"The company has such good benefits? We can even visit the factory? That's wonderful! Honestly, I have no concept of the products at all, I really want to see!"
Seeing her happy expression, Jiang Jingyu also felt his mood relax.
"Then this system will be kept in the future. New employees will be arranged to go to the factory for training upon joining. If you don't understand, others certainly won't either, it's just that no one speaks the truth."
"You can ask people if you don't understand anything. The people in the technical department are here to serve you. If they are busy, you can ask me too."
Tong An'an thought to herself: As a mere saleswoman, asking the CEO for advice now and then, wouldn't that be a bit too presumptuous?
"Thank you, President Jiang. I understand."
Jiang Jingyu remembered her address and drove in the direction of her residence.
She couldn't let the boss give her a ride for nothing, so Tong An'an diligently recounted several historical anecdotes he had asked about that day.
She was an expert in history, quoting classics from ancient to modern times, and her narration was vivid and engaging.
Jiang Jingyu considered himself well-read and knowledgeable.
However, listening to her speak felt different. Her narrative was engaging, drawing parallels with similar stories, making it truly captivating.
As she spoke, he couldn't help but ask Tong An'an.
"I think your personality is actually more suited for academia. Why didn't you consider teaching at a university?"
Tong An'an told the truth. She had indeed thought about staying to teach, but there were always people more outstanding than her, and the positions were limited, so she wasn't selected.
Actually, this was a euphemism.
The more realistic truth was that those with connections had already secured the positions.
She had no connections, and she didn't know how to network. Just pleasing her advisor wasn't enough.
Regardless, reaching this point was fate. Jiang Jingyu even felt grateful to the person who had taken her spot.
"Are you going back to cook for yourself or order takeout?"
"I just moved in with my best friend. The company treated us to dinner on my first day of work, and I ate with you yesterday. Today, I'll cook."
Tong An'an said, "My family owns a snack shop, so I've known how to cook since I was little."
She had a gentle and refined appearance, making it easy to imagine the scene of her busy in the kitchen with an apron on.
But Jiang Jingyu was quite curious to see it: "Are you a good cook?"
"I wouldn't say I'm good, but at least the food is edible."
At this point, it would be rude not to invite Jiang Jingyu. She did so in a feigned manner.
"When there's an opportunity, I can cook something for you to try, President Jiang."
Jiang Jingyu had been waiting for her to say this and immediately followed up, "How about this weekend?"
"Huh?"
"Didn't you say you'd cook for me? This weekend. Come over to my place."
Tong An'an wondered if Jiang Jingyu had a personality where he acted on impulse, or if...
She couldn't understand.
They had only just met, and as a mere employee, she was being invited to his home...
"So we don't have to work overtime this weekend?"
Jiang Jingyu replied, "Normally, we won't. Overtime will be arranged in advance. Don't worry, if your department needs to work overtime, I won't force you."
In any case, spending time with him was not stressful.
The two walked and chatted, and halfway through their journey, Ma Weiwei called again.
Tong An'an knew that if she didn't answer, Ma Weiwei would keep calling, so she answered.
"What's up, Weiwei?"
"You're on your own for dinner tonight. I'm not coming back. I don't know who told my dad about me being tricked, but he brought my brother over today. They're lecturing me, and it won't be over anytime soon."
Followed by several cries of anguish.
"I'm the victim here! I still have to suffer this scolding. What bad karma did I commit!"
The call ended, and Jiang Jingyu looked over, "What's wrong with your friend?"
"Nothing much. She said she has something unexpected to attend to tonight and might be back late."
A seemingly natural suggestion hung between them, but Tong An'an didn't dare to voice it, and Jiang Jingyu was too embarrassed to say it.
It was too fast. Jiang Jingyu was afraid of scaring her.
Silence filled the car.
After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Jingyu thought again.
What was there to be embarrassed about? Just be as you are and follow your heart. At his age, what was the point of living a life of constant hesitation?
"How about we have dinner together later?"
Tong An'an was startled by him again.
Was eating with her that appealing?
They had just eaten in the morning, and now again in the evening?
Her boss was truly confusing her.
Seeing her surprised expression, Jiang Jingyu said calmly, "It's nothing else. I'll be alone when I go back too."
"I said, it's just that eating with you is more appealing."
Last night, the boss had treated her. Logically, it was her turn today, but Tong An'an's wallet couldn't afford it.
She hesitated, still not daring to agree.
Jiang Jingyu added, "Just consider it overtime work with me, and I'll pay you overtime wages."
This excuse was too convenient, so Tong An'an had no choice but to agree.
The two went to a secluded but elegantly decorated private dining restaurant.
They each ordered two dishes. The waiter meticulously brewed tea, and they continued to chat.
Jiang Jingyu noticed her bag was bulging and asked what she had inside.
"Why are you carrying so much stuff to work? You didn't bring any spare clothes, did you?"
"It's a dictionary. I thought I'd memorize a few words while I was on the bus."
That was a good habit. Jiang Jingyu nodded in agreement.
He found Tong An'an increasingly interesting.
Midway through the meal, Ma Weiwei sent Tong An'an a message, delivering a devastating piece of news.
Her family was worried about her starting her own business and told her to pack her bags and return home to obey their arrangements, starting to go on blind dates and get married from tomorrow.
If she dared to disobey, they would cut off her financial support and let her fend for herself from then on.
Ma Weiwei was heavily in debt and dared not defy her family. She was already being escorted home.
Tong An'an would have to live there alone.
Ma Weiwei's family was considered well-off within Nan City.
They owned two supermarkets, her brother owned a 4S dealership, and they had several rental properties.
This pampered young lady, although renting, was unwilling to compromise on her living standards.
She found an apartment in the Fourth Ring Road, renovated it herself, and then moved in.
For her, although the location was a bit remote, the space was large, the price was not high, and it was comfortable to live in.
But for Tong An'an, who was poor, it was different.
The annual rent of 80,000 yuan was equivalent to a year's salary.
If Ma Weiwei left, she wouldn't be able to afford it alone.
Why was she so unlucky? She had only lived there for two days when something like this happened.
Tong An'an asked when the apartment was to be vacated. Ma Weiwei said, "I paid a year's rent, and I've only lived here for a few months. I can't be bothered to find the landlord to get a refund, so you can stay for now."
"I know you're not financially well-off either. Stay for the full year, and then when you've recovered a bit, you can move out."