Ke Teng knew that Jian Fei was stubborn and that they had no emotional foundation. He knew that if he surprised her like this, she wouldn't be able to handle it.
He didn't blame his assistant.
"If you're not going to follow, then don't. I'll handle it myself in a couple of days."
"You go to the furniture store and pick out a decent bed, then have someone deliver it to him."
Jian Fei was at home mending a broken bed leg when there was a knock on the door.
When she opened it, she saw two workers in furniture store uniforms.
She knew it had to be Ke Teng.
The feeling of embarrassment welled up again, but the item had already been delivered to her doorstep. Seeing the exhausted delivery men, she had no reason not to sign for it.
After they left, she called Ke Teng again.
This time, he answered smoothly, his voice tinged with a smile.
"I saw you were sleeping soundly this morning and didn't have the heart to wake you. Are you okay?"
His ambiguous tone made it seem as if they were more than they were, and Jian Fei gnawed at her palm in frustration.
"I'm fine, but can you please not talk to me like that?"
"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, but it's just..."
Jian Fei paused for a few seconds. "Ke Teng, I didn't mean anything else yesterday, you..."
Ke Teng interrupted her. "I didn't mean anything else either, so don't overthink it."
"Even as friends, if I see you in trouble, I should help. Besides, you gave me something so precious."
"Consider it a little compensation from me to balance things out. Don't refuse it anymore."
In an instant, Jian Fei thought of many things.
She thought of the novels and TV shows she had read or watched before, where beautiful girls from poor backgrounds met wealthy and dashing benefactors.
From then on, they began a transactional relationship.
She used to look down on such girls, thinking that with their hands and feet, why would they choose such a crooked path?
But at this moment, faced with Ke Teng's generous "compensation," she admitted that she was vulgar and wavering.
In men's eyes, such things were indeed precious and valuable.
A good cochlear implant cost over 300,000 yuan. With her salary, she didn't know how long it would take to save up.
But with this, you see, everything could be hers in one night.
If it were purely for herself, Jian Fei would never have accepted compensation with such a transactional nature.
But now, it was for her sister.
She thought of her sister's inferiority complex, her envious gaze, her desire to be normal, and her cautious personality...
After settling the bed, Jian Fei called home. She told them that a classmate from North City had pulled some strings to get her sister an appointment with a specialist, and asked her sister to prepare to take time off to go to North City with her.
Every time she called, her father and grandmother answered together, with her sister listening nearby as they relayed the information.
Upon hearing the news, the whole family was excited, as if getting a cochlear implant was free and they could afford it.
Hearing their happiness, Jian Fei also felt a surge of excitement.
Everything was worth it; she hadn't betrayed herself for nothing.
On Monday, she started planning when to ask her supervisor for leave.
Would he look down on her for asking for leave after only a month of employment?
Before she could figure it out, her supervisor called her into his office.
"Jian Fei, come in, come in and sit down."
He even thoughtfully made her a cup of tea.
She didn't need to think much; the project must have been successful, otherwise, why would her supervisor be so happy?
Ke Teng was truly a loyal friend.
He had gone to such lengths for this matter.
"We've secured the project proposal. Your contribution was invaluable to the smooth signing of this contract."
"I've submitted your application for regularization and salary increase. Keep up the good work, Jian Fei. I have high hopes for you; your future is limitless."
Jian Fei looked at him, thinking that it would be easier to ask for leave now.
However, before she could speak, her supervisor changed the subject.
"I heard that President Ke is going to North City on business and specifically requested you to accompany him for two days. He personally contacted me. Can you tell me what it's about?"
Jian Fei: "..."
Ke Teng had even requested leave for her!
"It's nothing major, just a mutual friend's wedding, and we're attending the ceremony."
"That's wonderful. I'll grant you three days off. Enjoy your time with President Ke."
"We'll need his help with other projects in the future, so I'm entrusting these tasks to you. Please handle them with care."
Jian Fei had truly experienced the benefits of power and money over the past two days.
She didn't know how to thank Ke Teng. She didn't dare to call him. Back at her desk, after much thought, she remembered Ke Jingyu's old habits and sent him a message.
It was nothing more than a reminder to take care of himself and pay attention to certain things, just to ease her conscience. She didn't expect him to reply.
To her surprise, Ke Jingyu called her back a few minutes later.
Jian Fei was flattered. "President Ke. Am I disturbing you?"
Ke Jingyu replied gently, "No, not at all. Even if you hadn't messaged me, I was planning to find you."
"Jian Fei, I was right about you. Ke Teng has changed a lot recently."
Jian Fei: "..."
"You suggested last time that I kick him out of the house. Everyone who came back said he was a changed man, and his performance in Tongcheng has also been good recently."
"He needs to spend more time with strong and independent young people like you to learn your excellent qualities."
"I heard you're working back in Tongcheng now? If you're not too busy, could you, Uncle, trouble you to continue staying in touch with him?"
"I'm busy, and he doesn't like to listen to me. Help me supervise him, keep an eye on him."
Ke Jingyu had invested a lot of effort in Ke Teng. To do this for his son, he was willing to humble himself to an ordinary girl like her. Jian Fei was deeply touched.
She couldn't bear to refuse, but at the same time, she felt guilty.
What if he found out that she, this "good girl," had slept with his son? Would he still be so kind to her?
"He came to Tongcheng a few days ago, and we met. He has indeed improved compared to before."
"Don't worry, I'll help if I can, but you don't need to be so polite with me in the future."
They chatted amicably for over ten minutes. After hanging up, her assistant sent her a WeChat message.
The hospital appointment was confirmed.
Jian Fei didn't have time to think about anything else. She called home and told her sister to take time off, and they would depart tomorrow.
That evening, after work, Jian Fei packed her things and cooked herself some noodles. Ke Teng sent her a WeChat message.
"Have you eaten?"
Jian Fei believed they had made their relationship clear. She had accepted his compensation, and he had no reason to feel guilty, so why was he messaging her?
She didn't want to reply, but she thought of Ke Jingyu.
"Is there something you need?"
Ke Teng seemed displeased. "Can't I message you if there's nothing?"
"..."
"I know you're going to North City tomorrow, so I'm sending you a message to remind you to pack your things properly, don't be nervous, and call me if you need anything."
Fortunately, his tone was like that of a friend's concern.
Jian Fei replied, "I've checked everything several times, and your assistant has also confirmed it. Thank you for your concern."
Unexpectedly, Ke Teng immediately gave her the wrong impression by sending a cheeky emoji.
"Is 'thank you' all you have to say?"
"..."