Chapter 9: "I like you" (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄

Inside the office, Xiaoqi sat silently as Deming also sat down in front of her.

"What did you want to talk about Mr. Choi?"

As they were in the office, Xiaoqi assumed that it was important for from what she told him before, unless it's confidential, it would be more preferable to talk in a private place which lead them there.

Thinking about it, although it's impossible, there might be a chance that he found out her true identity… but how? Unless there's any more other reason for it to be confidential, that reason would probably fit more than anything.

Xiaoqi gulped, expunging the thought from her mind. She shook her head and continued.

"Is there something wrong with my performance? Did I do something that displeased Mr. Choi?"

"No, it's nothing like that. Please don't think too much. I actually called you to negotiate about some matter…"

Xiaoqi lent her ear to him as she listened carefully to what he was going to say. That 'no' that he answered took her attention. That 'no' either meant he was either pleased with her or it has nothing to do with it. Moreover, thinking about this, his words would either mean that she will get a raise, promoted, or that he knows her secret. What else would he say?

The more important thing on her imprinted on her mind, if her secret gets exposed, then she would lose the bet with her father. She quietly hoped that it wasn't the case although she was ready to hear if it was.

"Ms. Xue, let me be frank. I like you."

"Yes…" Xiaoqi responded dejectedly without even thinking twice leaving her shocked after realizing what he said.

"What? Come again?" Xiaoqi asked somewhat flustered as her heart fluttered for the moment.

"Oh, I meant I like the way you do things. I can see that you handle things differently than the other employees. The way you speak, explain, and critique things are exemplary. Although you've only worked for a few days, your performance was commendable and you've done quite a lot of progress…"

Deming's praise was one thing for Xiaoqi; it felt great to be praised by someone who you got your eyes on, but telling her the three words 'I like you' which almost caused a misunderstanding made her more disappointed than pleased.

"…that said, I have a proposal for you. I want you to be my personal assistant."

"Me? Your personal assistant?"

"You don't have to worry about the pay; I would guarantee that you'll be paid handsomely. This is the written contract, you can check it and tell me if there's anything that doesn't go well with you,"

Deming handed her the contract which Xiaoqi scanned through immediately. Meanwhile, Deming on the other hand, despite telling her to tell him anything she wants to change or add in the contract, already anticipated that if there was ever she wanted to change, it would be the salary.

Deming had this thought as that raining day, he saw her take the money willingly seeing a cheque with a 10,000 Yuan worth on money written in it. However, even with disappointment, he still told her to become his assistant. But why?

On the other hand, Xiaoqi stopped at a particular part after seeing that she will receive an amount worth a hundred thousand Yuan a month. The pay in the company as a normal employee was less than half of what was offered there. What's more, she won't need to work part-time jobs anymore. With this, she would soon complete that million before the year ends and take back what should be hers. As she indulged herself thinking about the thought, the only thing that would be missing after completing that amount of money would be a man, who would also love her back. That in thought, she looked at Deming reflexively.

"Is there any problem with the contract Ms. Xue?"

"Huh? No… it's good, it's great. I accept your conditions; I'll sign the papers now."

"Are you sure you don't have any conditions of yours Ms. Xue? You can tell me anything."

Deming assured her, but she doubts it. If you write it on a contract to have him become hers if she agrees to be his personal assistant would only happen in movies. That being said, she quickly eradicated the thought and continued with the contract.

"The conditions are good and the pay is promising already, I need nothing more."

Xiaoqi closed the folder with the contract in it and put the pen on top of it as she was done signing everything that needs to be signed.

"Alright. Starting tomorrow, you'll be working here. I'll inform your manager, so you don't have to worry about the other things and just come to this office tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Mr. Choi."

"Alright, you may go now. I'll be expecting to see you here tomorrow,"

"Then, I'll go first. Please take care, Mr. Choi."

("Money~ Money~ Money~ Freedom, here I come!")

Her mind chanted as she walked away happily forgetting any other though she had in her mind. More than anything, getting away from being chained and chasing freedom would be better.

Xiaoqi left the office using the employee's elevator and went back to the office. To her surprise she saw her desk occupied with files which weren't there before.

With one look, she knew it already. So this was their way to ruin her day. They actually dumped their works to her, how dare they do that. Xiaoqi got annoyed and was about to confront them, thankfully, she remembered that she won't be there starting tomorrow which calmed her down and made her glee.

Putting up with them professionally was actually worth it. She smirked as she walked her way through.

"She's so arrogant, I can't believe she's acting like that already after being praised by Mr. Choi just once…"

"She must've a lot of time to spare that she comes and goes anywhere she wants"

"Yeah right,"

Words traveled as she went back to her seat.

('Ugh, really? Can't they just stop their mouth from speaking ill of others? People should learn to mind their own business. They're the ones who look freer for talking instead of working')

"Ughhh!!" Xiaoqi got a a bit infuriated after being soaked by spilled coffee on her dress.

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Who in the world would dare to spill coffee towards me? Do you know who I am?... Well, I guess no one does for the moment… but just you wait! How dare you treat me this way!?