Chapter 6 (2/2)

“Only you would dare to say these types of things!”

“Strong willed women are worried they aren’t gentle and warm enough, while gentle women are worried they lack confidence…. You women, what extent will you reach before you’re happy?”

“Women are all like this! They want to look their best in front of the men they like!”

“Then I won’t need to worry that I’m not overbearing and forceful enough in front of you. But the real problem is, once I’m overbearing, would you still like my domineering side?”

His words make Huang Shang Rong flush, as he lazily forms a wide smile.

“Don’t concern yourself with how others date, isn’t our own approach of mutual respect and dependence more than satisfactory?”

“I’m scared your feeling will change…” Making a rare impression of a bashful young girl, Huang Shang Rong uses her finger to flick his collar, making his whole person jittery.

Xu He Jun shouts at the injustice, “You’re accusing me? I’m the one worried that once you transfer to the main office, there’ll be so much work, you won’t be able to meet me! Unacceptable, I need to find a way to transfer back.”

“Transferring just because you want to, who do you think you are?”

True, right now he’s not the young master Xu and doesn’t have the authority, but…

While he doesn’t, his cousin does. Deputy President Xu Hua can transfer him back to the head office. Not to mention, once he puts his mind to it, he’ll be able to find a way.

Huang Shang Rong took to the head office like a fish to water. As someone who climbed up through sheer force and experience, she needed to make some adjustments, but everything appears to be going smoothly. She had originally thought she’d have to work overtime every day, but unexpectedly, the number of times she’s needed to stay back can be counted with one hand.

She also discovered the only slightly problematic case early, retrieving the order before the clients even realized the problem. The order was immediately fixed, and they even left a memorable impression on the client, while minimizing their losses. It’s said that the president and shareholders were extremely pleased with her.

So, one afternoon, the president Xu Ying Zhang found her at the top floor food court.

“h.e.l.lo, general manager.”

Although she can’t be considered worldly, the moment she laid eyes on her boss, Xu Ying Zhang, a knot seemed to form in her head. She’s heard that the president’s character is good, without much air, and treats the staff well. Not to mention this is their first meeting, yet he’s still warmly greeting her. But that smiling face and familiar eyebrows —- where has she seen those eyes?

“h.e.l.lo, President.”

“It’s all thanks to you that the case was resolved so smoothly.”

“I was only doing my part. If it weren’t for others helping me, I wouldn’t have been able to complete it by myself.” What He Jun said was right, if she continues acting so forcefully, she’ll only end up scaring the people around her away. Since arriving at a new office, she’s been gradually changing her pace. Although everyone’s more or less heard of the ‘female Emperor’s achievements, the new environment also gives her the opportunity to start fresh.

She’s changed a lot the last half year. Although she’s still fierce, when she needs to soften up, she’ll make moderate adjustments.

“You have an eye for detail, really a talent who can achieve things neatly and with results.”

How rare, is the big boss responsible for raising morale? Don’t know what he’s trying to sell. “I’m only doing what’s expected of me.”

“Excellent! I wouldn’t need to worry if I had a daughter as outstanding as you.”

Huang Shang Rong is talented, yet modest, and willing to work hard. If only his son were half as focused as her….

Coming to the head office, is part of her job listening to the ramblings of old people? Despite not being a good listener, Huang Shang Rong smiles at him.

“… President, if there’s nothing else, I’ll leave first. There’s still a meeting in the afternoon.”

“Wait, don’t leave yet!” Xu Ying Zhang smiles widely, indicating for her to sit back down, before taking out an A4 sized velvet box. “You women seem to understand these things more. I want to give something to my one month old grandson, what do you think?”

The box opens, exposing the expected sparkle of gold, with a gold plate necklace and pair of chained rings. Isn’t the price of gold currently skyrocketing? Or do rich people not care about the market price?

“My grandson was born last year, but I had a few misunderstandings with my son, which have never been properly settled. But now I want to take the opportunity to bring back both father and son. Look, isn’t this enough to show my sincerity?”

“This…” A superior, willing to lower himself to speak on even grounds with a division manager to discuss gifts for his grandson, is already very sincere. If it were her, she’d be really moved! “I think, it doesn’t matter what you give, your son will definitely understand your intentions.”

Xu Ying Zhang doesn’t appear to have heard her, continuing to speak at his own pace. “Do you like it? That’s good. Look, I had someone carve a Xu (徐) character at the top, isn’t it beautiful? It’s written in ancient script[2], aren’t the artist’s skills excellent, don’t you think it has character?”

The stubby ‘Xu’ character, is suddenly twisted into a work with strong character. If the president hadn’t told her the character was Xu, she couldn’t have guessed it herself.

“It’s very beautiful.”

“Right!” Hearing this, Xu Ying Zhang delightedly chatters, “This grandson of mine is the Xu family’s First grandson[3]. It’s not that my wife and I are really traditional, but … we’re getting old, at the very least we want to hug our grandson before we go! My son and his… to tell you the truth, my son still hasn’t taken a wife, but he had a son with someone. I’ve yelled at him for being unrestrained, since there’s already a child, they should just quickly get married, but he doesn’t seem too concerned. How can I not try to help him?”

“These days, these types of things happen a lot.”

“Originally, I didn’t like the girl since she’s slightly older than my son, but later I found that she’s intelligent, considerate and hardworking, a lot more impressive than my son! Although Xu Hua is willing to help, it’s not a burden they can bear alone. Those brothers share the same problems as other second generation entrepreneurs — more than enough brains, but less than adequate perseverance, partic.i.p.ating when it’s enjoyable, but leaving the hard work to others. Look, this is the empire that I, Xu Ying Zhang, have spent half my life to build, only to be neatly placed in their hands!”

Just hearing it will evoke sympathy, putting so much effort into building ab empire, only for it to fall apart in his own son’s hands, how tragic! Who said second generations are all good, hard working and progressive men? Never lacking money since young, and living an indulgent lifestyle. Letting those types run a large company, it’s not going to be easy. It’s not a storybook plot.

Watching the performance… no, watching the pitiful president, honestly speaking, she really wants to pat his shoulder in consolation, but based on her position, not to mention the fact that it’s the president’s personal matter, it’s better she withhold any comments.

“Do you know what South Korea’s first generation entrepreneurs do?”

Xu Ying Zhang suddenly asks, leaving Huang Shang Rong startled, not knowing why he’d bring up such a thing.

A devious look flashes across his eyes, as the corner of his mouth twists into a sly grin, causing her to momentarily blank. She could swear, she’s definitely seen that expression before!

“In Korea, if a big boss only has daughters but no son, and doesn’t want to leave their hard earned company to fate, then they’ll arrange for a son-in-law to marry into the family and inherit the company. I think this is a good method, what do you think?”

“This… it sounds alright.” Regardless, it has nothing to do with her.

“What if I train my daughter-in-law to become even more outstanding than my son, it’s not like there’s any reason not to.”

“Eh?” Huang Shang Rong doesn’t know what expression to make, especially under Xu Ying Zhang’s unsettlingly wide grin.

Although she can’t help but think there’s something going on, she can’t seem to find anything out of place. “Logically speaking, there’s no reason why you can’t….”

“Good!” His eyes brighten. “I truly admire you. General manager Huang, I’ll leave ‘Kai Shou’s’ orders for the next quarter to you. The company is an old client of ours, and I’ve been friends with the director for several years, so don’t let me down.”

He’s actually giving her such an important task? Huang Shang Rong is truly baffled. The president has always personally negotiated with Kai Shou. Not only have they been friends for years, they’re also one of the company’s largest clients. What’s his purpose in giving her such an important client? Is he letting her become a core member of management?

“If you need any resources, let a.s.sistant Ke know. He’ll do his best to support you.”

“Yes, thank you President. I’ll definitely give it my all.”

Hehehe, he knows she will.

“It’s good to go all out, but remember to leave something for He Jun, he can’t just stay idle all the time.”

“Eh?” Why did he suddenly bring him up?

“What I meant to say is,” almost letting it slip, Xu Ying Zhang coughs, “Jing Xiang’s performance has truly risen recently, almost surpa.s.sing the head office. Your old co-worker, general manager Xu had applied to transfer to the head office a while back. I think he’s also a talent, and the two of you work well together.”

“President, what you’re saying is….”

“Next month, I’m having him transferred back to the head office. He’ll be staying by the Deputy President’s side for now, but if you need any help, you can ask for his a.s.sistance.”

She had always felt it was strange. While He Jun wasn’t just a lowly staff member, but for the President to recall his name, wouldn’t it mean he had left a strong impression on the old timer?

“Does the President know Xu He Jun?”

“…you’re both one of our outstanding talents, how could I not know?”

Although she still has some reservations, she’s not the type to get tangled up in other people’s affairs. Even the fact that the president wants to share his son’s embarra.s.sing matters with her is a little too much, though he doesn’t seem like he has loose lips.

“Alright, don’t you have a meeting in the afternoon? Hurry off then!”

Now he wants to send her off? It’s what Huang Shang Rong prefers anyway. “Yes.”

Taking the elevator back to the 8th floor, she happens to run into the Deputy President as the doors open. As she politely nods her head towards him, he also sees her and emits a slight smile – a truly peculiar slight smile.

Both he and the President seem a little weird, Huang Shang Rong secretly notes in her heart.

When the elevator doors open on the 8th floor, she immediately leaves.

“Look, it’s the Deputy President.” Female Colleague A happily remarks as she eyes that VIP figure.

“Don’t you think the Deputy President is really handsome?” Female Colleague B gazes adoringly until the elevator door closes and the person concerned can’t be seen anymore, before continuing to gossip.

“Right, he’s the company’s top golden bachelor!” Female Colleague C adds.

“Charismatic and rich, not to mention the President’s nephew. I’ve heard he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

“Doesn’t the president have a child?”

“Aiya! No one’s seen him! After staying in England to study for so long, it’s said he remained there after graduation. Only a few senior staff can even recognize him.”

“That’s a real golden bachelor!”

“I wonder if he has a girlfriend.” *gulp* She swallows her saliva.

“Isn’t it too far? For all we know he already has a foreign girlfriend, as if you’d have a chance.”

“Westerners age fast. Who knows, maybe after a few years he’ll have a change of heart and return to Taiwan to find a girlfriend!”

“Then why aren’t you putting more effort into it?”

“It’s no good! I’m already 25. Don’t you know that people as rich as them prefer younger women?”

“Not to mention, the younger the better!”

“How old is he this year?”

“He probably hasn’t turned 30 yet!”

How young! All the women in the office are in uproar. While the President is already in his 50-60s, based on his air and features, his son shouldn’t be too bad. Not to mention his wife was the former Miss Asia. Regardless of how disappointing he might be, his appearance should still be impressive, not to mention his family background…..

The moment Huang Shang Rong stepped onto the 8th floor, she had heard the female colleagues rating the President’s family. Unable to resist wrinkling her brow, the Xu family’s oldest son? So what if he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth? Not working even though he’s young, causing his parents to worry over him, and then having a child with some random woman —- not to mention they weren’t even married. It’s really hard to place any expectations on him.

“If you have the energy to gossip, then shouldn’t you be working on last quarter’s performance report? I need it within half an hour.”

As she turns back into her office, she suddenly recalls, didn’t the female workers mention that the Deputy President Jiang Xu Hua hadn’t married and didn’t have a child? Then who did the President prepare that s.h.i.+ny gold plate for?

The Xu Family’s only son? Was there such a person? How come she’s never heard of him?

Forget it, it’s not like she has an interest in listening to the bothersome affairs of others. The President’s words back then, she should just treat it as an old person’s ramblings!

<script>