As the return journey deepened into the night, the business car sped into the city and first dropped Xiang Mingzhang off at the downstairs of Bomanjia Apartment.
Chu Shichen sat in the back row. During the several hours' journey, he did not tilt his head, cross his legs, or doze off. He always maintained a proper sitting posture. However, he was really sleepy and clenched his fist to block a yawn.
Xiang Mingzhang got out of the car and said, "It's late today, so I'll take a half-day break tomorrow morning."
"Okay." Chu Shichen said, "Mr. Xiang, good night."
The driver took Chu Shichen home and got off the car at the gate. He dragged his suitcase into the garden. Knowing that he would be back tonight, Mrs. Chu was still awake and waiting under the porch with a face mask on.
The light made his face look pale, which scared Chu Shichen.
Mrs. Chu smiled and said, "I didn't take my beauty sleep to wait for you. What's your reaction?"
Chu Shichen was led into the villa by Mrs. Chu's arm. Aunt Tang took his luggage. She was not sure what time he would arrive home and was afraid that the food would get cold, so she asked, "Are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat?"
"Don't bother, I'm not hungry." Chu Shichen took out a gift and said, "I just bought it on the street. I hope you like it."
Mrs. Chu was so happy that she couldn't remember the last time she received a gift from her son. She said, "Xiaochen, did you take the photos? This is your first business trip, and Mom wants to print them out and hang them up."
Chu Shichen asked, "Isn't this too serious?"
"It's just a matter of seriousness." Mrs. Chu was very proud. "Let the guests see that my son also works and earns money."
Chu Shichen couldn't help laughing. The photo was in his phone, and he promised to send it to Mrs. Chu later, then went upstairs to settle down.
After returning to the room and taking a shower, Chu Shichen changed into a thin silk pajamas and completely relaxed his limbs. He leaned against the soft pillow and sent the photos in his mobile phone album one by one.
Most of them are street scenes. The last one was taken by Xiang Mingzhang and sent to him. It was a photo taken in the Metasequoia forest.
Chu Shichen stared at her for a long time without moving. Small drops of water dripped from the ends of her wet hair, sliding down her slender neck into the collar, and a bright and moist area gathered in the concave neck.
He didn't sleep well enough in the hotel, so he lit Canaan incense tonight and slept until dawn.
The summer clothes were custom-made and delivered. Chu Shichen picked out a shirt with a crisp cut, an English collar, and the length of the collar tip was exactly what he requested.
Coming out of the room, Chu Shichen ran into Chu Shihui on the stairs.
Chu Shihui was holding a pile of reference books. The school dormitory was small, so she moved back when she had no classes in the morning.
Chu Shichen stepped forward, took the book with one hand, helped Chu Shihui put it in the study, and said, "I bought you a small gift in Nanjing."
Chu Shihui didn't quite believe it, as this brother had been wandering around abroad in the past few years and had never sent her anything.
Chu Shichen brought the gift, which was a moon-white brocade sachet. He didn't understand the aesthetic taste of modern girls and said, "It's not fashionable, but it's well made. The fragrance inside is refreshing. You can smell it when you're tired from doing homework."
Chu Shihui sniffed it and found it smelled fresh. She said, "It doesn't taste like you."
Chu Shichen asked: "Do you like it?"
Chu Shihui refused to answer, but put it in her bag and asked, "Do you want to work overtime the day after tomorrow?"
"I don't know." Chu Shichen said, "What's wrong?"
Chu Shihui stroked the ends of her hair that fell on her shoulders and hesitated for a moment: "Nothing, let's talk about it later."
Chu Shichen couldn't guess what the little girl was thinking. In his old family, his sister Shen Lizhi was quiet and would occasionally act like a spoiled brat. But the younger sister of the Chu family was different. She was stubborn and opinionated and not so easy to get close to.
Chu Shichen didn't have time to explore. The driver prepared the car and took him to work at the company.
It was almost time for lunch break and most of the colleagues in the department were hungry. The duck that Chu Shichen bought in Nanjing just arrived and everyone rushed over to share the food while expressing their gratitude.
After everyone went to the restaurant to eat and the department was empty, Chu Shichen put a gift box into Peng Xin's office. If he gave it to Peng Xin in person, the other party would have to respond politely, which would only add to his pressure.
He left a note in each gift box and then gave them to four other colleagues in the legal department.
After seeing Xiang Yue off, Chu Shichen went to the twelfth floor. Ever since the bid cancellation incident, he has never been to Yisi's sales department again.
There were more people, and the entire area was filled up. Chu Shichen politely distributed snacks, and everyone said politely, "Thank you, Secretary Chu."
Chu Shichen asked: "Team Leader Han, you are from Nanjing, is what I bought authentic?"
Team leader Han was not involved in that project, had zero contact with Chu Shichen, and had a low position. He was stunned and said, "It's authentic. Secretary Chu knows that I'm from Nanjing."
Chu Shichen said calmly: "I know."
Although Xiang Yue has not been there for a while, Chu Shichen has never stopped paying attention to Yi Si since he is close to her. He has a good understanding of the business and personnel matters.
There was not much time left for lunch break, so Chu Shichen had to go back to the ninth floor. When he was waiting for the elevator to arrive, he met Li Cangqiu head-on.
He first called out "Uncle Li".
"Hey, Shichen." Li Zangqiu came out. "What's the matter? Let's go to my office and talk."
Chu Shichen said, "It's okay. I brought some food for everyone on my business trip."
Li Zangqiu had heard about this and said, "You haven't been working for long. Mr. Xiang took you with him this time, which shows that he recognizes your ability to do things."
Chu Shichen complained: "All I do is serve others. It's so tiring."
Li Zangqiu smiled and said, "I told you that being a secretary is not easy. Uncle didn't lie to you, did he?"
"Yeah." Chu Shichen nodded, "Let's take it one step at a time. I'll be lazy."
Li Zangqiu patted him on the shoulder to encourage him, and then asked: "How was the effect of the billing issue discussed in this seminar?"
Chu Shichen answered blankly: "I'm not very interested in these, they're boring. I'm going to Xuanwu Lake to play."
Li Zangqiu looked at his useless appearance, laughed, and suddenly remembered something: "Oh, right—"
Just after he said two words, his assistant came over and interrupted him, saying that the Finance Department's meeting was ready. Li Zangqiu didn't have time to finish his speech and hurried to the meeting.
Chu Shichen returned to the ninth floor. The door of the president's office was ajar. He walked over and pushed it open. Xiang Mingzhang had just arrived, with the car keys hooked on his fingers. He drove here himself because the driver was on holiday.
The project of Lixin Bank has entered the bidding stage. After a business trip, Chu Shichen needs to continue to move forward with the project team. Xiang Mingzhang does not need to give any instructions. Chu Shichen has already made arrangements for today and tomorrow.
He reported every detail without leaving anything out.
Xiang Mingzhang listened silently, with one hand on the table and his index finger tapping lightly. Whether it was the previous secretary or Assistant Guan, they would first ask him for instructions on anything before making plans.
But Chu Shichen is different. He will independently screen, sort and schedule daily matters, and directly draw up a work plan for Xiang Mingzhang. If there are no problems, he will implement it according to the plan.
Double your efficiency.
In order to avoid overstepping one's authority, Chu Shichen will attach a detailed form.
The table lists all matters and arranges them according to business relevance, urgency and other factors. Xiang Mingzhang always read it and basically never raised any contradictory opinions.
He was thinking that Chu Shichen was more accustomed to "giving instructions" than obeying.
He was still thinking that such decision-making power, which was on par with that of his superiors, should not belong to a secretary.
Chu Shichen stood still for a long time and asked, "Mr. Xiang, is there any problem?"
But such a person happens to be his secretary.
"Official business is fine." Xiang Mingzhang opened the drawer and took out a card. "I need to trouble you with a personal matter. The old man is having his birthday the day after tomorrow. Please go and buy a birthday gift."
Chu Shichen took it. Xiang Xingzhao had brain degeneration and probably couldn't remember what he liked. He asked, "Do you have any requirements for birthday gifts?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Buy according to the budget on the card. Don't leave any leftovers. Just buy something expensive."
Chu Shichen: "Okay."
Xiang Mingzhang said, "Book another restaurant for the birthday banquet, a quiet one, maybe four or five tables."
Chu Shichen made a note to go back to the secretary's office. His birthday would be celebrated the day after tomorrow. If he was late, he might not be able to book a satisfactory place. There were many people in the Xiang family and it would be difficult to satisfy them all. It would be safer to choose an old restaurant with a good reputation.
Mrs. Chu was a socialite and knew the most. Chu Shichen dialed the number and said after answering, "Mom, excuse me for bothering you. Do you have any good restaurant recommendations?"
Mrs. Chu is very experienced: "How many people are going? Is it a date or a party? Is there a theme?"
Chu Shichen said: "Four or five tables, the old man is celebrating his birthday."
"Then let's go to Meijintang." Mrs. Chu said, "It has been open for more than 30 years. It requires reservations and can reach 90 points in all aspects."
Chu Shichen checked online and found that the reviews were indeed good, especially suitable for hosting family banquets. Without further ado, he called to make a reservation.
After the order was made, he picked up the card. Xiang Mingzhang was filial, so he thought he would personally choose the gift. But Xiang Xingzhao was confused, and it would be the same no matter what he gave.
Chu Shichen finished these two tasks in half a day, and Xiang Mingzhang notified Jingpu Mansion to send invitations to the guests as soon as possible.
A day later, Xiang Mingzhang left work early, which was unusual. It happened to be Friday and the president had left. The entire department was ready to move and had a big retreat just before the end of the get off work day.
Chu Shichen also went home. A freshly washed car was parked in the garden, and the driver was on standby in the car.
Entering the living room, Mrs. Chu was wearing a half-length dress and a set of diamond jewelry. Chu Shihui came down the stairs with light makeup on.
Mrs. Chu was deciding whether to wear three-inch or five-inch high heels. She was distracted and urged Chu Shichen to go upstairs to change clothes.
Today is the one-year anniversary of Chu Shihui and Li Heng's relationship, and Li Zangqiu suggested that the two families have a meal together.
Chu Shichen remembered that Chu Shihui had asked him that day if he was busy tonight. She was going to be straightforward, but ended up hesitating. It turned out that she wanted to talk about this matter.
Is it because of shyness? Is there another reason
Chu Shichen changed his clothes and the family went out. On the way, he noticed that Chu Shihui had headphones on the whole time and looked a little absent-minded.
The restaurant is located east of the river bank. It is a stand-alone Spanish-style building with a square plaque with four corners carved with patterns, and it is a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western elements.
After getting off the car, Chu Shichen looked up and saw Meijin Building.
"Why here?"
Mrs. Chu said, "It's here. I came here beforehand and I think it's good, so I recommend it to you."
Isn’t that…
Chu Shichen was stunned for a moment. At this time, a stretched car slowly drove up and stopped at the door. The waiter opened the door and the middle-aged man who got out was Xiang Kun.
Following closely behind was Xiang Mingzhang.
The two families were only three or four meters apart, and both sides were stunned. Mrs. Chu reacted the fastest and greeted them enthusiastically, and the women of the Xiang family greeted them with smiles.
Several cars arrived behind them, and the people who got off were all here to celebrate the old man's birthday. Xiang Huan said, "Mrs. Chu, let's go in and don't block the door."
Mrs. Chu said, "Okay, let the old man go first."
Xiang Mingzhang pushed Xiang Xingzhao's wheelchair and walked in front, and the two families entered the restaurant in a mighty manner.
An elevator arrived first, Xiang Mingzhang pushed Xiang Xingzhao in, Xiang Kun and Xiang Huan also went in, leaving a lot of vacancies, but the others consciously stepped back.
Xiang Kun said politely: "You can still go up."
Xiang Huan waved to Mrs. Chu: "You three are all slim, come on."
The Chu family got into the elevator together, with the elders in front. Chu Shichen walked in and stood next to Xiang Mingzhang.
The numbers jumped up, all going to the fifth floor.
Xiang family, Meiman Hall.
Chu family, Meihe Hall.
Chu Shichen was attracted by something, his eyes moved first, and then he turned his head away calmly. Xiang Mingzhang lowered his eyes in response, catching his gaze exactly.
No one spoke, they just kept their lips shut and held their breath.
After looking at each other for a while, Xiang Mingzhang raised his eyebrows slightly, as if saying with his eyebrows: Secretary Chu, you are really good at arrangements.
Chu Shichen frowned slightly and responded helplessly: Mr. Xiang, it was purely an accident.
(End of this chapter)