Chapter 120: Don't Even Think About It (Part One)

“I’ll wait for you downstairs.” After casually dropping this remark, Gu Niancun leisurely descended the stairs.

The barbecue was set up with the boys grilling, while the girls sat nearby, waiting for the cooked meat.

Plate after plate was served, leaving the two girls overwhelmed but delighted. Jiang Muwen and Gu Nianxi, seeing the boys putting so much effort into the grilling, felt it improper to just sit and wait to be fed. They got up and walked over to watch the boys carefully.

“Do you need any help?” Gu Nianxi approached Gu Niancun’s side. The heat from the grill wafted directly toward the two girls’ cheeks, carrying a rich aroma that made one want to bite in while the meat was still hot.

Gu Niancun glanced at the two girls and then casually handed the finished skewers to Jiang Muwen. “Just sit nearby.”

As Gu Niancun’s words fell, Wen Yichen lifted his clear eyes through the steam, fixing his gaze on Gu Niancun and Jiang Muwen. Suddenly, a complex expression clouded his eyes, and an inexplicable pang of jealousy stirred in his heart. He didn’t like seeing Gu Niancun and Jiang Muwen so close. Then, with a calm tone, Wen Yichen said, “Jiang Muwen, come over here.”

At Wen Yichen’s call, Jiang Muwen obediently walked over with the skewers. “Do you need help with anything?”

Before she could finish, another skewer appeared before Jiang Muwen’s eyes. She glanced at it, then looked up at Wen Yichen.

“Eat it while it’s hot,” Wen Yichen said lightly. In truth, he didn’t need help from Jiang Muwen; just having her by his side brought him a sense of peace.

Not far off, Yin Lize was awkwardly trying to grill meat. Gu Nianxi’s gaze fell on him, and she shyly approached his side. Yin Lize had just finished grilling a skewer and took a bite himself. The meat was tender, and even with the sauce, the original flavor shone through.

“This is really good,” Yin Lize said, chewing on the hot meat, a hint of surprise gleaming in his eyes.

He spoke as he brought the skewer to Gu Nianxi’s lips. “Try it. It’s my first time grilling, and it tastes pretty good.”

The sudden offering caught Gu Nianxi off guard. She looked at the skewer, bitten into by Yin Lize, unsure whether to take a bite.

“Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned,” Yin Lize added when he saw her hesitating.

Hearing this, Gu Nianxi looked up at the boy before her. He kept his gaze fixed squarely on her. Seeing her still reluctant, he encouraged her with a soft “Ah.”

At Yin Lize’s gentle urging, Gu Nianxi felt a touch embarrassed. She parted her lips and cautiously bit off a piece.

“Delicious, right?” Yin Lize’s face lit up with expectation, completely unaware that Gu Niancun was watching them nearby.

When Yin Lize inadvertently glanced up, he finally met Gu Niancun’s sharp gaze. His body shuddered instinctively, as if caught red-handed stealing Gu Niancun’s sister. For a fleeting moment, he genuinely feared Gu Niancun might approach him with a knife.

He looked at Gu Niancun and then forced a bitter smile, as if saying, “Little brother won’t dare again.”

Gu Niancun seemed to understand the meaning behind the smile. He sighed and lowered his head to focus on grilling the meat at hand. It was clear to him that Yin Lize was fond of Gu Nianxi.

The two-day, one-night resort vacation quickly came to an end. With the start of school, everyone returned to the intense rhythm of study. Everything seemed to settle back into its usual calm, and in the blink of an eye, the second semester of sophomore year was drawing to a close.

Before the holiday, as everyone stuffed homework into their bags awaiting the break, the homeroom teacher strolled into the classroom.

“Students, this summer we have a practical activity that each of you must complete,” the teacher announced, turning to write four large characters on the blackboard: Career Experience.

“The career experience lasts one week. You can try various industries. Remember to write a reflection. The details are printed on the assignment sheet. Take it home and read carefully.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Muwen pulled out the assignment sheet she had folded and tucked into her bag and glanced over it. Her expression soon turned pensive. “Where am I supposed to find a job? We’re almost seniors. Who would hire someone for only a week’s part-time work?”

Jiang Muwen muttered softly. Before she could respond, Gu Nianxi’s voice reached her ears.

“You could come to my brother’s company.”

Before Jiang Muwen could answer, Yin Lize excitedly turned around. “Really?”

“Yes. More helpers won’t hurt. My brother probably won’t mind.”

“Really?” Jiang Muwen asked again.

Everyone was quite pleased to hear Gu Nianxi’s suggestion, but amid the joy was a trace of nervousness. Gu Niancun, who usually seemed somewhat unapproachable, would he really agree? If so, would they end up working under a tyrant, laboring every day?

“What do you all think I’m like?” Gu Nianxi’s words snapped everyone out of their thoughts. “He only looks fierce.”

Besides, if he didn’t appear fierce, how could he possibly control an entire company?

Seeing the doubtful looks on her friends’ faces, Gu Nianxi couldn’t help but add, “Leave it to me. I’ll give you an answer tonight.”

Though Gu Nianxi spoke casually, once Gu Niancun returned home, he realized the matter was not as simple as she imagined.

Before Gu Nianxi could explain the details, Gu Niancun interrupted her.

“Don’t even think about it.”

He said this while pouring himself a glass of plain water. Then, leisurely slipping on his slippers, he walked into the bedroom. His tone was resolute, as if the matter was non-negotiable.

In today’s society, elite candidates scramble fiercely for positions in Gu Niancun’s company. How could he possibly entrust a bunch of high schoolers, not even graduated yet, to help out?

“But I already promised them,” Gu Nianxi hurried after him. Just as he was about to close the door, she wedged her hand between the door and the frame, preventing it from shutting.

“It’s just one week, doing odd jobs is fine,” she pleaded, looking up at Gu Niancun like a cat begging for fish. “I promised them. How can you bear to let the six of us fail to complete our summer practical assignment?”

Six of them.

Gu Niancun paused upon hearing this. “You mean those who went to the resort that day?”