Chapter 33
The last workday of the week arrived, and Gu Yuetong’s body was still quite weak, relying on painkillers to get by.
Qi Baizi had expected to work from home with her for a few more days, just like the previous two, and return to the office next week. But then, terrible news suddenly came from the company.
The Gu Corporation was being jointly sued.
The news had spread through the company early in the morning. Li Yi had gathered the specific details after arriving at work and snooping around. Meanwhile, Gu Yuetong, the general manager, knew nothing, and no one had bothered to inform her.
If Li Yi hadn’t tipped Qi Baizi off, she would probably still be in the dark.
Not long after Qi Baizi hung up with Li Yi, Gu Yuetong received a text from Gu Hezhu, demanding her immediate presence at the company. No reason was given, and no details were mentioned.
Having just swallowed a painkiller that hadn’t yet taken effect, Gu Yuetong propped up her aching waist, threw on a coat, and prepared to leave.
Qi Baizi instinctively wanted to go with her, but Gu Yuetong instructed her not to show her face at the company today, especially not in front of Gu Hezhu.
Confused, Qi Baizi turned to Auntie Qin for help. Auntie Qin gave her a look that said, “Just listen to her,” and then went to see Gu Yuetong off to her car.
Qi Baizi was extremely worried. She chased after them to the fountain outside the Old Fortress, watching helplessly as Gu Yuetong drove away.
When Auntie Qin returned, Qi Baizi pressed her for an explanation. “Why can’t I even drive her to the office?”
Auntie Qin shook her head. “She has her reasons. It’s best you just listen.”
With that, Auntie Qin pushed Qi Baizi back into the house and locked the glass door behind them.
Qi Baizi was shocked. Was it really necessary to go this far?
Auntie Qin’s face was serious. “Yes.”
Qi Baizi wasn’t someone who could remain calm. Her worry for Gu Yuetong would drive her to find a way to follow her. Although Auntie Qin didn’t know what had happened, she had watched Gu Yuetong grow up. She was always profound and steady, and there had to be a reason for her decisions.
“No matter what happens today, you can only wait for news at home.”
After speaking, Auntie Qin stuffed the key into her pocket and then pulled Qi Baizi over to help her make breakfast.
Holding a carrot, Qi Baizi once again looked out the window, praying in her heart that nothing would happen to Gu Yuetong.
As she had thought, the person who had left home was already speeding into the Gu Corporation’s underground garage.
Gu Yuetong had originally planned to enter through the ground floor and ask the front desk about the situation. However, from a distance, she saw a large red banner stretched across the front of the Gu Corporation building. On it were written several large characters: “Wasting the People’s Resources, Gu Corporation Breaks Contracts, Refuses to Pay Penalties!”
It seemed the front desk had already been overrun; she couldn’t even see a single security guard.
The painkiller kicked in, and the menstrual cramps subsided, but she still felt weak. In the elevator, the cleaning lady greeted her as usual, but she could only manage a slight nod, lacking the energy to say anything more.
But upon seeing Gu Hezhu, she had to speak, even if she had no strength.
In Gu Hezhu’s office, a thick stack of file folders lay on the desk.
Gu Yuetong put on a puzzled expression, picked one up to look at it, and saw a court summons on the first page.
She saw Zheng Juan’s name.
“What is this?” Gu Yuetong asked, feigning ignorance.
“The factories we terminated contracts with have suddenly filed a joint lawsuit against the Gu Corporation.” Gu Hezhu studied her for a few seconds, her voice laced with suspicion. “With such a big commotion, you didn’t hear anything about it beforehand?”
Gu Yuetong put down the summons and let out a cold laugh. “This company may be named Gu, but it’s not Gu Yuetong’s Gu. If you, the Chairman, hadn’t called me here, I’d still be in the dark.”
Gu Hezhu’s expression shifted slightly. She took a sip of coffee from her desk and said, “The Legal Department is already handling the lawsuit. As for that rabble downstairs, you go and deal with them.”
Gu Yuetong’s face remained impassive. “Understood.” She turned to leave, but Gu Hezhu called out to her from behind.
“Zhou Qin said you haven’t been to work for two days. What’s wrong?”
Gu Hezhu’s expression was unnatural as she spoke. Gu Yuetong pretended not to notice and gave a vague excuse. Gu Hezhu then asked, “Is Auntie Qin taking care of you?”
Gu Yuetong didn’t deny it. “Is there a problem?”
Growing up, which time she fell ill wasn’t it Auntie Qin who was by her side? As a mother, how much time had Gu Hezhu spent with her?
“No problem, I’m just curious.” In response to the question, a cunning glint flashed in Gu Hezhu’s eyes. “Curious about that assistant of yours. Why has she suddenly disappeared?”
Gu Yuetong was prepared. She knew Gu Hezhu would find a way to steer the conversation toward Qi Baizi.
After all, with Gu Hezhu’s personality, she would have thoroughly investigated Zheng Juan, the leader of this joint lawsuit, as soon as it happened. Naturally, she would also know that Zheng Juan’s daughter, Zheng Xiaoxiao, was Qi Baizi’s university classmate and roommate.
Gu Hezhu was sensitive and suspicious; Qi Baizi would surely not have an easy time.
Gu Yuetong had long been prepared for this day. Back in Donglin, she had hinted to Zheng Juan that she could start preparing a lawsuit. Seeing that Zheng Juan had the nerve to stop her during a chance encounter and demand an explanation, she knew Zheng Juan was a strong woman who wouldn’t take this lying down.
With Gu Yuetong’s backing, Zheng Juan had indeed been incredibly efficient. In just over half a month, she had prepared all the lawsuit materials and even joined forces with many other ‘victimized’ factories.
Gu Yuetong applauded her silently, while also hoping that Qi Baizi wouldn’t get dragged into it.
After all, Qi Baizi was truly innocent.
“She has her work to do. Naturally, she does what I tell her to do. Why is Chairman Gu so concerned about an assistant by my side?” A hint of sarcasm crossed Gu Yuetong’s eyes. “With this much energy, why not show a little more concern for your own daughter?”
Gu Hezhu was momentarily choked by her words, then let out a cold laugh. “Am I not concerned enough about you?”
Gu Yuetong shot her a dismissive look, then smoothed her slightly disheveled hair in the reflective glass. “What I want is concern, not surveillance.”
With that, she straightened her collar and turned to leave Gu Hezhu’s office.
Taking the elevator to the ground floor, she found the lobby indeed overrun by dozens of protestors. The staff were doing their best to maintain order and prevent them from rushing into the elevators.
A front desk girl who was familiar with Gu Yuetong spotted her coming out of the elevator and quickly ran over, whispering a word of caution. “You should go back upstairs, President Gu. We can handle it here.”
Gu Yuetong, however, ignored her and asked, “Have you called the police?”
The girl answered in a low voice, “We did. The police came and left. This group isn’t smashing or robbing anything. At most, they’re just holding a banner and shouting a bit. The police only left a few officers to maintain order.”
It seemed Zheng Juan’s side had made their move. Gu Yuetong hummed in acknowledgment and said reassuringly, “I’ll handle it.”
With that, she stepped forward. The clamor in the lobby ceased the moment they saw her.
These people were all workers from Zheng Juan’s factory. Some had been forced to leave their jobs, while others were on the verge of it. A few days ago, Zheng Juan had gathered them for a meeting, and after reaching an agreement, they had all packed up and come to Jingzhou City this morning.
Before they left, Zheng Juan had created a group chat for them, given them instructions and reminders, and even sent a photo of Gu Yuetong, telling them that once they reached the Gu Corporation, they just needed to ask for her by name.
At the sight of Gu Yuetong, the workers all fell silent.
Seeing their expressions, Gu Yuetong guessed that Zheng Juan had mentioned her to them, and she instantly felt more confident.
“Everyone, I am Gu Yuetong, the General Manager of the Gu Corporation. I know you’ve all come with requests, but your arrival was sudden, and the Gu Corporation is short-staffed. Please forgive our poor hospitality.”
With that, she turned to the front desk girl and said, “Take them into the company. Prepare some tea and pastries.”
“You must all be tired from your long journey to Jingzhou City. Why don’t you come upstairs and rest for a bit?”
The middle-aged woman leading the group and holding the banner paused at her words. After a moment’s thought, she said to her fellow workers in less-than-standard Mandarin, “Then let’s listen to General Manager Gu. We’ll rest for a bit.”
“Good.” Gu Yuetong stepped aside, making way. “Everyone, please follow the staff upstairs in an orderly fashion. They will arrange a place for you to rest.”
She then instructed another staff member, “Buy some breakfast and distribute it. Don’t let everyone go hungry.”
The workers lined up to get into the elevators. The front desk girl was amazed by Gu Yuetong’s authority and whispered to her, “President Gu, you’re amazing! We tried to invite them upstairs to rest earlier, but we talked until our lips were raw, and they just wouldn’t go!”
Gu Yuetong smiled. “Go on, get back to work.”
With that, she turned and went upstairs.
***
In the Old Fortress at East Mountain Manor, Auntie Qin could see that Qi Baizi’s heart was elsewhere. She was listless in everything she did, so Auntie Qin tried to find ways to distract her.
She either had her help with the weeding or pulled her into a game of Chinese chess. Before lunch, Auntie Qin finally ran out of ideas and could only turn on the TV to watch a variety show with Qi Baizi.
“This female guest is amazing! She can do six consecutive backflips. I learned a bit of dance when I was young, but I hurt my back doing a backbend and never dared to try again. What do you think, Little Bai?”
Qi Baizi responded absently and lowered her head to look at her phone again. She was waiting for news—news from either Gu Yuetong or Li Yi. Since Gu Yuetong had left for the company, there had been no new updates, and the silence made her inexplicably agitated.
Seeing this, Auntie Qin’s smile froze on her face. She sighed, picked up the remote, and turned off the TV. Suddenly, she said, “Do you want to go see Yuetong’s study?”
Qi Baizi was taken aback for a moment. She looked up and met Auntie Qin’s gaze. Auntie Qin smiled at her. “They’re all books she used to read when she was in school. I see you’re bored. Want to go up and pass the time?”
“Will President Gu be upset if she knows I went into her study without permission?”
“No, she won’t. I can go into her study whenever I want. You’re so close to her, she won’t say anything.”
Seeing that Qi Baizi seemed somewhat interested, Auntie Qin struck while the iron was hot, pulling her upstairs. “Let me tell you, when Yuetong was in school, she had a pretty cheerful personality. But she also loved to read, especially picture-story books. She learned so many foreign languages just from those. There were so many comics I couldn’t understand a single word of, and she would translate them for me sentence by sentence…”
Amidst Auntie Qin’s chatter, Qi Baizi stepped into Gu Yuetong’s study.
The study was on the third floor, right at the top of the stairs. Once inside, she realized it took up almost the entire floor, filled with row after row of bookshelves, each one packed to the brim.
“What do you think? Impressive, right?”
Qi Baizi was astonished. She turned to look around. “Impressive… It’s like a small library!”
Suddenly, a painting hanging on the opposite wall caught her eye. It was an oil painting of a golden retriever. She moved closer to examine it and confirmed that the golden retriever in the painting was the same one from Gu Yuetong’s profile picture.
“That golden retriever’s name is A Bao. It was a dog Yuetong used to have. A classmate of hers painted this for her,” Auntie Qin said. “After A Bao died, the painting was always hung here. Sometimes when Yuetong is in a bad mood, she comes up to look at it, as if A Bao is still here.”