Under the CEO's Command

16

The man's laughter was so intense that veins popped on his neck, and he struggled desperately against Shen Xian's grip.

"Peng Fei, do you think I would be in this mess if it weren't for you? Gu Chen, have you forgotten? Who was it three years ago who refused to show any mercy or give me a chance? You thought sending me away would secure your position? Now, I can't even find a decent job, and it's all because of you!"

The man named Peng Fei bellowed at Gu Chen, his body thrashing forward. In the struggle, his hat fell off, revealing a buzz cut.

Gu Chen narrowed his eyes, studying the out-of-control young man, memories beginning to surface.

Just as Shen Xian was struggling to control the situation, the security guards from the parking lot arrived, quickly assessing the circumstances. Two of them stepped in to assist Shen Xian in holding Peng Fei down.

Seeing that his revenge attempt had failed, Peng Fei laughed bitterly, "You won't get away with this, Gu Chen. You won't. You're unworthy of your position. How dare you..."

Gu Chen casually adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses with one hand and leaned slightly forward, extending a finger in mid-air as a silent command for silence.

"I, Gu Chen, never target anyone personally. I hope you understand a principle - a wise bird chooses its tree wisely. Not like you, who clings to past mistakes to fuel new resentment."

As Gu Chen spoke, he straightened his posture, looking down at the man on the ground with an air of authority, his voice turning sharper.

"This is the last time you'll appear before me. Take care of yourself."

As he spoke, he had already turned around, his profile facing Shen Xian, his gaze sweeping over his shoulder to meet the furious and somewhat sorrowful young man.

Shen Xian watched Gu Chen leave in silence. Lowering her head, she looked at the man pinned to the ground. Just as she was about to follow Gu Chen, someone nearby asked, "Assistant Shen, what about this person?"

By then, Shen Xian had moved in front of Peng Fei. Hearing the inquiry, she glanced down at the man with reddened eyes, "Let him go."

Everyone seemed surprised, including Peng Fei.

He lifted his head to look at the unfamiliar face before him, finding it hard to believe that Gu Chen would so easily let someone who had attacked him go.

"I don't know what happened to you three years ago, but since the law didn't spare you, you must have crossed legal boundaries. Mr. Gu's decision not to hold you accountable this time doesn't mean you can use such methods for revenge. If he were to hand you over to the police, do you think how it would turn out? Another charge of intentional assault on your record?"

At these words, the anger and resentment on Peng Fei's face visibly shifted, replaced by a hint of panic.

Shen Xian had studied criminal psychology, and someone like Peng Fei clearly cared deeply about his future. Having stumbled along the way, he would surely be unwilling to add another blemish to his already tainted past.

"Start anew and live a decent life."

Noticing Peng Fei's softened expression, Shen Xian inferred that he hadn't reached the point of clashing with Gu Chen to the bitter end. Perhaps it was just a momentary outburst due to recent setbacks in life.

Having offered her advice, she felt she had said enough.

By the time Gu Chen reached the elevator, it was already descending. Shen Xian hurriedly caught up with a few quick strides.

Gu Chen glanced over at the sound of footsteps, his demeanor unperturbed. The glasses reflecting the lobby lights obscured his eyes from Shen Xian's view.

Behind them, Peng Fei had been escorted away from the parking lot by the security guards.

When Shen Xian reached the elevator, it arrived promptly. Gu Chen, with his long strides, entered first.

She obediently followed, her card now always on her person. She skillfully tapped it and pressed for the 35th floor.

"Mr. Gu, are you... alright?"

Though Shen Xian couldn't discern any specific emotion on Gu Chen's face, she could sense the subtle tension around him.

"I'm fine."

Gu Chen propped himself up on one arm, using the other hand to remove his glasses and rub his eye socket. Upon hearing Shen Xian's words, he responded in a low voice, "Huh?"

After a moment, he adjusted his glasses and turned to appraise Shen Xian. "You?"

Upon receiving Gu Chen's response, Shen Xian didn't dare to maintain eye contact with him. Confused by the unexpected "you," she didn't react at first.

"Huh?"

She softly echoed the question, only realizing what he meant once their gazes met. She quickly added, "I'm fine too."

With a barely perceptible smile, she chuckled softly, attempting to alleviate the awkwardness.

Gu Chen had already averted his gaze, but Shen Xian's mind was elsewhere. Wasn't this a perfect opportunity?

"Mr. Gu..."

"Mm."

Gu Chen seemed uninterested in what Shen Xian might say next. He spun his phone idly in one hand while his eyes were fixed on the elevator's fluctuating numbers, casually acknowledging her with an "mm."

Shen Xian hesitated but still ventured to ask, "Did many things happen three years ago?"

Gu Chen paused in scrolling through his phone, his gaze not meeting Shen Xian's. He slightly bowed his head to look at his feet before lifting his eyes to fixate on the screen.

"Mm."

He responded with the simplest of words, showing no intention to elaborate further.

The elevator fell silent again. Shen Xian clasped and then released her hands behind her back. Gu Chen's brief answer didn't reveal anything to her.

It was evident that Gu Chen wasn't keen on delving into this topic. As an assistant, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to persistently probe.

"I instructed the security not to call the police but to escort him out."

Shen Xian felt that she had grasped Gu Chen's intention. Perhaps he wanted the man to learn from his mistake, or he was sparing some leeway for someone named Peng Fei?

After all, nobody would want to be immediately reprimanded after being released. Although neither she nor Gu Chen were injured, if Gu Chen decided to pursue the matter, he could.

Still, it would be best to confirm the final handling of the situation with Gu Chen, just in case...

What if she misunderstood him?

"Indeed, you handled it well." By the time he spoke, the elevator had reached the 35th floor.

Gu Chen didn't turn back, exiting the lift without another word.

Shen Xian watched him walk away with steady steps and an upright posture, seemingly unaffected by the brief encounter in the basement.

But what about that slightly grave tone and expression he had just shown?

Putting those thoughts aside, Shen Xian also returned to her office.

Back at her desk, Shen Xian began searching for news from a few years ago. Indeed, she found an article about an embezzlement case involving an employee of the Shenfei Group.

The culprit's face was pixelated, but one could vaguely recognize them as the person they encountered in the underground parking lot today.

It seemed that Gu Chen's first act as a new executive three years ago had indeed caused quite a stir.