Chapter 19: Driver Xiao Shen
byChapter 19: Driver Xiao Shen
The message was concise, consisting only of a location and a time.
Gu Chen instructed Shen Xian to pick him up at Fuyun Court at eight o'clock the following morning.
Fuyun Court was the premier gathering place for the elite in Bei Ji, where only the wealthy and influential resided. It was also situated in a bustling commercial district.
Judging by the distance, Fuyun Court was much closer to Shenfei Group than Shen Xian's residence. Furthermore, it was even farther from Shen Xian's home.
Originally, since Gu Chen hadn't asked Shen Xian to send him off that afternoon, she had assumed his mention of her handling his transportation was just casual talk.
Now, with this text, it was clear that starting tomorrow, Shen Xian would embark on her so-called "full-time personal assistant" role.
Truly, all bosses were alike, squeezing as much as they could. With Shen Xian as his driver, Gu Chen could save on the expense of hiring a dedicated chauffeur.
Of course, Shen Xian knew that given Gu Chen's wealth and status, employing a hundred or eighty drivers would be like parting with a single hair from the tail of a thousand oxen.
The next day, Shen Xian woke up half an hour earlier than usual.
She had the habit of doing some exercise in the morning, a habit she had maintained even after so many years away. Sometimes it was kickboxing, other times weight training or a five-kilometer run outdoors.
A refreshing shower after a good sweat would invigorate her for the entire day, making her feel reborn, erasing all traces of weariness from the previous day.
But today, after completing her kickboxing session to heavy metal music, she realized time was tight. Checking the traffic situation on her route to Fu Yun Ting, she noticed there seemed to be congestion.
With no time for breakfast, she hastily took a shower and rushed out.
Arriving at Fu Yun Ting precisely at 7:55 AM, the timing was impeccable – annoyingly so!
Everything had been planned perfectly, but she had overlooked external factors. An issue arose when entering the complex.
As Shen Xian attempted to enter, the security guard stopped her. In such upscale residential areas, security measures were stringent. Seeing a unfamiliar face like Shen Xian's, a thorough inquiry was inevitable.
"Good morning, I am..."
For a moment, Shen Xian was unsure how to introduce herself - as Gu Chen's driver?
"I'm here to pick up Mr. Gu Chen from Building 8," Shen Xian stated, still contemplating whether she should contact Gu Chen to ensure entry.
Upon hearing 'Gu Chen,' the security guard in his crisp uniform immediately broke into a smile and asked, "Are you Ms. Shen Xian?"
"Yes, that's me," Shen Xian confirmed with a nod.
"Please follow me. Building 8 is the first left after entering. Would you like me to escort you?" The guard's demeanor had transformed, warmly opening the electronic gate and offering to guide her personally.
"No, thank you," Shen Xian replied, feeling a bit uneasy about the sudden surge of hospitality. She politely declined the offer.
The neighborhood was vast, with top-notch landscaping and facilities. Just a few steps in, it felt like stepping into a fusion of ancient charm and modern elegance, akin to a scenic park.
Following the navigation, Shen Xian walked down a broad path flanked by towering green bamboo before arriving at Building 8, right on the dot at eight o'clock.
As Shen Xian reached for her phone to contact Gu Chen, a tall and elegant figure had already appeared at the entrance of the building.
The newcomer wore a pair of golden-rimmed glasses, his dark, thick hair casually styled with texture. His white casual suit complemented the nearby bamboo grove.
It was Gu Chen.
"Mr. Gu," Shen Xian put away her phone and hurried over to greet him with two quick strides.
Gu Chen lazily lifted his wrist to check the time. As he turned to look at Shen Xian, he tossed the car keys over, along with a sleepy morning greeting, "Good morning."
"Good morning... Mr. Gu," Shen Xian was caught off guard by the unexpected toss. She managed to catch the keys with a bit of a stumble.
The car was parked nearby, still the same black Land Rover.
Compared to Chen Nuo's expertise in cosmetics and desserts, Shen Xian had more knowledge about cars.
Gu Chen's Land Rover was one of less than a hundred globally, and it was apparent that his had undergone some customization, reflecting the high standards he set for his vehicles.
As the car slowly exited the residential complex, the security guard was already standing at the gate, beaming as if basking in the morning sun when he saw Shen Xian driving Gu Chen's car out.
Caught off guard by their eye contact, Shen Xian felt awkward, unsure how to respond to his cheerful smile. With both hands on the steering wheel, she could only manage a slight curve of her lips and a nod in return.
As they drove away, Shen Xian unexpectedly saw the security guard and his colleagues form a line, bowing towards them in the rearview mirror.
Her tongue rolled with the grace of Mandarin, but with Gu Chen in the back, she held back from speaking.
Why such service? It was truly unnecessary!
Today, Gu Chen remained as uncommunicative as ever.
In the rearview mirror, Shen Xian noticed him taking off his glasses and leaning back in the seat, closing his eyes to rest.
He looked slightly fatigued, his handsome brows slightly knitted. His hand lounged casually on the armrest, and even when they hit a speed bump, the golden glasses swayed loosely in his hand without drawing much attention.
Did he not sleep well last night?
With this thought in mind, Shen Xian gently eased off the accelerator, driving even more steadily and slowly.
She had been wavering about whether to tell Gu Chen about last night's events.
She was uncertain about the position Uncle Gu held in Gu Chen's heart.
Since their first encounter, Shen Xian had sensed a deep bond between the uncle and nephew.
Uncle Gu had shown genuine concern for Gu Chen on several occasions. However, this was only true when power struggles and interests were not at stake.
But she quickly put these concerns aside.
Because after getting into the car, Gu Chen had slept all the way to the company.
Shen Xian parked the car and was just about to rouse Gu Chen when she noticed he had already put on his glasses and was stepping out of the vehicle with his long legs.
Sure enough, he was pretending to sleep!
In a hurry, Shen Xian hastily removed the car key, grabbed her bag, and quickly got out of the car.
It was rush hour, and the flow of people in the building moved orderly in one direction.
The moment they stepped out of the vehicle, the two coincidentally encountered Uncle Gu who was just approaching.
"Xiao Chen!"
Gu Heng approached with a warm and amiable smile, greeting Gu Chen from afar.
"Uncle."
Gu Chen, adjusting his shirt buttons with one hand, offered a slight curve of his lips in greeting. Due to the lack of conversation during the ride, his voice still held a hint of sleepiness.
"Xiao Chen, did you not rest well?"
Gu Heng placed his hand on Gu Chen's shoulder with concern.
"Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I rested well. It's just that I woke up a bit early."
Gu Chen stood obediently, his demeanor polite and respectful towards his elder. He allowed Uncle Gu's hand to rest on his shoulder as he replied sincerely.
"That's good. Uncle knows how hard you work, but you still need to take care of your health."
"Alright, I will, Uncle."
Shen Xian stood quietly beside them, observing the scene. Gu Chen looked at the slightly shorter Gu Heng with a clear and gentle gaze.
"Fine feathers make fine birds."
Gu Chen was aware that Peng Fei had chosen to rely on Uncle Gu for support. However, despite being attacked yesterday, he appeared completely unfazed today.
Gu Heng smiled in satisfaction, patting Gu Chen's shoulder with his hand resting on it. He then straightened Gu Chen's clothes affectionately, an act of a caring elder towards a younger relative.
To an outsider unaware of their relationship, this was a heartwarming and touching sight.
The Shenfei Group, led by the Gu family, had been prominent in the business world for years. They seldom revealed the dynamics within their clan, so most rumors were simply taken with a grain of salt.
In the complex web of relationships typical among the elite families, the bond between these two uncles and nephew seemed straightforward and sincere.
Employees entering the Shenfei Building witnessed this scene, and they too remained silent, with some newcomers whispering words of admiration and envy.
"The Gu family really has a strong bond."
"Yes, look at how serious and composed President Gu usually is, but in front of his uncle, he's just a well-behaved child."
"I never would have guessed that Vice President Gu has such a warm and approachable side. I thought he only slammed tables for show."
"Hush, he was slamming the table at you. He doesn't treat his own children like that!"
As Shen Xian watched, she couldn't help but feel puzzled, her brows unconsciously furrowing as she pondered.
"Your new special assistant seems to be quite efficient. You can trust her with your transportation needs, right?"
Gu Heng suddenly shifted the conversation to Shen Xian, looking her up and down while addressing Gu Chen.
Startled by the mention of herself, Shen Xian quickly regained her composure, meeting Gu Heng's gaze with a polite nod.
"Still not quite on par with Zhang Chi, but there wasn't much choice," Gu Chen's response sounded somewhat dismissive of Shen Xian.
Hearing this, Gu Heng burst into laughter. "You rascal! I know you and Zhang Chi are close, but you shouldn't belittle someone in front of their new assistant like that."
Gu Chen responded with a gentle smile, adjusting his glasses as he did so.
"Still, you should always prioritize safety in the future, especially on public outings. You should still have bodyguards with you when needed."
Gu Heng's tone turned earnest as he spoke; his concern for safety was well-known to all. However, Shen Xian perceived a hidden meaning in his words.
"I understand, Uncle Gu," Gu Chen replied obediently.
After a few more casual remarks, Gu Heng took his leave, casting a subtle glance at Shen Xian before departing.
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