Xiang Wan didn't understand interior design, so the only way she could help Tang Haichao was with marketing.
Thus, for the two days before going to the company, she didn't properly clock in.
After greeting her colleagues and understanding the basic personnel relationships, she went shopping for clothes, took care of herself, and got a manicure.
Tang Haichao's company was just starting out, with only one construction team and seven or eight office staff.
Seeing a beautiful woman arrive, who knew nothing about the company's business but was immediately given the position of client manager, everyone started whispering behind her back.
"Is she even here to work? She's clearly the boss's girlfriend, just given a leisurely position to supervise the boss at work."
"The court isn't big, but there are many officials, and some are even royal relatives. Our company is really something."
Every time I went to the company, everyone treated me with a lack of respect. I didn't need to think hard to know what they were saying about me behind my back.
However, she was used to it.
After wandering around for two or three days, an opportunity for her to shine arrived.
Tang Haichao was negotiating a renovation project with a tumor hospital in Hangcheng. Although it was only one building, it had many departments and wards. If they secured it, their small company wouldn't have to worry about business for almost the first half of the year.
Unfortunately, the other party was tough to deal with, and there were many competitors, so their chances of winning were slim.
Tang Haichao went through many connections to get the contact information of the hospital's person in charge. That evening, they were invited to dinner.
He brought Xiang Wan and the chief engineer from the design department. The location chosen was a very high-end restaurant.
After a table full of fine wine and dishes, they introduced themselves and flattered the person in charge.
Then, Xiang Wan took out cigarettes and a lighter from her bag and proactively sat next to the person in charge.
"Director Qian, have a cigarette."
She handed him the cigarette case with a gentle smile, her slender white fingers holding a windproof lighter.
The person in charge was over forty, with squinted eyes and a big belly.
He smelled a faint fragrance, turned to look at Xiang Wan, and saw her fawning expression, smiling warmly.
"Oh, Miss Xiang, you smoke this too?"
Xiang Wan didn't usually smoke, but she had experienced such occasions quite a few times and understood the unspoken rules.
She smiled in agreement and said, "How can I afford to smoke such good cigarettes? I only heard our President Tang say that Director Qian enjoys this, so I prepared it. I hope Director Qian will give me face."
There were three men at the table. When the beauty actively showed favor to only one of them, Director Qian's vanity was greatly satisfied.
He looked at Tang Haichao with satisfaction and said, "President Tang's subordinates are truly meticulous."
Tang Haichao raised his wine glass across the table and said, "Not entirely."
"Our little Xiang is usually very ill-tempered and famously aloof. She's never been this attentive even to me, but she's particularly concerned about Director Qian."
"I just mentioned it casually, and I didn't expect her to take it to heart. Hahaha, come, let me toast you again."
Director Qian accepted Xiang Wan's cigarette and was very pleased with her "attentiveness."
He put it in his mouth, let her light it, took a puff, then raised his wine glass to Tang Haichao, getting high on both smoke and wine.
Seeing him finish a glass of wine, Xiang Wan solicitously refilled it for him.
"Director Qian, I'm very happy to meet you today. Let me toast you again."
The man surnamed Qian put his hand on the wine glass and said playfully.
"I don't drink without a reason. We've already had a drink just by meeting. Miss Xiang is so beautiful, you wouldn't not understand this basic rule, would you?"
Xiang Wan pouted and smiled, lightly hitting him. She said coquettishly.
"What reason do you need? I just joined the company, and you're the first high-quality major client I've met. I truly admire you. What's wrong with having a few more drinks with you?"
"If you really think I'm clumsy and don't understand the rules, then I won't toast anymore. You can drink with our President Tang."
"I'll just sit here and be your waitress, alright?"
Her two coquettish remarks instantly brought them much closer, as if they had known each other for a long time.
Director Qian's heart softened, and he burst into laughter.
"You, I can't argue with you, girl, you have a future! Alright, to avoid upsetting our beautiful Miss Xiang, I'll drink this."
He took a few slow sips but didn't finish it. He then looked at Tang Haichao.
"President Tang, if you want to develop your business in Hangcheng, you need to gradually expand your 'Red Detachment of Women' force."
"Otherwise, if you have to rely on Miss Xiang alone all the time, I'll feel sorry for her in the long run."
This old man had taken a liking to Xiang Wan's looks, and this deal had hope.
Tang Haichao quickly agreed, "Of course."
"It's just that the company is small now and doesn't have much business, so we can't afford to support so many people."
"Once Director Qian helps us sign this contract, I promise to find more apprentices for Xiang Wan, so she won't be tired."
Director Qian turned his gaze back to Xiang Wan, looking at her as if asking for credit.
*I'm looking out for you, aren't I? I'm asking for apprentices for you right away, and you're not even going to thank me properly?*
Xiang Wan skillfully changed the subject.
"Director Qian, you're too modest. With your capacity, you're only drinking half a glass?"
"Fortunately, there's no one else here, or people would say you're bullying a girl."
As she spoke, she placed her right hand on his shoulder, and with her left hand, she smilingly picked up the wine glass he had just placed on the table and brought it to his lips.
Director Qian, enveloped in warmth, was not annoyed by being pressured to drink.
He smiled and drank, then casually rubbed Xiang Wan's right hand on his shoulder a few times.
"Miss Xiang is right, I'll drink, I'll drink."
The contract wasn't so easy to sign. After drinking, he was still clear-headed, and they moved to a KTV.
Tang Haichao sat in the passenger seat, while Xiang Wan sat behind him. The old man's hands were restlessly brushing against her hand and knee.
Xiang Wan was calculating business in her mind. With every touch from him, she thought: five thousand yuan, ten thousand yuan, fifteen thousand yuan...
*Let it be this way.* She was dating someone uncertainly, constantly being taken advantage of by her boyfriend for free, and everyone was happy, weren't they?
After enduring until past one in the morning, and inducing vomiting twice in the restroom, she finally managed to bring down the former person in charge.
They also successfully secured the contract.
The next day, Xiang Wan slept until past ten before going to the company.
Tang Haichao had obviously told everyone about securing the contract. The way everyone looked at her now was no longer filled with the previous flippancy and mockery.
Their eyes were full of admiration.
Tang Haichao went into the office to talk to Xiang Wan. Seeing her standing by the window smoking, he went over and snatched the cigarette butt.
"You've actually started smoking? Aren't you breastfeeding the baby?"
"Breastfeeding what? I drank so much yesterday, and who knows how much I'll have to drink in the future. I've quit. Starting today, I'll use formula."
"Will you hate me? For pushing you out to close the deal."
Tang Haichao sighed, "Seeing that old man's hands on you yesterday... I really felt terrible."
Xiang Wan chuckled, "Is it that serious? I'm a mother, not a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl. It's not that bad."
"In this society, it's too difficult for women to get ahead. I don't have a good background, but heaven gave me a reasonably good face, so it hasn't treated me too badly. What else is there to complain about?"