The Boss Always Thinks I'm After Him - Chapter 12

Chapter 12 — Heartbeats Progress 1.2%: The Boss Still Doesn’t Eat People…

Because of this matter, Gu Che was genuinely troubled for a while.

After thinking it over and over, he suddenly realized it must be because Xiao Yang kept causing trouble from time to time, like a mischievous child, which made him pay extra attention and therefore often think about him.

Xiao Yang had long since left without a trace, but Gu Che still stood there, not moving.

Zhang Rui found it a bit strange and peeked over, “Boss?”

When he called out, Gu Che suddenly came back to his senses, cleared his throat, put away all his thoughts, and reverted to his usual cold and aloof demeanor, walking toward the office.

Vaguely, Zhang Rui sensed something and tentatively asked, “Boss, you seem to be in a good mood lately?”

“Really?” Gu Che turned back, slightly furrowing his brows as he thoughtfully recalled for a moment, then casually came up with an excuse, “Maybe it’s because spring has arrived.”

Zhang Rui smiled but said nothing, silently agreeing.

Indeed, spring had come, and the boss’s springtime seemed to have arrived as well.

Since Zhang Rui had joined the company—almost ten years ago—he had never seen the boss date anyone. He was always completely focused on work, acting like he had no interest in anything else.

It wasn’t that no one pursued him; after all, Gu Che was 1.86 meters tall, handsome enough to be known by everyone, successful at a young age, and had many outstanding men and women vying for him. But Gu Che always just coldly rejected them, building an icy wall around himself, driving away any warm feelings or ambiguity.

However, recently, it seemed someone had finally appeared who could melt that ice and snow. Zhang Rui was quite looking forward to how things might develop.

The new week began, and the working drones continued to throw themselves into their jobs.

Life in the capital was fast-paced, and working in a big company even more so. Almost everyone was pushed forward by the torrent, unable to stop moving. Still, many people fought tooth and nail to get in.

After layers of selection, the HR department finally sent a few candidates to the technical team.

The interviews were held in the large conference room next to Team One’s office, with Gu Che and the leaders of Technical Teams Two and Three personally overseeing them.

Xiao Yang was diligently coding when Xu Mubai whispered in awe beside him, “Luckily I did the interview online; otherwise, with so many people in front of me, I’d be too nervous to even speak.”

Even facing the camera then, he was extremely nervous.

Phantom was famous in the industry for its high salary and excellent benefits, so the competition was fierce. Xu Mubai knew he wasn’t the strongest candidate among all competitors and that getting in was mostly luck.

Xiao Yang glanced toward the conference room, then refocused on his code. “What’s there to be nervous about? The boss doesn’t eat people. As long as you’re capable, they’d be begging you to join.”

His words sounded reasonable, his face radiating the youthful confidence and bright sunshine unique to young people.

“I really envy you, always so confident. Youth is truly wonderful. I’m old now,” Xu Mubai sighed, laying his head on the table.

Xiao Yang paused his work and teased, “What’s up today? Having a gloomy day?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone. He turned to look, then immediately puckered his lips in disdain, looking disgusted. “Ugh, he’s here too.”

“Who?” Xu Mubai lifted his head and looked toward the conference room.

“Peng Hui, my classmate,” Xiao Yang said with a headache. Memories of the past flashed through his mind.

“We were enemies back in school, didn’t like each other at all. This guy, relying on his skills and family money, always acted like a big shot, looking down on others. If he gets into Team One, life’s going to get interesting.”

Strictly speaking, they weren’t exactly enemies; it was more one-sided—Peng Hui disliked Xiao Yang and constantly caused trouble for him.

Just hearing the description, Xu Mubai already thought this guy would be difficult to get along with.

Xiao Yang silently prayed that the boss wouldn’t recruit this annoying guy, but he watched Peng Hui’s expression grow more and more pleased, and his heart sank.

The whole Monday, Xiao Yang felt listless, thinking about having to work in the same company as that annoying person made him feel terrible and mentally blocked. He could only hope Peng Hui wouldn’t join Team One.

Unfortunately, maybe heaven didn’t hear his prayers. Early the next morning, Peng Hui arrived at Team One with bags in hand to report for work.

Right after arriving, he brought gifts for the boss, the boss’s secretary, and senior employees like Zhong Jun, as well as coffee gift sets for others. Everyone was happy and praised him for being thoughtful.

He handed gifts one by one, and when he reached Xiao Yang, his expression suddenly turned surprised. “Xiao Yang? You’re here too? Long time no see. What a coincidence.”

His exaggerated tone made Xiao Yang feel sick. He forced a fake smile and replied, “Long time no see.”

Seeing they knew each other, others were curious and asked a few questions.

Peng Hui put his hand on Xiao Yang’s shoulder, acting very familiar, “We were university classmates—he was in Class Two, I was in Class One.”

Though university classes didn’t mean much, saying this gave the impression Class Two was inferior to Class One.

Xiao Yang felt uncomfortable but couldn’t show it on his face, which was very difficult.

Others didn’t know their relationship. If he showed hostility first, colleagues would think he had a grudge, so he had to endure it.

Peng Hui pretended they were good friends, smiling and trying to get close, “It’s so great to meet an old classmate. I’m new here and don’t know much yet. I’ll need your help, Yang-ge.”

He put the coffee gift on Xiao Yang’s desk, “I brought this coffee back from overseas during the New Year. It tastes good. Try some.”

“Thanks.” Xiao Yang was really uncomfortable, grabbed his water cup, and went to the pantry to get some fresh air.

Holding a cup of warm water, he leaned by the window and looked into the distance.

All he could see were skyscrapers and busy streets—so bustling.

Thinking carefully, he realized he had worked very hard to be here, earning a higher-than-average salary. He couldn’t just quit because of one annoying person.

Xiao Yang thought it over and over, forcing himself to adjust his mindset and returned to his desk.

Seeing him come back, Xu Mubai gently patted his arm and gave a knowing look toward the CEO’s office.

Xiao Yang looked over and saw Peng Hui chatting and laughing with the boss in the office, momentarily forgetting to sit down.

Peng Hui had prepared a pair of diamond cufflinks for Gu Che—a famous brand, worth nearly 100,000 yuan.

“Mr. Gu, I don’t know what you like, so I just bought this casually. Please don’t dislike it,” he said, presenting the gift with both hands. The diamonds sparkled under the transparent lid.

Gu Che glanced at it casually, then coldly looked away, “Take it back. I don’t like such things.”

Recalling how Peng Hui had been handing out gifts one by one in the office and causing a commotion, Gu Che felt displeased.

He had hired him for his ability, but didn’t expect him to be so scheming. From the same school, but Xiao Yang wasn’t like this.

Thinking this, Gu Che glanced outside and just saw Xiao Yang staring at the office, looking unhappy.

He’d never seen that expression on Xiao Yang before—he seemed very displeased.

“Mr. Gu, this is my sincere gesture. Please accept it,” Peng Hui shamelessly put the box on the desk and thought up a pretentious reason, “Consider it my thanks for your kindness.”

At this point, Gu Che had to accept it no matter what.

But instead, he leaned back, eyes full of anger as he glared at Peng Hui, sternly warning, “I hired you to work, not to curry favor with colleagues or please your superiors.”

“Don’t forget, new employees have a one-month probation period. If you don’t pass, all the gifts are useless.”

Whether that ‘kindness’ was really kindness depended on the probation results.

Peng Hui’s face went pale, awkwardly took back the cufflinks.

His expensive gift failed to win the boss’s favor and instead got him scolded, making him leave the office embarrassed.

Not only that, Gu Che assigned him to Ma Weiran’s supervision—one of the strictest seniors in Team One.

Watching all this, Xiao Yang secretly felt a little gleeful, and his mood lightened quite a bit.

Time flew by quickly, and the next day was the day they would go to Haishi City for an exchange meeting.

The flight was at 9:30 AM. Xiao Yang and Xu Mubai hurriedly dragged their suitcases to the airport. Others had already arrived.

With Secretary Zhang accompanying and handling all the trivial matters, they rested in the waiting lounge, waiting for the boarding announcement.

The boss flew business class and stayed in the VIP lounge, while the five of them waited in the regular lounge.

Among the colleagues going to the exchange meeting from Team Three was Yuan Ming, who had a good relationship with Xiao Yang, so the two chatted together.

Xiao Yang stood by the glass wall, looking at the planes outside, stretching his arms and taking deep breaths several times. “Without that annoying person, even the air feels so fresh.”

He sincerely exclaimed, “Ming-ge, can you understand? I’ve been trying so hard to control myself, but every time I think about having to work in the same space as him, my heart feels so blocked, and my brain just stops.”

Yuan Ming looked at him and nodded, “Sounds like you really hate that guy. If it’s unbearable, why not ask the boss to transfer you back to Team Three?”

That was indeed a solution, but…

Xiao Yang hesitated, unwilling to give up his current salary, and mournfully shook his head, “Life isn’t always smooth. Maybe this is heaven’s test for me!”

Yuan Ming smiled and nudged him, “Test my foot. I think you just don’t want to lose money.”

The two laughed and chatted. As the time approached, Xiao Yang went to the restroom. Coming out, he accidentally bumped into someone.

“Sorry…” he instinctively apologized, then saw a familiar face, “Zhang Heng?”

Zhang Heng was surprised too, “What a coincidence, meeting again.”

“Yeah, I’m going to Haishi for the exchange meeting with my company. How about you? Where’s your girlfriend?”

Before Zhang Heng could answer, his girlfriend came out of the restroom and introduced herself to Xiao Yang.

If Xiao Yang remembered correctly, this girl looked completely different from the one he had seen with Zhang Heng at the flower and bird market last time. This guy changed girlfriends too fast.

Suppressing his curiosity, Xiao Yang politely smiled.