"Why? It's a promotion, isn't it?" Ling Qingyu said with guilt.
"I would rather stay behind the scenes and help you than do what you do." Zhao Xiurong replied helplessly. "And I didn't earn enough, right?"
"Your shares aren't your wage?" Ling Qingyu joked.
"That's different. It's a reward, not salary." Zhao Xiurong was not to be outdone.
Ling Qingyu rubbed her nose and spread her hand. "Sister Zhao, I know how hard you work these days. It's because of your effort, I can expand my empire. But I'm serious about my promise. You will soon take over my position."
"Do you really trust me that much? I don't think I can handle everything myself."
"Come on, Sister Zhao. You've been my secretary for a long time. What's with this unconfidence?" Ling Qingyu said.
"It's isn't about confidence issues. It's just that I can't believe you have faith in me." Zhao Xiurong shrugged.
"If I don't even believe you, who else can I believe in my company?" Ling Qingyu replied.
Zhao Xiurong stared at Ling Qingyu's eyes. Though the time didn't last long, her lips curled up and turned into a smile. Zhao Xiurong nodded imperceptibly and teased. "I hope my salary increases and not work tirelessly for two months while my boss hangs around."
Ling Qingyu looked up at the ceiling, ignoring her secretary's blame and realized the relationship had gone closer. Perhaps, her psychology of putting up a fence against everyone must have been felt by Zhao Xiurong long ago.
There was nothing wrong with distrust, but no one liked to be put in a boundary. Even though Ling Qingyu never displayed such behavior, Zhao Xiurong could sense it through energy or smell it, with her judgment.
Sometimes, in life, not even daring to take the slightest step because one didn't want to risk it meant being a loser. It was a matter of time before life defeated one. For Ling Qingyu, if she dared not trust even the closest person, worrying about her decision, she better farm instead of building her business empire.
"Ahem…I'm also improving in other essential areas too. I'm not being lazy." Ling Qingyu defended herself and stepped forward, hugging Zhao Xiurong's arm.
"Whatever, but you cannot leave me alone." Secretary Zhao smiled and continued her work. Ling Qingyu didn't disturb her since someone knew better than her. Even if she didn't plan to delegate her position, she would do the same.
She took a chair and sat down beside, arranging work and serving Zhao Xiurong like a secretary would, causing laughter.
"I wonder if I record this rare moment and share it with my colleagues to let everyone see how our infamous boss is serving me. Ah…What a bliss." Zhao Xiurong acted like in cloud nine.
"You'll be famous for sure but those poor sisters and brothers will work overtime." Ling Qingyu spoke like a domineering CEO, her finger lifting Zhao Xiurong's chin. "Of course, woman, you've also attracted my attention. You'll discover the ultimate punishment."
"I don't want to be a Cinderella." Zhao Xiurong smacked away Ling Qingyu's hand gently and sighed. Her weird eyes showed unsure movement, raising concerns in Ling Qingyu's mind.
"What's with your looks?"
"Are you flirting with your secretary?" Zhao Xiurong clicked her tongue; her eyes back to the monitor.
Ling Qingyu's back was instantly soaked with sweat. She gulped and checked Zhao Xiurong out, only to be relieved after seeing her secretary not paying attention. "Of course, dear. How can I resist a beauty with mature charm and elegance? Only fools would give up to land a hand on you."
"As long as you're happy." Zhao Xiurong massaged her forehead. "In fact, I'm glad to see you're getting more energetic and vibrant. I don't know if I feel wrong, you don't seem to care about money as before."
Ling Qingyu sighed inwardly, lamenting Zhao Xiurong's carefulness in social affairs, as expected a secretary with high expertise. "Well, I discover, that letting go sometimes works very well. But my desire to step up the ladder hadn't disappeared."
"That's a relief to hear your ambition." Zhao Xiurong nodded. "I thought the infamous President Ling had disappeared and it would be a pity for us, women."
Zhao Xiurong now clearly noticed Ling Qingyu had transformed into a new self. The original cold beauty had more smiles and delicateness to her closed ones.
There was no longer the feeling of chasm separating between the two during their communication as before. Could a near-death experience really change a person so much?
Perhaps, Zhao Xiurong thought and shook her head. Ling Qingyu must have been happier because of her mother's recovery.
As a personal secretary and close sister, she knew Ling Qingyu's mother's issue obviously and understood a miracle was extremely hard to come by.
But it did. Although she had no idea how and why, her mother already told her Ling Qingyu's mother had fully recovered. It was good news indeed, sublimating Ling Qingyu's mentalities and her outlook on the world.
The ancient statement of a calamity bringing great fortune seemed true in a sense. Ling Qingyu nearly died but survived strongly and returned with a greater force.
"Don't pity me. You would soon inherit the title, President Zhao." Ling Qingyu teased and walked toward the glass table in the center of the room. "It's time to eat, Sister Zhao. I've brought lunch for you from home."
Zhao Xiurong's eyes followed Ling Qingyu and saw her opening lunchboxes. As soon as the lid opened, the delicious smell wafted straight into her nose. A mere aroma rose Zhao Xiurong's appetite.
Since staying with Ling Qingyu, Zhao Xiurong's taste in food and desire had changed. Even Mama Zhao reacted the same. She even maliciously wondered if Ling Qingyu had a conspiracy to control her through foodie behavior.
Ling Qingyu spread out and placed a piece of clothing underneath separate boxes to avoid spilling and dirtying the table. She walked toward the tableware area.
In her office, there was also a small separate kitchen, where she could reach out for plates inside the shelves above. Even though she rarely used these rooms because Ling Qingyu regularly ate lunch outside, since Ling Qingyu hired the chefs, she would always bring food from her home to eat and Zhao Xiurong would help lay out the plates.