Chapter 36
Perhaps because his body was much healthier than before, and the aftercare was thorough, after breakfast, Gu Tang took Jiang Huaisheng’s temperature: “36.8 degrees Celsius, normal.”
The driver called at this time to ask: “Mr. Jiang, I’ve arrived downstairs, when do you need to leave?”
It was a weekday, and although Jiang Huaisheng didn’t have to clock in, he usually arrived at the company before 9:00 a.m.
Jiang Huaisheng only then remembered he had to work: “You can go back, I’m taking these two days off.”
He called his secretary: “Change my previous schedule, I’m taking a few days off.”
The secretary seemed incredulous: “Are you really taking leave?”
“I haven’t used any of my accumulated annual leave, do you need to confirm that too?”
Considering the company’s operations, Jiang Huaisheng said: “I’ll take five days off for now. Send me any work that can be done online, and postpone any meetings requiring my physical presence to after five days.”
In the past five years, Jiang Huaisheng hadn’t taken a single day of annual leave, nor had he taken any other holidays or compensatory time off.
He wasn’t exactly a workaholic, as he still maintained regular working hours and weekends. But during holidays, compared to family gatherings and social engagements, he preferred to stay at the company and work.
At least completing projects gave him a sense of accomplishment, while useless social engagements were a waste of time and life.
And in these five years, the old man kept urging him to get married, arranging various blind dates. The best way to deal with the old man was to work.
The secretary replied: “Okay, Mr. Jiang, I’ve postponed the offline meetings. Do you also need me to cancel this week’s business trips?”
Yes, if he stayed in City A, he couldn’t avoid blind dates, so Jiang Huaisheng was very proactive about business trips, often flying around on weekends.
Jiang Huaisheng didn’t hesitate: “I’m on vacation, cancel them.”
If he were to go somewhere else, it would be with Gu Tang. He could work remotely because he could take his laptop with him, working while keeping an eye on Gu Tang.
“Okay, I’ve adjusted your current schedule. The relevant work arrangements have been sent to your email, please check and confirm.”
Jiang Huaisheng took leave, but Gu Tang was apparently merciless. He hadn’t opened his private clinic yet, so he still had to meet with his senior brother and then go to work as scheduled.
But after exchanging a glance with the gloomy presence behind him, Gu Tang asked the person on the phone: “Senior brother, is it convenient for me to bring a friend?”
His senior brother asked: “Male or female? Is it your partner?”
Gu Tang’s senior brother was thirty-eight years old, with a son and a daughter, and a happy marriage.
Married men like him, seeing outstanding single juniors in their circle, would naturally think of setting them up.
Gu Tang originally wanted to say it was a potential investor, but sensing Jiang Huaisheng’s ears perking up, he softened his tone: “Male, you could say he’s my partner.”
His senior brother immediately said: “Understood.”
As someone in the same field of psychology, his senior brother naturally didn’t consider homosexuality an illness. However, since Gu Tang was bringing a male partner, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to bring his wife and children.
“Who were you talking to just now?” Jiang Huaisheng hadn’t heard the specific content of Gu Tang’s conversation with his senior brother, but he could sense the politeness and gentleness in Gu Tang’s voice.
He couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. Five years ago, Gu Tang was polite to most people, but rarely this gentle.
“It was my senior brother who referred me to the hospital job. He has two children, the eldest son is ten, and the younger daughter is five this year. They have a very good relationship.”
“What does other people’s marital relationship have to do with me?” Despite saying this, Jiang Huaisheng’s expression clearly relaxed.
Although Gu Tang was shameless, he still had basic morals and wouldn’t be a homewrecker.
And with a ten-year-old son, assuming a normal marriage age, the senior brother would have been at least 32 years old when he got married. Gu Tang shouldn’t be interested in a married man that old.
Jiang Huaisheng said: “If you want to work in a hospital, I can also introduce you to one, and private hospitals offer better benefits.”
Compared to letting Gu Tang work in a completely unfamiliar hospital, he still preferred to keep him within sight.
Gu Tang said: “Forget it, work is work, life is life, I don’t want to mix the two.”
Many senior executives in Mingyuan Group were members of the Jiang family, some were in-laws, some were distant relatives. In short, they all knew each other’s backgrounds. Although the group was large, with tens of thousands of employees at the headquarters alone, Gu Tang didn’t like this kind of family-style company.
Sometimes, people suffered grievances at work, even if it wasn’t their fault, but because of connections and interests, they could only endure.
This reminded Gu Tang of his childhood. Even if his father were still alive, if he were still working for Mingyuan Group, Gu Tang, for the sake of his family, would still have to be the young master’s lackey. But his father definitely wouldn’t bring his own son to please the young master. This was also why, despite City A being so good, his father had kept him in the small town.
If you wanted a healthy relationship, don’t involve money. This was also why many friends got along very well, but after starting a business together, their friendship ended due to conflicts of interest.
The same was true between husband and wife. They might not divorce in the end, but their marriage would only be about interests, and their past love would turn to nothing.
Gu Tang had finally escaped that environment, even severing ties with Wen Xinyi, his mother. He definitely wouldn’t trap himself again.
Gu Tang looked at Jiang Huaisheng, saying calmly, but coldly: “If you want to end this relationship and simply maintain a business relationship, I can also choose to work in a private hospital closely associated with you.”
Jiang Huaisheng was about to tell Gu Tang not to be foolish and not to refuse better treatment, but he stopped himself.
He just muttered: “What symbiotic relationship? How can a symbiotic relationship be so clearly divided?”
This Gu Tang, he only knew how to say nice things, one face in bed, another outside.
“Then are you still going to meet my senior brother? If not, I’ll call and confirm with him.”
Jiang Huaisheng didn’t hesitate: “I’m going, why wouldn’t I?”
Was it really Gu Tang’s senior brother just because he said so? He would go and see for himself.
The place they were meeting was more convenient to reach by car than by subway from where Gu Tang lived. If it were just Gu Tang alone, he would have chosen the subway, but considering Young Master Jiang, he chose to drive.
An hour later, Jiang Huaisheng finally met Gu Tang’s senior brother. Seeing his plain face, he immediately relaxed.
Gu Tang introduced: “My senior brother, Lin Li, Dr. Lin, a psychology PhD, a leading psychology expert in the country.”
“Senior brother, this is Jiang Huaisheng, my boyfriend.”
This was the first time Gu Tang had introduced Jiang Huaisheng as his boyfriend to an outsider. Jiang Huaisheng glared at Gu Tang, they hadn’t even confessed, how were they boyfriends?
But he was reserved in front of the senior brother, echoing Gu Tang: “Hello, Senior Brother Lin, I’m Gu Tang’s boyfriend.”
These three words rolled around in his mouth, feeling like thick honey, sweet to the point of being cloying.
“Ji-Ji-Jiang, are you that Jiang…?”
After starting work, although Jiang Huaisheng didn’t give many interviews, as the helm and heir of Mingyuan Group, he naturally attracted attention and had appeared in several famous business magazines.
Gu Tang’s senior brother, Lin Li, as a renowned psychology expert in the circle, interacted with many people in the upper class and naturally recognized Jiang Huaisheng’s… face.
“He works at Mingyuan Group.” Gu Tang added, “It’s not convenient to talk here, let’s go to a private room.”
His senior brother had chosen a typical business restaurant, the kind with a pleasant environment, excellent service, good privacy, but high prices.
After they sat down, Jiang Huaisheng went out for a bit. When he returned, the restaurant owner came over to greet him, extremely enthusiastic.
“I’m the owner and head chef of this restaurant. Today, I’ll personally serve you our specialty dish.” The waiter following the owner also brought over a large, ornate fruit platter that looked very expensive.
“Mr. Jiang is our most valued VIP. Your bill has been waived. This is a complimentary fruit platter for our VIP guests, please enjoy.”
Lin Li immediately said to Gu Tang: “I was supposed to treat you to this welcome back dinner, but now I’m taking advantage of you.”
Gu Tang shook his head: “There are two of us, I should be treating you today.”
His senior brother had referred him to this job, although it was largely due to his own impressive resume, he still had to acknowledge the favor.
His senior brother waved his hand embarrassedly: “Not really, it’s mutually beneficial. If you go there, you can also be a draw for the hospital.”
This kind of internal referral was like a headhunter. If Gu Tang performed well, he, as the referrer, would also benefit.
If Gu Tang wasn’t capable, he wouldn’t have made the introduction.
Because Gu Tang drove, and his senior brother was also at the age of prioritizing health, neither of them drank alcohol during the meal, only ordering a pot of good tea.
Overall, the welcome back dinner was pleasant for both parties.
Gu Tang’s senior brother was a smooth operator. Even though Jiang Huaisheng came from a powerful family, he didn’t act overly subservient. And Jiang Huaisheng, giving Gu Tang face, naturally didn’t act too arrogant.
As they were about to part ways, his senior brother, taking advantage of Jiang Huaisheng’s absence, patted Gu Tang heavily on the shoulder: “You sly dog, I’ve been worried about you, and here you are, living the good life.”
Gu Tang didn’t say much about his past to his senior brother, he didn’t have the urge to reveal his private life.
His senior brother sighed: “They’re a powerful family. If you two break up, try to part amicably. Try not to get too involved with people from that kind of family. If you’re ever bullied, come find me. Our profession isn’t too reliant on others, I’ll make sure you have food on the table.”
In the eyes of most ordinary people, interacting with such families, although allowing one to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle, could also be devastating if things went sour.
Gu Tang smiled: “I know, I know my limits, thank you, Senior Brother.”
Friendship was also precious and valuable. Gu Tang cherished this kind of concern that wasn’t mixed with interests.
“Then I’ll be going, your sister-in-law is waiting for me at home.” His senior brother waved his hand, signaling his departure. His home was nearby, and he could walk back.
Jiang Huaisheng, who had been discussing business with the owner, came over: “What were you talking about just now?”
“Nothing, just some work stuff, like you.”
Jiang Huaisheng had also been talking about work. Thinking that they hadn’t said anything inappropriate, he put the matter aside.
He poked Gu Tang’s arm with his finger: “Gu Tang, when did I become your boyfriend?”
