Volume 1, Chapter 9: Low Spirits

Although Cong Wen was in a hurry, he appeared quite patient as he repeated, "The CEO's office. You know which floor it is, right? Just turn right after exiting the elevator."

Gu Yan clutched the documents, feeling numb. Cong Wen had already left as soon as he finished his instructions.

After sitting down, Gu Yan thought about it. She still had work to do, and no matter what, Lu Wentan wouldn't go out of his way to make things difficult for a secretary as insignificant as her. His time was too precious.

She began to focus on the documents. Even though it was past office hours, she wasn't in a rush; she had no home or family to return to, after all.

By the time she finished, she looked up to find the city lights already twinkling outside the window. Gu Yan printed the organized documents and headed up to the CEO's office. Following Cong Wen’s directions, she found the office easily, mostly because it was the only one with the lights still on.

Standing at the threshold, Gu Yan took a deep breath before raising her hand to knock. There seemed to be the muffled sound of conversation inside before she heard Lu Wentan’s deep, resonant voice: "Come in."

Gu Yan pushed the door open. Even though she tried to avoid looking, she immediately noticed several heads gathered around the desk. They were all staring at her.

"Mr. Lu, the documents you requested." Gu Yan set them on his desk with professional composure. "I'll take my leave now."

Lu Wentan picked up the documents without looking at her. "Sit there and wait."

She desperately wanted to refuse, but with those several pairs of eyes fixed on her, she had no choice but to pull her feet back. "All right."

Gu Yan sat upright and remained very quiet. Lu Wentan was indeed discussing business with those men. They appeared to be important partners, and she couldn't fathom how her amateurish documents could be of any use. She couldn't understand the technical jargon, so she occasionally stole glances at Lu Wentan. He wasn't sitting stiffly; he leaned slightly to the side, his fingertips casually resting on a fountain pen, his dark brown eyes focused and thoughtful. He was undoubtedly at his most charismatic.

But remembering how he had used her to provoke his ex-girlfriend, she frowned and turned her gaze toward the window.

It wasn't until their conversation ended that Cong Wen went to see the guests to the elevator. The guests were from the Munich TAS China branch. Their business had been performing poorly for several years and they were now facing an acquisition. Left with no choice, they had come to Lu Wentan for help. His firm, Ruitong Investment, was like the spear and shield in the ancient philosophical paradox—capable of orchestrating the most ruthless acquisitions while simultaneously running the most formidable anti-acquisition team. TAS had kept their situation private to avoid public panic, which was why they hadn't approached Ruitong's business department. After several twists and turns, they had finally reached Lu Wentan himself, hoping he would help them construct a watertight defense against the acquisition. Judging by Lu Wentan’s attitude, he would likely help, but his price would not be low.

"That girl who just came into the office must be someone important to Lu Wentan. Keep an eye on her. When the time comes, begging her might be more effective than begging Lu Wentan directly," Mr. Wan of TAS said to his secretary.

The secretary was puzzled. "Why?"

Mr. Wan, being in a high position, had a sharp eye. He simply said, "At this hour, no one else is working overtime at the Lu Group. She was still there, and Lu Wentan didn't even bother to have her leave or sit somewhere else while we discussed such a major project."

The secretary realized he was right. "I understand. I'll make some inquiries about her."

Back in the office, once Cong Wen and the guests had left, it suddenly became quiet. Gu Yan had been able to distract herself with the view outside, but now the air in the office felt so thin that she could hardly sit still. Watching Lu Wentan methodically tidy his desk, she finally asked, "Mr. Lu, is there anything else you need me to do?" She thought to herself, if not, please let me go.

"Are you in a hurry?" he asked, lifting his eyelids.

"It has been long past closing time," Gu Yan replied, leaving no need to spell out the implication.

"There is overtime pay."

"..."

Cong Wen never returned. Gu Yan eventually followed Lu Wentan out of the office. Watching him enter the private elevator, she stood still. Lu Wentan stood inside, holding the elevator door open, his gaze—both faint and dark—fixed directly on her.

Gu Yan didn't understand, but she steeled herself and gave a small bow. "Have a safe trip." She felt like a courtesan from an ancient brothel seeing off a guest.

Looking up, she saw Lu Wentan still watching her. She couldn't tell if he was smiling as he parted his lips to say, "Get in."

Gu Yan didn't know if her ears were red, but they certainly felt like they were burning. Once inside, she stood in the furthest corner, silent, wishing she could simply vanish. Fortunately, the elevator moved quickly, and soon they reached the underground parking garage. Gu Yan had driven her own car and assumed she could leave, but Lu Wentan signaled for her to get into his car. He didn't force her, just watched her with those eyes.

The driver was not Cong Wen, but he was equally respectful to Lu Wentan and thoughtfully reminded her, "Miss Gu, please fasten your seatbelt."

Oh, she had forgotten. After fastening it, she suddenly realized she hadn't seen this driver much, yet he knew who she was. It must be Lu Wentan’s other assistant, Cong Su.

"Where are we going?" Gu Yan finally managed to ask after a long while. Her engagement to Lu Ye was still technically valid in the eyes of their elders; didn't Lu Wentan have any reservations about taking her around like this?

"Go ahead and say it," Lu Wentan replied, his comment appearing out of nowhere.

Gu Yan looked at him, bewildered. "What?"

The man's expression was calm, his tone normal. Yet, put together, Gu Yan found it all very strange.

As expected, he added coolly, "You were in such a hurry in the office, I assumed you couldn't wait to fulfill our bet."

Gu Yan understood. She pressed her lips together. Whether it was from anger, embarrassment, or perhaps the fact that Lu Wentan was different from her initial impression of him, she muttered, "You don't have a daughter as old as me, do you?" How was she supposed to say it?

"Say it, and you'll have one," the man said, leaning closer. He even turned his head to look at her.

Gu Yan found his gaze unbearable. But if fulfilling the bet meant she could get out of the car, then why not? She waited until they passed another car—a moment when Cong Su might hear—and whispered "Daddy" like a buzzing fly.

Lu Wentan’s brow flickered slightly before returning to its unruffled state. His thin lips curled upward. " 'Little Uncle' sounds better."

It was a simple comparison, but Gu Yan stiffened. Since that night, in her world, the words "Little Uncle" had become synonymous with intimacy. Hearing them, she couldn't help but picture the scene where Lu Wentan had demanded she call him that over and over, his voice breaking her down with every repetition.

Gu Yan felt he must be feeling the same thing. She was certain he was sensitive to those words, which was why he never tired of hearing them. Yet, thinking about how he was only sleeping with her to provoke his ex-girlfriend, she wondered if that was how his ex used to call him—or if that person named Yanyan addressed him that way?

"Can you let me out?" Gu Yan said suddenly, her voice carrying an imperceptible note of dejection.