The President's Sweetheart Secretary - Chapter 21 - Assigning Her as Secretary

The president finished speaking and elegantly began his meal, completely unfazed by the eager gazes of the three people at the table.

Lin Haimian was curious, but she didn’t dare to ask. Although she didn’t quite understand, she had a looming sense of impending doom. After glancing at the president a few times, she quietly focused on her meal.

Yi Huahuan couldn’t stand it when people left things unsaid, but she didn’t have the courage to challenge the president’s authority. So, she turned her gaze towards Li Yi, who was deep in thought.

Li Yi noticed Yi Huahuan’s intense stare, but he only returned a brief, indifferent glance before rolling his eyes and resuming his meal, ignoring her.

Yi Huahuan was speechless.

As Lin Haimian had anticipated, the lunch was tasteless. The president’s overwhelming presence, her unresolved foolishness, and her confusion over what “so it was you” meant all contributed to the lack of flavor.

Liang Tongheng appeared focused on his meal, but his eyes occasionally flicked towards Lin Haimian, pondering something.

Yi Huahuan wasn’t used to such a stifling atmosphere at the table, so she tried to chat with Li Yi, feeling anxious that at such a critical moment, Lin Haimian was just burying her head in her food.

Li Yi discreetly observed the two of them and suddenly remembered the conversation he had overheard earlier. Lin Haimian’s debt issue hadn’t been reported to the president yet.

Judging by the situation, there was definitely a problem. It would be wise to report it to the president later.

“I’m done eating, I’ll take my leave,” Liang Tongheng said politely after finishing his meal.

Li Yi breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to leave. “Me too, take your time.”

Yi Huahuan reluctantly bid farewell to the two of them. “Goodbye. If you don’t mind, we can share a table every day.”

Li Yi rolled his eyes secretly, waved his hand without directly answering, and followed the president out without stopping.

Yi Huahuan put down her spoon, pondered for a moment, and hesitantly said to Lin Haimian, “Baby, I think the assistant has something against me.”

Lin Haimian wiped the sweat from her forehead, feeling relieved. “What hostility? Where do you feel it?”

Yi Huahuan’s tone was more certain. “I guess the assistant definitely has feelings for the president, but judging by the president’s behavior, it seems like it’s still in the crush stage.”

Lin Haimian spat out her soup in surprise. As the soup splashed into her and Liang Tongheng’s trays, her face turned pale. If the president were still here, she couldn’t imagine the consequences.

Yi Huahuan turned to stare at Lin Haimian in disbelief. “What, is my deduction that funny? Funny enough for you to spray the table!”

Lin Haimian wiped her mouth and shook her head. “It’s not funny, it’s shocking. The president and the assistant are both men, right? How could they like each other?”

Yi Huahuan was stunned, eyes wide in disbelief that someone in this century didn’t know that men could love each other for a lifetime.

Lin Haimian was unaware that her words had given Yi Huahuan more material to tease her with. She was a bit confused. “Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost? Are you done eating? Let’s go, most people have left.”

Yi Huahuan swallowed her frustration and considered another possibility. “There’s another possibility-the assistant likes you, but I took your place!”

Lin Haimian finally understood and confidently said, “Are you trying to sell me?”

Yi Huahuan nodded, though her words were exasperating. “Yeah, look at you, not getting any younger and still a virgin. If you don’t find a man soon, I’m afraid you’ll never get married.”

Lin Haimian held back for a long time, her face turning red, before retorting, “You’re the one who won’t get married!”

Yi Huahuan laughed heartily. “It’s not that I can’t; it’s that I don’t want to. Otherwise, my man would’ve married me long ago. Who are you saying won’t get married?”

Lin Haimian pouted, turned on her heel, and walked away, not wanting to deal with Yi Huahuan anymore.

Yi Huahuan followed, laughing, feeling that teasing her was a great post-meal exercise.

Back in the president’s office, Li Yi had already pieced together what had happened. “President, you’ve been looking for that tardy, unkempt woman, haven’t you?”

His tone was certain, and Liang Tongheng didn’t plan to hide it, so he nodded. “Yes.”

“Now that you’ve found her, what do you plan to do?” Li Yi weakly thought, knowing the president’s petty nature, he wouldn’t let someone who slipped under his radar so many times off easily.

Liang Tongheng unconsciously tapped his fingers on the desk. “I haven’t decided yet. Do you have any suggestions?”

Li Yi frowned slightly. “Before that, I want to report something. Last time, when you asked me to find last year’s financial report, I happened to catch them slacking off. Yi Huahuan admitted that Lin Haimian hasn’t paid off her usury.”

Liang Tongheng’s interest was piqued. “Usury? How much?”

Li Yi shook his head. “I don’t know how much. I was discovered soon after, so I left quickly and didn’t linger. Do you think it might be because of the usury?”

Liang Tongheng pondered for a moment but said nothing more, just waved Li Yi out. “I understand. You can go now.”

Li Yi nodded and left.

Liang Tongheng closed his eyes. When he first encountered Lin Haimian, he thought it was audacious for a company employee to be so unkempt. Initially, he planned to fire her immediately once he found her.

However, after so long, especially during lunch when he took a closer look at Lin Haimian, he confirmed it was indeed her. Yet, despite being a young girl, she dressed so old-fashioned.

A knock on the door interrupted Liang Tongheng’s thoughts. He quickly composed himself and responded, “Come in.”

It was Secretary Li, responsible for the president’s schedule and other matters. She was meticulous and reliable, qualities Liang Tongheng appreciated.

Secretary Li seemed embarrassed, hesitating as she approached the desk. “President, I want to resign. I’m pregnant, and my husband has been hoping for this day for a long time. He’s worried I’ll be too tired working and wants me to rest at home.”

Liang Tongheng smiled faintly. “Congratulations. I understand. Take good care of yourself. If you ever want to return, you’re always welcome. We’ll arrange for someone to take over soon.”

Secretary Li’s eyes welled up with tears, her voice choked. “Thank you, President. I’ll be going now.”

Liang Tongheng nodded, feeling a bit of regret.

But in the next moment, an idea struck him, and his eyes narrowed. He pressed the internal line to call Li Yi. “Come here immediately.”

Li Yi didn’t dare delay and quickly arrived at the president’s office. “President, what do you need?”

Liang Tongheng didn’t speak right away, just eyed Li Yi.

Li Yi felt his hair stand on end under the president’s gaze. After waiting a while without a word, he asked again, “Is there something you need me to do?”

Liang Tongheng rolled his eyes at him, a rare gesture, and finally spoke. “Why else would I call you? Secretary Li is pregnant and just resigned.”

Li Yi was taken aback by the sudden news. “Pregnant or not, she didn’t have to resign.”

Liang Tongheng glanced at Li Yi, who quickly fell silent. “Her husband insisted. Now I want Lin Haimian to take over Secretary Li’s position.”

Li Yi was so shocked his eyes nearly popped out, his voice almost out of control. “President, are you crazy? You know she has ulterior motives, yet you let her get close to you.”

Liang Tongheng shot him a sharp look, and Li Yi wilted, though he still tried to persuade him. “President, let’s reconsider this. Besides, the secretary position isn’t easy. She’s just a small logistics worker. How can she handle it?”

Liang Tongheng’s commanding presence was undeniable. “Then just fire her.”

Li Yi was stunned, then realized the intention. “I understand. I’ll make sure to get it done.”

Liang Tongheng added with a hint of warning, “Do it neatly. I don’t want to hear any rumors.”

Li Yi blinked, realizing the potential for misunderstanding. Promoting someone right after lunch could lead to rumors about the president having a secret relationship with her, which would damage his reputation.

“But what reason can we use?” Li Yi mused aloud, seriously considering his options.

However, Liang Tongheng had already solved the problem. “Simple. The reason is you fancy Lin Haimian and want to be close to her.”

Li Yi was dumbfounded, staring at Liang Tongheng in disbelief. The president’s plan was ruthless. “This… isn’t right. She’s not my type.”

Liang Tongheng countered, “Do you have a better idea?”

“This…” Li Yi was at a loss, unable to come up with anything, so he left with a heavy heart, feeling the president was all bark and no bite.

The decision was made. Li Yi personally went to the logistics department to request Lin Haimian. “Manager Lin, I’d like to transfer someone to help out. Is that possible?”

Manager Lin was both surprised and shocked. Transferring someone from the logistics department directly? “May I ask which position needs filling?”

Li Yi wanted to sniffle, his voice muffled. “The president’s secretary. Don’t worry, I have someone in mind-Lin Haimian.”

Manager Lin was even more shocked. Haimian had always been low-key, almost wanting to be invisible. How could this be?

Seeing Manager Lin’s confusion, Li Yi reluctantly relayed the president’s words. “I won’t hide it. I quite like her and have the president’s approval. Don’t worry, I’ll support her.”

Since Li Yi was standing at the door, he controlled his volume well. Others could only catch bits like “Lin Haimian,” “like,” and “support,” though they couldn’t hear everything. But those snippets were enough.

Sitting at the back, Lin Haimian was completely oblivious, focused on her work. Yi Huahuan, however, had stealthily moved to the printer near the door to eavesdrop when Li Yi arrived.

Yi Huahuan was utterly shocked, having guessed correctly! The assistant actually liked Haimian! Although the target wasn’t the president, the assistant seemed pretty good too.

In her mind, Yi Huahuan envisioned Lin Haimian rising through the ranks thanks to the assistant’s promotion. Then, one day, when the assistant lost interest, she could be close to the president and win him over!

Hahaha, the more Yi Huahuan thought about it, the happier she became, completely forgetting her current situation until Manager Lin, after seeing Li Yi off, turned to ask Lin Haimian to handle the procedures and noticed Yi Huahuan’s presence.