Building a Nest to Attract a Phoenix

The invisible smoke of war from the Board of Directors meeting seemed to still linger in the Top Floor Corridor.

Leaving the Small Meeting Room, Zhao Chen led Su Wantang into the office that symbolized Henglong's highest authority.

This was Su Wantang's first time here.

It was also Zhao Chen's first time here in this life.

Spacious and luxurious, with the layered scenery of Shan City beyond the enormous Floor-to-Ceiling Window, the Rosewood Desk was imposing and stately. Everything still bore Zhao Jianguo's strong personal mark—

An excessively grand layout, somewhat ostentatious decorations, and an unquestionable air of oppression.

Chen Xi had entered ahead of them and was swiftly and methodically arranging the basic office supplies Zhao Chen might need, file racks, and her own Laptop on the Auxiliary Desk by the window.

Her movements were crisp and precise, as though she had rehearsed them countless times in her mind.

Zhao Chen walked behind the broad desk but did not sit down immediately.

His fingers brushed across the polished desktop. It felt cold to the touch.

In his Previous Life, he had sat here countless times, issuing orders.

He raised his eyes toward Chen Xi, who was adjusting the chair height, and said, "Teacher Chen, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you from here on out."

Chen Xi paused, turned around, and pushed up her glasses.

Her gaze behind the lenses was calm and professional, carrying the pure focus of someone who had entered work mode.

"President Zhao," she corrected him clearly, "In a work setting, please call me 'Assistant Chen' or 'Chen Xi.' Calling me 'teacher' blurs the boundaries and is not conducive to establishing the necessary workplace hierarchy and efficiency."

There was not the slightest trace of joking or politeness in her tone—only complete calmness and professionalism.

Zhao Chen was briefly taken aback, then nodded readily. "All right, Assistant Chen."

He walked around the desk and sat down, testing the height of the Chair Back as he adjusted it.

"As for compensation, my initial thought is a monthly salary of twenty thousand, plus Year End performance bonuses. Your abilities are worth that price."

Chen Xi had already returned to her seat and opened her computer. Hearing this, she shook her head.

"Ten thousand for now. I just left the school. Taking a salary far above market rate right away would be too conspicuous. It could easily invite criticism and make things difficult for you.

Once the work is on track and I've demonstrated irreplaceable value, we can discuss it then."

She had considered it very practically, perhaps even too much from Zhao Chen's perspective.

Zhao Chen looked at her but did not insist.

He understood that for someone like Chen Xi, trust, a stage, and a shared goal mattered far more than the initial salary figure.

"Then, Assistant Chen, your first task." Zhao Chen leaned forward slightly, his tone turning serious.

"Keep a close eye on the Finance Department, especially Lin Wanqing. The Two Hundred Thirty Million from the Board of Directors meeting is only the beginning.

I want to know what method she'll use next, and from which pocket she'll pull money to plug this hole. I want to know about every possible movement of funds the moment it happens."

His eyes sharpened.

"Also, compile contact lists and recent communication records for all Suppliers and major Partner Banks. Stabilizing morale is the top priority right now.

Tell Liu Mingyu to work with Lawyer Zhang... no, Director Zhang. Before the end of the workday today, they must issue an official announcement regarding the company's management restructuring and operational stability."

"Understood." Chen Xi's fingers were already flying across the keyboard as she rapidly recorded the key points.

"I'll establish channels for financial monitoring. For communication with Suppliers and banks, I'll organize the priorities and key talking points for your review. I'll contact Secretary Liu and Director Zhang immediately regarding the announcement."

The speed at which she entered work mode was astonishing.

Su Wantang sat quietly on the Sofa against the wall, watching the scene unfold before her.

She watched Zhao Chen rapidly shift roles and issue orders with a steadiness beyond his years.

She watched Chen Xi receive those orders with precision, without the slightest hesitation.

There was a peculiar tacit understanding between them. They needed few words; instructions and execution flowed seamlessly together.

This office, which had made her feel so oppressed and alienated, seemed to be quietly changing its atmosphere because of these two people.

Most of the time, her gaze rested on Zhao Chen.

She watched him frown as he read the urgent documents Chen Xi had quickly found; watched him give brief, forceful instructions while answering internal calls; watched his calm profile as he faced the complicated reports on the computer screen...

The youthful awkwardness that belonged to a young boy was rapidly worn away beneath the weight of immense responsibility and countless affairs, revealing a focused and powerful core that made her heart tremble.

But she also saw the small gesture of him rubbing his brow. She saw the fleeting moment when he leaned back against the Chair Back and closed his eyes while Chen Xi was out coordinating matters.

Heartache rose within her, fine and dense.

She knew this was only the beginning.

For a long time to come, he would be like a spinning top, lashed into motion by countless matters.

She could not offer much professional help, but at the very least... she could keep him from being distracted by trivial things.

A thought quietly took root in her heart: from now on, she should cause him less trouble.

If possible, she could bring him meals more often.

In such a huge company, he could not possibly be denied even a peaceful meal.

For the entire day, Zhao Chen was practically nailed to the office and the neighboring Small Meeting Room.