"Young Master, you mean I can get double the salary?!" Lili was shocked.
Xie Zhuzhou nodded. "Whether you go or not is up to you. You're only going to work for him for three months; it's considered an overseas assignment. Once he finds a suitable assistant, you'll have to come back."
Lili was already incredibly grateful to get three months of fieldwork, especially since it was as Wen Nan's artist assistant—that was something to be very happy about! The young master knew how to handle her!
"It would be a waste of your talents to go over there, Sister Lili."
Xie Zhuzhou's words made Lili blush; this was the first time the young master had ever praised her!
"But earning two salaries isn't easy. You need to help him get back to his original position quickly. After Xiao Nan informs Weili'ang and Wen Nan about the cooperation, you can check the company's internal situation for me, and see if there are any irregularities. If any artists are being bullied, report it to me as well."
The more loopholes you find in this company, the more bonus you'll get.
Of course, the premise is that you cannot reveal your identity; in public, you are merely Wen Nan's assistant.
The fact that his father gave him this company means that this branch can't make money without effort; there's no such thing as a free lunch. His father is testing him.
He didn't actually want to pass the test, fearing that the pressure from his father would increase and influence his decision to give up. But after just one glance at Weili'ang's financial statements, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.
With Chu Yanzhang explaining things to him, he felt even more that the hard-earned silver was slipping through his fingers.
It turns out this company has been losing money all along!
Although he does nothing, he can still use his brain, but it's clearly impossible for him to go to Weili'ang often.
So, he temporarily gave Lili an extra job.
Lili's upturned lips slowly slid down, inwardly cursing the capitalists for being so cold-blooded and ruthless!
"Young Master, I don't think I'm up to the task..."
"I remember that Sister Lili has obtained many certifications, is familiar with the entertainment industry, speaks multiple languages, her father owns a boxing gym, and her mother owns a restaurant... Such a perfect person, I definitely wouldn't want to let you go, but right now I feel that no one is more suitable for this job than you."
The more Lili listened, the more horrified she became. She had initially applied for the job as a maid in the Ji Family only to save her father's boxing gym and her mother's restaurant. The Ji Family was offering her so much that she couldn't bear to give up the job!
The young master has such a good memory! It's also terrifying.
"I understand. I will do my best to live up to your expectations."
Xie Zhuzhou was very satisfied with Sister Lili's understanding. He gave her a kind smile. He could only have one lazy bum by his side; any more than that wouldn't do.
Sister Lili: "..."
Xiao Nan had tried to persuade Xie Zhuzhou countless times, but he always ignored company matters. Now it seems that it's better for the young master to come to his senses and take care of things when he remembers.
"Brother, it's time for you to eat." Chu Yanzhang was like a little housekeeper, always worrying that he wasn't eating enough.
Xie Zhuzhou felt that he had gained three pounds since Chu Yanzhang's eyes recovered!
Every day, she either sends him snacks or takes him out for a nice meal. Now she's gone even further, cooking for him herself! And the best part is that every single dish is to his liking!
"I know! Stop nagging." Xie Zhuzhou didn't realize his voice was a bit loud.
Turning his head, he found Chu Yanzhang standing there looking at him pitifully, his eyes slightly red.
"Say it once, that's enough. It's not like I'm deaf." Xie Zhuzhou forgot he was still angry and was completely unaware that someone next to him was taking advantage of the situation.
Xie Zhuzhou couldn't tolerate others telling him what to do, so Chu Yanzhang's ability to rely on his favor and boss him around was a small success.
The person involved simply didn't realize it.
Seven or eight days after returning from the Hollow City, it was already Lunar New Year's Eve.
On New Year's Eve, we still had to go to the old house for dinner. As soon as we got off the car, the father and his sons were all bundled up tightly and walked slowly, as if afraid of slipping and falling.
It's still snowing today, with rain and snow mixed together, making the ground a bit slippery.
"Father, why did you go even though you dislike Grandpa so much?" Xie Zhuzhou was dressed the least and felt the least cold. He didn't understand; after all, modern filial piety wasn't oppressive, and adultery wouldn't get you thrown into a pig cage.
Ji Wuqiu gently and patiently explained to her youngest son, "When you get back, please offer incense to your grandmother's memorial tablet. Also, one should never forget one's roots. Although the old man is confused now, without his foundation, your father and I wouldn't have had the initial capital. If we postpone things, where would you all come from?"
Ji Wangyun couldn't help but laugh, "Dad, you can only fool my little brother with that. You just want to upset Grandpa, don't you, so he won't have a good New Year!"
Ji Wuqiu glared at his second son. He knew it was fine, but why did he have to say it aloud?
Ji Wangchen straightened the black woolen hat on Xie Zhuzhou's head, "Your hat is really ugly."
"Ugly...? This was a gift from Little Yan, are you saying he has no taste?" Xie Zhuzhou laughed. He also thought Little Yan had no taste and was a bit stupid, actually thinking he was kind, caring, and helpful to Wen Nan, who was blacklisted in the industry!
"Little brother, listen to your brother's advice and eat your fill. That Chu Yanzhang is no good! Wherever that guy is, Dad always uses him as a model to praise. And Grandpa always mentions that kid too!"
Xie Zhuzhou said helplessly, "Second brother, don't you think he's incredibly naive? He actually thinks our whole family are good people, and you even talk badly about him behind his back. You really are..."
Ji Wangyun: "..."
Ji Wangyan thought Chu Yanzhang was hopeless, or perhaps he was just a brainless fan of his younger brother. Her uncle had been having a rough time abroad lately, and maybe this kid was behind it all.
But if he doesn't expose it, will his naive underlings still call him naive once they discover Chu Yanzhang's ruthless true nature?
As they chatted, they headed towards the old man's reception room.
Just then, a little boy rushed out of the gate. He saw Ji Wangchen, Ji Wangyun, and Ji Wangyan, and instinctively tried to stop, but the ground was too slippery.
Thinking he shouldn't run into those three demons, he changed direction, only to find Xie Zhuzhou appearing in the direction he had turned.
"Ahhh--"
Xie Zhuzhou saw that the teenage boy was about to bump into him, so he pulled Ji Wangyun, who was closest to him, to block him. Fortunately, Xie Zhuzhou had enough composure and stood firmly on the ground.
Only Ji Wangyun and his cousin Ji Shanyan were affected; Xie Zhuzhou was unharmed.
Ji Wangyun turned to look at his brother in disbelief.
"You... you're such a good brother to me."
Xie Zhuzhou smiled and said, "You flatter me, Second Brother."
Ji Shanyan: "Why did you all suddenly run out like that!"
Xie Zhuzhou's smile vanished in an instant, his eyes filled with indifference and scrutiny as he glanced at his second uncle's youngest son Ji Shanyan.
"You hit and injured my second brother! Didn't you see his face turned pale?!"
Ji Shanyan, who was habitually preparing to turn the tables, widened his eyes, clearly not expecting that someone would strike first and steal his lines!
"You, you, you..."
"What do you mean, 'you'? You think you're right just because you stutter? You even stepped on my brother's shoe! You stepped on his sore spot!" Xie Zhuzhou stared straight at him. Who isn't a brat at heart?
Ji Shanyan was greatly shocked. He had long known that his cousin Xie Zhuzhou was a bully! He never expected him to be so wicked! He actually dared to speak so openly!
"What? You bullied my brother and you still think you're right?!" Xie Zhuzhou preemptively struck, determined to make a scene; he wouldn't let things slide.