Charity Gala
It took Qin Ran over three hours to get ready, and that was with a relatively simple look. Yu Shuman, on the other hand, was still getting her more elaborate styling done. After finishing her makeup, Qin Ran went next door where Yu Shuman was getting dressed in her gown and having her hair styled.
Since it was a charity gala, which was a more formal event, both Yu Shuman and Qin Ran wore appropriately formal attire. Qin Ran opted for her usual combination of a top and pants—loose, straight-cut pants with a clear drape that enhanced her height, paired with high heels, and completed the look with a beige long trench coat and a clutch, giving off a strong business vibe.
Yu Shuman's outfit leaned more toward an evening gown style. She wore an off-the-shoulder long-sleeve dress, with a layered leaf-patterned skirt. The base skirt reached mid-thigh, with layers of leaf-like fabric spreading out over it. Her hair was styled in a simple updo, secured with a hairpin at the back of her head, adorned with pale pink silk flowers and a matching ribbon that trailed down the back of her head.
When Qin Ran entered, Yu Shuman couldn't move due to her hair being styled, so she could only blink at her in the mirror. Qin Ran didn't go further into the room since it was already crowded with various accessories and people. Instead, she said, "Manman, I'm ready. I'll wait for you outside."
"Alright."
After spending so much time together, Qin Ran had gotten used to calling Yu Shuman "Manman," though she still occasionally slipped and called her "Senior."
Since there was still time before they had to leave, Qin Ran settled in the living room, turned on the TV, and started playing a game. Nearly an hour later, Yu Shuman finally emerged from her room, holding up her dress. Qin Ran immediately jumped up like a little assistant to help her with her skirt. Yu Shuman smiled at her and, without any pretense, headed outside.
In the underground parking garage, Yu Shuman noticed that Qin Ran had a new car. She wasn't particularly knowledgeable about cars, but that didn't stop her from recognizing the Rolls-Royce logo in the center of the wheels. She couldn't help but ask, "Qin Ran, did you get a new car?"
"Yeah, Wu Tezhu said I needed to get a nicer car to establish my identity; otherwise, people wouldn't take me seriously." Qin Ran blamed Wu Tezhu without hesitation. When Yu Shuman turned to Wu Tezhu for confirmation, she had no choice but to nod, indicating that it was indeed true.
Since it was a justifiable expense, it didn't count as wasteful spending, and Yu Shuman had no further objections.
The driver opened the car door for Yu Shuman, and after she got in, Qin Ran circled around to the other side, confusing the driver by getting into the backseat herself. The driver looked helplessly at Wu Tezhu, who sighed and waved him to start the car.
Once the driver was seated in the front, Wu Tezhu also took her place in the passenger seat.
As soon as she was in the car, Yu Shuman marveled at the interior, "Is this the starry sky ceiling I read about online?"
"Yeah, when I first saw it, I thought it was really beautiful, but it's also really expensive."
—You weren't thinking that when you bought it.
Wu Tezhu fastened her seatbelt and mentally rolled her eyes. She then heard Yu Shuman say, "It is expensive," though she didn't know the exact price. She had seen netizens rave about luxury cars while browsing online, "I read online that it's quite pricey."
"Yeah, it is. We shouldn't spend money recklessly."
Qin Ran quickly jumped in before Yu Shuman could say it herself.
Wu Tezhu thought to herself, Just wait until Yu Shuman discovers the Pagani Huayra you bought for fifty million, you won't be able to dodge that one.
In the past, when working for wealthy clients, Wu Tezhu wasn't someone who would constantly complain internally. But with Qin Ran, she couldn't help it. Holding back her complaints wasn't possible; otherwise, it might just drive her crazy.
Wu Tezhu worried that one day she might turn into a sarcastic assistant, just like Sister Li. Her face suddenly became serious as she reminded herself that she couldn't let that happen. One sarcastic assistant in the team was enough; she should maintain her cool, collected persona as the "glasses-wearing assistant."
But then again, that persona seemed to overlap with her boss's.
"Let's go."
Wu Tezhu pushed away these thoughts and directed the driver to start the car. Once they arrived at the venue, Wu Tezhu and Qin Ran got out first, with Qin Ran smiling at Yu Shuman through the car window, clearly reluctant to part, "Manman, I'm going in first. Hurry and join me after you've walked the red carpet."
Yu Shuman gently patted Qin Ran's hand, "I know, go on."
Despite their reluctance, Qin Ran adjusted her trench coat and headed inside. November's chill made the short walk to the entrance quite cold, and Qin Ran couldn't help but worry about Yu Shuman, who would have to endure the cold much longer on the red carpet. Today, she wore an off-the-shoulder dress, leaving her shoulders exposed, and Qin Ran worried she might catch a chill.
"I should've prepared some heat packs for her." Though using heat packs in early November might seem excessive, this was her beloved Senior after all, so why not? The weather was cold, and if Yu Shuman got cold, Qin Ran would be the one who felt bad.
Bundled in her trench coat, Qin Ran finally entered the venue, where the temperature was just right. A server approached her with a tray, offering small cups of longan and red date tea that the organizers had prepared to help guests warm up.
Wu Tezhu took two cups, handing one to Qin Ran. After taking a sip, Qin Ran felt the warmth spread through her body, dispelling the cold. She finished her cup and handed it back to the server. Glancing around, she noticed that every guest was drinking a cup upon entering.
In the waiting room, where the air conditioning kept the temperature perfect, the business elites had regained their polished appearances. Not one for socializing, Qin Ran found a quieter corner to sit in and asked a server for a copy of the auction catalog.
Qin Ran's decision to attend the charity auction had been a spur-of-the-moment idea. The invitation had originally been sent to Sister Li, so the auction catalog was with her. Since Qin Ran had forgotten to ask for it, this was her first time seeing the complete list of items for the charity auction.
She skimmed through the catalog, focusing on the diamond jewelry set that Yu Shuman had donated—the same set she had worn the night she and Qin Ran had confirmed their relationship. Qin Ran was adamant that no one else could buy this set. She understood that Yu Shuman had donated it because it held special significance, making the donation more meaningful in raising funds for charity.
But Qin Ran was possessive; she couldn't bear the thought of something so significant ending up on someone else.
No matter what, she was determined to win this jewelry set and had already made preparations to do so.
As for the other items in the auction, Qin Ran wasn't particularly interested, not even in the jewelry, since she had no intention of buying it for Yu Shuman. While the jewelry pieces were beautiful and expensive, they had all been worn by others. Qin Ran might be tempted to bid on raw gemstones, but not pre-owned items.
However, since she was representing 99 Entertainment, she couldn't leave without bidding on anything. After much deliberation, she decided to bid on an antique painting. The starting price was twenty million, and Qin Ran estimated that it could go for around fifty million. In reality, fifty million was already an inflated price due to the charity nature of the event; its actual value was closer to thirty million.
The donor of the antique painting was clearly very dedicated to charitable causes, considering they had donated such a valuable item.
While Qin Ran sat waiting, Wu Tezhu was busy socializing. Some people tried to approach Qin Ran for small talk, but Wu Tezhu intercepted them all. Qin Ran really appreciated Wu Tezhu's work. She was flawless when it came to anything related to work, never making a single mistake.
As they walked side by side, Qin Ran whispered, "I'm giving you a raise."
Hearing this, even the usually stoic Wu Tezhu couldn't hide her delight. Wu Tezhu loved money, and if she didn't, she wouldn't have turned down other high-paying assistant jobs to become Qin Ran's personal assistant.
Qin Ran already paid her well, so when she mentioned a raise, it wasn't just a small increase like in some small companies where employees get a raise of two to five hundred every six months or year.
"Thank you, boss."
Wu Tezhu smiled and thanked Qin Ran. When they entered the auction hall, a server guided them to their seats. Wu Tezhu naturally left an empty seat next to Qin Ran for Yu Shuman. She had arranged everything earlier so that when Yu Shuman finished her red carpet walk, she could come straight to the seat next to Qin Ran.
Wu Tezhu worked just as diligently for the future lady of the house as she did for her boss, never daring to slack off. Whenever Wu Tezhu read romance novels where the assistants would mock or belittle the future lady of the house, especially those who came from humble backgrounds, she couldn't understand how those assistants kept their jobs.
It didn't matter who the future lady of the house was, even if she was a virtual idol instead of a real person. As long as the boss recognized her as their significant other, the assistant should show utmost respect.
After all, the lady of the house held the boss's ear.
As Wu Tezhu finished her thoughts, she noticed Yu Shuman entering the hall. Led by the staff, Yu Shuman quickly found her way to Qin Ran's side. Seeing the empty seat next to Qin Ran, she smiled at Wu Tezhu, who nodded in return. After Yu Shuman sat down, Wu Tezhu immediately called over a server to bring her a drink.
Turning around, Wu Tezhu saw that the two young women had their heads close together, excitedly discussing the auction catalog. Their voices were soft, but since Wu Tezhu was seated nearby, she couldn't help but overhear their conversation.
"Qin Ran, you mustn't spend money recklessly. You really can't be extravagant, or one day you'll run out of money."
Yu Shuman was proving to be an excellent future lady of the house, already warning the boss to cut back on spending. Qin Ran, being so well-managed, immediately nodded like a chicken pecking at rice and informed Yu Shuman about the painting she planned to bid on. "Manman, I must get this painting, especially since I'm representing 99 Entertainment."
Yu Shuman, being reasonable, didn't object to necessary expenses. She simply replied, "As long as you know what you're doing. Necessary purchases should be made."
Qin Ran smiled and asked if there was anything Yu Shuman wanted. Yu Shuman quickly shook her head, "No need, I have enough things."
Wu Tezhu: Oh my, how could there be assistants who give future lady bosses a hard time? They must be out of their minds! (Looking respectfully at Yu Shuman.jpg)