If she could approve his leave, the HR department wouldn't dare to reject it.
He saw Huangfu Mengqi returning from outside and entering the office. He immediately picked up the leave application on the desk and walked to the office door.
"I have a document that needs President Qi's signature," Song Jiaping said to the secretary at the door.
The secretary nodded and didn't stop him.
He walked into the office and saw Huangfu Mengqi on the phone with a client. He stood aside and waited.
Huangfu Mengqi saw him, quickly ended the call, and asked, "What is it?"
"President Qi, I have some personal matters and need to request leave. Could you approve it?" Song Jiaping placed the leave application directly on her office desk.
Huangfu Mengqi felt a bit taken aback. She glanced at the leave application and said, "You want to take a month off? Unless there's a valid reason, there's no precedent for such a long leave in the company. I won't approve it."
"It's a personal matter. I need to handle some family affairs, and it's inconvenient to discuss it," Song Jiaping said, looking directly at her.
Huangfu Mengqi found it amusing. Who was the superior here? He seemed to have more presence when asking for leave than she did.
Huangfu Mengqi said lightly, "Then it's not bereavement leave. I remember you haven't remarried, nor is it for parental leave. Even if you want to take annual leave in advance, our company's longest annual leave is only fifteen days. You're requesting a full month, which is likely..."
"Then fifteen days," Song Jiaping conceded, stating it decisively.
Huangfu Mengqi chuckled, "Fifteen days? That's the length of annual leave only long-term employees get. How long have you been with the group?"
"I really have an urgent matter. How can I get the leave approved?" Song Jiaping asked anxiously.
Huangfu Mengqi stated bluntly, "If you insist on taking leave, then you'll have to resign."
"Resign then," Song Jiaping blurted out, then hesitated.
He had finally managed to get into the Huangfu Group and find its weakness. If he quit now, all his efforts would be in vain.
How would he face his mother next time?
"What, do you think you're being too impulsive?" Huangfu Mengqi observed his subtle expressions, always feeling that this man was unfathomable.
Song Jiaping said neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "I've already explained the reason. If you still don't approve, then I can only choose to resign."
He had decided to go all out. After all, revenge could start anytime, but if something happened to Mengyao, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
"It's not that there's no other way," Huangfu Mengqi changed the subject. "I need a male companion for a socialite gathering. If you can accompany me, I'll approve your leave. However, it can only be for fifteen days. What do you think?"
"When is your gathering? My family matters are urgent," Song Jiaping asked coldly.
"It's tonight," Huangfu Mengqi said with a smile. "As long as you behave well at the gathering, you can have your leave starting tomorrow."
"Deal. But I'll only accompany you to the gathering. I won't accept any other unreasonable requests," Song Jiaping said, fearing Huangfu Mengqi might be playing some trick.
Huangfu Mengqi laughed, "What other requests could there be? Don't tell me you think I'm interested in you? My taste is far superior to my foolish sister's."
"Time and place?" Song Jiaping asked in a business-like manner.
Huangfu Mengqi also looked at the official documents on her computer and said, "Find me in the parking lot after work. Your attire needs a complete makeover, and you'll ride in my car."
Song Jiaping said nothing more and turned to leave her office.
Huangfu Mengqi looked at his retreating back with interest and immediately made an internal call to her secretary.
"Find someone to investigate Song Jiaping's family situation. I want it to be very detailed, including collateral relatives, not just immediate family."
"Understood."
She wanted to see what urgent family matters could make him disregard his job.
Not many men could maintain such a strong presence in front of her, asking for favors as if she owed him something.
She would see how strong he could be at the gathering tonight.
...
After work, Song Jiaping waited until everyone in the department had left and went to the parking lot to find her car as arranged.
However, she wasn't in the car, only her driver was.
Her driver glanced at him and said, "President Qi has something else to attend to. She asked me to take you to the styling salon first."
Song Jiaping got into the car and said, "Okay."
The driver started the car and added, "President Qi instructed me to tell you not to be stingy with money. Choose the most expensive suit when you get there."
Song Jiaping couldn't even be bothered to respond. What did she take him for? A kept man or a plaything?
Don't think that just because you've got me by the throat, you can humiliate me at will!
When Song Jiaping arrived at the styling salon and changed into the most expensive suit, Huangfu Mengqi still hadn't appeared.
The stylist there wanted to make him look overly dapper, but he refused.
He sat in the lounge area, booking flights online to figure out how to get to Mengyao as quickly as possible.
After an unknown amount of time, Huangfu Mengqi rushed over. Seeing that Song Jiaping had only changed his clothes and hadn't done anything else, she said to the stylist in charge, "Jack, what are you doing? Why haven't you done my friend's makeup and styling?"
Jack curled his fingers in a "queen's gesture" and explained with a wronged expression, "Sister Mengqi, he refused. He's so fierce whenever anyone gets close."
He then hid behind Huangfu Mengqi.
Song Jiaping stood up, his tall and handsome figure captivating.
Huangfu Mengqi was stunned, momentarily forgetting what she was going to say.
"When does the gathering start?" Song Jiaping asked with a cold expression.
Huangfu Mengqi snapped back to reality, stepped forward, and linked her arm through his. "No makeup is fine, but Jack needs to do your hair. My male companion can't be outshone by any of the other guests."
Song Jiaping impatiently shook off her arm and whispered, "I said I wouldn't accept other requests. President Qi, don't push your luck."
"Is it too much to ask for you to have a good appearance? I think it's very reasonable," Huangfu Mengqi said. "If you want to back out now, you can submit your resignation letter tomorrow."
He snorted but didn't leave.
Huangfu Mengqi took it as his agreement and waved to Jack, saying, "Give him a new hairstyle."
Jack cautiously approached him, "Sir, please come with me."
Song Jiaping had no choice but to endure and follow Jack to get his hair done.
Huangfu Mengqi then said to him with satisfaction, "Alright, we should get going. Actually, the gathering doesn't need to be so punctual. The last one to arrive is the grand finale."
Song Jiaping remained noncommittal to her words, maintaining silence throughout the journey.
The more Huangfu Mengqi looked at him, the more interesting he seemed. He was a very manly man, no wonder Mengyao liked him so much after losing her memory.
Men with a strong sense of masculinity always give women a strong sense of security.
However, she couldn't yet conclude whether he was faking it, as many outward qualities could be disguised.