Xu Qingqing really wasn't trying to pick a fight. In her eyes, the elite with proper jobs were all very busy—like her aunt, her grandparents before they retired, and now Xie Lianqing. They were basically swamped, working non-stop.
Not to mention, even a slacker like Xu Qingqing usually had to attend classes and study hard for her CET-4 exam.
But Zhou Chenyu was usually either gaming or throwing parties at bars, even more idle than her.
Among the people Xu Qingqing knew, the elites and the idle rich were two different types, moving in different circles and having different life goals.
Xie Lianqing was a typical example of the former. Although Le Jiaojiao was Xu Qingqing's sworn enemy, her grades in school had always been good; she was a bit of a study whiz and was probably going to inherit her family's connections and manage the business someday.
Zhou Chenyu, however, seemed clearly to be the latter type.
Xu Qingqing had been quite happy playing around all day, aiming just to pass her exams, only to blink and find that her only partner-in-crime for eating, drinking, and having fun had also betrayed her. Now it seemed she was the only one left slacking off.
It was like right before final exams, when all your slacker friends tell you they haven't studied either. So you happily play until the night before the test, only to discover everyone else actually studied.
That's just too hurtful.
Hearing Xu Qingqing's complaint, Zhou Chenyu laughed in exasperation. "Putting aside everything else, I was on a business trip abroad recently. How did that become 'playing every day' in your book?"
Xu Qingqing was stunned. "It was a business trip? Weren't you just on vacation at a vineyard?"
She had only seen the vineyard photos Zhou Chenyu posted on his social media and thought he'd gone specifically for wine tasting.
Zhou Chenyu directly kicked Xu Qingqing out of the gaming party and blocked her. Whoever wants such a childhood friend can have her!
After being blocked by Zhou Chenyu, Xu Qingqing pouted, silently closed the game, lay on her bed alone, and quietly contemplated life.
After this semester, Xu Qingqing would be a senior. Her major had no courses scheduled for the next semester, and the holiday assignment from the counselor was to provide an internship certificate. So, most of Xu Qingqing's university classmates were already interning, often posting work-related rants on their social media.
As an unambitious rich second generation who planned to continue her studies, Xu Qingqing had never even considered getting an internship herself. She originally planned to just have her aunt's company issue her an internship certificate to fulfill the school requirement.
But now, hearing that even her troublemaking childhood friend was starting a business, and seeing her classmates' updates, Xu Qingqing felt suddenly quite melancholy, as if she had been left behind by everyone.
Xu Qingqing moped for a few days before quickly discovering she hadn't been betrayed by just one person. Bored, she asked Le Jiaojiao to go shopping, only to unexpectedly find the other girl was about to head out to work.
Xu Qingqing was shocked. "You're working too?"
Le Jiaojiao! A spoiled, dainty rich heiress actually had to go to work?
Moreover, Le Jiaojiao's father held significant power in the film industry, and her mother had ample resources in the fashion world. With endless resources at her back, she could easily start her own business and enter the entertainment industry. Why would she need to toil away at a 9-to-5 job?
Once again, Xu Qingqing felt severely left behind. Wasn't the deal that they'd all be unambitious rich kids together? How did it end up making her look like the only useless one?
Le Jiaojiao said in her sweet, affected voice, "Yeah, just an internship."
Feeling somewhat glum, Xu Qingqing asked curiously, "What kind of job?"
If even her arch-nemesis Le Jiaojiao was interning, Xu Qingqing began to suspect she was seriously behind the times.
Applying her eyeliner, Le Jiaojiao casually named a famous luxury brand. "Designer's assistant."
Xu Qingqing was bewildered. "What do you usually do at work?"
She knew of that brand; its status in the fashion circle was extremely high. She didn't know why the chief designer had suddenly come to their city. But the fact that Le Jiaojiao could become their assistant was already very impressive.
Compared to her own initial idea of asking her aunt to cheat and get her a certificate, Xu Qingqing felt like a kindergarten kid. She was on the verge of feeling utterly dejected and discouraged.
Le Jiaojiao thought for a moment, counting on her fingers as she recalled, "Serving tea, fetching water, dating."
To Xu Qingqing, it sounded like something she could do too.
Finally finishing her makeup, Le Jiaojiao stood up and said calmly, "What are you panicking about? Just have your aunt stamp the internship certificate from her company. Isn't that enough?" Could the Xu Group not provide an internship certificate for Xu Qingqing?
Le Jiaojiao had only embarked on this path of self-reliance because an ex-boyfriend had been pursuing her, coupled with the impending deadline her parents had set for her engagement.
Xu Qingqing said, "That was my original plan." But now, compared to this group of "friends," she felt like too much of a slacker.
Seeing her so down, Le Jiaojiao suddenly suggested, "Weren't you complaining recently about being forced to study in Xie Lianqing's office all the time? Why not just have him arrange a job for you? Consider it your internship."
She extended her slender, delicate fingers, glanced at her bright red nails, and said airily, "President Xie has been so busy lately he doesn't even have time to date you. Once you go to his company, you two can even have a little office romance."
She made so much sense! Xu Qingqing had a sudden revelation.
Plus, after going to work for Xie Lianqing, her grandfather wouldn't keep relentlessly bringing home CET-4 practice test papers. She wouldn't have to stay home being forced to study either. It was killing multiple birds with one stone!
Rarely humbling herself to seek advice from her nemesis, Xu Qingqing asked, "What does a secretary do?"
Le Jiaojiao said softly, "Probably similar to an assistant. Like serving tea and water... Why ask so much? You wouldn't know how to do the other jobs anyway." Mainly because she didn't know how to do them either.
Obviously, her main internship task was dating, not actually working.
Feeling a bit guilty, Le Jiaojiao put her hand down and said in her sweet voice, "Oh, Xu Qingqing, what are you worried about? Even if you do nothing and just sit in the office being a pretty vase, your President Xie will still treat you like royalty."
She had heard that this heartless Xu Qingqing would rather stay home all day in the air conditioning, spacing out, than visit the Xie Corporation to see her hardworking boyfriend. It was somewhat understandable when Xu Qingqing had classes, but now she was on holiday and still only saw Xie Lianqing once in a blue moon.
Poor Xie Lianqing, that unattainable flower on a high peak, whom they had all speculated about—wondering who could possibly win over this noble young master. Who would have thought, after all that, he'd end up with a drama queen like Xu Qingqing?
Le Jiaojiao didn't get it. Anyway, she figured she was doing Xie Lianqing a favor here.
Feeling quite pleased with her good deed, she turned away, not expecting any thanks. Instead, she heard Xu Qingqing say with sudden understanding, "Oh, I get it. You probably don't do much real work for your boss either."
Le Jiaojiao, who had just been feeling smug, nearly had a heart attack from anger. She squealed, "Xu Qingqing, are you crazy?"
You can know these things, but why say them out loud?!
Exposed, Le Jiaojiao stormed off in a huff.
Xu Qingqing paid her no mind. Lost in thought, she took out her phone and sent a message to Xie Lianqing: "President Xie, are you still in need of a secretary?"
Xie Lianqing raised an eyebrow. "What kind of secretary?"
Xu Qingqing was very honest. "The kind that doesn't know how to do anything."
Xie Lianqing laughed, "Yes, I am short-staffed."
So, under Le Jiaojiao's guidance, Xu Qingqing found her first job in life.
That very afternoon, Xu Qingqing became the newly appointed secretary to the CEO of the Xie Group, Mr. Xie.
On her first day of training, Secretary Xu toured the office and said with a serious expression, "Do you know what the first task of a secretary is?"
CEO Xie leaned back in his chair, looking at the beautiful secretary standing earnestly before his desk. He raised an eyebrow and responded with a half-smile, "Hmm?"
Xu Qingqing glared at him in dissatisfaction. Xie Lianqing immediately straightened his back, sat up properly, and cleared his throat. With his tie hanging loose and his hands clasped together on the desk, he asked with a sincere expression, "May I ask, Secretary Xu, what is it?"
Only then did Xu Qingqing withdraw her gaze and say with a straight face, "Buying clothes."
Xie Lianqing: "..."
Xu Qingqing didn't care about Xie Lianqing's thoughts. On the very first day of her working life, Miss Xu eagerly skipped work to go shopping. She spent the afternoon buying many suits, blouses, and all sorts of nice professional outfits.
After putting them on, Xu Qingqing felt quite pleased with herself, as if she had already become a glamorous urban professional from a TV drama set in a skyscraper.
She didn't forget to take photos and send them to her direct superior, solemnly announcing, "Hello, CEO Xie. I am your new secretary, a future elite in the workplace."
Looking at the photo of Xu Qingqing, Xie Lianqing couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Skipping work to go shopping on the very first day, and even specifically notifying her direct superior about it. And with all that, Xu Qingqing actually had the nerve to boast about being a workplace elite?
Xie Lianqing shook his head with a smile and sent Xu Qingqing a message, urging, "Alright then, Secretary Xu. Are you coming to the company to work now?"
In the video call, Xu Qingqing thought for a moment, then revealed a sweet smile and asked guiltily, "Can I go home? It's my first day at work, I'm so tired."
Today, Xu Qingqing had gone for an interview at the secretarial office, gone through the motions of being interviewed by the head secretary and Xie Lianqing, and then had a half-day trial period where she wasn't even sure what she did—she just wandered around the office for a while, then came to the mall and shopped all afternoon. Her legs ached.
Xu Qingqing felt her day had been rich and colorful, and she couldn't help but want to go home and rest.
Xie Lianqing could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.
Xu Qingqing really was something, leaving him at a loss for words.
Playing all day, and yet still having the nerve to say she was tired? She was probably just tired from shopping for too long.
This was truly a hardship for this high-maintenance young lady. Who knew who gave her the idea to get a job? Probably someone who couldn't stand her and deliberately set her up.
However, Xie Lianqing was the hidden beneficiary, so of course he wouldn't expose the matter.
On the other end of the phone, Xu Qingqing knew she was in the wrong. She had just managed to come up with the excuse of "being too tired from work" and had even blushed with guilt.
Now, seeing Xie Lianqing laugh at her, she didn't have the heart to get angry either.
Seeing Xie Lianqing laugh, she felt too embarrassed to speak. She just found a chair in the mall to sit down, played with her fingers, and muttered, "What's so funny?"
She stretched her hand holding the shopping bags in front of the camera, showing the red marks left by the straps, and said coquettishly, "Look, my hand is all red."
Xu Qingqing's skin was fair and her fingers were like jade, making the few red lines on her palm look particularly conspicuous.
Seeing this, Xie Lianqing stopped laughing and frowned slightly. He felt a pang of heartache. If he had known Xu Qingqing would buy so many things, he would have accompanied her himself or arranged for an assistant to go with her to carry the bags.
Xie Lianqing didn't mind at all what Xu Qingqing wanted to do or her attitude towards work. Xu Qingqing was his girlfriend. Coming to the company was just for her to experience life; she hadn't actually become his subordinate.
He had been busy with work lately and hadn't had time to see his girlfriend. Xu Qingqing choosing to come to the company was an unexpected delight for Xie Lianqing.
The fact that his girlfriend was thoughtful enough to take the initiative to come see him had already moved him deeply. He certainly wouldn't demand anything more.
After all, Xu Qingqing had the Xu family as her backing and him as her support. She was destined not to have to worry about making a living in this life. No matter what happened, he would stand in front of her.
As for Xu Qingqing's worries—her fear that all her friends had careers and jobs while she alone was an idle layabout—Xie Lianqing paid them no mind.
Currently, Xu Qingqing was still a student and hadn't graduated yet. After she graduates and enters society, barring any unexpected events, the two of them would have a business marriage. And after becoming Mrs. Xie, Xu Qingqing would naturally have plenty to keep her busy. If she had ideals and aspirations, doing charity work, public welfare, or creating her own brand would all be perfectly fine.
It could be said that Xie Lianqing had already planned Xu Qingqing's future life with extreme precision. He just hadn't told Xu Qingqing about it yet.
And Xu Qingqing, unaware that she had been worrying unnecessarily, received approval for leave from her direct superior and happily went home with her spoils.
At the Xu family's old residence, Chairman Xu and his wife were still discussing the changes in Xu Qingqing. Chairman Xu was bragging to his old friends about how his granddaughter had become sensible.
"The child is too ambitious. She secretly submitted her resume without telling us. We didn't know anything about it. I heard she passed the interview. What position? Executive Assistant!"
"Of course it's a big company, a Fortune Global 500 company. Which company? Uh... the signal isn't very good here. I'll tell you after my granddaughter gets off work!" Grandpa Xu hung up the phone and hummed a little tune triumphantly.
He wouldn't tell these old fellows that the company his granddaughter went to work for was the Xie Group. That would give the game away!
Grandpa Xu, having just finished his boast, was in a great mood when he saw his granddaughter entering the house laden with shopping bags.
"Qingqing, you're off work?" Grandma Xu stood up and glanced at the time. It was only four in the afternoon!
Xu Qingqing handed the shopping bags in her hands to the maid, asking her to take them upstairs, and said casually, "Yeah, I'm off work!"
Chairman Xu and his wife exchanged a look, sensing something was amiss.
Grandpa Xu was just about to ask Xu Qingqing what work she had done today and why she had suddenly bought so many things, when he heard his granddaughter say, "Grandpa, Grandma, you have no idea, work is so tiring."
Chairman Xu immediately comforted and encouraged her, "Perseverance leads to victory! There will be difficulties at the beginning of a job, but it will get easier and easier later on. Grandpa believes you will overcome the challenges!"
Grandpa Xu was very supportive of his granddaughter's initiative to better herself.
He had a strong bias in favor of his granddaughter. While everyone else knew about Xu Qingqing's high-maintenance, idle nature, he alone firmly believed that his granddaughter was a person of great talent, whether in studies or in eventually inheriting the company.
Wasn't her admission to University A proof of that?
So when Xu Qingqing said she wanted to intern at Xie Lianqing's company, he immediately gave his wholehearted approval. Even though Xu Qingqing was just going to be a secretary, he could already envision a bright future where his granddaughter, dressed in a suit, would inherit the company and conquer the business world!
However, before Grandpa Xu could finish his musings about the future, Xu Qingqing plopped down on a chair and asked blankly, "Really? Work is so tiring, I don't even want to go tomorrow..."
Chairman Xu hadn't even had time to feel gratified...
The next day, Xu Qingqing went to the company, and Xie Lianqing even picked her up on the way.
Xu Qingqing was woken up early by the nanny and went to the dining table for breakfast in a daze. Grandpa Xu was instructing her on what to do at work and the abilities valued by leaders in the workplace.
Having just boasted about her yesterday, there was no way Xu Qingqing could easily skip work now.
The sound of a car came from outside the door, and Xie Lianqing walked into the house. He had come specifically today to pick up Xu Qingqing and take her to the company, precisely because he was afraid she would oversleep and then simply decide not to go.
To be honest, while eating breakfast in her groggy state, Xu Qingqing really did have the thought of going back to her room to sleep for a few more hours.
After Xu Qingqing and Xie Lianqing got in the car and headed to the company, Grandpa Xu finally picked up his birdcage and strolled out leisurely.
Old Wang and the others had invited him to go fishing today, and he planned to take the opportunity to boast about how his granddaughter was about to inherit the company.
Meanwhile, Xu Qingqing, on the other end, was unaware of the high expectations her grandfather had for her. After getting in the car, she leaned on Xie Lianqing's shoulder, hugged her backpack, and fell asleep.
Xie Lianqing was reviewing documents. Glancing up and seeing the girl beside him sound asleep, he signaled the driver to turn up the air conditioning temperature a bit to prevent Xu Qingqing from catching a cold.
The secretary in the front passenger seat saw all this in the rearview mirror and couldn't help but think to himself that his boss, President Xie, had been incredibly busy for the past few months and probably hadn't seen Miss Xu in a long time. Today, fearing she might change her mind, he had even taken a detour early in the morning to personally pick her up.
Secretary Zhang, who managed President Xie's schedule, knew it had been months since he had a private date with Miss Xu. Being too busy with work to attend to one's girlfriend is something many people have experienced. If it were someone else's girlfriend, she might have shown some understanding. Unfortunately, President Xie's girlfriend was the notoriously high-maintenance Miss Xu.
Secretary Zhang thought about Miss Xu's usual antics and felt President Xie really had it tough.
Upon arriving at the company, Xie Lianqing gently woke Xu Qingqing. Under normal circumstances, he would have gladly let his girlfriend sleep longer, but now he had to work and attend meetings. As the head of the company, responsible for the livelihoods of tens of thousands of employees, he felt a duty towards them.
Xie Lianqing was willing to indulge his girlfriend within reason, but he took his work very seriously. This exception of allowing Xu Qingqing to enter the company was just that—an exception. He worked hard; there was nothing wrong with keeping his girlfriend by his side.
Fortunately, Xu Qingqing had slept enough in the car. After being woken up, she offered little resistance and followed Xie Lianqing into the company building.
On her first day of work, unsure of what to do, Xu Qingqing asked, "What should I do now? Go to the secretarial office?"
Xie Lianqing said, "The secretarial office is fully staffed with no vacancies at the moment. You'll temporarily work from my office."
In truth, if the president gave the order, making room in the secretarial office wouldn't be a problem. But Xie Lianqing deliberately didn't mention it. He thought to himself that Xu Qingqing probably wouldn't take work seriously and might even cause trouble, hindering the secretarial staff. It was better to have her in his office where he could keep an eye on her himself.
So, he didn't instruct Secretary Zhang and the others to arrange otherwise.
As for whether that was the real reason, Secretary Zhang and the others knew perfectly well.
Xu Qingqing didn't have to go to the secretarial office and hadn't received any training. Wearing a brand-new, latest-style suit she bought yesterday, she felt a bit lost for a moment.
She asked, "Then what should I do now?"
Seeing her confusion, Xie Lianqing smoothly said, "Alright, Secretary Xu, please get me a cup of coffee."
With a task assigned, Xu Qingqing, who had been feeling drowsy, immediately perked up. Excitedly, she went off, saying, "Okay, no problem!" She was treating this job entirely as a new game.
When Xu Qingqing returned, it was ten minutes later. The newly appointed exclusive coffee-making assistant said to Xie Lianqing, "President Xie, your coffee."
Xie Lianqing was frowning over a document and replied without looking up, "Good."
A minute later, he instinctively glanced up, only to find the coffee on his desk was gone. Raising his head, he saw Xu Qingqing standing by the desk, holding his coffee and blowing on it leisurely.
A smile touched Xie Lianqing's eyes. He put down his pen and asked softly, "Secretary Xu, I believe this is my coffee?"
Xu Qingqing nodded nonchalantly, "I know, I know."
But this was the first cup of coffee she had ever made in her life! Of course, she had to taste it herself.
Although Xu Qingqing's job was essentially just pouring ground coffee and adding water—Xie Lianqing usually drank freshly ground coffee—Secretary Zhang and the others dared not let Xu Qingqing handle the grinder, nor did they dare to take over the task themselves, fearing they might disrupt the couple's dynamic.
So, after much internal debate, they reluctantly decided to let President Xie settle for instant coffee this time.
Xu Qingqing was completely unaware of the secretarial staff's complicated thoughts. She even felt she had done her first job very well and was a qualified coffee assistant.
She picked up the coffee cup, took a small, hopeful sip, then immediately frowned and stuck out her tongue, seemingly finding it bitter.
What a mistake! She forgot to add sugar!
Xu Qingqing's face scrunched up in frustration. Amused and exasperated, Xie Lianqing personally got up, fetched a glass of water, and handed it to his girlfriend. Xu Qingqing drank a few sips from his hand, finally easing the bitter taste a little.
She quickly put the coffee down, pushed it towards Xie Lianqing, and said mischievously, "I specially tasted it for you. The temperature is just right! Drink up."
This was the first cup of coffee she had ever made with her own hands; it absolutely could not go to waste.
Faced with Xu Qingqing's obvious mischief, Xie Lianqing remained calm. He picked up the coffee she had tasted, took a sip, and said softly, "Not bad."
Xu Qingqing had urged him to drink purely to watch his reaction. Now, she just stared up at him dumbfounded, looking impressed, and slowly gave a thumbs-up.
That coffee was so bitter, yet Xie Lianqing drank it without changing expression! What a tough guy!
Seeing her silly gesture, Xie Lianqing's lips curved into a smile. He patted her head with one hand, "Alright, go get to work. I'll take you out to play in a few days."
After finishing the coffee, Xie Lianqing began working. Xu Qingqing sat alone, her initial excitement gradually turning into boredom.
Since Xie Lianqing said the secretarial office hadn't prepared a spot for her yet, she was seated, as before when she visited the Xie Group, at the meeting table opposite Xie Lianqing's desk.
On her desk lay that English vocabulary book. After hearing she had lost her previous one, her grandfather had asked Xie Lianqing to buy her a new one. The kind shopkeeper had even promoted and included several sets of practice test papers as a bonus.
Xu Qingqing didn't want to study, but she had a grandfather who controlled her allowance and forced her to learn.
She began staring into space with wide eyes. Being a secretary didn't seem much different from before!
Oh well, maybe she should just memorize vocabulary.
Not far away, without looking up, Xie Lianqing said in his gentle voice, "Qingqing, if you have nothing to do, review the vocabulary you memorized yesterday and then do a practice test. Hand it in to me later."
Xu Qingqing wondered: Is this the job content of a secretary?
It doesn't seem quite the same as what Le Jiaojiao described.
Xu Qingqing glanced at Xie Lianqing, who was buried in his work at his desk. Under the directive of the company's top leader, she began dutifully memorizing vocabulary words.
Half an hour later, Xu Qingqing irritably tossed aside the vocabulary book and started playing with her phone, resting her head on the desk. After a while, she drifted off to sleep still holding her phone.
Only after Xu Qingqing fell asleep did Xie Lianqing, who had been working, finally look up. He stood up, carried his girlfriend to the bed in the inner lounge of his office, tucked her in, adjusted the room temperature, and then left quietly.
By the time Xu Qingqing woke up, it was already noon.
Rubbing her eyes, she walked out and found Xie Lianqing wasn't there. A note by the bedside said he had ordered lunch and was now in a meeting. Xie Lianqing told her to remember to study after waking up and wait for him to return so they could eat together.
With Xie Lianqing absent, the still drowsy Xu Qingqing sat alone in the office, spacing out.
She didn't want to study.
Studying was simply not an option; Xu Qingqing would rather just zone out.
After a while, the office door was knocked on, and a woman walked in. An attentive assistant followed behind her, and she was wearing sunglasses.
Xu Qingqing realized sunglasses were the ultimate tool for looking cool. Just by wearing them, no matter what expression you made, you exuded an aura.
Bored from having nothing to do, Xu Qingqing decided to imitate the mannerisms of her aunt and Xie Lianqing's secretary that she had seen. She eagerly stepped forward and asked solicitously, "Hello, may I ask what business you have with Xie Lianqing?"
Truth be told, she hadn't mastered the act. If she were a real secretary, just calling her superior by his full name would be grounds for dismissal.
The woman wearing sunglasses also frowned. "Did you just call President Xie by his name?"
Xu Qingqing's tenure as secretary had failed within its first minute.
She racked her brain, trying to salvage the situation. "Um, our president is quite approachable."
The woman opposite her looked even more skeptical.
However, Xu Qingqing was the only person in the entire office. She wasn't wearing formal attire, her clothes were casual, and her desk held homework and a backpack.
The woman frowned and asked, "Just who are you?"
Xu Qingqing thought for a moment, straightened up, and began spouting nonsense with a serious face. "Alright, fine. Actually, my name is Xie Qingqing. I'm President Xie's sister."
Xu Qingqing had gained some online recognition by now, but she wasn't famous enough for everyone to know her. For instance, the woman in front of her didn't recognize her.
Xu Qingqing, however, recognized the other person. This was Gu Ling, the one she had named some time ago as having snatched Bai Youlan's role. She just didn't know why Gu Ling had come looking for Xie Lianqing.
Hearing Xu Qingqing's answer, Gu Ling hesitated. "Isn't President Xie an only child?"
Xu Qingqing had forgotten that point, so she immediately patched up the logic. "Cousin."
"Alright." Gu Ling was half-convinced, but her attitude became much more polite, probably unsure if Xu Qingqing really was President Xie's cousin.
She hesitated for a moment and said, "I have some business with President Xie. May I ask where he is now?"
Xu Qingqing was very honest. "I don't know. He went to a meeting. Sometimes they take several hours to finish."
Gu Ling wanted to wait, but she also knew today probably wasn't a good opportunity. In the end, she said to Xu Qingqing, "If President Xie returns, please tell him Gu Ling came by."
Xu Qingqing, now addicted to playing secretary, picked up her vocabulary notebook upon hearing this and wrote in it with great affectation. "Okay, okay, no problem. I will definitely pass on the message to President Xie."
As for why Gu Ling didn't just text Xie Lianqing herself, Xu Qingqing didn't voice that thought.
A good secretary knows to save face for guests! She was very savvy.
After Gu Ling left, Secretary Xu sat alone in the chair again, bored.
Xu Qingqing's friendly attitude towards Gu Ling was partly because, in the original book's plot, Gu Ling also seemed to be one of Xie Lianqing's close female friends, and moreover, one of the vicious supporting female characters who obstructed Bai Youlan.
In the book, after Xu Qingqing's death, Xie Lianqing investigated the online bullying she faced in the entertainment industry before her death. The result of the investigation was the emergence of two close female friends.
One was Bai Youlan, the other was Gu Ling.
The competition between these two was fierce at the time, and Xie Lianqing hadn't settled on a girlfriend between them for a while. Of course, how could a vicious supporting character defeat the female lead with her protagonist halo? Not long after Gu Ling arrogantly opposed Bai Youlan, she was eliminated from the game, and reportedly died quite miserably.
Because of this plotline, Xu Qingqing felt quite favorable towards Gu Ling. After all, they were both cannon fodder.
We are both cannon fodder under the same sky; why must we have met before to feel kinship?
If Xu Qingqing really did break up with Xie Lianqing, compared to Bai Youlan, Xu Qingqing would much prefer Gu Ling to succeed in taking her place.
When Xie Lianqing returned, he saw Xu Qingqing sitting in his chair, drinking his coffee, legs crossed, wearing sunglasses, putting on an air of being the president.
Xie Lianqing couldn't help but laugh. "What are you doing?"
To those in the know, they'd think Xu Qingqing was his secretary. To those who didn't, they might think she had staged a coup and become the new president of Xie Corporation.
Seeing Xie Lianqing, Xu Qingqing immediately jumped up from the chair and said eagerly, "Oh, President Xie, you're back!" On her first day at work, Xu Qingqing sometimes found it boring, but other times she found it quite interesting.
Xie Lianqing raised an eyebrow. "First day on the job. Having fun?"
Xu Qingqing was displeased and flared up. "Are you crazy? I'm working, okay?"
This was her first day at work, and Xie Lianqing actually said she was playing around?
Utterly outrageous!
Looking at the furious Xu Qingqing, Xie Lianqing immediately apologized. "I'm sorry. Alright, Secretary Xu, how was work today?" Xu Qingqing had been so well-behaved today that he had forgotten her inherently troublesome nature.
Normally, Xu Qingqing would definitely continue to make a fuss and stay angry for a while.
But upon hearing Xie Lianqing's words, she suddenly remembered her current identity was that of a secretary. A good secretary, of course, cannot lose her temper with her superior.
Distracted by the change of topic, she excitedly picked up her vocabulary notebook from the desk and read from it, "Reporting, President Xie! A guest visited today!"
Xie Lianqing listened to her nonsensical report delivered with a straight face and found it quite amusing. He didn't interrupt her and even played along. "Hmm, who was it?"
Pretending not to see Xie Lianqing's upturned lips and shaking shoulders, Xu Qingqing read seriously from the notes on her notebook, improvising a few lines. "Today, a person named Gu Ling came to visit and asked me to notify you to remember to contact her."
Xie Lianqing frowned. "Who is Gu Ling?"
"How should I know? That's not important." Xu Qingqing brushed it off casually, then announced solemnly, "Oh, right, there's one more thing. I am now your cousin, President Xie!"
Xu Qingqing extended her hand. Seeing Xie Lianqing didn't react, she proactively reached forward with both hands to shake his.
She shook them up and down excitedly, smiling brightly. "Hello, hello! I'm Xu Qingqing. Originally, I was your sister, President Xie, but since you're an only child, I am now your cousin!"
She switched between 'you' and the more formal 'you,' her words disjointed, more professional than a crosstalk comedian.
Xie Lianqing smiled meaningfully. "Cousin? Xie Qingqing?"
He made no comment regarding the things about Gu Ling, planning to make an internal call later for his secretary to handle it and to ensure no unrelated persons were allowed into the company in the future.
"That's right, it's me," Xu Qingqing admitted immediately. She thought being a cousin was quite fun.
Just as Xu Qingqing, grinning, was about to withdraw her hand and leave, Xie Lianqing suddenly grasped her hand and pulled her close.
He slowly kissed her lips, a warm, moist breath spreading between them. Xie Lianqing wrapped his arm around her waist, tilted his head, and said with a light laugh, "Cousin."
"Is there a cousin like us, Xie Qingqing?" Following her lead, he directly changed her surname.
Xu Qingqing's face flushed slightly. She stammered, "W-well, it's not like there aren't any, right?"
Xie Lianqing was rarely caught off guard. Xu Qingqing, her thoughts wandering who-knows-where again, muttered to herself, "So thrilling."
A few seconds later, Xie Lianqing slowly lowered his head, buried it in Xu Qingqing's shoulder, and let out a muffled laugh, his tone rising in disbelief. "Thrilling?"
He chuckled into her shoulder and said, "What are you thinking about, cousin?" He emphasized the last two words.
Of course, Xu Qingqing wouldn't admit she was thinking about indecent things. She changed the subject, asking, "What did Gu Ling come to see you for?"
Xie Lianqing frowned. "Not sure."
He said offhandedly, "Probably about that film crew matter from before."
Xu Qingqing had originally had Xie Lianqing's secretary handle her investment in the crew. Perhaps that was what led to the misunderstanding.
The meal Xie Lianqing ordered arrived. Xu Qingqing stopped dwelling on it and happily started having lunch with him.
Before eating, Xu Qingqing even stretched and said, "Worked all day, I'm so tired!"
Xie Lianqing was arranging the food boxes for her. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow but ultimately didn't point out the fact that she had done nothing at all that day.
After lunch, the two took a nap in the lounge. When Xu Qingqing woke up, Xie Lianqing was already back at work.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed secretary stealthily slipped out, deciding to leave work early and go home.
Seeing her head out, Xie Lianqing thought she just wanted to go out for a stroll and didn't stop her. It was only over an hour later that he realized Xu Qingqing had played hooky.
Xu Qingqing, you're something else—mastering the essence of leaving work early on your second day.
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