Chapter 77 Part 1

The brand’s new season summer clothes arrived in the evening, and Chi Nuan buried herself in the dressing room, organizing them until late into the night before everything was finally in place.

Gu Ningzi was in a video conference when He Zhen sent a text to Chi Nuan: “BOSS wants coffee.”

Chi Nuan: “What about you?”

He Zhen: “There’s a god-level battle going on here right now. Even if you gave me nectar from the immortals, I couldn’t drink it. [Dizzy]”

Chi Nuan chuckled and stepped out of the elevator.

It was mid-March by then, having crossed the harsh winter, and the spring breeze grew warmer day by day. The night wind at He Nan Shan carried the crisp mountain air into the house, refreshing the mind and spirit.

The coffee machine hummed as hot coffee slowly poured into the cup. Chi Nuan picked up a sugar cube and heard light footsteps behind her.

She thought it was He Zhen coming to urge her on, so she said softly, “Wait a moment, it’ll be ready soon.”

The white sugar cube melted into the brown coffee, and Chi Nuan stirred gently. The person stopped, silently resting their forehead against her shoulder blade.

Chi Nuan smelled the familiar scent—it was Gu Ningzi.

“…”

The coffee spoon clinked against the cup rim with a crisp sound.

Neither spoke. After a few seconds, or perhaps a dozen, Gu Ningzi casually took the coffee cup from Chi Nuan’s hand as if nothing had happened. “You can go back now.”

“Gu Ningzi…”

Gu Ningzi turned back, her gaze behind her glasses cool and composed, impeccable, as if that moment had never occurred.

A soft ache filled Chi Nuan’s heart. Gu Ningzi must have been exhausted, always work, work, work, without even a proper vacation to relax.

She drove home, carried the fruits upstairs, and received a call from Xiao Pan, whom she hadn’t contacted much since that dinner. “Sister Chi, are you resting yet?”

Chi Nuan said in surprise, “Not yet, Xiao Pan. What’s up?”

Xiao Pan said mysteriously, “I just came out of the hospital. Everyone went there—Teacher Wang, Wang Lili, got beaten and hospitalized!”

Chi Nuan stopped on the stairs, her voice full of surprise. “Ah?”

Xiao Pan: “Sister Chi, you weren’t there, so you don’t know. The school has been in turmoil these past few days. Principal Lu was transferred, Director Huang and Teacher Wang were directly fired. Teacher Wang was furious and went to the school with her husband yesterday to make a scene demanding an explanation. Today, she got beaten.”

Chi Nuan: “…”

Xiao Pan: “Pretty tragic—black and blue all over, leg broken too.”

Chi Nuan recalled what He Zhen had mentioned not long ago about Siqin Group wanting to sell some shares to Spider. It couldn’t be such a coincidence, could it? Involving exactly these people.

Xiao Pan: “There’s no evidence it was the school that sent people to beat her, but at this critical juncture, people can’t help but think otherwise. Anyway, everyone’s on edge now, wondering if there’ll be more moves from above. The Private Elementary School has great benefits, but after this, I feel pretty insecure. I think I’ll consider public schools in the future…”

After the call, Chi Nuan opened the door and entered. Little Wutong was asleep, and Auntie Lu was tidying the living room.

With such a high salary, she couldn’t keep making Gu Ningzi adjust to her schedule. Besides, Little Wutong always waited in after-school care until he was exhausted, dark circles under his young eyes. So Chi Nuan had rehired Auntie Lu to help out.

Auntie Lu had cared for Little Wutong since he was little and had feelings for him. With Chi Qingchuan gone, she also pitied Chi Nuan and Little Wutong. So when Chi Nuan asked, she agreed without hesitation.

With the living room nearly tidied, Auntie Lu prepared to leave. Chi Nuan gave her the fruits and grabbed the car keys to drive her, but Auntie Lu refused. “I’m home in a few minutes. You should rest early—you’ve worked all day.”

After Auntie Lu left, Chi Nuan checked on Little Wutong, who was snoring away. She returned to her room, wanting to ask Gu Ningzi about Siqin Group but afraid to disturb her meeting or seem presumptuous.

She’d find a chance to ask tomorrow.

The next day, when Chi Nuan arrived at He Nan Shan, He Zhen was leaning on the sofa, marking up Gu Ningzi’s schedule. Seeing Chi Nuan, she said, “President Lin’s island conference has been changed to BOSS attending—no international travel. Flying out tomorrow evening, back the day after. BOSS asked me to check if your schedule works.”

If Auntie Lu stayed overnight to watch Little Wutong for two days, it shouldn’t be a problem. Chi Nuan agreed first.

He Zhen: “Got it.”

Watching He Zhen buried in work, Chi Nuan’s heart stirred. “Assistant He, about Siqin Group…”

“Siqin Group,” He Zhen looked up. “What do you want to know?”

Chi Nuan said, “I used to teach at the Private Elementary School jointly run by Siqin Group and No. 1 Middle School.”

He Zhen: “Yes, it’s on your resume.”

Chi Nuan: “Well… a former colleague called me last night, saying there’s been some personnel changes at the school lately… and a teacher got beaten and hospitalized…”

He Zhen shook with laughter.

Chi Nuan was baffled by her laughter. She hadn’t said anything funny…

He Zhen shook her head while laughing. “I get it. After that meeting ended, BOSS casually mentioned that elementary school.”

!!! So it really was because of Gu Ningzi?

He Zhen: “Siqin came to us wanting to sell shares—BOSS is a businesswoman; she won’t turn down money. But profitable deals follow procedures step by step; it can’t happen overnight. It’s not like she’s deliberately stalling Siqin.”

Chi Nuan nodded, and He Zhen continued, “After the Yun Chu acquisition, Siqin targeted Spider. They need Spider’s funds to solve urgent issues, so they’ll analyze every word BOSS says.”