When Lin Yue entered again, He Yuan and Zhou Yun Ce had already stopped their conversation.
“President He, these documents all require your signature.”
He Yuan nodded. Zhou Yun Ce stood up to leave, but before going, he gave Lin Yue a meaningful glance.
Lin Yue was completely baffled.
Assistant Zhou’s expression was so strange.
In the afternoon, while He Yuan was attending the signing ceremony, her apartment was finally settled.
After retrieving the access card and keys from the administration department, she happened to run into He Yuan returning to the company.
He Yuan glanced at the items in her hand. “Got them?”
“Yes.” Lin Yue’s happiness was evident.
He Yuan asked, “When are you planning to move?”
“Tomorrow. Don’t I need to accompany you to Yunxing Hotel tonight?”
He Yuan hummed in agreement. “Originally you wouldn’t need to make this trip, but Su Ying is a popular actress. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go alone.”
Lin Yue acknowledged his words, thinking that He Yuan was not only a gentle person but also considerate and thoughtful.
After everyone had left work, Lin Yue and He Yuan remained until 6:30 PM, when they went together to the company cafeteria.
Of course, some departments were working overtime in the evening. Sure enough, Lin Yue encountered Vice President Zheng Yu and his assistant Qing Jing again.
Lin Yue felt no emotional turmoil inside and didn’t even glance at Qing Jing. The other two men were unaware of their history, so during the meal, the two executives naturally sat together.
Thus, they formed two pairs sitting opposite each other.
While Zheng Yu and He Yuan discussed acquiring a live streaming platform and investing in the film industry, Lin Yue remained silent, focusing on her meal.
Qing Jing kept gazing at He Yuan with undisguised admiration.
But when she noticed the little bear bandage on He Yuan’s index finger, her faint smile froze.
Having lived together for some time, Qing Jing couldn’t possibly not recognize this as the style of bandages Qin Yan liked to buy. And since Lin Yue was Qin Yan’s close friend, it wasn’t surprising for her to have them too.
She glanced at Lin Yue, who was focused on eating, wondering what capabilities this person had to make a CEO like He Yuan – who valued both his personal and company image – wear such childish things?
Moreover, the edges of the bandage were slightly curled, suggesting it had been on for quite some time.
President He had even attended a project signing ceremony at Central Plaza this afternoon. Could he have been wearing this childish thing the whole time?
Zheng Yu had naturally noticed He Yuan’s bandage too, nearly choking on his food.
With curiosity in his eyes, he looked at He Yuan’s index finger and teased, “President He?” Have you gotten a girlfriend?”
He Yuan looked puzzled, not understanding why Zheng Yu would ask that.
Zheng Yu raised an eyebrow at He Yuan’s finger. “Such a cute bandage – surely your girlfriend put it on?”
“Cough cough cough…”
Lin Yue accidentally choked. To avoid embarrassment, she quickly put down her chopsticks, covered her mouth with her hand, and turned her head away.
Seeing this, He Yuan also set down his chopsticks and gently patted her back with care. “Secretary Lin? Are you feeling better?”
Lin Yue quickly waved her hand. “Cough… I’m fine.”
Zheng Yu looked completely confused. “Secretary Lin? Did I say something wrong?”
Lin Yue finally managed to recover, using the pad of her ring finger to gently wipe away the tears brought on by her coughing fit. She then turned to Zheng Yu and said, “You’ve misunderstood, Vice President Zheng. This is my own bandage. President He’s hand was cut by a file folder earlier, but it was my oversight. I’ll make sure to have these supplies ready next time.”
Lin Yue had very fair skin. Whether she was excited, had been drinking, or was coughing violently like this, her cheeks would flush as if lightly dusted with rouge—a delicate, translucent pink that captivated anyone who saw it.
Moreover, the faint pink tinge at the corners of her eyes and brows added a natural charm to her already delicate features.
The way her dewy almond-shaped eyes gazed at you while earnestly explaining would make anyone’s heart skip a beat.
Zheng Yu had always preferred women with striking, glamorous looks, yet he found Lin Yue’s appearance inexplicably beautiful and couldn’t help but blurt out, “Secretary Lin, this is the first time I’ve realized how lovely you are.”
Lin Yue was taken aback for a second before instinctively replying, “Thank you.”
He Yuan’s brows furrowed slightly, and his usually gentle expression showed a crack. Qing Jing noticed He Yuan’s lips twitch with displeasure, though he ultimately said nothing.
Misinterpreting his reaction, Qing Jing assumed He Yuan was upset that Lin Yue had mentioned the incident. She chimed in, “I’m sure Secretary Lin didn’t mean it. What mattered most was that President He got injured. I know there are two pharmacies on the street across from our company.”
Her words carried a subtle, manipulative tone.
Anyone working at Stellar’s headquarters would know exactly what stores were across the street.
Lin Yue glanced at Qing Jing in disbelief, thinking how foolish she was.
Both of these executives were seasoned players in the business world. What Qing Jing intended as a rescue attempt came across as a transparent, amateurish ploy in the eyes of He Yuan and Zheng Yu.
Sure enough, He Yuan cast a dismissive glance at Qing Jing before turning to Lin Yue. “Secretary Lin, are you finished eating?”
Lin Yue nodded.
“Let’s go then.”
Lin Yue gave a slight nod to Zheng Yu, then stood and followed He Yuan out of the restaurant.
Zheng Yu set down his chopsticks, his previously pleasant expression vanishing instantly. He looked at Qing Jing and said, “Assistant Qing, Lin Yue is President He’s chosen staff. Even if she’s new, the fact that she was personally selected as his secretary means she has exceptional qualities.”
Qing Jing responded reluctantly.
Zheng Yu continued, “He Yuan has never liked having too many people around. The president’s office used to be managed solely by Zhou Yun Ce. While it’s common for a president to have multiple secretaries, more people often lead to more office politics. Eventually, He Yuan removed those extra staff. But even Zhou Yun Ce, with all his energy, couldn’t handle both He Yuan’s work and personal affairs alone. That’s why Secretary Lin was brought on. Now, including President He’s driver Yu Zhao, there are only five people in the president’s office—two of whom are Zhou Yun Ce’s secretaries. Think about how much responsibility Secretary Lin carries for President He. In fact, I can tell you plainly: once Stellar completes its transformation, Zhou Yun Ce won’t remain as President He’s assistant. He could oversee any division of Stellar as a top-tier management figure. If Zhou Yun Ce moves on, who do you think will take his place?”
Qing Jing froze, looking at Zheng Yu in confusion.
“I value talent, and you are indeed capable, but you have a rather arrogant disposition. Having you serve tea and water was meant to temper your character. I also know you were unwilling to accept losing to Secretary Lin during the interview, but the facts are clear. It would be best for you to come to terms with it. If you speak to Secretary Lin with that sarcastic tone again, I won’t be able to protect you.”
With that, Zheng Yu left, leaving Qing Jing alone to slowly digest his words.
To be honest, Zheng Yu was somewhat disappointed in Qing Jing. Still, she was someone he had chosen himself, and he couldn’t just let her go right after her probation period—that would be too embarrassing for him.