He Yuan had drunk a bit, but fortunately his driver Yu Zhao was waiting outside. Yu Zhao wasn’t just a driver but also He Yuan’s personal bodyguard.
Right after getting in the car, He Yuan called Lin Yue.
At that moment, she was still squatting by the roadside waiting for Zhou Yun Ce’s contact information. When she saw He Yuan’s call, she was startled, thinking it might be work-related. She quickly cleared her throat and answered the call.
“Hello, President He.”
He Yuan unexpectedly asked, “Where are you right now?”
Lin Yue instinctively replied, “I’m at home.”
He Yuan recalled Lin Yue’s employment documents and said, “Fengyun Community on Jiangbei Fengyun Road?”
“Yes,” Lin Yue answered automatically.
He Yuan: “Then wait for me at your community entrance.”
After saying this, he hung up.
Lin Yue was utterly confused. Could it be an impromptu business trip?
What about her luggage? Lin Yue quickly pulled her luggage toward the community entrance. Fortunately, He Yuan was still some distance away. With no other choice, Lin Yue left her luggage with the security guard.
She stood alone by the roadside waiting for He Yuan.
The distance was quite far – forty minutes passed and He Yuan still hadn’t arrived. Even so, Lin Yue didn’t dare complain.
He Yuan kept glancing at his watch while instructing Yu Zhao to drive faster.
They eventually took the expressway and finally, about twenty minutes later, He Yuan’s understated yet luxurious car stopped in front of Lin Yue.
Before Lin Yue could step forward to open the car door for him, He Yuan got out on his own.
“President He.”
“Where’s your luggage?”
They spoke simultaneously.
Lin Yue was taken aback, “What luggage?”
He Yuan: “When you were on the phone earlier, I was nearby. Some friends are gathering tonight. Assistant Zhou has been drinking, and since I brought my driver, I came over.”
And then? Lin Yue looked completely bewildered.
“Come back with me first. I’ll help you solve the accommodation problem.”
“Ah?” Lin Yue instinctively took half a step back. “N-no need, I can just find a hotel myself.”
He Yuan frowned slightly. “Secretary Lin, I’ll help you resolve your housing situation within three days. For now, come back with me first. If you stay in a hotel until you find a place, even if you use up next month’s salary in advance, it probably won’t be enough.”
Mentioning salary hit Lin Yue’s weak spot.
But staying at her superior’s home still made Lin Yue somewhat hesitant.
“Don’t worry. If you have concerns, I can stay at my parents’ place these two days.”
“No need,” Lin Yue quickly said.
How could she dare to drive her boss away?
“I’m not worried, I just… alright then. But President He, could I stay in the worker’s room?”
He Yuan sighed softly. “Fine, there happen to be three worker’s rooms at home.”
Only then did Lin Yue relax.
He Yuan: “Where’s your luggage?”
Lin Yue pointed behind her. “With the security guard.”
He Yuan signaled Yu Zhao to get the luggage while he opened the car door for Lin Yue.
Whether it was because she was hungry or what, with the car door open, Lin Yue instinctively stepped in. Only after getting in did she realize she had not only let her superior open the door for her but also taken the back seat.
Heavens, was it too late to get out now?
He Yuan followed and sat in as well, making Lin Yue feel like she was sitting on pins and needles.
After Yu Zhao stored the luggage, he slowly started the car.
Just as Lin Yue was worrying about what topic to bring up to avoid awkward silence in the car, He Yuan spoke first.
“Secretary Lin, were you asking for Vice President Wei’s contact information because you wanted to inquire about the company’s employee apartments?”
Lin Yue tilted her head to look at He Yuan. “Yes.”
“As my secretary, your working hours can’t be compared to regular employees. Everything must follow my schedule, so living with others probably wouldn’t be very convenient.”
Lin Yue nodded in agreement, having had the same thought herself.
“But aren’t the single rooms in the company apartments only for designated personnel and management at A-level and above?”
He Yuan chuckled lightly. “That’s correct, but you’re not in that category. You should understand that all your work serves only me – that counts as special circumstances. A single apartment room should be fine, though it probably won’t be very large, about fifty to sixty square meters.”
“That’s fine,” Lin Yue said. “I don’t have high requirements.”
He Yuan made an acknowledging sound. “Since it’s company-developed property, the rent will be relatively lower for Stellar employees, though it should still be more expensive than your previous rental. But it shouldn’t exceed three thousand.”
“I understand.”
“Alright, I’ll have Wei Jia handle it for you tomorrow.”
“Thank you, President He.”
He Yuan responded with a soft acknowledgment.
When they arrived at He Yuan’s residence, Yu Zhao helped carry the luggage upstairs.
He Yuan said to Aunt Qian who came to greet them, “Please take her to the remaining staff room first.”
Seeing the situation, Aunt Qian didn’t ask any questions, though she gave He Yuan a puzzled look. “Sir, the staff room?”
He Yuan said helplessly, “Yes, she won’t be staying in the guest bedroom.”
At this point, Aunt Qian understood and immediately felt more favorable toward Secretary Lin.
Just as she was about to lead Lin Yue to the room, her gaze fell upon the abrasion on Lin Yue’s arm.
“Oh my, what happened here? It’s bleeding.”
Hearing this, He Yuan paused mid-step, turned around and grabbed Lin Yue’s arm. With a slight turn of her arm, his brow immediately furrowed. “Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”
“It’s nothing. This injury looks worse than it is – it’ll heal in a couple of days.”
Aunt Qian exclaimed, “Oh, you child, no injury should be taken lightly.”
He Yuan didn’t release her arm, but seeing that Lin Yue’s injury wasn’t serious, he turned to Aunt Qian. “Could you please bring the first aid kit? I’ll help her rinse the dust from the wound first.”
“Of course, I’ll get it right away.”
He Yuan led her to the bathroom, turned the shower head to the lowest setting, and gently washed her wound.
When they returned to the living room, Aunt Qian was already waiting there.
He Yuan motioned for Lin Yue to sit on the sofa, then said to Aunt Qian, “Could you make her a bowl of noodles?”
“Right away.”
Lin Yue felt somewhat embarrassed but couldn’t refuse – she was starving.
At the same time, a warm current filled her heart.
“Give me your hand,” He Yuan said gently.
Whether it was because his tone was too gentle, Lin Yue found herself placing her hand into his warm, broad palm as if bewitched. The moment their skin touched, both of them froze momentarily.
“This might hurt a bit. Bear with it – I’ll disinfect it first.”
“Mm.”
When the iodine touched the broken skin, Lin Yue shuddered but made no sound. The stinging sensation lasted only a moment.
He Yuan blew gently on her wound, then very carefully sprinkled some medicinal powder over it.
“All done. Before you shower, have Aunt Qian help you bandage it with waterproof dressing.”
Lin Yue nodded. “Thank you, President He.”
“Alright, you go ahead and eat first. I still have some matters to attend to in the study. Have an early meal and rest.”
Lin Yue watched He Yuan’s retreating figure as he stood up and left, an indescribable feeling welling up in her heart.