Chapter 37: Don't Come Any Closer!
Shen Xi glanced around the spacious office. Besides the sofa, there didn’t seem to be a better place to rest. But the sofa was only big enough for one person. If two people squeezed together, it would be way too cramped.
Her gaze landed on the large office desk. That desk was definitely wide enough. It could easily fit two people lying down.
As soon as she looked at it, her mind immediately filled with scenes from certain “study materials” she had come across in her past life. Those spicy office dramas where the boss pinned his secretary onto the desk, and the secretary panicked, crying out, "No, no!"
Then, in her imagination, the secretary’s face slowly morphed into her own—
Shen Xi shuddered violently, shaking her head hard to get rid of those dangerous thoughts.
What the hell was wrong with her? Whywas she actually taking his words seriously and looking for a place to nap?!
Gu Hanling seemed to see right through her, the smile on his lips deepening. But he didn’t expose her wild thoughts.
Instead, he casually walked over to an empty section of the wall and pressed a switch.
To Shen Xi’s shock, the previously smooth wall slowly slid open, revealing a fully furnished private suite, complete with a bathroom and a large bed.
Her eyes widened, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out—
"Is this… the kind of secret room CEOs use to meet their mistresses? A hidden love nest?"
The moment those words left her mouth, Gu Hanling’s smile vanished instantly. His expression turned dark, his voice laced with cold displeasure.
"Does Madam wish to experience firsthand how I meet mistresses?"
Shen Xi immediately realized she had said the wrong thing. She let out an awkward laugh.
"President Gu is so busy managing a whole company, where would you even find the time, right?"
Trying to change the subject, she quickly added,
"Oh, by the way, that woman who just left, Miss Susie. Aren’t you worried about her?"
She could tell that Gu Hanling looked a little exhausted, maybe because he hadn’t slept last night.
But this was his office, and she definitely didn’t want to become his sleeping doll here.
"She doesn’t matter."
He said dismissively. Then his gaze narrowed, and he suddenly took a step closer to Shen Xi.
"Are you trying to change the subject 'cause you're scared people will think we did something during the day, and Shi Jingyan will hear about it?"
Shen Xi took a step back, her lips twitching in frustration.
‘Why does he always have to bring up Shi Jingyan?! Big brother, with the way you’re saying it, what the hell am I supposed to say now?!’
She bit her lower lip, turned her gaze away, and deliberately acted unwilling as she spoke with firm determination.
"Yes! That’s exactly why. So, please, President Gu, be the bigger person. There are too many people in this company, and I don’t want Jingyan to get the wrong idea again."
The moment she said this, Gu Hanling’s expression turned even darker. He let out a cold laugh and, before Shen Xi could react, grabbed her wrist tightly. The powerful grip making her instinctively react.
"Let go! What’s wrong with you!"
As she struggled, a small black-and-gold gift box slipped out of her pocket and fell to the ground.
Gu Hanling bent down, picked up the box, and opened it. Inside was a delicate tie clip, resting on a soft velvet cushion.
"Is this for Shi Jingyan?"
Shen Xi rolled her eyes internally.
Right now, she definitely couldn’t say, “It’s actually for you, you idiot!”
If she did, he’d totally misunderstand, thinking she had some ulterior motives toward him.
So what else could she do?
She could only nod with tears in her eyes and admit it.
"Interesting," Gu Hanling scoffed, "Using my money to buy gifts for another man?"
Shen Xi immediately refused to accept that accusation.
"That was my own money from selling my apartment! How is it yours?"
"Did you transfer the property ownership?"
"......"
She had no comeback.
He had never mentioned it again, and with everything going on lately, she had completely forgotten about it.
Before she could even react, Gu Hanling suddenly yanked her forward and dragged her straight into the private suite.
As they stumbled inside, he casually tossed the tie clip into the trash can.
Shen Xi nearly tripped as she was pulled along.
"Big brother, calm down!"
Her heart pounded wildly, and she deeply regretted her previous words.
‘Shen Xi, you idiot! You’ve lived as a man in your past life, how could you forget that what you just said was basically a direct challenge to his competitive instincts?!’
Logically speaking, Gu Hanling wouldn’t actually have any improper thoughts about her.
This was definitely just his damn male pride acting up.
But at a time like this, who had the brainpower to analyze things rationally?!
With the door automatically closing, Gu Hanling suddenly pushed her towards the bedside, causing Shen Xi to lose her balance and fall onto the bed.
"B-Big brother, let’s talk this out! No need to resort to violence!"
She pretended to be scared, inching toward the center of the bed.
‘Hmph! If he dares to lay a finger on me, I don’t care if he’s my “big brother” or not, he’s gonna regret it!’
But Gu Hanling’s face remained cold as he took slow, deliberate steps toward the bed.
Shen Xi’s heart pounded nervously. She swallowed hard, keeping her eyes locked onto his every move, ready to fight back at any moment.
But then, he just lay down. Not on top of her. Not even touching her.
Just an arm’s length away, on the edge of the bed. Then he closed his eyes.
Shen Xi blinked.
Wait. He’s actually just… taking a nap?
Her tensed-up nerves finally relaxed a little, but then her mind started wandering again.
For a second, she almost blurted out—
‘Wait… are you sure you don’t have… you know… a problem?’
Luckily, she slapped a hand over her mouth in time.
That was way too close! If she had really said that, she’d be flying out of this bed faster than a crow being catapulted into the sky.
The room fell into silence, the only sounds being their quiet breathing.
What the hell?! She actually napped with him?!
Shen Xi pulled her cap down low as she stepped out of the office, trying to hide her face. But it was too late. All around her, employees were staring. Some shocked, some envious.
"Who is that woman? She was in President Gu’s office for two whole hours… Could they be…?"
A junior staff member whispered to their colleague.
"Shhh! Do you have a death wish? Just remember, never ask questions about President Gu!"
Even so, the colleague still stole a few glances at Shen Xi, trying to figure out who she was beneath the shadow of her cap.
Not seeing Zekai in the VIP lounge, Shen Xi pulled out her phone.
A message from her brother popped up:
[Susie has finalized the deal. Contract signed. She didn’t seem too happy, so I sent her home first.]
"The contract is signed?"
Shen Xi frowned.
‘This is bad.’
And it was all that man’s fault for suddenly acting insane earlier!
She had planned to warn Gu Hanling to double-check Susie’s background.
Now she’d have to find another way.
The office was full of too many prying eyes, and texting wasn’t safe either.
“I’ll just have to wait until I see him at the villa.”
………………………………………
Back at the Villa.
That night, Gu Hanling finally returned.
As soon as he stepped through the door, Butler Wang greeted him warmly.
Meanwhile, Shen Xi stayed on the couch, unmoving, arms crossed, still annoyed at him for earlier.
"Sir, welcome home."
Butler Wang’s sharp eyes immediately noticed something different. Something on Gu Hanling’s tie that wasn’t there when he left.
"That tie clip…?"
A subtle smile played on Gu Hanling's lips. He had no intention of letting that Shi guy have it.
"What do you think?"
Butler Wang gave an expert-level response—
"This tie clip looks like it was made just for you, sir. It perfectly enhances your elegance and charisma. On anyone else, it would just be a mere accessory. But on you? It truly shines."
Years of service had made Butler Wang a master of flattery. And it worked, Gu Hanling looked quite pleased.
Meanwhile, Shen Xi nestled in the sofa, pursed her lips and secretly smiled. After some twists and turns, he still got the gift in the end.
Just as Gu Hanling headed upstairs to change, Shen Xi’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen.
"Shen Wanru??"