“The company has such good benefits? We can visit the factory too? That’s wonderful! To be honest, I have no concept of the products at all, I really want to see them!”
Seeing her happy expression, Jiang Jingyu also felt his mood relax.
“Then this system will be kept in the future. New employees will be arranged to go to the factory for learning upon entry. If you don’t understand, others certainly won’t, they just don’t speak the truth.”
“You can ask people if you don’t understand anything in the future. The people in the technical department are here to serve you. If they are busy, you can ask me.”
Tong Anan thought to herself: As a mere saleswoman, asking the CEO for advice so often, wouldn't that be a bit too presumptuous?
“Thank you, President Jiang. I understand.”
Jiang Jingyu remembered her address and drove towards her residence.
She couldn’t let the boss treat her for free, so Tong Anan diligently explained the historical allusions he had asked about that day.
She was an expert in history, from ancient times to the present, citing classics and making her explanations vivid and engaging.
Jiang Jingyu considered himself well-read and knowledgeable.
But listening to her speak felt different; it was a gentle narration, with comparisons to similar stories, truly captivating.
As she continued, he couldn’t help but ask Tong Anan.
“I think your personality is actually more suited for academia. Why didn’t you consider staying in a university to teach?”
Tong Anan told the truth; she had indeed considered teaching, but there were always people more outstanding than her, and the positions were limited, so she wasn’t selected.
Actually, this was a euphemism.
The more realistic truth was that those with connections had already secured the positions.
She had no background and didn’t know how to play the game; pleasing only her mentor wasn’t enough.
Regardless, reaching this point was fate, and Jiang Jingyu had to thank the person who took her place.
“Are you going back to cook for yourself or order takeout?”
“I just moved in with my best friend. The company treated us to a meal on my first day, I ate with you yesterday, and today, I’ll cook.”
Tong Anan said, “Because my family runs a snack shop, I’ve known how to cook since I was little.”
She had a gentle and virtuous appearance, and it wasn’t hard to imagine the scene of her busy in the kitchen with an apron on.
But Jiang Jingyu was quite curious to see it: “Are you a good cook?”
“I wouldn’t say good, but it’s edible, at least.”
Having said that, it would be impolite not to invite Jiang Jingyu, so she said it somewhat perfunctorily.
“When there’s an opportunity, I can cook something for you to try, President Jiang.”
Jiang Jingyu was waiting for her to say this and immediately followed up, “How about this weekend?”
“Hmm?”
“Didn’t you say you would cook for me? This weekend. Come to my place and cook.”
Tong Anan didn’t know if Jiang Jingyu had always been someone who acted on impulse, or if…
She couldn’t understand.
They had just met, and she, a mere employee, was being invited to his home…
“So we don’t have to work overtime this weekend?”
Jiang Jingyu said, “Normally, we wouldn’t. Overtime is arranged in advance. Don’t worry, if your department needs to work overtime, I won’t force you.”
In any case, interacting with him was stress-free.
The two walked and talked, and halfway through the journey, Ma Weiwei called again.
Tong Anan knew that if she didn’t answer, Ma Weiwei would keep calling, so she answered.
“What’s wrong, Weiwei?”
“You’ll have to figure out dinner yourself tonight; I’m not coming back. I don’t know who told my dad about me being scammed. He came over with my brother today and is lecturing me. It won’t be over anytime soon.”
Followed by a few wails.
“I’m the victim here! And I have to endure this scolding, what kind of karma is this!”
The call ended, and Jiang Jingyu looked over, “What’s wrong with your friend?”
“Nothing much. She said she has something urgent tonight and might be back late.”
It seemed like a very natural thing to say was presented before them, but Tong Anan dared not say it, and Jiang Jingyu was too embarrassed to.
It was too fast, and Jiang Jingyu was afraid of scaring her.
Silence fell in the car.
After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Jingyu thought again.
What was there to be embarrassed about? Just be as you are, follow your heart. At this age, what’s the point of living a life of constant hesitation?
“How about we have dinner together later?”
Tong Anan was startled by him again.
Was eating with her so appealing?
They had just eaten in the morning, and again in the evening?
The boss was truly confusing her.
Seeing her startled, Jiang Jingyu said calmly, “It’s nothing else. I’ll be alone when I go back too.”
“I said, it’s just that eating with you is more appealing.”
The boss had treated her last night, so it should have been her turn today, but Tong Anan’s wallet couldn’t afford it.
She hesitated, still not daring to agree.
Jiang Jingyu added, “Just consider it as you accompanying me for overtime, and I’ll pay you overtime wages.”
This offer was so convenient that Tong Anan had no choice but to agree.
The two went to a secluded but elegantly decorated private dining restaurant.
They each ordered two dishes, and the waiter meticulously brewed tea for them, and they continued to chat.
Jiang Jingyu noticed her bag was bulging and asked her what she was carrying.
“Why are you carrying so much stuff to work? You didn’t bring a change of clothes, did you?”
“It’s a dictionary. I thought I could memorize a few words while on the bus when I had nothing else to do.”
It was a good habit, and Jiang Jingyu nodded in agreement.
He found Tong Anan increasingly interesting.
Halfway through the meal, Ma Weiwei sent Tong Anan a message, delivering a devastating piece of news.
Her family wasn’t confident in her starting her own business and told her to pack her bags and go home to comply with their arrangements, starting blind dates and marriage from tomorrow.
If she dared to disobey, they would cut off her financial support and let her fend for herself from then on.
Ma Weiwei was heavily in debt and dared not defy her family; she was already being escorted home.
Tong Anan would have to live there alone.
Ma Weiwei’s family was considered well-off in Nan City.
They owned two supermarkets, her brother owned a 4S shop, and they had several rental properties.
This pampered young lady, although renting, was unwilling to compromise herself.
She found an apartment in the Fourth Ring Road, redecorated it herself, and then moved in.
For her, although the location was a bit remote, the space was large, the price was not high, and it was comfortable to live in.
But for Tong Anan, who was penniless, it was different.
An annual rent of 80,000 yuan was comparable to her annual salary.
If Ma Weiwei left, she wouldn’t be able to afford it alone.
Why was she so unlucky? She had only lived there for two days and encountered such a situation.
Tong Anan asked when the rent was due, and Ma Weiwei said, “I paid a year’s rent, and I’ve only lived here for a few months? I’m too lazy to find the landlord to get a refund, so you can live here for now.”
“I know you’re not well-off either. Live here for the full year, and when you’re a bit better off, you can move out.”