"You two are in an unusual state today, looking so rosy. Spill the beans, are you together?"
"Ah?"
The entire office erupted instantly.
"Really? You two are actually together?"
"That's great, finally! I'm so happy for Director Jiang!"
"You two make a good couple. Mr. Zhan's pursuit wasn't easy, Director Jiang, you've finally opened your eyes!"
Jiang Nan Fang blushed like a tomato at their words.
She instinctively denied it.
"What nonsense are you spouting? He just came to visit casually. Get back to work!"
Just as she finished denying it, Zhan Bei Jue reached out and pulled her into his arms.
He whispered into her ear, gently chiding her.
"Why not admit it? What's there to be shy about? If we're together, we're together."
"That's right," he confirmed to everyone again, as if declaring his possession.
"Director Jiang and I are together. From now on, she's my person. I'd appreciate everyone's care."
The office became even more lively.
All sorts of playful teasing filled the air.
When did you two get together? How did you get together? Who pursued whom?
When are you getting married? When are you having babies? Are you inviting us to the wedding?
Are you not treating us to a meal or giving us wedding candy for such good news?
Jiang Nan Fang was terrified.
If they kept shouting, others from different offices would be drawn over, and the entire Huatai company would know she was with Zhan Bei Jue!
She hadn't even figured out how to tell Ke Jing Yu yet. This would be the death of her!
Seeing her genuine panic, as she kept pinching herself, Zhan Bei Jue soothed everyone.
"I'll treat everyone to dinner tonight. I'll answer your questions then. For now, focus on your work and don't let Director Jiang down. Thank you, everyone."
With that, he was about to leave.
Everyone was reluctant to let him go.
"Leaving already? Director Jiang, you're so boring, not romantic at all! You should at least show some affection, give him a kiss!"
"Kiss him! Kiss him!"
Kiss my foot.
Jiang Nan Fang was trying to hide, not wanting to indulge their antics any further.
She turned to head back to her office.
But Director Zhang grabbed her and pushed her towards Zhan Bei Jue.
Her lips landed on his neck.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zhan Bei Jue smoothly wrapped his arms around her and pecked her cheek.
"Alright, alright, enough messing around. I'll send the location to Director Jiang later, and you'll all go together. No one is allowed to miss it."
He then walked towards the company, a silly grin on his face.
For the past two days, the company atmosphere had been tense due to the false accusations.
Everyone knew the boss had been summoned for questioning, and they were all worried that his displeasure might spill over to them.
However, Zhan Bei Jue appeared in the lobby today with a beaming smile, as if nothing had happened.
Everyone who passed him couldn't help but be curious.
What was going on?
Yesterday, he had a stern face at the company, looking unapproachable.
Today, it's like he's fallen in love?
Zhan Bei Jue took the express elevator to the top floor.
Zhou Jin Bei, exhibiting a good employee's awareness, had already arrived and was rewarding herself in the pantry.
Seeing him enter, she approached him while stuffing bread into her mouth.
"Second Brother, you're here? Coming this late, I thought you'd be too exhausted from last night's activities and wouldn't show up today."
This brat, Zhou Jin Bei, like Chen Jiao Jiao, spoke without reserve despite her young age.
She'd only been married a few days and was already talking about exhaustion from activities?
"You won't die if you say less."
Zhan Bei Jue gave her a sideways glance.
He had entered with a smile, but look at the change in his demeanor.
Zhou Jin Bei sighed.
"It's not that I'm saying this, but the difference in treatment is too obvious."
"When you talk to her, you're as gentle as a eunuch, but turn around and you're a tyrant to me…"
"What did you say? Who's like a eunuch?"
"It's a metaphor, do you understand metaphors? I didn't say you *are* one, I'm just using an example…"
Zhan Bei Jue shot her another sharp look.
"If you don't know how to speak properly, just say less. I know you're not mute."
The two of them entered the office. Zhou Jin Bei closed the door and leaned towards him, continuing to gossip.
"I say, have you two really reconciled?"
"What? Do you need my permission?"
"That's not what I mean. I mean, isn't she from our competitor's company? You two even vied for the same business before. Now you're suddenly husband and wife, so what about future business issues?"
Zhan Bei Jue's expression was blank.
"Thank you for your concern, you're really thoughtful. But it's unnecessary. I don't need you to remind me about my affairs."
"Second Brother, can you talk to me properly?"
"Yes," Zhan Bei Jue replied, having already turned on his computer.
He adopted a serious look, returning to his work.
"Notify all department heads to attend a meeting in the conference room at nine o'clock."
"…"
Zhou Jin Bei thought to herself: You know very well that's not what I meant.
Oh well, forget it.
If you don't want to tell me, then don't.
It's not like I'm desperate to hear your gossip.
After delivering the notification, Zhou Jin Bei followed him in to report.
"I've already notified them. Is there anything else you need me to do?"
"Him? Have you notified him too?"
"Who?"
"The one who came with me yesterday."
"...Not yet."
"Notify him, and tell him to prepare himself mentally. Today's meeting is for him."
"What do you mean, Second Brother? Is he going to work in the company too? What will he be responsible for? And who will be the boss and who will be the subordinate between you two?"
Zhan Bei Jue wanted to throw the mouse in his hand at her head.
"Zhou Jin Bei, you talk too much. You're really not suited for the assistant position!"
But she's just concerned about you.
If she weren't concerned about you, she wouldn't be asking these questions.
"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore." Zhou Jin Bei quickly retreated to attend to her actual work.
Soon, it was exactly nine o'clock.
Zhan Bei Jue picked up his phone and laptop and left his office.
Zhou Jin Bei hurried to follow him, but Zhan Bei Jue raised his hand to stop her as they walked.
"No need. You're not required for today's meeting."
If I'm not needed, I'm not needed.
Besides, if I'm not following, I'll have more free time.
Zhou Jin Bei stopped.
Then, her eyes caught sight of a distinct lipstick mark on the corner of his white shirt collar, on his right neck.
She wanted to call out to Zhan Bei Jue to remind him.
However, Zhan Bei Jue seemed to be deliberately dodging her, moving with the wind, and entered the conference room in just a few steps.
Everyone was present, with the chief's seat left empty for him.
He walked straight over and sat down, scanning the room.
"Is everyone here?"
Everyone nodded and turned their gaze to his face.
Then, they all simultaneously noticed the prominent lipstick mark on his shirt collar.
In all these years, this was the first time they had seen this on Zhan Bei Jue.
Such a serious face… the sight was quite amusing.
And this was early in the morning… it made people's imaginations run wild.
The HR manager couldn't help but clear his throat, wanting to remind him.
Unfortunately, Zhan Bei Jue didn't even glance at him.
His phone buzzed a few times, indicating incoming WeChat messages.
Zhan Bei Jue lit up the screen and glanced at it. It was from Zhou Jin Bei.
He immediately turned off his phone, ignoring her.