Once Ru Yin Yue read the manual, she then approached Hong Cai Qian, who was busily typing away at her computer.
"Sorry, give me a second. I'll be done really soon."
Hong Cai Qian was sorting out staff records, one of the responsibilities of the human resource department. She looked at Ru Yin Yue apologetically, but the latter shook her head.
"Please don't worry about it."
It took about a minute and a half for Hong Cai Qian to finish whatever she was doing, but Ru Yin Yue waited patiently. Before she knew it, Hong Cai Qian put her computer to sleep and switched off the monitor before rising to her feet.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. This way."
She guided Ru Yin Yue along the corridor and to the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor. The new secretary thought to herself briefly how apt the top floor was for Si Zha Nan's office. He was literally the head of Si Corporation, after all, the highest-ranking person. Of course his office would be situated in the highest location as well.
Unlike certain delusional characters, Hong Cai Qian didn't resent Ru Yin Yue for no reason. Even though the previous secretary had been transferred to another department, she wasn't deluded enough to think she would have the chance to become the next secretary. After all, she worked in the human resources department. Why the hell would she suddenly be posted to the position of secretary? That made no sense.
Perhaps fictional characters penned by authors who had no real working experience would harbor such nonsensical fantasies, but anyone who actually worked before would know that such promotions or transfers didn't happen spontaneously like that. Not all women would delude themselves into thinking they could pursue rich, young and handsome CEOs.
Hong Cai Qian brought Ru Yin Yue to the president's office, knocked on the door and waited for the CEO to grunt an acknowledgment.
"President, the new secretary is here."
"I see. Tell her to come in."
Hong Cai Qian glanced at Ru Yin Yue, who had clearly heard the instruction. She took a deep breath, nodded and pushed the door open. Si Zha Nan was seated at his desk, busily reviewing documents. He didn't even look up when Ru Yin Yue entered.
"That's your desk," Hong Cai Qian told Ru Yin Yue, pointing toward a smaller table and chair that wasn't too far away from Si Zha Nan's own. Ru Yin Yue was shocked at how close in proximity the desks were. Then again, as the secretary, it was natural that the CEO kept her within arm's length. Hong Cai Qian then bowed toward Si Zha Nan. "President, please let me know if you need anything else."
"Sure. There's nothing else for now."
"Understood." Hong Cai Qian nodded, and then gave Ru Yin Yue one last glance before she exited the office. What? Did you think she was going to behave like some love-struck girl infatuated with the rich, handsome CEO? And that the overbearing CEO would coldly and rudely tell her to get out of his office within the next three seconds? These were working adults, actual professionals working in a multibillionaire conglomerate, not socially awkward high school students in a cheap drama. They were proper people who behaved like normal adults, not caricatures who existed for the sole purpose of making the female lead's life miserable while fawning over the "perfect" male lead.
Without a word, Ru Yin Yue went over to the secretary's desk and began working immediately. She went through the documents that the previous secretary had compiled, and then sorted them out. Switching on her computer, she called up the president's schedule and took note of his meetings and appointments.
For a brief second, Si Zha Nan's hands paused. Then he returned to work immediately, almost as if he hadn't stopped to glance at his new secretary at the corner of his eye. He had expected some kind of reaction from Ru Yin Yue, but she was a mature adult. She wasn't going to throw a tantrum and rebel against him.
Now that she was working as a secretary, she was going to do the job properly.
Of course, Ru Yin Yue had another purpose for playing along for now. As the secretary, she would be able to establish connections. She would have access to the company documents. With that information, she should be able to once again put herself back on the music market and find a new job.
She just had to endure for now, play along with what Si Zha Nan wanted, while secretly building up connections and establishing contacts. Already, she was scanning the documents for any partnership with music or media companies. Si Corporation might not be a musical company, but it sometimes sponsored art or musical events.
Ru Yin Yue could use that.
That didn't mean she was going to neglect her work, of course. The secretarial duties she was expected to carry out, she did them earnestly.
And so, the two of them worked silently in the office, not exchanging a single word between them at all. The lack of conversation would have made the atmosphere awkward, with the only sounds being the typing of the keyboard or the fluttering turn of pages of files and documents. But Ru Yin Yue was so absorbed in her new task that she didn't notice.
Before Ru Yin Yue knew it, the morning flew past and it turned noon. Si Zha Nan left for lunch, without a single word. His wife waited for him to close the door behind him before she finally rose to her feet, stretching herself. She scowled at the computer monitor, hating her mundane duties already. Sighing, she logged off and turned off the monitor before she exited the office and headed downstairs.
There was a cafeteria in the office itself, and Ru Yin Yue strolled toward it. This being her first day, she had no idea what was on the menu. Fortunately, the cafeteria served food one could find anywhere, resembling the school canteens from back when she was still a student. Ru Yin Yue ordered a plate of rice with two vegetables and some meat, received a bowl of soup, and then she sat at a table. While she quietly ate her lunch, she overheard several of the other employees gossiping nearby.
"Hey, do you know what happened to Miss Zhou?"
"Miss Zhou? That arrogant bitch who used to come to the company everyday?"
"Ugh, yeah. I haven't seen her for a long time. Did our dear president finally dump her?"
"I hope he did! He must have finally seen her true nature!" One of the female employees grimaced. "That arrogant Miss Zhou always showing up everyday and ordering us around as if we're her slaves. And if we refuse, she would threaten us with the president, saying that she'll fire us. As if she owns the company."
"Who asked her to be the president's girlfriend? If you become the president's girlfriend, you'll definitely be more arrogant than her."
"Nah, I won't. I bet the president found out what she was doing and dumped her. That's why we haven't seen her for so long."
"Ha ha! You might be right!"
Ru Yin Yue wasn't surprised. Even though she didn't mean to eavesdrop, she couldn't help but smirk to herself. Given how that stinky demoness behaved, it was only natural that she would end up making enemies. Unfortunately, the employees were mistaken. Si Zha Nan didn't dump Zhou Ni Yao. She was the one who broke up with him after discovering his "affair" with Yin Yue. Though they had been set up, she refused to listen to Si Zha Nan's explanation and ran off.
Considering that she was having an affair herself, sleeping with another man and even getting pregnant with his child, she was a hypocrite. Imagine if Si Zha Nan did end up marrying her. He would have to raise another man's child unknowingly. That would turn him into Cheng Shi City's greatest joke. The famous heir to Si family, the richest and most handsome CEO, raising another man's child because his would-be wife cheated on him?
Perhaps Ru Yin Yue should have just let the matter be…too bad Si Zha Nan's parents had to intervene and set her up with him. Not to mention, she needed the money for her mother's hospital bills.
After lunch, Ru Yin Yue returned to the office. To her surprise, Si Zha Nan wasn't present. Not that his absence changed anything. Remembering that she still had a pile of work to sort through, Ru Yin Yue dragged herself back to her desk and began leafing through the documents. While she was working, someone barged into the office.
"Where is President Si?"
A familiar voice caused Ru Yin Yue to raise her head. She narrowed her eyes when she caught sight of Li Na strolling into the office as if it was her home.
"This is the president's office," she said crisply and coolly. "If you have an appointment with the president, please wait in the guest room, and he will call you in when he is available. If you have yet to make an appointment, you can apply for one at the reception desk in the lobby."
"Oh? Why are you here?" Li Na was taken aback, and she completely ignored Ru Yin Yue's instructions. She scowled, puzzled. Didn't Mr. Si hate this woman? Why would he let her into his office?
"I work here," Ru Yin Yue replied. She didn't mention that this was her first day at work. Li Na stared at her in disbelief.
"Ms. Ru, it's not that I wish to criticize you, but the more you cling to this man, the more annoyed he will be with you."
"Before criticizing me, allow me to ask you this, Ms. Li. Have you looked in the mirror?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Li Na demanded. Ru Yin Yue looked at her, amused.
"I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Also, please leave the office and wait outside. I'll inform the president that you wish to see him. But you're not allowed in here."
"Who are you to tell me to leave!?" Li Na stormed at her.
"My secretary." Si Zha Nan chose that moment to appear. He glared at Li Na, his expression thunderous. He then glanced at Ru Yin Yue. "Why didn't you stop her from entering my office?"
"I'm sorry, President Si. I tried." Ru Yin Yue lowered her head.
Li Na ignored their exchange and sidled toward Si Zha Nan, reaching out to grab his arm. She was determined to seduce him. Even though he was glaring at her, she was sure his gaze would soften once she exerted her feminine charms.
"I'm sorry about the last time, Mr. Si. I wish to thank you for helping me secure the role in the new movie. I would like to invite you to dinner as thanks."
"No need for that," Si Zha Nan told her coldly. "You worked hard to earn that role. And can you please leave? I don't like it when people come into my office without permission."
Feeling a chill run down her spine at Si Zha Nan's words, Li Na left the office, flustered and fearful.