I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

He paused, then looked back at her face. "It's just an exception for you."

After saying that, he turned his gaze back to Lin Wanqing, who was pale-faced and trembling slightly.

Lin Wanqing seemed to be burned by that gaze, jolted awake, and stammered, her voice trembling uncontrollably:

"M-Mr. Gu, that's not what I meant... I... I really didn't know she was... I thought she was some newbie who didn't know the rules or..."

Gu Yan had no interest in hearing her explanation and interrupted her directly, his tone calm yet incredibly authoritative:

"She sat in my chair with my permission, and she touched anything here with my permission as well."

He paused slightly, his gaze landing on Lin Wanqing's face: "You have a problem with that?"

Lin Wanqing's face completely lost its last trace of color. She froze on the spot, even breathing became difficult.

Gu Yan stopped looking at her and turned his gaze back to Shu Zi.

Shu Zi remained in the same position, arms crossed and leaning back in her chair, watching him with an air of nonchalance, her face clearly saying, "Well, that's the situation. You figure it out yourself."

Gu Yan didn't say another word. He reached for the internal phone on his desk and dialed a short number.

The call was connected almost instantly.

"Marketing Department, Lin Wanqing."

Gu Yan's voice came through the receiver, clear and calm, "Also, investigate the person in charge who recommended her. Complete all resignation procedures before the end of today."

A respectful and concise reply came from the other end of the phone: "Yes, Mr. Gu."

Gu Yan hung up the phone, put the receiver back in its place, and then looked at Lin Wanqing, who was almost unsteady on her feet. His tone returned to its usual businesslike indifference:

"You can leave now."

Lin Wanqing's eyes instantly turned red, tears welling up in them, her lips trembling violently, as if she still wanted to make a final struggle, but under Gu Yan's cold gaze, all the words stuck in her throat.

In the end, she couldn't say anything and walked unsteadily toward the door.

The eight-centimeter stilettos that she had brought were now making a much quieter sound as she stepped on the carpet, as if afraid of making a sound.

"Click".

The door was gently closed, separating the inside from the outside.

The office fell silent again.

Shu Zi leaned back in her chair, looking at Gu Yan standing by the table. The corners of her mouth slowly curved upwards, finally blossoming into an undisguised, slightly smug smile:

"Excellent, excellent! Mr. Gu, you handle things cleanly and efficiently, with top-notch efficiency! I am extremely satisfied!"

She suddenly remembered something, tilted her head, and looked Gu Yan up and down, her tone carrying a hint of disdain and disbelief:

"But I have to say, shouldn't your company raise its hiring standards?"

"Someone with that level of skill managed to get to your position? And they dare to come and question me? Don't you ever look at people's eyes or their brains when you hire them?"

Gu Yan stood by the desk, looking down at her pouty yet slightly spoiled expression, a smile spreading across his eyes: "What exactly did she say?"

Shu Zi immediately sat up straight, counting on her fingers one by one, her tone growing increasingly dissatisfied:

"First, they said I didn't know the rules! Second, they said I'm a germaphobe and don't like others touching my things, and told me to get out and wait! Third, they asked me 'why' I'm sitting here!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, finally raising her head to glare at Gu Yan, her voice rising slightly:

"Hey! I'm Shu Zi! I've never even spoken to me like that before, not even my dad! Who does she think she is!"

Looking at her cheeks, slightly flushed with anger, and her wide, round eyes, Gu Yan couldn't help but chuckle softly.

He reached out and gently touched her cheek with the back of his fingers, his voice filled with indulgence:

"Yes, you're right, it's her problem, she has no taste."

Shu Zi slapped his hand away, stood up from the comfortable executive chair, gave up her seat, and even patted the back of the chair in feigned disgust:

"Here you go, your throne."

Gu Yan didn't sit down, but simply raised his hand to look at his watch: "The matter is settled, let's go to the old house."

Shu Zi nodded, picked up the mask and baseball cap that were thrown on the table, skillfully put them on again, covered herself up completely, and then followed him out of the office like a little tail.

In the corridor, the receptionist on the top floor was pretending to be working diligently with her head down, but her eyes were fixed on the door of the president's office out of the corner of her eye.

Seeing the two of them come out one after the other, especially seeing Gu Yan walking in front while the mysterious girl followed half a step behind him, her eyes widened instantly, and the pen she was twirling in her hand fell to the table with a "clatter".

As Shu Zi passed in front of her, she paused almost imperceptibly, turned her head slightly, and her beautiful eyes under the brim of her hat curved into a quick, slightly teasing smile as she looked at the dumbfounded receptionist.

Then, without stopping, she followed Gu Yan into the private elevator.

The elevator doors slowly closed, and the blurry figures of the two people were reflected on the metal surface.

The receptionist didn't snap out of her daze until the elevator's down indicator light came on. She frantically grabbed her phone and, with trembling hands, typed a line into the already buzzing gossip group:

"Report!!!! That woman was personally escorted downstairs by Young Master Gu!"

The group was silent for a second, then erupted into another explosion:

"Personally escort him downstairs??? Where to? The lobby? The parking garage?"

"They took the private elevator to the high-rise and went straight down! They must have taken us to the parking garage!"

"So who is this person?! Someone important? Why does Young Master Gu have to be his personal driver???"

"I don't know who it is, but ladies, take my advice: if you see this person at the company in the future, no matter if she's wearing pajamas or a burlap sack, keep your eyes peeled and be extra respectful! Take a detour, understand?"

Inside the elevator.

Shu Zi leaned against the cool elevator wall, took off her stuffy mask, and let out a long, comfortable breath.

Looking at Gu Yan's tall and straight back in front of her, she suddenly said:

"Tsk, Gu Yan, if word gets out about what happened today... do you think I'll be hailed as a god in your Gu family's history?"

"After the 'Pajama Warrior,' will we see another 'CEO Chair Conqueror'?"

Gu Yan didn't turn around, his voice carrying a hint of amusement: "You certainly know how to name yourself."

Shu Zi pursed her lips, folded the mask, and stuffed it into her pocket.

After exiting the elevator, the two got into the car, which drove out of the underground parking garage and slowly left the city.

Shu Zi rolled down the car window a crack, and the mountain breeze, carrying the scent of leaves and earth, blew in, with a hint of coolness.

She took a deep breath, leaned back in her seat, and relaxed completely.

"The air is so much better here," she said lazily.