Mu Yao didn’t find Gu Ming cold or aloof; at most, she just wasn’t the type to act like an old friend upon the first meeting. Was there anything wrong with that? Why should someone be forced to be familiar with you? However, Gu Ming was indeed a “slow-burn” person, and her tendency to carry every burden by herself was quite excessive. Most people would assume she simply didn’t view them as friends. Mu Yao had known her for several years, yet Gu Ming had never once opened her mouth to ask for a favor. While not troubling others is a virtue, carrying every hardship alone is exhausting—eventually, a person breaks. Mu Yao, on the other hand, was what the ancients called a “warm-hearted soul,” a person of true temperament, though she was somewhat casual when it came to matters of the heart.
The first weekend of September still held onto the tail end of summer. Early in the morning, the sun was already blazing. Fearing she would be late, Zhong Xiao’ou woke up early, but ended up stuck in the bathroom. She had eaten a bit too much barbecue the night before, and while sitting on the toilet, she got lost in a novel, losing track of time. The company had notified everyone to gather downstairs at 8:30 AM to take the shuttle bus together. By the time Zhong Xiao’ou emerged from the bathroom, it was already 8:10 AM. She hurriedly locked her door, thinking her only option was to hail a taxi. But as the saying goes, “haste makes waste.” Chi Wei was already calling her. She frantically promised she’d be there “in a second,” yet not a single taxi was in sight. Finally, at 8:20 AM, she caught a cab, praying the driver would fly. Instead, they got stuck in an underpass due to a minor fender bender between two cars. Chi Wei’s phone calls began a full-scale bombardment.
“Zhong Xiao’ou!!! Just how short are your legs? You should have been able to crawl here by now! Three buses are waiting for you. Honestly, I’ve had enough.”
“I’m stuck in traffic! I’m on the road!” Zhong Xiao’ou was nearly in tears.
It was noisy on Chi Wei’s end, likely the sound of many people complaining. Zhong Xiao’ou was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Finally, after the scratched cars were photographed and moved, she urged the driver to hurry. But no matter how fast he went, it was 9:00 AM by the time she reached the building. There wasn’t a trace of the company buses. Standing in the empty plaza before the skyscraper, Zhong Xiao’ou felt a wave of desolation. She then saw a text from Chi Wei: Can’t wait any longer. Find your own way here.
Zhong Xiao’ou said dejectedly to herself, What’s the point in going? Taking a bus by herself would be a huge hassle, and she didn’t have the money for her own car yet. She texted Chi Wei back: “Then I guess I won’t come.”
Chi Wei didn’t reply. With a long face, Zhong Xiao’ou looked up at the sun. Had she known this would be the outcome, she would have stayed home and slept in. The sunlight was a bit piercing; she closed her eyes, indifferent.
Beep—Beep! Two honks startled her. In a foul mood, she was ready to snap at the driver, but as she looked up, she saw a flash of orange. She recognized the license plate: Sichuan A GM450.
“What are you doing here?” Gu Ming rolled down the window. She was wearing sunglasses, looking at the woebegone Zhong Xiao’ou.
“President Gu? Why are you here?” Zhong Xiao’ou felt a surge of joy. She had previously asked Chi Wei if the Vice President would attend the suburban retreat, and Chi Wei said Gu Ming’s name wasn’t on the list. Zhong Xiao’ou hadn’t really wanted to go because of that, but since it was a company event and she was a newcomer, she felt she should participate in group activities. Who knew she’d be late and miss the bus? Had President Gu changed her mind? Could she hitch a ride?
“I came to the office to pick some things up.”
…
Zhong Xiao’ou realized she was overthinking again.
“Why are you here alone? Isn’t the company retreat today?” Gu Ming rested one arm outside the car window; her arm was slender and pale, like a lotus root.
Zhong Xiao’ou, carrying her shoulder bag, took off her sunglasses with an air of helplessness. “I was late. I missed the company bus.”
Gu Ming nodded, and having finished the greeting, prepared to pull into the parking lot.
That’s it? She’s just leaving? Zhong Xiao’ou stood stunned, pushing her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose. She felt a bit stifled. The sun was getting hot, so she shifted her position to stand motionless under a nearby tree.
A few moments later, Gu Ming’s orange Audi reappeared. Spotting Zhong Xiao’ou still under the tree, she pulled over. “Are you waiting for me?”
Zhong Xiao’ou waved her hand and stepped forward, leaning down to speak to Gu Ming. “I just… need some peace and quiet.”
Gu Ming thought she was acting a bit strange. “Get in. I’ll give you a lift.”
The Zhong Xiao’ou who “needed peace” didn’t say another word; she pulled open the door and hopped into the passenger seat.
“Are you going home?” Gu Ming asked while turning the steering wheel.
Zhong Xiao’ou pouted. She had dressed up to go out; was she really going to go back home in the middle of the day? For what? On such a perfectly good weekend? A sudden idea struck her. “President Gu, do you have any plans for today?” The question was a bit over the line, but since they were already quite familiar, Gu Ming didn’t mind. “No plans for now. Why?”
“Then… why don’t we go to Anren together to join the company retreat?” Zhong Xiao’ou didn’t know what had possessed her brain that day to give her the courage to invite the Vice President on a trip.
Gu Ming hadn’t considered it. Unless it was an important business dinner, she rarely participated in these types of company networking or “corporate culture” events. Firstly, she was genuinely busy and lacked the time; secondly, she had always maintained a “cold and aloof” image at the office, so she simply continued to wear that mask.
“Is it fun?” Gu Ming asked.
Fearing a rejection, Zhong Xiao’ou replied with a blush, “It should be okay.”
Gu Ming paused. “Where is it?”
“Anren, in Dayi.” Zhong Xiao’ou’s voice trembled slightly—from excitement and nerves. Had President Gu actually agreed to go? She had only mentioned it on a whim. Suddenly, Zhong Xiao’ou felt very grateful for the morning traffic jam; without it, would she have run into President Gu?
…
As they drove, Gu Ming handled the car steadily. Once they left the city, the streets were gradually replaced by more greenery. It was rare for Gu Ming to get out of the city for a break, so her mood was decent. She had originally asked Mu Yao to go shopping at Taikoo Li, but Mu Yao didn’t have time today.
“Do you usually like going on trips on the weekends?” Gu Ming asked.
“Huh? It’s alright. I occasionally go for walks in the suburbs with friends. Usually, I just stay cooped up at home.” Zhong Xiao’ou didn’t know if she qualified as a “homebody” by modern standards, but compared to someone like the fun-loving Chi Wei, she probably was.
“What about you, President Gu?”
“Me?” Gu Ming fell into thought. Aside from work, she only had more work. She really was a boring person.
Seeing her somber expression, Zhong Xiao’ou wondered if she was thinking about something unpleasant regarding her fiancé again. Did she remember the things she said while drunk that night? Naturally, Zhong Xiao’ou didn’t dare to openly ask for an update.
Gu Ming gave a bitter smile. “Aside from work, it’s just more work. I think the last time I went to the suburbs was two years ago.”
Zhong Xiao’ou’s mouth hung open. So this is what it’s like to be an executive. So busy! It sounded exhausting. Didn’t she feel like she couldn’t hold on? Zhong Xiao’ou stole a glance at her. She had only been at Jindian International for two months, and every day she returned home to collapse on the sofa. If she had to work overtime on weekends too, she wouldn’t be able to stand it if it weren’t for the money. But President Gu didn’t seem to lack money. Was it just that no matter how much you earn, it’s never enough?
They chatted idly throughout the drive. Gu Ming found that the girl was actually quite cute. She felt a mix of guilt and gratitude toward her because of that private incident, and picking her up after she’d been left behind by the company felt like returning a favor.
Upon arriving at Anren Ancient Town, Zhong Xiao’ou followed the address Chi Wei had sent to find the company’s lodging—an inn styled with rustic folk charm. The name “Anren” comes from the saying “The benevolent are at peace with benevolence.” The courtyard was solemn, elegant, and distinctive. The main group had arrived an hour earlier, and the union chairman had already organized a tour of the Liu Family Manor. Only Chi Wei was left waiting at the inn. When Chi Wei saw the woman standing next to Zhong Xiao’ou, her jaw nearly dropped. She looked at Zhong Xiao’ou with newfound respect and bowed politely.
“Hello, President Gu. I didn’t know you were coming.”
Gu Ming reverted to her “cold Vice President” persona and nodded slightly. Chi Wei immediately pulled Zhong Xiao’ou aside and whispered, “Did you be late on purpose? Did you?!”
Zhong Xiao’ou covered Chi Wei’s mouth and mouthed the word: “No!”
“Then how did you get here? You came in her car? Didn’t Su Ran tell me President Gu wasn’t participating? You’d better confess—”
“It really was a coincidence! Oh, stop talking about it here, President Gu is right there.”
Chi Wei pinched Zhong Xiao’ou’s palm before turning back to Gu Ming. Damn it, with Gu Ming here, she was going to be tense the whole time. How was she supposed to have fun? She glared at Zhong Xiao’ou and stepped forward to brief Gu Ming. “President Gu, here is the itinerary for the trip. This afternoon we visit the Liu Family Manor, followed by free time. Tonight we have a group dinner with roasted whole lamb, and tomorrow we visit the Jianchuan Museum…”
Gu Ming wasn’t really listening and gave a perfunctory nod.
Chi Wei suddenly slapped her forehead. The company had booked all several dozen rooms in the inn, and they were at full capacity. Since they hadn’t expected the Vice President, there was no room for her. “President Gu, um, because we didn’t hear you were coming… please wait a moment, I’ll go try to arrange a room.”
Gu Ming quickly stopped her. “No need. I’m not staying overnight. I’ll just drive back to Chengdu later. Don’t go to any trouble.”