The Cold President's Adorkable Girlfriend - Chapter 6
“Yueya, stop what you’re doing over there and take these two bento boxes up to the 28th floor of the Xu Group,” Wang Li Er called out to He Yueya, who was tidying up some tableware.
“Li Er, can’t you ask someone else to deliver them?” He Yueya tried to negotiate with her.
“Do you see anyone else here?” Wang Li Er glared at her, pretending to be angry.
“Fine, fine, I’ll go! Do you have to give me that terrifying look?” He Yueya grudgingly grabbed the bento boxes and headed out.
“Miss He, Secretary Huang asked us to tell you to deliver the bento boxes directly to the President’s office,” the front desk receptionist said with a smile as He Yueya arrived.
“Secretary Huang isn’t here? Where did she go?” He Yueya leaned over the counter and asked.
“Secretary Huang just stepped out, but we don’t know where she went,” the receptionist replied truthfully.
“I have other things to do. Could you take them up to the President’s office for me?” He Yueya pleaded with the receptionist, hoping for some help.
She really didn’t want to see him again. He was so intimidating, and she still owed him 130,000 yuan. What if he started demanding repayment as soon as he saw her? The thought alone sent shivers down her spine.
“I’m sorry, Miss He. During lunch hours, only one receptionist is on duty at the front desk, so I really can’t leave. Besides, this isn’t the first time you’ve delivered bento boxes upstairs,” the receptionist politely declined.
“Alright, then,” He Yueya sighed, her heart sinking into despair.
The heavens were so unkind to her. Why on earth had that big bad wolf set his sights on her? He Yueya walked along, mentally lamenting her misfortune.
When she reached the President’s office, she stood in front of the door, raising her hand to knock several times but never following through. She was genuinely afraid.
“What are you waiting for? Are you coming in or not?” Xu Kaihan suddenly opened the door, looking at the hesitant He Yueya outside.
He had been inside, waiting for her to arrive, but from the glass window in his door, he had seen this adorkable girl standing there, hesitating for a solid five minutes. Finally, unable to wait any longer, he opened the door himself.
“I’m… I’m here… no-I’m not!” He Yueya stammered incoherently as she looked at him.
“So, are you coming in or not? Make up your mind,” Xu Kaihan said, teasing her good-naturedly.
“I…”
“Get in here.” Xu Kaihan grabbed her and pulled her through the doorway.
“If I hadn’t opened the door, how long were you planning to stand out there?” Xu Kaihan asked.
“How did you know I was outside?” He Yueya asked, puzzled.
“Here, look through this,” Xu Kaihan said, pointing to the small glass panel embedded in the door.
He Yueya turned to look through the glass and was astonished to see everything outside clearly.
“What’s going on with this?” He Yueya asked Xu Kaihan, her eyes filled with confusion.
“This piece of glass is specially treated. From the inside, you can see out, but from the outside, no one can see in,” Xu Kaihan explained.
“Oh.” He Yueya nodded with a look of sudden realization.
“What are you dazing off for? Come over here and sit down,” Xu Kaihan said, patting the spot on the couch next to him.
“Here’s your bento,” He Yueya said as she placed the box in front of him, then turned to leave.
“Wait a moment,” Xu Kaihan said, stretching out an arm to block her retreat.
“Why?” He Yueya asked, startled.
“Sit down and have lunch before you go,” Xu Kaihan replied, pulling her to sit beside him on the couch. “So, do you prefer Ribs Rice or Braised Chicken with Mushrooms?” he asked, noticing her still in a bit of a daze.
“I… I like Ribs Rice,” He Yueya answered instinctively.
“Alright, then Ribs Rice for you.” Xu Kaihan placed the box of Ribs Rice in front of her.
He Yueya couldn’t make sense of what was happening. How had things unfolded like this? She glanced at Xu Kaihan, who acted as if everything was perfectly normal.
“Stop staring at me and eat already,” Xu Kaihan said, noticing her gaze.
“Oh.” He Yueya obediently picked up her chopsticks.
“Can I… ask you something?” She glanced sideways at him furtively as he ate.
“After you’re finished eating. I’ve got something to say to you too,” he replied without even looking up.
“Are you full?” Xu Kaihan asked softly after a while.
“Yes.” He Yueya nodded vigorously.
“Why did you eat so little?” Xu Kaihan frowned, clearly dissatisfied with her answer.
“That’s just how much I usually eat,” she explained.
Fine, let’s go with that for now. No need to scare her off again-it’s best to take it slow, Xu Kaihan reminded himself internally, urging patience.
“You said earlier you had something to ask me. Go ahead now,” Xu Kaihan said, handing her a glass of water.
“Um, yes. I wanted to ask… the last time I delivered a bento to your office, I lost a bracelet. I was wondering if it might have been left in your office?” He Yueya asked, holding the water he had given her with both hands.
“Is it this one?” Xu Kaihan reached into his pocket and pulled out the bracelet he had found in his office before, holding it up in front of her.
“Yes, that’s it!” He Yueya exclaimed joyfully, throwing her arms around the arm he was holding the bracelet with.
“Is this bracelet very important to you?” Xu Kaihan asked as he watched her, completely overjoyed and caught up in the moment.
“Yes,” she nodded emphatically, her face full of sincerity.
“Oh? If it’s that important, how about I keep it safe for you?” Xu Kaihan said, slipping the bracelet back into the pocket of his suit jacket.
“What?!” He Yueya’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“Because it’s safer with me. You’re such an adorkable girl-you might lose it again one day,” Xu Kaihan teased, lightly tapping her cheek.
“I won’t lose it this time! I promise I’ll keep it safe,” He Yueya said anxiously, afraid he wouldn’t give it back.
“Alright, your question’s done. Now it’s my turn to tell you something,” Xu Kaihan said, giving her a gentle tap on her forehead.
“Oh.” He Yueya blinked, still struggling to keep up with the pace of the conversation.
“I want you to quit your current job. Starting next week, come work at my company,” Xu Kaihan said seriously, his tone leaving little room for argument.
“Huh? But I don’t know how to do anything at your company,” He Yueya replied honestly, fully aware of her limitations.
“That’s not a problem. I’ll teach you,” Xu Kaihan said patiently, as if teaching her was the simplest thing in the world.
“But… what exactly am I supposed to do there?” she asked, worry creeping into her voice.
“You’ll be the President’s special assistant,” Xu Kaihan said slowly, leaning in close to her ear and enunciating each word with deliberate clarity.
“What? No, no, no! There’s no way I can do that!” He Yueya waved her hands frantically in refusal. “I don’t even know your President! And I’ve heard he’s not only cold but also really mean. Plus, I’m so clueless-I’d just end up making mistakes and getting scolded by him every day!”
“Don’t be afraid. Our President isn’t as scary as people say. And besides, you already know him,” Xu Kaihan said, his tone warm and reassuring.
Good news sure travels slow, but bad news? It spreads like wildfire. Even this adorkable girl has heard stories of me being cold and ruthless. Add to that the impression I’ve left on her from our first and second encounters… Changing her opinion of me is going to be a real challenge, Xu Kaihan thought to himself.
“I know him?” He Yueya asked, pointing to herself in disbelief.
“That’s right.” Xu Kaihan nodded affirmatively.
“Who is it, then?” she pressed.
“It’s the person sitting right in front of you,” Xu Kaihan answered, mimicking her tone.
“You… you… you’re really the new President of the Xu Group?” He Yueya asked, pointing at him, her voice trembling with disbelief. She was desperately hoping she had somehow heard him wrong.
“None other,” Xu Kaihan replied, amused by the mix of shock and astonishment on her face.
“But… you… and I…” He Yueya stammered, pointing back and forth between herself and Xu Kaihan, utterly at a loss for words.
“If you don’t do as I say, not only will I make you pay for my suit, but I also won’t give your bracelet back,” Xu Kaihan said, firmly grasping her hand in a mix of veiled threat and persuasion.
…
“Li Er, I… I… I…” He Yueya stammered awkwardly, keeping her head low, as if struggling to find the right words.
She truly didn’t know how to begin. When she was jobless, it was Li Er who had taken her in. And now, if she announced she was leaving, Li Er would definitely be upset. Yet, it felt like she no longer had any other choice.
“What’s all this stuttering? Spit it out already,” Wang Li Er said, pretending to sound stern to encourage her.
“I… I…” He Yueya muttered again, her voice faltering. No words seemed to escape her lips.
“Ugh, how long are you going to make me wait? With the way you’re acting now, I really wonder-if you find a new job later, who’ll be able to put up with this?” Wang Li Er said with a sigh, her tone softer but laced with genuine concern.
She was genuinely worried that, acting like this, He Yueya might end up being disliked by Xu Kaihan in the future. But if they didn’t give this opportunity a try, there wouldn’t even be a sliver of a chance for her.
“Li Er, I… I really have to leave now. But it’s not because I’ve found a better job. I… I’m doing it to settle a debt. Please, please don’t be mad at me,” He Yueya blurted out anxiously, fearing Li Er would take it the wrong way.
“I’m not the least bit surprised that you want to leave. Besides, haven’t you been working so hard all this time to better yourself for the future? I fully support you-why would I ever be mad at you?” Wang Li Er said warmly, patting her on the shoulder with an affectionate look of reluctance.
“Thank you so much, Li Er,” He Yueya said gratefully, her eyes filled with appreciation.
If there were more people like Li Er in this world, what a better place it would be, He Yueya thought to herself, deeply moved.
“Don’t be silly. Just remember-this is your home, and I’ll always be your sister. If anyone ever bullies you or treats you badly out there, come home,” Wang Li Er said sincerely, her voice full of care.
Overcome with emotion, He Yueya stepped closer to Wang Li Er, wrapped her arms around her waist, and rested her head on her shoulder.
“Li Er, you’re such a good person,” He Yueya whispered softly, her voice trembling slightly.
“What are you crying for, you silly girl? Just come back often-that’s all I ask. You’re acting like we’re never going to see each other again,” Wang Li Er said, patting her back to comfort her.
“Yueya, your phone,” Wang Li Er suddenly called out, holding up the phone for her to see.
“Who is it?” He Yueya asked, blinking away the tears.
“Pick it up, and you’ll find out,” Li Er replied.
“Hello, who’s this?” He Yueya asked cautiously after answering the call.
“I’m your future boss,” came Xu Kaihan’s unmistakable voice from the other end of the line.
“Oh, it’s you. What do you want?” He Yueya asked quietly, her hand instinctively covering the mouthpiece.
“Just reminding you to show up at my office tomorrow morning at nine sharp to report in,” Xu Kaihan stated seriously, making sure there was no room for miscommunication.
“Got it,” she replied sullenly, hanging up the phone with a pout.
The new President of Xu Group really is something else, she thought to herself. Hiring someone like her-someone who knows nothing and only causes trouble-as his assistant? There must be something wrong with his head. Shaking her thoughts, she sighed softly, still puzzled by the turn her life had taken.