The early morning sun rose.
Warm sunlight seeped through the thin curtains and spilled onto the hotel bed.
"Ah~"
Gu Chen woke up from a groan, rubbing his sore chest.
It took him a while to recover.
At this moment, he noticed someone lying beside the bed.
Cascading hair spread out on the bed, concealing the beauty beneath, but signs of exhaustion were visible.
"Could she have taken care of me all night?"
Gu Chen furrowed his brows inwardly. To be honest, he didn't want to get too close to her.
Of course, it wasn't because he disliked her. On the contrary, he felt comfortable around her.
It's just...
Thinking of the Five Great Families of the Capital, Gu Chen's eyes flashed with killing intent.
Suddenly, a whimper sounded.
Liu Hanyan rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked up, then froze for a moment before exclaiming in delight, "Gu Chen, you're finally awake! That's great!"
She was as joyful as a lark.
"Do you have water?"
Gu Chen's gaze regained its calmness as he asked.
"Yes, wait here, I'll pour you some," Liu Hanyan said, then hurriedly went to fetch water, nearly spilling it on herself in her haste.
"Don't move, I'll feed you," Liu Hanyan said, remembering his trembling hands, and lifted the cup.
Gu Chen looked at her as if she were crazy. "It's only been one night, why are you suddenly acting like this?"
"One night? You've been unconscious for two whole days," Liu Hanyan said, her face stiff.
Gu Chen couldn't help but pause, then quickly took out his phone to check the date.
Sure enough, two days had passed, with several missed calls and messages.
"Save Jiang Yi's number, I'll answer for you. I didn't answer the others," Liu Hanyan explained. "Because she looks like an elder to you, I answered to let her know you're safe."
"Okay, thank you," Gu Chen nodded.
"From the phone call, you could tell that Aunt Jiang cares a lot about you, especially regarding your marriage. She asked me quite a few questions," Liu Hanyan said, unable to hold back her laughter.
She found Aunt Jiang very kind and interesting.
Gu Chen was momentarily stunned. "You didn't say anything wrong, did you?"
Liu Hanyan rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't worry, I know where to draw the line."
"Oh, by the way, I told them you didn't come back because you were asked by that old man, the Immortal Physician, to help out. Don't let it slip," she added.
"Here, drink some water!"
In the end, Gu Chen couldn't escape her clutches and was forced to drink the water she offered.
After setting down the glass, Liu Hanyan, full of curiosity, asked, "Didn't you say before that a good doctor doesn't save people who deserve to die? Why did you change your mind and save that girl? And you even paid such a big price!"
Gu Chen remained silent for a moment.
He got off the bed and stood by its side, his expression somewhat sorrowful. "Shared afflictions, mutual assistance."
"It wasn't me who saved her, it was her father."
With that, he turned and left, a hint of desolation evident in his aloofness.
Watching his retreating figure, Liu Hanyan's heart clenched suddenly, feeling an inexplicable heartache.
He must be just like herself.
Having memories that they both wished they could forget forever.
...
After leaving the hotel.
Gu Chen headed straight to the pharmaceutical company.
In the office, Zhang Ke was daydreaming. With Gu Chen not showing up for work, she couldn't get any work done either.
Suddenly hearing footsteps, Zhang Ke exclaimed excitedly, "Mr. Gu, you finally came to work? Where have you been busy these past two days? I tried calling you, but you didn't pick up."
"Ahem!"
Gu Chen coughed twice and teased her, "I just saw you slacking off. If you don't work seriously, be careful I'll deduct your bonus."
"If you don't come again, I'll be left with no salary," Zhang Ke pouted.
"What do you mean?" Gu Chen was puzzled.
"Mr. Chen couldn't find you, so he blamed me, saying I didn't supervise you properly," Zhang Ke said, feeling very wronged.
What does it have to do with her if Mr. Chen can't find her man?
Deducting her salary was simply unreasonable!
"Hehe!"
Gu Chen awkwardly chuckled twice.
He realized it was a wise choice not to return Chen Yuwei's call.
After a pause, he patted Zhang Ke on the shoulder and said, "Alright, stop feeling aggrieved. I know you've been shouldering the blame for me. I'll make up for your salary at the end of the month."
Zhang Ke's eyes lit up, then dimmed as she said, "I'm afraid Mr. Chen won't be able to explain it to his superiors."
"He's really stubborn!" Gu Chen shook his head. "Now that I'm the general manager of the pharmaceutical company and you're my secretary, I'll give you extra bonuses at the end of the month. Is there a problem?"
"No problem!" Zhang Ke raised her eyebrows excitedly.
"Just as it should be. If you don't even have this much authority, then being a manager is really boring," Gu Chen said dominantly.
"Hehe, Mr. Gu, you're truly cunning and crafty!" Zhang Ke praised with both hands.
Gu Chen gave her a glare. "Watch your words. This is called being exceptionally clever. And your reaction just now made me doubt your abilities. The matter of the bonus is postponed for now."
"Ah..."
Zhang Ke's face instantly turned bitter.
Gu Chen couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Of course, he was just teasing her, but he didn't plan to reveal it. Let's see if she dared to use inappropriate words next time.
Knock, knock, knock!
Suddenly, there was a knocking at the door.
"Who could be looking for me?" Gu Chen wondered.
"It's probably Vice President Li. He came to look for you several times while you were away these past two days," Zhang Ke guessed.
"Besides him, has anyone else come looking for me?" Gu Chen asked further.
"A few of the company's leaders have come, but not as frequently as him," Zhang Ke replied truthfully.
At that moment, Gu Chen suddenly noticed that there were several more pots of green plants in the room, furrowing his brows. "Didn't I ask you to remove the fish tank and plants? Why are there still some here?"
"These are not the original ones. They are gifts from Vice President Li to welcome you. They are all carefully selected precious varieties," Zhang Ke hurriedly explained.
"Oh?" Gu Chen smirked knowingly. "Looks like someone's about to reveal their fox tail."
Just then, the knocking on the door resumed.
Li Hongtao stood at the door, his ear pressed against it. He had just seen Gu Chen come in with his own eyes.
If he didn't get a strand of Gu Chen's hair and some of his blood, he would be in a hurry.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, a cry of surprise came from inside the room. "Mr. Gu, what are you doing?"
The next moment, the door was pulled open forcefully.
Zhang Ke, with disheveled hair and a partially unbuttoned collar, rushed out of the room, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Miss Zhang, has Mr. Gu arrived for work?" Li Hongtao quickly straightened up, his hands behind his back, putting on a show.
Biting her lip, Zhang Ke's voice was full of grievances as she said, "Vice President Li, Mr. Gu is inside. I...I still have something to attend to, so I'll go and take care of it first."
Watching Zhang Ke hurry away with her slender waist and perky buttocks, Li Hongtao smiled meaningfully.
"I thought Chen Yuwei had found some expert to sit in. Turns out it's just a lecherous person, not even sparing the secretary. Truly despicable!"
"However, I like it. It makes things easier."
With that thought, Li Hongtao adjusted his collar and strode into the office...
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