The place chosen for prayer was Yunfeng Mountain, and about two hundred people from the company went together.
When everyone was halfway up the mountain, there was a sudden loud bang in the sky. Everyone was like startled birds, looking in the direction of the sound in a panic.
The sky, which had been clear and sunny, was now covered with dark clouds. It looked like it was going to rain, and a heavy rain at that.
Zhang Bin looked at Chen Lishu with concern and said, "President Chen, it looks like we have to go back the way we came. It gets dark quickly when it rains. If we can't see the path and the mountain road is treacherous, I'm afraid there will be danger."
As soon as he said this, a look of disappointment appeared on everyone's faces. After all, this was the company's first group activity, and they had been looking forward to it for a long time.
However, this sense of disappointment did not last long, as the torrential rain had already arrived. In less than ten seconds, everyone was soaked.
Chen Lishu wiped the rain from her face. She thought that Gao Xinyan was usually meticulous, so how could such a big mistake have happened this time? She didn't even check the weather forecast for an outdoor gathering.
Now that it was raining heavily, going down the mountain was impossible. The journey down the mountain would take about two hours. If someone slipped and fell, what would happen? She could only see if Gao Xinyan had made any backup plans.
With this thought, Chen Lishu turned to look at the employees behind her and shouted, "Where is Gao Xinyan? Have Gao Xinyan come here!"
Lu Gen, who was hiding in the crowd, saw that the time was right. He pushed through the crowd and came to Chen Lishu's front, feigning an anxious expression. He suggested, "President Chen... President Chen, I know there's a hotel nearby that's open. Why don't we let everyone go there to rest first, and then leave when the rain stops?"
A hotel?
It was raining too heavily. If they continued to get wet, coupled with the low temperature in the mountains, everyone would probably catch a cold by tomorrow!
So, upon hearing the word "hotel," Chen Lishu did not hesitate. She quickly said, "Hurry and lead the way. Book more rooms so that everyone can stay and take a shower. We don't want everyone to catch a cold."
Seeing that things were proceeding according to his plan, Lu Gen's lips curved upwards slightly, a barely perceptible smile appearing on his face.
Just as everyone was preparing to change their location, an urgent voice rang out, "Sister Gao is missing! Sister Gao is missing!"
Chen Lishu and Zhang Bin heard this and simultaneously turned their heads to ask, "Who is missing?"
A young girl in her twenties stepped forward, her expression panicked, and said, "Gao Xinyan is missing! She was just standing next to me, but now she's gone."
Chen Lishu frowned and said, "Could she have fallen behind because she couldn't keep up with everyone? Have everyone pass the message along and see who Gao Xinyan was last seen next to?"
As soon as she said this, everyone relayed the message according to Chen Lishu's instructions.
After about three minutes, the answer that came back was: they hadn't seen Gao Xinyan at all.
Zhang Bin also frowned and said, "President Chen, her phone is also not going through."
"It's raining heavily, and she's just a young girl. Could she have run into trouble? Lu Gen, you take everyone to the hotel to shelter from the rain. I'll go look for Gao Xinyan."
Chen Lishu dared not be negligent about Gao Xinyan's disappearance. After all, she had brought the person out. If anything happened, she would be held responsible.
"Damn it! Gao Xinyan, what the hell are you up to?" Lu Gen saw Chen Lishu turn to leave, and his plan was about to fail. He lowered his head and cursed softly.
After cursing, he raised his head again and persuaded her earnestly, "President Chen, Gao Xinyan will be fine. Our families used to go to temples to pray frequently, and she is very familiar with the roads here. Perhaps she took a shortcut up the mountain."
As his words fell, Zhang Bin's voice also came over. He said, "Why don't we send a few men from the company to look for her? You're a woman, and I'm afraid it might not be safe for you. What if something really happens?"
Chen Lishu shook her head and said, "It's raining too hard. Will it be safe for the men if they go? They are also the pillars of their families, the beloved children of their parents. I can't just disregard their safety.
As the boss of a company, I naturally have to charge forward when something happens. Don't worry, I brought a bodyguard with me, and with her, I should be fine."
After speaking, Chen Lishu waved to Su Nian.
Seeing Chen Lishu's determination to search for Gao Xinyan herself, Zhang Bin took a deep breath and said, "In that case, let's go look for Comrade Gao together. If something happens, I'm a man and stronger, so I can protect you both better."
"No," Chen Lishu firmly rejected Zhang Bin's request. "There are still 200 people left at the hotel. You need to stay and stabilize the situation. If both of us mainstays leave, they will be leaderless, and what if they do something impulsive? Won't that be one problem after another?"
Just as they were deadlocked over this matter, Lu Gen, who was standing nearby, spoke up, "Why don't I go with President Chen? I'm also a man, and I can protect President Chen. President Zhang, you stay at the hotel to maintain order, and don't let any unexpected events occur here."
He had figured it out. His goal was to create an opportunity to interact with Chen Lishu, but it would be on the way down the mountain instead of at the hotel.
Ideally, a small accident would occur along the way, and he could play the hero and rescue her, leaving a good impression on Chen Lishu and making her willing to yield to him!
With this thought, Lu Gen was eager to take on this favor.
"Okay, it's decided! The rain is getting heavier, and we can't delay any longer. Every minute wasted means Gao Xinyan is in greater danger.
Zhang Bin, you stay at the hotel. The hotel is on the way up the mountain, so keep an eye out for Gao Xinyan. If she returns safely, remember to send us a message."
After speaking, Chen Lishu, along with Su Nian and Lu Gen, turned and left.
---
The three of them walked on the road down the mountain. The rain had made the mud very soft, and they could sink into it at any moment.
They not only had to be wary of the path under their feet but also had to shout Gao Xinyan's name.
Lu Gen wasn't paying attention and slipped on a downhill slope, falling to the ground. His tailbone was severely injured.
Chen Lishu, who was walking at the back, stopped and said breathlessly with concern, "Su Nian, quickly help him up. Comrade Lu, how are you? Are you injured anywhere?"
Lu Gen clutched his waist with a pained expression and, with Su Nian's help, stood up. With a helpless expression, he suggested, "President Chen, the ground here is too slippery. Why don't we hold hands and slide down slowly so we can take care of each other?"