Chapter 002 Taking Office

At 9:00 on Monday morning, a handsome young man walked into the lobby of the Beijing Guomao Building. He stood in front of the floor directory, which clearly indicated that the entire 16th floor was occupied by IIC.

"Wow, they really have a lot of money to rent a whole floor at Guomao."

The young man thought to himself. He was James, who had just returned to Beijing last weekend. He had spent the weekend meeting relatives and hanging out with friends, and now he was facing his first official work day. As he watched the beautiful office ladies walking back and forth, a slight smile appeared on his lips. "Hello, ladies, I'm here."

James entered the elevator, which was crowded with eight or nine people due to the busy work hours. The narrow space was filled with the scent of high-end women's perfume. In front of him was a young woman in a gray suit, with her back facing him. The reflection of her elegant face was faintly visible on the shiny elevator door. As he looked at the woman in front of him, he couldn't help but notice her curvy figure accentuated by the narrow skirt. "What a perfect butt, I really want to squeeze it to my heart's content."

As the elevator reached the 16th floor, James lightly tapped the woman's right shoulder with his left hand. At the same time, as the woman turned to the right, he firmly pinched her buttocks. Almost simultaneously, he had already stepped out of the elevator from the left side of the woman. "Haha, that felt good!"

Feeling the softness of the woman's buttocks still lingering on his hand, he went to the front desk to inquire about the location of the general manager's office. He needed to report for duty.

Behind the desk in front of the general manager's office sat a beautiful female secretary, who was in her twenties. "Hello, I'm James, here to report for duty."

"Oh, hello."

The female secretary raised her head, revealing a charming smile. "My name is Bella Liu, I'm the personal assistant to Ruby Wang, the general manager of IIC China. She's waiting for you."

"Thank you."

After Bella Liu announced his arrival, James knocked on the door and entered the spacious general manager's office. He was taken aback, not because there was a woman sitting behind the huge desk, but because the woman was incredibly beautiful.

She couldn't be more than thirty years old, with thick black hair tied up, a delicate face with a hint of makeup, a cherry-like mouth that opened and closed, captivating eyes, and an overall aura of subtle elegance and intelligence that made it impossible to look away. "You're three minutes late."

The woman behind the desk spoke. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

James finally came back to his senses. "I said you're three minutes late."

The woman stood up and extended her right hand. James hurried over and shook her hand. "Such a tender little hand, so white and smooth."

James really didn't want to let go of it, until the woman withdrew her hand on her own.

"I'll just call you James, if that's okay."

"Please, James, take a seat. Punctuality is the least a man can do, and you couldn't even manage that. I'm very disappointed. Your first impression is not good."

The woman said with a blank expression. But James didn't listen at all. "Ruby Wang, Ruby Wang, such a nice name, it suits her. There's a singer with the same name, right? What a big chest she has, probably 35D, no, at least 35E."

He kept repeating in his mind, and his eyes were fixed on Ruby Wang's chest, which was pushed up by her clothes.

"James, are you even listening to me?"

Ruby Wang said with some dissatisfaction. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away because I was scolded on my first day. I'm a bit nervous."

James quickly apologized. "You can just call me James."

"No need, James, we're not that close."

After Bella Liu informed him, James knocked on the door and entered the wide general manager's office. He was taken aback, not because there was a woman sitting behind the huge desk, but because the woman was incredibly beautiful.

She couldn't be more than thirty years old, with thick black hair tied up, a delicate face with a hint of makeup, a cherry-like mouth that opened and closed, captivating eyes, and an overall aura of subtle elegance and intelligence that made it impossible to look away. "You're three minutes late."

The woman behind the desk spoke. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

James finally came back to his senses. "I said you're three minutes late."

The woman stood up and extended her right hand. James hurried over and shook her hand. "Such a tender little hand, so white and smooth."

James really didn't want to let go of it, until the woman withdrew her hand on her own.

"I'll just call you James, if that's okay."

"Please, James, take a seat. Punctuality is the least a man can do, and you couldn't even manage that. I'm very disappointed. Your first impression is not good."

The woman said with a blank expression. But James didn't listen at all. "Ruby Wang, Ruby Wang, such a nice name, it suits her. There's a singer with the same name, right? What a big chest she has, probably 35D, no, at least 35E."

He kept repeating in his mind, and his eyes were fixed on Ruby Wang's chest, which was pushed up by her clothes.

"James, are you even listening to me?"

Ruby Wang said with some dissatisfaction. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away because I was scolded on my first day. I'm a bit nervous."

James quickly apologized. "You can just call me James."

"No need, James, we're not that close."

After Bella Liu informed him, James knocked on the door and entered the wide general manager's office. He was taken aback, not because there was a woman sitting behind the huge desk, but because the woman was incredibly beautiful.

She couldn't be more than thirty years old, with thick black hair tied up, a delicate face with a hint of makeup, a cherry-like mouth that opened and closed, captivating eyes, and an overall aura of subtle elegance and intelligence that made it impossible to look away. "You're three minutes late."

The woman behind the desk spoke. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

James finally came back to his senses. "I said you're three minutes late."

The woman stood up and extended her right hand. James hurried over and shook her hand. "Such a tender little hand, so white and smooth."

James really didn't want to let go of it, until the woman withdrew her hand on her own.

"I'll just call you James, if that's okay."

"Please, James, take a seat. Punctuality is the least a man can do, and you couldn't even manage that. I'm very disappointed. Your first impression is not good."

The woman said with a blank expression. But James didn't listen at all. "Ruby Wang, Ruby Wang, such a nice name, it suits her. There's a singer with the same name, right? What a big chest she has, probably 35D, no, at least 35E."

He kept repeating in his mind, and his eyes were fixed on Ruby Wang's chest, which was pushed up by her clothes.

"James, are you even listening to me?"

Ruby Wang said with some dissatisfaction. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away because I was scolded on my first day. I'm a bit nervous."

James quickly apologized. "You can just call me James."

"No need, James, we're not that close."

After Bella Liu informed him, James knocked on the door and entered the wide general manager's office. He was taken aback, not because there was a woman sitting behind the huge desk, but because the woman was incredibly beautiful.

She couldn't be more than thirty years old, with thick black hair tied up, a delicate face with a hint of makeup, a cherry-like mouth that opened and closed, captivating eyes, and an overall aura of subtle elegance and intelligence that made it impossible to look away. "You're three minutes late."

The woman behind the desk spoke. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

James finally came back to his senses. "I said you're three minutes late."

The woman stood up and extended her right hand. James hurried over and shook her hand. "Such a tender little hand, so white and smooth."

James really didn't want to let go of it, until the woman withdrew her hand on her own.

"I'll just call you James, if that's okay."

"Please, James, take a seat. Punctuality is the least a man can do, and you couldn't even manage that. I'm very disappointed. Your first impression is not good."

The woman said with a blank expression. But James didn't listen at all. "Ruby Wang, Ruby Wang, such a nice name, it suits her. There's a singer with the same name, right? What a big chest she has, probably 35D, no, at least 35E."

He kept repeating in his mind, and his eyes were fixed on Ruby Wang's chest, which was pushed up by her clothes.

"James, are you even listening to me?"

Ruby Wang said with some dissatisfaction. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away because I was scolded on my first day. I'm a bit nervous."

James quickly apologized. "You can just call me James."

"No need, James, we're not that close."

After Bella Liu informed him, James knocked on the door and entered the wide general manager's office. He was taken aback, not because there was a woman sitting behind the huge desk, but because the woman was incredibly beautiful.

She couldn't be more than thirty years old, with thick black hair tied up, a delicate face with a hint of makeup, a cherry-like mouth that opened and closed, captivating eyes, and an overall aura of subtle elegance and intelligence that made it impossible to look away. "You're three minutes late."

The woman behind the desk spoke. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

James finally came back to his senses. "I said you're three minutes late."

The woman stood up and extended her right hand. James hurried over and shook her hand. "Such a tender little hand, so white and smooth."

James really didn't want to let go of it, until the woman withdrew her hand on her own.

"I'll just call you James, if that's okay."

"Please, James, take a seat. Punctuality is the least a man can do, and you couldn't even manage that. I'm very disappointed. Your first impression is not good."

The woman said with a blank expression. But James didn't listen at all. "Ruby Wang, Ruby Wang, such a nice name, it suits her. There's a singer with the same name, right? What a big chest she has, probably 35D, no, at least 35E."

He kept repeating in his mind, and his eyes were fixed on Ruby Wang's chest, which was pushed up by her clothes.

"James, are you even listening to me?"

Ruby Wang said with some dissatisfaction. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away because I was scolded on my first day. I'm a bit nervous."

James quickly apologized. "You can just call me James."

"No need, James, we're not that close."

After Bella Liu informed him, James knocked on the door and entered the wide general manager's office. He was taken aback, not because there was a woman sitting behind the huge desk, but because the woman was incredibly beautiful.

She couldn't be more than thirty years old, with thick black hair tied up, a delicate face with a hint of makeup, a cherry-like mouth that opened and closed, captivating eyes, and an overall aura of subtle elegance and intelligence that made it impossible to look away. "You're three minutes late."

The woman behind the desk spoke. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

James finally came back to his senses. "I said you're three minutes late."

The woman stood up and extended her right hand. James hurried over and shook her hand. "Such a tender little hand, so white and smooth."

James really didn't want to let go of it, until the woman withdrew her hand on her own.

"I'll just call you James, if that's okay."

"Please, James, take a seat. Punctuality is the least a man can do, and you couldn't even manage that. I'm very disappointed. Your first impression is not good."

The woman said with a blank expression. But James didn't listen at all. "Ruby Wang, Ruby Wang, such a nice name, it suits her. There's a singer with the same name, right? What a big chest she has, probably 35D, no, at least 35E."

He kept repeating in his mind, and his eyes were fixed on Ruby Wang's chest, which was pushed up by her clothes.

"James, are you even listening to me?"

Ruby Wang said with some dissatisfaction. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away because I was scolded on my first day. I'm a bit nervous."

James quickly apologized. "You can just call me James."

"No need, James, we're not that close."

After Bella Liu informed him, James knocked on the door and entered the wide general manager's office. He was taken aback, not because there was a woman sitting behind the huge desk, but because the woman was incredibly beautiful.

She couldn't be more than thirty years old, with thick black hair tied up, a delicate face with a hint of makeup, a cherry-like mouth that opened and closed, captivating eyes, and an overall aura of subtle elegance and intelligence that made it impossible to look away. "You're three minutes late."

The woman behind the desk spoke. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

James finally came back to his senses. "I said you're three minutes late."

The woman stood up and extended her right hand. James hurried over and shook her hand. "Such a tender little hand, so white and smooth."

James really didn't want to let go of it, until the woman withdrew her hand on her own.

"I'll just call you James, if that's okay."

"Please, James, take a seat. Punctuality is the least a man can do, and you couldn't even manage that. I'm very disappointed. Your first impression is not good."

The woman said with a blank expression. But James didn't listen at all. "Ruby Wang, Ruby Wang, such a nice name, it suits her. There's a singer with the same name, right? What a big chest she has, probably 35D, no, at least 35E."

He kept repeating in his mind, and his eyes were fixed on Ruby Wang's chest, which was pushed up by her clothes.

"James, are you even listening to me?"

Ruby Wang said with some dissatisfaction. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away because I was scolded on my first day. I'm a bit nervous."

James quickly apologized. "You can just call me James."

"No need, James, we're not that close."

After Bella Liu informed him, James knocked on the door and entered the wide general manager's office. He was taken aback, not because there was a woman sitting behind the huge desk, but because the woman was incredibly beautiful.

She couldn't be more than thirty years old, with thick black hair tied up, a delicate face with a hint of makeup, a cherry-like mouth that opened and closed, captivating eyes, and an overall aura of subtle elegance and intelligence that made it impossible to look away. "You're three minutes late."

The woman behind the desk spoke. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

James finally came back to his senses. "I said you're three minutes late."

The woman stood up and extended her right hand. James hurried over and shook her hand. "Such a tender little hand, so white and smooth."

James really didn't want to let go of it, until the woman withdrew her hand on her own.

"I'll just call you James, if that's okay."

"Please, James, take a seat. Punctuality is the least a man can do, and you couldn't even manage that. I'm very disappointed. Your first impression is not good."

The woman said with a blank expression. But James didn't listen at all. "Ruby Wang, Ruby Wang, such a nice name, it suits her. There's a singer with the same name, right? What a big chest she has, probably 35D, no, at least 35E."

He kept repeating in his mind, and his eyes were fixed on Ruby Wang's chest, which was pushed up by her clothes.

"James, are you even listening to me?"

Ruby Wang said with some dissatisfaction. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away because I was scolded on my first day. I'm a bit nervous."

James quickly apologized. "You can just call me James."

"No need, James, we're not that close."

After Bella Liu informed him, James knocked on the door and entered the wide general manager's office. He was taken aback, not because there was a woman sitting behind the huge desk, but because the woman was incredibly beautiful.

She couldn't be more than thirty years old, with thick black hair tied up, a delicate face with a hint of makeup, a cherry-like mouth that opened and closed, captivating eyes, and an overall aura of subtle elegance and intelligence that made it impossible to look away. "You're three minutes late."

The woman behind the desk spoke. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

James finally came back to his senses. "I said you're three minutes late."

The woman stood up and extended her right hand. James hurried over and shook her hand. "Such a tender little hand, so white and smooth."

James really didn't want to let go of it, until the woman withdrew her hand on her own.

"I'll just call you James, if that's okay."

"I am Ruby Wang, the General Manager of IIC China. Please have a seat. Punctuality is the least a man can do, and you couldn't even manage that. I am very disappointed. Just based on this, your first impression is not good."

The woman said expressionlessly. But Jame H didn't listen at all. "Ruby Wang, Ruby Wang, such a nice name, it suits her. What a big chest she has, probably 35D, no, at least 35E."

He kept repeating in his mind, his eyes fixed on Ruby Wang's chest pushed up by her clothes.

"Mr. H, are you even listening to me?"

Ruby Wang said with some dissatisfaction. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away because I was scolded on my first day. I'm a bit nervous."

Jame H quickly apologized. "You can just call me Jame."

"No need, Mr. H, we're not that close."

Ruby Wang took out a document from the drawer. "I've reviewed your resume. You only have a bachelor's degree, and no work experience. Your major is in information systems, which is not related to investments at all. We are an investment company, and you are the manager of the most important department - the investment department. You have the authority to make decisions on investment projects below three million RMB. Although the amount is not large, you must understand the principle of accumulating wealth. Your several predecessors were senior talents with years of successful investment experience in the United States. I don't know how you gained the trust of the headquarters. Since they sent you, I can only accept it, but I will keep an eye on you. Don't make any mistakes, otherwise I will FIRE you immediately. Now, you can go out and let Bella Liu take you to meet the heads of various departments."

After that, Ruby Wang started looking at other documents, ignoring Jame H.

Jame H stood up, feeling his legs a bit weak. He scratched his head, said goodbye, and walked out. "Damn, such a powerful woman, almost exposed all my weaknesses. Looks like I have to figure out a way to deal with this woman if I want to stand firm here."

He followed Bella Liu as she moved between various departments, but he didn't pay much attention to her introductions. His mind was filled with thoughts of Ruby Wang's mature and sexy face, and how to gain her trust, but he had no results. "Oh well, let fate decide."

Jame H muttered to himself. "What did you say?"

Bella Liu asked from the side.

"Oh, nothing. Bella, does Ruby Wang have a bad temper?"

"No, Ruby Wang is usually very kind, just like my big sister, very considerate of her subordinates."

This made Jame H a little anxious, thinking to himself, "Damn, it seems like she's targeting me specifically, this annoying woman."

As they arrived at his investment department, several employees who were chatting quickly gathered around. Bella Liu introduced them one by one, including a female employee who was quite attractive. One named Amber, twenty-five years old, petite and delicate, probably only 5'4", with a round face that dimpled when she smiled, shoulder-length hair with a slight wave. When it came to introducing another woman named Stella, Jame H's eyes were fixed. With her shoulder-length hair, captivating big eyes that seemed to speak, a plump little mouth that made one want to take a bite, a proud and full chest, especially those long and beautiful legs wrapped in white stockings, she was extremely sexy. She was the most beautiful woman Jame H had ever seen, but she seemed cold and distant, giving off a vibe of keeping people at a distance. Jame H glanced at her resume and learned that the beautiful and delicate girl in front of him was named Stella, twenty-two years old, just graduated from college, and was Jame H's secretary. Jame H imagined how to make this woman his personal possession.

The morning passed without incident, and at lunchtime, Jame H invited his six subordinates to have lunch together. The atmosphere at the table was a bit tense, except for Amber who kept joking with her colleagues, appearing very generous. She smiled at Jame H and said, "Jame, you're not at all what we imagined. You..."

The old Brock quickly interrupted her, "Amber, stop talking nonsense. Jame, don't listen to her, she's just talkative."

"No problem, go ahead. What do you think I should be like?"

Jame H smiled slightly.

"We always thought that such an important position would be held by a white-haired foreigner, but you're so young, even younger than me. If you weren't my boss, you should call me sister."

Amber was quick-witted, but the other colleagues were nervous, thinking she shouldn't joke around with a new boss who they didn't know well. Normally, such a young and capable person would be full of arrogance, and if offended, they might get into trouble.

But Jame H's response completely dispelled their concerns. "Yes, Amber."

Even Amber didn't expect him to call her sister so readily. "I'm just a bit lucky. In terms of experience and ability, not to mention comparing with the senior brothers and sisters, even Stella is not as good as me. So in the company, please help me. In fact, I was born and raised in Beijing, just spent a few years studying in the United States. In the company, I am your boss, but after work, I hope you can see me as a friend. If there are any difficulties, I will definitely help. Even if you make fun of me and make me look bad, I won't bring it to work, I can guarantee that. Also, outside of work, don't call me 'Jame', I'm really not used to it. You can call me 'Longtao', 'Little H', or even 'Monkey', that's how my friends call me..."

"How about 'Little Monkey'?"

Amber couldn't wait to interrupt him. "Okay, Amber can call me whatever you want, just don't make me feel like a younger generation."

This statement amused everyone present, and the atmosphere lightened up.

These employees working in foreign companies, although their treatment seemed good, their previous foreign bosses didn't treat them as equals, sometimes even making them endure the temper of those fake foreigners. Some even had to suppress their personalities because of it. A boss like Jame H, who considered himself a junior and was approachable, was rare to come by. Encountering one now, how could they not be happy?

Happy times always pass quickly, and before they knew it, it was time to go back to Guomao. Jame H and Amber walked at the back, and he gently asked Amber, "Is Stella very introverted? I noticed she didn't talk much at lunch."

Amber glanced at him with her charming eyes. "What's up, Little Monkey, do you have a crush on her? Stella is a famous ice beauty in Guomao, not even a year in the company, and many people have tried to pursue her, but all have been rejected. Do you have a chance? Do you want sister to help you?"

"Hey, Miss Amber, it's still working hours, why are you still calling me 'Little Monkey'?"

"We haven't entered the building yet, what you just said doesn't count? OK, Jame."

Amber pretended to be angry and turned her head away, not looking at him. "Yes, yes, yes, I understand, I was wrong, Amber is too understanding."

"That's more like it."

The new investment department manager is very approachable, young, and not bad looking. This news quickly spread within IIC company, and even some employees from other companies had heard about it.

The work in the investment department is actually quite simple. The five employees first select projects with development value from numerous investment applications, then prepare feasibility reports, and submit them to Stella. She then categorizes and submits them to Jame H, who only needs to review them. If the investment is less than thirty million, as long as he deems it feasible, he can allocate funds directly. However, he is responsible for any loss-making projects. If, after four months, the investment department is not profitable, Jame H, as the manager, will be held accountable. For investments exceeding thirty million, approval from Ruby Wang is required. Occasionally, he also needs to randomly inspect rejected proposals to see if there are any missed opportunities.

As an investment company, it is the one providing funds, not seeking them. This gives Jame H a sense of superiority. One decision of his could change the destiny of a person or even a group of people. Before leaving work on Friday evening, Jame H and his office colleague, Brock, walked to the underground parking lot. They saw Ruby Wang and Bella Liu leaving in a light red BMW 318I. Jame H asked Brock, "Is that Ruby Wang's car?"

"No, it's Bella's."

"Really? How can a secretary afford that?"

Jame H was a little incredulous.

"She's not a secretary, she's a personal assistant. Ruby Wang consults with her on both business and personal matters. She's the most trusted person by Ruby Wang. Besides you and the audit department manager, Zhao, and a few foreign supervisors, she has the highest salary in the company. A 318 is nothing for her."

"Oh, I see..."

Jame H walked thoughtfully towards his brand-new black BENZ SL500. "It looks like I have to start with Bella Liu if I want to get close to Ruby Wang."

A barely noticeable smile crossed his face...

"Blade, I remember you told me last time that someone like you, with connections, could buy a police chief position for just a few hundred thousand, is that true?"

After leaving Guomao, Jame H met with Blade Li, and the two were having a meal. "Yes, what's up? Are you planning to buy one for me?"

Blade Li joked. (Author's note: Adding "丫" after "你" is a unique usage in Beijing, with a disrespectful connotation. However, among close friends, it can also have an intimate color.)

Jame H chuckled and handed Blade Li an Industrial and Commercial Bank card, "There's two hundred thousand in this card. You handle the connections and procedures yourself. I have some money now, and I can't forget about you. We've shared difficulties, and it's time to share the good fortune. I know that since July this year, the issuance of internet cafe licenses has been stopped, and the existing ones have been thoroughly inspected. The standards for passing are extremely high, leaving only about thirty or so in Beijing. This is a promising industry and doesn't require much effort. After you become a chief, the police's stamp on your territory should be no problem, right?"

Blade Li put the card in his pocket without a word of thanks, he didn't need it. "There's no problem on my end, but how are you going to overcome the cultural and business obstacles?"

"Haha, don't worry, my old man is now in the Propaganda Department, in some kind of exchange program with CCTV. I've already obtained the cultural approval. As for the business, do you remember Hu Beibei?"

"The chubby girl from high school?"

"That's her. Her father is a section chief in the Xicheng Bureau of Industry and Commerce. I arranged for a couple of youngsters to satisfy her sexual desires. She naturally asked her father to give me the green light."

"You're a bit cunning, aren't you?"

"How is that cunning?"

"Why the hell didn't you satisfy her yourself?"

Blade Li looked at him with a mischievous smile. "Go to hell, I'm not that desperate yet."

After finishing the business, the two rascals started to chat...