"We'll do as you say. Let's go handle the paperwork now. Tomorrow morning, after your makeup is done and you've changed into the uniform, put on your heels, and report to me on time."
"To be frank, He Yao, tomorrow I'm officially starting business negotiations with the Zhan Corporation. You're more professional than I am in this regard, so you have to accompany me."
"I'm giving you face, and you have to return it by making me look good. We must get this deal done."
"We're superior and subordinate on the surface, but always old classmates in private. If I strike it rich by joining forces with the Zhan Corporation, you'll get a share too. We're achieving success together, right?"
He Yao blamed no one but herself for her short-sightedness and lack of ambition, not even daring to ask for her salary.
What was a mere ten thousand yuan to Xu Zheng, who could afford to run a company?
Was he trying to scare him away with such a small amount and draw a line between them?
She deeply regretted her actions.
However, she had cornered herself and was in a dilemma.
She could only try to get information from Xu Zheng.
"Is Zhan Jingrui the current CEO of the Zhan Corporation?"
"No. His father is still young and can hold on for a few more years. He's at most a crown prince. Currently, he's only in charge of the Suzhou branch."
"That's still a pretty big position. With him, you can easily secure business, right? You still need..."
Xu Zheng put on an air of superior knowledge and explained.
"You can't say that. Although we want to get rich, we still have to rely on our own strength. Without strength, Zhan Jingrui might be able to protect me for a while, but not for a lifetime?"
"The fact that he's visiting the workshop today is proof of our strength. We don't need his much help, just an introduction. I'm confident I can break into the Zhan Corporation based on my own merits, not him."
"I don't have high expectations for you. Just perform normally when you need to with the information you have. This job should be easy enough, right?"
That was more like it.
As long as she didn't have to meet Zhan Jingrui, Xu Zheng, this brute, was easy enough to deal with.
He Yao knew this very well.
She didn't have a high level of education, and achieving her current salary level was already difficult.
If she were to jump to another company, she would have to start all over again.
After saving for so many years, the money she had wasn't enough to buy even a small apartment.
If Xu Zheng truly increased her salary and commission, and she stayed by his side for another year or so, she would have enough money to buy a house.
She really didn't want to deal with him, and she could leave once she saved enough for the house.
The two finally settled their employment matters, and He Yao followed Xu Zheng to the office building to complete the onboarding procedures.
Before the end of the workday, Xu Zheng finally received a WeChat message from Zhan Jingrui, providing him with a phone number and instructing him to contact that person.
Xu Zheng was ecstatic and immediately dialed the number, introduced himself, and asked the other party to meet him for dinner that evening.
The person on the other end was a procurement specialist under the director of the marketing department, a very ordinary frontline employee with no real power.
His superior had simply said there was a supplier whose qualifications needed to be assessed and asked him to schedule a time with the supplier. If the assessment was satisfactory, they would inspect their products, and if they met the procurement standards, they would be given some orders.
Therefore, the procurement specialist also rejected Xu Zheng with a professional attitude.
"There's no need for dinner. Let's arrange the supplier qualification assessment."
"I'll send you a form. Prepare the required documents and products according to the items listed. Come to the company to find me in two days. I'll arrange for specific personnel to review them. Once approved, we'll discuss the orders with an on-site visit."
"Yes, yes, yes, okay, okay, alright."
Xu Zheng accepted with profuse thanks.
The next day, He Yao went to work, and Xu Zheng gave her the assessment form from the other party, asking her to prepare the necessary materials.
He Yao diligently prepared for two days. On the morning of the third day, Xu Zheng had already scheduled a time with the procurement specialist, and they went to the Zhan Corporation to submit the documents.
In reality, there was no need to go so early.
The procurement department started work at eight o'clock, and they also needed to arrange for the team to review their products. After all the preparations, it would be close to nine o'clock.
But Xu Zheng didn't listen, feeling that if he wanted to get business from them, he needed to be more sincere, arrive early to build relationships, and make connections, which would make things smoother in the future.
So, he and He Yao arrived at the Zhan Corporation at seven-thirty.
Upon reaching the first floor, the receptionist informed them that the staff had not yet started work and asked them to wait in the lounge area.
Xu Zheng, dressed impeccably in a suit, and He Yao, wearing a newly purchased professional skirt and light makeup, sat in the lounge area, watching the Zhan Corporation employees come and go, beginning a long wait.
Xu Zheng, like a busybody, kept making calls and sending messages on his phone, trying to leverage all his connections.
He Yao, clutching her laptop bag and carrying a bag of samples, sat beside him in a daze.
As it approached eight o'clock, there was a sudden commotion in the lobby.
Two female receptionists and several security guards in uniform suddenly stood up from their workstations and rushed towards the lobby entrance.
They lined up on either side, the men on the left and the women on the right, respectfully looking towards the main entrance.
He Yao instinctively followed their gaze towards the entrance. A few seconds later, two men in sharp suits, exuding refined elegance, walked in side by side, talking as they entered.
One man was young, tall, and lanky, with well-defined, youthful features.
The other had salt-and-pepper hair, a medium build, and a calm, capable demeanor.
Together, they exuded an aura that spanned over ten meters, making people unconsciously feel a sense of awe.
No wonder everyone had rushed to greet them.
"Good morning, President Zhan, Mr. Fu."
It turned out that Zhan Jingrui was the current executive president of the Zhan Corporation's Suzhou branch, and Fu Qishan was another important figure.
He Yao knew how small Xu Zheng's company was. If not for Zhan Jingrui's favor, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to enter the building.
Even if they got in, they wouldn't be able to see Zhan Jingrui.
So, she felt relaxed.
Unexpectedly, while she was relaxing, Zhan Jingrui still entered her sight.
It was easier to observe him today than yesterday.
He Yao clearly saw that he had matured considerably since their school days.
Back then, although his physique was not thin, he had a slender build characteristic of youth.
Now, even through his suit, one could tell how firm and broad his chest was. His features were also more mature and defined.
He truly possessed a handsome face, the kind that could captivate thousands of young girls at first glance.
With just one glance, He Yao unashamedly recalled their past.
A physique like this, a face like this, and those handsome eyes and mouth, had once belonged to her for a period of time.
She dared not think about it.
Even though many years had passed, whenever she woke up in the middle of the night, tossing and turning, thinking of him, thinking of the sweet times they had spent together, her heart still ached as if pierced by a knife.
Not to mention the vast difference between them now.
Fearing that Zhan Jingrui would notice her, He Yao quickly lowered her head after looking for a few seconds.
With their walking pace, they would disappear from her sight in less than ten seconds.
Meeting him again would be difficult.
However, while He Yao wanted to remain low-key, Xu Zheng did not.
He wished that all employees of the Zhan Corporation knew his connection with Zhan Jingrui.
While on the phone, he saw Zhan Jingrui enter and quickly stood up to greet him.
"Good morning, President Zhan!"