“Ningyue, what if the director punishes you?”
Hong Lingling asked nervously.
“Don’t worry, at worst I’ll just have some of my pay docked.”
Su Ningyue comforted her while enduring the abdominal pain. Unfortunately, it happened to be the first day of her period, a day when she was always especially weak.
Gu Jingchuan was listening absentmindedly to Liu Zhenyu’s introduction when he suddenly interrupted him. “Director Liu, how long has that girl been working here?”
Liu Zhenyu, who had been speaking with great enthusiasm, didn’t react at first. He asked blankly, “Which girl?”
Shen Jiangtao quickly stepped forward and winked at Liu Zhenyu. “Of course, the girl who was late.”
What was wrong with Old Liu today? He had no sense of the situation at all.
Based on his experience in official circles, Director Gu had most likely taken a liking to that girl.
Liu Zhenyu suddenly understood and said fawningly, “Director Gu, that girl is called Su Ningyue. She’s been working here for half a year now—diligent and hardworking…”
He rattled off a long string of praises for Su Ningyue.
But afterward, Gu Jingchuan didn’t bring up Su Ningyue again, leaving Liu Zhenyu’s heart in turmoil, unsure whether Gu was satisfied with her or not.
Gu Jingchuan sat gracefully on the single sofa, his long legs casually crossed—as if it were an innate habit. In his slightly lowered eyes, a deep and mysterious light seemed to flicker, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Liu Zhenyu suddenly felt a bit grateful for the interruption.
“Come in.”
Upon hearing the voice from inside, Feng Mengna deliberately pulled her collar down a little, revealing her cleavage, and gently pushed the door open with a smile on her face. “Director Gu, Director Liu, Director Shen, I’m Feng Mengna. I’ve brewed some coffee for you all.”
With that, she dutifully poured coffee for the leaders, but her eyes remained fixed on Gu Jingchuan. Unfortunately, Gu Jingchuan didn’t even spare her a glance. Awkward and embarrassed, Feng Mengna had no choice but to seek help from Director Liu.
Seeing this, Liu Zhenyu put on an apologetic smile for Gu Jingchuan. “Director Gu, this is our unit’s most capable employee, Feng Mengna. Not only is she beautiful, but she’s also very polite. Most importantly, the coffee she brews is absolutely aromatic.”
Feng Mengna adopted a coy, clinging posture beside him and feigned modesty. “Director Liu, I’m really not as good as you say.”
The two played off each other, which made Gu Jingchuan frown deeply. “Director Liu, have it taken away.”
What?
Feng Mengna’s expression froze instantly. “Director Gu, is my coffee not to your liking? But you haven’t even tried it.”
“Director Liu, since when did your employees get to speak on your behalf?”
Gu Jingchuan’s casual remark nearly scared the wits out of Liu Zhenyu. He quickly groveled and said nice things to Gu Jingchuan, then loudly scolded Feng Mengna.
Feng Mengna felt extremely wronged—not only had she failed to curry favor with the leader, but she’d also gotten herself into trouble.
“Get the hell out of here, now!”
Feng Mengna covered her face and ran out.
“Director Gu, the staff below are inexperienced. Please don’t be upset.”
Liu Zhenyu smiled nervously, his face full of trepidation. Shen Jiangtao couldn’t stand to watch any longer and quickly pointed him in the right direction.
“Old Liu, it seems Director Gu doesn’t like this coffee. Have your people brew a fresh pot.”
Liu Zhenyu immediately caught on. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the coffee—his interest clearly lay elsewhere.
“Director Gu, please wait a moment. I’ll have my staff brew a fresh pot right away.”
As soon as Liu Zhenyu stepped out of the office, Feng Mengna sidled up to him, coquettishly trying to wheedle her way into his favor. But he had no time for her now, and shot her a fierce glare. “Get out of my way. If you mess things up on such an important day, you’ll have me to answer to.”
“By the way, where’s Su Ningyue?”
Feng Mengna knew the man’s temper well and didn’t dare push further. She pointed reluctantly toward the direction of the break room.
Liu Zhenyu brushed past her and headed straight for the break room, leaving her seething with a dull ache in her chest.
Men were all the same—no good, only interested in the young and pretty.
Su Ningyue was in the break room filling her cup with hot water. Her lower abdomen had been aching dully all day, but she couldn’t afford to take leave, so she could only rely on drinking hot water to ease the pain.
Turning around, she nearly bumped into Director Liu. Clutching her cup, she greeted him politely, “Director Liu.”
Just as she braced herself for him to make things difficult for her, he surprised her with a genial smile. “Ningyue, brew some coffee and bring it to my office.”
Liu Zhenyu sized up Su Ningyue with a subtle, appraising gaze. This young woman had caught Director Gu’s eye—who knew, maybe in the future even he, as a department head, would have to rely on her goodwill. So for now, Su Ningyue was his ticket to fortune, and he had to treat her with the utmost care.
“Me?!”
Su Ningyue pointed at herself in disbelief, her face clouded with hesitation. “Director, but my coffee doesn’t taste good. Why not let Mengna do it instead?”
“That won’t do. Director Gu specifically asked for you.” Liu Zhenyu waved his hand. “Hurry up now.”
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked out of the break room, leaving Su Ningyue alone in her distress.
She was startled by the phrase “Director Gu specifically asked for you.” Could he be looking to settle scores with her?
Su Ningyue, Su Ningyue, don’t scare yourself. A bureau director like him wouldn’t be so petty.
“Ningyue, what did the director want with you just now?”
Hong Lingling came over, drawn by curiosity.
“He asked me to brew coffee and bring it over.”
“That’s a good thing! You can’t miss a chance to make a good impression in front of the leadership. Hurry up—don’t keep them waiting.”
“But Lingling, I…”
Hong Lingling had already returned to her desk.
Su Ningyue stared at the coffee beans with a worried frown, but in the end, she chose to brew tea instead.
Sitting in his office, Gu Jingchuan had been looking forward to Su Ningyue’s appearance all along. When he saw the young woman walk in with graceful steps, carrying a tray, his heart began to race.
Liu Zhenyu naturally noticed Gu Jingchuan’s reaction. So he really did have his eye on Su Ningyue—this was good news for him too.
He urged her on quickly, “Ningyue, go pour Director Gu some coffee.”
From the moment she stepped in, Su Ningyue felt as if needles were pricking her back—a strong gaze lingered on her, impossible to escape.
She gave Gu Jingchuan a slight nod, then steeled herself to pour the tea. Liu Zhenyu exclaimed in surprise, “Why is it tea?”
“Director Liu, I don’t know how to brew coffee.”
“But you can’t just—”
Oh dear! Everyone was trying to defy him today, causing him nothing but trouble.
“It’s fine. I happen to prefer tea.”
Gu Jingchuan spoke up to rescue Su Ningyue from the awkward situation. She instinctively looked at him, and their eyes met for a long moment before she awkwardly looked away.
Gu Jingchuan could tell the young woman was uncomfortable, so he didn’t put any pressure on her. Instead, he raised the teacup and took a sip. The fragrant aroma of the tea washed over him, and he was pleasantly surprised. Lifting his gaze, he looked directly at Su Ningyue and asked in a gentle voice, “What kind of tea is this?”
“Tartary buckwheat tea.”
Su Ningyue stood to the side, trembling with apprehension, thinking that Gu Jingchuan was dissatisfied.
Gu Jingchuan asked abruptly, “Do you like drinking this tea?”
Su Ningyue nodded in surprise.
Shen Jiangtao, unable to gauge Gu Jingchuan’s attitude, quickly spoke up: “Let Old Liu and me try this tea too. We’ve been drinking coffee all the time; having some tea isn’t bad either.”
“Director Shen, I think it’s better for you two to stick with coffee.”
Gu Jingchuan took another sip of tea, then lifted his eyelids and stared at Shen Jiangtao with an air of calm indifference, yet it made Shen Jiangtao’s scalp tingle.
Liu Zhenyu: “…”
He had once again touched the tiger’s reverse scale.
Liu Zhenyu quickly stepped in to smooth things over, “Yes, yes, yes, the two of us will drink coffee.”
Su Ningyue had no idea what was happening, but at Director Liu’s signal, she quickly refilled Gu Jingchuan’s tea. In this way, Gu Jingchuan drank seven or eight cups in a row, and even Su Ningyue couldn’t help but remark inwardly that Director Gu seemed to really enjoy tea.