The actual situation was probably much better than Gu Zhong had anticipated. Li Lin seemed to have genuinely handed over the entire power of the marketing department to Gu Zhong, approving all of her decisions and plans without uttering a word of dissent.
Most people in the company had only heard of Gu Zhong before. As for the former young master being parachuted in as a director, most people took it in stride, at most treating Gu Zhong's good looks as gossip in the break room, and were indifferent to these personnel changes involving the upper management.
Only a few people whose promotion opportunities were blocked harbored great resentment and tried their best to sabotage Gu Zhong in various tasks, causing him to stumble a few times.
Having learned her lesson, Gu Zhong was determined not to make the same mistake again. Those who used underhanded tactics were also dealt with in kind, and she seized the opportunity to retaliate, either by demoting or firing them.
Subordinates who don't obey orders, no matter how capable they are, should not be used anymore.
The saying "a higher-ranking official can crush a lower one" holds true everywhere. Right now, besides Li Lin, no one can suppress her.
In this realistic workplace, Ling Yan always stood by and watched, just as she said, not interfering or saying much, letting Gu Zhong stumble and struggle forward alone. Only in this way can people truly grow rapidly.
Time flies, and a month has passed. Gu Zhong has made great progress as she wished.
Completely shedding the bookish air brought from school and thinking about problems from a more practical and relevant perspective allows one to handle all kinds of relationships with greater ease—something that cannot be learned from books.
As Gu Zhong gradually took control of the marketing department, it was because Li Lin was overly cooperative, and his private life was notoriously chaotic.
From who knows where, many discordant voices gradually began to circulate, such as that Gu Zhong had to humble himself and become Li Lin's lover in order to be able to settle down in Yaozhong.
It was just a harmless rumor that Gu Zhong shouldn't have cared about. However, when the rumor spread throughout the entire company and couldn't be effectively stopped, something was wrong.
—Someone deliberately fueled the flames.
Wherever she went, people began to look at her with mocking and scrutinizing eyes. The affirmation of her abilities was gradually replaced by scandalous news. This is a situation that no working woman wants to face, and its destructive power is far more direct and greater than any suppression.
Gu Zhong is currently just a minor director, while Ling Yan has set her target position as Li Lin's. If she doesn't receive enough recognition, her achievements won't be acknowledged by the board of directors.
Without Lingyan's behind-the-scenes manipulation, this goal would have been virtually impossible to achieve.
If it weren't for the importance of this matter, considering all aspects, this small rumor would be enough to ruin the future of an ordinary professional woman, which is undeniably ruthless.
Who exactly orchestrated this? Could it be Li Lin? Was all the previous perfect cooperation just a prelude to this move?
Was the previous inaction a test of the new employer's attitude towards Gu Zhong? Did they only decide to take drastic measures after discovering that Gu Zhong was alone and that they thought he could be bullied at will?
Gu Zhong made many guesses in his mind, but in the end, only a greater success, an achievement that had nothing to do with Li Lin or even threatened Li Lin's position, could break this deadlock.
"Have you heard about what happened with Director Gu?"
"Oh, besides what happened with President Li, what else?"
As she passed by the tea room that day, familiar gossip reached Gu Zhong's ears. She thought it was just old gossip and didn't pay much attention to it.
"No, I heard that Director Gu climbed up to someone even higher up."
These words made Gu Zhong stop in her tracks. She was curious about what the employee would say next, wondering when new rumors had suddenly emerged.
"Huh? That mysterious new employer? But wasn't it rumored that he played a part in the old employer's downfall? I thought Director Gu was already enduring enough humiliation by marrying President Li—"
"Hmm—when the wall falls, everyone pushes it down; even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. They've gone to great lengths to keep the stunningly beautiful Director Gu by their side—besides, Director Gu probably doesn't even know—"
"Ah! Director Gu!"
The two gossipy female office workers turned pale the moment they saw the person in front of them suddenly appear.
"Tell me what just happened again?"
With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, Gu Zhong calmly made a request that was not easy to refuse.
Author's Note:
Accelerated Plot Tactics!
(Thinking) Could there be a misunderstanding?
Chapter 104 The Newly Rich CEO and the Fallen Heiress (Part 10)
==================================
Ever since hearing the rumor in the break room, Gu Zhong had been radiating a low-pressure atmosphere all afternoon, making his employees even more apprehensive.
It was impossible to find out the original source of these words from those two gossiping employees. Even if you questioned everyone in the company, no one would tell the truth honestly.
Upon closer reflection, the timing of these rumors was too coincidental, as they all seemed to be directed at Gu Zhong one after another.
It seems their aim was to hinder her career and, incidentally, sow discord.
But whether it was a coincidence or someone was closely monitoring Gu Zhong, how could the person manipulating these rumors know about the relationship between Ling Yan and her and make a big fuss about it?
From a profit perspective, Lingyan controls a huge conglomerate, but her home turf is not in Hong Kong. Even if she participates in bringing down the Gu family, the share she can get is extremely small.
Such a huge investment would be extremely unwise for a successful businessman, as it does not guarantee the desired return, unless Lingyan truly desired beauty over power.
Based on rational analysis, Gu Zhong did not believe that Ling Yan would be that kind of person, nor did he believe that she had planned and gone to great lengths for a woman.
However, judging from Ling Yan's recent actions, Yaozhong was the only company she had ever acquired, yet she casually handed it over to Gu Zhong, ignoring it completely, and even paid a huge sum of 100 million yuan for Gu Zhong.
He certainly has the qualities to play the feudal lords with fire just to win a smile from a beautiful woman.
Ultimately, it's just a baseless rumor.
After a long struggle between reason and emotion, Gu Zhong said this to himself.
Although he hadn't known Lingyan for very long, Gu Zhong always had an inexplicable trust in her.
—Miss Gu, it's time to go home.
The pager vibrated twice, and a text message popped up. Only Ling Yan could address her as Miss Gu in such a familiar tone.
Putting aside today's doubts and worries for the moment, Gu Zhong relaxed and leaned back in his spacious leather swivel chair, moving out from between the desks.
Turning my head, I was greeted by gleaming clear glass, with white blinds pulled high, allowing all the outside light to stream in.
Before we knew it, the sun's bright light had dimmed, leaving only a blurry halo that barely adorned the sky full of red clouds.
A crescent moon eagerly climbed up, wanting to take its place.
Normally, it's time to leave work.
Gu Zhong stood up, walked to the window and looked down. He saw a familiar white sedan with a familiar figure leaning against it.
With a swish, Gu Zhong pulled the blinds shut, picked up his bag, and walked out of the office.
"Director Gu—"
The passing employees greeted her with some surprise, as if they found it hard to believe that she had left the company so early.
After all, during this period of time, despite being troubled by rumors, everyone has witnessed how much Gu Zhong loves his work and loves working overtime.
"Miss Gu, are you leaving get off work so early today?"
I happened to run into Li Lin coming out of the VIP elevator in the lobby, and he asked the same question that everyone had.
"Mr. Li, I have an appointment with a friend, so I'll be leaving now."
Gu Zhong paused and gave a polite but distant reply.
"Oh? You have a date with your sweetheart? What a pity, I was hoping to invite Miss Gu to a casual meal."
Li Lin narrowed his eyes, looking genuinely disappointed.
"That's a real shame. I'll treat Mr. Li to dinner next time I have the chance."
With the same smile on his face, Gu Zhong also spoke politely.
The two walked out of the revolving glass doors, exchanging a perfunctory farewell. Before leaving, Li Lin glanced in the direction Gu Zhong had gone, a knowing look on his face.
"Miss Ling, what brings you here today?"
"Ms. Gu, do you usually not go out for dinner this late after work?"
The moment they met, the two women asked the same question at the same time, which made the other woman pause in surprise, and then they laughed in unison.
"Let me answer your question first, Miss Gu."
I went to the Hong Kong SAR government office today, and realizing I haven't checked on your work situation for so long, I felt really bad, so I stopped by to see you.
Lingyan explained that because both of them were indeed very busy with their careers, they hadn't had a proper chance to spend time together for a long time, except for saying goodnight when they met at Lingyan's villa at night.
"That's true. I've spent less time in this relationship with Miss Ling than with my work partners."
Without refuting her words, Gu Zhong continued speaking along with Ling Yan, pretending to be aggrieved, which made Ling Yan feel even more guilty, as if she had really done something heinous, and she apologized repeatedly.
"I really didn't have dinner. I wonder if Miss Ling has any way to make up for it?"
Gu Zhong always finds a way to take the initiative in front of Ling Yan, boldly making demands as her girlfriend, which always leaves Ling Yan at a loss for words.
"I will follow Miss Gu's arrangements."
Lingyan gave a gentlemanly bow, opened the car door for Gu Zhong, and said softly.
"Miss Ling probably hasn't had a chance to properly see what this city is really like yet, has she?"
Tilting his head, Gu Zhong suddenly asked.
——
After changing out of her sharp, professional suits into loose hoodies and casual pants, and sitting at a greasy table at a bustling street stall, Lingyan was still in a daze.
This was nothing like the first formal date she had envisioned.
The wealthy Mr. Ling traveled all the way to Hong Kong Island just to eat a bowl of beef brisket noodles whose cleanliness and hygiene were questionable.
"This noodle shop is very good, Miss Ling, would you like to try it?"
Gu Zhong smiled and handed the wooden chopsticks to Ling Yan, looking at her expectantly.
The cart noodles, piled high in a rough plastic box, contained several large chunks of beef brisket, accompanied by a few vibrant green vegetables. While the presentation wasn't particularly appealing, the portion was generous and the aroma was irresistible.
In truth, Lingyan had never experienced anything like this before, neither in her previous life nor in these past lives.
We didn't eat at a high-end restaurant or a royal restaurant personally designated by the emperor, nor did we dine on a Manchu Han Imperial Feast or other delicacies.
They simply sat at a small table by the roadside, looking at each other, oblivious to the dust kicked up by passing cars, the dirt on the ground, and the fumes drifting everywhere.
It's as if the high and mighty gods have truly fallen to the mortal world and are experiencing the realities of life.
With a hint of disdain, Lingyan took the chopsticks and, under Gu Zhong's watchful gaze, reluctantly picked up a few strands of soft noodles and put them into her mouth.
The rich aroma instantly fills the entire mouth, and the extremely fresh taste fills the taste buds, instantly whetting the appetite.