"Our CEO has agreed to let you up," the receptionist announced, though she couldn't quite conceal her incredulity. She shot Gu Yining a skeptical look, clearly baffled as to why her boss would allow this woman back into his office.
"Alright then, I'll be on my way," Gu Yining replied with a nonchalant smile, lifting her packed lunch box as she stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor.
When she entered Fu Hanye's office, he was hunched over a document, pen in hand, reviewing it with his usual intense focus. She set the lunch box down on his desk, which finally drew his gaze.
"Don't you know how to knock?" he asked, his cold stare cutting straight through her.
Gu Yining shrugged. "I did knock. You just didn't hear it, so I let myself in."
"Get out. And knock properly," Fu Hanye ordered, not a hint of flexibility in his tone.
She huffed in exasperation. "Seriously?" This man was the definition of nitpicky.
"What if I refuse?" she challenged, eager to test the limits of his patience.
Without missing a beat, Fu Hanye replied, "Then I'll throw you out myself."
His no-nonsense glare left her with little choice. Sighing, she turned and walked back to the office door, then gave a few exaggerated knocks.
"Come in!" His voice was as authoritative as ever, now with a hint of irritation.
Once again, she stepped into his office, this time with the decorum he seemed to require. Fu Hanye had just finished with his document, setting his pen down and leaning back in his chair, eyes fixed on her with a scrutinizing glare.
"So, why are you here?" he asked, his tone not at all inviting.
"Well, darling, I brought you lunch," Gu Yining replied with a sugary smile, sliding the container toward him. She lifted the lid, revealing two boxes filled to the brim with leafy greens.
Fu Hanye's expression darkened as he took in the sight. The entire meal was a sea of green, and he looked distinctly unimpressed.
"Go ahead, try it," she encouraged, shoving a pair of chopsticks into his hand with enthusiasm.
Fu Hanye eyed the chopsticks, then the food, his skepticism plainly visible. "You made this? Are you sure it's edible?"
"Just take a bite," Gu Yining replied, her gaze practically daring him to refuse.
Reluctantly, Fu Hanye picked up a piece of bok choy and tasted it. The moment he did, his face contorted in disgust.
"Ugh… Are you trying to poison me?" he snapped, spitting the food into the trash can beside his desk.
Leaning casually against his desk with her arms crossed, Gu Yining raised an eyebrow. "Tastes bad, huh?"
"That's an understatement," he retorted, wiping his mouth as if to rid himself of the lingering flavor.
"Do you even know who prepared this?" she asked, feigning surprise at his reaction.
"Wait, you didn't make it?" Fu Hanye asked, visibly taken aback. He had assumed she'd prepared the meal herself, possibly in a misguided attempt to impress him. The realization that it wasn't hers seemed to catch him off guard.
"Of course not. I told you this morning, I don't cook," Gu Yining replied, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. "These dishes were made by your family's top chefs. I didn't finish them, so I thought I'd bring some for you to enjoy as well."
For a moment, Fu Hanye simply stared at her, and then it clicked. She had come here to make a point, showing him firsthand how the household had mistreated her by serving such a deplorable meal. The way his staff had handled her was essentially a slap in the face to his authority, ignoring the instructions he had given them the night before. If he didn't intervene, his words would mean nothing to them.
It became clear that she was counting on him to act on her behalf, a sly way of forcing his hand.
"So," he said, his tone now laced with skepticism, "Miss 'I Can Handle Anything' suddenly needs my help when things get tough?"
"Well, who else should I ask? You're my husband, after all," she replied with a playful lilt, leaning forward as if to throw herself into his arms.
He leaned back, placing a hand on her shoulder to keep her at a distance. "You're not going to win me over with your charm. This stunt won't work on me."
But she only grinned, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, I think I already have," she whispered.