At the Finance Bureau, Gu Jingchuan had just returned to his office after a meeting. Yang Haodong stood before his desk, reporting the full day’s itinerary.
Gu Jingchuan suddenly recalled what the young woman had said that day. He raised his hand to stop Yang Haodong mid-sentence. “Haodong, check the itinerary for last Friday—the one that was postponed due to other matters.”
Yang Haodong was slightly taken aback. Having worked by the Director’s side since graduating, he had never seen him wear such an expectant expression. Though curious, he hurried off to investigate.
Moments later, he returned to report, “Director, last Friday you were originally scheduled to visit the Tax Bureau, but it was rescheduled due to other commitments.”
The Tax Bureau?
So the young woman worked at the Tax Bureau. It seemed she was quite capable.
Gu Jingchuan suppressed his inner excitement, asking calmly, “When was it rescheduled to?”
“This Friday.”
Gu Jingchuan furrowed his brow. He would have to wait four more days to see the young woman—he couldn’t wait that long.
Yang Haodong sensed the Director’s dissatisfaction with the arrangement and asked nervously, “Director, is there something wrong?”
Suddenly, Gu Jingchuan stood up and said directly to Yang Haodong, “Clear my afternoon schedule. I’m going to the Tax Bureau now.”
What?
Yang Haodong was utterly bewildered. Why did it feel like the Director had set his sights on the Tax Bureau? Could there be something extraordinary there?!
At the Tax Bureau
Director Liu received the notice from his superiors and was instantly thrown into a fluster. He hurriedly waddled over with his big belly to inform everyone of the news.
“Everyone, stop what you’re doing. Director Gu will be here soon—in about half an hour. Get moving quickly, and especially mind your appearances.”
Someone questioned, “Really?”
Another person curled their lips. “Would anyone make this up? Get back to work.”
Hong Lingling exchanged a glance with Su Ningyue, then lowered her head and got busy as well.
Only Feng Mengna, off to the side, rolled her eyes around slyly, as if plotting some mischief.
Just past ten o’clock, a Hongqi sedan pulled up at the entrance of the Tax Bureau. Director Liu and the others had long been waiting outside under the blazing sun.
Gu Jingchuan looked out through the car window, already anticipating the expression on the young woman’s face when she saw him.
Gu Jingchuan was the last to step out of the car. Among the crowd of high-ranking officials in suits, his presence was so commanding that it intimidated everyone present.
Director Shen quickly put on a smile and stepped forward to greet him. “Director Gu, hello. I’m Shen Jiangtao, Director of the Tax Bureau. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit us.”
Though their official ranks were similar, the family background behind Gu Jingchuan was formidable enough that no one dared to overlook it.
Gu Jingchuan glanced sidelong at Shen Jiangtao. “Director Shen, I’m just here for a casual visit—consider it making a friend.”
Shen Jiangtao had served as an official for many years and prided himself on handling things with ease, but this was the first time he felt fear toward anyone. It seemed Gu Jingchuan’s rise to this position wasn’t solely reliant on his family connections.
Shen Jiangtao laughed heartily and flattered, “Being able to befriend Director Gu is an honor for this humble Shen.”
“Director Gu, this way, please.”
In the main hall of the Tax Bureau, a crowd of employees stood with smiles, welcoming the leader’s arrival.
Gu Jingchuan’s footsteps came to a halt. His gaze swept across the room like a beam of intense light, yet he didn’t see the young woman he longed for. Had he gotten it wrong?
“Director Gu, these are the core members of our Tax Bureau.”
Shen Jiangtao was earnestly introducing Gu Jingchuan, his obsequious demeanor causing the employees below to completely revise their impression of him.
Usually, he acted arrogant and high-and-mighty in front of them, but outside, he still played the part of a docile grandson.
Liu Zhenyu reminded, “Everyone, quickly greet Director Gu.”
“Hello, Director Gu!”
Instantly, a resounding voice echoed through the hall.
Out of respect for Director Gu’s authority, they quietly lowered their heads after greeting him.
Gu Jingchuan frowned in dissatisfaction. “Director Shen, are all the employees here?”
What did he mean?
Could the headcount be off?
Shen Jiangtao shot Liu Zhenyu a look, and Liu Zhenyu immediately understood. “Director Gu, I am Liu Zhenyu, Division Chief of the Tax Bureau. Allow me to verify for you.”
Liu Zhenyu’s scalp tingled as he glanced at the employees beside him and began counting immediately.
Hong Lingling’s heart leaped to her throat, her eyes fixed on the entrance, hoping only that Ningyue would return quickly.
Before Liu Zhenyu could react, Feng Mengna curved her lips and stepped forward directly to report, “Division Chief Liu, Su Ningyue just stepped out.”
Hong Lingling’s heart plummeted to the ground. It was over, over!
That damned Feng Mengna, kicking someone when they’re down. Hong Lingling glared viciously at Feng Mengna, only to meet her gloating gaze.
Liu Zhenyu looked carefully and indeed saw that Su Ningyue was missing. That girl was usually steady and reliable—how could she slip up at such a critical moment?
He struggled to remain calm and asked, “Hong Lingling, where is Su Ningyue?”
“Ningyue, she… she…”
Hong Lingling stammered, unable to explain. Was she supposed to say that Ningyue had gone to buy sanitary pads? That would be mortifying.
Suddenly, she looked up and spotted a graceful figure running over from afar. She exclaimed in surprise, “Division Chief, Ningyue is back.”
In an instant, everyone’s gaze turned toward Su Ningyue, who had rushed back in a hurry. She was about to walk over and apologize to the Division Chief when she caught sight of Gu Jingchuan among the crowd, and her mind went blank.
Why him again?
Seeing the little girl he had been thinking about once more, Gu Jingchuan’s expression softened considerably.
Liu Zhenyu didn’t notice Gu Jingchuan’s expression. Seeing Su Ningyue standing foolishly in front of the leader, he couldn’t help raising his voice. “Su Ningyue, what are you doing? Come over and greet Director Gu.”
Su Ningyue’s feet went cold. That man was the Director Gu that Director Shen was trying to curry favor with?
It was over. She had complained about him for ages with Yanyan that day—he wouldn’t hold a grudge, would he?
Under the Division Chief’s glare, Su Ningyue steeled herself and stepped forward to greet the man.
“Dir, Director Gu, hello!”
Gu Jingchuan didn’t want to put too much psychological pressure on the little girl, so he simply nodded and helped her out of the situation. “Director Shen, I heard you’ve been working on a major project recently. Take me to have a look.”
“Of course, of course. Director Gu, this way, please.”
Liu Zhenyu immediately forgot about disciplining Su Ningyue.
After the group had walked away, Hong Lingling approached Su Ningyue. “Ningyue, that was such a close call just now. Luckily Director Gu was magnanimous and didn’t pursue it.”
The next second, she fell into a daze of infatuation. “But still, I never expected Director Gu to be so handsome. Rich, powerful, and influential—he’s practically my ideal man.”
“With your short, stumpy figure, you actually have the nerve to fantasize about Director Gu? Hong Lingling, when did your face get so thick?” Feng Mengna scoffed.
Hong Lingling’s expression shifted. “Feng Mengna, stop with the sarcastic remarks. If it weren’t for you just now, the Director wouldn’t have found out about Ningyue so quickly.”
At that moment, she no longer cared about rank or position. After all, Feng Mengna’s position as team leader was only obtained through the Director’s favor—she had no real authority anyway.
Feng Mengna admitted it outright. “So what if I did it on purpose? On such an important day, Su Ningyue actually ran off. I’d like to see how the Director punishes you later.”
With that, she cast a contemptuous glance at Su Ningyue. In truth, she was burning with jealousy. Don’t think she didn’t notice—Director Gu had seemed to be helping Su Ningyue out of a tight spot just now. What a vixen, always seducing men.
As long as Su Ningyue was around, no one ever paid attention to her, Feng Mengna.