The fingers flying across the keyboard suddenly paused.
Gu Tingye looked up. “She told you that herself?”
“Yes! She told me just yesterday. Uncle, do you think Fang Mian really has another man, or is she just saying that?”
“How would I know?”
After saying this, Gu Tingye returned to working on the investment proposal.
Gu Ziqian widened his eyes. “Fang Mian follows you in and out every day. How could you, as her boss, not know?”
Gu Tingye shot him a cold glance. “And you’re her fiancé. Shouldn’t you be the one who knows best whether there’s another man in her life?”
“That’s true.”
“My Mianmian has been with me since she graduated from university and has worked at Tianyu for two years. She works under the Gu family’s watch every day—when would she have time to secretly find another man behind my back?”
“I should give her my absolute trust. I can’t just believe her angry words just because she’s throwing a little tantrum.”
Suddenly, Gu Ziqian said with great enthusiasm, “Uncle, when can you give Fang Mian a seven-day vacation? I want to take her on an early honeymoon.”
Seven days?
Alone together?
Gu Tingye said calmly, “Tianyu’s annual employee evaluations are coming up soon. Do you think it’s appropriate to take a long vacation now?”
Gu Ziqian compromised. “Then how about three days? I want to take her to Paris to shoot some beautiful wedding photos.”
“The company has many projects to handle recently. There isn’t that much free time.”
Gu Tingye glanced at his wristwatch. “You’ve already wasted fifteen minutes of my work time. Do you know what fifteen minutes means for Tianyu?”
Hearing that his elder was about to launch into another long lecture, Gu Ziqian quickly made his escape.
Gu Tingye warned with a stern expression, “From now on, handle your private matters with Fang Mian at home. This is a company, not a place for you to flirt and date!”
“Got it, got it! I won’t disturb you anymore, Uncle. I’ll take my leave.”
After Gu Ziqian left.
Gu Tingye suddenly lost all motivation to work.
The thought that Fang Mian would officially marry Gu Ziqian in two months made him deeply uncomfortable!
7 p.m., Yong’an Mansion.
Inside the VIP private room.
Fang Mian sat in the center, with Gu Ziqian and Gu Tingye on either side.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a meal alone with Uncle. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us. This first toast is for you, Uncle.”
After finishing his glass, Gu Ziqian poured himself another. “This second toast is for my baby.”
“Thank you for always being tolerant and forgiving of my bad temper. Thank you for staying by my side steadfastly for five years.”
“Don’t worry, after we get married, I will cherish you, love you, and take care of you for the rest of my life! Bottoms up!”
After eating a few bites, Gu Ziqian nudged Fang Mian with his elbow. “Baby, go toast Uncle. He’s both your elder and your boss—you should be more proactive and gracious.”
Fang Mian glanced up at Gu Tingye.
Only to find Gu Tingye staring at her with a teasing, piercing gaze.
It was so blatant it was unsettling.
Fang Mian picked up her glass and said with her head lowered, “President Gu, I’d like to toast you.”
Then she downed the entire glass in one go.
The fiery alcohol burned through her, making her eyes water.
“You silly girl! Why drink so fiercely?”
Gu Ziqian said sheepishly, “Sorry to make you laugh, Uncle. My baby is just too straightforward and honest. With her personality, she’s bound to suffer a lot in the workplace.”
“From now on, we’re all family. Uncle, please look out for her at the company. Don’t let anyone bully her or make her feel wronged!”
Gu Tingye’s deep gaze lingered on Fang Mian for a moment before he raised his glass and said, “Don’t worry. Tianyu has always handled matters impartially and never engages in favoritism.”
“Besides, Assistant Fang is exceptionally capable, as everyone can see. In the entire company, no one dares to bully her except me!”
“That’s good! Hahaha…” Gu Ziqian laughed carelessly.
Fang Mian couldn’t laugh at all.
She ate her food in silence.
“Don’t you think so, Assistant Fang?” Gu Tingye turned his head slightly, a faint smile on his face as he looked at Fang Mian.
At the same time, a large, warm hand suddenly pressed against her leg through her skirt.
Fang Mian stiffened all over.
That hand was boldly and provocatively teasing her…
“Uncle is talking to you…”
Gu Ziqian, sharp-eyed, noticed something was off. “What’s wrong, baby? You look a bit off… why is your face so red?”
“Do you have a fever?” Gu Ziqian reached out to touch her forehead.
“I’m fine. Probably just drank the wine too quickly.” Fang Mian clenched her legs tightly, giving him no room to maneuver.
Annoyed, she reached under the table and pushed away that mischievous hand.
“You scared me. I thought you were sick.”
Gu Ziqian thoughtfully served her a bowl of soup. “Then don’t eat anything spicy. Have some soup to warm your stomach first.”
Just then, his phone rang in his pocket.
He looked—it was Fang Lu.
He answered the call. “Hello, I’m having dinner… What? The contract is lost? Okay, okay, don’t worry. I’ll come over right away to check.”
After hanging up, Gu Ziqian said apologetically, “Well… I have an urgent matter to attend to. I need to go out and handle it.”
Gu Tingye said calmly, “Is it serious?”
“I can handle it! It’s just this meal… I’ll have to trouble my baby to entertain Uncle properly for me!”
Gu Ziqian kissed Fang Mian on the head. “Sorry, baby. I’ll make it up to you next time! Stay here and have a few drinks with Uncle to build a better working relationship. I’ll find you later. Bye!”
After Gu Ziqian left, Fang Mian also stood up. “President Gu, I’m done eating. I…”
“Sit down.” The firmness in Gu Tingye’s tone brooked no argument.
Fang Mian hesitated for a moment but obediently sat back down.
After taking a sip of wine, Gu Tingye said leisurely, “Do you have a wet wipe in your bag?”
So he stopped her just to ask for a wet wipe to clean his hands.
Relieved it was a false alarm, Fang Mian immediately pulled a wet wipe from her bag and handed it over.
Gu Tingye took it and suddenly stood up.
Fang Mian nervously leaned back, her eyes filled with panic.
Seeing her like this, Gu Tingye raised his phoenix eyes slightly, a hint of roguishness in his expression. “Is Assistant Fang that afraid of me?”
It wasn’t exactly fear!
She just had a bit more decency than him.
Fang Mian didn’t say a word, only tightly clutching her bag.
“I wonder what exactly Assistant Fang is afraid of?”
“Are you afraid I’ll touch you? Afraid I’ll kiss you? Or afraid I’ll…”
To avoid hearing the vulgar words that followed, Fang Mian immediately interrupted him. “President Gu probably hasn’t eaten enough yet. Why don’t we continue with the meal…”
Her chin suddenly ached with pain.
Gu Tingye pinched Fang Mian’s delicate chin with two fingers, forcing her to look directly at him.
Fang Mian opened her eyes, her dark, bright pupils staring straight at Gu Tingye.
In the clear, watery depths of her gaze, only his handsome face was reflected.
Gu Tingye’s eyes darkened slightly as he chuckled softly, “I’m indeed not full yet…”
“But I only want to eat… the feast that is Assistant Fang!”
“Almost every minute, every second, I… am… thinking…”