The next day, all the employees were back in the office, busy with their work.
Manager Li walked in holding an album filled with photos from the tour. Laughter filled the room as everyone gathered around, flipping through the memories.
Meanwhile, Assistant Gu entered Xiang's cabin with a report in hand. He placed it on the desk and said, "Mr. Xiang, everyone's enjoying the trip photos. Why don't you join them?"
"I already saw them," Xiang replied casually, finishing with a cute smile.
Then he picked up the report — and instantly froze.
"Gu… what have you done?" Xiang looked up, horrified. "I asked for some background info, not… this!"
He held up the report. The title read:
> PLANS TO PURSUE MY FUTURE WIFE AND GIRLFRIEND❤
(My future sister-in-law – by Gu)
Xiang facepalmed. "Are you serious?! Why would you write something like that? And what's with the 'sister-in-law' title? Are you my sworn brother now?"
Gu gave him a sheepish grin. "It's just my way of congratulating you. What? Is that wrong?" he said, pouting like a kicked puppy.
Xiang sighed, beyond exasperated. He flipped through the report. It included everything—my name, college, likes, dislikes, even which bus I took to get to college. Every detail was there.
As he scanned the page, his brow furrowed. The bus number caught his eye—it looked strangely familiar. He tilted his head, trying to remember. But, well, being the "old man" he is, the memory didn't click.
Still, he looked up and muttered, "Thanks… for the effort, at least."
Gu nodded proudly and turned to leave. Just before closing the door, he threw a thumbs-up and a flying kiss.
Thwack! Xiang launched a pen at him.
---
Outside, Gu rubbed the back of his head — only to freeze when he saw me standing there.
I blinked in confusion, having just witnessed… whatever that was.
Awkwardly, I smiled and said, "Gu, thanks for the souvenir gift you gave us."
He chuckled. "Ah~~ that was both me and Mr. Xiang. Credit goes to him too."
I nodded, then leaned in a bit. "Gu, I have a question. Is it okay to ask?"
"Sure," he replied.
I hesitated. "Is he… married? He never goes home. Every time I work overtime, I see him sleeping here."
Gu opened his mouth to respond, but I beat him to it, blinking in shock.
"Wait… is he sleeping on the street? Or is he… crashing at your place?"
Gu froze for a second, then sighed. "Miss Ye, you don't have to imagine such wild things. Actually, his mother wanted him to join her company and take over, but Mr. Xiang insisted on staying here. You know how proud he is. They fought, and in the end, he rented a place near the office."
I raised an eyebrow. "So… does he still talk to her?"
Gu nodded. "Yeah, he does. But whenever she brings up taking over the company, they fight again."
I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath, "He really is a golden retriever."
Gu gave me a look. "Miss Ye, Mr. Xiang is your superior. You should at least respect him a little—give him some face."
I laughed, tapping his shoulder. "If you'd known him three years ago, you'd call him golden retriever too."