Chapter 46: Shen Xian Being Followed

Chapter 46: Shen Xian Being Followed

The situation seemed to be taking shape. At least Shen Xian now knew that Gu Heng was the ruthless one.

She had a hazy feeling that Gu Heng had been targeting her lately, even over trivial matters like requesting a list for the next month's office supplies. He would intentionally create obstacles.

In the workplace, it wasn't uncommon for someone to complicate simple tasks or procrastinate with personal emotions involved. However, few dared to hinder the progress in front of the CEO's assistant.

On one hand, Shen Xian believed it was because she wasn't strong enough. After all, when she skipped ranks to join Shenfei Group, many thought it wasn't due to her actual abilities.

On the other hand, it might be because of Gu Chen, who had yet to fully establish his authority within the company.

The older generation, the corporate elders, were still trying to seize their last chance to overthrow him.

Shen Xian knew that Gu Heng's actions this time had completely discouraged Peng Fei from pursuing him, but she didn't expect the terror it inflicted on Peng Fei to be so immense.

After that day, Peng Fei and his mother fled the hospital in the middle of the night. Since the parties involved didn't report the incident or file a complaint, the altercation was eventually dropped.

When Shen Xian learned about this, she was utterly astonished.

No one knew where Peng Fei had taken his terminally ill mother, perhaps back to their hometown or to another city to evade Gu Heng's potential threats.

In any case, they were gone.

Shen Xian believed her visit to the hospital was kept secretive because she knew Gu Heng wouldn't spare a second thought for an expendable pawn.

Yet, she underestimated his paranoia and caution.

The following day at work, Shen Xian and Gu Heng crossed paths on the first floor of the company. As usual, she greeted him politely.

Gu Heng's face was cold as he replied, "Assistant Shen, you're quite the opportunist, aren't you? Only stepping forward when needed, and retreating when not!"

Confused, Shen Xian maintained her composure, asking, "Vice President Gu, what do you mean by that?"

Gu Heng looked at her with a cold gaze. "Assistant Shen, as an assistant to the president, surely you know what your duties are and what should be left alone?"

His words carried anger, but it was evident he was trying to restrain himself. He patted his own chest with his somewhat thickened palm, as if soothing himself.

Shen Xian continued to play dumb. "I'm not sure what Vice President Gu is referring to. If my urgency in urging you yesterday was offensive, I apologize. I hope you can forgive my impetuousness."

With an earnest tone, Shen Xian maintained a composed demeanor, her eyes shimmering with a subtle smile while the corners of her lips held a stubborn hint of amusement.

Upon seeing her, Gu Heng scoffed coldly, "Hmph, hmph, you were personally promoted by Xiao Chen. I haven't seen any exceptional abilities in you, but you've certainly learned how to mimic Gu Chen's attitude towards others. Xiao Chen is my nephew, and as his uncle, I naturally have tolerance for him. But if you dare overstep your boundaries again, consequences may not be so pleasant."

Shen Xian's gaze sharpened, her smile fading. Since Gu Heng had already exposed her pretense, she saw no need to continue acting.

"Deputy Vice President Gu, you are CEO Gu's own uncle. I am the executive assistant that CEO Gu personally promoted. If he were to find out about your sudden threat, wouldn't that be... less than ideal?"

"You!"

Gu Heng glared at Shen Xian's arrogant demeanor, his anger mounting uncontrollably.

"How long do you think you can keep up this arrogance?"

With a stern warning, Gu Heng spun around and strode away swiftly.

Shen Xian didn't turn back, but she clenched the file folder tighter as she listened to the fading footsteps behind her.

It seemed that Gu Heng had found out about her visit to the hospital yesterday...

Back on the 33rd floor, Shen Xian submitted the neatly organized documents to Gu Chen and gave a general overview of their contents, awaiting his instructions for the next steps.

But Gu Chen was in no rush. He casually flipped through the papers, looking at Shen Xian and said, "If you have some spare time lately, pay more visits to Zhang Chi."

Shen Xian was taken aback. It had indeed been quite some time since she last saw Zhang Chi. She replied, "Sure, Mr. Gu."

With his slender fingers holding the paper, Gu Chen seemed lost in thought. Shen Xian stood silently on the other side of the desk, observing him as various ideas swirled in her mind.

Gu Chen didn't elaborate. Perhaps he was contemplating how to handle Shen Xian once Zhang Chi returned.

Unaware that Gu Chen's thoughts ran deeper than those of his brother Gu Heng, Shen Xian couldn't fathom his intentions.

"There's nothing else. Go attend to your tasks."

After a long silence, Gu Chen finally dismissed Shen Xian.

Something seemed off with everyone today. Without lingering, Shen Xian agreed and left Gu Chen's office.

Exiting, she happened to bump into Ma Qi who was returning to her workstation with a cup of water. Ever since Shen Xian had challenged Gu Chen, Ma Qi's attitude towards her had worsened.

She didn't know the reason behind Shen Xian's dispute with Gu Chen, but the mere sight of this usually composed woman suddenly occupying a prominent position and then loudly arguing with Gu Chen was unsettling for her to witness.

As they brushed past each other, Ma Qi's delicate porcelain cup collided firmly against Shen Xian's chest, spilling the hot water and flower tea over her body in one swift motion.

A scorching sensation made Shen Xian involuntarily cry out, instinctively jumping back to create distance from Ma Qi.

"What happened?"

Both Chen Nuo and Tang Yi, hearing the commotion, lifted their heads to look over. Seeing Shen Xian standing there, drenched and clutching at her clothes, they were astonishment personified.

"Goodness, how do you manage to walk? With such a wide path, you had to bump right into me!"

Ma Qi, playing the victim first, reproached Shen Xian. At the end, she cautiously inspected her cup for any damage.

"Ma Qi, aren't you going too far?"

Chen Nuo approached and, upon witnessing Ma Qi's intimidating demeanor, couldn't help but comment.

"How am I being excessive? She was the one who bumped into me, and my hand is even reddened from the heat."

With Gu Chen still in the office, the others outside didn't dare to raise their voices, causing their hushed debate to feel all the more tense.

"Are you alright, Shen Xian? Quickly, rinse it with cold water."

Tang Nuo also set aside her work and came over to mediate.

Despite the pain, Shen Xian couldn't find the right words to say at this moment. She glanced at Ma Qi before Chen Nuo hurriedly supported her towards the restroom.

Untucking her shirt, Chen Nuo gently pressed a cold compress of damp tissue onto the area where Shen Xian had been burned to soothe the heat.

"Ma Qi is truly going too far."

Chen Nuo had always found it hard to comprehend Ma Qi's hostility towards Shen Xian. Despite Ma Qi's arrogance in the past, she had shown nothing but haughty demeanor towards Chen Nuo and Tang Yi, without any real malice.

Ever since Shen Xian arrived, their rivalry had never ceased.

"Perhaps it was an accident," Shen Xian winced, furrowing her brows as she examined the red, burned area on her body in the mirror.

Just now, she had been preoccupied with her thoughts when they collided, and she couldn't quite recall the specifics of their encounter.

"Shen Xian, you need to go to the hospital. Otherwise, there might be scarring," Chen Nuo said with concern as she applied cold compresses. The burnt area of skin on Shen Xian's body had turned an alarming shade of red, and some parts were already starting to swell.

"I'm fine, really. Could you grab some ice from the fridge for me?" Shen Xian felt the coolness of the water alleviate the pain, but her skin seemed so fragile that even a gentle touch could break it. She hesitated to put her clothes back on.

Chen Nuo gave her a helpless look and said, "Wait here." She then left the room, only to return a few seconds later.

This time, Tang Yi entered, carrying a towel-wrapped bundle of ice. "Are you alright?"

"I think we should go to the hospital. What if there's scarring?" Chen Nuo appealed to Tang Yi, hoping she could persuade Shen Xian.

Tang Yi passed the ice to Shen Xian and examined the burn. "If you don't want to go to the hospital, I have a first aid kit at home. I can apply some ointment to it later."

"Alright, thank you," Shen Xian replied gratefully.

Shen Xian didn't put on an act either. The cool towel relieved much of the burning sensation on her chest.

Chen Nuo had already taken off Shen Xian's damp sweater and was wringing it out above the pool.

Looking at her disheveled reflection in the mirror, Shen Xian smiled wryly at herself.

"You're still laughing!"

In the mirror, Chen Nuo saw her expression and rolled her eyes at the reflected Shen Xian, tightening her grip on the sweater.

"This injury isn't much for me."

Shen Xian comforted Chen Nuo while Tang Yi, who had been silent, gave Shen Xian a deep look before turning to leave, throwing a remark behind him,

"Hurry up and get back to your spots. What if President Gu needs us?"

"Oh, alright." Amidst her busy task, Chen Nuo managed to respond to Tang Yi.

After applying the ice for a while, Shen Xian attempted to pull her shirt back on. As long as she didn't rub against it, it wasn't too bad.

"Perhaps you should change your clothes. Do you have a spare at the office?"

Shen Xian shook her head. She had an outer coat, but no inner layer to wear with it.

Chen Nuo looked at her and shook her head, gently fluffing the sweater in her hands. "Wait for me a moment,"

Soon, she reappeared with an oversized pink hoodie. "This is what I wear for working out. Give it a try."

"Ahh! Pink, isn't it?"

A hint of discomfort appeared on Shen Xian's face.

"Stop being picky now, hurry up!" Chen Nuo said, about to assist Shen Xian in changing clothes.

As Shen Xian was tickled by Chen Nuo's touch, she giggled uncontrollably, protesting, "No, no, I'll do it myself."

Seeing Shen Xian laughing so heartily, Chen Nuo inferred that the pain must have subsided, and she, too, couldn't help but smile.

Amidst their laughter, the two quickly finished changing. "You know what, pink suits you quite well."

Chen Nuo was highly pleased with her creation and appraised Shen Xian appreciatively.

"I haven't worn such a tender color since I became an adult. Well, I guess I'll make do," Shen Xian commented, casually rolling up the damp clothes she had just changed out of.

Chen Nuo patted her shoulder to silence her, for she knew that Shen Xian had a special fondness for pink.

Exiting the restroom one after another, they noticed Ma Qi approaching. Chen Nuo suggested, "Shouldn't you apologize to Shen Xian?"

"Why should I? She was the one who bumped into me," Ma Qi argued confidently.

Chen Nuo was about to respond when Shen Xian tugged at her arm, saying, "It's working hours, stop it. Get back to your station."

Shen Xian gave Ma Qi a cold glance. Retaliation wasn't her style, but if someone treated her poorly, she would respond in kind.

However, Chen Nuo was different. Shen Xian had always prevented any conflicts between Chen Nuo and others because she herself didn't know when she might leave, while Chen Nuo was still committed to her job here.

Later that afternoon, Shen Xian accompanied Gu Chen home as usual. When they met at the elevator, Gu Chen gave Shen Xian, now dressed in a pink sweater, a quizzical look.

Shen Xian's wardrobe mostly consisted of low-key earth tones; bright and flashy clothing made her feel uncomfortable. Noticing Gu Chen's peculiar gaze, she forced a smile to hide her awkwardness and unease.

The subsequent events unfolded as usual, except that upon returning home after seeing off Gu Chen, Shen Xian had an eerie feeling of being followed.

The more she walked, the stronger her unease grew. At a stall, she took out her phone, pretending to take selfies with the trinkets on display. Indeed, through her screen, she caught sight of a furtive figure darting behind a pillar.

Was someone tailing her? Shen Xian wondered, her suspicions mounting.

She slipped into a pharmacy by the roadside, purchasing a burn ointment for herself, then deviated from her usual route, blending into the densest crowds.

Only after confirming that she had lost her pursuer did she resume her journey home.

Arriving drenched in sweat, the rise in body temperature exacerbated the ache from her burn. As Shen Xian was about to remove her clothes to apply the medicine, she noticed in the mirror that her bedroom door stood ajar.

It was a habit of hers to ensure all doors were closed before leaving the house...

Alerted, she pulled her clothes back into place and tiptoed out of the bathroom. Just as she reached for the bedroom door, a towering silhouette emerged, launching a punch in her direction.

Caught off guard, Shen Xian stumbled backward. Upon realizing the situation, the two engaged in a swift and intense struggle.

After several rounds of offense and defense, Shen Xian was convinced that this person was by no means an ordinary burglar.

On the contrary, they seemed to be a... highly trained... assassin!

Their attacks were swift, ruthless, and precisely aimed at fatal points...