C30 Working Together

The next morning, Su Kexin rose half an hour earlier than usual and drafted a resignation letter on her laptop.

Whether she was seen as a coward or accused of running away, she simply couldn't continue working under Gu Yihan. And if transferring departments wasn't an option, resigning seemed to be the only choice left.

But before she could even print out the letter, an unexpected call from the hospital came through.

"Miss Su? We've observed some fluctuations in your mother's brainwaves this morning, indicating she might be showing signs of regaining consciousness."

"What?" Su Kexin was ecstatic. "Really, Doctor? Is my mother actually going to wake up?"

"We're hopeful, but I must caution you not to get your hopes up too high, Miss Su."

"As long as there's a chance, that's enough for me. Doctor, please take good care of her."

"Of course, we'll do everything we can, but..." The doctor hesitated, "with the improvement, we'll need to adjust her treatment, which will affect the costs..."

Su Kexin paused, quickly grasping the situation, and replied without a second thought, "I understand. Don't worry, Doctor. My mother has health insurance that should cover most of it. Whatever the additional cost, I'll take care of it. Just please make sure she gets better."

After ending the call, Su Kexin stared at the resignation letter on her computer screen, momentarily lost in thought, then decisively deleted it.

Resigning now was out of the question. Besides needing the health insurance, the gap of a month without work while searching for a new job would leave her unable to keep up with her mother's medical bills.

With a heavy heart, Su Kexin gathered her belongings and headed to work.

She had to face what was inevitable.

Gu Chi had left early due to other commitments, so after eating alone, Su Kexin hailed a taxi to the office.

Her magazine had recently landed a significant collaborative project with a publication in Q City, a long-term partnership that reportedly required Gu Yihan's personal attention to negotiate the contract details.

Su Kexin couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief at the news.

The less she saw of Gu Yihan, the better, and his business trip was the perfect reprieve.

Su Kexin had barely settled into her office chair when her editor-in-chief, Jiang Lili, came bustling in. "Su Kexin, you're not tied up with any interviews at the moment, are you?"

Caught off guard, Su Kexin replied, "No, I'm not."

"Great. Then get ready quickly. You'll be heading to Q City with the chief editor this afternoon."

"What?" Su Kexin sprang to her feet. "Sister Jiang, I'm a reporter, not the chief editor's personal assistant. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Jiang Lili gave Su Kexin a look.

Truth be told, she was just as puzzled about why the chief editor had singled out Su Kexin for the trip, but as a subordinate, it wasn't her place to question it.

"What's the issue?" Jiang Lili said, her patience wearing thin. "You're free anyway. What's the harm in going along?"

"But Sister Jiang—" Su Kexin started to protest, only to be cut off by Jiang Lili.

"If you have a problem with it, take it up with the chief editor himself. He's the one who specifically requested you."

Jiang Lili was known for her no-nonsense attitude, and she hadn't given much thought to her words, not anticipating the stir they would cause.

Su Kexin went pale.

Gu Yihan had personally requested her?

She had thought that with Gu Yihan's marriage, he would have moved on from her. What was he up to now?

With a tense bite of her lip, she turned and headed for Gu Yihan's office.

No sooner had she left than the office buzzed with whispers.

"What's happening here? The Chief Editor personally asks for Su Kexin to join him on a business trip? Something seems off."

"I agree. But hasn't Kexin already gotten married?"

"Hey, I heard a rumor that some wealthy guy dropped her off at work. What do you all make of that?"

"Are you all just looking for gossip?" Jiang Lili's voice cut through the chatter sharply, silencing the speculative crowd.

Meanwhile, Su Kexin approached Gu Yihan's office door. She was about to knock when, unexpectedly, it swung open on its own.

When Gu Yihan caught sight of Su Kexin standing outside the door, he was momentarily taken aback before his expression chilled. "Su Kexin, why are you still here? We're about to depart."

Su Kexin's complexion blanched, yet she met his gaze resolutely. "Chief Editor Gu, I don't wish to go to Q City."

Gu Yihan's irritation flared without warning at the clear defiance on Su Kexin's face. "The decision has been made. It's not up for debate. If you're opposed to going, feel free to hand in your resignation."

Su Kexin's fists tightened involuntarily. She would have loved to resign and be rid of Gu Yihan's oppressive presence, but her mother's medical expenses and insurance depended on her paycheck.

As Su Kexin remained silent, Gu Yihan scoffed. "If you're not willing to resign, then get your luggage ready. Don't bother coming back if you miss the 3 o'clock flight." With that, he spun on his heel and strode away.

Left with no real options, Su Kexin reluctantly dialed Ms. Zhang. An hour later, Ms. Zhang arrived at the base of the office building, luggage in tow.

"Ms. Zhang, I can't thank you enough. I simply didn't have the time to pack," Su Kexin expressed her gratitude.

"You're too kind, Young Madam," Ms. Zhang responded warmly, fond of the young master's new bride for her humility and understanding. "But have you discussed this trip with the Young Master?"

Su Kexin paused, realizing that in her frustration with Gu Yihan, she had neglected to inform Gu Chi.

"I'll speak to him," she assured Ms. Zhang, nodding. "It's only for a few days. I'll be back soon."

After dragging her suitcase back to the office, Su Kexin attempted to call Gu Chi, but he didn't answer, likely tied up in a meeting. Deciding it wasn't urgent, she sent a text instead and then set off for the airport with Gu Yihan.

At Chiyao Group's CEO office, Gu Chi maneuvered his wheelchair inside and addressed Yang Zuo, "The Q City project isn't worth our time. Cancel it."

"Okay, Mr. Gu," Yang Zuo nodded, then something seemed to strike him. "Oh, by the way, during the meeting, didn't your wife call?"

"Su Kexin?" Gu Chi paused, taken aback.

It was unusual for her to reach out first. Gu Chi checked his phone and saw a message from Su Kexin on WeChat:

[The magazine has unexpectedly asked me and the chief editor to travel to Q City on business. I won't be home for the next few days.]

The message was brief, almost perfunctory, and for some reason, it irked Gu Chi.

Just then, Yang Zuo remembered something else and handed Gu Chi a document. "Speaking of the Young Madam, Mr. Gu, I've got the results of that matter you asked me to look into."

Gu Chi accepted the papers and began to read. At the sight of the first page, his body tensed abruptly, his dark eyes narrowing with intensity.

Seeing Gu Chi's reaction, Yang Zuo grew curious and couldn't resist peeking over his shoulder.

The glimpse was enough to make him gasp and cover his mouth in shock.

Snap!

Gu Chi slammed the documents shut, his expression turning icy. "Prepare the car; we're heading to the airport."

"Huh?" Yang Zuo was slow on the uptake. "The airport? Why?"

"We're going to Q City," Gu Chi stated firmly, already maneuvering his wheelchair.

Yang Zuo trailed behind, utterly bewildered.

Q City?

Hadn't Mr. Gu just decided to cancel the deal in Q City? What could have changed his mind so suddenly?