Chapter 13: A Chance Encounter with an Old Acquaintance

Chapter 13: A Chance Encounter with an Old Acquaintance

The Shenfei Group's portfolio encompassed international logistics, secondary market investment and financing, and the internet industry – a vast business empire that surpassed Shen Xian's imagination.

She discovered that three years ago, the person in charge of Shenfei Logistics was actually Gu Heng, Gu Chen's uncle, a man with a volatile temper who seemed difficult to approach.

Coincidentally, Liu He, the employee involved in the incident back then, was at that time the most favored by Uncle Gu.

But wouldn't anyone refrain from harming someone who was useful to them?

In Shen Xian's room, on a glass wall, she had mapped out the connections between these individuals. Adding a new entry, she listed Gu Chen and Uncle Gu as adversaries.

On the surface, the relationship within the Gu family appeared as Shen Xian had observed earlier: a wise uncle and a filial nephew, harmonious and respectful.

Yet, beneath this facade, how much of their competition and persecution was genuinely for the other's benefit, and how much was a result of their own self-interest, blinding them to familial bonds and pushing them to overstep boundaries?

As her time at Shenfei progressed, Shen Xian gained more insight into the shareholder dynamics, aware of how many eyes were hungrily watching the position Gu Chen occupied.

From the way he handled the matter involving Zhang Chi, it was evident that Gu Chen was very protective of his own people.

From the way he handled the recent logistics crisis, he was clearly a decisive and calculating individual.

As refined as he seemed, he was equally enigmatic.

If that's the case, then it's even less likely to rule out the possibility that he resorted to unconventional means three years ago to climb the ranks.

The photos on the glass board, with their web of connections, were confusing Shen Xian for a moment.

The intricacies of the Shenfei Group were indeed a headache, she mused.

Staring at the glass board for a long time until her eyes ached, Shen Xian finally took a shower and went to bed. Tomorrow would mark the start of a new week, and she wondered if there would be any new breakthroughs.

Shen Xian was constantly familiarizing herself with the skills required of an executive assistant. Thanks to Zhang Chi's online guidance and Chen Nuo's reminders, she learned quickly.

From accompanying Gu Chen to important meetings and organizing documents to reminding him of his schedule, ordering takeout for him, and brewing coffee – she was becoming well-versed in her duties.

These tasks also incurred official expenses, necessitating her to learn the Shenfei Group's reimbursement procedures.

However, Shen Xian never expected to encounter someone she would have never imagined seeing here.

On this day, a young lady from the finance department was waiting for Shen Xian along the way with a rejected expense report in hand.

This was already the third time her submission had been denied by the finance department. Shen Xian found it odd. The first time, she followed the procedure Chen Nuo had instructed her to. The second time, it was this very same finance department colleague who walked her through each step.

Moreover, the documents and procedures for the first two submissions were virtually identical, which indicated that Chen Nuo's guidance was correct.

For the third attempt, Shen Xian merely added some newly incurred expenses to the original ones, using the same process as before.

"It's outrageous! Even the Executive Assistant to the President's expense report isn't immune? Back then, you finance folks would handle everything on your own, sticking the receipts and going through the process. Now, are you picking on our Shen Xian because she's new?"

With the rejected document from the finance department in hand, Chen Nuo angrily yelled at the junior staff member from that department.

"Yes, I'm sorry. But there's an issue with Assistant Shen's expenses; they don't meet the reimbursement criteria. Our director has stated that if Assistant Shen has any concerns, she should approach her directly."

The girl appeared to be freshly graduated, young and inexperienced. At Chen Nuo's outburst, she lowered her head, too frightened to meet anyone's gaze. The position of the President's secretary in the corporation was highly esteemed; no one dared to offend her easily.

"Be specific about what standards aren't being met!" Chen Nuo flipped through the reimbursement forms, her lovely face flushed with anger.

Shen Xian gazed at the girl, who, with her head bowed, remained silent.

"Alright, there's no need to put pressure on the young lady. Perhaps there really is an issue, and it's not a significant amount. We can discuss it later." Shen Xian didn't want to dwell on such trivial matters.

"That won't do. Business is business, and personal is personal. Things should be handled as they should be." Chen Nuo always adhered to a clear distinction between professional and personal matters.

"Assistant Shen, how about this – why don't you personally speak with our director?"

The young girl gazed at the ground for a while before lifting her head to look at Shen Xian, her eyes pleading.

On one side was the boss's assistant, and on the other was her immediate superior – she couldn't afford to offend either.

Shen Xian looked at her, pondered briefly, then took the list from Chen Nuo's hand. "Alright, I'll consult with your director."

"Hey, Shen Xian, are you sure you can manage on your own? Do you want me to come along?"

Startled by the sudden withdrawal of the list from her hand, Chen Nuo called out to Shen Xian, who was about to leave.

"Relax, it's not like we're going to a fight. I'll be back soon. You go attend to your work." Shen Xian said casually, then left with the girl from the finance department.

"So, in fact, the procedures and documents are all in order, right?"

Inside the elevator, Shen Xian turned to the girl who had been averting her eyes. The girl glanced at Shen Xian sidelong and softly acknowledged with a low "Mm."

Interesting!

With her unorthodox path to the position of executive assistant, many in the company didn't have high expectations for her.

The most evident was Ma Qi, who had returned from studying abroad at a prestigious university. Even Ma Qi, after realizing that she wasn't going anywhere, maintained a superficial politeness toward her, mainly out of respect for Gu Chen.

This was the first time someone, the Chief Financial Officer no less, had so openly and unnecessarily made things difficult for her as an assistant.

She was curious to see how they would justify their behavior.

"Assistant Shen, I, I won't accompany you inside."

The girl led Shen Xian to the CFO's office door and spoke timidly.

"Alright. Thank you!"

Shen Xian was usually reserved and had a cold demeanor. Her rare expression of gratitude with a warm smile caught the young girl off guard, making her feel a bit awkward.

It was their finance department that felt guilty, so Shen Xian felt somewhat unworthy of such gratitude. She nodded slightly and quickly turned to leave.

Shen Xian tapped gently on the glass door of the office. After a long while, a female voice echoed from within, "Come in."

Through the door, the voice sounded muffled, distinguishable only as either male or female.

Pushing the door open, Shen Xian saw a slender figure standing before a large floor-to-ceiling window.

Dressed in a scarlet, form-fitting silk mini-dress that accentuated her graceful curves, the woman's lustrous, dark curls cascaded down to her waist. A delicate leather strap of a high-heeled pump encircled her slender ankles. Sunlight from outside the window illuminated her feet, making her legs glisten with an ethereal glow.

What a delightful vision she was!

Sensual yet professional, alluring yet dignified.

Shen Xian silently admired; this mere silhouette alone was enough to spark endless imagination.

"Hello, I'm Shen Xian. I'm here to discuss the reimbursement matter with you," Shen Xian spoke softly, addressing the exquisite back view.

The woman remained silent, sipping her coffee gently. She then reached up to brush a lock of hair behind her ear before slowly turning around.

Her fiery red lips curled into a disdainful smile, her voice enchanting as if coming from the heavens:

"Shen Xian, long time no see."

As the woman turned, the shadows danced upon Shen Xian's face, and she stared in disbelief at the strikingly beautiful woman before her. Her mouth opened, then after a long moment, she hesitantly called out two words in confusion,

"Qin Shi?"

"It's me, Shen Xian. Surprised?"

Qin Shi stepped forward in her delicate high heels, approaching Shen Xian step by step. Casually, she placed the coffee cup in her hand on the desk as she passed. Her eyes, like a galaxy of stars, fixed unblinkingly on Shen Xian.

"To run into you here is unexpected too. Our great – hero!"

She spat out the last few words through gritted teeth, her gaze filled with resentment towards Shen Xian. Moving closer, she sized up Shen Xian from head to toe.

"You're still so conceited. Do you really think of yourself as a hero now?"

Shen Xian clenched her fists, watching the woman drawing near. The vivid, crimson bloom of this woman's face before her overlapped with the image of an innocent, pure face in her mind, flickering in unison.

She was the lover who had briefly illuminated Bai Zhan's youthful days, now serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the Shenfei Group, Qin Shi.