After I Was Gone, Mr. Song Said He Loved Me - Chapter 20 - Take Your Time, Kid

Suddenly, everything went dark before my eyes. I quickly stepped away from the telescope and realized the lens had been blocked by the man’s hand.

“If you want to look, do it openly. Why use a telescope?” he chuckled, looking at me.

It dawned on me that my telescope had somehow turned in his direction.

At that moment, I was so embarrassed I wished I could disappear into the ground.

“I… I didn’t mean to, I was just…”

As I tried to explain myself, Catherine’s voice called out, “Bai Yu!”

I breathed a sigh of relief and rushed away, feeling utterly mortified. As I left, I could swear I heard the man’s soft laughter, undoubtedly mocking me.

Ugh, how clumsy of me.

Catherine watched me run over, peering behind me. “What are you doing here instead of eating?”

I was about to explain when the man passed by, tossing a casual, “You still owe me two coins,” before walking away.

“What two coins?” Catherine asked, glancing at the man’s retreating figure. “Is he a friend of yours?”

“No, I don’t know him.”

Catherine nodded, not pressing further, and led me back to the table to eat. The director had already left.

“Where did he go?” I asked.

“He left.” Catherine pushed a new plate of steak towards me.

“He left?” I asked incredulously.

The meal had ended in less than half an hour? I thought they’d be here cozying up all afternoon.

“He’s a director, with limited lunch break time. Of course, he has to return to work. Did you expect him to stay here?”

“And you… finished discussing business?”

“We didn’t discuss anything. We just had a meal to get acquainted, making things easier for future dealings.” Catherine took out a compact mirror to touch up her makeup. “People like him are experts at keeping secrets. Getting anything out of them is harder than climbing a mountain.”

“This is where you build rapport, let them gradually lower their guard, and then discreetly grasp their weaknesses. Eventually, it won’t be you asking them for favors, but them coming to you. Understand?”

Listening to Catherine, I was bewildered. At Royal Dynasty, I merely catered to customers’ whims, said flattering things, and smiled sweetly to close deals.

Who knew there were so many intricacies involved?

“But President Song just told me to drink for him…”

“Drink? One hundred thousand per session? Ha, do you really think Song Yu is a philanthropist?” Catherine’s eyes moved away from the mirror, amused. “He hired you as his personal public relations to handle matters that can’t be resolved at the negotiation table. Do you honestly think you can just drink a little and be done? Ha, naive!”

“Little brother, bosses aren’t made in a day, nor are leaders caught in a day. Take your time learning.” Catherine closed her compact and started fiddling with her phone.

For some reason, the greasy steak in front of me suddenly lost its appeal.

I felt conflicted and anxious.

I was reluctant to give up the generous salary Song Yu offered, yet feared I couldn’t handle the tasks Catherine mentioned.

It’s not that I was overly concerned about my dignity; I wasn’t some delicate maiden clinging to purity. I was simply a bit apprehensive.

…

After lunch, Catherine took me back to her magazine office and handed me a stack of past ELLO magazines.

“Go home and read these thoroughly. You’ll know what to discuss with the bosses.”

I casually flipped through one, filled with celebrity photos, beauty tips, fashion accessories, and some interviews with notable figures.

This was entirely different from what I expected.

“Just… read the magazines?”

Catherine raised an eyebrow at me. “What? Too easy?”

I didn’t respond, but the answer was clear.

“ELLO’s personality columns feature superstars, seasoned entrepreneurs, or political figures. They also cover traditional culture, social etiquette, fashion elements, etc. If you can memorize these and use them effectively, you’ll have one foot in the elite circle.”

After hearing Catherine’s explanation, I suddenly found the colorful stack of magazines intriguing.

“While you can’t choose your background, you can change your future through effort. Do you think Song Yu was always like this?”

Catherine lit a cigarette, holding it between her lips. “When I first met him, he was just an ordinary intern at Huanya. Look at him now, exuding a boss aura that even makes my heart flutter.”

“Too bad he doesn’t like women.” Catherine flicked the ash with a smile.

Her words piqued my curiosity about Song Yu’s past, and I couldn’t help but ask, “What was Song Yu… President Song like before?”

“What? Want to know?” Catherine paused her ash-flicking, giving me a teasing look. “Then answer me first, have you slept with Song Yu?”

I froze, my cheeks instantly burning with embarrassment.

“Did Song Yu really sleep with you?” Catherine’s voice turned sharp with excitement.

“No, no, I… I have to go.” I grabbed the stack of magazines and headed for the door. Before leaving, I remembered to ask, “Can I come here again tomorrow?”

I still wanted to learn from Catherine because she truly was an impressive woman.

“Come if you want.” Catherine smiled suggestively. “After all, Song Yu has already paid your tuition.”

My face burned even more as I dashed out of the office.

Leaving ELLO, I didn’t return to Song Yu’s villa but went back to my small apartment.

Since the night Song Yu took me from Royal Dynasty, I hadn’t been home for half a month. Though I’d been staying in luxury hotels or villas, none gave me the sense of security my forty-square-meter nest did.

I spent 80 yuan on a cab fare to get home.

As I paid, I couldn’t help but marvel at the luxury of having money.

In the past, I either took the bus or carpooled with colleagues, never splurging on a taxi.

Looking up at the apartment building, it suddenly felt like my dreams weren’t so out of reach.

Catherine was right; while I couldn’t choose my background, I could change my future through effort.

Just as I stepped into the building and was about to press the elevator button, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out to see it was my younger sister Bai Fei calling from home.

I realized it had been almost a year since I left home, during which I barely contacted my family, only secretly calling Grandpa a few times to assure him I was doing well and not to worry.

Why was Bai Fei suddenly calling me?