HGG - 5

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Chi Zhao pushed the cake toward Song Yi and, unable to suppress his amusement, said, “This is so fun. The way you eat looks just like Shu Wa.”

Shu Wa was the name of Chi Zhao’s cat. Logically speaking, someone like Chi Zhao, if he were to keep a pet, would likely choose a rare and expensive breed. But Chi Zhao had chosen to keep an ordinary tabby cat instead.

Hearing that Chi Zhao’s reason for giving her the cake was because it was “fun,” Song Yi suddenly felt everything made sense: “I don’t think I ever said I liked it…”

“You pause after every bite,” Chi Zhao said with a laugh. “Even though your expression is blank, it’s obvious you’re reluctant to finish it all at once, right?”

She had been completely seen through.

Song Yi hadn’t realized her every move had inadvertently revealed so much.

When the time was right, they all stood up to settle the bill and leave. This meal was on Chi Zhao. After stepping outside, Song Yi opened the car door for Jenny.

Jenny’s smile froze on her face. “I want to ride back in Brother Chi Zhao’s car.”

Chi Zhao showed no fear as he mounted the blue shared bike. “Sure. Then sit on the backseat.”

Jenny was wearing the latest spring dress, her bag and shoes all luxury brands. She was used to having a private car wherever she went.

Riding a bike? Not a chance!

Having just returned from abroad, she was still adjusting to the time difference and hadn’t fully processed the fact that bikes weren’t allowed on airport highways.

Jenny backed down, feeling both embarrassed and angry. “Brother Chi Zhao, you’re deliberately messing with me!”

Chi Zhao shook his head, looking completely unconcerned. “No, not at all. Lately, I’ve been going green. If you don’t believe me, ask my secretary. We always do this.”

As if to prove his point, he tilted his chin upward. “Song Yi, come here.”

Faced with her boss, Song Yi naturally complied. She sat on the backseat of the bike, and together with Chi Zhao, looked firmly at Jenny, using a resolute expression to convey, “We really do this all the time.”

Jenny remained rooted to the spot.

Suddenly, Song Yi thought of something and patted Chi Zhao. “Mr. Chi, you’re the superior. It’d be more appropriate if I pedal for you.”

With that, Chi Zhao got off, and they switched places.

Song Yi was wearing a women’s suit with pants. As Chi Zhao sat on the backseat, he raised a fist and gave Jenny a thumbs-up gesture. “Alright, we’re off!”

Song Yi began pedaling, and the bike sped forward. The wind lifted her hair, and for no apparent reason, her mood brightened. At the same time, laughter came from behind her.

Chi Zhao burst out laughing. In that moment, no one would have guessed that he was already the decision-making president of a publicly listed gaming company.

After riding a few steps forward, they saw the car carrying Zhan Xiaohong drive past. Chi Zhao let out a sigh of relief, stood up, and pulled out his car keys. “Let’s go.”

He twirled the car keys and drove back to the company with Song Yi.

The next day, Xia Fan assigned her the task of dismantling the four-wheel-drive track in Meeting Room Four and reassembling it in the office.

Without hesitation, Song Yi set to work. It was early in the morning, and she happened to encounter many female employees in the lounge.

As Chi Zhao’s secretary, even though her promotion might have been due to catching his eye during the interview by chance, people couldn’t help but have opinions. However, since they often crossed paths, they greeted her politely: “Secretary Song.”

Song Yi nodded in response. Carrying a cardboard box filled with toy tracks, she stood out starkly among them, surrounded by their cosmetics and perfumes.

After walking a few steps, she spotted Zhou Shuhua.

They exchanged greetings, and Zhou Shuhua glanced at the crowded restroom from afar, sighing. “Indeed, everyone is working so hard.”

“Eh?”

“They all want to attend Chongming’s banquet—it depends on who President Chi likes,” Zhou Shuhua joked. “It’s almost like a prince hosting a ball to choose Cinderella.”

Song Yi had never heard of this before. “Isn’t that event only for Chongming’s top executives and industry elites? If he’s choosing a date, shouldn’t he pick someone with strong PR skills, or at least a celebrity or socialite?”

“You don’t know?” Zhou Shuhua asked. “The last time Chi Zhao was called to attend that banquet, he brought Aunt Wang.”

“Aunt Wang?” Song Yi had carefully studied the company roster and didn’t recall any employee by that name.

Zhou Shuhua quickly said goodbye. Song Yi walked ahead pensively, only to find someone waiting for her in the elevator.

Zhan Heqing signaled her to hurry, and with only the two of them inside, it was a perfect opportunity to discuss work.

Zhan Heqing spoke first. “The first thing my sister did when she returned to the country was rant about bankrupting the shared bike company. What exactly did that punk Chi Zhao do?”

Song Yi found it difficult to explain and remained silent for a while before dryly changing the subject. “Do you know who ‘Aunt Wang’ is? An employee at Chongyou? I heard that last time, Chi Zhao took her to Chongming’s high-level banquet.”

Zhan Heqing pondered for a moment. “You mean Aunt Wang, the janitor on your floor?”

Song Yi turned around in disbelief, slowly recalling the kind smile of Aunt Wang, who was nearly fifty years old.

“Chi Zhao took her to Chongming’s banquet?”

“Who told you that?” The elevator doors opened, and Zhan Heqing held the door for her. “Are those female employees daydreaming again?”

Zhan Heqing explained the whole story to Song Yi.

That year, Chongming Games had won the award for “Top Ten Branded Gaming Enterprises of the Year.” Previously, Chongming hadn’t been optimistic about the gaming industry and had suppressed it quite a bit.

At Chongming Culture’s banquets, Chongming Games had never had a place.

Some media outlets targeted Chongming, planning to write related exposés. Upon hearing the news, the higher-ups had unprecedentedly invited Chi Zhao.

Chi Zhao’s stance was clear—he had no intention of attending.

That day, Chi Zhao happened to enter through the main gate when he encountered Aunt Wang, the janitor, and her son.

Aunt Wang’s son was unfilial, always demanding money from her. This time, he had even resorted to physical violence in public.

Chi Zhao turned around and asked, “Is there no one from security?” before stepping in to help Aunt Wang. When he returned to the office later, he found Aunt Wang wiping tears in the restroom.

Upon asking, he learned that it was Aunt Wang’s birthday. Her son had come to see her, and she had naively thought he was there to celebrate with her. Her hopes were dashed, and the disappointment was evident in her sorrow.

By the time Chi Zhao finished his work, it was already evening. On a whim, he bought a cake to celebrate Aunt Wang’s birthday. Meanwhile, his phone was flooded with messages asking why he hadn’t shown up yet.

Zhan Heqing, who had been present at the banquet, confirmed that Chi Zhao had not attended. Zhan witnessed the entire scene as Chi Zhao’s father flew into a rage, and Zhan ended up having nightmares about it all night.

The next day at work, Zhan Heqing said to Chi Zhao, “Your dad is terrifying.”

Chi Zhao shrugged it off. “So is yours.”

With rumors spreading like wildfire, the story grew more exaggerated by the minute. Somehow, by the time it reached everyone’s ears, it had morphed into: “Chi Zhao took Aunt Wang to Chongming’s banquet.”

“Can they not exercise even a shred of judgment when spreading these lies?!” Zhan Heqing complained.

“It’s not entirely their fault,” Song Yi said objectively. “After all, Mr. Chi does tend to act a bit childish at times.”

“You call that childish?!” Zhan Heqing stared at her. “By the way, can you do something about my sister? Aren’t you supposed to be a top graduate?”

The elevator doors opened, and Song Yi stepped out. “The Study of Chi Zhao—I’m still just a beginner.”

Over the next few days during lunch breaks, Song Yi painstakingly reassembled the four-wheel-drive track for Chi Zhao. According to Xia Fan, Chi Zhao loved four-wheel-drive cars and often used them to add tension to report meetings.

Song Yi inwardly complained about his mischievousness.

Finally completing the task, she stood up to wash her hands but ran into Zhan Xiaohong at the office entrance.

Jenny had styled her hair and removed her sunglasses, scanning the area as she asked, “Is Brother Chi Zhao here?”

“Do you have an appointment?” Song Yi instinctively asked. “Sorry, but it’s lunch break now, and Mr. Chi generally doesn’t receive visitors during this time…”

Jenny advanced in her twelve-centimeter heels. “I’ve heard everything. You’re working for my brother, right? Then why aren’t you helping me? Are you deliberately keeping me from seeing Chi Zhao?”

Song Yi frowned internally but kept her expression and tone polite. “Miss Zhan, you’re overthinking this. I’m helping you now. During nap time, Mr. Chi won’t allow anyone to disturb him.”

Jenny was somewhat convinced and decided to leave for the time being.

After seeing her off, Song Yi glanced back and noticed the shadow behind her.

Jenny’s arrival had caused quite a stir, and given her title as the eldest daughter of Chongming Culture and younger sister of Chongyou’s vice president, staying low-key was impossible.

It was noon, and a group of female employees had abandoned their breaks to gather and watch the commotion.

“Secretary Song!” One of them looked at her as if she were a savior, grabbing her and asking, “Why did Miss Zhan come?”

Another chimed in, “Has President Chi chosen her as his date? But Miss Zhan doesn’t need President Chi to attend Chongming’s banquet—she can go on her own!”

This echoed the thoughts of the female employees present.

“Probably not,” Song Yi replied hesitantly.

Noticing the time on the wall clock, she quickly excused herself and headed back to the office.

Chi Zhao was already awake, sitting behind his computer reviewing designs sent over by the design department. His expression was blank as he remarked, “It’s so noisy outside.”

Song Yi handed him mouthwash and a paper cup. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “Everyone seems very concerned about who your date will be for Chongming’s banquet.”

“Hmm?” Chi Zhao tilted his head toward her, his disheveled hair making him look casual and youthful. “Why?”

At that moment, Xia Fan approached the door, about to push it open, when he overheard the conversation inside.

He paused momentarily, waiting to hear Song Yi’s next response.

“Mr. Chi,” Song Yi said, “In my personal opinion, if you don’t clarify your stance soon, the morale and focus of some employees will continue to suffer.”

Xia Fan subtly softened his expression.

A secretary shouldn’t meddle, but neither should they stand idly by.

Pushing the door open, Xia Fan saw Chi Zhao turn to him and say, “Xia Fan, don’t close the door yet. Call those people in.”

Song Yi had seen Chi Zhao deliver lectures before.

He played games on his tablet while going through the motions of giving a speech, emphasizing the need to focus on work instead of daydreaming.

“If you can’t even help me beat this game, then go back to work,” he said grumpily after hitting a roadblock, casually tossing the tablet to Song Yi. “Hold this for me.”

The pixelated character on the screen was stuck at a difficult checkpoint, with little time left. Chi Zhao had already given up.

Song Yi caught the tablet.

As the saying goes, human potential needs to be tapped. In her time as a secretary, she had discovered talents within herself she never knew existed.

Without a word, she glanced at Chi Zhao and smoothly maneuvered the controls to complete the level.

When Chi Zhao finished speaking and took the tablet back, he saw the words “YOU WIN” on the screen. He looked up at Song Yi, hesitating for a few seconds before finally saying, “Good job.”

Seeing Chi Zhao once again absorbed in his game, Xia Fan handed Song Yi the freshly printed banquet materials and reassured everyone, “In such settings, one wrong move could get you fired upon return. Plus, memorizing all those names and details isn’t easy.”

Song Yi flipped through a couple of pages and silently picked up a pencil from the desk.

When Xia Fan instinctively glanced over, she simply explained, “The tenure year of this director is incorrect.”

The office fell silent, save for the sound of Chi Zhao exiting the game and locking the screen.

Casually, he said, “What size do you wear? Go pick out a dress.”