The Green Tea Supporting Girl Is Still Playing Her Role Today (GL) - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

In the lounge, Gu Zhizhang waited for a while, but Fang Ningshu didn’t say a word.

He glanced at his watch, eager to get back to Wen Pinghan, and frowned impatiently. “What’s the matter?”

Fang Ningshu looked at him nervously.

“Have you been drinking? How much?” Gu Zhizhang caught the smell of alcohol on her, surprised, his expression darkening.

“Sorry, Mr. Gu, I…” Fang Ningshu recalled Xie Zhifei’s words from earlier.

‘Xiaojing’s like that—loves boldly, says it loud when she likes someone.’

She’d hidden her feelings for ten years, yet in Gu Zhizhang’s eyes, she was still just a secretary, not a woman.

“You know I hate people wasting my time,” Gu Zhizhang said, displeased. “Speak up. What’s with you today?”

Fang Ningshu closed her eyes and blurted out, “Mr. Gu, I like you.”

The room fell silent.

She slowly opened her eyes, seeing Gu Zhizhang’s brow furrow into a deep crease, and knew this troubled him.

“Since when?” he asked.

“College. I was in the first batch of beneficiaries of the Gu Corporation’s scholarship fund. That scholarship let me finish my studies. We visited the company in our sophomore year—that’s when I first saw you, not at the interview later. I… I came to work at Gu Corporation because of you. I studied like crazy just to work by your side,” Fang Ningshu said, choking up.

Gu Zhizhang stayed silent. Just then, the door swung open.

It was Zhao Xiaojing’s lounge, and neither had a key. He hadn’t expected Fang Ningshu to say this, so when Xie Zhifei and Wen Pinghan appeared at the door, a wave of inexplicable panic hit him.

“We just wanted a place to rest. Not interrupting, are we?” Xie Zhifei asked.

“How much did you hear?” Gu Zhizhang asked.

Xie Zhifei scratched her nose sheepishly. “Everything.”

Gu Zhizhang: “…”

“Should we leave?” Xie Zhifei asked.

“No, come in. Close the door,” Gu Zhizhang said.

They entered and shut the door. Gu Zhizhang looked steadily at Wen Pinghan, explaining, “I didn’t know beforehand. I had no idea about her feelings.”

Wen Pinghan nodded.

As if to prove his resolve, Gu Zhizhang turned to Fang Ningshu. “Fang Ningshu, let go of those feelings. You know my heart belongs to someone else.”

Rejected in front of others, Fang Ningshu’s face burned with shame, her heart aching. Tears spilled over. “Mr. Gu, I’ve liked you for ten whole years. Does that lose to Wen Pinghan’s few months? She doesn’t even like you! I’m the only one who loves you unconditionally!”

“How do you know she won’t like me? What makes you think you can compare to her?” Gu Zhizhang asked.

“What makes me…” Fang Ningshu laughed bitterly. “I’m at your beck and call 24/7, giving up all my personal time to handle your work and life. I attend events and block drinks for you, reject every suitor, always put you first. And in the end, I’m less than a stranger to you?!”

“Yes, feelings can’t be measured by time or effort,” Gu Zhizhang said coldly. “And isn’t that your job? I pay you for it.”

Fang Ningshu knew he was right, but the pain cut like a knife. She clutched her head, sinking to the floor, tears splashing onto the ground.

Gu Zhizhang looked down at her. “In this state, you’re not fit to keep working for me. I need a secretary without personal feelings. Don’t come to the company tomorrow—or ever.”

“Ha, ha.” Fang Ningshu laughed twice, struggling to her feet and stumbling out. She flung open the door and ran.

“I’ll check on her,” Xie Zhifei said, chasing after her.

Wen Pinghan watched them leave, then slowly turned to Gu Zhizhang.

He rubbed his brow helplessly, forcing a smile. “Don’t worry, my heart’s only for you.”

He reached for her hand, but she subtly stepped back.

“I’ll check too, just in case,” Wen Pinghan said, following them out.

Gu Zhizhang slumped onto the sofa, rubbing his head in frustration. “What a mess.”

Wen Pinghan reached the courtyard, where Xie Zhifei was helping Fang Ningshu up from the ground. She hurried over to assist. “What happened?”

“She tripped,” Xie Zhifei said, as they supported Fang Ningshu out the gate to her car.

Fang Ningshu looked utterly defeated, her eyes vacant, letting them handle her.

“Where’s your place?” Xie Zhifei asked.

Fang Ningshu stayed silent, closing her eyes in despair.

“Now what?” Wen Pinghan asked.

“Let’s take her to my place. I don’t feel good leaving her alone. My aunt’s there during the day,” Xie Zhifei said.

“And at night?”

“I’ll be there, won’t I?” Xie Zhifei got in the car, turning to ask, “You staying to have fun, or coming with me now?”

“I’ll come.” Wen Pinghan, worried Gu Zhizhang might follow, got in too.

Xie Zhifei had the driver drop her off first. At her destination, she waved. “Goodnight, Sister.”

Wen Pinghan watched the window roll up, seeing Xie Zhifei and Fang Ningshu’s faces inside.

Once the car was out of sight, she turned into her complex, wondering if that young lady Xie Zhifei could really take care of Fang Ningshu. And how would she do it?

The next day was Sunday. Xie Zhifei slept in, vaguely hearing a knock on her door. Half-asleep, she called out, “Auntie, I’m not eating breakfast.”

“What aunt? It’s me.”

Xie Zhifei’s eyes snapped open, thinking she was dreaming. She scrambled up, opened the door, and there stood Wen Pinghan.

“Sister, you’re here?” Xie Zhifei said, delighted. “Came to wake me up?”

“It’s almost noon. Not hungry?” Wen Pinghan asked.

“Now that you mention it, I am.” Xie Zhifei touched her stomach, dashed to freshen up, and soon emerged full of energy, pulling Wen Pinghan downstairs while chattering nonstop. “Why’d you come out of nowhere without telling me? I wasn’t even ready.”

“I sent you like a dozen messages,” Wen Pinghan said.

“Whoa, you did.” Xie Zhifei checked her phone, seeing the messages, and grinned apologetically. “Slept like a rock. Didn’t notice.”

“You slept late?” Wen Pinghan asked.

The aunt had prepared food. Xie Zhifei sat Wen Pinghan at the table, eagerly grabbing her a bowl and chopsticks, and answered, “Washed up and crashed when we got back.”

Wen Pinghan glanced around. “Where’s Fang Ningshu?”

“Still in her room,” Xie Zhifei said.

“How’d you take care of her last night?” Wen Pinghan asked.

“Take care? I brought her back, put her in the guest room, and went to shower and sleep,” Xie Zhifei said, recalling.

“That’s it?” Wen Pinghan said, surprised.

“What else? Should I have sobered her up and bathed her?” Xie Zhifei blinked innocently. “I’m not close to her. If it was you, I’d definitely help you bathe.”

“…” Wen Pinghan laughed. “Well, thanks for that.”

“You’re welcome,” Xie Zhifei said, winking with a smile.

“But… shouldn’t we call Fang Ningshu to eat?” Wen Pinghan asked.

“I doubt she’d come. Her heart’s broken—she’ll probably starve herself for a bit. Let’s eat first. She’ll come out when she can’t take it,” Xie Zhifei said, quickly serving her food. “Come on, let’s eat up.”

After eating, Wen Pinghan still felt uneasy and went upstairs to knock on the guest room door. “Fang Ningshu, you awake? Hungry? Want to come eat something?”

No response.

“I’m coming in?” Wen Pinghan tried the handle, but it was locked. After a couple more tries, she worried, “What if something’s really wrong?”

Xie Zhifei grinned, pulling a key from her pocket and waving it before unlocking the door cleanly.

The person inside: “…”

“Who let you in!” Fang Ningshu snapped.

“My house, my rules,” Xie Zhifei said, stepping closer. Fang Ningshu backed away but was already against the wall, with nowhere to go.

Wen Pinghan looked at her, curled up in the corner, knees to her chest, hair a mess, makeup smudged, mascara streaked under her eyes—a far cry from the polished woman she first met. Feeling pity, she asked, “Want to eat something?”

“Leave me alone!” Fang Ningshu buried her head, ignoring them.

“She probably didn’t notice the snacks in here,” Xie Zhifei said to Wen Pinghan, opening the bedside drawer and pulling out a few bags of biscuits. She tore one open and handed a piece to Wen Pinghan. “Try it—super tasty.”

Wen Pinghan took a bite, surprised. “It’s really good. Fragrant, crispy, sweet but not too much.”

“Right? I used to love these. My dad kept stocking them, so I stashed some in every room to grab whenever I want. Smart, huh?”

“Yeah.”

The two ignored Fang Ningshu, happily munching away, chatting as if no one else was there.

Xie Zhifei: “Oh, Xiaojing told me last night she wants to stay at my place for a few days.”

Wen Pinghan: “Why?”

“Her mom’s pushing her to marry, wants an arranged match. Yesterday’s party was partly to scope out prospects.” Xie Zhifei grinned suddenly. “Guess who they picked?”

Seeing her mischievous smile, Wen Pinghan guessed, “Gu Zhizhang?”

At the name, Fang Ningshu flinched, her hands tensing.

“Yup, freaked her out so much she said she’s hiding out at my place,” Xie Zhifei said, then crouched down to Fang Ningshu. “As for you, rest up here. If Xiaojing asks, I won’t say it’s because you got rejected.”

Fang Ningshu’s head shot up, glaring. “Are you keeping me here to mock me?!”

“No, of course not.”

“You got me drunk last night and said those things to goad me into confessing to Mr. Gu, didn’t you?” Fang Ningshu gritted her teeth. Sober now, she’d pieced together how it all fell apart.

Xie Zhifei munched a biscuit, chewed, and swallowed before smiling. “You’re calling me scheming?”

Fang Ningshu glared.

“That’s rich, coming from you. You used me as a pawn to go after Sister, but I can’t nudge you to confess?” Xie Zhifei had thought it through. Fang Ningshu hadn’t done anything unforgivable, so there was no need to keep fighting her. Besides, she didn’t even like Gu Zhizhang, so there was no reason to compete.

The best way to end their feud was to let Fang Ningshu burn herself out. Let her jealousy over Gu Zhizhang’s attention to Wen Pinghan drive her to confess, knowing he’d reject her harshly and crush her hopes.

Fang Ningshu rolled her eyes. She was right—both had played dirty, but she’d lost.

She was mad at Xie Zhifei, madder at herself, and of course, at Gu Zhizhang.

“Sister, you deserve better,” Xie Zhifei said. “He rejected you, fine, but kicking you out of the company? That’s like you meant nothing. I, an outsider, can see how hard you worked, yet he dismissed it all and ruined your future. If word gets out, how can you show your face anywhere else?”

Wen Pinghan saw Fang Ningshu’s trembling fingers, thinking, ‘That’s a brutal blow.’

“And I didn’t bring you here to mock you. There are funnier people out there,” Xie Zhifei said seriously.

“Then what do you want?” Fang Ningshu asked slowly, knowing no one helped without a motive, especially a rival.

“I want you.”

Fang Ningshu froze. “???”

Wen Pinghan glanced at them, lowering her eyes.

“I admire your skills and want you as my secretary at Qisheng. Whatever you had at Gu Corporation, you’ll get the same—or better—with me,” Xie Zhifei said.

Fang Ningshu sneered. “Why would I agree to that?”

“Because I believe you’re not someone who gives up easily.” Xie Zhifei held up the mirror from the bedside table. “Look at yourself. Is this who you want to be?”

Fang Ningshu stared at her haggard reflection, leaned back against the wall, tears spilling again, wetting the dried mascara streaks.

Xie Zhifei took a tissue, wiping the smudges around her eyes. “Don’t you want to show Gu Zhizhang what you can do without him and his company? Don’t you want him to regret what he said yesterday?”

Fang Ningshu wept silently.

“Such a great secretary, and he doesn’t even value you. If I had someone like you, I’d be thrilled, not saying things like that. It breaks my heart to think about it~ I’d never treat you that way,” Xie Zhifei sighed deeply.

Wen Pinghan: “…”

That sounded awfully familiar.