PB - Chapter 12
Chapter 12
In the morning, Gu Jianchu's private jet was undergoing its final pre-flight checks. In the exclusive departure lounge were Jin Zhilan and Qi Simiao, whose flight was scheduled after theirs. It was as if the little incident from last night's banquet had never happened; upon seeing Gu Jianchu, Qi Simiao was as warm and friendly as ever.
Qiao Qi stood by the window, on the phone, her expression slightly cold. This was not only because the call was from Old Master Jin, but also due to the rhythmic, throbbing pain above her ear. She had originally planned to take a painkiller to suppress it, but Yao Qiu had adamantly refused and even hidden the medication, so she was now enduring the pain while handling the call.
"I heard you were sick and even went to the hospital?" Yao Qiu and Xu Yangpu would never reveal a single thing about her, so Old Master Jin must have gotten the news from the Shen family. "Come back for a visit after you land."
"I have things to do at the company."
Since Qiao Qi refused to come back, Old Master Jin had other methods. "You come back and personally explain the last-minute changes to the collaboration proposal to me."
She insisted, "I'll go this afternoon."
Old Master Jin relented. "Leave the company matters to Yangpu. You're not to work anymore."
"President Qiao," Yao Qiu approached her. "It's time to board."
Old Master Jin heard this as well. "Have your secretary bring you back for lunch." He added a few more instructions before hanging up.
Qiao Qi turned around to see Gu Jianchu waiting for her at the boarding gate. She quickened her pace and walked over, her voice tinged with apology. "I'm sorry."
Gu Jianchu noticed she didn't look well and asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, let's go."
Gu Jianchu said her goodbyes to Jin Zhilan and Qi Simiao, while Qiao Qi merely gave a nod. The moment they were out of the lounge, Qi Simiao dropped her pretense, her face dark as she cursed Qiao Qi in her mind.
Jin Zhilan watched her with an amused smile and teased, "Jianchu is beautiful enough to make anyone jealous, but it shouldn't make you fall this deep, should it? You've really wasted all those years of playing the field."
Qi Simiao retorted irritably, "You'll know once you try it."
"I'm not into your type." Something suddenly occurred to Jin Zhilan, and she smiled with a suggestive look. "Now, if something were to really happen between Qiao Qi and Gu Jianchu, that would be interesting. I'm already starting to look forward to it. No, you have to keep an eye on them for me and tell me about any developments. Don't just think about romance all day. Remember, Ruifeng is what's most important."
Gu Jianchu wasn't one to suffer a loss. As long as they could kick Qiao Qi out of Ruifeng, Gu Jianchu would naturally lose interest in her. With that thought, Qi Simiao's jealousy instantly vanished. "Definitely."
Gu Jianchu's private jet had a single-row seating arrangement. The two front seats were separated from the rear ones by a frosted glass partition, and the first-class space included a private rest area. After takeoff, Gu Jianchu was tapping away on a tablet. Qiao Qi, however, found it difficult to continue working due to her headache and was resting with her eyes closed.
Gu Jianchu's gaze lifted from her tablet and shifted to Qiao Qi. Ruifeng's ever-stoic President Qiao, who could endure anything, actually had moments where her lips were pressed tight and her brows were furrowed. Gu Jianchu knew her body hadn't fully recovered and her headache was acting up.
The moment the cool fingertips touched her temple, Qiao Qi flinched instinctively and opened her eyes in confusion. Gu Jianchu's fingers were gently massaging her temples with a practiced skill, and her pleasant voice drifted down from above. "If you're not feeling well, you should say so. Don't always hide it. Do you want to go lie down for a bit?"
"There's no need." Gu Jianchu's massage brought relief from the pain. Qiao Qi lowered her eyes and murmured, "I didn't expect you to have such a skill, Jianchu."
Gu Jianchu had learned this technique to help her mother, but she had only ever used it on her. She joked ambiguously, "So you'll need to take some time to slowly discover my good qualities."
Qiao Qi knew she was different from Gu Jianchu. Her personality made her rarely initiate closeness with others, but for Gu Jianchu, being close to people she had a good impression of was just a habit. Just like now, Gu Jianchu's natural and easy manner left her at a loss and flustered.
Gu Jianchu's massage was indeed very comfortable. Qiao Qi's consciousness began to grow heavy, and the problem she had been pondering was forced to a halt. Not wanting to overthink it, she said, "You're very soothing."
"It's just that you're a heavy sleeper."
A smile touched Qiao Qi's pressed lips. She couldn't blame Gu Jianchu for thinking she was a heavy sleeper. Falling asleep next to someone during your first conversation—anyone would think she was a heavy sleeper. She didn't try to explain, simply saying, "I'm much better now. You should get some rest."
Looking down at her, Gu Jianchu saw that her expression had relaxed and she was no longer forcing herself to endure the pain, but she didn't stop her movements. "Close your eyes and get some proper rest."
Qiao Qi did as she was told and closed her eyes, quickly drifting into a dream. When Gu Jianchu noticed her breathing was even, a clear sign she was asleep, she released her hands but continued to look down at her. The sleeping Qiao Qi seemed less distant, her profile softened by the sunlight. Gu Jianchu lowered the sunshade, then asked a flight attendant for a thin blanket to cover Qiao Qi before sitting back down to continue her work.
Qiao Qi was awakened by the discomfort of the plane's descent. Gu Jianchu turned sideways in her seat and asked, "You're awake? We've just landed."
The vegetation in the city had yet to bud, and the scene still looked cold. The plane jolted twice upon landing before taxiing swiftly and finally stopping at its designated position. Before disembarking, Qiao Qi put on a heavy coat over her trench coat, then braved the northern wind as she walked down the stairs.
Yao Qiu, following behind, hung up her phone and hurried to Qiao Qi's side, speaking in a troubled tone. "President Qiao."
Qiao Qi leaned her head down toward her, signaling for her to continue. Yao Qiu explained, "Master Liu just called to say he's still on his way. He said the group had important guests, and the logistics department dispatched him as well. Master Liu reported to his superior that he needed to pick you up from the airport, but his superior said it was an order from the President, and that it would only take a moment and wouldn't cause much of a delay."
"Alright, I understand," Qiao Qi said without breaking her stride. "Yangpu, go outside and get a car. We'll take a taxi back."
Seeing her walking faster and faster, Gu Jianchu reached out and took her arm. Qiao Qi turned back, a questioning look in her eyes. "Take my car. I'll drive you to Ruifeng."
"There's no need to trouble you. You have to get back to Rongfang."
Gu Jianchu didn't let go. "I'm not as busy as you. It's no trouble to go back after dropping you off." Without waiting for Qiao Qi to refuse, she pulled her toward the car that had been waiting for them.
One car wasn't enough for their group of six, so the men volunteered to take a taxi. Yao Qiu was originally going to join them, but Qiao Qi stopped her. "Come back to the company with me first. I have some things to delegate to you, and I have to go back to the other side this afternoon."
"Yes, President Qiao."
The dedicated driver for Ruifeng Group's Vice President Qiao had been temporarily dispatched to pick up important guests at the very moment she was returning. Yao Qiu felt like her lungs were about to explode with anger. Qiao Qi, however, felt her headache had eased after her nap on the plane, and she now had the energy to handle work, replying to emails on her tablet.
"President Qiao." Yao Qiu hesitated, then finally said, "You can do this when we get back."
"It's fine. I might not be in the office this afternoon. You and Yangpu can process the documents."
Qiao Qi's phone rang abruptly, subconsciously drawing the attention of the others in the back seat. Gu Jianchu unintentionally glanced at the caller's name: Jiayin. Su Jiayin was really attentive to Qiao Qi. The call came through the moment she landed. They had known each other for twenty years, and she had never seen Jiayin show such concern for her.
Su Jiayin was calling because of Qiao Qi's headache in Shenzhen. "You're back?"
"Yes, I'm back."
"Do you have time this afternoon? Come to my hospital."
"I have to go to the other side this afternoon. I probably won't have much time recently."
"Are you trying to kill me with anger? Can't you be a little kinder to yourself and take better care of your body? It's only been a few days since you were so exhausted you ended up in the hospital. Have you forgotten so quickly? No, you must come to the hospital in the next day or two."
Seeing Su Jiayin's firm attitude, Qiao Qi's tone was helpless, with a hint of pleading in her soft voice. "Alright, I know. I will definitely follow the doctor's orders and go see Doctor Su at the hospital in the next day or two."
Su Jiayin gave another one or two instructions before hanging up. Seeing that they were almost at their destination, Qiao Qi put away her tablet. Gu Jianchu chatted with her idly for a moment until the car stopped in front of the Ruifeng building. Qiao Qi thanked her and got out, and only then did Gu Jianchu take out her phone to call Su Jiayin.
The call connected. "Need something?"
"Miss Su, you were so concerned about President Qiao just now. How come you're so cold to me? You'll make me unhappy like this."
Su Jiayin's laughter came through the phone. "How did you end up with her?"
Gu Jianchu quickly explained what had happened. "Not only did I provide the plane, but I also acted as her driver. Miss Su, how do you plan to thank me?"
"Reassigning a vice president's car—what great power."
"I thought her reaction was quite calm. She was even going to take a taxi back. What's there for you to be angry about?"
"It seems you two got along quite well on this Shenzhen trip. I also heard you collaborated on the Shen family's project."
"She's very good, and very interesting."
"Interesting?" Su Jiayin laughed again. "I have to go. I'll treat you to a meal when I have time." After hanging up, she thought for a moment and called Qiao Qi again.
Qiao Qi had just entered her office and hadn't even had time to turn on her computer. "What is it now, Doctor Su?"
"Jin Zhihuan went too far this time."
Qiao Qi paused for a second, then immediately understood that Su Jiayin had heard about it from Gu Jianchu. "It wasn't him. It was Qi Er."
She knew very well that if Jin Zhihuan wanted to embarrass her, it wouldn't be something as boring as reassigning her car. As for why Qi Er would do it? It wasn't hard to guess that Qi Simiao had given him an exaggerated account of what happened in Shenzhen. Qi Er was brainless and reckless. He had no real power at Ruifeng and could only use Jin Zhihuan's name to stir up some petty trouble.
"Then be careful. I'm hanging up now."
In the afternoon, Jin Zhihuan's secretary called Yao Qiu, saying the President wanted to see Vice President Qiao.
Yao Qiu replied formally, "Please inform the President that Vice President Qiao is not in the office."
The president's secretary hung up and called the front desk. After that call, she knocked on the president's office door. "President Jin, Secretary Yao said Vice President Qiao is not in the office."
"Didn't she return to the company this morning?"
"I checked with the front desk. They said she left around noon."
Jin Zhihuan nodded, and the secretary withdrew. He made a private call to his mother, who lived at the Jin family residence, and sure enough, he got the answer that Qiao Qi was there. He hung up and slammed the phone onto his desk in anger.
Old Master Jin had said he wanted Qiao Qi to come back and report on her work in Shenzhen, but once she arrived, he didn't mention work at all. He had already reviewed the new proposal as soon as it was sent over and was nothing but satisfied with Qiao Qi's work. After lunch, he let her go upstairs to rest.
Qiao Qi didn't rest. She held remote meetings in the study of her bedroom all afternoon, only feeling the fatigue when she was called downstairs for dinner. She wore a light gray, form-fitting turtleneck sweater and descended the stairs gracefully, a thick shawl draped over her shoulders.
At the dining table, the seat to Old Master Jin's right was still reserved for her, but sitting opposite her was Jin Zhihuan. She walked over and sat down, and only then did Old Master Jin give the order to begin the meal. The dishes were, as always, catered to her preferences.
"I told you to rest well this afternoon. Were you working in your room again?"
Qiao Qi lowered her eyes and answered softly, "Yes."
"So disobedient."
"Since it's about work, why didn't you come to my office first when you returned to the company?" The one who spoke was Jin Zhihuan. From the moment she saw him, Qiao Qi had guessed his reason for being there. He continued, "Shouldn't you have personally explained to me why you changed the proposal at the last minute?"
Qiao Qi set down her chopsticks. The ivory utensils made no sound. She raised her eyes to meet Jin Zhihuan's gaze. "I submitted all explanations in writing. If you haven't seen them, you should ask your secretary."
Jin Zhihuan was about to press the issue when Old Master Jin interrupted. "She explained it to me personally. Discuss work matters back at the company."
At home, Jin Zhilan had fewer inhibitions and naturally sided with Jin Zhihuan. She said in a wheedling tone, "Grandpa, you're too biased. Big Brother is the president of the group, after all. It's only natural for a vice president to report to the president."
Normally, Old Master Jin would have gone along with her and playfully scolded her a few times. But today, the old master suddenly turned to Qiao Qi and asked, "I heard you took a ride in Rongfang's young Gu's car from the airport today?"
Qiao Qi lowered her eyes again and answered softly, "Yes."
The old master spoke slowly as he ate. "If headquarters is short-staffed, transfer someone from a branch. If you can't transfer anyone, then hire from outside. From now on, your driver is for your use alone. Do you understand?"
The words seemed to be directed at Qiao Qi, but aside from the second son and his wife, who looked as if it had nothing to do with them and ate in silence, the expressions on the faces of Jin Zhihuan's family of four were not pleasant.
Qiao Qi's emotions were hidden in her eyes. She said, "I understand."
Old Master Jin's public display of favoritism was his way of chiding her for being too soft-hearted. He was deliberately provoking Jin Zhihuan's jealousy. He wanted to use Jin Zhihuan to sharpen Qiao Qi's character. Understanding this, Qiao Qi continued her meal as usual.
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