Volume One, Chapter Seven: Are You Willing to Lend Me Your Ordinary Secretary?
The group took the elevator upstairs. Lu Jingyan scanned the corridor, failing to spot Fu Yuting, before motioning Bo Xingzhou toward the president’s office.
“Brother, this way please.”
As they entered the president’s office, Fu Yuting emerged from the pantry carrying a cup of coffee. Catching sight of the “Do Not Disturb” sign hanging outside the office, her lips curved into a subtle smile.
They’re here?
It was time, then, to present them with a grand gift.
Leisurely, she dialed the phone number of the project’s client. “Hello, Director Zheng, this is Miss Fu. The company has appointed a new project manager. I’ll send you their contact information now.”
Director Zheng’s voice on the other end carried a hint of regret. “Miss Fu, working with you has always been the least troublesome for me. Couldn’t you remain as project manager?”
Fu Yuting chuckled softly. “That’s the president’s decision; I have no say in the matter. I hope we’ll have the pleasure of working together again in the future.”
Meanwhile, inside the president’s office, the group settled in. Xu Qian eagerly rose to make tea.
Once she was seated, Lu Jingyan spoke with approval, “Brother, let me formally introduce Xu Qian. She’s now the mainstay of Jiahe—her professional abilities are outstanding.”
Xu Qian stood with her teacup, a delicate blush coloring her refined face. “Mr. Bo, it’s an honor to finally meet you.”
Bo Xingzhou didn’t even lift his eyelids. He picked up the porcelain tea bowl, not to drink, but as if to admire it.
His pale wrist and the green porcelain formed a graceful, striking curve.
Suddenly, the atmosphere cooled.
Lu Jingyan shot Xu Qian a meaningful glance. Xu Qian, embarrassed, drank the tea herself and awkwardly sat down.
Lu Jingyan quickly shifted the topic. “Brother, your visit to inspect domestic companies must mean the family’s business focus is shifting to the domestic market, right? While Jiahe isn’t the largest among Bo Group’s holdings, our annual revenue has steadily increased in recent years. If we can secure board support, I believe Jiahe will soon bring even greater profit to Bo Group.”
Bo Xingzhou set down his tea bowl and spoke languidly, “Jiahe’s consistent revenue growth—is that all thanks to Miss Xu?”
Lu Jingyan’s expression remained unchanged. “Of course. Xu Qian, though young, has participated in many company projects and is indeed exceptional.”
“Well then, my inspection isn’t just to assess each company’s current state. I’m also seeking to hire a chief assistant secretary. Since Miss Xu is so talented, are you willing to part with her?”
A flicker of delight crossed Xu Qian’s eyes, but Lu Jingyan’s smile was somewhat strained.
“Brother, anyone else would be fine, but you’re asking for my core personnel—that’s hardly fair.”
Bo Xingzhou let out a lazy chuckle. “Just a joke. If she’s your company’s most vital asset, I certainly won’t poach her.”
He then looked at Xu Qian.
“In that case, Miss Xu, please provide me with Jiahe’s financial statements and business reports for this year.”
---
Xu Qian’s smile froze; these matters had always been handled by Fu Yuting, and she had no idea where those documents were kept.
As she found herself caught in a dilemma, her phone suddenly rang.
Though the number was unfamiliar, it was a timely distraction—perhaps enough to deflect Bo Xingzhou’s request.
Xu Qian answered, “Hello?”
“Is this Xu Qian? I’m Zheng Ting from Tianyi Group.”
Xu Qian’s face paled; it was too late to hang up.
“The three-million project with Zheng Group?” Bo Xingzhou raised an eyebrow and gestured for her to put the call on speaker.
Xu Qian complied, though reluctantly. “Hello, Director Zheng. This is Xu Qian. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Aren’t you the new project manager for our company? What are your plans for the project? You haven’t reached out to me, so I had to call myself.”
Director Zheng’s tone was clearly displeased.
Xu Qian’s mind went blank.
Fu Yuting was the one who handled this project; Xu Qian had no idea about its specifics. Now, in front of Bo Xingzhou, if she couldn’t provide a coherent answer, wouldn’t it prove she’d simply usurped someone else’s achievements?
Under such tense scrutiny, Xu Qian could only fumble along, frustrated. “Director Zheng, I apologize, I’m currently hosting an important guest. Could I get back to you shortly?”
The voice on the other end rose sharply. “So others are important clients, but I’m not? Miss Xu, if you want to do business, shouldn’t you handle things one at a time? Is our project beneath your company’s notice, only to proceed when you’re free?”
“No, Director Zheng, that’s not what I meant.” Xu Qian was flushed with embarrassment, nearly on the verge of tears.
“If I’d known this was your attitude after signing, I wouldn’t have bothered. We don’t need your company for this project—expect to pay compensation!”
With a bang, the call ended.
Xu Qian’s face turned ghostly pale, and even Lu Jingyan’s expression darkened.
Bo Xingzhou glanced at his watch with evident interest, his tone layered with meaning. “So this is how your mainstay performs. Jingyan, I have reservations about your management abilities.”
Lu Jingyan shot an angry look at Xu Qian and quickly spoke up, “Brother, let me explain. Qian mainly handles contracts; the project team manages operations. I’ll immediately contact Director Zheng and try to salvage the project.”
He wasted no time and called Fu Yuting.
---
The phone rang, and Fu Yuting’s calm, gentle voice came through, a touch chilly across the line. “Mr. Bo.”
Bo Xingzhou paused, twirling his pen, a subtle amusement flickering in his eyes.
Lu Jingyan, panicked by the project’s cancellation, failed to notice the shift in Bo Xingzhou’s expression.
“Please connect with Director Zheng from Tianyi; he’s suddenly cancelling the collaboration… Handle it yourself, there’s no need to come to the president’s office.”
After learning the details, Fu Yuting borrowed a colleague’s phone, turned on speaker, and dialed Zheng Ting.
“Director Zheng, apologies. I heard there’s been an issue with our project coordination.”
Director Zheng’s tone had noticeably softened. “Miss Fu, we were working well together, but your president found some idiotic new manager who infuriated me!”
Fu Yuting’s lips curled imperceptibly as she replied steadily, “Sorry, perhaps my young colleague isn’t familiar with the business yet. I’ll have her visit you personally to apologize. I’ll apply to continue managing this project myself.”
“All right, all right—only because it’s you, Miss Fu. If you’re not the manager, the collaboration is off.”
“I’ll do my best to ensure your satisfaction.”
Fu Yuting hadn’t hung up Lu Jingyan’s call, so her conversation with Director Zheng was broadcast word for word in the president’s office.
After ending the call, Fu Yuting calmly addressed the phone, “Looks like Director Xu will need to pay a visit.”
Xu Qian’s face was deathly pale; though she felt guilty at being exposed, the thought of facing Director Zheng alone terrified her.
She immediately looked to Lu Jingyan for help.
Lu Jingyan’s expression was equally grim. He hung up on Fu Yuting and said irritably, “Just do as Director Zheng said.”
Previously, Fu Yuting had handled every project smoothly; he’d assumed Xu Qian could manage something so simple. But now, seeing her fail at even basic coordination, he felt nothing but annoyance.
Bo Xingzhou’s gaze swept over the two, a contemptuous smile tugging at his lips. “What did the client mean by those words? Is Miss Xu not actually the project manager?”
Lu Jingyan’s face went white, about to explain.
Bo Xingzhou continued in a low, probing voice, “And Director Zheng seemed much more confident in that Miss Fu on the phone. What position does she hold at Jiahe?”
Two pointed questions left Lu Jingyan flustered. He chose to answer the latter, “The person who took the call is just a secretary, assisting Xu Qian with projects. She must have misunderstood during coordination, leading Director Zheng to mistake Xu Qian’s role.”
Bo Xingzhou’s smile deepened. “I wouldn’t dare poach your mainstay, Miss Xu—but what about this ordinary secretary, Jingyan? Are you willing to let her be seconded to me?”