I have no idea why, but I fell sick for three straight days, with a high fever that wouldn't subside even after taking antipyretics. I had to have IV drips at the hospital for several days before I started to feel better.
During these days, the media online gradually changed their tone.
"Zhenyi Company's President seeks justice for his wife and child, and takes Golden Bay Property Company to court in a fit of rage."
"Golden Bay Properties denies any issues with their fire safety system, claiming it was the customer's oversight while expressing sorrow for the deceased."
"Zhenyi Company's President hires a Feng Shui master and spares no expense in selecting a burial site for his wife and child."
"Zhenyi Company recently released two new designs for children's clothing and the President promises to donate half of the proceeds from these sales to charities."
My fingers swiped through these posts on my screen.
But, there was no fluctuation in my emotions.
In fact, all that was happening in front of me was a culmination of the business strategies developed by the public relations team.
Still, they managed to successfully turn the tide of public opinion around.
The stock of Zhenyi Company gradually began to rise as well.
When I was starting to feel slightly better, the landlord came again.
"Hey, time to pay up, time to pay!"
I slipped on my slippers, pulled out my phone,
"Let's connect on WeChat, I'll transfer it to you!"
My quick repayment surprised my landlord, who then added,
"Young lady, you should take more care of yourself and not waste all your money on men. According to my many years of experience, he's not really someone you should commit your life to."
The landlord was referring to Song Xiaoyun, though I didn't know much about her private life.
As of now, I had no interest or energy to deal with these matters.
I didn't transfer much money into my WeChat account, so after paying the rent for the next few months, I barely had any left. I then had to find ways to transfer money from my original account.
Even though I had taken leave from work, I didn't miss out on the emergency public relations matters.
After posting its recruitment notice on the company website, candidates began to turn up for interviews immediately.
Soon after, an emergency PR task force of five people was formed, led by Luo Zizhou and me.
Although I was responsible for this PR team, Luo Zizhou dominated all decision-making processes.
All decision-making power was in his hands.
A high-rank outweighs a heavy load, and as the temporary team lead picked at the eleventh hour, I really had little authority.
But I was not really worried about that right now.
What I wanted was to find out certain things about Gu Yuanzhou.
Suddenly, a complete emergency plan was delivered to Gu Yuanzhou.
The first day back to work...
Luo Zizhou called me into his office and gave me a stern lecture.
"This public relations crisis has been resolved for now. This task has been successfully completed due to the combined efforts of all team members. But it's mainly because I proposed the critical solution..."
I raised my eyebrows. Was this man trying to take all the credit?
"Secretary Luo, I was the one who proposed that solution!"
I remembered quite clearly that I was the one who wrote it down. After handing it over to Luo Zizhou, he insisted that we discuss it internally before presenting it to the President.
During a team meeting later, he claimed the idea was his.
Now that the strategy was successful, he actually had the audacity to claim all the credit.
However, Luo Zizhou didn't seem to have any guilt,
"Song Xiaoyun, you're still so young! Young people don't know how to be humble. Think about it, you have taken unjustified leave for more than three days. If it wasn't for me covering for you, you'd have been kicked out by now. Remember, in this company, you need a network. Otherwise, someday you might be fired out of the blue."
His words were both threatening and intimidating.
If it was a work newbie, they would have been frightened.
But I was not one!
"Mr. Luo, it's not right for you to threaten new employees because you want to take all the credit!"
"You, you're irreconcilable. Do you believe that I can get the HR department to fire you right now!"
"I don't believe you!"
"Wait and see!"
Luo Zizhou looked furious...
As Gu Yuanzhou's secretary, over the years he had indeed formed many connections in the company.
As expected, in less than half an hour, I received a call from the HR manager.
"Song Xiaoyun, wrap up your handover work and go to the finance department to settle your wages."
"Why?"
"You've been fired!"
"I don't accept it!"
After stating so, I immediately hung up the phone.
Then, I took the elevator to the CEO's office.
Gu Yuanzhou seemed busy.
In the workplace, I've seen many men in white shirts and black suits, but he is without a doubt, the best looking and the most fitting.
He has a perfect physique, deeply contoured features.
His demeanor is calm and professional, his dark eyes naturally intimidating. Those who approach him can't help but bow down in submission.
Of course, he wasn't like this six years ago.
This imposing aura is a reflection of his survival from countless business wars.
The saying 'An old ginger is spicier' truly describes this man.
At this moment, he was sitting in his black leather boss chair, going over a contract.
In a company with tens of thousands of employees, all decisions have to go through his signature—it's not an easy job.
When he finally had a moment to rest,
I made a cup of coffee and placed it in front of him.
He took a sip of the coffee...
Perhaps because the flavor of this coffee was so familiar, he seemed a bit surprised. After a pause, he took another sip.
Then, he turned his puzzled gaze towards me.
"Did you make this?"
"Yes!"
"Why does this coffee taste different?"
Gu Yuanzhou indeed didn't know there was a secret to this coffee.
Throughout the years we were married, I did many things for him, but he never asked me about them.
Over time, he has become accustomed to my taste I suppose!
After making coffee for him for so many years, I obviously knew what was different about it.
"I added a little mint to the coffee, it helps to refresh the mind!"
Gu Yuanzhou's deep black eyes scanned me up and down again.
While we were talking, Luo Zizhou suddenly stormed in, pointing at me saying,
"Weren't you just fired? How are you still here? Hurry up, pack up your things and leave!"
Maybe because he was feeling guilty, Luo Zizhou probably thought I was badmouthing him in front of Gu Yuanzhou. So, he was eager for me to leave the CEO's office immediately.
"Mr. President, this cup of coffee has a small story behind it. But I guess I won't have the chance to tell you about it anymore. So, I'll leave then!"
Without arguing, I just said pitifully, then with my head down, I started to walk away.
But, Gu Yuanzhou stopped me right then and there,
"Who told you to leave!"