Chapter 2103: A Bit Dazed

After all, they were white-collar workers, and in foreign trade at that. While not wealthy, they had encountered some rich people.

More importantly, their workplace and home were in the capital.

One's platform determines one's horizons—that's a very true saying.

The gap between a child growing up in a small county town and one growing up in a big city is obvious.

"What... what's going on?"

At that moment, everyone's gaze focused on Dong Guoxiang.

As for Guo Xiaoyan and Li Jie, no one paid them any attention.

Those who couldn't even get through the door had no right to speak.

"Nothing much, it's just that Tingting didn't know what I do for a living."

Dong Guoxiang smiled, chose the largest table, and invited everyone to sit down. Then he explained with a smile, "I do work at Future Technologies, but I'm not a programmer."

"Huh?"

Everyone exchanged glances, and even Hu Tingting looked surprised.

Just as Dong Guoxiang was about to speak, he caught sight of a figure in the corner of his eye. He blinked, looked more carefully, and revealed a helpless expression.

"What's wrong?"

Hu Tingting asked him, puzzled.

Dong Guoxiang shook his head and pointed into the distance: "Let me handle something first."

"What?"

Hu Tingting was even more bewildered.

Then they saw Dong Guoxiang stand up and call out, "Stop hiding, I see you, Dong Chenxi!"

Who?

Who is Dong Chenxi?

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Zhang Xin frowned; the name sounded familiar.

"It's all your fault!"

"I told you to hide better."

"Yeah, right."

Following Dong Guoxiang's voice, several people emerged from a corner.

Seeing them, Dong Guoxiang slapped his forehead, suddenly feeling like jumping off a building.

You guys, are you that bored?

Dong Chenxi, Zheng Yao, along with Zhao Fusheng and Bai Jie, and a grinning Xue Yuanfang—almost all the core executives of Future Group had arrived.

Only Zhang Qian was absent.

At that moment, Dong Guoxiang felt that Zhang Qian was indeed the most reliable person in the company.

"Don't bother looking, Zhang Qian isn't here."

Then Xue Yuanfang suddenly spoke up: "I asked him to go downstairs and smash the car of those two idiots at the door. I'll compensate them with a new one later..."

"..."

Dong Guoxiang thought he might have been overthinking earlier.

Even Zhang Qian was joining in their antics?

"Ahem, well, we were all just concerned about you."

"Yes, we care."

"This is your girlfriend, right? Oh, she's lovely."

Dong Chenxi, Zheng Yao, and Bai Jie cheerfully gathered around Hu Tingting.

"Hello, hello, I'm Dong Chenxi, a college classmate of Dong Guoxiang."

"I'm his teacher, Zheng Yao."

"And I'm Bai Jie; I'm in charge of paying his salary."

The gossipy women instantly overwhelmed Hu Tingting.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "Well, we've eaten enough, so we'll be off now. Enjoy your meal."

They'd seen the person and gotten their gossip; it was best not to stay and cause trouble. Didn't they see how dark Dong Guoxiang's face had turned?

Bad judgment in people, unlucky in friends!

That was probably the perfect description of Dong Guoxiang's mood right now. After all, anyone in his shoes would be helpless.

"Don't worry, I'll handle things outside."

Xue Yuanfang said with a grin: "Oh, and give me your account later. Get me some good gear, or I'll come find you at your company..."

"Alright, alright, just go."

Dong Guoxiang hurriedly shooed them away.

After finally getting rid of them, Dong Guoxiang let out a long sigh and looked helplessly at the thoroughly stunned girls: "Actually, I can explain."

"That Dong Chenxi seems to be the general manager of Future Investments!" Zhang Xin suddenly said. "I went for an interview there once and caught a glimpse of her."

"Right, and that Zheng Yao is the CEO of Future Group. I've seen her profile in financial reports."

"And that Fusheng..."

Hu Tingting looked at Dong Guoxiang: "His surname isn't Zhao, is it?"

"Cough, you know?"

Dong Guoxiang nodded: "We all came from Ninghai. Dong Chenxi and Zheng Yao were in charge of the advertising company, while I handled the internet business."

Then, with a slight smile, he said to Hu Tingting and her colleagues: "Now, let me reintroduce myself. Hu Tingting's boyfriend, general manager of Future Network Technology, a subsidiary of Future Group—I am Dong Guoxiang."

Gasp!

Everyone was stunned.

Even knowing the answer, hearing Dong Guoxiang say it himself was still hard to imagine.

Hu Tingting felt dizzy.

"You..."

"I'm sorry."

Dong Guoxiang apologized to Hu Tingting: "I didn't mean to hide it from you. When you asked about my job, I told the truth—I'm mainly responsible for software development."

"But you don't have a car..." Zhang Xin asked, puzzled.

"Yeah, I can't drive."

Dong Guoxiang explained: "The head office assigned me a car and a bodyguard, but I don't go out much, so I rarely use them."

"And these clothes you're wearing aren't brand-name..."

Someone asked, confused.

"I'm not good at buying clothes. Zheng Yao and the others help me, sometimes Baobao—uh, Fusheng's wife, she's an actress. When she buys clothes for Fusheng, she orders some for me too..."

"Who was that guy who said he'd smash the car?"

"Xue Yuanfang, head of our company's PR department. He's a local from the capital; his family has people in leadership. His grandfather is..."

"Wow! That impressive!"

The girls were all stunned.

After hearing Dong Guoxiang's explanation, their looks toward Hu Tingting changed.

This girl had gone from a sparrow to a phoenix, climbing up the social ladder.

No kidding!

This was the general manager of Future Technologies. As young people working in the capital, they knew very well what kind of company Future Group was.

The chairman of Future Group was known as the most mysterious super-rich man in all of China, and Dong Guoxiang was not only the general manager of Future Technologies but also a founding member who had been with Future Group since its inception.

So impressive!

That was the only thought left in everyone's mind.

After all, the rich people they had encountered couldn't possibly be richer than Zhao Fusheng.

And as Zhao Fusheng's trusted lieutenant, running a subsidiary, Dong Guoxiang's wealth was certainly astonishing to them.

"Let's eat."

Dong Guoxiang said to everyone: "From now on, I'll count on all of you to look after our Tingting."

"Of course, rest assured, General Manager Dong."

"Yeah, yeah, as long as we get to eat at places like this often, we'll make sure to keep an eye on her."

"Right, right. You treat us to meals, and we'll watch over Tingting for you."

"No problem."

Everyone laughed.

They weren't exactly fawning; though they might have felt a bit envious, they understood that since Dong Guoxiang had gone to such lengths, even involving someone as important as Zhao Fusheng, he must truly care deeply for Hu Tingting.

Hu Tingting was completely dazed. She never imagined something like this could happen, let alone to her.

An ordinary Cinderella meeting a prince?

This was too surreal!

"By the way, that Xue just now..."

"Xue Yuanfang."

"Right, Xue Yuanfang. Will he really have someone smash the car?"

Hu Tingting asked worriedly.

"It's fine. The one smashing the car is Zhang Qian, head of the oversight department. We came from Ninghai together. He knows his limits." Dong Guoxiang said calmly: "As long as that Li Jie doesn't resist, he definitely won't get hurt."

Then he smiled: "Zhang Qian was in the military; he's seen blood and knows when to stop."

"..."

That joke wasn't funny at all!

"Don't worry, Fusheng said he'll handle it, so it's fine."

Dong Guoxiang, realizing his joke fell flat, smiled at everyone: "Come on, order whatever you want."

Then he winked: "Someone's picking up the tab tonight, so eat up."

...

...

The greatest benefit of money is that it can satisfy certain needs.

Especially material needs.

Like today with Dong Guoxiang, Hu Tingting's colleagues had probably never imagined they could rent out a place like this, drink wine worth tens of thousands a bottle, eat steak, and enjoy the violin playing nearby.

The meal was a success; everyone was happy.

Even Hu Tingting.

She was just an ordinary girl, not a gold digger, but she was happy to see her loved one doing well.

Of course, she had originally planned how she and Dong Guoxiang would struggle together in the future. Now she knew that if she wanted, the man before her could give her a happiness beyond imagination.

After the meal, Dong Guoxiang suggested going to karaoke, but the girls politely declined, saying there would be plenty of opportunities later.

Dong Guoxiang didn't insist and let them leave.

He called his driver to take him, Hu Tingting, and her roommate Zhang Xin away.

The car drove smoothly and soon arrived near Future Technologies.

"I'll head back now."

Hu Tingting rented a place nearby, sharing it with Zhang Xin.

Dong Guoxiang opened his mouth but eventually just nodded.

That was his nature; he couldn't say more.

Seeing how wooden he was, Hu Tingting couldn't help but laugh.

"Let's have lunch together tomorrow."

The girl shot him a look, then turned and went upstairs with her friend.

Dong Guoxiang blinked, rubbed his head, and thought he should probably have a talk with Zhao Fusheng.