"Yes, President Qin. The Tang family matriarch is already waiting downstairs. Will you see her?"
Zhiyan couldn't quite discern Old Lady Tang's intentions,
but his instincts told him it was related to Tang Keyi.
"Escort her to the reception room."
"President Qin, I hope my sudden visit isn't an inconvenience?"
Old Lady Tang smiled warmly, her eyes brimming with approval as she studied Zhiyan.
"You're too kind, Madam Tang. Please, just call me by my name."
Before the elder, Zhiyan maintained the humility befitting a junior.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Zhiyan, your grandmother and I were like sisters. It's a pity she passed so early—otherwise, our families might have been much closer."
"Mn."
Zhiyan responded neutrally.
He recognized her overtures but refrained from engaging further until her motives were clear.
A habit honed in the business world.
Always keep the upper hand.
Old Lady Tang noted his deliberate reserve and mused inwardly,
This young man is as guarded as a vault.
No wonder he's dominated the business scene these past years.
"Zhiyan, you've only recently returned to the country. Have you had the chance to meet our Keyi?"
she probed.
So it is about Tang Keyi.
Was this the young master's doing?
"We met at Chairman Han's birthday banquet. Coincidentally, we crossed paths again last night at a club."
She scrutinized his expression.
Eyes couldn't lie.
It seemed Zhiyan hadn't developed any particular feelings for her grandson yet.
"Our Keyi has been spoiled rotten since childhood. I hope he hasn't caused you any trouble?"
"No trouble at all."
Just some entertainment.
"Good, good. If he ever steps out of line, feel free to discipline him on our behalf."
Zhiyan detected the subtext.
"Madam Tang, please speak plainly."
"Here's the thing. Keyi is twenty-five now and has never held a proper job. It's not that the Tang family can't provide a position, but we've indulged him for so long that we'd likely go soft on him. Other companies would probably coddle him too. After much consideration, I realized you're the only one in the capital who could truly temper him."
Zhiyan was taken aback.
"You wish for Young Master Tang to work under me?"
"Precisely. What do you think?"
Zhiyan pondered.
She wasn't wrong—in all the capital,
he might be the only one capable of polishing this unruly gem.
Moreover, with the overseas market expansion complete and business thriving,
he'd found himself with more leisure time than in previous years.
Having Tang Keyi under his direct supervision sounded... amusing.
"Since you've asked, it would be ungracious to refuse. Though I worry you might regret it if he suffers any hardships under my watch."
Old Lady Tang nearly clapped in delight at his easy agreement.
"That child needs to be taken down a peg or two. It's settled, then? What position did you have in mind for him?"
Mid-conversation, she produced a resume from her bag and handed it to Zhiyan.
A glance revealed the barest essentials—name, birthdate, alma mater—even blood type and zodiac sign filled out, likely because the page would've looked barren otherwise.
Zhiyan set it aside.
"I've been in need of an assistant since returning. Would this suit?"
"Perfectly!"
Her eyes crinkled with joy.
An assistant! Plenty of opportunities for close contact!
"I'll have him report tomorrow sharp. I leave him in your hands."
Inwardly, Zhiyan smirked.
The young master will likely throw a tantrum when he hears.
Tantrum was an understatement.
"Grandma, I won't go!"
Keyi planted his hands on his hips, lips pursed in defiance.
"I'm creating opportunities for you! Don't be shy—Grandma believes in you!"
Keyi hadn't anticipated this maneuver.
"But I've never worked a day in my life! It'll be exhausting!"
And I especially don't want to see Qin Zhiyan.
"For your future happiness, some sacrifice is necessary."
Sensing his resistance, she played her trump card.
"If you refuse, I'll assume you've given up on Qin Zhiyan. In that case, I'll arrange three blind dates daily—morning, noon, and night. How does that sound?"
Keyi capitulated instantly.
"Say no more. I'll go!"
"Report at nine tomorrow sharp. First day—no tardiness."
"Tsk tsk. I never imagined Grandma Tang would go this far."
"You're not the only one shocked. Even I, her own grandson, am stunned!"
Lying sprawled on his plush bed, Keyi complained to Han Qiuqiu over the phone.
"Weren't you terrified of even seeing Qin Zhiyan before? Now you're bold enough to be his assistant?"
"After interacting with him, I realized he might look intimidating, but he doesn't seem to mean me harm. If he wanted to retaliate, he would've by now."
Keyi's tone grew smug.
"My real concern is—with my stunning looks, what if he falls for me after seeing me every day?"
Qiuqiu's eye twitched.
"You're seriously overestimating yourself."
"It's a legitimate worry!"
"Rest assured. According to Qin Yulin, Zhiyan's practically celibate—never so much as held hands with anyone, male or female. In that regard, you two are alike."
"Excellent! Fellow members of the noble singles' club."
Keyi relaxed.
"Don't you have to wake up early for work tomorrow? Instead of delusions, maybe sleep?"
"My presence alone is favor enough. Expecting me to wake early? Dream on!"
"Sir, who are you here to see?"
The receptionist blushed at the sight of the exquisitely dressed,
breathtakingly handsome young man before her.
Keyi offered a charming smile.
"I'm reporting for duty."
She blinked, slow to process.
This gorgeously attired young master—a new colleague?
"Which department?"
"Department? Not sure. I'm told I'll be President Qin's assistant."
"One moment—I'll contact the executive office immediately."
Soon, Cong Qiao arrived.
"Young Master Tang, I'm Cong Qiao, President Qin's assistant. Please follow me."
Keyi trailed him into the elevator, arriving at the doors of the CEO's office suite.
"President Qin is in a meeting. I'll introduce you later."
"Where's my office?"
Keyi glanced around.
"Apologies, Young Master Tang. Assistants don't have private offices."
Cong Qiao gestured to the desk outside the CEO's door.
"This is your workstation. Your ID badge and manual are already prepared."
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