"No wonder people say the most poisonous heart in the world is a woman's. If you used this energy to seduce so-and-so, you would have been so lucky. Thanks to you, I could at least be a public relations manager and listen to 'Hu Yitui' spout nonsense all the time. Sigh." I sighed endlessly.
This was the last time Ah Lian and I talked about Cheng Jinghui.
Sunday's press conference was a great success. Yu Lishui already had good relations with the media, and with each of our projects arranged so tightly and intriguingly, reporters and travel agency representatives kept asking the staff all sorts of questions about the details. Ren Xiaoqi was initially very interested in getting close to the reporters, and Yu Lishui didn't mind introducing her to everyone. However, after being left speechless by their questions a few times, Ren Xiaoqi seemed rather uninterested and simply followed Gao Fei. After a short while, the two of them simply disappeared together.
Perhaps it was because of the project bonus, but all my colleagues were unusually united and dedicated, each fulfilling their responsibilities. Everyone was covered in sweat, and even "Hu Yitui" was running around without complaint, only occasionally telling me that he was "going crazy and his lungs were about to collapse." Fortunately, more than a dozen travel agencies signed agreements with us on the spot, and flashbulbs and cameras went off all at once, creating a lively and exciting scene. Everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Where's Assistant Gao?" Yu Lishui looked around excitedly.
"He went to the guest room department with Deputy Manager Ren to arrange accommodations for the guests," someone said from the side. Yu Lishui's face turned ashen instantly, and she opened her mouth but ultimately held back from saying anything.
Someone tugged at my clothes. I turned around and saw "Hu Yitui" winking at me.
"What happened to your eyes?" I asked her.
"Your eyes are the problem. Didn't you see Assistant Gao's name signed next to the 'strawberry' on Deputy Manager Ren's neck?"
"Wow, that's incredibly difficult?!" I couldn't help but exclaim.
"Idiot, do you really think anyone would sign their own name with a pen? You're a bit dim-witted!" "Hu Yitui" rolled his eyes at me.
I wisely kept quiet, feeling a pang of sympathy for Yu Lishui. Does a woman really develop cataracts if she's still unmarried past thirty? Does she think she can entrust her life to just any Tom, Dick, or Harry who can speak human language?
The next day was a beautiful day. Sunlight streamed through the blue curtains into the small room early in the morning, casting a deep honey-colored glow on the wooden furniture. The little rascal had somehow taken up a spot on my head, his paws wrapped around it, his chin resting on my forehead as he slept like a log. When I woke him, he reluctantly stretched and got out of bed with me.
After changing my clothes, I went for a morning run on the beach. Having a healthy body is the most precious asset, and to ensure this asset functions smoothly to the fullest extent, I've always taken very good care of it.
Standing on the beach, I've gotten used to the ever-present salty smell in the air. I took a deep breath and felt fresh and invigorated. Although my salary is a bit lower than before, I feel like I've hit the jackpot just for this seafood-like air. Moreover, my online business is growing bigger and bigger, which has helped me a lot. My overall income is actually no worse than before, and soon there will be another zero added to my savings account.
"Why are you secretly laughing while running alone?" Gao Fei suddenly appeared next to me, startling me so much that my heart almost skipped a beat.
“What are you doing here?” I stared at him.
"I noticed you run here every day a while ago. I also have a habit of jogging in the morning, but it's quite boring to run alone, so I just waited here for you to run together." If it weren't for that tearful yawn he gave at the end, I would have almost believed his nonsense.
"I'm sorry, I'm not used to running with people."
"How could that be? When two people run and talk, they're more relaxed, their cells have higher oxygen levels, and they're more likely to exercise..."
I couldn't be bothered to listen to his nonsense anymore and started running on my own. Gao Fei, confident in his long legs, quickly caught up. But running on the beach is much more strenuous than running anywhere else, and the sound of his breathing made me even more certain that his claim of "having a habit of morning runs" was a complete fabrication. Having him beside me, even if it didn't lead to some kind of "legs legend" in the PR department, was still quite frustrating for me, like having a piece of chewed gum stuck to my finger. But getting rid of him right away wasn't an option. With a quick glance, I turned to him and gave him what I thought was my most charming smile, saying, "Assistant Gao, I heard your singing voice sounds a lot like Lin Zhixuan's, is that true? Sigh, it's a pity you can't sing while running, otherwise, exercising with you in the morning would be so refreshing."
As expected, Gao Fei perked up immediately, "What song do you want to hear?"
"Can you sing every song?"
"Of course."
"You're so amazing!" I tried my best to look up to you. "But I'm afraid you won't be able to keep up with running and singing at the same time." I frowned slightly, then said "PASS," my expression perfectly conveying the message.
"It might not work for others, but it's no problem for me. Just pick the song." Gao Fei, unable to resist the urge, bravely jumped into the trap.
"Then sing 'Admit Your Mistakes'." Hmph, you're asking for trouble. Even if the slow tempo doesn't wear you down, singing high notes will exhaust you!
To be honest, Gao Fei's singing voice was actually quite decent; it's just that he chose the wrong time, the wrong place, the wrong person, and the wrong way... to show off. Sure enough, at first, the lovestruck Gao Fei managed to keep up with my increasingly fast pace, but by the second time he sang "How can I tell you I'm still willing," there was no Lin Zhixuan left; only a broken, off-key organ was being wildly played against the wind on the beach. His lung capacity was incredible! I glanced at the hunched-over, panting Gao Fei assistant with a mixture of admiration and pity, then without hesitation, I dashed away, leaving this wild scene vividly behind. Only then did I notice the sea shimmering with golden light, white waves lapping against the orange-yellow beach with delicate, jade-like foam... to paraphrase a famous romance novelist, "It's so beautiful, so incredibly beautiful!"
Part Two, Chapter Nine
I had just sat down in my office, humming a song, when I heard Gao Fei calling my name from the office doorway.
"What is it?" I looked at him warily.
"It's nothing, but the resort's 'Fisherman's Day' project will officially start accepting tour groups the day after tomorrow. I'd like you to come with me to check on the preparations of each department," Gao Fei said casually.
"Me? Would it be more appropriate for Manager Yu or Manager Ren to go?"
"But you're the one in charge, so let's go."
"Let's invite Hu Saifeng instead; she's in charge." Ignoring Gao Fei's long face, I dragged "Hu Yitui" out the door.
I followed Gao Fei helplessly, looking utterly dejected. I still had two contracts to complete and needed to help the renovation company collect payments. I was so busy I wouldn't have a moment to spare, and then Gao Fei dragged me out for a stroll. It was ridiculous!
After taking a break to apply powder to his face twice more, Hu Yitui quietly asked me, "Why do you look so pale?"
"I'm on my period today!" I said irritably.
"You just took your period leave last week?"
"I have irregular periods!"
"Since you're not feeling well, why don't you go back and rest?" Hu Saifeng suddenly raised her voice, startling me.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Gao Fei immediately turned around and asked me directly.
I stepped back and glanced at Hu Saifeng, whose eyes were gleaming with anticipation. I immediately understood what "Sima Yitui" was thinking. I chuckled to myself and quickly put on a sad face: "My stomach hurts. I think I ate something bad. You guys go ahead. I need to go back to my office and rest for a bit."
"Do you want me to take you home?" Gao Fei asked, moving even closer. I quickly took a step back. "No, no, I need to go to the restroom. You guys continue."
"Hu Yitui" conveniently came over to help: "This is her old problem, it's nothing, girls are always a little uncomfortable on some days." Gao Fei had an "I see" look on his face, and I was so embarrassed that I wanted to smear "Hu Yitui's" blood-red mouth with manure.
I dashed back to my office, full of energy, and got back to work. This was my stage; God bless those who are out of sorts. Just as I was waiting for the printout, my assistant, dressed in a suit and tie, walked into the office carrying a bulging old-fashioned hot water bottle. Everyone stared at him in disbelief, but he walked straight up to me and handed me the hot water bottle: "Use this; it's very effective."
I was taken aback by his sudden action and was momentarily stunned. The image of Yin Tianyu's somewhat guilty, sly smile flashed through my mind.
"Take this!" Gao Fei shoved the hot water bottle into my arms, gave me a knowing smile, and turned to leave. I stood there holding the scalding hot water bottle, unsure whether to throw it away or not, feeling utterly ashamed and my face burning red.