The President's Sweetheart Secretary - Chapter 24 - Terrifying Enough to Make Legs Weak
To Secretary Li’s surprise, Lin Haimian moved swiftly, already placing the filter paper and starting to brew the coffee.
Standing nearby, Secretary Li watched as Lin Haimian’s slightly clumsy yet composed movements unfolded. A smile crept onto her face as she glanced at the printouts in her hand-seemingly unnecessary now.
After stirring the coffee evenly, Lin Haimian eagerly picked up the tray and hurried toward the President’s Office. At the door, she paused to take three deep breaths before knocking and entering. “President, the coffee is ready. Please enjoy.”
“Just leave it there,” Liang Tongheng responded without lifting his head.
Thoughtfully, Lin Haimian placed the coffee within the President’s reach, avoiding the stacks of documents and finding a small empty space. Then, with a mix of anxiety and relief, she retreated.
The rest of her time was spent immersed in studying the case materials Secretary Li had provided-documents related to a bidding project. Although similar topics had been discussed in her school classes, they seemed naive compared to the real-world stakes.
Relying on her memory, Lin Haimian took notes as she read. By the time she finished and fully understood the material, it was already lunchtime.
Stretching with a big yawn, she rubbed her slightly sore eyes. “Secretary Li, I’ve finished reading.”
Secretary Li paused her typing and stood up, eager to stretch her legs. “Take a break. Ever since I got pregnant, sitting for even a short while feels exhausting.”
Feeling a pang of guilt, Lin Haimian offered, “Secretary Li, you should rest more. If there’s anything you need, just let me know-I’m very easy to boss around.”
Secretary Li chuckled playfully. “Then I won’t hold back.”
During their break, Secretary Li gave Lin Haimian a brief introduction to the office dynamics. Besides Li Yi, there were four other assistants, though Lin Haimian always seemed to miss them.
When Lin Haimian learned about the four assistants, she was shocked. After all, she hadn’t encountered any of them yesterday. Her thoughts inadvertently drifted to Yi Huahuan, and she blurted out without thinking, “So I’m always conveniently summoned by the great President?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Liang Tongheng emerged from his office. At the same time, Li Yi stepped out of the Assistant Office. “President, it’s time to leave.”
Liang Tongheng nodded. “Let’s go. Secretary Li, Secretary Lin, handle any matters after I return.”
“Ah? Oh, okay.” Lin Haimian froze for a moment before catching up. She remembered they were heading to He Group at 1 p.m., and her brows twitched faintly at the thought.
Liang Tongheng glanced at them, his gaze lingering on Lin Haimian for a second before turning away.
Lin Haimian broke into a cold sweat. It was sheer luck-or misfortune-to be caught red-handed like this.
Following Secretary Li’s instructions, Lin Haimian was tasked with heating lunch for the other four assistants. Taking the opportunity, she introduced herself to them while delivering the meals.
Returning afterward, she excitedly reported to Secretary Li, her radiant expression and natural tone a stark contrast to the oppressive fear she felt in the President’s presence.
Secretary Li blinked, amused. So, it’s just the President’s overwhelming aura?
Liang Tongheng didn’t return to the office until 3:30 p.m. Before entering his office, he left a simple command: “Brew a cup of coffee.”
Lin Haimian instinctively jumped up and bowed. “Yes, President.”
After he entered, Lin Haimian frowned slightly. “Did the negotiations not go well? The President doesn’t look pleased.”
“Probably. He Group isn’t easy to deal with. Go brew the coffee first; you’ll learn about these things over time,” Secretary Li advised.
Obediently, Lin Haimian went to brew the coffee. Lost in thought for a moment, she snapped back to reality only to find the coffee overflowing. Covering her mouth to stifle a scream, she quickly grabbed a new cup, poured the coffee, and delivered it.
Nervously handing the coffee to the President, Lin Haimian felt her heart pounding as she safely retreated to the door. She almost wanted to wipe the sweat off her brow.
Liang Tongheng paused his writing, rubbed his temples, and, despite his fatigue, maintained a sharp gaze. He took a sip of coffee before resuming his work.
As Lin Haimian turned to leave for the break room to clean up, she suddenly had an idea. She headed to the Assistant Office, poked her head in, and asked with a natural smile, “Would anyone like a cup of coffee?”
Li Yi quickly responded, “I’ll take one.”
“Alright.” Lin Haimian glanced at the others, who had no objections, and cheerfully went to brew the coffee.
Li Yi drank his coffee with satisfaction, feeling his mood lift. “Not bad-your coffee-making skills are impressive.”
Lin Haimian smiled but felt a twinge of disappointment. The President had already had two cups of coffee, yet she had no idea if he liked it. She didn’t dare to ask.
Li Yi quickly organized his materials and rushed into the President’s Office. “President, here’s the reference material Mr. He provided at noon regarding the raw material suppliers. I’ve investigated it-it’s not their usual long-term partner.”
A cold smile tugged at Liang Tongheng’s lips. “That old fox. I need you to investigate two more matters outlined here. Get it done quickly.”
Li Yi nodded, taking the file from Liang Tongheng. As he opened it, his expression shifted slightly-unexpected.
“Dismissed. Call Secretary Lin in,” Liang Tongheng instructed without looking up.
Li Yi raised an eyebrow. “Do you want coffee?”
“Mm. Is there a problem?” Liang Tongheng asked, still focused on his work.
Li Yi’s brow twitched, and he quickly shook his head. “No problem. Right away.”
Leaving the President’s Office, Li Yi found Lin Haimian just finishing a conversation with Secretary Li. Judging by Secretary Li’s smile, she seemed pleased with Lin Haimian’s response.
Relaxing his expression, Li Yi softened his tone. “Haimian, the President wants to see you.”
As soon as Li Yi spoke, he clearly saw Lin Haimian’s brow twitch. He felt like he’d found a kindred spirit.
“Okay.” Lin Haimian’s trembling voice betrayed her inner turmoil.
Swallowing nervously, Lin Haimian tried to walk confidently into Liang Tongheng’s office. Her voice still quivered slightly. “President, you called for me.”
Liang Tongheng looked up, his piercing gaze cutting through the cold gleam of his glasses, locking onto Lin Haimian without a word.
With just one look, Lin Haimian broke into a cold sweat, her body stiff and immobile, unable even to shift her gaze.
Soon, Liang Tongheng’s expression softened, his gaze losing its icy edge. “Brew a cup of coffee.”
Lin Haimian nearly collapsed in embarrassment. It was truly terrifying. Forcing a stiff smile, her voice trembled even more. “Yes, President.”
After closing the door, Lin Haimian immediately leaned against the wall and crouched down, utterly shaken.
Once she regained her composure, she ignored the beads of sweat on her forehead and began brewing coffee with practiced efficiency, fearing any delay that might earn her another intimidating stare.
Fortunately, Liang Tongheng merely dismissed her coldly without further reprimand. Still, Lin Haimian felt like crying-this unpredictable boss!
Unable to hold back, she asked Secretary Li, “Secretary Li, don’t you think the President is scary?”
Secretary Li found it amusing. “The President is so polite and composed. He’s not going to eat you. I can’t understand why you’re so afraid of him.”
Lin Haimian frowned in frustration. She still couldn’t figure out if she had somehow offended the President. “I don’t know. I just find him scary. Maybe I’m just timid.”
Secretary Li’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Why don’t you ask the assistants to mediate with the President? It might work.”
Lin Haimian didn’t catch the hint and instinctively refused. “No, I’d rather focus on doing my job well and making the President satisfied.”
Despite her words, Lin Haimian felt uncertain. Reaching Secretary Li’s level seemed like a distant dream.
While Lin Haimian was lost in melancholy, Liang Tongheng sat in his office, his expression dark as he stared at the door.
The busy day finally ended with the sound of the closing bell. Exhausted, Lin Haimian left work with Secretary Li. Standing at the front entrance waiting for Yi Huahuan, she basked in the gentle warmth of the setting sun.
Leaning against the glass window, Liang Tongheng stood bathed in the orange glow, his figure radiant.
Time flew by as Lin Haimian diligently absorbed Secretary Li’s knowledge, eager to learn everything and avoid future chaos.
Liang Tongheng’s attitude toward Lin Haimian remained indifferent. However, as she grew more comfortable in his presence, he refrained from giving her icy stares.
This progress thrilled Lin Haimian. Though still intimidated, she could now smile naturally while interacting with the President-a feat she couldn’t have imagined before.
She tried to share her excitement with Yi Huahuan, who had been too busy to see her or even chat. However, Yi Huahuan’s mood seemed off.
Unfortunately, before Lin Haimian could find time to talk to Yi Huahuan, Secretary Li’s last day arrived.
Before leaving, Secretary Li knocked on the President’s Office door. “President, here’s the observation report. I believe Secretary Lin can handle the job well. Please rest assured.”
Liang Tongheng simply nodded. “Understood. Thank you for your hard work.”
Secretary Li smiled warmly and bid farewell to Liang Tongheng.
Handing her door card to Lin Haimian, Secretary Li reminded her, “Xiao Lin, if you have any questions, call me anytime. And treat this door card like your lifeline, okay?”
Feeling a lump in her throat, Lin Haimian nodded solemnly. “I will. Take care and have a healthy baby.”
Secretary Li’s eyes crinkled with joy. “I will. I’ll send you pictures when the baby arrives. My husband’s here-I’ll be off now. Goodbye.”
Waving goodbye, Lin Haimian couldn’t believe how quickly time had passed. Staring at the now-empty desk, she felt a sudden wave of anxiety.
At that moment, the President’s Office door opened. Like a startled rabbit, Lin Haimian jumped up, her face pale with fear.
Standing tall in the doorway, Liang Tongheng noticed her ghost-like expression and his face darkened. Yet his tone was unexpectedly light. “Am I that scary?”
Lin Haimian wanted to nod vigorously-you’re not just scary; you’re terrifying. Summoning her courage, she forced a stiff smile. “No, President, you’re not scary.”
Liang Tongheng chuckled coldly, sending shivers down her spine. “Remember, if I see that expression again, you’re fired.”