Before three o’clock, Wei Jia had finished preparing everything. Lin Yue went downstairs in He Yuan’s place to personally receive President Zhao from Dachuang.
Lin Yue kept a polite smile the whole time and humbly led him to the reception room.
The reception room was spotless and odorless. The floor was so clean it reflected like a mirror, the tabletop was free of dust, and the placement of the green plants was well arranged. The tea set for guests was neatly organized. Even the bow at the little secretary’s waist was tied flat and symmetrical—it all looked very pleasing.
Lin Yue walked over to the tea set and poured tea into the cup until it was about two-thirds full. She supported the bottom of the cup with one hand and held the middle with the other, with the handle facing the guest. From President Zhao’s left side, she offered it to him. “President Zhao, please have some tea.”
President Zhao nodded in satisfaction, thinking that this little secretary had good etiquette training.
“I’m sorry, please wait a moment. President He is currently handling an urgent matter.”
President Zhao gave a brief “mm” and said, “You don’t need to stand here and wait.”
Only then did Lin Yue turn slightly and leave the reception room.
When she returned to the office, He Yuan was signing documents for a project that Zhou Yunce had brought over.
Hearing movement, he raised his eyes and asked, “Have you brought him up?”
“Yes.”
He Yuan and Zhou Yunce spoke quietly for a few moments before he stood up and said, “Let’s go.”
“Wait a moment, President He.”
Lin Yue suddenly called out to him.
He Yuan paused and turned slightly to look at her, a hint of confusion in his eyes. “What is it?”
Lin Yue raised her index finger. She didn’t dare point directly at him, just gestured lightly in the air twice. “Your tie…”
He Yuan was very perceptive. With just that reminder, he knew his tie must be crooked. Earlier, when he was with Zhou Yunce, he had loosened it slightly and probably hadn’t straightened it properly afterward.
President Zhao was a perfectionist. If his tie was crooked, the deal might fall through—he might just keep staring at the tie instead.
There was a lounge behind He Yuan’s office with everything one might need. He was about to turn around when he suddenly stopped and instead looked at Lin Yue. “You fix it for me.”
Lin Yue showed no surprise. She stepped forward, slightly rising onto her toes to adjust his crooked tie. He Yuan was quite tall. Back when Zhou Yunce had handed her a stack of documents, it included He Yuan’s basic information—meant to help her better understand her boss.
He Yuan was 188 cm tall and weighed 79 kg. He graduated from an Ivy League university and held dual master’s degrees in finance and computer science. Besides Chinese and English, he could also speak German and Italian. He disliked anything soft and mushy, such as bananas, eggplant, and cake cream.
Overall, He Yuan was easy to serve and didn’t make things difficult for others.
During the job handover, Zhou Yunce had told her that her work revolved around He Yuan. This included aspects of his daily life as well—meaning she needed to understand and observe him to better manage her duties.
But until now, He Yuan had never let her get involved in his personal life.
A faint, indescribable fragrance drifted into his nose. He Yuan paused. “Secretary Lin, are you wearing perfume?”
Lin Yue suddenly looked up. “No.”
Because her job involved frequent receptions and dealing with clients, she didn’t wear perfume—it was hard to guarantee that none of the clients would be allergic to scents.
He Yuan nodded. Perhaps thinking she might get tired from standing on tiptoe, he bent down slightly.
“Secretary Lin.”
He called her, and Lin Yue lifted her eyes, meeting his gaze.
“You know the scope of your duties, right? Starting tomorrow, you need to come to my house at seven every morning to help me choose my outfit for the day, even iron it. You’ll also be responsible for my watch, tie, and other accessories. If I don’t need a driver, you’ll act as one. If there are business dinners, you’ll also attend as my female companion, and so on.”
“Understood, President He.”
Lin Yue appeared calm on the surface, but inside she was nearly panicking. What should I do? I don’t even know how to tie a tie yet.
After finally straightening He Yuan’s tie, he took Lin Yue and went straight to the reception room.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, President Zhao.”
“It’s fine. I’m quite comfortable here—you’ve even given me a chance to relax.”
He Yuan smiled lightly and personally poured him a cup of tea.
“You chose a good secretary. It’s clear she’s done her homework. From the moment I entered your building, there hasn’t been a single thing out of place. There’s even an automatic disinfection robot at the entrance. The environment is spotless, the employees are uniform, and the etiquette is good.”
The smile in He Yuan’s eyes deepened as he accepted the compliment, while Lin Yue felt a bit embarrassed.
After chatting casually for a while, they got down to business.
Lin Yue and President Zhao’s assistant stood by the side. About half an hour later, President Zhao laughed heartily. “As expected of He Hongtian’s son. You don’t invest money or effort, yet you want thirty percent of my profits. President He, isn’t that a bit unfair?”
“President Zhao, you’re joking. Hengxing will still help you with construction—how is that not effort? Besides, your personal visit today already shows that Hengxing is worth that thirty percent.”
President Zhao laughed again, then suddenly turned his gaze to Lin Yue. “Thirty percent is fine. I quite like your secretary…”
“President Zhao.”
He Yuan interrupted gently, though his tone carried firmness. “She is my secretary.”
President Zhao laughed again. “Look at you—I’m just joking. I wouldn’t dare poach your employee. You didn’t even let me finish before defending her. Just like your father—very protective.”
He Yuan gave a faint, noncommittal smile.
President Zhao then stood up, took out an invitation from his pocket, and said, “In half a month, it will be my youngest son’s first birthday banquet. I hope the two of you can attend.”
He Yuan accepted the invitation. “We will be there on time.”
Only then did President Zhao leave, satisfied.
He Yuan glanced at the invitation in his hand, then handed it to Lin Yue. “Secretary Lin, attend it with me.”
“Yes.”
After returning to the office, Lin Yue’s phone rang.
When she saw the caller ID, she immediately hung up. It was her college classmate’s mother—the “matchmaker” who kept setting her up on blind dates.
But this matchmaker was persistent. If one call didn’t work, she would keep calling. Lin Yue had no choice but to keep hanging up.
“Secretary Lin, it’s just a phone call. It’s fine.”
Finally, after who knows how many calls, Lin Yue answered.
“Hello, Auntie… I don’t need it, really, I don’t… I don’t have time… The last Mr. Li wanted to get married right away… Yes, yes, I really don’t have time… Mm, thank you, Auntie…”
He Yuan paused his pen for a moment, then continued working as if nothing had happened.
It had to be said—Secretary Lin was really popular.