Naughty Puppy Will Be Eaten by a Bad Woman - Chapter 6

She seemed to be paying Lu Zhao too much attention.

Gu Xianyue’s voice snapped Lu Zhao back to her senses.

Lu Zhao took a deep breath, struggling to steady her voice. “President Gu, is there something you need?”

On the other end of the line, Gu Xianyue paused, holding the press conference agenda in her study. She had intended to use the directness of a phone call to discuss details with Lu Zhao, but the reporter’s unusually rapid breathing caught her off guard.

Gu Xianyue asked cautiously, “Reporter Lu, am I disturbing you?”

Lu Zhao guessed that Gu Xianyue wanted to discuss the press conference details—after all, they had no other business together. She assumed Gu Xianyue’s question was simply concern about sensitive information being overheard by unauthorized parties.

Gu Xianyue’s voice, already cool and refined, gained an extra layer of depth through the electronic transmission, sounding even more composed than usual.

Lu Zhao replied, “No, you’re not.”

For some reason, Lu Zhao’s symptoms eased considerably. She found herself vaguely hoping Gu Xianyue would continue speaking, anything to distract her.

Hearing the silence on the other end, Gu Xianyue surmised that Lu Zhao’s “colleague” had likely left.

A faint smile touched her lips as she began confirming the details with Lu Zhao.

Throughout the process, Lu Zhao was quieter than usual, occasionally offering suggestions or pointing out areas needing revision. For the most part, she listened attentively.

Gu Xianyue noticed Lu Zhao’s unusual behavior. After finalizing the details, she asked, “Reporter Lu, how have you been feeling lately?”

Lu Zhao paused briefly before replying politely, “Thank you for your concern, President Gu. I’ve been recovering well recently. The ointment you sent has been very effective.”

She wasn’t entirely lying. Physical and mental illnesses shouldn’t be conflated, and she had no intention of disclosing her mental health condition to her business partner.

But on the day of the press conference… Lu Zhao’s only worry was whether she might have an episode on the spot.

Although such incidents rarely occurred when she was highly focused, their unpredictable nature meant she couldn’t be entirely certain.

So she said, “President Gu, about that dress… I think we should send it to dry cleaning to remove the bloodstains.”

Gu Xianyue replied, “What’s wrong? If you’re worried about over-publicizing the incident, we’ve already discussed that.”

Lu Zhao paused, as if carefully considering how to phrase her response.

Gu Xianyue didn’t press her, patiently waiting while turning the ring on her finger.

A voice came from the other end of the line, this time lower, hoarse, and strained: “Um… it’s not that. If I don’t wash it, it’ll smell unpleasant.”

In truth, so much time had passed that the bloodstains were completely dried. Even if there were a lingering odor, it would be barely perceptible.

Lu Zhao knew the scent she’d detected earlier was likely a phantom smell triggered by her memories. The bloodstains were merely a visual cue, dragging her senses back to the brutal war in Sarawi.

But Gu Xianyue seemed both domineering and stubborn. Without a convincing explanation, Lu Zhao doubted she could change her mind.

After a moment’s rapid deliberation, Lu Zhao decided to feign weakness and reveal part of the truth.

She wasn’t sure if Gu Xianyue would accept this reason, but she had no other options.

Unexpectedly, Gu Xianyue paused for a few seconds, then relented: “Alright. Bring it tomorrow for a fitting, and I’ll have it dry-cleaned.”

Lu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, President Gu.”

They chatted casually for a few more minutes, as if Gu Xianyue were deliberately trying to ease Lu Zhao’s nervousness. Gu Xianyue then asked what Lu Zhao had eaten for dinner, and Lu Zhao actually listed the dishes.

Gu Xianyue frowned. “Most of that is seafood. Isn’t that bad for wound recovery?”

Lu Zhao, now much more relaxed, replied casually, “Oh, my colleague came over, and she ate most of it. I didn’t really have much seafood.”

Gu Xianyue’s frown deepened.

That colleague again? Caring to this extent? Making Lu Zhao, a recovering “patient,” accompany her for a seafood meal?

Gu Xianyue said softly, “It seems you have a very good relationship with your colleague.”

Lu Zhao suddenly felt a chill and hastily explained, “Yes… she’s actually a senior colleague who’s helped me a lot at work. She’s much older and more experienced than me…”

Lu Zhao wasn’t sure why she was panicking, but she didn’t want to reveal her relationship with Wei Ning just yet. To Gu Xianyue’s ears, her explanation sounded increasingly suspicious.

“Oh,” Gu Xianyue replied. “We’ve covered most of what we needed to discuss. Reporter Lu, you should get some rest. I won’t keep you any longer.”

Lu Zhao seemed to detect a hint of emotion in her tone. Was Gu Xianyue angry?

Before he could dwell on it, Lu Zhao blurted out before Gu Xianyue could hang up, “You’re not bothering me at all. President Gu, see you tomorrow.”

There was a pause on the other end, followed by Gu Xianyue’s cool voice: “See you tomorrow.”

After the call ended, Lu Zhao realized her back was drenched in a cold sweat.

She cleaned up the scattered pills on the floor and then pulled out her resistance bands for a workout.

I think I need to find a more reliable psychiatrist, she thought.

Gu Xianyue hung up and remained in her study for a while longer.

Lu Zhao’s evasive demeanor had irritated her. It seemed she was hiding something.

Setting aside their professional relationship, Gu Xianyue genuinely admired Lu Zhao as a person. But Lu Zhao’s behavior and descriptions subtly suggested a possibility: she was too close to her superiors.

This was not a good sign.

Gu Xianyue, as the group’s manager, had witnessed countless instances of superiors abusing their authority to harass subordinates, or subordinates strategically cozying up to their bosses for personal gain.

Regardless of the scenario, such behavior invariably disrupted the company’s operations. That’s why her company strictly prohibited such conduct, with dismissal as the consequence for any violation.

Yet, instinctively, she didn’t believe Lu Zhao was that kind of person. Moreover, given Lu Zhao’s demonstrated capabilities, she had no need to rely on anyone else.

Besides, Lu Zhao’s casual “See you tomorrow” had significantly lifted her spirits.

She had always valued the character of her business partners. And… she was intentionally cultivating a long-term partnership with Lu Zhao.

Gu Xianyue’s thumb gently rotated the ring on her finger as she gazed intently at it.

Embedded within the deep gray diamond were the cremated remains of Little Dog. After reaching adulthood, she had commissioned the ring to carry Little Dog’s ashes with her always.

Gu Yu had called her insane for caring so deeply about a pet dog.

Gu Xianyue herself felt a touch of madness. Perhaps her upbringing had been so barren and monotonous that Little Dog’s companionship had become her sole comfort, making the loss all the more unbearable.

At that moment, Lu Zhao watched Gu Xianyue’s fingers gently caress the uniquely designed ring, feeling a sudden unease.

Gu Xianyue arrived on time, and Lu Zhao invited her into her office. As agreed, Lu Zhao changed into the outfit to show Gu Xianyue the effect.

While Lu Zhao was in the dressing room, Gu Xianyue surveyed the square, orderly office.

The space wasn’t large. A desk stood against one wall, flanked by a floor-to-ceiling bookcase. On the opposite wall was a foldable sofa, neatly arranged with a thin blanket, suggesting Lu Zhao occasionally napped there.

Including the armchair Gu Xianyue was sitting in, that was the entire office.

Everything was meticulously arranged, reflecting Lu Zhao’s outwardly meticulous nature. There was a distinct lack of personal touches—not a single decorative item.

It exuded a faint air of corporate drudgery.

The only hint of personal style…

Gu Xianyue rose and walked to the bookcase, her gaze sweeping across the shelves packed with books, neatly organized by size.

To her surprise, professional books on journalism and communication were scarce. Most were literary works she found unappealing, heavy on philosophical themes.

A shelf at eye level was filled with works by Camus, Sartre, and Beauvoir. Gu Xianyue vaguely recalled these were philosophers?

During her studies abroad, Gu Xianyue had read some original works as a way to practice foreign languages. She had mostly forgotten the details, but the impression remained that these authors were all somewhat pessimistic.

A thoroughbred businesswoman, she had studied business in college. Her focus was on financial knowledge, game theory, and the clear-cut logic of mathematics. Ambiguous literary works held no practical value for her.

Moreover, she had no interest in these authors’ philosophies.

In her eyes, money and profit trumped all lofty ideals. Yet her gaze was drawn to a slim French book. The translated title read:

“No Exit…” Gu Xianyue murmured softly.

She recognized it as a simple one-act play by Sartre. During her time abroad, a group of French students had performed the play at a party.

As for the content itself… her opinion remained unchanged. Even while watching the play, she had found the characters’ deaths somewhat absurd.

Yet Lu Zhao’s bookshelf seemed filled with such absurdities—books Gu Xianyue would never have placed there herself, were it not for the necessity of language practice.

The books were like a hidden corner, allowing Gu Xianyue to glimpse a fragment of Lu Zhao’s inner world.

But this fragment remained incomprehensible to her, and she had no desire to understand it.

A knock at the door drew Gu Xianyue’s gaze away from the bookshelf. She turned to see Lu Zhao entering the room.

Lu Zhao had just changed out of her suit and approached Gu Xianyue with a slightly awkward expression.

Gu Xianyue’s eyes appraised her from head to toe, the evaluative glint in her eyes unmistakable.

Lu Zhao swallowed nervously. Fortunately, Gu Xianyue nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. “Perfect. Change into this after the interview.”

Lu Zhao’s tall, slender frame looked even more striking in formal attire. The suit’s sharp lines accentuated her bamboo-like grace and vitality.

Relieved by Gu Xianyue’s approval, Lu Zhao quickly retreated to the changing room to remove the suit. She swiftly donned her camouflage uniform and bulletproof vest, her movements brisk as she hoped to minimize the chance of an episode.

As she changed, her actions became mechanical, her mind desperately grasping for other thoughts to distract herself.

Among the fleeting images, she seized upon the recurring scene from her dreams:

The girl who always gently stroked her hair, her skin carrying the sun-kissed scent of summer.

As she continued her movements, lost in thought, her mind gradually calmed.

When Gu Xianyue saw Lu Zhao emerge wearing camouflage gear and a bulletproof vest, her eyes lit up.

Unlike a suit, this bullet-scarred camouflage uniform exuded a wild, untamed aura.

The form-fitting cut hugged Lu Zhao’s slender frame, yet conveyed a sense of strength, making her appear strikingly heroic.

The tattered right pant leg perfectly exposed Lu Zhao’s prosthetic limb. The cold metallic glint radiated an icy chill, drawing the eye with its stark contrast to her otherwise gentle, harmless face.

Gu Xianyue’s gaze drifted downward, confirming the large, dried bloodstains.

They spread from the hem of the uniform down the entire tattered right pant leg, with scattered splatters elsewhere.

It was clear the garment had been washed repeatedly, yet the stains persisted stubbornly. One could only imagine how thoroughly the fabric had been soaked in bl00d initially.

Just seeing these stains allowed Gu Xianyue to vividly imagine Lu Zhao’s horrific state at the time.

“Is this okay?” Lu Zhao asked, her voice muffled. Her gaze lacked its usual composure, and her long lashes trembled slightly, adding to her vulnerability.

Gu Xianyue’s heart skipped a beat.

She stood up and straightened Lu Zhao’s collar.

Lu Zhao froze for a moment, not pulling away.

Gu Xianyue’s breath carried a faint, cool fragrance that perfectly soothed the unease in Lu Zhao’s heart.

The two were standing very close. Gu Xianyue was slightly taller, allowing Lu Zhao to see the silver pendant at her collar, its metallic sheen accentuating her pale skin.

Beautiful, Lu Zhao thought objectively, temporarily forgetting the chaotic images flooding her mind from the Sarawi battlefield.

After adjusting the collar, Gu Xianyue stepped back and studied Lu Zhao again. Her alluring eyes now held a satisfied smile.

“Then… I’ll go change,” Lu Zhao said, eager to remove the clothes now that she sensed Gu Xianyue’s approval.

Gu Xianyue nodded, her gaze lingering on Lu Zhao’s retreating figure.

Then she noticed a bullet hole on the right side of Lu Zhao’s bulletproof vest, near the shoulder blade. Judging by the size, it appeared to be from a bullet.

She also realized Lu Zhao was using her left hand to open the door. Yet she distinctly remembered Lu Zhao signing the contract with her right hand.

Gu Xianyue raised an eyebrow.

Another new discovery.

Lu Zhao quickly stripped off her clothes in the changing room, neatly folded them, and handed them to Gu Xianyue in a bag. The two resumed practicing their Q&A session, taking turns asking and answering questions.

Having shed her formal attire, Lu Zhao seemed much more relaxed, regaining her usual composure. She even managed to catch some of Gu Xianyue’s impromptu jokes with ease.

The session flowed smoothly, leaving Gu Xianyue highly satisfied. She was already looking forward to next week’s press conference, confident that Lu Zhao would make an excellent brand ambassador.

Just as they were nearing the end of their practice, a knock came at the door of Lu Zhao’s office.

“Come in,” Lu Zhao called out.

Wei Ning entered, her face lighting up with a smile as she greeted Gu Xianyue warmly.

Gu Xianyue responded politely. She had initially coordinated business matters with Wei Ning, knowing she was Lu Zhao’s direct supervisor.

Wei Ning then informed Lu Zhao that she needed to attend a meeting for the newly established e-commerce department. Lu Zhao frowned, a hint of impatience crossing her face, but ultimately she merely pursed her lips in resignation and nodded.

Gu Xianyue observed every subtle expression. These were the unguarded, vivid reactions one only shows to someone they’re close to.

After Wei Ning left, Gu Xianyue asked Lu Zhao, “That was the colleague you had dinner with yesterday, right?”

Lu Zhao recognized the statement as a question. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Gu Xianyue’s voice had deepened, carrying an even sharper edge than before.

“Yes, she’s the director of the news center. She’s been at Provincial Television Station for over a decade.”

Gu Xianyue replied flatly, “I know.”

Feeling a pang of guilt, Lu Zhao glanced at Gu Xianyue twice before slowly pushing herself up from the table. She picked up the teapot and refilled Gu Xianyue’s cup.

Gu Xianyue accepted the cup and took a sip without changing her expression.

Though she didn’t understand the reason for Gu Xianyue’s anger, Lu Zhao instinctively sensed that the issue revolved around her relationship with Wei Ning.

Could it be… that Gu Xianyue suspected their relationship wasn’t purely professional?

The more Lu Zhao considered it, the more plausible it seemed. Gu Xianyue, a woman so meticulous about her company’s image, would undoubtedly place even greater importance on the integrity of her business partners.

As Lu Zhao was trying to figure out how to explain, Gu Xianyue asked, “Are you having dinner with her tonight too?”

Lu Zhao quickly replied, “No, I have to work late for a meeting. I’ll just order takeout. You heard earlier—it’s going to be a long night.”

Gu Xianyue raised an eyebrow, implying, So if you weren’t working late, you’d be eating with Wei Ning?

Lu Zhao, of course, didn’t realize Gu Xianyue had interpreted it that way. Seeing Gu Xianyue get up to leave, she also stood up, grabbed her change of clothes with her left hand, and personally escorted Gu Xianyue downstairs.

Gu Xianyue glanced at her, wordlessly took the bag of clothes, and strode out of the office.

But after a few steps, she noticed Lu Zhao wasn’t following. Without showing any sign of slowing down, she subtly reduced her pace.

Lu Zhao smiled and said, “President Gu is so thoughtful. Once you get used to the prosthetic I gave you, you’ll be able to walk even faster.”

Gu Xianyue’s lips curved into a slight smile as she glanced at Lu Zhao’s right leg. Though concealed by her trousers, the leg appeared noticeably thinner, yet the prosthetic remained undetectable.

Lu Zhao walked at a slower pace, and while waiting for the elevator, she greeted several colleagues from the station.

Gu Xianyue overheard the others calling Lu Zhao “Little Lu” and “Zhao Zhao,” including several young women who looked like interns from Gu Xianyue’s own company.

An inexplicable irritation welled up within her. Isn’t this person a minister? Surely not all these people are her superiors. Does she have no sense of professional boundaries?

Gu Xianyue had never been one to suppress her feelings. She spoke her mind: “Reporter Lu, you seem to have a very friendly relationship with your colleagues. I assumed they’d call you Minister Lu.”

Even the usually oblivious Lu Zhao could detect a hint of sourness in her tone. “Oh… that’s my fault. I’ll be more mindful of establishing professional boundaries in the future.”

Lu Zhao smiled, her dark, bright eyes curving into crescents.

Gu Xianyue nodded curtly, saying nothing more.

At least her apology sounds sincere.

Lu Zhao escorted Gu Xianyue to the car the driver had brought around, and Gu Xianyue showed her no pretense of politeness. Even as the car door closed, Lu Zhao waved goodbye.

Only after Gu Xianyue’s car disappeared around the corner did Lu Zhao return to the Provincial Television Station building.

The moment she turned around, the smile vanished from her face.

She hadn’t forgotten what she needed to do at next week’s press conference.

Gu Xianyue had been quite accommodating, maintaining a cooperative attitude and visiting the Provincial Television Station repeatedly for active communication. Her budget was generous, making her a rare and valuable client.

Yet none of these factors diminished her resolve.

Her clear eyes darkened, becoming deep and unfathomable.

Gu Xianyue recalled Lu Zhao’s bright, smiling eyes, and her mood unexpectedly lifted. Even her tone when instructing the housekeeper brightened slightly.

“Aunt Zhou, please take this outfit to the dry cleaner. Be careful not to damage it.”

“Of course, Miss Gu,” Aunt Zhou replied with a smile, accepting the camouflage uniform stained with bl00d.

Having worked under Gu Xianyue and Gu Yu for years, Aunt Zhou knew better than to ask unnecessary questions. She simply examined the garment and checked the pockets.

To her surprise, she found something.

“Miss Gu, there’s a bottle of medicine in the pocket. Would you like to take a look?”

Aunt Zhou, who had presbyopia, squinted but couldn’t quite make out the label.

Gu Xianyue took the bottle, her pupils constricting sharply.

Paroxetine.

Undoubtedly left behind by Lu Zhao.

Gu Xianyue pocketed the bottle and instructed Aunt Zhou, “Have it cleaned by tomorrow.”

Aunt Zhou refolded the uniform. “Yes, Miss Gu,” she replied before leaving.

Gu Xianyue’s smile faded, her expression turning serious.

As a businesswoman who frequently dealt with healthcare clients, Gu Xianyue was familiar with the name of the medication.

This type of drug was typically used for the sustained-release treatment of mental health conditions, particularly anxiety disorders.

The most common conditions it treated included depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, nightmares, and more.

Gu Xianyue opened the bottle and discovered it was already more than half empty.

Checking the production date on the label, she saw it was only a month old, indicating Lu Zhao had been taking the medication frequently.

Gu Xianyue frowned, recalling Lu Zhao’s demeanor during their brief encounters.

Lu Zhao had always been polite and poised, her face perpetually adorned with a perfectly calibrated smile, projecting an image of emotional stability. There was no outward sign of any underlying issues.

But Gu Xianyue knew all too well that patients with mental health conditions often appeared perfectly normal, even cheerful and optimistic.

No… Gu Xianyue remembered Lu Zhao’s unusual behavior the previous night—her rapid breathing and the suppressed tension in her voice.

After a moment’s contemplation, Gu Xianyue made a call. “I need you to check someone’s psychiatric records for me.”

The woman on the other end of the line replied with a flippant tone, “Oh, Miss Gu, it’s been ages since you’ve asked me for a favor. I thought you’d forgotten about me. Who is it?”

Gu Xianyue said, “This person is named Lu Zhao and works at the Provincial Television Station. I need to obtain her information before next week, and it must be kept absolutely confidential. Additionally, I need you to investigate another person: Wei Ning, the director of the Provincial Television Station’s news center.”

The person on the other end of the line was Tong Wei, Gu Xianyue’s childhood friend who had struck out on her own to found a burgeoning internet technology company. With her extensive connections, Tong Wei handled tasks Gu Xianyue preferred not to handle herself.

Tong Wei couldn’t resist teasing her. “Xianyue, isn’t Lu Zhao the spokesperson for your company’s new product? Why are you asking me to do a background check after signing the contract? Isn’t that a bit late?”

Gu Xianyue chuckled softly. “Yes, to make sure I meet the deadline, please hurry, CEO Tong.”

Tong Wei: “After this is done, you’ll treat our company employees to a free health checkup, right?”

Gu Xianyue: “No problem.”

After a few more exchanges, they hung up.

Gu Xianyue leaned back against the sofa, closing her eyes.

For some reason, even though she had never seen Lu Zhao cry, images of the woman’s tear-streaked face gradually surfaced in her mind.

She seemed to be paying a little too much attention to Lu Zhao.