Chapter 36: Caught While Watching the Show
The Gu Corporation Headquarters towered over Su City like a solitary giant, overlooking the bustling cityscape below.
As the three of them stepped into the grand lobby, they were greeted by an elegant blend of modern and traditional decor, sophisticated yet imposing.
Shen Xi, wearing a black baseball cap, stayed close behind the fake Susie, trying to keep a low profile.
Feeling extra cautious, she pulled the cap’s brim down even further, covering most of her face. The cap looked a bit oversized on her small head, making her seem even more out of place.
She was afraid Gu Hanling wouldn’t be happy about her showing up at his company and might cut her pay again.
The cap wasn’t even hers, she had borrowed it from Shen Zekai right after getting out of the car. Originally, she planned to put it on inside the building, but after catching a chubby middle-aged man staring at her, she decided to wear it immediately.
At the reception desk, two beautiful receptionists greeted them with warm smiles. The moment Susie introduced herself, they quickly arranged for a female receptionist in a black silk dress to escort them to the VIP elevator leading to the top floor.
The receptionists even handed Susie a VIP visitor badge, but she thought it looked ugly hanging around her neck, so she casually tossed it to Shen Xi, treating her like an assistant.
Their receptionist remained professional, keeping her smile and graceful demeanor throughout the trip to the top floor. Upon arrival, she led them to the VIP lounge, politely asking them to wait while she retrieved an updated supplementary contract.
Before they could even enter the lounge, a young female employee hurried over, her eyes immediately locking onto Susie, who was clearly the most important person in the group.
Her name was Xiao Hua, an ordinary junior employee. She had been given an important document to deliver to the CEO’s office. A place she had never set foot in despite working at the company for three years.
Earlier, she overheard that President Gu’s wife was coming today. Desperate for career advancement, she had deliberately loitered upstairs, pretending to be busy.
She was hoping to run into Gu Hanling’s wife, leave a good impression, and if lucky, get noticed by President Gu himself. Maybe this could be her shortcut to a promotion and a raise.
“H-hello! I’m Xiao Hua. Are you here to see President Gu? He’s been waiting for you for a long time!”
Hearing this, Susie was confused for a moment.
She had been told that Assistant Liu would be handling the business discussion. Why was President Gu meeting her personally?
But then again, this was even better.
“Lead the way.”
Satisfied with the arrangement, Susie lifted her chin proudly, her expression turning even more arrogant.
As Shen Xi and Zekai instinctively started to follow, the receptionist stopped them with an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry, but President Gu didn’t say he’d be meeting anyone else.”
Susie shot them a condescending glance and said,
“You two wait here.”
Then, without hesitation, she turned and followed Xiao Hua inside.
Watching her leave, Shen Xi exchanged glances with Zekai, both finding the situation a little amusing.
Scratching his head, Zekai muttered,
“Sister, do you think Brother-in-law will do something to my girlfriend?”
Hearing that, Shen Xi rolled her eyes and smacked him on the head.
“What nonsense are you talking about? My husb—”
She suddenly stopped and grimaced in disgust at herself for almost saying those words. After a brief pause, she corrected herself.
“Anyway, he’s not that kind of person.”
Knock, knock.
Outside Gu Hanling’s office, two sharp knocks echoed.
The man adjusted his collar slightly before responding.
“Come in.”
Susie pushed open the door with a confident smile, walking in with elegant strides, expecting a warm welcome.
But to her surprise.
Gu Hanling didn’t even look up.
He was focused on the documents on his desk, as if she didn’t exist.
People often say that a man is most attractive when he’s focused on his work. At this moment, Susie truly understood that.
The serious expression on Gu Hanling’s face made his already striking features look even more deep and captivating.
She couldn’t take her eyes off him, completely mesmerized by his charm. Standing frozen at the door, she didn’t move an inch.
Gu Hanling smirked slightly.
"Why are you standing so far away? Come here."
His deep, magnetic voice echoed in the quiet office, snapping Susie out of her daze. Her heart pounded wildly, and a flush of pink spread across her face.
Step by step, she walked toward the legendary man of Su City, the one with immense power and influence.
At this moment, she didn’t care about any of her plans. If Gu Hanling was willing to accept her, if he was willing to give her a proper title, she was ready to switch sides and reveal everything.
As she got closer, her eyes hazy with desire, she leaned forward, lips slightly parted, aiming for the man’s chiseled cheek.
Just as she was about to succeed, Gu Hanling caught a smell of a strong artificial perfume, a scent he found irritating.
It was nothing like Shen Xi’s scent. A fresh, sweet, and delicate fragrance he was familiar with.
His expression darkened instantly.
His head snapped up, and the moment he realized it wasn’t Shen Xi, his eyes turned cold as ice. His gaze held nothing but disgust.
"Who are you!? Get out!"
The sudden, sharp reprimand hit Susie like a sledgehammer, crushing her completely. Her body stiffened, the blush on her face draining in an instant, leaving her pale as a sheet.
“Gu… Gu President, I…”
The overwhelming chill in his eyes made her voice tremble.
Just then, Gu Hanling sensed something. Someone was watching from outside the office.
He turned his head slightly and caught sight of a pair of striking blue eyes peeking in. The gaze carried a hint of mischief.
"Madam, if you want to enjoy the show, why not come in for a better view?"
The moment Susie heard the word "Madam," her entire body stiffened. She instinctively turned toward the door.
After a brief pause, the door slowly opened. A delicate hand reached up and pulled off a black baseball cap.
Long, silky black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, revealing an exquisite, breathtaking face. The same woman she had just bossed around like an assistant.
It was Shen Xi, who had just been brought over by Assistant Liu after he bumped into her. She had been outside, watching the drama of herself being 'cuckolded' with great interest.
Too bad Shen Zekai had stayed in the VIP lounge, he would’ve loved this.
She hadn’t expected Gu Hanling to notice her so quickly. Now caught in the act, Shen Xi let out two awkward laughs.
"Hehe… Long time no see, big brother."
Well… it had only been a day and a night.
The moment Susie saw Shen Xi, her eyes widened, her jaw dropping so far she could probably fit three goblins in her mouth.
"Y-you’re President Gu’s wife!?"
She blurted out the words without thinking, her voice still trembling with shock.
Her mind spun in chaos.
How could this be possible?!
The woman she had always dismissed as a lowly gold digger, a freeloader with no shame, was actually Gu Hanling’s wife?!
Before Shen Xi could respond, Gu Hanling had already walked around his desk and naturally took her hand in his.
"Madam, have you eaten? Are you hungry?"
Shen Xi rolled her eyes slightly at the man. The act was starting again. How addicted to role-playing was this guy?
"I already ate with Zekai and the others."
As she spoke, she subtly tried to pull her hand away… but he didn’t let go.
Meanwhile, Susie, face burning with humiliation, wished she could disappear into the floor. Without another word, she turned and fled the office.
Once the door shut and they were alone, Shen Xi abruptly pulled her hand away, breaking free from Gu Hanling's grasp.
"Alright, big brother. What do you want?"
Gu Hanling didn't seem bothered when she pulled her hand away. Instead, his lips curved into a faint smile.
"Take a nap with me."
"???"