I Heard You Liked Me First - Chapter 16

Chi An came back rather quickly. She waited downstairs while Gu Nan changed her clothes, and only when Gu Nan was ready did the two of them leave together.

For convenience, Gu Nan sat in the passenger seat. As the car moved forward, she couldn’t resist sneaking glances at Chi An from time to time.

But of course, the woman who always kept her focus on the road still noticed. Without even turning her head, she asked, “What are you looking at me for?”

Gu Nan thought to herself, Since you’re asking, I might as well tell you.

“You lent me your clothes today weren’t it to wear when you went out? Then why did you lend them to me?”

For a brief moment, Chi An’s movements froze ever so slightly. But she quickly composed herself and replied calmly, “That outfit isn’t exactly appropriate for work.”

Gu Nan recalled the coat she’d given Chi An. Compared to the classic, understated styles Chi An usually favored, that one did look a bit trendier.

Maybe Chi An simply wanted to maintain a more composed, professional image at the company. That explanation made sense.

Still, Gu Nan added with a half-smile, “Then just remember to give it back when you’re done. I really like that one.”

As she spoke, her thoughts drifted to the coat she’d lost at the bar.

“I used to have another one I liked a lot, but I left it behind when I was drinking that night. I’ve been heartbroken about it ever since. I like this one too, so you can borrow it, but I’m not giving it away.”

Chi An’s brows lifted slightly, and she gave a small cough. “That’s a shame. Why don’t you tell me what brand it was, or what it looked like? I’ll buy you another one.”

Gu Nan sighed. “It was from a small independent designer I found during my graduation trip to Europe. You can’t really buy it anymore.”

She ran her fingers through her hair, a little regretful but resigned. “But it’s fine. There are plenty of beautiful clothes out there. I’ll just get a new one next time.”

They chatted idly as the car moved along, and soon enough, they arrived at the company.

Chi An’s appearance immediately caught everyone’s attention. To most of the staff, she was even more important than the company president.

Of course, no one would actually say that aloud. Everyone knew how the Gu family was thin-skinned and easily offended.

When the elevator reached the top floor, Chi An turned to Gu Nan. “Your office is next to the assistant’s. If you need anything, you can come to me.”

This wasn’t just any assistant’s office it was the executive assistant to the president.

The fact that Chi An had her office on this floor said plenty about the power she held in the company. No wonder she had been able to arrange Gu Nan’s position so easily.

As the elevator doors slid open, Gu Nan stepped out, but then stopped in her tracks. Following her gaze, Chi An looked ahead and saw the office cats.

Thanks to Chi An’s influence, the Gu Group despite being run by a rather old-fashioned family allowed pets in certain departments. Cats, being the most popular office companions, were adored by the young assistants working there.

At the moment, Gu Nan’s eyes fell on a fierce little tabby cat.

The moment the cat spotted her, it arched its back and started growling in warning.

Gu Nan sighed and took a step back, speaking softly to the cat as if negotiating, “Okay, okay, I get it. I’ll step back. Where are you going, anyway? Leaving? Then could you hurry a little? Once you go, I can go too, right?”

Her defeated little posture was so pitiful it almost looked rehearsed yet it was genuine enough to make one’s heart ache. Chi An glanced sideways, and in Gu Nan’s eyes she saw nothing but pure light.

Gu Nan truly loved cats. Even when they hissed or ran from her, her affection never wavered.

The tabby seemed to sense her retreat and finally relaxed its stance, turning and walking back toward the office.

Gu Nan watched it go with longing, waiting until it was a safe distance away before following. As she turned a corner, another cat a plump American Shorthair, appeared in her path.

Gu Nan gasped. Her heart skipped a beat. So this is what love at first sight feels like.

Why did such a cute little creature have to live in the company of people she disliked so much?

She cleared her throat and whispered to Chi An beside her, “You think this one’s kind of slow, right? Maybe it’s too dumb to tell the difference between liking someone and hating them?”

Chi An’s lips twitched in amusement.

Sure enough, the next second, she watched Gu Nan walk toward the cat, face full of anticipation as if this time might be different.

But the cat, though not aggressive like the tabby, still took one look at her and bolted.

Gu Nan’s shoulders slumped. The light in her eyes dimmed. She was used to this. Cats never liked her and she’d long since learned to expect it.

The feline world was simply cruel to her.

Just as she was about to retreat into her office in quiet defeat, Chi An said, “There’s a Ragdoll in the office too. That one’s the gentlest of them all.”

Gu Nan’s eyes lit up. “Really? Where is it? Can I see it?”

Chi An thought for a moment. “Go wait in your office. I’ll bring it to you.”

The Ragdoll was the darling of the assistants, and if they saw her forcing it to “entertain a guest,” they’d never let her hear the end of it. Better to sneak it out quietly and let Gu Nan have a moment.

Gu Nan waited eagerly, and soon enough, Chi An returned with the cat in her arms.

It wasn’t really small fluffy fur made it look big and soft. Its blue eyes shimmered like starlit waves, its little pink nose impossibly cute.

Gu Nan’s heart melted instantly.

She nearly jumped up to greet them, bending down with a smile so tender it almost melted into her words. “How can there be a cat this beautiful? You’re the prettiest little thing I’ve ever seen.”

But flattery didn’t seem to help. The Ragdoll, who had been calm in Chi An’s arms, began to squirm the moment Gu Nan got close.

It didn’t hiss or lash out like the tabby it just hid its face under Chi An’s arm, as if thinking if I can’t see her, she can’t see me.

The sight was so pitifully adorable that Gu Nan couldn’t stop whispering, “She’s so cute… so, so cute.”

Chi An looked down at her, the reflection of Gu Nan filling her dark eyes.

Gu Nan gazed at the trembling Ragdoll, half heartbroken, half frustrated. What did I ever do to make cats hate me this much?

After a moment, Chi An’s lips curved faintly. “Do you want to touch her? Her fur’s very soft.”

Gu Nan froze for half a second, her breath catching as her eyes widened with hope. She didn’t even notice the flicker of emotion in Chi An’s gaze.

“Can I really?” she asked softly.

Chi An nodded. “Of course.”

Gu Nan reached out carefully, brushing her fingers down the cat’s back. She could feel the slight stiffness in the creature’s body, and her heart ached for it. But the softness beneath her hand was irresistible.

Her voice trembled with emotion, almost teary though not quite crying. “She’s so soft! How can anything in this world be so adorable?”

After a few moments, she reluctantly pulled her hand back. “You should take her back. Look at her, she’s miserable here.”

Chi An carried the cat away, and Gu Nan trailed behind, peeking around the doorframe like a guilty child.

Not long after, Chi An returned alone. Her tone was casual when she asked, “Would you ever want a cat of your own?”

Gu Nan shook her head. “No. For me, it’s happiness but for the cat, it’d be torture. I’ve never met a cat that likes me.”

“I really do love them,” she said softly. “They’re so beautiful. But loving them means not making their lives harder. So I’ll just admire them from a distance.”

Chi An tilted her head, watching her. “But what if one day… you finally meet a cat that does like you?”

*****

Gu Nan gave a short, dismissive hum. “As if that would ever happen. It’s the kind of thing that just doesn’t exist. Why would I even expect it?”

Meanwhile, the assistant office next door was buzzing with quiet excitement.

Though everyone kept their heads down and appeared busy, the office group chat was alive with gossip.

“That’s the director’s daughter next door, right? She’s so pretty. Doesn’t look like the director at all.”

“I heard she takes after the director’s ex-wife. His ex was apparently a real beauty.”

“What I don’t get is why Assistant Chi is being so nice to her personally picking her office, and even placing it on our floor.”

“You’re out of the loop. Every single thing in that office was handpicked by Assistant Chi herself. It’s not just about arranging a room.”

“Maybe it’s because she owns twenty percent of the company?”

“Impossible! Assistant Chi’s not the type to care about money or status. If she were, half the Gu Group’s assets would already be in her hands.”

No one could quite figure it out why Chi An treated that girl so differently.

After plenty of speculation and no clear answers, the end of the workday came. That’s when they noticed that both Chi An and Gu Nan had already left early, and quite openly at that.

It didn’t take long for the news of their “joint early leave” to reach the Gu family matriarch’s ears.

The old lady slammed her teacup down so hard it shattered, her chest heaving with anger.

“What on earth is Chi An trying to do?”

She immediately ordered her son to come home, but he didn’t return until nearly midnight reeking of alcohol and perfume from his usual indulgences.

Her hand trembled as she pointed at him, the wrinkles on her face deepening with fury. “What are you doing with yourself? I handed you that company after years of hard work, and this is how you treat it? Spending your days in nightclubs do you even take your position seriously?”

Gu Hongkang barely looked bothered. He smiled as he sat down and poured himself some tea. “Isn’t the company running just fine? I hired all those people for a reason. Since I’m paying them, they should handle the work. The company’s stable, so why shouldn’t I go out and socialize? It’s good for business.”

Socializing? The old lady almost laughed out loud. She knew exactly what kind of “socializing” he meant.

Her tone turned cold and sharp. “Starting tomorrow, if I catch you setting foot in those places again, I’ll take back every share you hold. You’ll go to work like everyone else or the Gu family will have nothing left for you.”

At that, Gu Hongkang’s face darkened.

He was a man in his fifties, not some twenty-year-old boy. Being scolded like this by his mother, no less, was humiliating. His voice turned icy. “And if not me, who else are you planning to give it to? My second sister? She’s a woman, are you really going to let her inherit the company? Aren’t you afraid she’ll hand it straight over to her husband’s family?”

Of course, the old lady had never intended for her daughter to inherit anything. She shot back, “If you can’t do your job properly, I’ll give it to my grandson instead.”

That made him pause. So I don’t even get to run the company, but my son does? What kind of joke is that?

Realizing that his mother’s anger wasn’t an act, Gu Hongkang softened his tone slightly. “What’s got you so worked up this time? Who upset you?”

The old lady gritted her teeth. “Who else could it be? Gu Nan and Chi An. Didn’t I tell you to have Chi An assist you as president? Why haven’t you taken control of her yet? She’s clearly siding with Gu Nan now. Do you want her to hand the company over to your niece?”

Gu Hongkang chuckled, unbothered. “Gu Nan’s just a girl. How could she possibly inherit the company? I don’t take her seriously. As for that twenty percent, I’ll get it back eventually. And Chi An well, her brother only just passed away. She’s still hung up on him. Once she moves on, it’ll be easier for me to make my move.”

With that, he stood up, straightening his suit jacket. “Don’t worry, Mother. I know what I’m doing. The Gu family’s assets will never fall into Gu Nan’s hands.”

The old lady watched her youngest son walk away, and though she’d gotten what she wanted to hear, a faint unease still lingered in her heart.