Chapter 77 Part 2

With a playful smile, He Zhen added, “Judging by how Siqin handled it, Assistant Chi, you must have been bullied while teaching there.”

Chi Nuan looked at her awkwardly.

He Zhen: “BOSS is a pro at those bloodless business tactics. She’s avenging you—just keep that in mind.”

Chi Nuan fell silent for a moment. The room grew quiet as He Zhen’s finger slowly brushed from her lips. Propping her cheek, she tilted her head. “…The people who bullied you lost their jobs. You said one even got beaten into the hospital. Regardless of exaggeration or overkill, this is ultimately Siqin Group’s internal matter. You wouldn’t hold any… bad feelings toward BOSS because of it, right?”

“No,” Chi Nuan hurriedly shook her head.

…She just thought that in this world ruled by capital, young Gu Ningzi, though holding a position thanks to her mother, had to put in a thousand times the effort to stand firm. Like today, resolving such a matter effortlessly.

He Zhen’s brows relaxed as she glanced at her watch. “…Assistant Chi, it’s time for BOSS to wake up. Go check on her.”

Chi Nuan: “Okay.”

Chi Nuan went up to the third floor and knocked on the bedroom door. “Gu Ningzi, it’s me. Awake yet?”

No sound from the bedroom, but Gu Ningzi’s lazy morning voice drifted faintly from the bathroom. “In here.”

There was a slight sound of water. Chi Nuan turned to the bathroom, where Gu Ningzi soaked in the tub, reclined, her shoulders and legs exposed, her body lines irresistibly alluring. Yet she seemed oblivious to the poppy-like allure she exuded, eyes closed as if not fully awake.

Chi Nuan immediately turned away.

Gu Ningzi: “Come in. My shoulders are sore.”

Chi Nuan: “…”

Chi Nuan took a breath, rolled up her sleeves, washed her hands, then stood by the tub. Her heart pounded as she placed her palms on Gu Ningzi’s shoulders.

The fragrance overwhelmed the air, making Chi Nuan dizzy. She kneaded gently, trying to distract herself with chat. “…The meeting went late?”

Gu Ningzi: “Mm…”

The skin under her hands was excessively smooth. Chi Nuan cleared her throat, avoiding looking. “Assistant He mentioned the business trip. My schedule should be fine.”

Her fingertips pressed against the skin, spreading downward until her palms fully cupped the shoulders. Her thumbs pushed along the cervical spine to the sides, kneading repeatedly. The skin temperature rose gradually. Chi Nuan added, “Also, about the school thing—thank you.”

Wet lashes trembled as Gu Ningzi’s deep eyes silently opened.

Ripples stirred the water surface. Gu Ningzi turned her head. “Chi Nuan.”

Chi Nuan: “Hm?”

Gu Ningzi: “Go out.”

Chi Nuan: “???” Wasn’t it you who asked me to come in and massage your shoulders? Ended after two sentences?

Gu Ningzi paused. “I’m not fully awake right now. Your voice is making me… sleepy.”

Chi Nuan: “…”

Chi Nuan left the bathroom and sat in the dressing room for over ten minutes, staring at her hands, still lingering with the touch and warmth.

She covered her face, shook her head, cast aside the lingering thoughts, stood up, and selected clothes for Gu Ningzi’s schedule that day.

“Chi Nuan.” Gu Ningzi’s voice came from outside.

Chi Nuan stepped out of the dressing room to see Gu Ningzi standing in the hallway with a hair dryer, wrapped head to knee in a bathrobe.

Chi Nuan: “…”

Chi Nuan took the hair dryer. Gu Ningzi sat at the vanity, applying a face mask as Chi Nuan blow-dried her hair.

Strands wrapped around her fingers, the cool fragrance intense. Chi Nuan recalled the interview earlier that year when the lively photography assistant asked how Gu Ningzi usually cared for her hair. She couldn’t help but smile.

Gu Ningzi watched the happily smiling Chi Nuan in the mirror and unconsciously curved her lips.

That evening, Chi Nuan packed at home. Little Wutong said, “Mommy, you keep your word and come back the day after tomorrow.”

Chi Nuan hooked her pinky. “Come on, pinky promise?”

Little Wutong pouted. “I’ll miss you…”

Auntie Lu smiled, placing a hand on Little Wutong’s shoulder. “Little Wutong, isn’t it good with Grandma Lu? Every night, Grandma takes you to the square to toss basketballs. How about that?”

Tempted by the idea, Little Wutong climbed onto Chi Nuan’s back. “Mommy, don’t forget to video call me.”

Chi Nuan laughed. “Promise.”

The next day, Chi Nuan traveled with He Zhen on Gu Ningzi’s private jet, landing at the exclusive helipad of the island resort hotel past nine at night.

The specially arranged in-flight meal was lavish. He Zhen set down her luggage and found Chi Nuan. “Walk? Ate too much on the plane—need to digest.”

“Sure.” Chi Nuan had just finished videoing Little Wutong. She asked He Zhen, “Is BOSS going?”

He Zhen wagged her finger. “She’s reviewing tomorrow’s speech.”

“Oh.” Chi Nuan changed out of her High Heels and walked the beach with He Zhen.

The island was a different season from Yuncheng; the night sea breeze carried lingering daytime heat. Strolling and pausing, Chi Nuan asked He Zhen, “Did you apply sunscreen?”

He Zhen draped an arm over Chi Nuan’s shoulder, both laughing.

After walking farther into the sea wind, Chi Nuan felt something hit her eye. She covered it and lowered her head. He Zhen said, “Let me see.”

“Probably a little bug flew in.” Chi Nuan held back from rubbing, tears streaming down.

He Zhen lit her mobile phone’s flashlight, tilting up Chi Nuan’s face. “It came out with the tears. Better? Still hurt?”

Chi Nuan blinked. “Much better.”

“…Assistant Chi, is that our villa?” He Zhen pointed behind Chi Nuan.

Chi Nuan turned back, tears still flowing, eyes blurry. “Seems like it.”

With this interlude, He Zhen walked no farther. She sat on the sand, propping her arms and stretching her long legs leisurely. “Nice—pretending to be on vacation.”

Chi Nuan was about to sit when her mobile phone rang. She answered, and Gu Ningzi said, “Come over.”