Chapter 8, Difficult to Distinguish Between Joy and Sorrow

"Alright, understood. I will consult Mr. Gao..." As the call ended, he smiled apologetically at Jian Nuo, gesturing for her to wait a moment. Then, he politely knocked on the heavy intricately carved wooden door behind him and asked Gao Chi: "Mr. Gao, Xiao Hui has returned. May I ask if you are going out now?"

On this night, Jian Nuo slept very restlessly, as too many doubts made her eager to see Gao Chi. It seemed that she had finally found a reason for his inexplicable departure, and the sudden rise of a faint hope made her want to cry

In this fleeting moment, Jian Nuo felt an impulse to flee in panic; however, she merely stared at him in a daze, her feet feeling as if they were weighed down by lead, rendering her completely unable to move.

Thus, within ten days, the staff of the Bamboo Sea Resort Hotel, originally numbering seven hundred, was ruthlessly reduced to four hundred. Not to mention the substantial funds required to compensate the dismissed employees, the nearly one and a half months of closure for renovations, the lost revenue, the salaries of the retained employees that needed to be paid, and various other expenses amounted to a considerable sum. However, under the management and supervision of the financial director appointed by Gao Chi, the finance department carried out its work in an orderly manner, without any signs of financial strain. This situation further encouraged the remaining employees to diligently and cautiously perform their duties, and they began to genuinely respect the new boss who was orchestrating everything.

This morning, a call was received from the Bamboo Sea area, indicating that the hotel has basically completed its preliminary preparations and is scheduled to open to the public at the beginning of next month. Please go there as soon as possible to understand the management methods for daily affairs and provide relevant legal support. For the next half month, you will need to work at the hotel, and thereafter, allocate a certain amount of time each month to handle legal matters as needed

Until the sixth day, when Jian Nuo was drafting the hotel contract management measures in the office, Ding Hui arrived

As she thought about the upcoming meeting with Gao Chi, Jian Nuo felt a jolt of energy, and the gloom gradually dissipated like a thin mist. The confusion and fear that once lingered had vanished, leaving only a sense of nervousness and anticipation in her heart

Gao Chi's expression, cold as hard ice, softened in the moment their eyes met, the depths of his dark eyes surging with complex emotions like a tide, gazing directly into her watery eyes, as if reading her confusion, sensing her grievance, yet finding no trace of the reproach that should have been there. Suddenly, an indescribable bitterness spread at the tip of his heart, and Gao Chi sadly realized that he had begun to hate his own ruthlessness and indifference for her sake.

"I am fine, thank you..." Before Jian Nuo could finish her words, the intricately carved wooden door was pulled open from the inside, and Gao Chi's tall figure stood against the light, less than one meter away from her.

Jian Nuo looked at Su Ming's gentle smile and realized that her usually strict master was also quite adorable. Feeling a bit calmer, she smiled slightly and playfully said, "I promise not to bring shame to my master"

Jian Nuo was not clear about how long Gao Chi had prepared before acquiring Zhu Hai. He only learned from Ding Hui that on the day Gao Chi returned to the country, he held a brief meeting with senior executives, requesting them to review the human resources of their respective departments and submit a formal written report the next day. This report was to clearly state their job positions, responsibilities, content, work achievements over the years, and provide constructive suggestions for the future development of the hotel. Additionally, it was required to include an evaluation of the work status and overall quality of the employees in their departments. After being filtered by the newly appointed HR manager, these reports were sent to Gao Chi, who would meet with different retained employees each day. As for the approvals for those who were dismissed, they were all communicated through Ding Hui in his name via email, while instructing the finance department to transfer their salaries to their personal accounts within one day, including any compensation owed, which would be paid in full.

"Let us proceed according to the scheduled time. I appreciate your assistance, Secretary Ding." Jian Nuo seemed to be taken aback by the person's comment on her plan and politely raised her head to express her gratitude.

Is it a coincidence? Or ... ... '' Gao Chi has never mentioned anything about his family, so Jian Nuo is not sure whether they, who share the same surname Gao, have any relation. Moreover, why was the legal representative of the hotel surnamed Yuan for the previous four years?

The person sitting opposite Jian Nuo at this moment is Su Ming, the founder of Jin Tai Law Firm, who has been practicing as a lawyer for twenty years and is known as the "Invincible General". He is also the mentor of Luo Yi Heng and Jian Nuo

At four o'clock in the morning, Jian Nuo naturally woke up, ascended the mountain, watched the sunrise, and descended the mountain, arriving at Jintai Law Firm at eight thirty as usual. After the routine meeting concluded, she was called into the office by her mentor

Some time ago, reports about the Bamboo Sea flooded in, almost causing a sensation throughout Yicheng, until a month ago when the matter inexplicably calmed down overnight. Jian Nuo, who was not particularly interested in the rumors circulating among major corporate groups, naturally had no idea that Gao Chi had acquired the Bamboo Sea at that time, becoming the fourth steward of the hotel

Since its establishment, the hotel has been under the leadership of an excellent management team, earning an outstanding reputation in the industry and maintaining a leading position for several years. In addition to generating substantial tax revenue each year, the intrinsic value of the hotel has risen to a level that makes it difficult to accurately quantify.

Subtly sensing the nuances between the two, Ding Hui stood in front of her seat, remaining silent

The Bamboo Sea Resort Hotel is not unfamiliar to Jian Nuo. It is the largest five-star resort hotel in Yicheng, integrating vacation, leisure, and hot springs. Located near the suburbs of Yicheng, close to bamboo forests, it covers an area of over 10,000 square meters. The hotel is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces water on one side, with picturesque lake and mountain scenery. Its unique architectural style blends seamlessly with the enchanting natural landscape, standing proudly amidst the green mountains and lush shade, becoming a splendid sight in Yicheng.

Jian Nuo suddenly felt a sense of unsteadiness. She handed the contract to Ding Hui, her voice steady despite her exhaustion: "I have marked the problematic areas and made the necessary modifications. Please reprint it and give it to him." Realizing that her words were inappropriate, she quickly corrected herself: "I meant, show it to Mr. Gao."

Mr. Gao, the lawyer, is very satisfied with the training program. I will immediately begin making arrangements. Do you think we should proceed according to the schedule outlined in the course timetable?" Holding the documents, Ding Hui confirmed the training time with Jian Nuo

Regardless of what they are about to face next, they are gradually getting closer. However, Jian Nuo was clearly too optimistic. Since starting work at Zhu Hai five days ago, she had not seen Gao Chi at all. The only people who helped her familiarize herself with the hotel situation and coordinate work were Gao Chi's personal secretary, Ding Hui, and the managers and senior executives from various departments. What surprised her was that all these individuals were actually Gao Chi's "loyalists," management personnel who were parachuted in after his acquisition of Zhu Hai. All of them were previously elite talents reused by various resort hotels, selected through rigorous training and screening to be brought under his command. To put it plainly, all the senior managers at Zhu Hai at this moment were his "own people." What surprised her was that all these individuals were actually Gao Chi's "loyalists," management personnel who were parachuted in after his acquisition of Zhu Hai. All of them were previously elite talents reused by various resort hotels, selected through rigorous training and screening to be brought under his command. To put it plainly, all the senior managers at Zhu Hai at this moment were his "own people."

It is merely a matter of duty. Ding Hui smiled and timely handed over a folder, saying, "This is the cooperation contract with Honghui International Travel Agency. Due to special circumstances, the standard text was not used; it was drafted by the business manager. Mr. Gao said to let you take a look first, and if there are any issues, I will revise it before taking it to him for review."

Thus, Jian Nuo officially became the appointed legal advisor of the Bamboo Sea Resort Hotel. In the following half month, she will work at the hotel every day, collaborating with the management to study relevant regulations, policy documents, improve the contract system, and conduct training on legal knowledge

Jin Nuo stood outside, and through the half-closed door, she saw that person with his head down, signing documents. Upon hearing Ding Hui ask him, he glanced at the time and continued with his work while saying: "Let him wait downstairs, I will come down in five minutes."

In the half-dream, half-awake state, Jian Nuo's low whimper echoed in the room like a small animal, drifting into the ears and exuding a faint sense of sadness and helplessness

Alright. I understand. Jian Nuo raised her gaze to look at the master sitting opposite her, her expression calm, yet her heart was racing wildly

The night is long, but it will eventually pass along with the books

As the secretary of Gao Chi, Ding Hui is an exceptionally sensitive person. She quickly noticed Jian Nuo's unusual behavior and asked her, "Are you alright, Lawyer Jian? Are you feeling unwell?"

After a long while, Gao Chi collected his thoughts and walked over slowly, then silently passed by Jian Nuo, their bodies so close that their sleeves brushed against each other. In the moment they brushed past, she heard him say: "I will step out for a moment, and we will talk again when I return."

Jian Nuo was momentarily taken aback, then took over the task and spent about an hour completing the review. He marked and corrected certain ambiguous terms within the document, and added two supplementary clauses to protect the interests of Zhu Hai before personally delivering the contract to Ding Hui.

I originally intended for Yi Heng to accompany you for a few days, but he is tied up with a case and cannot spare the time. If you have any questions, feel free to contact him by phone at any time. Please be attentive and give the master some face.

Ding Hui responded affirmatively and stepped out, intending to close the door. At that moment, Gao Chi seemed to sense something, suddenly lifting his head to gaze towards the doorway. The profound look in his eyes met the lingering affection in Jian Nuo's gaze, suspended in the air for a brief moment. However, the door slowly closed under Ding Hui's push, separating the fleeting exchange between the two.

In a desperate search through her memory, Jian Nuo suddenly recalled that the original legal representative of this resort hotel had the surname Gao, and she was taken aback

For his two exceptionally talented disciples, Su Ming has shown great care and support, generously imparting his years of practical experience. After entering middle age, he no longer attended hearings as an observer, yet he personally attended every case to guide Luo Yiheng during his initial foray into the profession. As a result, Luo Yiheng's growth has been remarkably swift; in just three short years, he has become a standout figure in the legal field

Despite having thought more than once about the circumstances under which she would meet him, at this very moment, Jian Nuo's heart was still uncontrollably racing. Her hand, holding the documents, was turning pale from the excessive grip, and her nose tinged with a hint of bitterness as her clear eyes quickly became misty.

Everything is somewhat unclear and difficult to fathom

Jian Nuo felt the presence of Gao Chi in such an environment, listening to the few rumors about him from https://www.hetushu.com.com, a strange mix of bitterness and sweetness surged in her chest. The heart that had been longing for four years gradually calmed down, forgetting to question why she had not had the opportunity to see him after several days. Instead, she devoted herself to providing legal support for the hotel, as if silently sharing some burden for him.

What on earth is going on? Could it be that the hotel originally belonged to the Gao family? A multitude of questions arose in her mind, and Jian Nuo found it difficult to logically connect a series of changes. She only vaguely felt that Gao Chi's departure might be inseparably linked to the transformation of the resort hotel, yet at that moment, she could not think of any necessary connection. Just like four years ago when he left, she, as a student, did not notice the earth-shattering changes that had taken place in the Bamboo Sea. It was not until today, when the waves stirred again, that she realized something was amiss. Jian Nuo found it difficult to logically connect a series of changes. She only vaguely felt that Gao Chi's departure might be inseparably linked to the transformation of the resort hotel, yet at that moment, she could not think of any necessary connection. Just like four years ago when he left, she, as a student, did not notice the earth-shattering changes that had taken place in the Bamboo Sea. It was not until today, when the waves stirred again, that she realized something was amiss.

Ding Hui's office is located outside the office of Gao Chi on the sixteenth floor. When Jian Nuo arrived, she was on the phone

The distant sky is adorned with countless stars, resembling numerous pairs of blinking and shifting eyes gazing down upon all that exists in the world. The evening breeze gently and comfortably stirs the window curtains, causing the wind chimes hanging from the balcony ceiling to sway lightly, producing a crisp sound

When Jian Nuo came to her senses, the elevator behind her was rapidly descending. She stood in place, unsure whether his words were directed at Ding Hui or at herself.

If Jian Nuo remembers correctly, back then, Zhu Hai had applied to the Yicheng government for the establishment of a golf course. However, what seemed to be a nearly certain application plan from an outsider's perspective has yet to be approved, appearing to have come to a standstill. Furthermore, it seems that it was around that time that the hotel began to decline, and since then, its business has plummeted. Six months ago, there were even rumors of it being on the verge of bankruptcy. Nevertheless, such a large enterprise is not something an ordinary company can easily acquire. Additionally, it seems that it was around that time that the hotel began to decline, and since then, its business has plummeted. Six months ago, there were even rumors of it being on the verge of bankruptcy. Nevertheless, such a large enterprise is not something an ordinary company can easily acquire.

"Something must have happened that I do not know..." Her slender fingers brushed over the name Gao Chi on the contract, and a sharp pain pierced Jian Nuo's heart. She murmured to herself, "Gao Chi, do not hide anything from me anymore. Even if the outcome is not what I desire, I deserve an answer."