The President's Sweetheart Secretary - Chapter 23 - Are You a Zombie?

After completing her report, Secretary Li stepped out only to see Li Yi and Lin Haimian deeply gazing into each other’s eyes, with Li Yi holding Lin Haimian’s hand, and Lin Haimian clutching a document.

Their eyes then simultaneously shifted to their clasped hands, both inhaling sharply before letting go and stepping back. Li Yi sincerely apologized, “I’m sorry, it wasn’t intentional.”

Lin Haimian’s face turned red, and she shook her head, unable to find the words, then stood up and ducked behind her desk.

Secretary Li’s smile was radiant, as if everything was clear now.

“Assistant, do you need help?” Secretary Li asked warmly and concerned as she approached with a smile.

Li Yi awkwardly shook his head and declined, quickly picking up the document and retreating to the president’s office, “No, thank you.”

Lin Haimian ignored Secretary Li’s suggestive smile, just giving her a puzzled look as if trying to transform into her.

But Secretary Li’s smile remained unchanged, gently asking Lin Haimian, “What’s wrong? Looking at me like that, do you need my help?”

Lin Haimian almost sighed but held back, offering a shy smile instead, “The president asked me to learn about dressing and etiquette from you, there’s a check tomorrow morning. I’m sorry to trouble you.”

Surprisingly, Secretary Li nodded earnestly, honestly responding, “It’s definitely something worth learning.”

After Secretary Li’s guidance, Lin Haimian was both embarrassed and impressed by her efficiency.

The pleasant morning passed with Secretary Li explaining patiently and Lin Haimian listening intently and taking diligent notes until lunchtime, when Lin Haimian learned something new.

She had intended to invite Secretary Li to lunch, but found out that she had brought her own bento, something Lin Haimian hadn’t realized was common.

Secretary Li asked Lin Haimian to go eat first, and upon her return, she explained, “From now on, you should either bring your own lunch, order delivery, or have someone bring it up for you.”

Lin Haimian was surprised, “Why? Isn’t everyone supposed to go to the cafeteria?”

“Because as the president’s secretary, you can’t miss any calls, and I think you understand why. Some assistants also bring their own bento. The break room on this floor has a small fridge and a microwave, so you can use those if you bring your own,” Secretary Li informed Lin Haimian meticulously.

Lin Haimian nodded in understanding. She hadn’t even gone to get water that morning, which explained her ignorance, “I see. I’ll start bringing my own lunch tomorrow.”

Secretary Li’s eyes sparkled with appreciation.

After work, Lin Haimian and Yi Huahuan rushed to the mall, armed with a treasure trove of tips from Secretary Li, to transform her style.

Determined to support Lin Haimian, Yi Huahuan abandoned her unfinished work and accompanied her shopping.

As they selected outfits, Yi Huahuan inquired about Lin Haimian’s day, and upon hearing that the president had criticized her, she almost reveled in Lin Haimian’s misfortune.

Rolling her eyes and suppressing her irritation, Lin Haimian tried on the outfits Yi Huahuan had picked out. Indeed, Yi Huahuan had a good eye.

After much deliberation, Lin Haimian bought three relatively comfortable outfits, “Just these three, please charge it.”

Yi Huahuan’s laughter was nearly blinding as she then dragged Lin Haimian to buy two pairs of brightly colored high heels, replacing her drab old shoes.

Exhausted, the two had a quick meal and parted ways. Before bed, Lin Haimian practiced smiling in the mirror, trying to perfect her sweetest smile.

When her smile stiffened, Lin Haimian reluctantly gave up, realizing she couldn’t match Secretary Li’s sweet demeanor, hoping the president wouldn’t mind.

Anxious, Lin Haimian arrived at the office half an hour early the next day, knowing it would be empty so she could adjust her mindset.

As expected, the office was deserted, but Lin Haimian had overlooked one detail: she didn’t have the key to access the president’s office floor.

Standing outside the door, looking through the glass, Lin Haimian realized how foolish she had been.

Secretary Li arrived ten minutes early and was startled to see Lin Haimian, “Xiao Lin? My goodness, I almost didn’t recognize you. You’ve completely transformed, and you look beautiful.”

Lin Haimian’s long black hair cascaded naturally over her shoulders, highlighting her fair, youthful skin. Her large eyes, no longer hidden behind glasses, sparkled even more brightly, and her rosy lips shone, fully revealing her youthful charm.

She wore a white blouse with delicate lace trimming at the collar and cuffs, paired with a knee-length black pencil skirt, which made her figure appear exquisite. Candy-colored high heels and a matching handbag completed her look.

Compared to Secretary Li’s vibrant beauty, Lin Haimian exuded a pure and cute charm.

Holding her handbag, Lin Haimian smiled awkwardly, “Secretary Li, please don’t make fun of me. I’m nowhere near your level.”

Secretary Li giggled, about to tease Lin Haimian, when a voice from behind interrupted, “What’s so funny that you’re laughing so heartily?”

Lin Haimian’s laughter stopped abruptly, and her smile froze. She recognized that voice instantly! What should she do now?

Her mind in turmoil, Lin Haimian stiffly turned around, trying to force a smile, but eventually gave up on her rigid facial expression and bowed slightly to the newcomer, “Good morning, president.”

Secretary Li was speechless.

Liang Tongheng calmly asked Lin Haimian a profound question, “Are you a zombie?”

“Ah?” Lin Haimian looked up in confusion, not understanding why the president had suddenly asked her such a question.

Suppressing the urge to throw Lin Haimian out, Liang Tongheng decided to give up on communicating with her, “In half an hour, I need to know today’s schedule.”

Lin Haimian understood this and hastily nodded, bidding him follow, “Okay, I’ll get it to you.”

As Liang Tongheng walked away, he ignored Lin Haimian.

Then Li Yi entered, managing to suppress his laughter before stepping in, dutifully playing his part, “Haimian, you look really beautiful today.”

Lin Haimian paused, responding with a daze, “Thank you.”

After Li Yi returned to the assistant’s office, Lin Haimian instantly switched expressions, returning to her post and quickly organizing a schedule based on Secretary Li’s instructions from the previous day.

She printed a copy and placed it before Secretary Li, “Could you check if there’s anything that needs to be changed?”

Secretary Li was surprised at the speed but after a thorough review, she was impressed by the accuracy and lack of typographical errors.

Secretary Li felt reassured, believing that with a few more days of guidance, Lin Haimian would be ready, “It’s fine, you can take it to the president.”

Lin Haimian smiled with relief, “Alright.”

Knocking on the president’s office door, she entered upon hearing his voice. As she approached Liang Tongheng, her posture stiffened, only slightly better than the day before because her head wasn’t as heavy this time.

Liang Tongheng was silent.

Lin Haimian braced herself, placing the schedule on the desk, “President, here is the schedule, please review it.”

Liang Tongheng didn’t speak or look at the schedule, just stared at Lin Haimian.

Lin Haimian’s eyes darted around, too nervous to meet the president’s gaze. After a long silence without a response, she nervously shifted her eyes to his face.

Then she was startled, for Liang Tongheng was looking at her sternly, making her feel guilty, perhaps about her demeanor?

After a long look, Liang Tongheng spoke slowly, letting Lin Haimian, whose back was soaked with sweat, relax, “Your attire is barely passable, but your etiquette scores zero. If I see you like this again, I will consider docking your pay.”

Lin Haimian’s face flushed with disbelief. Dock her pay? She had spent her recent months’ salary on new clothes, and any more cuts would mean going hungry.

Disheartened, Lin Haimian retreated, needing to find a secluded spot to calm down. Using the excuse of fetching water for Secretary Li, she took an extra ten minutes.

Secretary Li didn’t blame her, instead handing her a document, “Take a look at this first, I’ll quiz you on it later.”

Lin Haimian focused intently on the document.

Unlike her simple duties in the logistics department, Secretary Li had given her a case study, which was somewhat overwhelming due to the sheer amount of information.

Before she could finish, the president called for someone. Secretary Li was about to stand up, but Lin Haimian stopped her, “You need to rest more, I’ll go.”

Secretary Li teased her with a playful smile, “What? Not scared anymore?”

Lin Haimian pursed her lips, shaking her head honestly, “Still scared.”

Amused, Secretary Li waved her off.

Polite knocks at the door, Lin Haimian finally met the president’s standards, “President, may I help you with anything?”

Liang Tongheng just glanced up briefly then continued his work, “Make a cup of coffee.”

Suppressing her urge to complain, Lin Haimian politely excused herself, “Alright.”

Couldn’t he have just asked for coffee over the internal line? Why did she have to go in again?

Lin Haimian silently hurried back to her desk, searching Baidu while asking Secretary Li, “Is there coffee beans and a coffee machine in the break room? The president wants brewed coffee, not instant.”

“It’s actually instant; there’s ground coffee powder in the canister, it’s quite simple. You’ll get it once you try. Also, the president doesn’t like anything added, just black coffee,” Secretary Li explained, glancing at Lin Haimian’s search results with a deeper smile.

Lin Haimian nodded, quickly scanning the webpage, “Okay, how many cups of coffee does the president usually drink a day?”

“Well, about three cups. He’ll call on the internal line when he wants coffee, and you should deliver it within ten minutes,” Secretary Li carefully instructed.

“Huh? Ten minutes? Oh my, I’ve already wasted three minutes, I better hurry.” Lin Haimian stood up quickly, dashing off in her high heels.

Left behind, Secretary Li was astonished but thoughtfully moved to Lin Haimian’s computer, printed out the coffee-making steps, and brought them to the break room for Lin Haimian.