Chapter Ninety-Four: A Promising Talent with a Quick Mind

"I heard that President Jian and that Song Chenxi have broken up. Do you think our Director Ruan is about to move up?"
"Really? I thought it was just a rumor."
"I didn’t believe it at first either, but judging from President Jian’s recent behavior, it might just be true."

A few employees at the back of the group couldn't help but start murmuring about the latest gossip they'd heard, their excited eyes all piling onto Ruan Mianmian.

Ruan Mianmian was some distance away, so she couldn't make out what they were saying, but seeing the teasing looks on their faces, she could pretty much guess the gist of it.

Afterwards, Ruan Mianmian quietly took two steps to the side, silently widening the gap between herself and Jian Yanzhi.

Unexpectedly, Jian Yanzhi, completely unconcerned about appearances, followed right after her, making everyone’s eyes grow even more suggestive.

Ruan Mianmian shot him a glare, which Jian Yanzhi pretended not to see.

Then she heard Jian Yanzhi speak in all seriousness, "Since you've decided to showcase your talents in the Design Department, you must do your best in your role from now on. I believe you’ll lead the Design Department to new heights."

New heights?
What an old-fashioned phrase!

Ruan Mianmian looked at Jian Yanzhi with suspicion. This man was laying it on thick, which meant he must be up to something.

Sure enough, Jian Yanzhi continued,
"From now on, you must set an example—no coming in late or leaving early. To supervise you, Director Ruan, you’ll be hosting tomorrow's morning meeting. Does anyone have any objections?"

Ruan Mianmian rolled her eyes. With the president himself saying so, who would dare object?

Naturally, everyone expressed their enthusiastic welcome and even started to cheer.

Ruan Mianmian, unwilling to join their racket, turned to Jian Yanzhi and asked, "The Design Department is on the 17th floor, right? Do I need to move my office there?"

Jian Yanzhi replied, "I’ve arranged a workstation for you on the 17th floor, but this office will remain yours as a private lounge."

"..."

Ruan Mianmian's lips pressed into a line. She suddenly felt Jian Yanzhi was doing this on purpose.

Despite knowing everyone was already jumping to conclusions, he insisted on acting in a way that confirmed all the rumors.

The more she looked at him, the more annoying he seemed!

"I want to stay on the 17th floor!"

With a pout, Ruan Mianmian averted her gaze, preparing to leave.

Jian Yanzhi followed her, tugging at her arm. "I’ll go with you. I haven’t introduced you to everyone yet."

"I have a mouth. Do I need you to introduce me?"

Ruan Mianmian dodged Jian Yanzhi’s hand and sped up her pace.

Jian Yanzhi just chuckled and kept up with her, trailing her as she strode away.

Once their figures disappeared from the 32nd floor, the office instantly exploded with gossip.

...

After exiting the elevator, the first thing they saw was the Design Department's logo—sleek, upscale, and nothing like the flashy types on the 32nd floor.

As the core department of Hanhai Group, it boasted its own entire floor and the furnishings matched those of the executive level upstairs.

It was clear which department was the company’s favorite child; the contrast with the others was stark.

"Tsk tsk, so this is the Design Department," Ruan Mianmian couldn't help but tease, while Jian Yanzhi just smiled quietly.

But the commotion at the door had already caught the attention of those inside.

The young woman sitting at the front desk—or rather, the Design Department’s own secretary by Hanhai’s internal title—looked up from a mountain of paperwork.

While the title was “secretary,” it was really just a glorified office assistant: tending to the plants, cleaning, organizing files and reports, and all the odd jobs no one else wanted to do.

This spot was usually given to the newest intern or the lowest-ranking employee—meaning whoever had the shortest tenure.

If Ruan Mianmian hadn’t parachuted into the department with powerful connections, this would probably have been her first role.

"Hello, President Jian! Hello, Director!"

The young woman sprang up from behind her pile of documents. She looked about twenty, her face still soft with youth, black-rimmed glasses lending her an air of timidity, and when she smiled, two dimples appeared.

She was clearly the office’s go-to good-natured soul—the most invisible and the most overworked.

"Mm," Jian Yanzhi nodded slightly, then instructed, "Have everyone pause their work and come welcome our new colleague."

"A new colleague?"

Her eyes instantly lit up with excitement and anticipation, as if she could already see her own workload lightening in a new era. She trotted off to call everyone together.

Watching her cheerful silhouette, Ruan Mianmian felt a twinge of guilt.

But you’ll be disappointed, little sister.

Ruan Mianmian followed Jian Yanzhi into the office. At that moment, everyone was dutifully seated at their desks, waiting expectantly.

She and Jian Yanzhi stood at the forefront, but the room’s gazes kept flickering past them, searching for the rumored newcomer.

Just then, a woman in a professional suit, her figure graceful and curves accentuated, approached with a bright, practiced smile.

"Hello, President Jian!"

Then her gaze fell on Ruan Mianmian, with a clear hint of arrogance and indifference.

"Hello, Director."

Ruan Mianmian raised an eyebrow at the woman’s dismissive attitude, feeling a surge of defiance.

Good grief, this woman was really full of herself.

Judging by her behavior, she must be the legendary Sister Hua.

The next moment, Jian Yanzhi nodded politely to the woman, his smile courteous.

"Wang Yue, this is Director Ruan. I believe you all know her. From now on, Director Ruan will officially be part of the Design Department. I hope you’ll all look after each other."

As soon as Jian Yanzhi spoke, Ruan Mianmian heard several gasps of surprise.

No one seemed to have expected this outcome.

Ruan Mianmian remembered from office gossip that Sister Hua’s real name was Wang Yue.

So this was her.

Ruan Mianmian extended her right hand politely and smiled. "Team Leader Wang, a pleasure to meet you!"

Wang Yue glanced at the offered hand and ignored it, turning to Jian Yanzhi instead. "President Jian, are you kidding? Weren’t you going to send me someone clever and promising? How is it Director Ruan?"

Ruan Mianmian’s face darkened.

So, by implication, she wasn’t clever or promising?

And to ignore a polite handshake—wasn’t that a bit much?

Ruan Mianmian withdrew her hand behind her back, her expression sour. She’d remember this.

Jian Yanzhi turned and looked back at Ruan Mianmian, smiling. "That’s right, it’s Director Ruan."

Imitating Jian Yanzhi’s manner, Ruan Mianmian echoed, "Exactly, it’s me. Are you dissatisfied, Team Leader Wang?"