After a full day's work, Shen Li finally understood why being an assistant to a celebrity meant room and board were included. There was always a need to be at their beck and call for not only work matters, but personal ones as well. Three of them took turns handling meals, and the living arrangements were quite nice, living in a villa with Qiao Xin, even if it was in the servants' quarters.
Although the working hours were long, the workload itself wasn't great. Assistant A spoke up and revealed that Qiao Xin hired so many assistants to put on appearances, as being surrounded by people made her seem more prestigious. However, her bad temper meant that despite the light workload and good pay, many were unwilling to stay on the job.
"Tomorrow's outdoor shooting starts at five in the morning, you all need to get up at four, so remember to set your alarms," Brother Zhang admonished the junior assistants with a stern voice, but instantly switched to a smile as he turned to Qiao Xin and said, "Ah Xin, you'll have to work hard tomorrow. I've heard that the investor will come to watch the filming, you must perform well."
Qiao Xin pulled a long face and snorted, "What's the use of me acting well if I'm still just the second female lead? If you're so capable, why don't you get me the leading role?"
Brother Zhang, still smiling, lowered his voice and said, "The filming has just started, and tomorrow the investor's son will be there. If you say a few good words, the lead role could be yours."
Qiao Xin's face looked less displeased, but she gritted her teeth and said, "The old pervert is coming to watch an idol drama shoot, that's quite obvious..."
Brother Zhang laughed and said, "That's your opportunity."
After exchanging a few words, Brother Zhang drove off. With an early morning ahead, Qiao Xin didn't fuss any further, giving Shen Li the chance to finally head back to her room to rest. The workload may not have been heavy, but it seemed Qiao Xin had it in for her, as she would not stop ordering Shen Li around and didn't even like to see her take a seat. As a result, Shen Li hadn't had a moment's rest the entire day.
After setting her alarm on her phone, just as she was about to turn off the light to sleep, her phone rang. Shen Li picked it up and her face changed instantly upon seeing the number without a name - she remembered it. It was Huo Siyu.
Her fingers trembling slightly, she took a deep breath before answering the call.
"Why suddenly become someone's assistant?" Huo Siyu spoke in an even tone, neither pleased nor accusatory.
"Huh?" Shen Li was stunned and blurted out, "Are you having people spy on me?"
Huo Siyu's eyes narrowed as he said, "Spying? Do you think you're worth that effort?"
Shen Li: "..."
If it wasn't for spying, how could Huo Siyu, all the way in another country, have heard about her assistant job with Qiao Xin?
"If you're so keen on being an assistant, you could work for me," Huo Siyu suddenly suggested, imagining Shen Li in business attire, pressed down on his desk - the thought didn't seem too unappealing.
Shen Li's mouth twitched as she said, "I just wanted to do some part-time work over the winter break, I never planned on doing it long-term."
"Why do you need to do part-time work? Didn't you receive the card I sent?" asked Huo Siyu.
"I..." Shen Li hesitated for a moment before saying, "I don't like sitting idle. I wanted to find something to do."
The card from Situ, she would have liked nothing better than to throw it in Huo Siyu's face - how could she spend the money from it? And about that one hundred million U.S. dollars, although she knew it was unlikely, she truly wished to pay it back.
"So industrious," Huo Siyu said, beginning to laugh. "There's no need for that. I'll have the butler arrange classes for you. Go learn dancing."
"Don't like it," responded Shen Li decisively.
"How about yoga?" Huo Siyu asked again.
Shen Li was even more resolute, "Hate it to death."
"So you just enjoy working part-time?" Huo Siyu asked.
"Yes," Shen Li replied, without working part-time, where would the money come from? With money, she could eat. Someone like Huo Siyu, born with a silver spoon, couldn't understand this.
Huo Siyu didn't insist but simply said, "I'll be going back in a few days. Rest well, and don't disappoint me."
Shen Li unconsciously pursed her lips. Were the tough days about to start again?
After hanging up the phone, Huo Siyu handed it back to Situ and suddenly said, "Buy that company."
Despite the abruptness of his remark, Situ understood he meant the company where Shen Li worked. Such a small company wasn't even worth mentioning as entertainment, its significance tied solely to Shen Li. He lowered his head and said, "Understood."
Huo Siyu abruptly stood and walked to the window, where he saw the estate dazzling with lights and all the servants dressed in red. The New Year's atmosphere was becoming increasingly thick.
For some reason, he suddenly felt a bit lonely. If Shen Li were here...
"Young Master Siyu, Old Grand Master is waiting for you in the study," the old butler announced upon entering.
Huo Siyu said, "I'll be right there."
After the old butler bowed and left,
the maid brought over his coat, Situ organized the files, and the New Year became a time for the family gathering, also a time when the elders assessed the younger generation. No matter how much the Huo family owned, its descendants absolutely could not idle away.
The past year's business achievements, the major deals made - reporting these was essential.
"What kind of gift should I give?" Huo Siyu suddenly muttered to himself.
Situ immediately said, "The gift for Old Grand Master is the one you acquired at the Norsonburg auction..."
"I was talking about Shen Li," Huo Siyu interjected, cutting Situ off.
Situ was taken aback, just looking at Huo Siyu.
The old butler had already passed the message; he should go meet Old Grand Master directly. At such a time, Huo Siyu was actually still thinking about Shen Li.
Shen Li, this woman...
"Just send diamonds, women seem to like those," Huo Siyu said. He instructed, "From my collection, pick out a case to send to her."
Gathering his thoughts, Situ said, "Though the case is full of finished diamonds, none are set in jewelry. If you send it to Miss Shen like that, she'll need to find a designer to create a setting for them, which would probably be quite a hassle. It might be more convenient to send her finished jewelry instead."
A whole case contained twenty diamonds, part of Huo Siyu's collection, and each with a starting price of at least ten million. A case full of diamonds was worth at least one hundred million U.S. dollars.
Of course, for Huo Siyu, it was just a casual gift to give away. From the moment of his birth, it was destined that he would have no concept of money in his lifetime. One hundred million or even a billion didn't matter; the key was his own liking.
"I see," Huo Siyu considered, finding the point logical. It would be less trouble to wait until he got back and hand the items to Shen Li, so she could discuss with the designer about how to set the jewels. He said, "Forget the diamonds for now, start with flowers."
"Understood," Situ replied, adding, "I'll arrange it immediately."
Huo Siyu said no more, took the files from Situ, and stood up to head to the study.
Meanwhile, Shen Li, who was blissfully unaware of the one hundred million U.S. dollars' worth of jewelry just missed, was busy counting her own small savings. She still had one thousand yuan in her hand. Fifteen days of work at two hundred yuan a day would make it three thousand yuan, making a total of four thousand yuan.
The internship in her senior year was crucial. With luck, she could secure a job directly. Even if it took more effort, she had to find a decent job.