Chapter 20: Take Care of Him

Chapter 20: Take Care of Him

The brief exchange seemed to have no effect on Gu Chen.

After Gu Heng left, he merely gave Shen Xian a casual glance before they both walked towards the private elevator on the 35th floor, one after the other.

Following behind Gu Chen, Shen Xian gazed at his straight figure, feeling some words slip past her throat but deciding it was not the right time to speak.

When they reached the 35th floor, Shen Xian received a call from Zhang Chi.

"Little Miss Hero, that guy Gu Chen won't remember to eat breakfast unless reminded. You must remember to bring him something in the morning when you pick him up."

Zhang Chi, probably eating his breakfast, spoke with a muffled voice, getting straight to the point.

"I'm running a bit late today and didn't have time to prepare anything. Plus..."

She had no idea what Gu Chen liked to eat.

"Mm, I understand. That's why I called you. He can be picky, but he doesn't have much of an appetite for food. Just buy whatever you like, as long as it's healthy and easy on the stomach."

Shen Xian smiled silently. These two seemed to share information quickly and extensively.

She had only learned yesterday that Gu Chen wanted her to take care of the trip, and today Zhang Chi was already calling to go over details. Clearly, they had a great relationship.

"Alright, I understand. I'll go buy them right now."

Shen Xian replied warmly. After a moment's thought, she asked, "How is your recovery going?"

"Don't worry about me. Gu Chen hired two nurses and a nutritionist for me. I'm living in luxury; I'm almost afraid my hard-earned muscles will vanish from all this comfort."

Zhang Chi's tone on the other end of the line was light, with a hint of teasing and coyness, indicating his genuine contentment.

"That's good to hear." Shen Xian spoke as she got up and headed out, preparing to head downstairs for breakfast.

She had promised to visit Zhang Chi sometime ago but had been too busy with various tasks, leaving her feeling somewhat guilty.

"You've been working hard these days. Gu Chen...,"

Zhang Chi's voice turned more serious. After a slight pause, he spoke earnestly, "Take good care of him."

"Yes, I will."

The elevator stopped at the 35th floor. Shen Xian pressed the button and stepped in directly.

Perhaps influenced by Zhang Chi's emotions, Shen Xian took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

A long time ago, when she was feeling down, she used to sigh. Then someone told her that sighing only drained energy and advised her to inhale deeply and exhale slowly instead. This way, not only would she not lose her momentum, but it would also refresh her mind and alleviate her worries. Shen Xian found his words somewhat mystical back then, but she tried it anyway, and it actually worked.

That person who shared this secret with her was Bai Zhan.

In the convenience store downstairs, many people were buying breakfast.

Shen Xian picked two sandwiches, one with an extra egg, an iced Americano, and a cup of soy milk.

While queuing up to pay, Shen Xian noticed Qin Shi, who had also come in to buy breakfast.

Qin Shi still had her wavy long hair, wearing a red silk shirt with black trousers. Her slender figure and strong aura screamed professionalism. Her attire, both polished and alluring, made her stand out; catching the attention of many as soon as she entered.

When Shen Xian noticed Qin Shi grabbing items and heading to the checkout line, she extended her hand to intercept her as she approached. "Let me settle the bill for both of us."

From the moment Qin Shi entered, she had been solely focused on her own mission, striding straight to the counter to pick out her food, oblivious to everyone else around her.

Assuming the person who had stopped her was a colleague from the same building, a charming smile tugged at her vermilion lips, about to agree with a simple "okay."

The queue was already lengthy, and every second counted for them in the morning. It would be more efficient if those ahead in line paid together, and they could simply transfer the money later.

However, just as the word "okay" was about to escape her lips, her gaze followed the extended arm upwards. Upon recognizing the owner of the hand – Shen Xian, dressed in a serene moon-white ensemble, as fresh as the first breeze of dawn – the smile vanished from her face. A frosty veil descended over her beautiful eyes.

Observing Qin Shi's slender fingers deftly brush aside Shen Xian's hand that had obstructed her path, she coldly dismissed with a "Not needed!" before proceeding straight to the back of the line, never once granting Shen Xian a glance thereafter.

Shen Xian's wrist still held the lingering chill of Qin Shi's touch.

She silently withdrew her arm, lowered her head, and gazed at the breakfast she held in her other hand with a profound sense of sorrow.

"Are you still going to purchase it or not?"

A disgruntled grumble rose from behind her, and Shen Xian startled, looking up to find that the line in front of her had emptied – everyone had finished paying and left.

"Excuse me." She turned slightly and hurriedly walked to the counter, paying for her purchase with her phone.

Exiting, she caught sight of Qin Shi, radiant in the queue, engrossed in replying to messages on her phone, as if nothing had just occurred.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Xian carried the breakfast and rushed back to the thirty-fifth floor at top speed. Half an hour later, Gu Chen had an important meeting, and even to fulfill her promise to Zhang Chi, she couldn't let him attend on an empty stomach.

The three stunning beauties on the thirty-fifth floor were already present. Chen Nuo greeted her from afar with a loving gesture, while Tang Yi nodded slightly with her water cup in hand. Only Ma Qi, with a cold lift of her brow, shot her a brief glance in response.

Everything was as usual.

Standing before Gu Chen's door, Shen Xian knocked and waited for the familiar, languid "come in" before entering.

"Mr. Gu, I got you breakfast. The sandwich is warm, and there's iced coffee."

Gu Chen was seated in a sofa chair reviewing documents. Upon Shen Xian's arrival, he merely lifted his gaze. Hearing her words, he set down the file in his hands.

Shen Xian placed the sandwiches and iced coffee beside Gu Chen one by one.

It was her first time buying breakfast for him; she hoped he wouldn't be picky. She didn't want to make another trip to get more.

Gu Chen glanced at the items on the table, then his gaze shifted to the bag in Shen Xian's hand, "What's that?"

Unconsciously, Shen Xian pinched the bag's opening, "This is... my breakfast."

In her rush to save time, she hadn't put her own breakfast back in the office but brought it along instead.

Her instinctive action of covering the pocket seemed rather protective of her food to an observer.

Gu Chen looked at the breakfast, then up at Shen Xian, and back at the bag, "I want to drink that."

That?

Which one!

Shen Xian looked down and saw the half-exposed soy milk cup, leaving her utterly speechless.

Didn't Zhang Chi claim he had no great desire for food? So why was he snatching away her beloved soy milk?

"Haha, oh, how nice."

With a forced smile, Shen Xian took out the soy milk from the bag and, after a moment's thought, inserted the straw before passing it to Gu Chen.

Gu Chen received the soy milk and took a large sip. Then, with his long fingers, he opened the sandwich wrapper and began to eat.

Shen Xian watched as half of the soy milk disappeared in one gulp, her heart fluttering slightly.

Heaven alone knows how much joy she derived from waking up early each day to exercise, followed by the simple pleasure of sipping on a soy milk with just a hint of sugar!

"Then, Mr. Gu, enjoy your meal slowly. The meeting will commence in twenty minutes."

Shen Xian swallowed quietly, clutching his lone remaining sandwich as he prepared to excuse himself from Gu Chen's breakfast gathering.

Gu Chen delicately pinched the iced Americano in front of him with his slender fingers, offering it to Shen Xian. He, on the other hand, took another sip from his soy milk.

With pursed lips, Shen Xian found herself unable to utter even a single "thank you." Silently, she picked up her coffee cup with two fingers and turned to leave. Just then, she was met with Gu Chen's languid voice.

"Is there something you should be telling me, Shen Xian?"