743 The shameful dark past
Four months passed by in the blink of an eye and by then Guiying successfully joined Assistant Ling's side in actually aiding Zixin with his work and traveling to meetings with him.
The shift in corporate life gave her a new perspective, especially working with Xian Shun. The person she chose over the board of directors. A politician's daughter who was trying hard to get out of her father's shadows. She had apologized to Guiying after the meeting clash misunderstanding was eventually resolved.
During the course of working with her, they even became good friends.
"That's amazing, you are a writer!" Xian Shun exclaimed. "Doesn't that mean you are a celebrity!"
Guiying looked at her sparkling gaze and found her enthusiasm to be quite similar to Xun Da.
She coughed. "I am not a celebrity. Celebrity is Zhu Chyou."
"The A-listed actress!"
"The Queen of the entertainment industry."
"I am her fan!"
"Me too! She is simply so charming and capable."
Then she tucked her hair away, feeling embarrassed. "It's actually because of her that I ventured into my startup. You know she is a famous actress but her father is the CEO of Zhu Corps. Yet she made her name, such a brilliantly shining name and persona outside her family business. U want to be like her."
Guiying beamed. "That's wonderful. She is the same too. My best friend and I watch her every movie. Since we saw her the first time, she became an inspiration for us both," she nodded. "You cannot help but be drawn to her."
"You stole the words right out of my mouth," she chuckled.
"Hello," Zixin approached behind them, making Xian Shun jolt up.
She said a little annoyed. "Sir, it would be helpful if you greet us from the front and not scare me."
"Oh. My apologies," he blinked. "I saw Guiying but didn't notice you. Your view was blocked for me."
"..."
Guiying cleared her throat, seeing her gaze darkening. It had been like this ever since Zixin and her joined hands. Though Xian Shun was very professional at other times, outside of business hours, it seemed that she didn't gel with Zixin at a personal level.
Zixin asked Guiying, radiating a vibrant glow, "Shall we have lunch?"
Xian Shun pulled Guiying back and smiled. "Sorry, Sir, but Guiying and I have planned to eat outside."
"Oh. Then shall I accompany you?"
"No. It's women only."
"..."
The look of disappointment clearly imprinted its marks on his face as his shoulders dropped.
Guiying quickly apologized. "I am sorry. We had planned this yesterday only…"
Zixin further sulked.
Lunch without Guiying today…
16:25
He nodded in understanding but with grave difficulty and burden enveloping his chest. "Have fun."
He turned and walked extremely slowly as if he still expected an invite to lunch. That never came. Eventually, his lonely figure disappeared into his office.
Guiying lacked tears to shed. She hated seeing Zixin's sad puppy face.
"Hmph," Xian Shun rolled her eyes. "Why should the assistant tag behind him for lunch too? I don't see him asking Assistant Ling with such vigor."
Guiying coughed.
Our relationship is different…
It occurred to Guiying and she curiously asked, "Can I ask something?"
"Sure."
"It feels to me that you don't really like Zi- Sir Zixin."
Xian Shun grumbled. "It's not like it's his fault…"
"What?"
"Well you know how I visited him last year for my startup proposal, right? It hadn't gone well. I wasn't really prepared in regards to my research. I thought I was, but Chen Zixin pointed out all the flaws one by one during my presentation. He did so with a very plain expression as if he was the least bothered. It felt really humiliating to me. Actually, he wasn't really so emotionless. On the contrary, he was quite decent and patient. But I was immature and naive then. Being my dad's daughter, I wasn't ever criticized. So it was embarrassing to stand there in front of him and see that my efforts were a failure."
Ah…
Guiying now got a fair idea. Positive criticism is never easy to take in the right attitude. Somewhere in the corner of the heart, any criticism nevertheless hurts, making people defensive.
"I made a huge scene because I felt he was insulting me on purpose and stormed away. I felt down. But later, I revisited my work. I remembered all his points. I realized that I was indeed lacking. He was right. And very polite about it too. Any other CEO might have crushed me without mercy. So I started reworking to prove to Chen Zixin that I can do it right!"
"That's amazing," she clapped with a grin. "You proved yourself. Sir Zixin was really impressed."
"Of course he should," she flipped her hair back.
"So then why don't you still like him?"
Shouldn't the story have a happy ending?
"We-well because it's difficult to forget that embarrassing day!" Her cheeks flushed red.
Guiying stared at her.
"I had no face to show him anymore," she cried, wiping her emotional tears. "Whenever I see him, I always remember that day when I stormed out feeling ashamed and lacking."
"But didn't you make up for it the second time you met him? You impressed him with your rework."
"But it's hard to forget the shame I had to go through. That day will be forever marked as my dark past!"
"..."
Even if something so positive had happened the second time, Xian Shun's mind still delved into the past.
"So I know that Zixin was just doing his job. He wasn't wrong, but…well, you can call me petty. But that day still irks me and I cannot help but not like him."
Guiying burst into a soft laughter, helplessly shaking her head. "Hmm, might be petty but it's cute too."
"D-don't laugh at me!" Her nostrils flared.
"I am sorry," she said with her shoulders still trembling with laughter.
"I don't feel your sincerity!"
"What is happening?"
A second person approached behind them and this time with Guiying stiffening and jolting up. Behind them stood Zheng Jiao, who had her brow raised at them.
"Zheng Jiao!" Xian Shun chirped. "We were just waiting for you. Let's go!"
Guiying's eyes widened. "Go where?"
"Lunch? Did you forget?"
Wait, was she invited too!?
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