Mrs. Gao mentioned her friend’s company name and then told Tang Nannan, “My friend is a woman, and we're very close. If you go work as her assistant, not only will you be well compensated in terms of salary, but you won't have to be overly cautious about other things. It’s a great opportunity.”
“Moreover, having experience in a large company can serve as a stepping stone for future job changes.”
“I’ve already spoken to her. Since you're so eager to start working, you can report for duty today.”
Tang Nannan was both excited and touched. She thanked Mrs. Gao profusely and went to the company to report for work.
Thanks to Mrs. Gao’s influence, her onboarding process went smoothly.
The boss was a strong, divorced woman around Mrs. Gao’s age, with a decisive way of speaking and acting.
She told Tang Nannan, “The term ‘special assistant’ might sound like it requires no specific skills, but it actually demands high emotional intelligence, high IQ, a keen awareness of your surroundings, attentiveness, and diligence.”
“I hired you because Mrs. Gao praised you for being sharp and diligent. Please don’t disappoint me.”
Tang Nannan naturally didn’t dare to disgrace Mrs. Gao. After a brief polite exchange, they went to their respective workstations.
She borrowed the company’s basic information and organizational chart from another administrative staff member to study.
Unexpectedly, she was given a task right after sitting down.
“Tang Nannan, there’s an important document that requires Mr. Zhang of Tiansheng Group’s personal signature. Go there, and once he signs it, bring it back to me.”
Upon hearing it was an important document, Tang Nannan didn’t dare to delay and set off immediately.
Only after getting into a taxi did she realize that Tiansheng Group was in the east of the city, while her company was in the west. It would take crossing half the city to get there.
The taxi driver asked for 200 yuan, which shocked Tang Nannan so much that she quickly got out.
She took a bus and transferred three times on the subway to reach the other company.
After finally meeting Mr. Zhang and getting the signature, and then spending more time getting back, it was already lunchtime.
Her female superior was resting. Tang Nannan didn’t dare to delay and took the document to her, only to be severely reprimanded.
“Why did it take so long? Didn’t I tell you it was important? Signing one document took three to four hours. If I had needed it urgently, by the time you got it back, it would be too late!”
“Mrs. Gao praised you so highly, I thought you were quite capable and intelligent. Turns out you can’t even handle this small task well!”
Tang Nannan had no response. After all, poverty limited one’s ambitions.
If she were already a senior employee of the company, with a considerable monthly salary, and her taxi fare was reimbursed, she wouldn’t mind spending 400 yuan, or even 4,000 yuan, on a taxi.
However, it wasn’t the right time to discuss money with her boss, so she lowered her head demurely.
“I apologize, Manager Ma. I understand, and I’ll be more mindful in the future.”
Manager Ma waved her away impatiently and told her to leave.
Tang Nannan hadn’t even had lunch. After rushing around all morning, she sat at her desk, feeling utterly dejected.
Being scolded like this on her first day of work, although she had been criticized before since her family’s decline, this was the first time it was so direct and so harsh.
It was too humiliating.
She wanted to wallow in self-pity for a while, but time wouldn’t allow it.
She could only comfort herself, thinking, “Working is tough, Tang Nannan. Be more careful in the future.”
After dozing at her desk for about ten minutes, it was time to resume work.
Tang Nannan continued studying the documents until past two o’clock in the afternoon. Manager Ma called her again via the internal line.
“I’ll send you an address. Hurry over and help me retrieve an important item.”
Hearing this, Tang Nannan’s head started to ache. She was afraid the morning’s events would repeat themselves.
But she hung up the phone, gritted her teeth, and went into the office.
After adding her on WeChat, Manager Ma sent her two addresses.
“Go to this place first to pick up the item, then deliver it to that location. Don’t repeat what happened this morning, or I’ll be unhappy.”
Tang Nannan nodded and said, “Okay,” then hurried out.
She took a taxi and asked the driver for a receipt.
The taxi fare was 75 yuan, and she arrived at a pet hospital.
It turned out that Manager Ma wanted her to pick up medication for deworming her cat.
She had expected something significant, but it turned out to be a trivial personal matter. Holding the small bottle of medicine, Tang Nannan was speechless for a moment before taking another taxi to the next address.
Arriving at the entrance of a villa, she rang the doorbell. The nanny let her in.
“Ms. Ma already told me to have you bring the medicine for Tuotuo to spray on him. Go inside quickly, Tuotuo is waiting for you.”
Tuotuo was the name of a cat.
Tang Nannan hadn’t expected her job to involve such petty errands.
Running around the city in broad daylight, just to take care of someone’s cat…
Taking care of a cat wasn't difficult, but Tang Nannan had never raised a cat before. Moreover, cats were usually aloof and prone to outbursts. When a stranger approached, they were as agile as anything, making it impossible to get close or catch them.
She wanted to ask the nanny for help, but after saying her piece, the nanny turned and left.
Alone in the room, Tang Nannan coaxed, called, and tried to grab the cat for over an hour before she could finally hold it down.
When spraying the medicine, the cat acted as if it were being killed, completely fighting back against her. With one careless move, it bit Tang Nannan’s hand.
Its sharp teeth scraped across her wrist, leaving three clear scratches that immediately started to bleed.
Tang Nannan didn’t have time to tend to her injury.
Just catching the cat had taken too much time. Seeing that it was nearing the end of the workday, she dared not delay. She casually wiped her hand with a tissue and rushed back to the company.
She arrived at the company just as work was ending, despite her haste.
Tang Nannan went to report her work progress, and Manager Ma looked impatient again.
“I’m very unsatisfied with your performance on your first day. I assigned you the most basic, unskilled tasks, and look at you.”
“You spent the morning signing a document and the afternoon feeding a cat. At this rate, I’d need several assistants to handle the work?”
Tang Nannan felt exhausted.
She had never felt so tired, even when she worked as a taxi driver, working extra shifts, and trying her best to earn money.
Despite having a belly full of grievances, she couldn't articulate them, which was deeply frustrating.
But she didn't want to give up easily.
She lacked formal education, and it was incredibly difficult to get hired into a company of this caliber based on her own merits. She had to cherish every opportunity.
“You are right. I will be more careful in the future.”
“Alright, work harder tomorrow. Don’t just stand there, making it seem like I’m going to ask you to work overtime. You can go now.”
Tang Nannan took three taxis, totaling 235 yuan. She had kept all the receipts.
She wanted to ask Manager Ma if the fares could be reimbursed, but seeing her attitude, she didn’t dare to mention it.
Exhausted, she returned home. Hu Jiasheng had already arrived and was busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron.
Hearing the noise, he looked at her from the kitchen doorway, his voice gentle.
“You’re back? Change your shoes, wash your hands, and get ready to eat. I’ve cooked some porridge.”
He must have gone straight into the kitchen after getting off work. He was still wearing his shirt and dress pants, and even with the apron, his elite aura was undeniable.