Volume One, Chapter 19: Troubled Waters Arise Again

By the time Monday rolled around, Zhang Yaqi reported to Tianyu Company. Previously, Zhou Yu’an had already coordinated with Human Resources, so after Zhang Yaqi completed the basic onboarding procedures, she was assigned to the front desk. The young girl had a good appearance and was young, just needing some experience.

Zhang Yaqi changed into her work uniform and followed HR to the front desk in the lobby on the first floor. After the supervisor introduced her to the job responsibilities and colleagues, she officially started her shift.

During the morning, Xia Xiyin sent her a caring message on WeChat. Zhang Yaqi didn’t dare check her phone until just before lunch break, when she finally replied.

Shortly after sending the message, Zhang Yaqi saw her cousin approaching her gently.

“Yaqi, it’s lunch break. Let me take you to the staff canteen,” Xia Xiyin said, then greeted a colleague nearby.

Zhang Yaqi obediently responded with a soft “Mm” and followed Xia Xiyin away.

The two front desk colleagues exchanged glances and then showed surprised expressions.

At the canteen, the two sisters got their meals and found a somewhat secluded spot to sit facing each other.

“How’s your first day at work?” Xia Xiyin asked.

Zhang Yaqi sighed, “My education is too low, and my English is terrible. A lot of things are really hard to do.”

“Every beginning is difficult. Don’t get discouraged,” Xia Xiyin encouraged her. “If you don’t understand something, just shamelessly ask and learn more. I just showed up in front of your colleagues, so they know we’re related. They probably won’t make things hard for you. Also, if you’re sweet-talking and willing to take on tasks, people will be happy to teach you.”

Zhang Yaqi listened attentively and said with determination, “Sis, I understand. I’ll do as you say. I won’t embarrass you or my uncle.”

“Don’t talk about embarrassment. If you work with heart and don’t slack off, you won’t do badly,” Xia Xiyin said, then changed the subject. “Alright, let’s eat.”

At a distant table, Shen Wei and her close colleague Fu Yunyun retracted their gaze.

“I heard she’s her sister,” Fu Yunyun whispered.

Shen Wei sneered, “When one person succeeds, the whole pack rises. She’s fast—just a few days in, and she’s already arranged for her own relative to join. Shameless.”

Fu Yunyun, seeing her anger, advised calmly, “Don’t be mad. Isn’t she the president’s girlfriend now? If she wants someone in, it’s just a word away.”

“Which university did her sister graduate from?” Shen Wei asked darkly, as if plotting trouble.

Fu Yunyun curled her lips with contempt. “You wouldn’t expect it—only a technical secondary school graduate, and in a useless major. Tsk tsk.”

“In such a huge company like Tianyu, a technical secondary school graduate can get in? Who are they insulting?” Shen Wei said, then glanced toward Xia Xiyin. “Hmph, she likes talking about rules? Then let’s give her a lesson in rules. A technical secondary school graduate as a front desk clerk is a disgrace to Tianyu Group!”

After finishing lunch with Zhang Yaqi, Xia Xiyin walked her back to the front desk, then took the elevator upstairs to find Zhou Yu’an.

In his office, Zhou Yu’an had just put on his suit jacket. Seeing her enter, he said, “I was just about to come find you.”

“What’s up?” She noticed the suitcase standing nearby and asked, “Are you going on a business trip?”

Zhou Yu’an hugged her and replied, “There’s an urgent issue at the branch in the capital city. I have to go handle it, probably for three or four days. Stay home and behave while I’m gone.”

“Ah? You’re leaving so soon...” Xia Xiyin hadn’t expected him to leave so quickly and felt a bit reluctant. She reminded him, “Take care of yourself there. Eat on time and rest well.”

Zhou Yu’an said, “Hai Bo is taking care of me, so don’t worry. But you, with Xiao Man out early and back late, you mustn’t just get by with meals. Take pictures of what you eat and send them to me.”

Xia Xiyin laughed and teased, “Do I have to clock in for meals now? I promise I’ll eat well and sleep early. I won’t make you worry.”

“Good girl,” he said, cupping her face and kissing her firmly on the lips.

Xia Xiyin wrapped her arms around his waist, swaying coquettishly. “I’m used to having you around these days. You suddenly going on a trip, I won’t adapt well.”

Zhou Yu’an held her, smiling contentedly as they swayed together. “When I finish work tonight, I’ll video call you. If you miss me, call me anytime.”

“I’ll call you tonight. I won’t disturb your work during the day,” Xia Xiyin said thoughtfully.

Outside, Hai Bo knocked on the door. “President Zhou, it’s about time.”

Xia Xiyin stepped out of his arms, tidied his clothes, and the two of them left together, taking the elevator to the underground garage.

Before getting into the car, Zhou Yu’an hugged her one last time, reluctant to let go. “Yinyin, if you miss me, I’ll miss you too.”

“Mm!” Xia Xiyin nodded firmly. “Yu’an, I will miss you.”

Watching Zhou Yu’an’s car slowly drive away, Xia Xiyin reluctantly turned and went upstairs.

In the afternoon, during work, someone posted a message in the company’s employee group chat: “I heard a technical secondary school graduate just joined as front desk staff. How can someone with such low education get hired here?”

Once the message was sent, responses quickly flooded in—expressions of surprise, doubt, and complaints, creating a chaotic stream of comments.

After finishing a meeting, Xia Xiyin saw the messages in the group chat and frowned deeply. How had such a trivial matter about her cousin’s employment been dug up?

While she was pondering, Zhang Yaqi messaged her: “Sis, HR called me over. I’m a bit scared.”

“Don’t be afraid. Just listen to what they say first. We’ll talk after work tonight.”

“Okay, got it.”

Xia Xiyin sat at her desk, arms folded, lips tightly pressed. She knew someone was stirring trouble behind the scenes—targeting either her or Zhou Yu’an, she wasn’t sure.

Normally, anyone arranged by Zhou Yu’an wouldn’t be casually challenged or changed by HR. But now, it seemed different.

“What are you thinking about? So serious,” Yang Lele waved her hand in front of Xia Xiyin’s eyes.

Xia Xiyin snapped out of it and replied perfunctorily, “Nothing.”

“Did you see the group chat? A technical secondary school graduate got hired, and everyone there is losing their minds. If HR can bring her in, those people should consider the real reasons behind it,” Yang Lele said, shaking her head disdainfully.

Xia Xiyin glanced meaningfully at her, then gave a thumbs-up in front of her face. “Sis, you see through it all.”

“Oh?” Yang Lele gripped her hand, smiling with a hint of schadenfreude. “I bet the new front desk girl must be your relative, right?”

Xia Xiyin smiled bitterly and nodded wordlessly.