Chapter 245 – Report to the CEO: Madam Has Run Away Again – Injured (09)
Under Jiang Hongzhe’s guidance, Sha Yao grew rapidly. She was already an intelligent person, and with her hard work, she achieved great success in this proposal.
The team members all suggested going out for a celebration. After winning the project, everyone had contributed greatly.
Jiang Hongzhe offered to be the host and treated everyone to food and fun.
Meili nudged Sha Yao with her elbow. “Yao Yao, what are you thinking about? We’re going out to have fun—why not bring Tang Tang along? The more, the merrier.”
Sha Yao thought for a moment. Bai Tang’s injury had mostly healed. Keeping him cooped up at home all day wasn’t ideal. It would be better to bring him out and see what hobbies he might have—it might help him find something to do in the future.
“Alright. I’ll go home and ask Tang Tang. If he’s willing, I’ll bring him along.”
And so it was decided. At everyone’s suggestion, they planned to go singing, have a buffet, and hit a nightclub.
Once she learned about the planned activities, Sha Yao regretted agreeing so quickly. Singing was fine, but clubbing really wasn’t suitable for her or Tang Tang.
Gu Yan had originally approved of the outing, but when he found out that Bai Tang was going too, his attitude toward his friend Jiang Hongzhe immediately soured.
Right before the trip began, Gu Yan forcefully changed the plan from karaoke and clubbing to an outdoor countryside BBQ. That location also had private karaoke rooms, so singing was still an option.
The team groaned in protest—especially Zhao Lou, who had been hoping for a romantic encounter. His carefully prepared outfit had nowhere to shine.
Gu Yan arrived driving Sha Yao and Bai Tang, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
Sha Yao got out of the car on her own. Jiang Hongzhe narrowed his eyes slightly, lost in thought.
Gu Yan then stepped out and, acting like a gentleman, opened the passenger door and helped Bai Tang out.
“The car is a bit high—careful.”
Bai Tang got out and greeted everyone.
Jiang Hongzhe pulled Gu Yan aside. “Brother, what’s going on between you two?” He nodded subtly toward Sha Yao, signaling Gu Yan to explain.
Gu Yan looked tenderly at Bai Tang. “He’s the person I love most in this life. Of course, I’m still pursuing him.”
Jiang Hongzhe glanced at Sha Yao. Gu Yan’s words and expression struck a pang of sadness in him. The wife of a friend is off-limits—and his love ended before it even began.
“Alright then, treat him well,” Jiang Hongzhe said, patting Gu Yan on the shoulder.
“I definitely will.”
Hearing Gu Yan’s firm reply, Jiang Hongzhe felt a little bitter inside. But it was alright—he still trusted Gu Yan’s character. If Sha Yao was with him, she would be happy in the future.
The four gossip-hungry friends exchanged glances. Zhao Lou and Siyuan made an excuse about some work matters to steer Sha Yao away, while Meili and Wu Yi stepped in and pulled Bai Tang aside.
They were genuinely curious about the gossip between Bai Tang and President Gu. They didn’t care about what had happened in the past—they were supposedly broken up, weren’t they? So why did Bai Tang arrive in President Gu’s car today? Could it be that old feelings had rekindled? Was Bai Tang really going to become their future “President’s wife”?
“Tang Tang, can we ask you something? Don’t get mad, okay?” Meili and Wu Yi flanked Bai Tang, one on each side.
Bai Tang replied, “What is it?”
Meili hadn’t even gotten Bai Tang’s agreement yet, but Wu Yi, being the impatient one, couldn’t help herself and blurted out, “What’s going on between you and President Gu? Why did he bring you here today?”
Having heard some background from Assistant Jin about Bai Tang and Gu Yan, Wu Yi instinctively left out the fact that Sha Yao also came in Gu Yan’s car.
“It’s nothing, really. He just happened to be going the same way, so he picked us up,” Bai Tang said, blinking innocently.
Meili and Wu Yi didn’t buy it. “No way. President Gu lives in the Qingwan District, and you and Yao Yao are in the Wanzhu District. Those are in completely opposite directions. How could that be ‘on the way’? There’s definitely something fishy going on. Come on, spill it…”
Bai Tang really hadn’t paid attention to the city’s layout. Gu Yan had just told them it was on the way and brought them along.
Seeing that Bai Tang wasn’t going to admit anything, Meili teased, “Could it be that President Gu wants to rekindle things with you~?”
The two of them grinned mischievously and teased Bai Tang.
Bai Tang picked up a plate of vegetables and said casually, “He’s the one chasing me~”
With that, he walked off toward a nearby sink.
Meili and Wu Yi exchanged a look—there was definitely something going on. They hurried to follow him, squatting beside him to help wash the vegetables.
“We’re just curious,” Meili said. “President Gu treats you really differently.”
“Yeah,” Wu Yi added. “I saw the way he looked at you—oh my, that tough guy suddenly full of tender affection. I’ve been in the company for a while, and I’ve never seen President Gu look at anyone like that.”
Bai Tang was teased until his face turned bright red. “I don’t know anything.”
“It’s too crowded here. You two wash the vegetables—I’ll go over there and start cooking. Just bring them to me when you’re done,” Bai Tang said as he stood up and shook the water off his hands.
Meili and Wu Yi didn’t want to scare him off. Not to mention that Yaoyao would chew them out if they did, President Gu alone was enough to keep them in check. The salary at Gu Corporation was generous, and they were both very satisfied with their current benefits.
“Looks like we’re in for a treat then. I still can’t forget the food Tang Tang made last time,” Meili said.
Even though it was supposed to be a BBQ, too much grilled food wasn’t good. To really fill their stomachs, they still needed a proper meal.
Now that Bai Tang was the one cooking, there was nothing to worry about.
Meili could confidently say that no one here could cook better than Bai Tang. No one!
As for President Gu—no need to even consider him. The guy was a workaholic. It was either takeout, takeout, or takeout. He often messaged them in the middle of the night pointing out mistakes in their work, expecting revisions by the next day.
As for the new team lead, Jiang Hongzhe—they didn’t know him well yet, but he also stayed late at the office a lot. He was probably the same type as President Gu.
Zhao Lou and Siyuan? Well, as long as their food didn’t poison anyone, that was already an achievement. She and Wu Yi could manage something edible at best. As for Yaoyao, they hadn’t tasted her cooking yet, but she always said Bai Tang’s food was the best—so Yaoyao probably didn’t measure up either.
The two women chatted noisily about gossip while washing vegetables. Meanwhile, Bai Tang stood by the stove, thinking about their earlier conversation.
Was it really that obvious? Even outsiders can tell…
A.I. assistant A suddenly chimed in: “It’s very obvious. Even I noticed.”
“The male lead is approaching. He’s looking at you,” A suddenly added.
“Huh?” Bai Tang turned his head and saw Gu Yan walking toward him, rolling up his sleeves as he came.
“I’ll take over. You go have some fun,” Gu Yan said with a smile.
Bai Tang shook his head. “No, they want to eat the food I cook, and I already promised them.”
Little Squirrel was someone who always kept his word. If he promised Meili and the others something, as long as it was within his ability, he would do his best to deliver.
“Then I’ll help you. You bring the vegetables over, and I’ll start the fire,” Gu Yan said, taking the apron hanging on the wall and tying it around himself.
Bai Tang brought over the vegetables Meili had washed. Seeing Gu Yan carrying firewood, he naturally went over to the stove and started washing the wok and spatula.
This countryside homestay was quite… “unique.” Or rather than “unique,” perhaps “poor” was more accurate. Aside from the entertainment facilities, everything else was DIY. If you wanted to eat, you had to cook it yourself. There wasn’t even an induction stove—you had to light a fire and cook like people did in ancient times.
Of course, if someone truly didn’t know how, they could always ask the staff for help—for an extra fee.
Having experienced several worlds, Bai Tang was no stranger to this self-sufficient way of life. When he and his old partner traveled, they usually cooked their own meals.
“I’ll do it. You be my helper,” Gu Yan offered.
“You just light the fire,” Bai Tang said with confidence, clearly ready to take over the cooking.
Gu Yan had no choice but to give in. He took down another apron from the wall and wrapped it around Bai Tang, pulling the ties to the back and fastening them. “Wearing this will keep you from getting burned—or dirtying your clothes.”
“Thank you~” Bai Tang replied in a soft, sweet voice.
“No need to thank me. You don’t have to be polite with me. If you need anything, just say so,” Gu Yan said as he tied the apron for him. His fingers accidentally brushed against Bai Tang’s waist, nearly making the sensitive Bai Tang go weak at the knees.
Bai Tang shot him a sideways glance. What are you playing at, you rascal?
What Bai Tang didn’t know was that this glance—full of charm—made Gu Yan’s heart race wildly.
Gu Yan swallowed hard. He always seemed to find the young man’s sensitive spots. It was both a blessing and a curse.
He reminded himself not to get handsy with Bai Tang in front of others. Tang Tang’s allure was something only he should see.
Washing vegetables was a simple task, and Meili and Wu Yi quickly finished cleaning all the ones Bai Tang needed.
They stood up and, turning around, happened to see the two men’s intimate interaction in the open kitchen.
And they said there was nothing going on? Yeah, right.
Oh my, President Gu is so attentive.
Look at that—Tang Tang is blushing! His whole face is red!
President Gu, where are you putting your hands? Are you seriously holding Tang Tang’s hand while cooking together…?
The two women’s eyes lit up with a green gleam, as if they were witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. Wu Yi even pulled out her phone from her pocket and started snapping photos rapidly.
A tough guy showing tenderness—looks like President Gu has completely fallen for Tang Tang.
…
In the kitchen.
“Hey, that’s not how you do it! We still need to add water later. If you put in the salt now, the flavor will be too bland, and adding more salt later will mess up the taste,” Bai Tang pointed out Gu Yan’s mistake.
“Oh, got it,” Gu Yan replied, sincerely taking notes.
“No, no, you can’t cut the eggplant all the way through—I’m making a lantern-style dish. If it’s cut through, it’ll be ruined. Let me do it.”
“No way, the knife’s too dangerous. What if you cut your hand? You can just teach me—I’ll do the cutting.”
“Start from here, leave a small part uncut, and slice the rest…”
Despite being nitpicked by Bai Tang on all the newer-style dishes and thoroughly scolded, Gu Yan was still in a great mood. Even being told off felt sweet—because it meant Tang Tang was willing to get close to him, saw him as one of his own. Politeness, after all, only created distance.
“Focus! Be careful not to cut your hand,” Bai Tang warned nervously. Just watching the way Gu Yan held the knife made him anxious.
Sure enough, before the words were even fully out of his mouth, a bright red cut appeared on Gu Yan’s slender finger.
Bai Tang panicked and, without thinking, grabbed Gu Yan’s hand and put the injured finger into his mouth.
Gu Yan froze for a second—and then a wide smile slowly spread across his face.
“Tang Tang, don’t worry, it’s not a deep cut.”
It was only when Gu Yan spoke that Bai Tang snapped out of it.
He quickly took Gu Yan’s finger out of his mouth, now clean of blood. “I—I wasn’t worried about you! I was just afraid you’d dirty the ingredients I’m using.”
Turning away from Gu Yan, Bai Tang huffed with his back to him, pretending not to care. “Go back inside and put on a bandage. I don’t need your help anymore. You’re just getting in the way and wasting my time.”
Author’s Note:
Xiao A: If it’s too easy to get, he won’t treasure it. You have to make the male lead believe you don’t care about him at all, got it?
Bai Tang: I wasn’t worried about him. I was just worried about my vegetables.
Gu Yan: Tang Tang, lying isn’t something good children do~