"What? It can't be, right?"
"What do you mean you won't? You're still young, and you're still surprised by this. There are many women like Meng Nianyao who rely on their looks and bodies to serve men."
"I bet that this woman will disappear from President Gu's side in less than a month."
"That... Don't say that. What if Meng Nianyao and President Gu's relationship is very simple?"
"Hahaha, your relationship with him is so simple that you're going to be transferred to the 39th floor and become President Gu's personal assistant? You've graduated so long ago, why are you still so naive?"
The people in the washroom walked out, chatting and laughing. Meng Nianyao was silent. When they left, she discreetly went behind a potted plant. Once they were gone, she reemerged. Her face remained expressionless as she entered the washroom to wash her hands.
During the lunch break, everyone headed to a nearby restaurant. Before they left, someone hypocritically invited Meng Nianyao to join them. Politely, she declined, explaining that she had ordered takeout. Those people were insincere, so they left after saying yes.
Meng Nianyao hadn't actually ordered takeout. She couldn't handle takeout due to her sensitive stomach, and she wasn't hungry. Instead, she rose and went to the pantry to make a cup of tea. Upon returning, Gu Wencheng had just left his office. He glanced at the time and then at the vacant office. "You didn't go to eat?" he asked.
"I'm not very hungry. I'll order takeout later." Meng Nianyao held the teacup in her hand. With the water slightly hot, she balanced it with her other hand.
Gu Wencheng frowned, took the teacup, and placed it on her desk. He then said, "Follow me."
"Where to?"
"Boss, the restaurant is booked."
"Is there a business meeting?" Meng Nianyao asked.
"It's not a social gathering. The boss made reservations at the restaurant next door. He was concerned you wouldn't be comfortable today, so he arranged a private room."
Meng Nianyao was speechless, unsure of how to react. She glanced at Gu Wencheng and said, "You go ahead. I won't join."
"Mrs. Gu has another appointment?"
"No."
"Did you order takeout?"
Meng Nianyao was about to nod when Gu Wencheng continued, "Mrs. Gu, my intelligence and hearing are sharp. I hope you'll think carefully before answering my question."
Meng Nianyao was speechless.
Gu Wencheng smiled.
After lunch, Meng Nianyao returned to her desk. A colleague named Ji Linlin approached. "Meng Nianyao, what's your relationship with President Gu?"
"It doesn't matter." Meng Nianyao turned on her computer and stared at the screen. She clearly didn't want to engage in conversation, but Ji Linlin persisted, "How can it not matter? We all saw it. You said you ordered takeout and didn't want to eat with us. In reality, were you eating with President Gu?"
Meng Nianyao smiled politely. "I really have nothing to do with President Gu. I'm just his personal assistant."
Before Ji Linlin could respond, a woman in a professional suit walked over and addressed Meng Nianyao directly. "Are you the new Assistant Meng?"
Not recognizing her, Meng Nianyao stood up politely and replied, "Hello, I'm Meng Nianyao."
Ji Linlin shot a look of smug satisfaction and approached the woman. "Manager An, are you here to see President Gu?"
An Xinya smiled and turned to Ji Linlin.
"I'll inform President Gu that you're here. Please wait a moment," Ji Linlin said, offering a flattering smile to An Xinya. She then cast a disdainful glance at Meng Nianyao and headed towards Gu Wencheng's office.
Meng Nianyao sensed the hostility directed at her but didn't let it bother her. After all, she had accomplished her goal and would soon leave this place.
"Wait…" An Xinya suddenly called Ji Linlin back and addressed Meng Nianyao, "Manager Meng, could you help me inform him? After all, you're Mr. Gu's personal assistant. You're the most suitable person to pass on the message."
"Of course, Manager An." Meng Nianyao maintained her polite smile and proceeded toward Gu Wencheng's office.
Gu Wencheng was engrossed in work, wearing rimless glasses that accentuated his sharp gaze as he looked up. "What's the matter?"
It was the first time Meng Nianyao had seen Gu Wencheng like this. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "President Gu, Manager An is here."