Before Xiang Mingzhang agreed, his cell phone rang. Chu Shichen loosened his arms, and his fingertips lingered from Xiang Mingzhang's lower abdomen to his lower back, smoothing out the wrinkles on the surface of his suit.
Xiang Mingzhang answered the phone. It was Xiang Huan's voice, who spoke a little fast and hung up after a few words.
Chu Shichen asked: "Is there anything wrong at home?"
The Spring Festival was over, and Old Xiang Yue started a new project for the new year. Xiang Mingzhang said, "Aunt, please confirm the time with me. We will hold a preparatory meeting in the evening."
Chu Shichen said politely: "Well, business is more important."
Xiang Mingzhang teased him: "You are also in a hurry, what should I do if I get too anxious?"
Chu Shichen took the initiative to hint and then made it clear for the first time, which was simply insulting. In the end, his intentions fell through. He said very shamelessly: "I still have something important to do. Secretary Feng is waiting for me."
Xiang Mingzhang glanced at his watch and it was time to go, so he accompanied Chu Shichen to the secretary's office. He stopped at the door and suddenly felt that nearly a year had passed so quickly.
He was used to glancing at the door when he passed by, and all it took to change someone was an announcement, so how long would it take him to break the habit
Feng Han and Chu Shichen are of similar age. They were suddenly transferred to serve as the president's secretary, which made them anxious. After all, Xiang Mingzhang was very strict, while Chu Shichen was well-known for his ability.
The handover work was very tedious, and Chu Shichen explained it in detail, including basic affairs, common and emergency situations, and various contingency plans, each of which contained complicated details.
Feng Han listened and took notes at the same time. He felt so overwhelmed that he couldn't help loosening his tie twice.
Chu Shichen couldn't bear it, so he said, "How about this, I'll go back and organize the materials so that I can have a clearer idea. If you forget anything, take a look at it anytime, and you'll get started faster."
Feng Han was a man of the world, and he quickly said, "I'll do it myself. That would be too much trouble for you."
Chu Shichen said: "It doesn't matter, efficiency is the most important thing, don't delay Mr. Xiang's business."
Feng Han had no choice but to comply and asked, "Is there anything I should be aware of regarding Mr. Xiang's personal habits?"
Chu Shichen felt something slipping from his hands, and counted them carefully: "Mr. Xiang only drinks black coffee. There is always gastric ulcer medicine in the first drawer of his desk, remember to refill it. In fact, Mr. Xiang is very self-disciplined, so you don't have to worry too much. He just throws away his pen occasionally when it's used up."
Feng Han said: "Okay, I'll remember it."
Chu Shichen suggested: "If you have an outing, do your homework in advance. Mr. Xiang appreciates people who are prepared for everything."
Feng Han smiled and said, "You must be such a person."
It was getting dark, and Chu Shichen had a good impression of the new secretary. He would start work officially tomorrow, and all departments would resume operations and carry out the handover of paperwork.
He doesn't have many personal belongings, so a small box is enough to hold them all. He brought the pot of gladiolus home before going on a business trip to Shenzhen. Aunt Tang took good care of it, and it was lush and green. He brought it here today and just put it on the table.
There were many green plants in the department, which were purchased by the company. Feng Han thought the gladiolus was public property and asked, "Do I need to water it every day?"
Chu Shichen smiled and said, "No, I want to take Jianlan away."
There was a Buick parked in front of the office building. Xiang Mingzhang's driver was waiting by the side and opened the car door when Chu Shichen came out.
Xiang Mingzhang left in a hurry and forgot to tell Chu Shichen that after being promoted to sales director, he was very busy with work, so the company assigned him a special car and driver.
As the car drove out of the park, the driver said, "Secretary Chu, no, I should call you Director Chu. Mr. Xiang said that we are quite familiar with each other and there will be no restraint. I will pick you up from now on."
Chu Shichen knew that Xiang Mingzhang was trying to ensure his safety because he had been followed before. He asked, "Who will drive Mr. Xiang?"
"The company has a team of drivers, so they should be replaced." The driver said, "Mr. Xiang drove away by himself tonight."
Chu Shichen didn't know whether he was preparing for a rainy day or it was just a habit that was hard to change: "Please decide on a new driver and give me a contact number so that I can contact Mr. Xiang easily in case of any unexpected situation."
The driver wanted to say that the new secretary would take care of it, but then he changed his mind and said, "No problem."
When Chu Shichen returned home, there were cakes, champagne, and a bunch of sweet alyssum picked from the garden in the living room. Zhou Kesen informed the family and everyone knew that he had become the director.
Mrs. Chu was particularly moved. If it hadn't been so dark, she would have gone to the cemetery to tell Chu Zhe.
Chu Shichen ate a piece of cake, then took another piece and went upstairs to write the materials for the handover. Chu Shihui followed him into the study and curled up on the sofa to read the documents sent by her tutor.
This was a rare opportunity, and Chu Shichen wanted to ask Chu Shihui how she felt about Li Heng now, but it was difficult for a man like him to pry into a girl's love affairs.
He began to lay the groundwork again: "What are the designs at the design exhibition?"
Chu Shihui said a lot of terms and terms. The exhibition is open to the public and some technology companies will be invited. She asked, "Will you go to support it? Forget it. You will be busier than a secretary if you become a director."
Chu Shichen said: "No matter how busy I am, I will take time to support you."
Chu Shihui was satisfied now: "Brother, you will definitely be able to do it well. I believe in you."
Chu Shichen took the opportunity to say: "Never trust others too much, especially men, just trust yourself."
Unexpectedly, Chu Shihui asked back: "Then do you believe Xiang Mingzhang?"
Chu Shichen was stunned: "Why do you ask that?"
"He is that colleague, right?" Chu Shihui twisted on the sofa and faced the desk, "The person you dated before was Xiang Mingzhang, am I right?"
Chu Shichen was so shocked by the sudden revelation that he didn't even bother to argue: "Yes—"
"I knew it." Chu Shihui said, "Brother, you are amazing. You have been reborn after losing your memory. Even your taste has risen from an internet celebrity to a CEO."
Chu Shichen felt a little dizzy, and typed a string of wrong words on the keyboard: "Xiao Hui, don't tell mom yet."
"You haven't caught up with him yet?"
"Ah, um..."
Chu Shihui said, "I think Xiang Mingzhang likes you too. You two have fallen in love over time, right? But since you are no longer a secretary, it would definitely not be as convenient as moving to Yisi."
The materials that would have taken an hour to complete took Chu Shichen three hours thanks to Chu Shihui. He sent the electronic version to Feng Han, and then printed a paper copy.
The next day at work, Xiang Mingzhang held a meeting at Lao Xiang Yue. The door of the president's office was locked. Chu Shichen and Feng Han saved each other's mobile phone numbers and WeChat accounts so they could communicate at any time.
Chu Shichen moved his things to Yisi's sales department. In order to welcome him, the twelfth floor was cleaned yesterday and decorated to look brand new.
The department has gone through several personnel changes, with a mixture of new and old faces. Chu Shichen is no longer the "son of Chu Zhe" who just joined the company. Everyone treats him with respect, fear, and trust.
The director's office faces south and is very spacious. On the coffee table in the reception area are the gifts everyone gave him when he took office.
Chu Shichen pulled up the blackout curtains to let the sunlight in, placed the office supplies on the table, and used his cell phone to send a message to Xiang Mingzhang: I'm in place.
Xiang Mingzhang replied: I wish you all the best, Director Shen.
Chu Shichen chuckled and looked up to see someone knocking on the door. It was Li Cangqiu. He put down his phone and addressed him in a businesslike manner, "Mr. Li."
The announcement was released yesterday, and Li Zangqiu's thoughts have finally settled down. He is now looking happy: "Shichen, from now on you will be the boss of Yisi's sales department."
Chu Shichen said, "I'm under a lot of pressure, so I can only do my best. Mr. Li, please let me know if you have anything to say."
"Whatever your instructions are, we just need to cooperate with them." Li Zangqiu said with relief, "It would be great if your father were still alive. Seeing your achievements today, he must be very happy."
Chu Shichen said: "It's my fault for being so slow to understand. I'll just catch up with her slowly."
Li Zangqiu said, "If you need anything else or help, tell me and I'll arrange it for you right away."
Chu Shichen had no additional requests and immediately got down to work. It was the first department meeting after the New Year. There was a lot to do and it took a long time, so the meeting ended almost at noon.
In the company cafeteria, Chu Shichen opened a glass of red wine. Everyone had to go to work in the afternoon, so they just had a taste. Halfway through, Peng Xin brought some people to join in the fun, and soon Meng Tao and the pre-sales staff also came. The crowd kept getting bigger and bigger.
Chu Shichen looked around and asked, "Director Peng, Mr. Xiang hasn't returned to the company yet?"
"I'm back." Peng Xin said, "But you know, Mr. Xiang is busy and often misses meals."
Chu Shichen left the table to get something to eat. Halfway there, he saw Feng Han hurriedly heading for the cold buffet area and picked up a beef sandwich that Xiang Mingzhang often ate.
Chu Shichen inexplicably recalled that when he first joined the company, Xiang Mingzhang made things difficult for him by asking him to peel an apple after eating a sandwich.
If Xiang Mingzhang gets thirsty again later, will he use the same trick on the newcomer
Chu Shichen picked a box of fruit, left the restaurant and went to the ninth floor. He knew the way to the president's office, but the door was locked.
Feng Han came out of the secretary's office: "Director Chu, Mr. Xiang just left, are you looking for him?"
Chu Shichen was a little embarrassed: "I came by to see you. Why did Mr. Xiang leave in the middle of the day?"
Feng Han said, "There is an economic and trade meeting in the city this afternoon, and Mr. Xiang will attend on behalf of old Xiang Yue."
Chu Shichen nodded and changed the subject, "How is it, are you adapting to the work?"
"It's okay." Feng Han said sweetly, "Thanks to you for helping me, and also thanks to Mr. Xiang for his tolerance."
Chu Shichen came up empty-handed and blamed himself for being so tactless and being influenced by personal feelings in the company.
Back in the office on the 12th floor, Chu Shichen concentrated on his work. He had to look at various reports from the sales department, discuss the first quarter's work plan with pre-sales, and do an initial screening of the projects.
Afraid that the driver would have to wait for a long time, he did not work overtime at night. He took the documents home and worked until late at night, but did not receive any news from Xiang Mingzhang.
Old Xiang Yue seemed to be very busy. Xiang Mingzhang came to the company every day and left after a while. Chu Shichen, the new official, also had a lot of things to do. The two floors between them became an obstacle and no one could see each other. The only time they met in the elevator, there were so many people and their eyes met for only a moment.
A week passed in a daze. On Friday, Xiang Yue's project was on track. Xiang Mingzhang turned down the celebration banquet and drove home.
The traffic near the apartment was so congested that it was almost impossible to move. All the billboards were changed to pink. It turned out that Valentine's Day was coming.
Xiang Mingzhang ran out of patience, so he abandoned his car on the side of the street and walked the rest of the way back.
On the steps in front of Bomanjia's door, people were coming and going, while Chu Shichen stood quietly with his arms folded. His face looked snow-white against his black coat, and the tip of his nose was slightly red from the cold.
Xiang Mingzhang paused, then strode to Chu Shichen.
Having waited too long, Chu Shichen was expressionless for a moment, but his body moved. He leaned forward and could touch Xiang Mingzhang's chest. "Where's the driver?" Xiang Mingzhang scolded, "Why are you standing here alone? Where would you hide if there was any danger?"
Chu Shichen said: "In public, no."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "If someone bumps into you, stabs you and runs away, what will you do?"
Chu Shichen didn't call, thinking Xiang Mingzhang would be surprised, but it seemed like he had done something wrong. He asked uncertainly, "Am I the only one who is having such a hard time?"
Xiang Mingzhang felt his heart being pulled, and the cold wind woke him up from his previous nervousness. He grabbed Chu Shichen's wrist and sighed in acknowledgment: "You really know how to control me."
The two of them were both good-looking, standing on the busy street as if facing each other. Passers-by turned their heads frequently. Chu Shichen was shy but didn't want to break away, saying, "I missed you so much."
Xiang Mingzhang suddenly softened his heart, but it was his instinct to push for more: "How much do you miss me?"
Chu Shichen was scolded as soon as they met, holding back his resentment: "You'd better say something I like to hear first."
"For example, I miss you too?" Xiang Mingzhang said one sentence at a time, "Because I can't see you, I'm too lazy to go to the company. I replied to your message in the middle of Xiang Yue's speech, and the director frowned. I was afraid that you would be accused of having my support, so I didn't go to the twelfth floor. I hoped that Yi Si would have something to do and you would come to me, but aren't you too capable? Why didn't you call me when you found nothing in the office? Of course I would turn around and come back. I saw you just now, and I was happy and worried. What's the big deal? Are you missing you so much that you're going crazy?"
Chu Shichen's ears and temples felt hot, and his wrists were clenched so tightly that his blood circulation was blocked. He restrained himself and confessed, "I don't want to go home tonight."
Xiang Mingzhang pulled Chu Shichen so hard that he staggered a step. They walked up the stairs hand in hand. The giant screen on the street flashed pink hearts. He said, "Valentine's Day has come to you. You can't go anywhere."
(End of this chapter)