Tang Xiaowan felt a surge of joy inside, but outwardly spoke calmly, "Please come in."
The door slowly opened, and Tian Jiaojiao entered the office. She was dressed in a proper business suit, her slightly curly hair tied back in a low ponytail, looking very competent yet still gentle.
Tian Jiaojiao: Is Li Zishen also here? Never mind, he doesn’t know me anyway, no need for greetings.
Li Zishen: A new hire? That was fast!
"Hello, boss, Tian Jiaojiao is here to report to you." Tian Jiaojiao stood very respectfully in front of Tang Xiaowan and introduced herself with a smile.
Tang Xiaowan gave Tian Jiaojiao a brief appraisal and nodded, "Good!"
Then, Tang Xiaowan walked straight towards her desk, casually took a sticky note, wrote something indecipherable on it with her pen, and handed it with a smile to the waiting Tian Jiaojiao.
"Go to the HR department to complete your entry procedures."
Tian Jiaojiao was slightly startled, then respectfully took the sticky note: "Yes, boss."
A sticky note? Is the madam being too casual?
From the sitting area, Li Zishen glanced at Tian Jiaojiao and a flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes.
Despite knowing that as a visitor, such feelings were inappropriate, he just couldn’t suppress the distaste in his heart.
It seems... my recommendation has gone down the drain, preempted by Leng Lingxiao.
Well, they are family after all.
What am I thinking, just making a fool of myself!
Tian Jiaojiao noticed the expression on Li Zishen’s face, merely smiled politely out of decorum, and then quickly left the office.
She didn’t understand why would her presence upset Li Zishen upon first meeting.
Could it be... bad timing on my part?
Did he want to install his own person?
Hmph, dreaming of contending with the chairman!
Shortly thereafter, the door gently closed.
At this moment, Li Zishen also realized his demeanor was somewhat over-the-top, he forced himself to control his emotions and put on a more gentle face.
Guarding Tang Xiaowan, he couldn’t afford to show any discomposure, especially at the Chihai Hotel.
Thus, he picked up his bottle of mineral water again.
After taking a couple of sips, Li Zishen asked indifferently, "Xiao Wan, about that university schoolmate I recommended... think it over, his qualifications are indeed impressive, he can speak five languages, and his capabilities are strong."
"Don’t worry, I’ll consider it. I won’t hide it from you, there indeed is a position that needs to be adjusted," Tang Xiaowan replied thoughtfully.
After all, the position of deputy general manager is crucial, it must complement Old Wu.
"That person just now was..." Li Zishen asked quietly, despite feeling that he shouldn’t inquire, yet he couldn’t help but give in to his curiosity.
"Oh, Tian Jiaojiao, my new assistant."
Li Zishen’s expression visibly brightened, relieved that she was just an assistant and not some department manager.
It looks like my recommendation still stands a chance!
Actually, he just wanted to alleviate some of Tang Xiaowan’s burdens by offering a genuine talent recommendation, without any intention of forcing his own people upon her.
"She seems quite competent."
"Of course, she is. I specifically chose her from..." Tang Xiaowan suddenly remembered that this was an internal matter of the group, and switched cheerfully, "Out of many, how can she be anything but good!"
"Actually, there should be... a male assistant too."
No sooner had Li Zishen spoken than Tang Xiaowan, raising an eyebrow, turned to look at Cheng Shi standing aside, "Hmm, indeed, we might really need one."
Cheng Shi furrowed his brows: "?"
Miss, I’m not suitable, I only know how to fight!
Tang Xiaowan seemed to have seen through Cheng Shi and suddenly added, "No rush, let’s talk about it later."
"Choosing a male assistant should be done carefully. Chen Xin started out as an assistant years ago, so it would be good for you to have one too. Sometimes when you go out for work, it makes things more convenient."
"Are you suggesting... he could also handle your drinking?"
"Pretty much, but that’s just one aspect. Sometimes he can also act as a bodyguard or a driver," Li Zishen replied with a smile.
Who knew, before he could enjoy the moment, Tang Xiaowan’s phone rang, interrupting their conversation.
Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling...
Tang Xiaowan glanced at her phone and looked at Li Zishen, "Zishen, I’m really sorry about today, I still have some things to attend to, so you see..."
Since she had already explained her situation, it would be rude to linger.
Lunch together was off the table!
"Alright, then we’ll chat another time when we’re free," Li Zishen replied with a forced smile, yet he felt a deep sadness and a profound sense of loss, "If you ever need any help with work, feel free to call me at any time. Also, make sure you arrange some time to rest and not overwork yourself."
Tang Xiaowan smiled and nodded, "Okay, got it, you too."
"Alright, then that’s it, I’m leaving."
Watching Li Zishen’s retreating figure, Tang Xiaowan couldn’t help but feel a surge of guilt once again.
I’m sorry, Zishen, good luck!
Not until the office door had gently closed did Tang Xiaowan withdraw her gaze and call back. The call had been from General Manager Wu Qiming, not Leng Lingxiao as Li Zishen had thought.
"What is it, what’s going on?"
"Boss, regarding Tian Jiaojiao’s employment, what standard should we use for her entry into the department?" Wu Qiming asked softly with a smile.
Tang Xiaowan raised her eyebrows and slowly reclined on the sofa, "Then, make it an Administrative Assistant."
Wu Qiming nodded, "Yes, understood."
It wasn’t really a fault of the HR head to call Wu Qiming for help because he was truly unsure about Tang Xiaowan’s intentions, especially since the details written on the sticky note were vague.
"Tian Jiaojiao’s entry should be processed immediately, do not delay, Tang Xiaowan."
Putting down her phone, Tang Xiaowan smirked with satisfaction.
"Hmm, this is good, Old Wu has earned some goodwill, and I’ve got someone to help with work."
"Miss, will you be busy a bit longer?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaowan gave a faint smile.
Cheng Shi had drunk too much the night before, so he had no appetite in the morning and hadn’t eaten anything, naturally, he was now very hungry.
Tang Xiaowan was aware of the drinking since Wang Meijuan had already reported to her.
She suggested, if necessary, to have Zhao Renjie drive to Chi Sea, worried about Cheng Shi’s drowsiness and ensuring his safety.
Who knew that when Cheng Shi set off in the morning, not only was he not sleepy, but he was also in very high spirits.
"You didn’t eat breakfast in the morning, are you hungry?" Tang Xiaowan astutely asked.
Cheng Shi nodded, "Yes, I didn’t eat."
Smiling, Tang Xiaowan closed her laptop and picked up her phone, "Then let’s call it a day, go home! I’m quite hungry too, let’s hurry."
The two of them walked out of the office one after the other, the corridor was quiet, just like in the morning.
This floor only housed two offices, with the other rooms being either large or small meeting rooms, so usually, if there were no business bookings, it was almost deserted.
Wu Qiming had considered this very thoughtfully, which perfectly met Tang Xiaowan’s office requirements.
Suddenly, the phone’s vibration sounded.
Cheng Shi glanced at the message and chuckled, "Miss, Meijuan says that Mr. Leng has prepared a medicinal meal for you, it’s almost ready. She’s asking if we’re done with work and what time we might be home?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaowan quickened her pace.