Xu Xiuwen placed the cake on the coffee table and started inserting and lighting the candles.
Once ready, Xu Xiuwen reminded, "Qianqian, turn off the lights."
Xu Qian obeyed and went to turn off the lights.
When the room went dark, Xu Xiuwen carried the cake towards Lu Xinyao and began singing the birthday song.
At this moment, Lu Xinyao was overwhelmed with excitement and moved to tears. Her eyes were already brimming with tears.
Xu Xiuwen placed the cake on the table.
Lu Xinyao was so moved she didn't know what to do.
Zhao Yatong thoughtfully reminded, "Xinyao, don't forget to make a wish and blow out the candles."
Lu Xinyao followed the instructions.
So, Lu Xinyao went through the birthday process: making a wish and then blowing out the candles.
Once the candles were extinguished, the living room instantly went dark again.
Xu Qian promptly turned the lights back on, brightening the room once more.
Next came the cake cutting and gift-giving.
Xu Qian and Zhao Yatong had prepared gifts.
Xu Xiuwen also brought over the gifts he had prepared from the sofa.
Lu Xinyao did not open the gifts immediately.
She kept saying thank you and cried from the overwhelming emotion.
Xu Qian brought tissues, and Zhao Yatong took on the task of comforting her.
With their cooperative efforts, Lu Xinyao's emotions gradually stabilized.
As the birthday dinner approached its end, Xu Xiuwen asked, "Zhao Yatong, are you heading back to Guangming City tonight?"
Zhao Yatong replied, "I have to work tomorrow morning, so we have to go back tonight."
Xu Qian suddenly remarked, "You're so lucky, Mr. Xu, you don't have to work tomorrow."
Zhao Yatong agreed, "Isn't that the truth? We work hard for you, and the money we make isn't even a fraction of yours. Ah, this unfair society."
Xu Xiuwen laughed heartily.
Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian weren't the type to complain about the world, and their earlier remarks were just in jest.
Xu Xiuwen didn't mind.
"If you're tired, you can take a day off tomorrow."
To everyone's surprise, Zhao Yatong immediately refused, "No way, if I take a day off, I'll lose my full attendance bonus. I won't do something so foolish."
Xu Qian nodded in agreement, "Sister Yatong is right."
Their remarks made Xu Xiuwen laugh again.
Zhao Yatong checked the time and said, "It's getting late; we need to leave. We need to wash up when we get back and don't even know what time it will be."
"How will you get back?"
"By taxi."
"Then please be careful," Xu Xiuwen advised.
"Okay."
Afterwards, Zhao Yatong and Xu Qian exchanged a few more words with Lu Xinyao before leaving together.
At such a time, one would usually expect Xu Xiuwen to leave as well, whether out of courtesy or to avoid any awkwardness, but he didn't. He didn't even mention leaving.
Lu Xinyao began to clean up the leftover food.
Xu Xiuwen asked if she needed help.
Lu Xinyao was about to decline, but Xu Xiuwen had already rolled up his sleeves and started helping with the cleanup.
Together, they had everything cleaned up in half an hour.
Xu Xiuwen tied the two full garbage bags and placed them outside the door.
He still had no intention of leaving.
Back in the living room, Lu Xinyao stood there, feeling somewhat nervous.
Xu Xiuwen walked over and sat down on the sofa.
"Why are you standing over there, making it seem like I'm a man-eating tiger? Come over and sit; I won't bite."
Lu Xinyao gave an awkward smile but complied, sitting down beside Xu Xiuwen.
"Now, let's get to it. What exactly did you want to say to me today? It's just the two of us now; no one else will find out."
Xu Xiuwen got straight to the point. After several meetings with Lu Xinyao today, he had already noticed something was off and guessed she had something on her mind.
"Mr. Xu, I…"
"It's okay. If you can't say it right now, I can give you a bit more time."
Xu Xiuwen smiled faintly, "However, it's better not to exceed 12 o'clock. I want to go back to bed early."
Perhaps it was Xu Xiuwen's smile or his relaxed tone, but Lu Xinyao gradually let go of her hesitation.
She mustered her courage and said, "Mr. Xu, I don't want to be a receptionist anymore!"
Xu Xiuwen was taken aback.
He had thought Lu Xinyao might be facing difficulties, feeling overworked, or dissatisfied with her salary. Whatever it was, he could handle it. But for her to say she wanted to quit outright caught him off guard.
After a moment of silence, Xu Xiuwen asked, "Can I ask why you want to quit? Is it because of the salary or the workload?"
Lu Xinyao was also stunned.
Was what she just said really about quitting?
"Boss Xu, I'm not resigning."
Xu Xiuwen breathed a sigh of relief. "As long as you're not resigning, that's good. I was worried that maybe I had done something wrong that made it hard for you to stay with the company."
Lu Xinyao looked embarrassed.
Xu Xiuwen smiled lightly, "So I don't understand your point. You don't want to be a receptionist anymore, but you're not resigning. What do you mean?"
Lu Xinyao replied, "Mr. Xu, I don't want to be a receptionist anymore, but I still want to stay with the company."
After a brief pause, she gathered her courage and continued, "Mr. Xu, I want to be your secretary."
Due to her nervousness, she unconsciously addressed Xu Xiuwen with a formal tone.
Xu Xiuwen was surprised and then smiled.
"Can I ask why you want to be my secretary? Is it because you're unhappy with the receptionist position's salary?"
"I'm not unhappy with the salary."
"Then why?"
"Mr. Xu, I know what I'm about to say might sound ridiculous, but it's really how I feel."
"Go ahead, tell me."
"I believe that with you and Director Hang here, the company will continue to develop and improve. If I stay as a receptionist, even if the company grows, I'll still be just a small receptionist, easily replaceable by younger and more attractive women. I don't want to leave the company; I want to be a part of it for the long term."
Xu Xiuwen understood what Lu Xinyao was saying.
She was optimistic about the company's future but uncertain about her own future there. Even if the company grew to become one of the world's top 500, she would remain a mere receptionist, replaceable at any time.
Lu Xinyao was one of the early witnesses to the company's growth, and she was unwilling to remain in a minor role, fearing being discarded once the company succeeded.
"I know my educational background isn't high, but I'm willing to learn. A month ago, I enrolled in a secretary training course, and I've been attending classes for a month now. Mr. Xu, if you give me a chance, I'm sure I can do well as a secretary and won't let you down."
Xu Xiuwen didn't respond immediately.
Lu Xinyao was extremely anxious inside.
"Mr. Xu, I know it's a big ask, but I really want to stay with the company, to stay here long-term."
Lu Xinyao felt a pang of despair. Xu Xiuwen's silence and lack of response felt like a death sentence to her.
She even wondered if Mr. Xu might think she was being unreasonable and that he might hire someone else for the receptionist role. Just thinking about this, her mood plummeted.
However, what Lu Xinyao didn't realize was that Xu Xiuwen's silence wasn't a refusal. He was simply surprised.
To be honest, from the moment Xu Xiuwen first met Lu Xinyao, he had viewed her as merely a pretty face. But he didn't expect her to show such ambition and desire to move to a different role, knowing that the receptionist job had limited prospects.
As for the secretary position, Xu Xiuwen originally intended for Xu Qian to fill it. However, Xu Qian had been kept at the distillery, leaving the secretary position temporarily vacant.
If Lu Xinyao had indeed taken a secretary training course, she could be given a chance to try it out.
Just when Lu Xinyao was feeling hopeless and regretting her decision, Xu Xiuwen suddenly spoke.
"Lu Xinyao, do you know what the responsibilities of a secretary are?" Xu Xiuwen decided to test her.
Lu Xinyao was startled by Xu Xiuwen's question. She realized that things might not be as bad as she thought and that there might be a glimmer of hope.
She didn't forget Xu Xiuwen's question. She recalled what she had learned in class and quickly said, "The responsibilities of a secretary include: 1. Handling the boss's office services. 2. Organizing and drafting…"
As Lu Xinyao spoke fluently about the duties of a secretary, Xu Xiuwen could tell she had paid attention in class.
He didn't interrupt her, allowing her to showcase her knowledge.
Lu Xinyao became more confident as she spoke, feeling quite proud of herself.
After she finished, she looked eagerly at Xu Xiuwen, hoping for his approval.
However, Xu Xiuwen shook his head.
"Lu Xinyao, what you've said is correct, but it's not enough."
Lu Xinyao was puzzled.
Xu Xiuwen smiled and said, "Being someone's secretary means performing the tasks you mentioned, but being my secretary also involves taking on many responsibilities beyond those of a typical secretary. It can be very demanding and tiring, even affecting your sleep, and you'll need to accompany me on trips—"
Xu Xiuwen paused here.
Lu Xinyao understood what he meant.
She immediately raised her head and said with determination, "Mr. Xu, I'm not afraid of hard work. No matter what you ask me to do, I'll work hard to do my best and won't let you down."
In fact, Xu Xiuwen was partly testing Lu Xinyao. Maybe in the future, as the company grows, being his secretary might become more demanding. But for now, being his secretary was not a particularly strenuous job.
Xu Qian was currently at the Guangming Distillery, and the company indeed needed someone to assist in understanding and managing its operations.
So, a secretary was indeed necessary.
Since it was needed, Lu Xinyao could certainly be that person. At least she deserved a chance. If she truly couldn't handle it, they could always find someone else later.
Xu Xiuwen had made his decision.
He smiled and asked, "Lu Xinyao, have you really thought this through?"
Lu Xinyao nodded firmly, "Mr. Xu, I've thought it through."
"Good. Starting tomorrow, you'll be my secretary. I'll give you three months. If you perform well, I'll keep you. But if you don't meet expectations, even if you still want to stay with the company as a receptionist, I won't be able to guarantee that position for you."
Lu Xinyao's expression was resolute, "That's not necessary, Mr. Xu. If I'm not qualified after three months, I'll leave on my own, without you having to say anything."
"As for the salary and benefits, they'll remain the same for now, according to your current position. Do you have any objections?"
"Mr. Xu, I have no objections."
"Alright, it's settled then."
"Thank you, Mr. Xu, for giving me this opportunity. I'll work hard—"
Xu Xiuwen interrupted her.
"Alright, no need for the formalities. I'll judge by your performance."
"It's getting late, so I'll head out now."
"Mr. Xu, I'll see you out."
Lu Xinyao accompanied Xu Xiuwen downstairs and only returned to her dormitory after he had gotten into his car.
Reflecting on the conversation she had with Mr. Xu tonight, her mood was excellent.
Even though her salary and benefits would remain unchanged for now, Lu Xinyao knew that as long as she performed well, her salary would eventually increase. After all, she was going to be Mr. Xu's secretary.
She was in high spirits for a while, but then remembered she hadn't yet opened the gifts from her roommates and Mr. Xu.
She quickly sat down, found the gifts, and started unwrapping them.
The gifts from her roommates were mostly cosmetics. While she wasn't particularly excited since she didn't need them, she was eager to open Mr. Xu's gift.
She was curious about what Mr. Xu, as her boss, would give as a present.
Her anticipation grew, but when she opened the gift box and saw what was inside, Lu Xinyao was stunned.
It was a cushion.
Who would give a cushion as a gift?
As she had this thought, she suddenly remembered something.
As a receptionist, she spent most of her time sitting at a desk. The chair was hard, which was necessary to maintain good posture, but it made sitting uncomfortable.
Though she was young and could tolerate it, it was still not pleasant.
Seeing that Mr. Xu had given her a cushion, Lu Xinyao immediately understood the thoughtful intent behind the gift.
He wanted to make her workday more comfortable.
In the several months Lu Xinyao had been with the company, everyone greeted her and chatted with her daily, but no one had ever cared about whether her chair was uncomfortable.
No one had ever paid attention to that.
Although Mr. Xu didn't visit the company often, he had noticed this detail.
Had he even observed her stretching or shifting in discomfort during the day?
She wasn't sure.
But she did know one thing.
Mr. Xu was more considerate and attentive than anyone had imagined.
At first, Lu Xinyao didn't quite understand the cushion. But now, the more she looked at it, the more she liked it.
From this ordinary cushion, she felt Mr. Xu's care and concern, which warmed her heart.
It also made her even more determined about her decision to be his secretary.
Working for such a caring boss felt really great!
Xu Xiuwen had no idea that a simple cushion had elevated Lu Xinyao's regard for him to the highest level.
When he agreed to make Lu Xinyao his new secretary, he thought he wouldn't need her for a while.
But just two days later…