The Slacker Stepmother and the Non-Domineering CEO

Chapter 140: Encounter Spring

Chapter 140

When Xin Yuchun heard Zhao Yue's words, she quickly looked up at her, seemingly surprised by how much things had changed in such a short time... Just moments ago, Wang Xiangui had been saying such different things.

Zhao Yue's heart had already softened upon hearing what the boss had said, even before seeing the young girl. Now, looking at the uncertain expression on the girl's face, her tone became even gentler.

"Everything I'm saying is true. The boss has already started recruiting new people. If you don't believe me, how about I take you to see the boss later? You can ask him yourself."

Although Zhao Yue was called a secretary, her job involved much more than that. Previously, aside from collecting rent, Liu Jian seemed to have no proper business, but in reality, he had invested in quite a few projects. He didn't have the patience to handle all these matters himself, so he hired people to help.

Liu Jian personally interviewed the staff. Their educational background and abilities were a given, but most importantly, they needed to be socially adept and approachable. They should greet people with a smile and have a very proper appearance. If an example were needed, they should look like someone who could appear on the national news broadcast, easily putting people at ease.

So, after a brief moment of silence, Xin Yuchun couldn't help but say to her, "He didn't do anything to me."

Zhao Yue felt some relief, quietly letting out a breath. It was already noon, and the HR department had probably finished work. She wasn't in a hurry to go find someone, so she wanted to take this opportunity to chat more with the young girl. Seeing the girl's expression, full of worries, and remembering her panic when she found her in the kitchen earlier, Zhao Yue was concerned. The hotel had fired Wang Xiangui this time, but what if there were others like him? Even if there weren't, it wouldn't be good if someone was being bullied.

"You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll have some food sent over, and we can eat together."

After all, Xin Yuchun was still just a sixteen-year-old girl who hadn't experienced much in life. How could she refuse Zhao Yue? Over the course of the meal, Zhao Yue came to understand most of her story.

Xin Yuchun said she was from Xinji Village, but not entirely.

She had been found by Grandma Xin. The day she was found was just after the Beginning of Spring, and her name was given by the village primary school principal, one of the few educated people in the village at the time. Grandma had reported to the police when she found her, but no one ever came forward to claim the lost child.

The fact that she was found wasn't a secret. Xin Yuchun had known she was found since she could remember. Grandma Xin had no children of her own, and in her old age, she found a baby girl. The villagers all advised her to give the child away, but Grandma Xin couldn't bear to. She felt that this child was destined to be with her; otherwise, why would she have been the one to find her?

Xin Yuchun had been pretty since she was little. At first, when the villagers praised her beauty, she was very happy and would excitedly tell her grandmother, but her grandmother wasn't pleased.

Grandma said she would rather the girl be ordinary, so she could feel more at ease. From when she was seven or eight, her grandmother never left her side, taking her to and from school. When she grew older and went to junior high in town, her grandmother still picked her up and dropped her off every day.

Even so, there had been a few troublesome incidents. Gradually, she came to understand that being beautiful wasn't always a good thing.

This year, she should have been starting high school, but her grandmother had fallen and broken her leg while cycling to town. She was worried about leaving her grandmother alone at home and needed to earn money for her treatment. So, with a heavy heart, she dropped out of school and started working in town to earn money.

However, commuting between the village and town every day was very inconvenient. Later, Aunt Wang from the village told her about a new hotel that was hiring, and introduced her there. Aunt Wang had often helped the grandmother and granddaughter in the village.

A few days ago, she had accompanied her grandmother to the city hospital for a check-up and encountered a man at the hospital entrance who insisted on asking for her phone number and wanted to take her out for a meal. Fortunately, the hospital security intervened and prevented him from grabbing her.

She returned home with her grandmother, still shaken. When she came back to work, she unfortunately encountered Wang Xiangui, who cornered her and said some strange things, praising her beauty. Even with her limited education, she could tell this man had ill intentions.

But she didn't dare say anything, grateful for a job that was close to home and paid well. Taking the shortcut back to the village during her lunch break, she could even make it home to cook for her grandmother.

However, with all these incidents piling up, she felt wronged and couldn't help but sneak out to cry. Unexpectedly, that day, she met a very kind sister.

The more Zhao Yue talked with Xin Yuchun, the more she sighed inwardly. This girl now seemed to think it was her fault for looking the way she did, which was why she didn't dare speak loudly or look people in the eye.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and similarly, Zhao Yue knew that untying the knots in her heart wouldn't happen overnight.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yue stood up and hugged her, saying, "From now on, you can work here without worry. If anyone bullies you, come find me. You know, I've always wished for a cute and pretty little sister like you. If you don't mind, you can think of me as your big sister from now on."

After their talk, Zhao Yue let Xin Yuchun rest in her office and even gave her an iPad to watch TV.

After settling the young girl, Zhao Yue went to find the HR manager to discuss recruiting new staff.

As for firing Wang Xiangui, she personally took care of that as well. Wang Xiangui was completely taken aback, never expecting to be suddenly fired, and wanted to find Liu Jian. Of course, Zhao Yue didn't give him a chance to argue, directly telling him to pack up and leave in the afternoon.

Nian Suian was still unaware of everything that had happened. After having lunch with Liu Jian, she returned to her room. With Gu Junxing and Gu Zhijing, the father and son, not around, she had a hot spring pool all to herself, which was incredibly enjoyable.

"Hello... have you arrived home?" She had just started soaking when Gu Junxing called. He had already dropped off Chen Shu and returned home from the airport.

"Are you in Tang Yuan's room?" Nian Suian heard the cat meowing on the other end of the line.

On the other end of the phone, Gu Junxing was indeed sitting on the floor of the cat room, playing with the cat.

Nian Suian had been immersed in the beautiful scenery around her, but hearing Tang Yuan's voice made her heart ache with longing. She regretted not bringing Tang Yuan along.

"Nanny Zhang bought Tang Yuan a new outfit. Tang Yuan is very happy wearing it. Oh, and it can now fetch balls too," Gu Junxing said, stroking the cat while updating Nian Suian on Tang Yuan's latest achievements.

It wasn't clear who first played this game with the cat, but now it could play fetch with people.

"Send me a video to see!" Hearing that her cat daughter had mastered a new life skill, Nian Suian felt an unbearable itch in her heart.

"No video."

"What did you say? Say that again."

"Tang Yuan doesn't photograph well."

Nian Suian fell silent. What kind of ridiculous excuse was that? She couldn't believe Gu Junxing had actually said it.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"