Mrs. Gao mentioned her friend's company name and then told Tang Nannan.
"My friend is a woman, and we are very close. You can be her assistant. Not only will the salary be good, but you won't have to be overly cautious in other aspects. It's perfect."
"Moreover, having experience in a large company can serve as a stepping stone for future job changes."
"I've already spoken to her. Since you're so eager to start working, you can report for duty today."
Tang Nannan was both excited and touched. She thanked Mrs. Gao profusely and went to the company to report.
Thanks to Mrs. Gao's influence, her onboarding process went smoothly.
The boss was a middle-aged, divorced, strong-willed woman, similar in age to Mrs. Gao, who was decisive in her words and actions.
She told Tang Nannan, "The term 'special assistant' might sound like it requires no technical skills, but in reality, it demands high emotional intelligence, high intelligence, vigilance, attentiveness, and diligence."
"I hired you because Mrs. Gao praised you as sharp and diligent. Don't disappoint me."
Tang Nannan naturally didn't dare to embarrass Mrs. Gao. After some polite exchange, they went to their workstations.
She borrowed the company's basic information and organizational chart from another administrative staff member to study.
Unexpectedly, she was given a task as soon as she sat down.
"Tang Nannan, there's an important document that needs Mr. Zhang of Tiansheng Group's personal signature. Go and get it signed, then bring it back to me."
Hearing that it was an important document, Tang Nannan dared not delay and set off immediately.
Only after getting into a taxi did she realize that Tiansheng Group was in the east of the city, while her company was in the west, requiring her to cross half the city.
The taxi driver asked for 200 yuan, which startled Tang Nannan, and she quickly got out.
She took a bus and transferred three times on the subway to reach the other company.
After finally meeting Mr. Zhang and getting the signature, and then dealing with the return journey, it was already lunchtime.
Her female superior was resting. Tang Nannan didn't dare to delay and brought the documents to her, only to be scolded severely.
"Why did it take so long? Didn't I tell you it was important? Signing one document took three to four hours. If I needed it urgently, by the time you got it back, it would be too late!"
"Mrs. Gao praised you so highly, I thought you were quite capable and smart, but it turns out you can't even handle such a small task!"
Tang Nannan had no words to retort, as poverty often curbs ambition.
If she were already a seasoned employee, earning a substantial monthly salary, and her taxi fares were reimbursed, she wouldn't mind spending 4,000 yuan on a taxi, let alone 400 yuan.
However, it wasn't the right time to discuss money with her boss, so she lowered her head submissively.
"I apologize, Manager Ma. I understand, and I will be more careful in the future."
Manager Ma waved her away impatiently and told her to leave.
Tang Nannan hadn't even had lunch. After rushing around all morning, she sat at her desk, feeling utterly dejected.
On her first day of work, being scolded like this was not the first time she had been reprimanded since her family's decline, but it was the first time it was so direct and so harsh.
It was too humiliating.
She wanted to wallow in self-pity for a while, but time didn't permit.
She could only console herself, telling herself that working was not easy, and she needed to be more mindful in the future.
After dozing for about ten minutes at her desk, the work hours resumed.
Tang Nannan continued to study the documents until past two in the afternoon, when Manager Ma called her extension again.
"I'll send you an address. Go there quickly and help me get something important."
Hearing this, Tang Nannan's head began to ache, fearing that what happened in the morning would repeat itself.
But she hung up the phone, gritted her teeth, and entered the office.
After adding her on WeChat, Manager Ma sent her two addresses.
"Go to this place first to pick up the item, then deliver it to that location. Don't repeat what happened this morning, or I'll be unhappy."
Tang Nannan nodded and said, "Okay," and hurried out.
She took a taxi and asked the driver for a receipt.
The fare was 75 yuan, and she arrived at a pet hospital.
It turned out Manager Ma wanted her to pick up medication for deworming a cat.
She had expected something of great importance, but it turned out to be a trivial personal matter. Holding the small bottle of medicine, Tang Nannan was speechless for a moment, then took another taxi to the next address.
She arrived at the entrance of a villa and rang the doorbell. The nanny let her in.
"Miss Ma already told me that you're here to spray medicine on Tuotuo. Hurry inside, Tuotuo is waiting for you."
Tuotuo was the name of a cat.
Tang Nannan hadn't expected her job to involve such petty tasks.
Running around the city in broad daylight, all to take care of someone's cat...
Taking care of a cat wasn't difficult, but Tang Nannan had never raised a cat before. Moreover, cats were often aloof and easily agitated. When strangers approached, they were agile and wouldn't let anyone get close, nor could they be easily caught.
She wanted to ask the nanny for help, but after speaking, the nanny turned and left.
She was alone in the room, coaxing, calling, and trying to grab the cat. It took her over an hour to finally pin it down.
When spraying the medicine, it felt as if she were killing it. Tuotuo struggled and kicked, and by accident, it bit Tang Nannan's hand.
Its sharp teeth grazed her wrist, leaving three clear scratches that immediately drew blood.
Tang Nannan had no time to tend to her injury.
Just catching the cat had taken too much time. Seeing that it was almost the end of the workday, she dared not delay. She casually wiped her hand with a tissue and rushed back to the company.
She rushed back as fast as she could, but by the time she arrived at the company, it was already closing time.
Tang Nannan went to report her work progress, and Manager Ma again had an impatient look on her face.
"I'm very dissatisfied with your performance on your first day. I gave you the most basic and least technical tasks, and look at you."
"You spent the morning signing a document, and the afternoon feeding a cat. If you continue like this, I'll have to hire several assistants to handle the work?"
Tang Nannan felt exhausted.
She had never felt this tired before, even when she was a taxi driver, working overtime shifts, and trying her best to earn money.
Although she had a lot of grievances, she couldn't articulate them, which made her feel miserable.
Yet, she didn't want to give up easily.
She lacked formal education, and it was too difficult to get a job at a company of this caliber through her own efforts. She had to cherish every opportunity.
"You're right, I'll pay more attention in the future."
"Alright, try your best tomorrow. Don't stand here like you're being asked to work overtime. You can go."
Tang Nannan took three taxis, totaling 235 yuan, and she had kept all the receipts.
She thought about showing them to Manager Ma and asking if they could be reimbursed, but seeing her attitude, she didn't dare to say it.
Exhausted, she returned home. Hu Jiasheng had already arrived before her and was busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron.
Hearing her arrival, he glanced at her from the kitchen doorway and said in a gentle voice.
"You're back? Change your shoes, wash your hands, and get ready for dinner. I've cooked some porridge."
He must have gone straight into the kitchen after work. He was still wearing his shirt and trousers, and even with the apron, his elite aura couldn't be hidden.