Chapter 25: Emotional Conciliation

Chapter 25: Emotional Conciliation

The next day, Shen Xian arrived at Fu Yun Ting to pick up Gu Chen at eight o'clock as usual.

She woke up earlier than usual today, following a food blogger's recipe to make oatmeal milk and egg pancakes with lettuce and bacon, as well as a homemade kiwi-milk juice, all packed in a paper bag.

Gu Chen was a man of punctuality, much like Shen Xian, appearing precisely at the entrance at eight o'clock.

"Mr. Gu, here's your breakfast," Shen Xian said as she took the car keys and handed the breakfast to him.

"Home-made?" Gu Chen asked after opening the bag in the car.

"Mm-hmm, I'm not sure if you'll like it, but it tasted pretty good to me," she replied.

"Thanks for the effort," Gu Chen replied casually, then added after a moment's thought, "I'm not very picky about food, as long as it's nutritious."

Shen Xian's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Oh, really!"

She simply didn't believe it. An avid coffee drinker like him had insisted on sharing her soy milk last time, suggesting his taste buds were anything but consistent.

Shen Xian drove steadily, while Gu Chen sat in the back seat, elegantly savoring the breakfast she had brought for him.

Though the Land Rover was roomier than most cars, it couldn't replicate the ambiance of a restaurant.

Gu Chen ate his simple breakfast with the grace of a gentleman cutting into a filet mignon, exuding casual elegance.

Today, he wore a relaxed gray-blue suit with a white T-shirt underneath, looking bright and refined without losing his air of sophistication.

Perhaps he had just showered, for his hair was still damp, casually draping over his eyebrow, giving him a fresh appearance.

In fact, Shen Xian had always wondered about something. A person like Gu Chen, even if he didn't want a live-in nanny, should at least have an auntie or a nutritionist to take care of his meals.

However, from their interactions, she got the impression that this vast house was always occupied by Gu Chen alone.

Well, the lives of the rich and famous were beyond her comprehension.

The weather today wasn't particularly pleasant, veiled in mist with a gray sky casting a gloom over the bustling metropolis.

By the time Chen Nuo and Shen Xian arrived at the office, the other three secretaries were already there.

As Shen Xian fetched water, she habitually greeted them, but today, Chen Nuo didn't respond with her usual warmth. Instead, she merely replied with a subdued "good morning" without lifting her head.

Something was off.

With a packed schedule for the morning, Shen Xian had no spare time to chat with Chen Nuo.

Normally, external liaison tasks fell under Ma Qi's responsibility. Lately, however, Gu Chen occasionally assigned Shen Xian with some external communication duties.

From what Shen Xian understood, these tasks were initially handled by Zhang Chi. But due to initial concerns about whether Shen Xian could handle them, Ma Qi had temporarily taken over the role.

This was quite a challenge for Shen Xian. The people she had to interact with were either executives or company owners - a daunting task for the introverted Shen Xian, who always needed to mentally prepare herself before engaging in such social interactions.

For the afternoon, the CEO of an investment firm had scheduled a golf game with Gu Chen, and Shen Xian needed to confirm the details with his secretary.

The secretary on the other end was meticulous, detailing the time, location, and end time with precision. After sending the itinerary to Shen Xian, they added a note: "After the above schedule, further arrangements can be made as per the needs of the two bosses."

Shen Xian sought assistance from Zhang Chi remotely, learning that there was a changing room in Gu Chen's office where all the golf equipment was stored.

By the time Shen Xian emerged, Gu Chen had just left with Ma Qi for a meeting downstairs. Only Chen Nuo and Tang Yi remained in the open workspace.

"Chen Nuo, do you have a moment? Could you help me with something?"

Approaching Chen Nuo, who was bent over her work, Shen Xian whispered softly.

Chen Nuo, known for her creative hairstyles - whether it was a bun, a braid, or a hair accessory like a bow - had her chocolate-brown curls loose around her face today, giving her an understated look.

"What's up?"

Her voice was husky, still without lifting her head.

"I need to go to Mr. Gu's office to prepare some things for his golf game this afternoon, but I'm not sure where they are. Could you assist me in finding them?"

Tang Yi, overhearing their conversation, glanced at Shen Xian from a distance and subtly shook her head.

It seemed that Tang Yi was also aware of Chen Nuo's situation today.

Shen Xian had initially assumed that Chen Nuo would decline the invitation. To her surprise, Chen Nuo stood up and mumbled, "Let's go."

Shen Xian exchanged a glance with Tang Yi, who appeared to be asking Shen Xian to console Chen Nuo.

Upon entering Gu Chen's office, Chen Nuo confidently headed towards a spot behind Gu Chen's desk, where a door blended seamlessly into the wall. It was almost invisible unless one looked closely. No wonder Shen Xian had never noticed the dressing room during her multiple visits.

Pushing the door open, they found a spacious room inside. On the left, a wardrobe held rows of Gu Chen's suits, shirts, and shoes in perfect order. On the right wall, a large dartboard hung prominently, with a few darts embedded in its center.

Next to it were some basic exercise equipment and a substantial cabinet.

"Everything's in there. Take a look at what you need," Chen Nuo instructed Shen Xian, avoiding eye contact throughout.

"Chen Nuo, what's wrong with you?"

Shen Xian stepped forward, standing directly across from Chen Nuo. Upon noticing the swollen redness in her eyes, she realized why Chen Nuo had let her hair down today.

"Have you been crying?"

Shen Xian gently brushed away the strands of hair that Chen Nuo had fallen across her face, concern etched on her features.

"I'm fine, really. Don't worry about it," Chen Nuo replied, attempting to reassure her.

"But your eyes are all swollen! How can you say you're fine?" Shen Xian's voice rose slightly, causing fresh tears to well up in Chen Nuo's eyes.

"Alright, don't cry. Let's put these things in the car first, and we can talk as we walk. Okay?" Shen Xian patted Chen Nuo's back soothingly, mindful of the fact that they shouldn't be having such a private conversation in the boss's office.

Chen Nuo nodded, and the two of them retrieved items like golf clubs and bags of clothing from the cabinets before leaving the office and heading to the garage in the elevator.

As they walked, Chen Nuo shared her story, and Shen Xian learned that the young woman was struggling with a romantic entanglement.

"Though I might not fully understand relationships, if someone is playing games like that, you should give him a slap and make sure he disappears from your life forever," Shen Xian said, feeling a surge of anger on Chen Nuo's behalf. Chen Nuo's delicate nature, both inside and out, seemed to make her more vulnerable; her sweet appearance, while lovely, also made her more susceptible to hurt.

"But I really do like him!"

As Chen Nuo spoke, she started crying again.

By now, they had reached Gu Chen's car. Shen Xian opened the trunk to put away their belongings and took the golf clubs from Chen Nuo to store them properly.

"If you keep on liking him, you'll definitely cry even harder next time."

Shen Xian might not have much experience in relationships, but that didn't mean she hadn't watched melodramatic romance dramas.

In those stories, devoted girls who repeatedly forgave or humbled themselves just to beg the other person not to leave usually ended up with nothing but heartache. And each subsequent hurt only grew deeper.

"He said he would change. This time was just a momentary lapse of judgment..."

"Did you forgive him?"

Chen Nuo nodded.

"Then why are you crying?"

Chen Nuo was taken aback. "I've been so good to him. I can't understand why he would betray me..."

Shen Xian sighed and placed a hand on Chen Nuo's shoulder.

"In matters of the heart, only the person involved truly knows the temperature... To be honest, I don't have much experience in this area either, so I can't offer much advice. But think about it, if he's already indecisive in just a romantic relationship, how will you be able to trust him for the next five, ten, or even decades to come? How can you confidently build a life with someone who has a history of uncertainty?"

"I... I haven't thought that far ahead,"

Chen Nuo's gaze faltered. She only knew that she couldn't live without him at this moment.

"Then think about it some more, alright?"

Shen Xian wiped away the tears on Chen Nuo's face. "You're so beautiful, with such a great personality, and you're a top-tier company's senior secretary. Whoever you like should feel blessed. Don't cry anymore..."

Shen Xian wasn't particularly skilled in comforting others, but her sincerity made up for it. Her heartfelt words helped Chen Nuo feel a little better. She managed a weak smile. "Actually, I understand some of these principles, but I just can't help feeling upset."

I know the logic, but I just can't bring myself to do it! This was the sentiment of many girls trapped in emotional turmoil.

Shen Xian smiled and gently tidied Chen Nuo's hair. "It'll get better once this phase passes. You have to realize that there are many things in life more important than romantic relationships. Sweetheart, you shouldn't wear a sad face—it'll ruin your beauty."

Chen Nuo giggled, playfully slapping Shen Xian's wrist for teasing her. The two of them returned to the 35th floor in high spirits, chatting and laughing.

Chen Nuo was an outgoing person. Despite being subdued for the morning due to the incident, it didn't hinder her from diligently completing her tasks with utmost focus.

Back on the 35th floor, she tidied herself up before entering Gu Chen's office with her documents, ready to report on her work.

Seeing Chen Nuo regain her spirits, Shen Xian was delighted. She returned to her own office, burying herself in preparations for the afternoon's tasks.

Gu Chen handed her a sealed envelope, instructing her to take it along in the afternoon. It was clearly something of great importance, but its contents remained a mystery to her.