Zhuang Ying asked, "Mr. Qin, have you had lunch? Would you like to try the food in the cafeteria?"
"Not yet. Perfect, let's try it then," Qin Tianyi agreed immediately.
Gu Susu almost choked upon hearing him say he wanted to eat in the cafeteria, knowing how particular the young master was about his food.
Zhuang Ying had only spoken out of politeness, and was also surprised when Mr. Qin agreed.
Qin Tianyi calmly asked, "Do I need to pay first to eat in this cafeteria?"
"No, no, I have a meal card, I'll swipe it for you," Zhuang Ying immediately took out her meal card and stood up, asking, "What dishes would you like?"
"Anything, something light."
Zhuang Ying responded with two hums and quickly went to get his food. For a low-level employee like her, opportunities to serve the big boss were rare, and this was a golden opportunity.
Only Qin Tianyi and Gu Susu were left at a corner table. Gu Susu immediately put down her chopsticks and asked, "What are you doing here? I just want a real job, not to be a decoration under your spotlight!"
"Don't worry, I won't waste company resources for anyone."
"That's good, have Xiao Anjing complete my onboarding procedures," Gu Susu said in a businesslike tone.
She could let him control her at the seaside villa, but at the company, she hoped to live according to her own wishes, otherwise, he would drive her crazy.
"I know, I'll have him complete it tomorrow." Qin Tianyi looked at her amusingly and said, "You don't need to be so nervous, I just heard the cafeteria here is good, so I came to inspect it."
Gu Susu found him amusing. Was he trying to fool a three-year-old child with such an excuse?
He was too domineering and controlling, always wanting to control everything.
Gu Susu finished her last bite of rice and said, "I'm done, I need to get back to work."
"Oh, and by the way, a reminder, it's best to have some discretion with Chang Qingchuan. He's not a good person."
"Oh."
"Or rather, she's not as upright as you imagine, and not as straightforward in her actions."
This was his real purpose for coming to the cafeteria, Gu Susu replied perfunctorily, "Okay, I understand."
She remembered something and asked him, "Did you fire the girl at the front desk?"
Qin Tianyi did not commit.
But his expression already gave Gu Susu the answer.
At this moment, Zhuang Ying came over with a large plate of delicious food and placed it in front of Qin Tianyi, saying with a smile, "Mr. Qin, see if these suit your taste, please try them."
Gu Susu stood up, smiled, and said to Qin Tianyi, "Mr. Qin, please continue your inspection, I'm going back to work."
With that, she strode away.
Zhuang Ying wanted to call out to her but couldn't. Helplessly, she could only accompany Qin Tianyi for the meal under the envious and jealous gazes of everyone else.
Qin Tianyi was completely angered by Gu Susu's attitude. He had come all the way to see her out of goodwill, and she hated his presence so much?
He felt like he was the one who couldn't show his face in public, which infuriated him. He would deal with her properly in bed tonight!
Back in her office, Gu Susu thought about what Qin Tianyi had said about Chang Qingchuan. What did he mean?
Chang Qingchuan was a senior she respected since her student days, and there was absolutely no problem with his character. Why would he say that?
He was also quite reliant on Chang Qingchuan now. Was he afraid that there would be romantic feelings between her and Chang Qingchuan?
Also, she hadn't thought things through carefully this morning and had rashly joined the company, which had harmed that innocent front desk girl.
She wondered if Qin Tianyi could retract his decision and rehire that front desk girl?
In short, his constant interference made her very uncomfortable. She hated being controlled, like a puppet on strings.
In the afternoon, Zhuang Ying returned to the office area more than half an hour after the lunch break.
As soon as she returned, colleagues surrounded her, asking questions.
When did she meet Mr. Qin, what was their relationship, and so on...
Zhuang Ying couldn't handle it and could only use the excuse Qin Tianyi had just given – inspecting the cafeteria and caring about the employees' daily lives – to fend off everyone's speculation.
Gu Susu, on the other hand, seemed detached, staring at the computer on her desk and designing with software.
She ignored what had just happened and showed no concern.
After the other colleagues dispersed, Zhuang Ying quietly said to her, "Sister Susu, you still don't know who that Mr. Qin is, do you? I'm really afraid you've offended him."
"Probably not, I was just eating my lunch normally and came back to work on time. I didn't do anything wrong."
"That's true, but your attitude just now was a bit... a bit stiff, abrupt. You don't know, he's our company's biggest..."
Gu Susu interrupted her, "No matter who he is, we designers rely on our skills to make a living, we don't need to flatter these people."
Zhuang Ying stiffened awkwardly and quickly explained, "I didn't mean to flatter him, it's just that he happened to sit with us, so I just... But putting aside his status, he's quite handsome, who doesn't like handsome guys."
Gu Susu quickly said, "I didn't mean anything else, you can't judge people solely by their appearance."
"Oh, Sister Susu, you're too rational. Don't you think he's like a big star?"
"I never follow stars."
"Sister Susu, may I ask presumptuously, are you married?"
"Yes."
"Then it's no wonder. Married women are different, unlike me who's still single and loves to dream," Zhuang Ying said with a self-deprecating smile.
Gu Susu looked at her, "I envy you too, at least you still have dreams."
"What do you mean by 'still have dreams'? Isn't marriage good?"
"Let's not talk about it, let's get back to work." Gu Susu smiled at her and then focused on her computer again.
Seeing that the design drafts on the desk were not yet formed, Zhuang Ying also had to hurry to catch up, otherwise, she would have to work overtime again today.
They each focused on their own tasks, and the afternoon passed quickly.
When it was time to get off work, Gu Susu heard Zhuang Ying complain that she couldn't finish her work and had to work overtime again.
She didn't want to go back too early, she could predict with her eyes closed that Qin Tianyi's angry and annoyed expression when she returned would definitely not lead to anything good.
She voluntarily stayed behind and helped Zhuang Ying complete two design drafts before leaving the company together.
There were no public buses to the seaside villa, so she had to take a few bus stops first, then a taxi.
When she returned to the seaside villa, it was already completely dark.
As soon as she entered the door, Little Star ran towards her and hugged her, saying, "Mommy, you're back, we've all been waiting for you to eat."
Gu Susu kissed Little Star's cheek and said, "Good boy, Mommy will go change and wash her hands, then come eat with you."
She thought that "we've all been waiting for you to eat" referred to Aunt Chen and Xiao Mei.
But when she walked into the bedroom on the second floor, she saw Qin Tianyi in the bedroom, shirtless, preparing to change.
Gu Susu was caught off guard and wanted to quickly retreat, but felt a strong arm around her waist, holding her tightly.
He whispered in her ear, "You're back."