SFL Chapter 30

[Ding! Target Strategy: Gu Zhenzhen.

Current favorability towards the host: 80%.]

“This is a reward,” Gu Zhenzhen told Nan Jinchen, a faint blush appearing beneath the almost invisible fine hairs.

It was the first time someone left a lipstick mark on his face, and Nan Jinchen was momentarily caught off guard. His subconscious hand touched the stamped area.

Gu Zhenzhen grabbed Nan Jinchen’s hand. “Don’t wipe it off. You can’t until I leave.”

Nan Jinchen blinked, looking at Gu Zhenzhen’s delicate lips. The distance between them was so close that even he could see the lipstick. He reminded her, “Your lipstick smudged.”

Indeed, it stayed on Nan Jinchen’s face.

Gu Zhenzhen softly exclaimed, quickly turning away to touch up her makeup, keeping it hidden from Nan Jinchen.

Not understanding the need for secrecy, Nan Jinchen wisely stayed silent.

The rise in Gu Zhenzhen’s favorability indicated her satisfaction with him as a male life secretary. Having a male life secretary proved convenient for him as well.

After fixing her makeup, Gu Zhenzhen prepared to leave for afternoon tea with her girlfriends.

Unlike Nan Jinchen’s fixed work schedule, Gu Zhenzhen held a leisurely position in her own company. She could work or not without affecting the company’s operation, giving her more free time than Nan Jinchen.

Shortly after Gu Zhenzhen left, Lin Mi brought Li Rui over. Upon seeing the distinct and ambiguous red lip mark on Nan Jinchen’s face, Lin Mi’s pupils contracted, momentarily speechless.

“Sir, I’ve completed the handover with Secretary Lin. If it’s okay, I’d like to start familiarizing myself with the work this afternoon,” Li Rui said.

Seeing Li Rui’s enthusiasm, Nan Jinchen, appreciating proactive actions, didn’t discourage him. With Gu Zhenzhen gone, Nan Jinchen immersed himself in work, a stark contrast to when she was present.

Initially puzzled about why Nan Jinchen kept so many staff, Li Rui quickly realized the workload was overwhelming even for all the secretaries and assistants combined. Even he, as a life secretary, found himself extremely busy.

Under Nan Jinchen’s efficient leadership, the entire company swiftly operated with him at the center. Once engrossed in a task, he easily forgot about the passage of time.

With Nan Jinchen’s high-intensity operations, Shen Baiyi had no time to dwell on matters related to him. Her brain absorbed vast amounts of new knowledge, quickly rejuvenating her spirit in the shortest time possible.

When Xu Lin saw Shen Baiyi again, he couldn’t help but be startled, feeling that the person he liked had changed so much in just a few months.

“Senior Xu?” Shen Baiyi noticed Xu Lin’s surprise.

“Long time no see, Yi Yi. How have you been here?” Xu Lin asked with concern.

“I’m doing well. But why did Senior Xu come to our company?” Shen Baiyi inquired curiously.

Xu Lin smiled, “I came here to apply for a position.”

Knowing that Shen Baiyi liked Nan Jinchen, Xu Lin couldn’t sit still after learning she successfully joined Nan Jinchen’s company. He resigned from his previous job and jumped ship to be here.

In the original story, the second male lead also changed jobs for the female lead, but fate was cruel. He watched helplessly as the girl he liked gradually fell into the arms of another man.

Compared to the somewhat inexperienced female lead who needed more refinement, Xu Lin was undoubtedly mature and ready for use.

Feeling Nan Jinchen’s gaze on him, Xu Lin couldn’t help but laugh, “Senior Nan, what are you looking at?”

As outstanding graduates, Xu Lin had interacted with Nan Jinchen before.

The original protagonist appeared quite impressive before succumbing to love-brain. Xu Lin, an excellent talent, had been approached for recruitment, but he declined at the time.

Now, with Nan Jinchen leaving only the female lead behind, Xu Lin eagerly presented himself.

“You came at the right time. I happen to have a project for you. Would you be willing to take it on?” Nan Jinchen smiled, then handed a set of documents to Xu Lin.

Reading through the contents, Xu Lin was impressed. It was a document outlining Nan Jinchen’s plan to expand into international markets, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of products on both domestic and foreign fronts. It was highly feasible.

The dilemma for Xu Lin, however, was that he came here to pursue his girlfriend, not to embark on a business venture.

In a moment of indecision, Nan Jinchen spoke, “I remember that Shen Baiyi, the assistant, also graduated from our school, right? Do you know her, Junior Xu? She has excellent capabilities, and I plan to focus on nurturing her. So, I’m thinking of assigning her as your assistant. Since you both are from the same school, I trust her working with you.”

“Senior Nan, I agree,” Xu Lin agreed.

The thought of Shen Baiyi being by his side and away from Nan Jinchen made Xu Lin somewhat impatient.

Nan Jinchen effortlessly arranged Xu Lin, and though it might seem like using a beauty trap, he was a conscientious supervisor who wouldn’t directly meddle in the romantic affairs of subordinates. Instead, he would create opportunities for them to strengthen their connection.

In a foreign land, the natural closeness between senior and junior would provide Xu Lin ample chances, and if he failed to seize them, it was his own choice to stay single.

Shen Baiyi hadn’t expected to be sent abroad by the company, feeling reluctant to leave family and friends. “I heard it might be several years, and it’s an unfamiliar territory. I’m a bit scared.”

“Isn’t Senior Xu supposed to accompany you? Plus, if you succeed there, you’ll become a key member of the company. It’s a great opportunity. Besides, it’s not like you can’t come back. If you miss home, just hop on a plane. We can always video call,” her roommate reassured her.

“Most importantly, the salary for people working abroad is really high. If it weren’t for the CEO specifying you and Senior Xu, I’d definitely sign up!” Her roommate envied Shen Baiyi’s monthly salary.

Seeing the lucrative compensation for working abroad, Shen Baiyi had to put on a determined face. After all, this high salary was too good to pass up. “I’ll send you things from there. Make sure to work hard at the company. I heard news that salaries will be raised in a while.”

“Salary raise!” Her roommate’s eyes lit up. “How did you find out?”

“Xu Senior mentioned it. He heard it from Senior Nan. I heard that after Senior Nan’s engagement banquet, both Xu Senior and I won’t be able to attend, so we’ll rely on you to convey our gifts,” Shen Baiyi explained.

Her roommate couldn’t contain her excitement. “Before and after the engagement banquet, wow, our CEO must have made such a decision for the CEO’s wife. This is quite a generous move.”

“But as a beneficiary, I must say: we should have such generous moves more often.”

The news of a salary increase subtly spread within the company, and those who thought like Shen Baiyi’s roommate were not few. In reality, Nan Jinchen felt it was about time, considering the proximity to his engagement banquet. The entire company, along with the Gu and Nan families, eagerly awaited this day.

The engagement banquet of Gu Zhenzhen and Nan Jinchen proceeded as scheduled.

Backstage, Gu Zhenzhen wore a red evening gown, her long hair elegantly pinned up. Pearl earrings adorned each ear, and a string of round pearls graced her neck. Her complexion was rosy, radiating an astonishing glow.

The engagement banquet for the Gu and Nan families drew a multitude of guests, mostly business partners of the two families. Before the banquet started, guests engaged in lively conversations in small groups.

If Nan Jinchen wasn’t the protagonist today, he might have joined in as well.

Nan Jinchen’s attire matched Gu Zhenzhen’s elegance, his dignified demeanor adding a touch of charm even in a suit.

Among the guests, there were murmurs of admiration for having such an outstanding son like Nan Jinchen, especially from members of the board of directors who understood his capabilities. They affirmed that Nan Jinchen had not chosen wrongly as the CEO.

“I heard young Nan wants to give the employees a raise, not just a few, but the entire staff,” a shareholder with a small stake in the group suddenly commented.

The voices praising Nan Jinchen from the directors moments ago fell silent. They felt Nan Jinchen was being too impulsive. As a CEO, it was already generous not to think about cutting the subordinates’ income. Giving a raise meant distributing money from their hands, regardless of whether that money was a small part of their dividends.

Many directors believed Nan Jinchen might have become a bit reckless, starting to spend lavishly.

However, with Nan’s father present, the directors didn’t voice their concerns directly, but their thoughts remained unknown.

Nan’s father, having spent his life in the business world, could easily sense the subtle dissatisfaction these old acquaintances had towards his son. Although he didn’t know what his son was thinking, recalling Nan Jinchen’s recent behavior, as a father, he chose to trust.

Ignoring the undercurrents below, Nan Jinchen focused his attention on the other protagonist of the day, his fiancée, Gu Zhenzhen.

In the presence of the assembled guests, Nan Jinchen declared his vows. From a box, he took out a gemstone ring adorned with a large ruby, a serious and solemn expression on his face as he carefully placed it on Gu Zhenzhen’s finger.

The female guests nearby, upon seeing the beautiful gemstone ring, couldn’t help but be captivated by its allure. They were enchanted not just by the charm of the ruby but also by the love it symbolized. Lost in the allure of the ruby, they found themselves envious.

This gemstone ring was clearly crafted with great care, a testament to the love between the engaged couple. The women were entranced by the charm of the ruby and the love it represented.

Amidst the blessings of the crowd, Nan Jinchen returned the seal that Gu Zhenzhen had once given him.

With a “click,” the scene froze as the engaged couple shared a passionate kiss.