Xu Zhengyang glanced at the woman wiping her tears by the side and signaled to Mu Sheng.
"I'll go into more detail about what you need to do tomorrow. For today, let's make sure your sister is settled. Tomorrow, all of you should resign from your jobs and report to me. I'll explain everything in detail then. Overall, these tasks won't be very dangerous for you."
Xu Zhengyang added a final remark, clearly directed at the woman.
She sighed.
"I'll go and pack some things for Xiao Meng."
Xu Zhengyang felt admiration for the woman; at least she was compassionate and concerned for Mu Sheng and the others as if they were her own children. She didn't want them to become a burden.
Soon, the ambulance arrived.
Xu Zhengyang drove behind it, personally taking the family to City First Hospital.
Qi Yunfei had arrived early and was waiting. Even the attending doctor was standing with Qi Yunfei at the hospital entrance, so there was no need for cumbersome procedures. The patient was immediately taken to a private room.
It was around 8 PM when Xu Zhengyang finally returned home.
In the living room of the rental apartment, Cheng Baola was staring at a table of food, resting her chin on her hands and daydreaming.
When she heard the sound of the door's password lock, she jolted, quickly picking up chopsticks to pretend she was eating.
As Xu Zhengyang walked in and smelled the aroma of the food, he secretly smiled.
"Oh, you're waiting for me to eat?"
"Who's waiting for you? I just worked late today. I interviewed more than thirty people today! Can you believe it? Even at 7:30 PM, I was getting calls. I'm starting to think maybe our salary standards are too high!"
Cheng Baola waved her chopsticks and complained.
"That's the trouble with being a boss. Luckily, I'm not the boss!"
Xu Zhengyang laughed, finding her predicament amusing. He knew there were more troubles ahead; being a boss was never easy!
He cheerfully grabbed chopsticks and sat at the table, asking, "So, where's the food?"
Cheng Baola glared at him with narrowed eyes.
"Didn't you eat out with the big-breasted girl?"
Xu Zhengyang had indeed eaten out, but he still needed to eat this meal. Moreover, he was genuinely hungry. Given his current physical condition, he could never feel full.
"The big-breasted girl? She has a name, you know."
"She's a fortune teller with an assistant; it's not well-intentioned."
Cheng Baola poked at her rice sourly.
"Stop eating and go eat vinegar."
Xu Zhengyang snatched Cheng Baola's bowl of rice and began eating.
Cheng Baola was both annoyed and amused as she tried to retrieve her bowl.
"You're the one eating vinegar! I'm not your girlfriend, so why would I be jealous!"
They laughed and joked, and Xu Zhengyang quickly wrapped his arm around Cheng Baola's waist, pulling her close.
Cheng Baola gasped and found herself pressed against Xu Zhengyang's warm chest, their noses almost touching.
Her breath quickened, and she exhaled softly.
While Xu Zhengyang was lost in the moment, Cheng Baola suddenly leaned in and kissed his lips.
Then, taking advantage of Xu Zhengyang's momentary surprise, she slipped away and dashed into her room.
Xu Zhengyang stood stunned, savoring the scent and softness of her lips, while she had already disappeared. He was left dumbfounded.
"I… this… sigh…"
After a moment of daze, he smiled, sat back down, and continued to enjoy his meal.
The relationship between him and Cheng Baola seemed to be naturally evolving.
Although he hadn't confessed directly, they both had an unspoken understanding. Cheng Baola's kiss felt like an approval.
It was like stamping a document, approving it.
So, he wouldn't rush things.
"Finish up and wash the dishes!"
Cheng Baola's muffled voice came from the room, sounding like she was buried under a blanket.
"Got it!"
Xu Zhengyang replied with a smile, savoring his meal.
Early the next morning, Xu Zhengyang drove Cheng Baola to work.
Since Cheng Baola kissed him the night before, she pretended nothing happened during the day but stuck out her tongue at him when she got out of the car, which Xu Zhengyang noticed.
He then drove to an abandoned venue in the south of the city.
It had previously been a store selling electric bicycles but had closed due to a downturn.
Yesterday, Lin Yourong had asked Qi Yunfei to contact the seller overnight. They had agreed to transfer ownership today, but they had already taken the keys.
Technically, it was now theirs.
Xu Zhengyang drove through a large gate. To the right was a small square, and the square, stretching along an L-shaped showroom, covered at least two to three thousand square meters.
Lin Yourong was already standing there with a sweet smile, waiting for Xu Zhengyang.
Behind her stood Mu Sheng and the other six, standing like they were waiting for an inspection.
Xu Zhengyang smiled.
"It looks like you're all ready."
He walked up formally.
"Leader, please give instructions!"
Lin Yourong playfully thrust out her chest and smiled.
"It seems I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Xu Zhengyang. I'm officially hiring all six of you to form a reconnaissance team. You can elect a team leader."
Everyone turned their eyes to Mu Sheng, who remained unfazed.
Clearly, he was the undisputed leader.
"Your first reconnaissance task is to target the Lin family of Sanlin Pharmaceuticals and the Zhao family of Huannan Hotel.
Before 4 PM this afternoon, you can submit a list of required items to Lin Yourong.
All equipment you need should be the best, regardless of cost.
Your monthly salary is 0.05 yuan per person. There are bonuses for holidays, and you get four rest days each month, with compensatory time off.
Any questions?"
The group's eyes lit up.
This was probably the best treatment they had ever seen—0.05 yuan a month.
Previously, even with two jobs, they couldn't earn 0.08 yuan a month, and they had to deduct their own expenses, leaving nothing but Xiao Meng's medical bills.
Now, not only had their salary increased significantly, but Xu Zhengyang also recognized their abilities and was willing to spend generously on equipping them with the latest advanced equipment.
This was the kindness of recognition!
"Too… too much!"
Mu Sheng was so excited he was almost speechless.
Xu Zhengyang and Lin Yourong exchanged smiles.
"As long as you're not dissatisfied, then it's settled. Also, here is 1 yuan. Buy a house for the mother and daughter nearby. It will be convenient for you to look after them. As for you, if there are no objections, you can live in this store."
Xu Zhengyang intended to cultivate them as trusted confidants, so no amount of money was too much.
After all, this was his only means of winning their loyalty.