Chapter 49 Dinner
On this day, when it was almost time to get off work, Gu Ningwei went to the 24th floor with a tired look on his face. He passed by the president's office and saw that the employees were already preparing to leave work. He didn't say anything, just nodded perfunctorily, went into his office, and closed the door casually.
He hasn't been here for many days. Other people in the president's office said that Mr. Gu was very busy at the group and was on business trips continuously.
Han Que originally had a yoga class to teach in the evening. Gu Ningwei's coming at this time didn't necessarily mean that she had something to do, but she couldn't leave work on time, so she could only sit quietly in her seat and pretend to organize documents.
She sent a message to Zhou Hongbin asking for leave, and Zhou quickly agreed.
After the Lu Xiaoping incident, Zhou Hongbin adjusted his strategy, reducing his dependence on Han Que and supporting two other female college students who had just arrived at the Sports College as part-time students in his course arrangements.
The office director of the president's office was a middle-aged woman named Pan. I heard that she was arranged by the group. She dressed conservatively, behaved competently, was serious and stern, and asked Han Que to make coffee for Gu Ningwei and bring it in.
Han asked, "Mr. Gu just closed the door. He probably doesn't want to be disturbed. Is it appropriate for me to go in now?"
Director Pan sternly instructed her, "The more the leader behaves like this, the more we secretaries should take the initiative to care and see if the leader needs anything." She paused and then reminded her, "Xiao Han, you're new here, so you need to be proactive in your work. Don't be hesitant or afraid of what others say."
She must have also heard the legends about Han Que and Gu Ningwei, but was afraid that the rumors would affect her work attitude, so she automatically blocked them out. She treated Han Que like an ordinary newly transferred subordinate, being strict and neither humble nor arrogant.
Han, however, felt an inexplicable respect for her, so she stood up obediently and went to make coffee as instructed. Director Pan then told her Gu Ningwei's preference: "American style, no sugar, no ice."
After giving these instructions, Director Pan packed up his belongings and said to Han, "I have something to do at home, so I'll leave first. When you leave, please close the water, electricity, doors and windows."
Han stood next to the coffee machine, nodded, and asked her not to worry. Director Pan looked at her again, wanted to say something, but didn't, and walked away with his head down.
Han brought the coffee and knocked on the door. When he entered, Gu Ningwei was lying on the sofa with his head resting on his arm, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
Seeing that it was Han Que who came in, he did not stand up, but patted the sofa beside him and smiled: "Well, come and sit."
Han didn't answer. She half-knelt and placed the coffee cup on the coffee table next to the sofa. Just as she was about to get up, Gu Ningwei reached out and held her hand, pulling her to sit on the sofa next to him.
"I asked you to sit over here but you refused and insisted that I do it myself." He complained, looking up at her, his eyes scanning her face. Seeing that she looked helpless and awkward, he raised the corners of his lips.
Han gently reminded him, "I'm still at work."
Gu Ningwei sneered: "It's time to get off work. Look at the time." He gently moved her chin with his fingers and asked her to look at the wall clock.
With a "ding" sound, the pointer coincided with the number "6".
Han felt uncomfortable, twisted his body, frowned and whispered: "At the company."
Gu Ningwei raised his chin. "Hey, there's no one outside." He chuckled and said, "Director Pan just sent me a message saying he was leaving. As for the others, they all saw his expression and took the opportunity to slip away."
Han thought about it and realized that it was true. When she came in with the coffee, everyone in the president's office had left.
She had to admire him. It turned out that those who could stay with the boss were all smart people.
Gu Ningwei sighed, turned over and sat up, straightening his wrinkled linen shirt. He shook his head and sighed, "I kind of regret it now..."
Han looked at him silently.
This statement is nonsensical and incomprehensible.
Gu Ningwei glanced at her. "You used to be so lively. You'd never admit defeat in a verbal battle with me. But now, ever since..." He paused, then changed his words, "Ever since I transferred you to the 24th floor, you've become like a little wife, cautious, submissive, and always watching my expression."
"Am I not being gentle and obedient?" Han asked with a puzzled smile, "Is that wrong?"
"It's not wrong, it's just becoming less like yourself."
"Then what should I do?" Han looked up and said in a mocking tone, "I have no experience. If you have experience, you can teach me."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Gu Ningwei's face change, and she knew she had said the wrong thing. Sure enough, Gu Ningwei glanced at her and snorted.
Han had to make amends himself, "I used to be a salesperson, and I made a living by my performance. Now it's not the same. I have to rely on people's faces to make a living. I have to be gentle."
"I don't need you to be gentle and obedient." Gu Ningwei had already stood up from the sofa, picked up the coffee cup on the coffee table, took a sip, and put it down again, frowning and complaining: "The taste of this coffee, I know it was made by Director Pan."
Han couldn't help but roll his eyes at him. "I've just been transferred to the office to serve people. How would I know what you like? Of course I have to ask the director for advice on everything. If you don't like it, I'll pour it out."
As she spoke, she leaned over to grab the coffee cup on the coffee table. Gu Ningwei grabbed the cup first and took a big sip, almost getting burned. He stuck out his tongue, hissed, and laughed. "Yeah, that's how you are. That child bride look is not your style."
Han sighed himself, leaned back on the sofa, folded his arms, and said nothing.
After a while, Gu Ningwei asked, "Do you have any objections?"
Han shook his head.
Gu Ningwei was very patient: "If you have any opinions, just say it. Don't make me guess. We have limited time and can't waste it."
When he mentioned the three-month agreement, Han fell silent. After a moment of silence, she said, "I'm more comfortable in the sales department."
Gu Ningwei nodded. "I know, so I'm just seconding you to the CEO's office." After a pause, he said, "After three months, I'll replace you with a male assistant. You can return to the sales department."
Han nodded and said nothing.
Three months. He would mention this time limit from time to time, as if reminding her that he didn't want much, just to stay with him for three months.
This countdown to love.
Gu Ningwei thought for a moment, "Well, if you don't want to be in the company at that time, that's fine too. Just make a request and I'll try my best to arrange it."
"Arrange for me to leave." Han smiled faintly. "It seems that the internet says that the lovers of wealthy men are arranged in this way, such as studying abroad or further training."
"If you want to study abroad, that's fine, but you have to work hard to pass the TOEFL and IELTS. I can find an agent and spend some money to get it done, but I don't think you'd be willing to do that."
Han Que's eyes narrowed slightly, but a thought flashed through his mind: how could she leave Liu Suping alone here? He smiled faintly and said, "I was just joking. We'll talk about it later."
Gu Ningwei murmured for a moment, then sighed deeply and said to her with a slightly serious expression: "Don't wait until then. Time is running out. You need to think it over as soon as possible."
Han pondered for a moment and complained softly, "What kind of life is this? We haven't even started a formal relationship, but we're already preparing for our funeral."
Gu Ningwei leaned back on the sofa with his eyes closed, resting his mind. Upon hearing this, he opened his eyes and looked at her deeply. After a moment, he suddenly sat up straight, pulled Han Que over and sat her on his lap. He hooked her chin and said with a smile, "Yes, we haven't enjoyed life yet. Come on, I'll take you somewhere."
*
Halfway through dinner, Gu Ningwei received a call. His brow furrowed as he listened. He stood up, walked to the other side of the terrace, and said sternly, "...Jiang Jin, I'm reminding you not to follow every request they make. I've had someone investigate Shunxin's background, and you can't trust their words. You're a professional, so how come you don't even have this little risk awareness?"
“…”
"...Jiang Jin, what you're doing is very dangerous. The reason I transferred you outside the group, so that you are not under Gu Zhiguang's control, don't you understand what I mean?"
Han picked up the cup and looked at his back from afar. The wind in the wild blew his hair, and the hem of his linen shirt fluttered in the wind.
…
"...Okay, I've said everything I need to say. It's up to you whether you want to listen or not." Gu Ningwei hung up the phone, walked back to the dining table and sat down, staring at the steak on the plate.
After a while, he picked up the napkin on the table, leaned over, gently wiped the sauce from Han Que's lips, and said in a friendly tone: "Look at you, eating like a kitten."
Han shrugged his shoulders, lowered his head, cut a piece of steak, and put it into his mouth politely.
"Jiang Jin..." He said halfway, looked up at Han Que's indifferent expression, paused, and sighed slightly: "Forget it... Let's not talk about it anymore, let's eat."
Han's brows remained unchanged as he cut another piece of meat and stuffed it into his mouth.
Gu Ningwei said helplessly, "Is steak delicious when it's medium rare?"
Han nodded, "It is indeed much younger."
Gu Ningwei's eyes fell on her hand holding the knife and fork. Her cold, white fingers were skilled and neat. He asked, "Your cutting posture is very elegant."
Han looked up and smiled at him, narrowing his eyes. "Yes, I've been used to doing chores since I was a child. I can kill fish and chickens. I can do everything. So in the anatomy class, the teacher said I was the most skillful with a knife. If I had to kill someone, I would kill them with one blow."
As she spoke, she picked up the cut steak with a fork and fed it to Gu Ningwei's lips: "Try it."
The wind on the terrace was a little strong, rustling the leaves. The setting sun was like a huge red balloon, quietly resting on the treetops.
Two little birds flapped their wings and flew over, landing on the terrace to look for food.
Gu Ningwei leaned over, caught the beef she handed over with his lips, picked it up with the tip of his tongue, and put it between his lips.
The wet tip of his tongue touched her fingers intentionally or unintentionally. The warm touch made Han's heart palpitate slightly. She was in a trance, staring at his face blankly.
Gu Ningwei swallowed the beef, looked at her eyes, pursed his lips, and smiled: "What are you looking at?"
Han shook his head and smiled: "Nothing."
Gu Ningwei tilted his face to the side and teased her: "Do you think I'm pretty?"
Han nodded seriously: "Yes, it looks very good."
Gu Ningwei twirled the red wine glass in his hand, shaking it a few times. He seemed to be relieved and leaned back in his chair. He said with a melancholy and emotion, "Fortunately, I still caught your eye and didn't make you feel wronged."
Han turned his head away and pretended not to hear his unclear voice.
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