The Boss Always Thinks I'm After Him - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Heartbeat Progress 1.4% — Long Live the Boss!

Gu Che’s thoughts were all over the place when Zhou Huai walked over holding a glass of red wine. He immediately snapped back to attention.

“Long time no see, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Gu,” Zhou Huai raised his glass with a smile, signaling a toast.

Zhang Wei raised his glass and lightly clinked it with Zhou’s, producing a clear, crisp sound. “I heard that Mr. Zhou has been unwell recently. You really need to take care of yourself. We’re no longer young, can’t compare to the youngsters like Mr. Gu who are strong and full of energy.”

Hearing the sarcasm, Zhou Huai nearly lost his composure, secretly biting his tongue. “No kidding, we’re all old guys now. How could we compete with energetic young people like Mr. Gu?”

Thinking about the last time they faced off, how Jixing got nothing but lost hundreds of thousands, Zhou Huai felt his bl00d boil and his head spin.

Just then, Zhang Rui handed over a glass of wine to Gu Che, who accepted it politely and clinked glasses with Zhou Huai. “What nonsense is that, Mr. Zhou? Without you senior fellows opening up the territory, how could we have our chances?”

The two sly old foxes and a young wolf wore smiles and pretended to be cordial. Beneath the calm surface, turbulent undercurrents flowed; no one dared to get too close.

Their every move was closely watched. Someone, noticing Gu Che and Zhang Wei’s gaze, spotted a representative employee from Phantom. After a slight surprise, they stepped forward.

Xiao Yang was munching on a big lobster while whispering to a colleague beside him, badmouthing, “Just look at that Zhou Huai — that little old man is no good, shifty-eyed and only knows how to play dirty tricks. If it weren’t for his scheming, Tao Hong and the others wouldn’t have left.”

The whole group became tense and pulled Peng Hui in, making the atmosphere chaotic.

But it wasn’t absolute — maybe Tao Hong came to them willingly.

Xu Siyang, already in a bad mood, grew even gloomier after hearing that.

Xiao Yang, oblivious, asked him, “By the way, Yang-ge, what happened to Tao Hong?”

Xu Siyang put down his chopsticks gloomily, “He went in.”

“That’s great. Evil gets its due…”

Before Xiao Yang finished, Yuan Ming kicked him under the table. “Shut up and eat, even lobsters can’t stop your mouth.”

Xiao Yang looked at him in confusion but then noticed Xu Siyang’s expression and sheepishly shut his mouth.

They were all Phantom veterans, had known Tao Hong for over ten years, and had close ties — maybe even friends. Even if Tao Hong made mistakes, talking bad about him in front of him wasn’t right.

So Xiao Yang quietly ate the lobster, just like Xu Mubai beside him, playing the well-behaved kid who only eats and says nothing.

Minutes later, Xu Siyang sighed. “Tao Hong was just unwilling — unwilling to be overshadowed by the boss’s brilliance all his life. He wanted to be seen, that’s why he went astray.”

Xiao Yang dared not speak again, afraid he’d blurt out something offensive.

He focused on fighting the big lobster on his plate until he finished the delicious meal.

The table atmosphere was heavy, and everyone tacitly remained silent.

When they were nearly done, Xiao Yang took off his disposable gloves, wiped his mouth and hands clean, and sat properly, waiting for them.

“Xu Mubai? So it really is you.”

A sharp voice suddenly rang out, drawing the attention of the five people at the table.

Xiao Yang glanced at the man and turned his head to ask, “Your friend?”

Seeing the newcomer clearly, Xu Mubai dropped his chopsticks, clutching his hands tightly under the table. “No.”

Xiao Yang scanned him from head to toe, feeling something was off.

“What’s this, clinging to Phantom’s big leg and forgetting your old employer?”

Liu Zhenfeng crossed his arms and looked down on Xu Mubai. “I didn’t expect you, kid, have such skill to get into a big company like Phantom and even come to such a high-level conference immediately, impressive. Where’s your mistress? Didn’t she come with you?”

His words were rude and harsh, causing all Phantom people to become alert.

Xiao Yang’s face turned cold. “Sir, basic etiquette is not to disturb others while dining. Don’t you know that?”

“Oh? Who are you to speak for him?” Liu Zhenfeng squinted, looking left and right. Suddenly understanding, “Oh, could you be his new mistress?”

He sized up Xiao Yang, grinning disgustingly. “But you two don’t match at all. How could you two be together? Isn’t he into Yu…”

“Shut up!”

Xu Mubai shouted at him loudly, trying to suppress the absolutely forbidden name from being heard by others, trembling all over.

The loud disturbance inevitably attracted attention.

Gu Che glanced back, seeing Xiao Yang glaring fiercely at a stranger by the table, Xu Mubai pale as death, and the others looking uneasy.

“Excuse me.” He greeted those in front and walked toward the dining area.

Xu Mubai didn’t know how to get Liu Zhenfeng to shut up and leave, especially seeing Gu Che approaching. He trembled even more.

What to do? If they found out about his relationship with Yu Qian… what if…

The more scared he was, the happier Liu Zhenfeng became, laughing wildly. “What’s wrong? Afraid? Afraid others will know you’re a disgusting homosexual, afraid of their disgusted looks?”

Xiao Yang felt pieces in his mind almost connect but not quite clear yet. His instinct told him he had to shut this man up immediately.

He stood up and, ignoring everything, blasted him: “Did human evolution skip you? What kind of era is this, still calling homosexuality disgusting? You’re a frog in a well with no vision at all.”

“There’s so much delicious food here, but you run to the bathroom to eat sh1t and come out spouting nonsense. Has no one told you your mouth smells awful?”

“Who someone likes is none of your business. Who died and made you the judge? If anyone’s disgusting here, it’s you.”

Xiao Yang’s barrage left no chance for Liu Zhenfeng to interrupt, and it made his face flush red with anger.

“You, you…” Liu Zhenfeng pointed at him, stammering and unable to find words.

Finally, he tried to save face: “I guess I hit a nerve. How about you? Do you like men too?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, you guys choose soft and fragrant women but still want men. Just want to be taken by men, huh?”

Xiao Yang clenched his fists, barely holding back the urge to punch him, sneering, “Don’t worry, whether I like men or women, I sure don’t like someone like you.”

“Looking like a crooked melon with a head full of dirty thoughts, who’s blind enough to like you?”

“Pfft…”

Yuan Ming couldn’t hold back laughing and quickly turned his face away.

Damn, how come no one realized this kid had such a sharp tongue before?

Liu Zhenfeng bit his teeth tightly. “I advise you to watch your tone.”

“What, did I hit a nerve?” Xiao Yang looked at him disdainfully. “Please do the world a favor and scram. Stop spewing sh1t here; it stinks.”

He fanned the air in front of his nose as if unbearable, making others chuckle.

Liu Zhenfeng was verbally defeated, surrounded by laughter, utterly furious.

“Who the hell are you talking about?” He angrily reached out to grab Xiao Yang’s collar.

Just as his hand was raised, someone suddenly appeared behind him, grabbed his collar by the back of his neck, and threw him aside.

Liu Zhenfeng stumbled and fell, groaning on the ground.

Gu Che’s eyes locked onto Xiao Yang, scanning him to check for injuries.

The boss’s aura was terrifying, and everyone immediately stood up.

“Boss.”

“Boss.”

…

Startled by the fierce aura, Xiao Yang shrank his neck and weakened his posture. “Boss.”

Thanks to Gu Che’s timely intervention, Xiao Yang was unharmed. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. “What happened?”

“That guy suddenly came over and said some disgusting things to Xu Mubai. I got angry and scolded him a few times,” Xiao Yang said, pointing at the man and stopping Xu Mubai’s shoulder. “Look how scared he was.”

Xu Mubai didn’t dare look up, pressing his lips tight, fingers white from clenching.

Gu Che then turned cold and looked down at the man on the ground.

Hearing everyone call him “boss,” Liu Zhenfeng looked up, scared stiff, and fled like his life depended on it.

He dared to disgust Xu Mubai but didn’t dare to challenge Gu Che. If his dad found out, he wouldn’t be able to escape the consequences.

He ran so fast Gu Che didn’t even get a good look at his face.

Xiao Yang patted Xu Mubai’s shoulder to comfort him, “It’s okay, he’s gone, no problem.”

“Mm.” Xu Mubai nodded slightly, still very scared.

The exchange meeting officially started tomorrow. They still had many opportunities to meet. What if Liu Zhenfeng came over again and said more nonsense…

“These days, anyone can attend exchange meetings?” Yuan Ming curled his lips, expressing concern. “Yangzi offended him today. What if they meet again and he attacks?”

Xiao Yang shrugged jokingly, “Then I’ll definitely not hit back and just extort him for a big sum.”

“Good! That’s the way.”

“That’s also an option.”

“Hahaha…”

“Come on, like he wouldn’t feel pain.”

…

Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere instantly lightened.

Gu Che was silent for a moment, then asked Xu Mubai, “What’s his name? Which company?”

“He, his name’s Liu Zhenfeng,” Xu Mubai gathered courage to look up. “He’s from Jinzhou Jinli Technology Company.”

Gu Che took note and personally called the association head, reporting that Phantom employees were almost beaten up by people from Jinli and spoke with a very stern tone.

The other side apologized immediately and directly canceled Jinli’s participation qualification.

Within five minutes, the hotel received a call from the association to expel Jinli’s people.

Hearing that the association canceled their qualification, Xiao Yang happily cheered, raising both hands high. “Yeah! Long live the boss!”

“Thanks to the boss for standing up for us. You’re our guiding light! Long live the boss!”