Jiang Zongyan looked at the single character “Okay,” and the smile in his eyes deepened.
He turned to Lin Zhou and asked, “What kind of gift is suitable for a man to bring his girlfriend after a business trip?”
“Huh?”
Lin Zhou still hadn’t gotten used to his boss being in love—or to the overwhelming stench of romance radiating from him.
After his initial surprise, he thought about it carefully and answered seriously, “Bags, jewelry, perfume, and things like that. All girls like those.”
Bags?
Jiang Zongyan’s mind flashed with images of the pink backpacks Zhou Suisui usually carried. He raised a hand and rubbed his temple, his expression revealing a hint of difficulty.
Would she like anything he picked out?
He suddenly realized that he had no idea what girls liked.
The next morning.
Zhou Suisui went to the office with Zhou Sui'an.
“Suisui, I’ve arranged to play golf with President Wang of the bank today. I’ll leave the company matters to you.” As soon as they arrived at the office, Zhou Sui'an began tying his tie. “Call me anytime if there’s anything you can’t handle.”
“Don’t worry, Brother. Go enjoy your game.” Zhou Suisui nodded.
At exactly nine o’clock, in the conference room.
This was Zhou Suisui’s first time presiding over a meeting as the CEO’s special assistant.
She wore a sharp white suit with a skirt, her hair neatly pinned up at the back of her head. Sitting in the seat of honor, she looked serious and composed.
Recently, Zhou Suisui had been making waves both within the company and online.
Most of the Zhou Corporation’s employees had shown their support for her, even taking to the internet to cheer her on.
However, a very small number of employees were still somewhat dissatisfied with her.
Investment Department Director Zhang Qiming, in particular, leaned back in his chair with a look of disdain.
“A little girl still wet behind the ears, and she thinks she can replace the CEO?”
He muttered to the person beside him, his voice neither loud nor quiet—just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Zhou Suisui raised her eyes and swept him with a chilly look before letting out a cold laugh.
“It seems Director Zhang has a lot to say. Otherwise… why don’t you come sit here instead?”
Someone couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.
“…”
Zhang Qiming froze. His expression turned ugly, and he immediately shut his mouth.
The meeting proceeded in an orderly manner.
Zhou Suisui listened carefully to everyone’s reports, her pen moving constantly as she took notes. She only interrupted when she had a question, and every question she raised was precise and incisive.
Those who had come merely to watch the drama gradually put away their contempt. A hint of admiration appeared in their eyes.
The Young Miss might be young, but she handled matters with calmness and experience. She didn’t seem like a university student who hadn’t even graduated yet.
What they didn’t know was that after her brother’s death in her previous life, Zhou Suisui had taken over as CEO in an emergency. She was far from unfamiliar with the company’s affairs.
At last, it was Zhang Qiming’s turn to report.
He cleared his throat, pulled out a thick report, and looked extremely arrogant.
“What I’m about to discuss is the new energy project our investment department has been following closely. The total investment is three billion yuan, and the projected return rate can reach eighty percent.”
“What? Eighty percent?”
“What kind of project can make an eighty-percent profit?”
“Director Zhang really dares to say anything!”
As soon as they heard that figure, everyone began whispering among themselves.
Fu Jie instinctively looked up at Zhou Suisui, a frown forming between his brows. A trace of worry flashed in his eyes.
“Wait.”
Zhou Suisui raised a hand to stop him, her tone calm. “CEO Zhou explicitly rejected this project last month. Why has it appeared on today’s meeting agenda?”
Zhang Qiming’s expression changed. “Young Boss Zhou, that’s not quite fair. CEO Zhou didn’t understand the project’s potential before. I think we should reassess it.”
“There’s no need to reassess it.”
Zhou Suisui picked up his research report and flipped through a couple of pages.
When she saw a particular figure, she let out a mocking laugh.
“Here, you claim that the core technology has been completely mastered. But in reality, the patent for this technology is still held by a foreign company. We don’t even have the right to use it.”
“And here, you estimated the market size at three times the industry average. How can such exaggerated figures be considered reliable?”
With that, she gently set the report down and looked at Zhang Qiming with icy eyes.
“I don’t approve this project.”
Zhang Qiming shot to his feet and slammed his palm on the table in fury. “What do you know? You’re just a little girl. As expected, long hair and little sense! All you know how to do is point fingers from the sidelines! I’m going to ask CEO Zhou to settle this!”
“Director Zhang, watch your words!”
Fu Jie immediately stood up, his eyes sweeping over Zhang Qiming with a fierce glare.
Zhang Qiming was only 170 centimeters tall, while Fu Jie stood at 185. Facing him, Zhang Qiming was completely overwhelmed by his presence.
Zhang Qiming grew nervous. “Y-You… What are you doing? You’re not thinking of hitting me, are you?”
“Heh. Hit you?”
Fu Jie glanced at Zhou Suisui and smiled. “If Young Boss Zhou gives the word, so what if I hit you?”
“Finance Director Fu.”
Zhou Suisui called out to him and shook her head.
Fu Jie shot Zhang Qiming a warning glare before returning to his seat.
Zhang Qiming had been humiliated. He stood there awkwardly, his expression hideous.
“Go ahead and complain.”
Zhou Suisui shrugged indifferently. “But as long as I’m with the Zhou Corporation, this project will never be approved.”
Zhang Qiming’s face turned livid with rage. He slammed the door as he left.
After the meeting ended, Zhou Suisui summoned Finance Director Fu to her office.
“Finance Director Fu, what projects has Zhang Qiming handled during all his years with the company?”
“I’ll compile a summary and send it to you later.”
“Okay.” Zhou Suisui nodded.
Finance Director Fu said worriedly, “Director Zhang is a longtime employee who relies on his seniority and has always been arrogant. In recent years, he hasn’t been putting much effort into his work and has often used his position to line his own pockets… Oh, and as for this new energy project, it’s hard to say whether someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes.”
Zhou Suisui’s expression remained calm. “I understand. I’ll deal with it appropriately.”
Tianyu Group had always managed to obtain the Zhou Corporation’s internal information at the earliest possible moment. It was hard to believe there wasn’t a mole inside the company.
“Also, keep a close eye on him for me.”
“Of course. Leave it to me.”
After Finance Director Fu left, Zhou Suisui glanced at her phone. It was already 10:15.
Thinking of someone who would soon be landing in Tang City, she picked up her bag and hurried out of the company.
She had just reached the entrance and was about to go to the parking lot for her car when the corner of her eye caught sight of a black sedan parked not far away.
The twin brothers were sitting inside, staring at her without blinking.
“…”
Zhou Suisui froze.
Her brother had nothing better to do, did he? He had actually sent the twins to follow her again.
Inside the Volkswagen, A-Biao tensed all over.
“Brother, why do I feel like the Young Miss spotted us?”
A-Ling said, “How could she? We followed the Young Miss for so long before, and she never noticed us.”
After thinking about it, A-Biao immediately relaxed. “You’re right. We’re being so discreet. How could the Young Miss know?”
Zhou Suisui withdrew her gaze and quietly slipped her car keys back into her bag before turning around.
She walked out of the company entrance, hailed a taxi at the intersection, and headed straight for a shopping mall in the city center.
A-Biao and A-Ling hurriedly started the car and followed her.
“Looks like the Young Miss is going to the mall to buy something.”
“Keep up and watch her carefully. Don’t lose her.”
“We won’t.”
A-Biao was adamant.
Zhou Suisui wandered around, looking this way and that.
She circled the mall three full times, making sure she had shaken off the twins.
Only then did she slip out through the back door, hail another cab, and head straight for the airport.
Meanwhile, after losing track of her, the twins were so anxious that they were drenched in sweat. They immediately called Zhou Sui'an.
“Young Master, this is bad! We’ve lost the Young Miss!”
