Zhang Ruoduo was used to situations like this.
She placed a finger to her lips with a smile, making a quiet "shh" gesture. "Let's not disturb everyone at work, okay?"
Jiang Mo pressed her lips together and nodded. She had gotten a bit too excited earlier—her voice might have been a little loud.
Wow, seeing Zhang Ruoduo in person—she really was as beautiful as they said. Her face was so small, and she looked even slimmer than on TV.
Why was she here?
Thinking back to the gossip she’d heard before, could it actually be true?
"I’m here to deliver some documents to President Gu," Jiang Mo introduced herself.
"Oh," Zhang Ruoduo replied with a smile, pulling out a chair and sitting down. She took a sip of the hot tea in front of her. "I’m here to see Young President Gu too."
So it was true.
After exchanging greetings, the two didn’t have much else to talk about. Jiang Mo lowered her head and silently went back to scrolling on her phone.
"I just saw Zhang Ruoduo in person. She looks exactly like she does on TV—maybe even prettier."
"No wonder actresses are all so thin—the camera really does add weight."
In the group chat, Li Wan'er was always the first to react. "Baby, aren’t you supposed to be at work? Where did you see Zhang Ruoduo?"
"Mm, outside. I came to deliver some documents to my dear President Gu," Jiang Mo answered vaguely.
Li Wan'er teased, "Ohhh, ‘my dear President Gu’? Calling him so affectionately? Send a photo of this ‘dear President Gu’—let me judge if he’s handsome."
Zhang Qingqing chimed in, "You went to deliver documents to your ‘dear President Gu’ and ran into Zhang Ruoduo… Wait, don’t tell me you saw her at the company?"
You had to hand it to young people—their ability to sniff out gossip was unmatched.
They’d already pieced it together.
Jiang Mo sent Zhang Qingqing a "you’re a genius" sticker. "Heh, I didn’t say it—you figured it out."
Li Wan'er clapped excitedly. "No way! Is Zhang Ruoduo secretly dating your ‘dear President Gu’? I need to look up photos of him. Don’t tell me a gorgeous flower like her is stuck with some ugly toad."
There were way too many cases of beauties ending up with beasts.
After searching, Li Wan'er returned. "Okay, I approve of this couple. Your ‘dear President Gu’ is actually pretty good-looking."
Jiang Mo clarified, "I never said they were dating! Maybe she’s here for something else."
Zhang Qingqing replied with a "we get it" sticker.
A while later, the secretary opened the door and saw the two of them inside. "Miss Zhang, Young President Gu has finished his meeting. He’s ready to see you in his office."
Zhang Ruoduo stood up, put on her sunglasses, and walked out with her bag.
Jiang Mo would have to wait until they were done before delivering her documents.
She went back to idly scrolling on her phone.
Before she knew it, it was almost noon. Were they still talking?
Maybe she should just go check.
She picked up the documents and walked to Gu Xun’s office, where the door was still closed.
Just as she was debating whether to knock, the dark door swung open from the inside.
Gu Xun and Zhang Ruoduo stepped out one after the other.
"Young President Gu, I’m here to deliver the documents," Jiang Mo said quickly, handing over the folder.
Gu Xun took it. "How long have you been here?"
Jiang Mo scratched her head. "Since around ten."
With the documents delivered, she was about to leave.
"Young President Gu, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back now."
"Wait."
"It’s already lunchtime. We were just about to eat—join us before you go back," Gu Xun said, stopping her as he stepped back into his office to put the files away.
Zhang Ruoduo adjusted her coat and walked over to Jiang Mo, speaking softly, "We’re just grabbing something casual. By the way, which department do you work in?"
"I’m the Gu family’s housekeeper," Jiang Mo answered.
"Oh, Gu Xun’s housekeeper? You’re so young!" Zhang Ruoduo said warmly, placing both hands on Jiang Mo’s shoulders and guiding her forward. "Alright, let’s not stand here. Let’s wait for Gu Xun by the elevator."
Jiang Mo let herself be led away. Maybe it was her imagination, but Zhang Ruoduo suddenly seemed much friendlier toward her.
At the elevator, Zhuge Shen was already waiting.
Jiang Mo greeted him cheerfully. "Secretary Zhuge."
Zhuge Shen pressed the elevator button. "You calling me ‘Secretary Zhuge’ feels weird. I’m a few years older—just call me Shen-ge."
Turning to Zhang Ruoduo, he teased, "Look at you, superstar. Haven’t seen you in a while, and you’re even prettier."
Zhang Ruoduo shot him a glance and laughed. "Stop calling me ‘superstar’—it’s embarrassing."
From their banter, it was clear they were familiar with each other.
When Gu Xun arrived, the four of them took the private elevator down.
With the boss present, Zhuge Shen volunteered to drive. Jiang Mo, being the lowest-ranking of the group, naturally took the front passenger seat, leaving the back for the CEO and the celebrity.
Once everyone was settled, Gu Xun instructed, "Cloud Peak Pavilion."
"Got it. It’s close by. Since Young President Gu is treating, we get to save on a meal today," Zhuge Shen said, pulling up the navigation.
Zhang Ruoduo chuckled. "You make it sound like you’re starving. As the chief secretary, surely Gu Xun pays you well."
Zhuge Shen sighed dramatically. "I’m saving up for a house and a wife. Gotta cut costs where I can. Not like you two big earners. I’m just a regular working drone. Right, Xiao Mo?"
Jiang Mo had been checking Cloud Peak Pavilion’s reviews on her phone and found only a handful of comments—all raving about the upscale ambiance, sky-high prices, and exclusive membership policy.
Today, she’d stumbled into a luxury meal!
Hearing Zhuge Shen’s question, she shook her head. "Nope."
"What do you mean ‘nope’?"
"Drones have ranks too. You’re a high-class drone. Someone like me? Just a regular one," Jiang Mo said, watching the traffic light ahead. "The worlds of high-class drones and regular drones are totally different."
Zhang Ruoduo burst out laughing. "This girl is hilarious."
Beside her, Gu Xun’s lips curled slightly. "See, Zhuge Shen? She’s being fair."
Zhuge Shen blinked. "We’re supposed to be on the same side! How can you take her side over mine?"
Cloud Peak Pavilion was nestled by the famous East Lake in Jiangcheng, hidden away in a serene, private setting.
Jiang Mo had no idea such a place existed in this area.
After parking, Gu Xun and Zhang Ruoduo walked in first.
Jiang Mo hung back, not wanting to third-wheel, and took the chance to ask Zhuge Shen a question.
"Shen-ge, do you know what the relationship is between Zhang Ruoduo and Young President Gu?" she whispered.
Zhuge Shen smirked. "Quite the curious one, aren’t you? Why don’t you guess?"
"If I could guess, I wouldn’t be asking you!"
Not wanting to tease her further, Zhuge Shen answered, "She’s Young President Gu’s old classmate."
