin, and Cheng Sheng were left in the conference room. Cheng Sheng was the first to speak and broke the silence: "Sister Cunxi, congratulations, I knew it, you are so capable, the front desk really wronged you, but now that you are gone, I am the only one left at the front desk again!"

Gu Cunxi looked at Cheng Sheng, who looked happy but reluctant, and smiled softly: "I'm not resigning. We can still have lunch together at noon. Besides, I promised to teach you piano!"

After saying that, Gu Cunxi turned around and left. She didn't even look at Xiao Peiyin from beginning to end.

"Cunxi!!" Xiao Peiyin called her from behind, and Gu Cunxi stopped but did not turn back.

"Cheng Sheng, I have something to say to Cun Xi!" Xiao Peiyin looked at Cheng Sheng and motioned her to leave first!

"Oh, okay! Then Sister Pei Yin, you guys chat, I'll be leaving first!"

After Cheng Sheng left, the conference room fell into a brief silence. Neither of them spoke for a long time. After a while, Xiao Peiyin looked at her back and said, "Why did you accept Zhang Qiming's appointment? Don't you just want to live an ordinary life?"

Gu Cunxi did not respond, but stood there quietly, without leaving, but also without looking back. She wanted to tell Xiao Peiyin that she loved her, because she wanted to protect her and did not want to see anyone hurt her.

But how could she, who was married and a mother, accept this? She was a woman, and she was also a woman. How could she dare to hope that Xiao Peiyin would love her? Saying it out loud would only make her feel absurd...

"Cunxi! I don't know why, but I'm always afraid of your silence and your pretense. I don't know when you're happy or angry. I'm afraid that your calm tone contains pain and sadness that I can't detect. I don't know why you suddenly made such a decision and are so cold to me. Is it because I told Chen Feng in front of him that we're just colleagues? I just don't want Chen Feng to cause you any trouble. He's a very controlling and powerful man, and I don't want you to be hurt because of me!!"

Gu Cunxi didn't dare to look back, and even wanted to escape. She didn't know how to face Xiao Peiyin. She was afraid that she would have the urge to hug her as soon as she turned around. Thinking of her marriage, Gu Cunxi felt that she was a little despicable. When did she become so immoral... She actually wanted to love someone else's wife!

Suddenly, Gu Cunxi felt warmth in her hand. Xiao Peiyin walked behind her and held her hand. The warmth from her hand made Gu Cunxi gradually lose her mind. Her hand was very warm...

He really wanted to hold her like this and never let go. Xiao Peiyin stood behind him. She felt Gu Cunxi's slightly trembling hand and held it tighter...

The pleasant mint scent of her body filled his whole body. Xiao Peiyin stretched out his hand and then retracted it, resisting the urge to hug her.

The two stood like this for a long time, holding hands. Gu Cunxi closed her eyes resigned to her fate. She didn't want to trap her heart. If Chen Feng couldn't give her happiness, she was willing to take her away. Even if it meant losing her morals and crossing the line, she was willing to endure the contempt and curses of others. If she could give her happiness, if Xiao Peiyin was willing...

Thinking of this, Gu Cunxi shed tears and turned to face her, his eyes soft and dim.

"Xiao Peiyin!" Gu Cunxi called her with a hoarse voice.

Seeing Gu Cunxi crying, Xiao Peiyin's heart suddenly ached. She raised her hand to touch her cheek and wipe away her tears, but stopped in mid-air, as if there was a taboo between them that could not be touched.

Their eyes met! Her gentleness caught Gu Cunxi's eye, and she could no longer deceive herself. She was really... in love with her! She looked at Xiao Peiyin's thin lips with wounds, lowered her head and kissed her gently, with some aggression, but also very gentle. She pried open her lips, savoring her softness, cautiously afraid of hurting her. She put her arms around Xiao Peiyin's body, letting her stick tightly to her.

At this moment, Xiao Peiyin's mind went blank again. She knew that this was wrong, but she just couldn't refuse. Her body gradually lost strength. She closed her eyes and let Gu Cunxi hug her. She thought she fell in love with Gu Cunxi. Her body would never lie!

She liked Gu Cunxi's kiss and hug. At this moment, she temporarily forgot who she was. She just wanted to be Xiao Peiyin, who was not someone else's wife, nor the mother of her child, in her warm embrace.

Thinking of this, she raised her hand and hugged Gu Cunxi back, and responded to her kiss with her lips. Feeling Xiao Peiyin's response, Gu Cunxi paused for a moment, then deepened the kiss, and the hand around her waist rubbed her lightly unconsciously.

After a long time, he felt that the person in his arms was a little breathless, so he let her go, looked at Xiao Peiyin with a smile, and said gently: "Now I can answer your question just now!"

"I did want to live an ordinary life, but what just happened made me change my mind. Being ordinary means being suppressed, having to endure, having to compromise, and feeling helpless when facing the person I love but cannot protect them. If that's the case, then I'd rather live my life like before!"

"Just now in the hallway, when I saw him trying to kiss you, and I saw you avoiding me, your fear, your hopelessness, I felt utterly torn. Seeing others hurting you, I wanted to stand in front of you and protect you, but I had nothing and couldn't do anything. I needed to hold the bargaining chip in my hand so I could have the right to say I loved you! I want to give you the courage to take on the world!!"

"Even though I don't want to admit it, even though I really want to escape, I can't lie to myself, Xiao Peiyin! I like you!!"