Seeing her hesitate and look at him with a desire to speak but holding back, Hu Jiasheng knew what he was thinking.
He actually understood Tang Nannan's predicament.
For someone who had only graduated from high school, finding a considerate job in Nancheng, a city teeming with undergraduates, graduates, and even doctoral students, was practically impossible.
She also had a sick younger brother to support, and many things to consider, so she couldn't just act on impulse.
Fortunately, Lu had paved the way for her now, and the person had been intimidated. Hu Jiasheng believed that from now on, Mr. Ma wouldn't dare to treat her with any disdain, and there shouldn't be any major issues with her returning.
He wasn't expecting her to get promoted or become wealthy there; it was just about gaining experience.
So Hu Jiasheng told her.
"If you feel it's impolite to refuse Mr. Ma's personal invitation, then go back."
"But I'll make one thing clear beforehand: if you ever work overtime again, go home late at night, or return with a weary body, don't say I didn't warn you."
"What special assistant is like you, looking like a migrant worker all day long?"
Mr. Ma could tell he was being sarcastic and quickly assured him.
"No, no, it was a special situation a few days ago. Someone was on leave, so I asked Nannan to fill in. Now that the person is back, this kind of situation will absolutely not happen again."
"Then her salary?"
"As discussed last night, base salary of 10,000, plus performance bonuses and sales commissions..."
Hu Jiasheng interrupted coldly, "I don't care how you calculate it. As long as the salary credited to her account each month is no less than 30,000, otherwise Tang Nannan shouldn't continue working here."
"It's not even enough for me to casually buy her a bag. She works herself to death for you every day, what's the point?"
Mr. Ma was ashamed and dared not speak.
Mrs. Gao looked at Hu Jiasheng again and couldn't help but smile.
"Nannan is so lucky. Is this your boyfriend? He really cares about you. Won't you introduce him to us?"
She was acting so well, as if she were meeting Hu Jiasheng for the first time.
If it weren't for meeting them at a dinner party with Zhan Meijue before, and having already seen the past that Zhan Beijue had investigated.
If Mrs. Gao had hidden herself so well and had such deep cunning, Hu Jiasheng might have been fooled by her.
Tang Nannan was a bit embarrassed by her question.
He wasn't her boyfriend.
But Hu Jiasheng had indeed been quite protective of her today.
Being put in this position, it would be difficult to say he wasn't.
As Tang Nannan prepared to play it down, Hu Jiasheng took the initiative to speak to Mrs. Gao.
"My name is Hu Jiasheng, Executive President of Gerei Electrical Co., Ltd. of Zhan Group. Tang Nannan's cohabiting roommate."
The four words "cohabiting roommate" were truly brilliant, leaving much to the imagination.
It depended on how you interpreted them.
Mrs. Gao continued to smile.
"Why do I feel like Mr. Hu looks so familiar? I feel like I've seen you somewhere before, have we met?"
Hu Jiasheng looked at her coldly, giving her no quarter.
"You must be mistaken, I don't find you familiar at all, I have no impression of you."
"Then I must be more familiar with your parents, you bear some resemblance to them. Would it be convenient to chat about your parents?"
Is it convenient or not? Don't you know?
Hu Jiasheng didn't know what she was up to, so he raised an eyebrow.
"What do you want to say?"
"Mr. Hu, may I have a word in private?"
Since Tang Nannan had decided to return to work, and Mrs. Gao wanted to speak to Hu Jiasheng privately, Mr. Ma, seeing that there was nothing for him here, wisely decided to take his leave.
"I'll have the finance department specially prepare a sum for your emotional distress. Nannan, rest well today, oh, no, you can rest well for the next few days. Come back to work when you feel you've rested enough."
"Your position will always be kept for you. I'll be going back to work now. You two chat, goodbye."
She scurried away like a lapdog.
Tang Nannan's status was instantly elevated from the dirt to the clouds. She was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of money she had just received from Mr. Ma.
She looked at Hu Jiasheng, who casually squeezed her shoulder.
"Excuse me, madam, I don't think my parents had any interaction with you, so we have nothing to discuss. If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving."
"Wait a moment."
Mrs. Gao looked at Tang Nannan with a composed expression.
"Nannan, please wait outside for a moment. I have something to say to Mr. Hu. It won't take much of your time, will it?"
Tang Nannan felt it wouldn't be a problem, but she needed to get Hu Jiasheng's opinion.
She turned her head to look at Hu Jiasheng again.
Mrs. Gao's determined look piqued Hu Jiasheng's curiosity as well.
Alright. After all, they were mother and son.
Although this was only the second time they had met, and the first time they had spoken.
He was also curious what his biological mother intended to say to him.
Tang Nannan went out, and Hu Jiasheng stepped back and sat on the hospital bed, crossing his legs, looking at Mrs. Gao coldly.
"I don't have much time, so say what you want quickly."
To his utter surprise, Mrs. Gao stared at his face for a good tens of seconds.
She, who had been composed, elegant, and dignified just moments ago, suddenly became like an ordinary woman from the marketplace. Tears began to fall, and she sobbed as she walked towards him, trying to touch his face.
"Asheng, you recognize me, don't you? You've known me for a long time, haven't you? I'm your mother, Asheng."
The word "mother" was too foreign, too foreign to Hu Jiasheng.
He had never uttered that word since he learned to speak; he was not accustomed to it, so he would never say it aloud.
To Hu Jiasheng, Mrs. Gao was a stranger.
Her tears and attempt to touch his face only made him feel strange.
He reflexively stood up and took a step back, "Madam, please show some respect!"
Her tears flowed like water from a faucet, streaming down her cheeks and onto her chin.
Mrs. Gao sobbed silently, her eyes blurry with tears, looking at Hu Jiasheng.
"I miss you so much. Mom misses you so much it's breaking my heart. You are my darling, my only treasure in this life, Asheng, for you, I gave up..."
"Madam, I said, please show some respect!"
Hu Jiasheng didn't want to hear her complaints, nor these cloyingly sweet and cheesy endearments.
He didn't want his resolve to be weakened, so he prepared to leave, but Mrs. Gao blocked his way.
She wiped her tears and pleaded with him with a pitiable expression.
"Alright, alright, I won't say it, I won't say it anymore, okay? Don't go, please don't go."
"I've waited for so many years, and today I finally have a chance to be alone with you for a while and say a few words. Please let me speak. I beg you, Asheng, don't leave yet."
She looked so pitiful.
Her exquisite makeup was smudged, her eyes were full of pleading, and her movements were so humble.
Hu Jiasheng admitted that he was a soft-hearted person, and at this moment, he couldn't bear it.
He turned his face away, not looking at Mrs. Gao.