“The return on investment for that promotional expenditure was very high. There was nothing wrong with the decision.” His tone was firm and commanding.
He walked over and took his seat at the head of the table, crossing his legs as he looked at Gu Jing.
“Auntie, are you questioning my decision, or Secretary Wen’s ability to carry it out?”
Gu Jing was at a loss for words.
She could put on the airs of an elder and a board member in front of Wen Yu, but standing before Gu Huaizhi—the person who truly held the power—her little schemes were hardly worth mentioning.
“I…I was only thinking of what was best for the company.” Gu Jing’s imposing attitude weakened.
“I know how to handle the company’s affairs.” Gu Huaizhi’s tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable hint that he wanted her to leave. “I know Secretary Wen’s capabilities very well. Every decision she makes represents my intentions. If there’s nothing else, Auntie, you should go. I still have a meeting.”
Gu Jing’s face turned pale and then flushed with anger. In the end, she said nothing more. She stood up resentfully, shot Wen Yu a glare, and walked away in her high heels.
Only Gu Huaizhi and Wen Yu remained in the meeting room.
The air fell quiet.
Wen Yu looked at Gu Huaizhi’s cold, stern profile, feeling something indescribable stirring in her heart.
Had he…just defended her?
“Mr. Gu, thank you,” she said softly.
Gu Huaizhi turned his head and looked at her, his deep eyes unreadable.
“Thank me for what? I was only protecting the company’s decision-making process and my authority. You’re the secretary I chose. Questioning you is the same as questioning my judgment. Just do your job properly and don’t give anyone a chance to find fault with you.”
His words completely extinguished the faint ripple of emotion that had just risen in Wen Yu’s heart.
He had always been this way—keeping everything clearly separated. Work was work, and a lover was a lover.
He had defended her not because she was Wen Yu, but because she was his chief secretary, someone who represented his reputation and authority.
Wen Yu lowered her head, hiding the fleeting trace of self-mockery in her eyes.
“Yes, Mr. Gu. I understand.” Her voice returned to its usual calm and detached tone. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.”
She turned around, straightened her back, and walked out of the meeting room with steady steps.
The door gently closed behind her.
Gu Huaizhi stared at the closed door, his gaze lingering on the spot where she had just stood for several seconds. His fingertips unconsciously tapped against the armrest of the sofa, his eyes growing darker and deeper.
Wen Yu returned to her desk and quietly let out a breath.
She repeated the words to herself once again.
Just hold on a little longer.
Once the contract ended, she could take her mother and leave.
Then all of this would be over.
Gu Jing had barely left when another woman arrived.
Wen Yu was sitting at her computer, checking the quarterly financial statements, when a young assistant from the Mr.’s office hurried over. She looked troubled.
“Sister Wen, the front desk says there’s a Miss Bai Lu here. She doesn’t have an appointment, but she insists on seeing Mr. Gu.”
Bai Lu?
Wen Yu searched her memory for the name.
Then she remembered.
She was the daughter of the owner of Kangle Building Materials. Her family had some business dealings with the Gu Corporation. After meeting Gu Huaizhi at a banquet once, she had relentlessly pursued him.
Wen Yu rubbed her temples, already annoyed by this kind of lack of tact. She walked over and picked up the phone.
“Tell Miss Bai that Mr. Gu’s schedule is full. Without an appointment, he can’t meet with her. If she has business to discuss, ask her to contact the relevant department.”
She hung up, thinking that would be the end of it.
Unexpectedly, about ten minutes later, the sharp click-clack of high heels came from outside.
It was accompanied by the anxious voice of the receptionist.
“Miss Bai, you really can’t go in. Secretary Wen—”
The receptionist was frantic. She had let her guard down for just a moment, and the woman had slipped into the elevator. There was nothing she could do except chase after her.
Wen Yu turned around and saw a young woman barging in wearing the latest Chanel skirt suit and carrying a Hermès handbag.
Her makeup was exquisite, and she held her chin high. Everything about her practically screamed, Don’t mess with me.
Wen Yu frowned.
How did she manage to get up here?
The receptionist nervously said, “Secretary Wen, she…”
Bai Lu looked Wen Yu up and down with undisguised disdain.
“You’re Secretary Wen?”
Her voice was sweet and delicate, but her words were anything but polite.
“I’m very close to Brother Huaizhi. Can you make an exception and let me go in to see him? I just want to talk to him for a few minutes.”
Brother Huaizhi?
Wen Yu sneered inwardly.
Does Gu Huaizhi even know you call him that?
She stood up and put on her professional smile.
“Miss Bai, I’m sorry, but Mr. Gu is handling important matters right now and has instructed us not to receive any visitors. This is company policy. I hope you understand.”
Bai Lu hadn’t expected to hit a wall even after making it all the way upstairs. She immediately became extremely annoyed.
She stepped forward several times until she was standing close to Wen Yu, her tone provocative.
“Hmph. You’re just a secretary, yet you certainly act important. Do you even know what kind of relationship I have with Brother Huaizhi? If you delay something important between us, can you afford to take responsibility for it?”
The smile on Wen Yu’s face remained unchanged, but inside, she felt as though something was weighing heavily on her chest.
She had seen plenty of women like this—women who had a little money behind them and assumed that gave them a special place in Gu Huaizhi’s heart.
Perhaps she would have felt a faint sense of discomfort in the past.
But now, she only found it ridiculous.
And exhausting.
“Miss Bai, regardless of what your personal relationship with Mr. Gu may be, this is the Gu Corporation. You still need to follow company procedures.”
Bai Lu was furious at Wen Yu’s unyielding attitude, but she couldn’t very well make a scene here.
She glared at Wen Yu and stamped her foot.
“Fine! You win! I’ll call Brother Huaizhi myself!”
She pulled out her phone and walked to the side to make a call.
Wen Yu stopped paying attention to her and returned to her seat.
A while later, Bai Lu came back looking smug. She waved her phone in front of Wen Yu.
“Brother Huaizhi told me to wait for him tonight so we can have dinner together. Hmph.”
Wen Yu didn’t even lift her eyes.
“Of course, Miss Bai. Would you like me to make a restaurant reservation for you?”
Bai Lu froze for a moment, suddenly looking a little guilty.
The truth was, she didn’t even have Gu Huaizhi’s phone number. She had simply made it up.
“N-No need. Don’t worry about it. I’ll make the arrangements with Brother Huaizhi myself.”
“Alright.”
Wen Yu nodded and went back to what she was doing without looking at her again.
Bai Lu knew there was no point in staying. She was certain she wouldn’t get to see Gu Huaizhi, so she left, clicking away in her high heels.
Wang Wen came over and muttered softly, “Sister Wen, you’re way too patient. Someone like her should just be escorted out by security.”
Wen Yu tugged slightly at the corner of her lips but said nothing.
Actually, she wasn’t particularly patient either.
She simply didn’t want to create any unnecessary trouble for herself at a time when she was about to leave.
That evening, Wen Yu rode back to the apartment in Gu Huaizhi’s car.
Neither of them spoke along the way.
Wen Yu couldn’t figure out what was on his mind, and she was too tired to guess anymore. This had always been the way they interacted.
She looked out the window at the city streets sliding past.
I probably won’t ever come back here again.
When they arrived home, the housekeeper who came at a fixed time to prepare their meals had already finished cooking. Seeing the owners return, she gathered her things and left.
After dinner, Wen Yu went into the bathroom to take a shower.
When she came out, Gu Huaizhi had already showered in the guest bedroom. He was now leaning against the headboard, reading the news on his tablet.
For some reason, she sensed that the atmosphere around him was unusually tense.
She didn’t think much of it.
As usual, she prepared to lie down on the other side of the bed.
But just as she reached the bedside, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
The force was strong, leaving no room for resistance.
Wen Yu looked up in surprise and met Gu Huaizhi’s deep, dark eyes.
“Mr. Gu?”
Gu Huaizhi said nothing.
He simply pulled hard, sending her tumbling onto the bed before turning over and pinning her beneath him.
His kiss landed on her lips and neck with an almost punishing intensity. His movements were rough, unlike his usual controlled composure.
Wen Yu felt a little pain and frowned, unable to understand what had gotten into him.
Was he angry?
Who had upset him so badly that he had come home and taken it out on her?
She couldn’t afford to oppose him, so she relaxed her body and went along with him.
Their passionate encounter ended with the frustration and pent-up emotions Gu Huaizhi had been carrying.
As usual, Gu Huaizhi got up and went into the bathroom.
Wen Yu curled up on the bed, feeling as though every bone in her body had been pulled apart.
The exhaustion in her heart was even heavier than the fatigue in her body.
When Gu Huaizhi came out of the shower and changed into his clothes, he walked toward the door.
Then he stopped.
In a low voice, he tossed out a final sentence.
“From now on, keep unrelated people outside.”
With that, he opened the door and left.
Wen Yu slowly sat up, wrapped her arms around her knees, and buried her face against them.
Unrelated people?
Was he referring to Bai Lu?
Had he been so intense just now because he was expressing his displeasure?
Was he angry because she had been disturbed?