Chapter 32: Secret Suspicions

Wen Jiu was momentarily stunned by Gu Zehuai’s sudden question, unable to react at once.

Seeing her startled expression, Gu Zehuai guessed he’d been too impatient and quickly explained, “I was joking. What kind of thanks could I ask for just escorting you downstairs?”

Wen Jiu lowered her head and said nothing more.

When she’d heard his words moments ago, her heart had skipped a beat, a secret suspicion stirring within her. But she didn’t dare dwell on it.

The two descended in silence, taking the elevator down.

In the lobby, Gu Zehuai stopped and spoke softly, “Go enjoy yourselves. I won’t join the festivities this time. Perhaps we’ll have another chance together.”

Wen Jiu nodded and glanced up at him.

Seeing his gaze fixed on her, Wen Jiu simply lifted her head to meet his eyes.

They quietly held each other’s gaze for several seconds.

Inside, Wen Jiu was a tangled mess of emotions, but outwardly she remained composed. After all, Gu Zehuai had just said something that could easily be misunderstood—she was determined to see who would break first.

In the end, it was Gu Zehuai who looked away, turning his head and coughing lightly behind a closed fist.

Wen Jiu snapped back to herself, quickly said “Goodbye,” and immediately turned and walked toward the back hill.

Her hurried little steps made Gu Zehuai chuckle softly.

When Wen Jiu saw her department colleagues, she finally forgot the awkwardness of moments before.

They greeted her warmly, inviting her to sit.

Xie Meng stood and waved, “Jiu Jiu, sit over here!”

Wen Jiu finished greeting everyone and took a seat beside Xie Meng.

A few female colleagues teased her with smiles, “Jiu Jiu, you’re late—three drinks as a penalty!”

Wen Jiu listened to their tone, glanced at the table where there was no alcohol, and realized they were just joking. She played along, laughing, “Alright, alright, I’ll take three penalty drinks. But where’s the alcohol? I don’t see any. Maybe let me off this time?”

Everyone burst out laughing.

The drinks hadn’t arrived yet, but they were only teasing Wen Jiu, not truly making her drink.

The atmosphere quickly became lively.

Most of the men were gathered on the nearby lawn, grilling barbecue for the women at the table.

The women felt uneasy just sitting, so they got up to join in skewering the meat.

Some fumbled clumsily, making everyone laugh and bringing a sense of camaraderie.

Wen Jiu watched the scene before her, grateful once again to have such wonderful colleagues and to be part of such a harmonious team.

As the chief designer, it was necessary for her to be strict in certain aspects of work, but none of them resented her youth. Instead, they diligently completed their tasks.

Wen Jiu felt both delighted and deeply content.

The department staff ate barbecue, played games, and told jokes.

Time passed quickly.

By eleven o’clock, someone suggested it was time to rest.

After tidying up the area, everyone returned to their rooms.

Having eaten barbecue and drunk a little, Wen Jiu felt uncomfortably full, but because it was late she didn’t dare linger outside the hotel. She paced her room to aid digestion.

Once she felt better, she showered, washing away the scent of barbecue.

Afterward, Wen Jiu sat before her vanity, carefully tending to her skin.

She’d packed all her skincare products in travel bottles, determined not to miss a single day of her routine.