Chapter 24: Leaving Work Together

After five days of work, Wen Jiu finalized the manuscript and sent it to Xu Xinying. Xu Xinying replied only with an OK emoji. Seeing that there were no comments on the details, Wen Jiu forwarded the design draft to the costume production team's email. Since it was a company order and not a private one, Wen Jiu strictly followed the official procedure.

She had just stepped out of her office with a cup in hand, intending to drink some coffee for a boost, when she heard a chorus of suppressed squeals and whispers. Noticing it came from colleagues in other departments passing by, Wen Jiu turned to ask Xie Meng, who sat nearby.

“Mengmeng, what’s gotten into them? They seem so excited.”

Xie Meng replied, “Ah, it’s because Director Gu from the headquarters is here for a routine inspection today. I heard he’s not only highly capable but also exceptionally handsome. They probably saw him in person. Actually, I’ve never seen him myself—wonder if he’s as attractive as the rumors say.”

Xie Meng remarked casually, and Wen Jiu silently answered in her heart: He is.

The next moment, Wen Jiu received a message from Li Lian: Director Gu would hold a meeting in the top-floor conference room, and as the company’s chief designer, she needed to attend. Wen Jiu took a couple sips of coffee, returned to her office, gathered her notebook, paper, and laptop, and headed upstairs.

When she entered the conference room, half the seats were already occupied. Wen Jiu chose a spot far from the head table and sat down. After settling in, she noticed Gu Zehuai’s gaze directed her way. Wen Jiu smiled at him, then began to organize her things.

Soon everyone arrived, and the meeting began.

First, Gu Zehuai spoke, reviewing the company’s financial status and recent development trends, followed by the department managers and their representatives. Wen Jiu had to admit Gu Zehuai’s ability and methods were remarkably advanced. He summarized the company’s shortcomings and future direction with clarity and precision, truly a guiding figure.

Each department’s report was brief, but with so many departments, the meeting lasted over two hours. By the end, it was already quitting time.

Wen Jiu planned to finish her meeting notes before leaving. Soon after, she received a message from Gu Zehuai: “Shall we go home together?”

Faced with unfinished notes, Wen Jiu declined Gu Zehuai’s offer.

“No, I still need to sort out the meeting materials. I’ll head home after I finish. You go ahead, I won’t join you.”

Gu Zehuai didn’t reply again. Wen Jiu assumed he had left and didn’t check her phone further.

Five minutes later, someone knocked on her office door. Wen Jiu thought it was a colleague working late and called out, “Come in.”

Looking up, she was surprised to see Gu Zehuai. He actually came here.

Gu Zehuai smiled, “So you work at Mirror Yan, Designer Wen. How about we leave together after you’re done?”

Wen Jiu sensed Gu Zehuai’s unusual attitude toward her but decided to act according to her own feelings.

“All right, just wait a moment longer. I’ll be done soon.”

There weren’t many key points to sort out, but Wen Jiu was meticulous and insisted on perfection.

Before long, the meeting materials were organized and Wen Jiu was ready to leave. Seeing Gu Zehuai still sitting on the sofa, absorbed in his phone, Wen Jiu walked behind him and tapped his shoulder.

Gu Zehuai turned to glance at her and stood up.

He had already excused his assistant Chen for the day, so he would drive home himself.

At the car, Gu Zehuai thoughtfully opened the passenger door for Wen Jiu before going around to the driver’s seat.

In the car, Wen Jiu stared absentmindedly at Gu Zehuai’s profile, unaware of herself.

“Am I really that good-looking?” Gu Zehuai teased during a pause at the traffic lights.

Wen Jiu snapped back to reality, hurriedly lowered her head, and her face flushed red all the way to her neck.

Soon, they arrived home. Gu Zehuai spoke, “Stay for dinner at my place tonight, don’t order takeout.”

Wen Jiu considered it—it was a good chance to clarify things—so she nodded.

After tidying up at home, Wen Jiu went to Gu Zehuai’s place.

When she arrived, Gu Zehuai opened the door wearing an apron and holding a spatula in one hand.

Wen Jiu was amused by his appearance.

Gu Zehuai walked toward the kitchen and said, “Hang out in the living room for a while, dinner will be ready soon.”

Wen Jiu sat in the living room, playing with her phone, listening to the sounds of cooking from the kitchen. Her heart was anything but calm.

Soon, the ringing of the doorbell shattered the atmosphere.

Wen Jiu heard the code being entered, and the door opened automatically.

Pei Yi walked in, his voice affected and dramatic.

“Ah Huai, my parents kicked me out—I need shelter, urgently!”

Hearing sounds from the kitchen, Pei Yi dashed in as soon as he entered.

Inside, Wen Jiu heard him complaining to Gu Zehuai and Gu Zehuai’s helpless replies.

Pei Yi intended to wait in the living room for dinner, but as he exited the kitchen, he saw someone sitting on the sofa—a woman.

Pei Yi was stunned.

There was a woman in Gu Zehuai’s home!

Pei Yi was delighted; Gu Zehuai had finally blossomed.

But then he looked closely—wasn’t this Wen Jiu?!

What was going on?!

Pei Yi’s mind was in turmoil.

His goddess—what was her relationship with Gu Zehuai, and why was she here?

Wen Jiu noticed Pei Yi’s expression changing several times and, unaware of his inner drama, smiled and greeted him.

“Pei Yi, we meet again.”

Pei Yi regained his composure. “Jiu Jiu, you’re here too? You and Ah Huai, are you…”

Wen Jiu realized he was overthinking and explained, “Don’t misunderstand. I’m just Gu Zehuai’s neighbor, and he invited me over for dinner.”

Pei Yi relaxed at that.

Thank goodness, he still had a chance.