Accidentally Turned a Tragic Romance Plotline into a Sweet and Pampering One [Transmigration] CHAPTER 2
Chapter 2
Lin Zheng should have recognized him the moment he was almost captivated by that face.
Gu Lin, the male protagonist who had topped the “Most Charismatic Novel Male Lead” list for countless years, was both the protagonist and the antagonist. He was adept at manipulating people, possessing an unparalleled handsome face, yet inwardly, he was a ruthless figure who rarely showed his true emotions.
In the company corridor, Chen Yi followed behind, reporting today’s schedule, then mentioned the incident earlier, “The incident on the way to the company has already reached the media. What should we do?”
“Suppress it.”
“Yes, the high-level meeting is in ten minutes…”
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden voice.
“Oh, isn’t this Vice President Gu? The meeting is about to start. Why are you only arriving now?”
A man in a suit, looking to be in his forties, with slicked-back hair and a smug look, walked towards them. Seeing the bandage on Gu Lin’s neck, he teased, “It seems Vice President Gu was out having fun last night. Today is the CEO election. Young people, young people. But as a senior, I have to warn you, pay more attention to your behavior. Even if the other directors don’t mind, this greatly affects our company image.”
Gu Lin smiled, “Vice President Liu is right.”
Liu Sui glanced at him, snorted, and passed him with his entourage.
After rounding the corner, one of Liu Sui’s people said, “President Liu, I heard that Gu Lin just completed a large-scale merger and acquisition deal a few days ago. This might threaten you in the election.”
“Just a kid, getting that merger and acquisition deal was just luck. I’ve been with the company ten years longer than him; the projects I’ve completed far exceed his. Besides…” Liu Sui smiled.
He had already taken care of the people he needed to; his votes would definitely be the most.
Winning the CEO position of Huichuang was a sure thing.
Huichuang’s management was undergoing a change, and the CEO position had become a target for several executives. The most anticipated contenders were Liu Sui, the vice president who had worked for thirteen years and made significant contributions, and Gu Lin, who joined three years ago but consistently led the company to new heights.
In the modern conference room, around a circular conference table, the voting interface was displayed on each person’s screen.
After the voting ended, Liu Sui had a confident smile on his face.
Now, he only needed to wait for the results.
He had worked in the company for more than ten years, with both merit and hardship. He deserved this position.
The meeting host began to announce the results.
“The candidate with the most votes is—”
Liu Sui enjoyed the anticipation of the known answer.
This was what he deserved.
“Gu Lin, President Gu.”
Almost instantly, Liu Sui jumped from his seat, then realized his gaffe, adjusted his clothes, and sat back down.
No! How is that possible?
He had clearly taken care of the shareholders. How could Gu Lin have more votes?
He looked at the people he had contacted; they all looked at him with disdain.
—He had been tricked.
Someone asked, “Vice President Liu, how is the project you reported last month progressing?”
Liu Sui opened his mouth, about to speak, when another person said, “I heard that project encountered problems right from the start.”
Liu Sui was startled. How did they know? He hadn’t missed a single entry in the accounts.
This involved shareholder interests. Once this started, others began to question him as well.
Liu Sui broke into a cold sweat, glancing at Gu Lin in the distance.
He saw Gu Lin, smiling faintly, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the white table, watching him like he was watching a show.
It seemed to be all within his expectations.
Liu Sui understood everything.
Gu Lin was behind this.
After the meeting.
“Gu Lin, your merger and acquisition deal with CR Company last week was excellent; it’s the company’s largest M&A deal to date.”
“Chairman Lin is too kind.”
“I look forward to your continued breakthrough performances.”
Gu Lin smiled.
On the way back to his office.
Liu Sui unexpectedly appeared and swung his fist at Gu Lin’s face.
Liu Sui wasn’t as tall as Gu Lin, but he was burly and looked intimidating. Just as the three or four people behind Gu Lin were about to stop him, they saw Gu Lin easily restrain Liu Sui’s arm in mid-air.
Perhaps feeling embarrassed, Liu Sui tried to force his arm down, but because he lacked the strength, his arm remained motionless. His struggle only made him appear more foolish.
“Vice President Liu, in addition to misappropriating company funds, are you planning to add assault to the charges?” Gu Lin asked casually, seemingly unconcerned about the man in front of him.
Liu Sui’s face was livid. Even though he had been exposed, there were others present, so he said, “Gu Lin, don’t accuse me falsely!”
“Whether it’s the truth or a false accusation, we’ll know in two days.” Gu Lin released his arm, speaking calmly, “Save your energy, Vice President Liu. You’ll need it to move your things; you’ll be going elsewhere once the results are out.”
Having said that, Gu Lin left.
“Don’t get too cocky, Gu Lin. You won’t be in this position for long. The world doesn’t give you everything you want.”
Gu Lin ignored him.
“One day, you’ll encounter something you want but can never have!”
Hearing this, Gu Lin stopped.
He turned to look at Liu Sui. The light from the floor-to-ceiling windows on the side of the corridor illuminated his superior features, making him look sharp.
He curled his lips, “Then I’ll wait and see.”
Liu Sui glared angrily at Gu Lin’s retreating back, gritting his teeth.
No one can always get their way.
One day, this person will also lose control and be swayed by someone.
Lin Zheng returned to his place, familiarized himself with the environment, and when organizing his clothes, he happened to find a photo of him and Gu Lin when they were both teenagers.
The original owner had known Gu Lin since he was ten years old and had fallen for him at first sight.
They were able to meet because the Gu and Zhao families were old friends, and Gu Lin and Zhao Qi, the only son of the Zhao family, were high school classmates. The two families frequently met, and they eventually became acquainted.
Gu Lin had never lacked admirers since he was young, and the original owner was one of them. The reason Gu Lin, who had no feelings for the original owner, was still with him was simply because he was bored and wanted to pass the time.
Therefore, he could confirm that Gu Lin currently had no romantic feelings for him.
In the near future, after Gu Lin met and fell in love with the main receiver, he would abandon him.
There was no need to cling to someone who was destined to abandon him.
Everyone can live without anyone else.
In the evening, Lin Zheng couldn’t stay home. He received a call from someone who seemed to be a good friend of the original owner. The person invited him to drink. Lin Zheng immediately agreed.
Lin Zheng searched for clothes but couldn’t find anything suitable, eventually grabbing something random before heading out.
“What’s wrong with you? I used to invite you to places like this, and you’d always refuse. Why the sudden change of heart?”
Lin Zheng looked at his friend across from him, “I just want to change my style.”
Yu Huanyuan was his college classmate; they had lived in the same dorm room and were good friends.
“Hey, was what you told me true? Are you really dating Gu Lin?”
Hearing Gu Lin’s name, Lin Zheng suddenly remembered his encounter with Gu Lin during the day and nodded.
“Wow, the person you had a crush on for ten years finally had a breakthrough. Congratulations.”
Lin Zheng thought there was nothing to congratulate, anyway, they would break up eventually.
“Did you… you know… How was he?”
Lin Zheng was halfway through his drink when he heard the question and choked.
Yu Huanyuan patted his back and laughed, “Why are you shy? You’re adults.”
“Adults don’t discuss such topics in public!”
“Okay, okay, I get it. You haven’t done anything yet.”
“…”
Doing what? Gu Lin didn’t have any feelings for him, they didn’t even kiss, let alone anything more intimate.
“Lin Zheng, think about this again. I checked, Gu Lin is really a playboy. The rumors about him are all over the company. It’s said he changes partners every day.”
Lin Zheng drank his wine. He knew the rumors, but he also knew they were spread by Gu Lin’s rivals to suppress him.
He could confirm that Gu Lin was ruthless, but his love life was clean.
But he didn’t want to explain; he had already made up his mind.
—Before Gu Lin abandoned him, he would abandon Gu Lin first.
Although Gu Lin’s looks and figure were very much to his liking, still, the same principle applied: he was not worth it.
Thinking this, he nodded and said to Yu Huanyuan, “Yeah, I’ll think it over again.”
If nothing unexpected happened, perhaps in a few days, he could tell Yu Huanyuan that he had broken up with Gu Lin.
Halfway through his drinking, Lin Zheng went to the restroom.
There were all kinds of sounds in the nightclub’s restroom. Lin Zheng ignored the unpleasant noises. As he was about to leave after washing his hands, he almost bumped into a man standing behind him.
The man was a little taller than him and very close, almost touching him.
Lin Zheng felt annoyed.
The man pressed one hand against the sink behind Lin Zheng, as if enclosing him in his arms, his voice carrying a conceited arrogance, “First time seeing you, newbie?”
Lin Zheng didn’t respond.
The man raised his other hand to touch Lin Zheng’s face. “Let’s get a drink later?”
Lin Zheng’s pale eyebrows furrowed slightly. He opened the man’s hand, “No, thank you.”
Lin Zheng was about to leave, but the man grabbed his arm, his tone rising with displeasure, “What’s the hurry? I haven’t finished talking.”
Lin Zheng pulled his arm away, stating bluntly, “I’m not interested in you, and I’m done talking.”
Lin Zheng hated this kind of pickup line.
The man watched Lin Zheng’s retreating back, his cheeks involuntarily puffing up.
When Lin Zheng came out, Yu Huanyuan noticed the obvious red marks on his arm and asked worriedly, “What happened in there?”
“Nothing, I just met a drunk.” Lin Zheng lowered his rolled-up sleeve, covering the red marks on his arm.
“A drunk? Are you okay?”
Lin Zheng waved his hand, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
As they were talking, three burly men suddenly appeared next to their booth.
“So, you didn’t want to drink with me because you had a date?”
Lin Zheng looked up and recognized the speaker.
It was the man from the restroom.
He was really persistent.
He heard the man say, “But it’s okay even if you have a date. I like drinking with people who have dates.”
As the man spoke, Lin Zheng saw the other two men circling behind Yu Huanyuan, ready to attack at any moment.
The man bent down, his voice carrying a threat, “So? Will you drink with me now?”
