Unexpectedly, Xiao Yu not only didn’t follow the order but considerately took a disposable seat cover from the storage compartment and spread it over the passenger seat.
“Assistant Fang, I’ve already laid out the seat cover. If you don’t get in the car soon, you’ll cause a traffic jam.”
Hearing this, Fang Mian finally opened the door and got in.
She whispered, “Thank you, President Gu.”
Gu Tingye was playing with his tablet and didn’t respond.
Xiao Yu smiled and said, “Assistant Fang, the address.”
“Qianshui Bay, Building E.”
“So Assistant Fang lives in Qianshui Bay. Walking through the shortcuts takes only ten minutes, but driving takes twenty.”
“Mm.”
The air conditioning vent swayed slowly.
Fang Mian couldn’t help but shiver.
Gu Tingye spoke up, “Turn up the temperature.”
Xiao Yu: “Yes, President Gu.”
A short while later…
Xiao Yu: “The windows are fogging up, President Gu.”
Gu Tingye: “Then turn it down a bit.”
When the cold air blew over again, Fang Mian covered her nose and sneezed.
Xiao Yu: “President Gu, Assistant Fang is cold.”
Gu Tingye: “Then turn it up a bit.”
Xiao Yu: “But if the temperature is too high, the windows will fog up. It’s not safe.”
Gu Tingye gritted his teeth: “Then turn on the defogger. Do I need to teach you that too?”
Fang Mian quickly tried to defuse the tension: “It’s fine, I’ll be there soon. Don’t worry about me, safety is more important.”
A suit jacket, still warm from body heat, was draped over her head.
Gu Tingye: “Put it on.”
Fang Mian: “…”
Gu Tingye narrowed his eyes and said unhappily, “Assistant Fang’s health is precious. What if she faints in my car again like she did at noon? In the end, I’ll be accused of mistreating my subordinates.”
Fang Mian fell silent and quietly put on his suit jacket.
The fabric of the suit was smooth and comfortable, carrying a pleasant scent of sunshine.
She instantly felt much warmer.
Just then, her phone rang again.
“Mom, I’ll be home in a few minutes. It’s fine, don’t wait for me. Tell them to start eating first. Mm… okay. I’ll hang up now.”
Xiao Yu chuckled and said, “I’m so envious that Assistant Fang gets to eat as soon as she gets home. After I drop you off, I still have to take President Gu before I can eat.”
“Hehe… you’ve worked hard.” Fang Mian instinctively glanced at the back seat, her smile stiff.
President Gu probably doesn’t know about our little gathering in the secretary department, right?
Gu Tingye’s stomach suddenly let out a hungry growl.
Xiao Yu teased, “See, not only am I hungry, but even President Gu is hungry. Since we’re almost at Assistant Fang’s doorstep, why not… drop by your place for a meal?”
“No!”
Realizing her reaction was too intense, Fang Mian forced a dry laugh and explained, “My home is small and humble, and we only eat simple home-cooked meals. How could we possibly satisfy President Gu’s palate?”
Xiao Yu: “That’s true. President Gu is very particular about food.”
Fang Mian couldn’t help but think to herself, He’s not just picky about food—he’s picky about everything: clothes, accommodation, and travel.
Every business trip left her exhausted.
A few warning beeps sounded in the car at an inopportune moment.
Xiao Yu glanced at the dashboard, his expression slightly changing: “President Gu, the car is running out of gas. It’s just enough to drop Assistant Fang off.”
Gu Tingye’s stomach growled again.
The sound was almost pitiful.
Fang Mian suddenly felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
As their destination drew closer and closer…
The car, running out of gas, slowed down further…
Maybe… I should at least be a little polite.
After all, he might not even come.
Fang Mian carefully chose her words: “Um, President Gu, thank you for driving me home. Since the rain is so heavy and the car is out of gas, why don’t…”
Xiao Yu excitedly chimed in: “President Gu, Assistant Fang says she’s inviting us to her place for dinner.”
Uh…
Fang Mian froze.
She hadn’t even finished her sentence.
Gu Tingye remained unmoved: “Are you so hungry you’re hearing things? I didn’t personally hear Assistant Fang say ‘invite’ us for dinner. Later, call a delivery rider to bring some gas. We’ll continue ‘braving the rain and pressing forward.'”
He deliberately emphasized a few words.
Xiao Yu looked at Fang Mian: “In such heavy rain, what rider would brave the rain to deliver gas…”
Gu Tingye: “Employee Handbook, Article Ten.”
Xiao Yu’s tone turned mournful: “Disobeying superiors’ work arrangements, presumptuously slacking off—one demerit. Three demerits, and the company has the right to terminate employment.”
Xiao Yu had been kind enough to drive her home, but now…
Sigh!
Fang Mian put on a professional smile and said to the back seat: “If President Gu doesn’t mind, why not come to my place for a simple meal? You can leave once the rain stops.”
Gu Tingye stuck a finger in his ear: “Assistant Fang… what did you just say?”
Fang Mian’s expression stiffened, and she rolled her eyes inwardly: “I said! I sincerely and wholeheartedly invite President Gu and Driver Yu to my home for a simple meal.”
Gu Tingye nodded with satisfaction: “Xiao Yu, umbrella.”
“Right away!”
Fang Mian stared at Gu Tingye’s back, her feelings indescribable.
In the elevator.
To avoid misunderstandings, Fang Mian returned his jacket in advance.
Gu Tingye glanced at it but didn’t reach out to take it.
He said coolly: “It’s soaked like this. How do you expect me to wear it?”
Fang Mian unfolded it to check: “It’s not that wet.”
Gu Tingye rubbed his fingers against the inside of the jacket: “Look, it’s all damp and shiny. Still say it’s not wet?”
Beside them, Xiao Yu’s face turned beet red as he tried to hold back laughter.
In that instant, Fang Mian and Gu Tingye exchanged a glance.
Then, each with an awkward expression, they looked away.
After opening the door to her home…
“Oh, Fang Mian, you’re finally back!”
When they saw the stern, imposing face of the president behind Fang Mian…
The cheerful expressions on her colleagues’ faces froze in unison.
Then, as if well-trained, everyone stood up straight, hands clasped in front of them, and bowed respectfully: “Good evening, President Gu.”
Gu Tingye glanced at Fang Mian: “Everyone’s here, I see.”
Fang Mian was so embarrassed she didn’t know whether to smile or not.
He Lan warmly came over to greet them: “Is everyone here now? Don’t just stand there, come sit and eat. If we wait any longer, the food will get cold.”
Gu Tingye unceremoniously took the lead and sat down.
Everyone whispered to Fang Mian: “What’s going on? Why is President Gu here too?”
Fang Mian was equally overwhelmed: “Let’s eat first. I can’t explain it all right now. I’ll fill you in later.”
Everyone focused intently on eating.
The atmosphere was a world apart from the lively one earlier.
He Lan chatted warmly: “Huanhuan, I saw you chattering away earlier. Why are you so ladylike now?”
“Not at all, Auntie. I’ve always been ladylike.”
“Xiao Yu, didn’t you say you love gnawing on lamb chops? Auntie will get you a big piece. When you eat, you should eat freely. No need to be reserved.”
“Auntie, I like eating vegetables.”
Two minutes later, everyone said they were full and began bidding farewell to Fang Mian.
Knowing her colleagues felt uncomfortable, Fang Mian had no choice but to see them downstairs first.
Half an hour later, she returned home.
She discovered the house had been tidied up spotlessly, but there was no one inside.
What was going on?
Where was Mom?
She probably went out to take out the trash.
Fang Mian fetched clean pajamas from the balcony and took a refreshing hot shower.
Then, feeling completely relaxed, she returned to her bedroom.
As soon as she turned on the light, she found Gu Tingye lying on her bed, shirtless and covered with her blanket, in a rather eye-catching pose.
She screamed in shock, “Why are you sleeping in my bed?”
Gu Tingye lazily raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t want to sleep here either. Your mom told me to.”
“You’re lying! My mom would never!”
Fang Mian was furious. “Get up right now!”
Gu Tingye propped his head up lazily. “I’d appreciate it if Assistant Fang could come over and pull me up! Otherwise, I’ll just keep lying here—letting your bed be completely filled with my scent.”