A moment later, an angry Lu Jiaying and Xu Lei went to the CEO's office together.
Hu Jiasheng knew they were coming in advance and had set aside time. The two entered the office smoothly, each stating their case.
Xu Lei had thought she was acting according to regulations and that Hu Jiasheng would side with her. To her surprise, after listening, Hu Jiasheng said calmly.
"Director Xu, please cancel the announcement later and issue a new one."
"Adjust the company's personnel policy to allow employees with special circumstances to work from home, and continue to pay their salaries as usual, provided that work quality and company interests are not affected. I will also submit an application to headquarters to ensure consistency in personnel policies. Thank you for your hard work, Director Xu."
Xu Lei never expected Hu Jiasheng to support Lu Jiaying so strongly, making such a significant move for her.
She was the boss, and no matter how unconvinced she was, she had to obey.
However, as soon as she left the CEO's office, she taunted Lu Jiaying.
"Indeed, women who are young, beautiful, and publicly state they are not looking for boyfriends are the most charming. Not only do they have the technical department wrapped around their fingers, but they also have influence with CEO Hu."
"I never realized you were so capable before. Well done, Director Lu."
She misunderstood Lu Jiaying's relationship with Hu Jiasheng. Lu Jiaying was too lazy to explain and smiled.
"Since you know I have influence, Director Xu, it would be best if you showed me some consideration from now on."
Xu Lei was once again left speechless by her.
A little over an hour later, another personnel notice was issued in the company's main group.
The addition of work-from-home options made everyone very happy.
Jiang Jingyu came out to pour tea for Lu Jiaying and was stopped by several customer service sisters.
"Xiao Jiang, we heard that the Master today went to fight with Director Xu from Human Resources about Sister Zhang's matter, so she won? Is this new policy something she fought for us? That's impressive of her!"
Lu Jiaying was clearly very young and as beautiful as a flower, arguably the face of Greel Electric, yet her own department called her the Master.
Jiang Jingyu initially found it amusing, but now it only sounded jarring.
"Director Lu has always been very capable at her job. Everyone benefits from her work, and she is our department head. It would be best not to call her the Master anymore. If someone overhears it, they'll laugh."
Everyone was indifferent: "We're not stupid. We definitely won't call her that in front of outsiders. You're one of us."
"But the Master has indeed done a good deed this time. Our marketing department has gained recognition again. We are honored."
After pouring the tea, Jiang Jingyu returned to his work. Time flew by until it was time to get off work.
Lu Jiaying typed away on her keyboard, completely oblivious to the passage of time.
As Sister Zhang had said, her life revolved around work, with no other apparent hobbies.
Jiang Jingyu couldn't understand what a young person like her thought about, with work being her only source of enjoyment every day.
Moreover, if he left now, he would have to fight for the elevator with everyone else, so he decided to wait a while.
As he was staring blankly at Lu Jiaying working diligently, the office door was knocked on within minutes.
Before Lu Jiaying could say "come in," the smiling face of a middle-aged man appeared at the doorway.
"I knew you wouldn't have left yet. At such a young age, don't work overtime all day long; time will just slip away. I've arranged to have drinks with Old Li tonight. Director Lu, why don't you join us?"
It turned out to be Vice President Wang from the production department.
He looked to be over 40. Although his figure hadn't expanded much and he dressed neatly, his face was lined with wrinkles. His casual banter with the young and beautiful Lu Jiaying felt somewhat out of place.
Lu Jiaying seemed accustomed to his way of speaking. She glanced up at him, then lowered her eyes to continue working.
"You guys have your plans, why should I go? My alcohol tolerance isn't good. Besides, my work isn't finished yet."
"When will the work ever be finished? If it's never finished, then we'll be in trouble, all unemployed. Don't work so hard every day; leave some for tomorrow. Come on, I came personally to invite you. Do me the honor."
"No. I had an argument with Xu Lei this afternoon, which delayed me. I still haven't finished the documents for a client."
Seeing that Lu Jiaying still refused after he had asked several times, Vice President Wang began to resort to emotional blackmail.
"Director Lu, are you not giving me face? Do you think I'm not important enough? Or should I ask Old Li to invite you? You've always had a good relationship with the technical department. If you don't give me face, you should at least give his face, right?"
Lu Jiaying stopped typing and looked at him, smiling.
"Vice President Wang, what are you saying? I can't possibly bear such a responsibility. What do you mean by giving face? We've been colleagues for so many years; you know my temperament. Sometimes I'm too blunt and say what I think. Don't take it to heart."
"Whether to take it to heart or not, we can discuss it slowly. Don't worry about treating us; just come. Let's go."
He insisted on taking her with him. Thinking that the incident in the workshop that day had caused some unpleasantness, and it might be good to clear the air, Lu Jiaying finally pushed her computer away and stood up.
As she stood up, she realized Jiang Jingyu hadn't left either.
"You don't need to work overtime, why are you still here?"
Jiang Jingyu felt that Vice President Wang had a somewhat ill-intentioned demeanor, and he was subtly worried.
"We'll definitely be drinking if we eat together. I don't have anything to do back home anyway, so I'll be your designated driver."
Normally, Lu Jiaying would have thought it unnecessary.
But today...
"Then inform your family, and let's go."
On the way, she sent a WeChat message to Zhan Beijue saying she would be working late with Lu Jiaying, and Zhan Beijue agreed.
Hu Jiasheng had called him to inform him about the work-from-home policy and praised Jingyu's good performance working with Lu Jiaying. Zhan Beijue trusted him completely.
Upon arriving at the location, Vice President Li from the technical department was already waiting.
He pulled out a seat for Lu Jiaying. Lu Jiaying sat between the two men, while Jiang Jingyu sat alone opposite them.
As if Jiang Jingyu didn't exist, the two men only spoke to Lu Jiaying.
They chatted incessantly about everything from work to life, taking turns to toast her with drinks.
Although it appeared to be a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, the way two men in their forties treated a girl in her twenties felt truly awkward.
About an hour into the dinner, Jiang Jingyu had already finished eating. Seeing them still finding excuses to pour Lu Jiaying more wine, he couldn't stand it and quietly called Lu Jiaying.
Lu Jiaying had also been looking for an excuse to leave. Seeing his call, she pretended to have something urgent and went to the window to take it. Upon returning, she excused herself to the two men.
Her best friend had argued with her boyfriend and was crying at her doorstep, so she had to go back immediately.
"Oh, Director Lu, you're even acting as an emotional advisor for someone. Aren't you just talking theory, being single for so long?"
"Speaking of which, our Director Lu is so beautiful and capable, ordinary men really aren't good enough for you. If you were to find a boyfriend, we'd be worried sick for you."
"Exactly. There aren't many good men these days, unlike people from our generation. A low-quality relationship is worse than high-quality singlehood. Director Lu, it's better to be alone than to settle."