The Gentle, Sickly Beauty Is Won Over By The Loyal Big Shot - Chapter 15

Zhou Cheng pointed at Gu Han’s loosely worn bathrobe and stammered, “President Gu, you… you are…”

“What about me?”

Gu Han wasn’t in a good mood. “The Dean gave this room to me. My name, Gu Han, is written on the key card. Is it any of your business if I take a shower in my own room?”

“No, no, President Gu, I didn’t mean to interfere,” Zhou Cheng knew he was on Gu Han’s turf and didn’t dare say another word. “I just wanted to come and see Qi Ran.”

“Look from a distance,” Gu Han picked up a towel to continue drying his hair. “Qi Ran is physically weak. Who knows what kind of dirty diseases you’re carrying? Don’t go infecting him.”

“President Gu, please don’t speak so harshly,” Zhou Cheng defended himself guiltily. “I don’t have anything.”

Gu Han stopped responding to Zhou Cheng. Looking to the side, he saw the male nurse had arrived as well. Gu Han chuckled, “Da Bao, why are you here?”

“Hehe, Brother Han, Dean Xu said this guy has a criminal record and was worried he might try something with your friend.” Da Bao smiled innocently. “I came to keep an eye out.”

“Go get a disposable cup and pour him some water. Don’t put it near our things. You don’t need to worry about anything else. I’ll look after the patient.” Gu Han added, “I have a germophobia, as you know.”

Da Bao nodded. “Alright, I’ll go right now.”

As the male nurse left, Zhou Cheng stubbornly tried to save some face. “President Gu, I’m not that kind of person. I came this time just to see Qi Ran. I… I’ve heard everything. It was my fault his health ended up like this. I came to apologize.”

“Apologize?”

Gu Han burst out laughing. “If this happened to one of my employees, and I knew for a fact I caused them direct harm, do you know how I would handle it?”

Zhou Cheng shook his head.

“With money, of course. Take the medical bills to the finance department for reimbursement, plus a sick leave subsidy. That’s basic common sense for a boss,” Gu Han pointed at Qi Ran on the bed. “Do you have any idea how much a full check-up in this hospital costs? I’ve padded all the expenses since Qi Ran was admitted. If an idiot like you doesn’t reimburse me, do you expect this kid, whom you landed in a hospital bed, to pay me?”

“President Gu, then… how much?” Zhou Cheng’s heart ached at the mention of money. He didn’t mind spending on women or expensive KTV sessions, but spending a cent on anyone else felt like the world was ending. Gritting his teeth, he offered, “Ten thousand ($10,000$)? How about that?”

“Ten thousand?”

Gu Han glared. “At least a hundred thousand ($100,000$), and that’s being generous. If you don’t agree, I’ll have the Dean issue an official invoice and you’ll pay exactly what’s on the receipt. Zhou Cheng, I know what kind of trash you are. I’m telling you, if you try to dodge this debt, considering you repeatedly blocked your top salesman from seeking medical leave, leading to his collapse at the real estate conference. I will leak this immediately. I’ll hire media outlets to write the story. If this is how a top salesman is treated, what hope is there for ordinary people at Ruihao? I can’t imagine Ruihao making a dime for the next ten years once this news breaks.”

“Don’t, don’t, don’t!” Zhou Cheng panicked. “I’ll pay, President Gu. Just don’t leak the news, I beg you.”

“Transfer it now. I want it immediately,” Gu Han pointed to the phone in Zhou Cheng’s hand. “Write ‘voluntary gift’ in the transfer remarks. Manager Zhou, you’re the ‘right hand man’ to a boss currently rotting in prison, you look exactly like the kind of bastard who would renege on a debt. I’m just recovering my losses. I don’t want any trouble.”

“I won’t claw back the money,” Zhou Cheng transferred the funds as instructed. As he tucked his phone away, he pretended to mention casually, “Sigh, since I can’t look after Qi Ran properly, why doesn’t he go work for you? Consider it an internal referral between companies. Letting him leave the high-pressure environment of Ruihao to recover his health would be for the best.”

“Why?” Gu Han suppressed his internal excitement, feigning a look of disdain. “You ruined him, and now you want me to take over your ‘used goods’?”

“Used goods? How can you say that about Qi Ran?” Zhou Cheng glared back. “Qi Ran’s performance is among the best at Ruihao. Besides, I’m calling this a referral. Even if I’m handing him over to you, it’s a compliment to you. You only have Yu Shen under you. Let me tell you, Qi Ran is on par with your Yu Shen, he’s just a bit younger.”

“I wasn’t talking about Qi Ran, I was insulting you. But Qi Ran is quite modest; he never told me he was that capable,” Gu Han smiled playfully, narrowing his eyes. “Zhou Cheng, what’s your scheme? You’re willing to let someone so talented go? Interesting.”

Zhou Cheng couldn’t handle Gu Han’s constant psychological prodding and finally snapped, “I just want him to recover. If we have the fate to meet again and he’s willing to return from Jianchen, I’ll definitely promote him. Now, one word: do you want him or not?”

Gu Han waved his hand. “I’m always willing to take on talented people, but don’t be in such a hurry. Let’s ask Qi Ran what he thinks first.”

Zhou Cheng asked Qi Ran, “Qi Ran, are you willing to go to President Gu’s company?”

Qi Ran stared at Zhou Cheng for a moment and shook his head gently.

“You’re not willing?”

Zhou Cheng had already convinced Gu Han, and just as his ‘honey trap’ was about to succeed, Qi Ran was throwing a wrench in the gears. Zhou Cheng grew anxious again. “President Gu’s platform is much bigger than Ruihao’s, and the work there is much easier. I really can’t handle the public pressure you’re bringing anymore. Qi Ran, just think of it as avoiding the spotlight for a while, okay? If this mess gets any bigger, it will destroy the company!”

Qi Ran remained silent. He stared at Zhou Cheng for a long time until his eyes slowly turned red and filled with tears. He said hoarsely, “Manager Zhou, I gave so much to Ruihao. Am I really that worthless in your eyes? Fine. I’ll go to Jianchen. Congratulations, Manager Zhou, you’ve gotten rid of a burden. I wish you great success. From now on, just act as if you never hired me.”

“No, Qi Ran, I didn’t mean it like that…” At that moment, Zhou Cheng suddenly realized how much he had wronged Qi Ran over the past three years. Seeing the tears fall, he realized that Qi Ran’s heart was dead. No matter what he said, how he explained, or how he tried to make amends, the old Qi Ran would never return. Still, he tried to explain, “I just hope you have a better future. Qi Ran, don’t misunderstand.”

Qi Ran stopped speaking. He lowered his gaze and sobbed softly. Standing by the bed, Gu Han knew Qi Ran was acting, but seeing those red, wet eyes and soft, flushed lips, looking so aggrieved. Gu Han’s heart ached terribly. He couldn’t stand it anymore and pointed at Zhou Cheng, shouting, “Qi Ran just went through emergency care for a heart condition, and you’re still making him cry! Can a heart patient handle such emotional swings? I think you’re genuinely trying to kill him.”

Just then, the male nurse returned with the water. Seeing the scene and hearing Gu Han scolding Zhou Cheng, he tossed the disposable cup into the bathroom and grabbed Zhou Cheng by the collar, dragging him out. “Out! You cannot affect the patient’s emotions. If anything else goes wrong with the patient’s health, the Dean will hold us accountable. Get out now.”

“Fine, fine, I’m going, I’m leaving!” Zhou Cheng was being dragged to the door, but he struggled against the nurse’s grip to say, “Gu Han, come here for a second.”

Gu Han followed him out impatiently. Zhou Cheng straightened his crumpled suit and said, “Once Qi Ran is discharged, have him come to see me. We’ll terminate the labor contract, and then you can take him.”

“Terminating the contract means stopping Ruihao’s social security contributions as well. A suspended social security is just a fake resignation,” Gu Han pointed a long finger at Zhou Cheng’s nose, warning him, “If I find a single trick in Qi Ran’s contract or insurance, Ruihao’s reputation is finished. And I won’t want Qi Ran anymore.”

“I didn’t realize President Gu was planning to pay for his social security. I thought bosses these days didn’t like taking responsibility for their staff,” Zhou Cheng realized his scheme had been seen through and conceded. “Don’t worry, I’ll remind HR not to make that mistake.”

Gu Han didn’t bother wasting more words. He slammed the ward door shut and locked it. Leaning against the door, he listened to the outside. The male nurse forcibly dragged Zhou Cheng into the elevator, and the elevator started its descent. Gu Han scrambled back to Qi Ran’s bedside. Qi Ran had already removed the nasal oxygen cannula and sat up, throwing himself into Gu Han’s arms.

“President Gu,” Qi Ran hugged Gu Han’s waist tightly, “I can finally work with you.”

“I’ll transfer that hundred thousand to you later. Buy yourself something good to eat,” Gu Han leaned down, wrapping his arms around Qi Ran’s waist. He suddenly lifted him up and playfully swatted his bottom twice. “You little brat, you actually shook your head at Zhou Cheng. Did you really not want to come to my place?”

“Didn’t President Gu also say he was just taking over someone else’s ‘used goods’?” Qi Ran didn’t back down. He clenched his soft fists and lightly tapped Gu Han’s chest. “So, President Gu doesn’t actually want me?”

“I want you, little Qi Ran,” Gu Han lowered his head, burying his nose in Qi Ran’s soft hair and breathing in his scent. He said softly, “How could I not want you?”

Qi Ran let out a soft hum in Gu Han’s arms but didn’t speak.

“Is my baby unhappy?” Gu Han held him and coaxed, “I’m sorry, it’s my fault.”

“President Gu, I’m not unhappy,” Qi Ran rested his head on Gu Han’s shoulder and whispered, “Can we stay up a bit later today? I want to sit by the bay window and look at the night view. I’ve always heard the view from this hospital is beautiful, but I’ve never seen it.”

“Okay, whatever little Qi Ran wants,” Gu Han’s lips were very close to Qi Ran’s ear. He brushed against Qi Ran’s temple a few times, his heart racing. He couldn’t hide his impulse; a warmth spread through his lower abdomen. Unable to stay calm, he asked boldly, “Qi Ran, can I… can I kiss you?”

Qi Ran smiled sweetly. “You can.”

Having received permission, Gu Han’s lips slowly pressed against Qi Ran’s fair forehead in a gentle kiss. Shying away, Qi Ran lowered his head, burying his face in the crook of Gu Han’s neck.

Gu Han rubbed Qi Ran’s hair, his voice full of indulgence. “Little Qi Ran, when you come to Jianchen, will you stay by my side forever? Don’t leave me, okay?”

Qi Ran nodded. “Okay.”

Gu Han held Qi Ran as they sat on the bay window. It wasn’t completely dark yet, it was twilight. Only a few scattered lights were visible in the distance, and there wasn’t much of a night view to speak of. Qi Ran found it a bit dull and began fiddling with the collar of Gu Han’s bathrobe with his slender fingers. Gu Han thought Qi Ran was incredibly cute. Seeing his smooth, snow white cheek pressed against his neck, Gu Han felt a stir in his heart. He thought Qi Ran’s face must be soft and fragrant to kiss, so he pestered him playfully, “I want to kiss you again. Little Qi Ran, I want to kiss you more.”