Chapter 7
Edward Quan ·
“Perhaps it isn’t you who needs protection.”
“It may be the people who are thinking of causing trouble for you.”
Me: “???”
I truly didn’t understand.
I was clearly just a weak, kindhearted girl who wanted to work, earn money, and live a peaceful life.
Why did everyone look at me as if I were some dangerous weapon?
But before I could think it over, the office door was suddenly shoved open.
The secretary rushed in, panicked.
“President Gu! Something’s wrong!”
Gu Mingzhe stood up at once.
“What happened?”
The secretary looked at me.
His expression was very strange.
“Ms. Song is trending!”
I was stunned.
“Again?”
The secretary swallowed.
“This time it’s not about the kidnapping.”
“Then what is it?”
He raised his phone.
A recording played on the screen.
My voice rang out clearly:
“Are you planning to kidnap me? But I’m standing in the president’s office…”
The recording cut off right there.
Beneath it was a huge headline:
“TIANSHENG’S NEW EMPLOYEE PUBLICLY CHALLENGES A KIDNAPPER IN THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE. POSSIBLE CONNECTION TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE GU FAMILY HEIR.”
I looked at the screen.
Then at Gu Mingzhe.
Finally, I asked in despair:
“President Gu…”
“Yes?”
“Is it too late to resign?”
He answered calmly:
“Yes.”
I wanted to cry.
But his next words left me completely stunned.
“Since this morning, the group’s legal department has received seventeen calls asking about you.”
“Eight media outlets want to interview you.”
“Three security companies want to invite you to be a consultant.”
“And…”
He paused and looked at me with an extremely complicated expression.
“The municipal police just called.”
I trembled.
“Why are the police looking for me again?”
Gu Mingzhe replied slowly:
“They want you to help clarify another case.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Oh, just help them out?”
He nodded.
“That’s right.”
“Good…”
But the very next second, he continued:
“After listening to your call again, a suspect under investigation voluntarily asked to see a lawyer.”
I was stunned.
“So?”
Gu Mingzhe looked at me.
“He said…”
“He’d rather confess everything than keep talking to you.”
Me: “…”
I stayed silent for a long time.
Then I slowly took out my phone.
I opened the family group chat.
And sent my dad a message.
“Dad, I’ve thought it over.”
“I’ve decided to talk less from now on.”
Dad replied immediately:
“You’re finally growing up!”
I was touched.
I quickly sent another message:
“Yes. But before I go quiet, there’s something I want to tell you…”
Dad:
“NO!”
“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT!”
“STOP TALKING!”
I looked at the screen and sighed.
Honestly.
Adults were so hard to understand.
I only wanted to be a good person.
Chapter 7: I Just Wanted to Go to Work, but Someone Wanted Me Gone
After messaging my dad, I decided to turn off my phone.
Not because I was afraid.
I’d realized that every time I opened my mouth, life found me another problem.
I turned to Gu Mingzhe.
“President Gu, may I ask you something?”
He set down a folder.
“Go ahead.”
“Does the company have a rule against employees talking during work hours?”
He fell silent.
“Why are you asking?”
“I’m considering voluntarily imposing that rule on myself.”
Gu Mingzhe looked at me for a long time.
Then he laughed.
“Ms. Song, I think you should stay exactly as you are.”
I was confused.
“What do you mean?”
“Say whatever you want to say.”
I was immediately touched.
What a president of a major corporation!
Not only was he rich, he also respected his employees’ individuality.
But before I could thank him, the secretary stepped inside.
“President Gu, the police have sent us new information.”
The smile vanished from Gu Mingzhe’s face.
“What is it?”
“Lu Wanning was released from the station after her initial interview.”
I was surprised.
“She’s free to go?”
The secretary nodded.
“The investigators haven’t placed her in custody yet. They’re still verifying the evidence.”
I immediately asked:
“Does she know we found out about what happened at the hospital?”
The secretary looked at me.
“Very likely.”
I thought for a moment.
“Then we’re in trouble.”
Gu Mingzhe looked up.
“Why?”
I answered seriously:
“If it were me, and I knew I was about to be investigated, I’d go home and pack my bags right away.”
Silence filled the room.
The secretary slowly turned to Gu Mingzhe.
“President Gu…”
He immediately picked up his phone.
“Check the flights and notify the police.”
I jumped.
“Huh? I was only guessing!”
Gu Mingzhe looked at me.
“But you have a point this time.”
I fell silent.
For some reason, I was beginning to feel as if I were being paid to say random things.
Just then, the secretary’s phone rang.
He answered it.
Only a few seconds later, his expression changed.
“President Gu!”
“Lu Wanning just bought a ticket abroad. The flight leaves at four this afternoon!”
Me: “…”
Gu Mingzhe: “…”
Secretary: “…”
The three of us looked at one another.
Finally, I cautiously raised my hand.
“Should I… go buy a lottery ticket?”
No one laughed.
Because another update arrived right after that.
Before buying her ticket, Lu Wanning had transferred a large sum of money to a man named Chen Kai.
He had once worked as a driver for the Gu family.
And three months ago, he had suddenly quit.
By coincidence—
The day Chen Kai left his job was the same day Xia Siyu was in her car accident.
Gu Mingzhe stared at the screen.
His face had gone pale.
“Chen Kai…”
He repeated the name.
Standing beside him, I felt the atmosphere in the room grow heavier by the second.
After a long while, I couldn’t help asking:
“President Gu, are you sure your wife’s accident was really just an accident?”
His hand clenched at once.
No one answered.
But I already knew.
This case had only just begun.
Chapter 8: Dinner at the Villa and a Birthday Cake with No One to Claim It
Six in the evening.
I was sitting in a luxury car worth more than I’d earn in my entire life.