Xie Bingxia was in disheveled clothes, wrapped in a suit jacket. Sitting on the chair, she looked small, pitiful, and helpless.
"Why do you always get yourself all bruised and battered..." Gu Bei's tone seemed like a complaint, but actually it was full of tenderness. He lifted Xie Bingxia's arm and saw the large bruises. Immediately, he said, "I'll go buy some bruise oil."
Secretary Wang beside him promptly took out the just - bought bruise oil and handed it over. "Mr. Gu, please use it."
Gu Bei noticed that this fair - skinned secretary was also in a sorry state. It was obvious at a glance that he had fought hard to protect Xie Bingxia. He immediately changed his opinion of him. After taking the bruise oil, he complimented, "Well done."
Secretary Wang turned around and quietly gave a victory sign. Now Mr. Gu wouldn't look down on him casually anymore, right?
Xie Bingxia pushed away Gu Bei's hand that was about to apply the medicine and said to Li Yishan, "I'm not seriously hurt. Thanks to Miss Li for saving me in time."
Only then did Gu Bei notice there was another person beside them. Taking a closer look, he found it was really Li Yishan. He felt quite embarrassed. Li Yishan laughed and said, "It's been so many years. Have you forgotten what I look like?"
"Of course not. I was just worried about this girl's injury." Gu Bei was flustered. "It's rare for you to come back to China. After I take care of her, I'll throw a welcome party for you. You can choose wherever you want to eat."
"You'd better take a look at her hand first. There aren't many girls who have the guts to catch an iron rod with one hand."
"Did you hear that?" Gu Bei took the opportunity to follow up. "I've said you're reckless, but you just won't change." As he said, he grabbed Xie Bingxia's hand and poured the bruise oil on it.
"Ouch, it hurts..." Xie Bingxia grimaced. "You're so rough. Let Secretary Wang rub it for me."
Hearing this, Secretary Wang disappeared in a second. Gu Bei increased the force. "That fair - skinned guy knows nothing."
"His skin is fairer than yours, and his hands are softer than yours. He's better than you in every way."
Gu Bei was so angry that he pulled a long face. "Fine. Should I call him over to serve you?" He thought to himself that this fair - skinned secretary couldn't stay. He would surely be a trouble in the future.
"I'll make a choice based on your performance next." Xie Bingxia raised her chin proudly. "Technician Gu, start working."
Li Yishan watched them bickering. There wasn't a trace of hostility. She asked curiously, "Are you two... in that kind of relationship?"
"No!"
"Yes."
Xie Bingxia glared at Gu Bei and immediately explained, "No, no. He's my guardian." After thinking for a while, she added, "Formerly."
Li Yishan obviously didn't believe it. She looked at Gu Bei. Gu Bei sighed helplessly. "The kid is just throwing a tantrum. Don't take it seriously."
Xie Bingxia kicked Gu Bei and said angrily, "Nonsense! It's you who's been pestering me. You're so annoying!"
Li Yishan burst out laughing. "Gu Bei, the last time I saw you like this was when you were chasing Jingwei."
"So many years have passed... It's a pity that Jingwei is no longer with us..." As she spoke, a look of sadness came over her face.
Little did she know that these words were like an invisible bomb. After it exploded, the scene fell into complete silence. Xie Bingxia withdrew her hand and shrank into her jacket, deliberately avoiding Gu Bei's concerned gaze.
Li Yishan was sensitive. She immediately felt that the atmosphere was not right and said, "Sorry, I said the wrong thing."
"No, it's not your fault." Gu Bei stood up. Seeing that the bright moon was already high in the sky outside the window, he said, "You've been busy since you got off the plane. You must be tired. I'll be the host tonight. Let's go."
"What about Miss Xie..."
"I'll send someone to take her home. She needs to rest."
Li Yishan nodded slightly to Xie Bingxia to say goodbye. Xie Bingxia turned her head away. The way she gently bit her lips fell into Li Yishan's eyes, making her feel even more curious.
The two walked out of the police station. Li Yishan casually asked, "Don't you think she... looks a bit like Jingwei?"
Gu Bei took out his car keys. "Really? In what way?"
"I can't say exactly, but..." Li Yishan thought for a while and then suddenly shook her head. "Forget it. Just pretend I didn't say anything."
"Jingwei was never as feisty as her." Gu Bei laughed. "Moreover, there will never be a second Xia Jingwei in the world."
Li Yishan joked, "Okay, I know Mr. Gu is a man of deep affection. I won't make you recall sad memories, or else you won't take me to eat delicious food."
"Guangjulou. Is that okay?"
"Sure. I haven't eaten hometown cuisine for a long time. Let's go there." Li Yishan got into the passenger seat. She turned her head and reached out to smooth Gu Bei's slightly messy hair.
Gu Bei was startled and wanted to politely avoid it, but Li Yishan withdrew her hand before he could. "Order two plates of drunken shrimp for me later."
"Okay, okay..." Gu Bei also wanted to ease the awkwardness just now. He changed the topic. "By the way, now that you're back, what about the dock project..."
"Shh!" Li Yishan put her finger on her lips. "Don't talk about business today, okay?"
Gu Bei had no choice but to nod. "All right. We'll talk later."
On this side, Secretary Zhang escorted Xie Bingxia back to her temporary residence. This was a property under Xie Shuwen's name, so she would never be wronged.
To Xie Bingxia's surprise, before she got home, several bodyguards were already waiting at home in full readiness.
"So, is it Yuan Yiyun's doing again?" Xie Bingxia slumped on the sofa and kicked off her high - heels with one foot.
Secretary Zhang was furious. "Most likely. She sees you as a thorn in her side. She doesn't show up herself but always plays tricks secretly. However, the police are still investigating, and the result will come out later. That's why the boss specially sent people to protect you."
"To monitor me as well?" Xie Bingxia was used to Gu Bei's way of doing things. She asked Secretary Zhang again, "Did you bring anything else?"
"What else do you need? I'll go and prepare it."
"I mean information! Information about Li Yishan!"
Secretary Zhang shook his head. "The boss didn't give me anything."
"What use are you!" Xie Bingxia threw a pillow at him. Secretary Zhang caught it steadily and said with a smile, "However, I have the basic information. Do you want to hear it?"
"Tell me. What are her hobbies? I need to cater to her interests."
Secretary Zhang clicked on his iPad and read, "Li Yishan, thirty years old this year. She currently works at the North American Olicon Design Firm. Her hobbies are jogging, surfing, painting, and Gu Bei... Hmm? Gu Bei?" At the end, Secretary Zhang couldn't believe what he saw. Was the boss one of her hobbies?
Xie Bingxia wasn't very surprised. When they were young, there had been a lot of romantic tension among the three of them. Li Yishan had secretly liked Gu Bei for a long time, but Gu Bei only had eyes for Xia Jingwei. Later, after they talked it out, Li Yishan accepted the reality, decided to let go, and went abroad for further study.
It had been many years since she returned to China. Xie Bingxia didn't believe that there was no connection between Li Yishan and Gu Bei at all. Now that Xia Jingwei was gone, it was understandable for Li Yishan to come back and see if she had a chance to win Gu Bei's heart.
No guts, no glory. Did she really have to use Gu Bei to please Li Yishan? Just thinking about it made Xie Bingxia feel jealous, and her mind became confused.
The next day, Xie Bingxia drove to the downstairs of Li Yishan's apartment by herself.
"Miss Li, I'll be your driver today. Wherever you want to go, I'll accompany you."
"Is your hand okay?"
"Fine. It's just a minor injury. It doesn't matter." Xie Bingxia greeted her with a smile. Li Yishan still remained polite. "You should take good care of your injury. I'll take a taxi."
"How can that be?" Xie Bingxia insisted on stuffing Li Yishan into the car. Li Yishan finally gave in. "Okay, but please ask your..." She looked at a car not far away. "Please ask your bodyguards not to follow us."
Li Yishan was really perceptive. She must have noticed someone following secretly yesterday, which was why she reminded Xie Bingxia and was able to find help in time.
"Don't worry. I'll tell them to get far away!" Xie Bingxia opened the passenger - side door for Li Yishan. Today, she must seize the opportunity and find a way to persuade Li Yishan!
"Where does Miss Li want to go?"
"The city art museum."
"Sure thing."
The morning rush hour had just passed, but there were still many cars on the road. Up ahead was a cross - road, and the yellow light was flashing, about to turn red. Xie Bingxia stepped on the brake.
"What's going on?!" Xie Bingxia stepped on the brake several times before she confirmed it. Cold sweat immediately broke out on her forehead.
The brakes had failed!