"Isn't she the new design intern from yesterday?"
"Yeah, just an intern, and overnight, she transformed into a manager. Even got personally introduced by Gu Yi, the assistant to President Zhan."
She knows how to play her cards, as long as you please the man, what can't you get?"
"You're right. The day before yesterday, a two-minute video went viral online, of a woman sleeping with Zhan Yeling. Even though the video was quickly taken down, I saw it, and that woman was Xiong Miao."
"Look at the wound on her face; it's not fully healed yet. It's exactly like the one in the video; I can't possibly be wrong."
"And don't forget, didn't the rumors go wild online about her stealing someone else's husband? The rightful wife even came to confront her."
"Exactly, she's a notorious figure online now; who doesn't know about her?"
"I really don't understand, how could a shameless woman with no integrity like her catch the eye of our esteemed President Zhan? His taste can't be that bad. How did he end up sleeping with her, and now even inserted her into the company."
Just as Xiong Miao walked out of her office, she saw a group of people huddled together, whispering and gossiping. The conversation was full of slander against her.
"What are you doing huddled up there! Not working during work hours, are you planning on freeloading off the company?" Xiong Miao reprimanded with the authority of a leader.
When she was in school, she was a class monitor, managing her classmates, so she naturally possessed leadership qualities.
At her reprimand, the gathered crowd dispersed, returning to their workstations.
But there were still those who were discontented, jealous of her for becoming a manager at such a young age and being favored by President Zhan. One of them scoffed, "What's so great about her, didn't she just use her body to climb up the ladder? Who couldn't do that?"
Although his words were distasteful, he spoke in a low voice and directed his words at others, so Xiong Miao couldn't single him out. All she could do was swallow her anger.
She poured herself a glass of water and returned to her office. Previously focused on her work, she now couldn't concentrate on a single word due to the sourness in her heart.
At the end of the workday, people were still talking about her, all harsh words. Xiong Miao realized then that this position was not as comfortable as it seemed, she felt a sting from the very first day.
The more it was like this, the more she needed to prove herself! When the time came, she would use her achievements to shut those who looked down on her!
She was determined to make this quarter's new product launch a success.
"Hey, Mumu, if you're free tonight, could you help me take care of the little ones? I need to work overtime." Xiong Miao called Su Mumu.
The time left for the new product launch was not much, and she still knew nothing. She had to make up for her absence with overtime.
"What kind of job is this that requires overtime on your second day?" Su Mumu worried for her, "Take care of your health and don't forget to eat, I'll take good care of the children's."
Thankfully, she had Su Mumu's help; otherwise, she wouldn't know what to do.
At the company, everyone had left, leaving only the manager's office alight. Xiong Miao, the new manager, was burning the midnight oil. She had only two days to familiarize herself thoroughly with the material for the upcoming new product launch before starting the design phase.
"Mr. Zhan, the old Master Zhan has asked you to come home for dinner, everyone's waiting for you." Gu Yi reported to Zhan Yeling in the design department's elevator.
"Tell him I'm working overtime, they can eat. I will not lose at the new product launch. By then, he must keep his promise." Zhan Yeling replied, hands tucked in his pockets, face expressionless.
"Yes!" Gu Yi responded quickly and relayed the message.
"Ding!" The elevator stopped at the design department floor, the door opened.
"Seems like there's still a light on." Gu Yi spotted the light from the office and started a conversation.
Zhan Yeling, with his long stride, entered the office.
The light came from the manager's office, where they could see a woman, head down, engrossed in her documents through the glass.
"The new manager, Xiong Miao, is still working." Gu Yi chimed in timely.
Because Zhan Yeling was face blind, he could not make out the face, let alone recognize who it was.
As Gu Yi was about to enter, Zhan Yeling raised his hand, halting his steps.
Gu Yi obediently stood still, unmoving.
While Zhan Yeling, like a mighty mountain, stood before the glass window.
Xiong Miao, fully engrossed in her documents, suddenly felt a huge shadow cast before her, sending chills down her spine. As she instinctively lifted her head, her gaze collided with the man's deep, icy eyes.
Her shoulders shivered involuntarily out of fear.
Zhan Yeling!
Why was he here again?
Xiong Miao bowed her head, feeling torn, wondering whether she should greet him or not.
Why was he standing outside, was he watching her?
What did he mean by coming to see her this late?
"Ahem, Manager Xiong, please get the background materials and fabric selections for this quarter." Gu Yi coughed softly into his fist and instructed Xiong Miao.
"Alright." Xiong Miao quickly found the requested documents from the pile and handed them over.
Thanks to her earlier sorting, she found precisely what Gu Yi asked for in no time.
She brought them to the door, and couldn't resist stealing a glance to see Zhan Yeling's reaction.
However, she only saw him turning around and walking away.
"Manager Xiong, please continue your work and rest early." After uttering these courteous words, Gu Yi also departed.
Having been interrupted, Xiong Miao could no longer focus.
Besides, she had almost finished reviewing today's content.
So she tidied up, turned off the lights, and called it a day.
What puzzled her was, why did Zhan Yeling come to the design department at around seven or eight in the evening?
Just for a document? It wasn't anything crucial that Gu Yi couldn't have fetched, there was no need for him to make a trip himself.
What an odd person, she just couldn't understand him.
Shaking her head, Xiong Miao lost interest in pondering.
She had a quick bite at a roadside stall and went home.
The six little ones were already asleep. Xiong Miao planted a kiss on each of their soft little faces. The smell of milk and their soft, tender skin always helped soothe her fatigue after a long day.
"Mumu, thank you for your hard work. I'll start looking for a nanny tomorrow," Xiong Miao said. She felt bad for Su Mumu, having taken up too much of her personal time.
"There's no need for formalities with me. You should rest early too, you've had a long day." Su Mumu replied. Xiong Miao's home was too small for her to stay, so she left for her place.
After taking a shower, Xiong Miao cuddled with her soft little ones and fell asleep contentedly.
A black Rolls-Royce Phantom sliced through the silent night, driving on the asphalt road, the neon lights reflecting off the car's body, creating a stream of vibrant colors.
"Mr. Zhan, the old lady and Miss Ling should have already left your office. Shall we go back?" Gu Yi asked, testing his reaction.
"Go to the midnight venue." Zhan Yeling, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.