“Manager Zhao, what brings you here?”
As Zhao Mingquan entered with two people, a woman walked out from inside.
She wore a pink women’s suit. While the color was typically associated with youthfulness and cuteness, on her, it exuded a subtle air of heroism. Paired with her sky-high heels, she possessed a commanding presence.
“Tong Mei, it’s good you’re here.” Zhao Mingquan smiled amiably.
“I’ve brought a child to help you out. Let me introduce you.”
Upon hearing this, Tong Mei’s initially good mood soured.
Her gaze shifted slightly, looking behind Zhao Mingquan.
The moment Qiu Xi’s face appeared, Tong Mei’s expression immediately fell.
Every year, they sent someone over. If they had any real talent, it would be manageable.
But ever since she took over, none of the people sent were any good.
Now, with another one arriving at such a critical juncture before the Lunar New Year, wasn’t this just asking for trouble?
“Manager Zhao, didn’t they always send people after the New Year in the past?”
Tong Mei narrowed her eyes and took a few glances. “Why has the year not even passed, yet the person has already arrived?”
Zhao Mingquan glanced at Jin Qiong and Qiu Xi behind him, then walked closer to Tong Mei.
He lowered his voice. “It’s because the higher-ups made a small change this year. Their training base conducted an assessment earlier, so they sent the talent over ahead of schedule.”
“...And we’re considered fortunate. We actively vied for this opportunity. I heard from the higher-ups that this one is considered among the top performers.”
Tong Mei: “……”
Tong Mei continued to mutter, “Top performer? I think she’s more suited for mopping the floor…”
She had heard this same line for three consecutive years. Every time, it was the same.
In the beginning, she was still willing to accept it. But after a long time, even the best mood had long since vanished.
If this matter wasn’t reformed soon, it probably wouldn’t last much longer.
Seeing Tong Mei zoning out, Zhao Mingquan quickly continued.
“Alright, I’ve delivered the person to you. These things are unavoidable, so I’ll have to trouble you to take extra care of her.”
“……”
Seeing that she had no more to say, Zhao Mingquan retreated.
“Ms. Jin, you come,” Zhao Mingquan led Jin Qiong, preparing to introduce both parties.
“Let me introduce you. This is the head of this department, and she will also be responsible for mentoring the students. Her name is Tong Mei.”
“Tong Mei, this is Jin Qiong, a teacher in charge at the training base, and this is Qiu Xi.”
Tong Mei took another few glances, then sternly and formally said,
“Hello, I am Tong Mei.”
“Hello, Jin Qiong.”
Their hands met lightly, and thus, they were introduced.
Zhao Mingquan, standing beside them, let out a sigh of relief.
Finally, he had handed the person over.
He was actually grateful to the higher-ups for not announcing this news in advance. Otherwise, he would have had to nag Tong Mei about this for a long time. It was too exhausting!
“Tong Mei, I’m entrusting the person to you now. Please handle it properly.”
With that, he turned and left the logistics department.
As soon as he left, Tong Mei stared at his retreating figure, wishing she could bore a hole through him with her glare.
“Minister Tong?”
Jin Qiong saw that Tong Mei was silent, seemingly lost in thought, and decided to speak first.
“Ahem…”
“Ms. Jin, is it? I already know about the situation. If you’re comfortable with it, you can leave the student here for now. We’ll arrange for her later.”
Since it was decided by the higher-ups, even if she had many reservations, she had to comply.
Otherwise, the consequence would be packing her bags and leaving…
With Tong Mei saying that, Jin Qiong found it difficult to say anything more.
The contract was clearly stipulated. Even she couldn’t interfere with others’ work on their own turf. Therefore, she had to listen to what they said and follow their lead.
During the brief moment of Jin Qiong’s hesitation, Tong Mei spoke again. “Ms. Jin, you can rest assured. We will take good care of the student.”
“……”
With that said, what else could she possibly say?
Jin Qiong smiled slightly. “Since Minister Tong has said so, I have nothing to worry about.”
“I’ll go outside and give the student a few more instructions before I head back.”
Tong Mei nodded with a faint, insincere smile. “Naturally. Please feel free to do so. I’ll be busy with my work.”
“This student can find me directly later.”
“Alright, thank you for your trouble.”
Jin Qiong nodded and led Qiu Xi to the doorway.
As the two turned to leave, Tong Mei’s smile immediately vanished. Her expressionless face was quite startling.
“Xiao Xi, since that’s what they said, Teacher Jin has brought you this far.”
She had originally considered making some arrangements, but now, there was nothing more to say.
Qiu Xi understood. “Teacher Jin, please don’t worry and go back. I’ll stay here and adapt on my own. It will be fine.”
“Mmm, I know you’re excellent. But I saw Manager Zhao’s expression during his conversation with Minister Tong just now. She probably doesn’t like the children who come here to learn. You need to be careful!”
It wasn't that she would be deliberately difficult, but perhaps she would receive less attention.
However, she felt that Qiu Xi should have no problem dealing with such situations.
Besides, if she thought about it, sending children out to learn was precisely for these experiences. Only then could they achieve the desired results.
“Don’t worry about this, Teacher Jin. I’m confident in myself.”
Qiu Xi had noticed what Teacher Jin had said. She would see what happened later.
“Good!”
“Then I’ll be going back. You handle it as you see fit. If you have any problems, call any of us teachers.”
Qiu Xi smiled and nodded. “Alright, I’ve noted it all down.”
“Good, then I’m leaving.”
“Alright, goodbye Teacher Jin.” Qiu Xi watched the person turn to leave and waved her hand.
“Alright, you can go in now.”
“Okay.”
Watching the elevator doors close, Qiu Xi turned and walked into the logistics department behind her.
Upon entering, Qiu Xi scanned the area. She then saw Tong Mei, who seemed to be arguing with someone.
After a moment of thought, Qiu Xi walked towards her.
As she got closer, Qiu Xi realized it was indeed a bit noisy, but it wasn’t an argument as she had imagined. Instead, her future supervisor was lecturing someone unilaterally.
The few people beside her had their heads bowed low.
Qiu Xi didn't want to stand behind them eavesdropping. So, as she approached, she spoke directly.
“Minister Tong, I’m done over here. I’ve come to report to you.”
That was how she should say it. After all, she was just a new recruit coming to report to her.
“……”
The small area with three or four people suddenly fell silent.
Tong Mei, who had been muttering and still somewhat angry, paused when she was called.
On her turf, no one had ever dared to come and report something while she was lecturing.
If someone did, it was either an urgent matter, or they were bold enough to be scolded along with the others!
The former was not uncommon. As for the latter, it hadn't happened since the first three months after she took office.
This newcomer was quite reckless.
Meanwhile, the two girls who were being lectured beside Tong Mei now had their eyes wide open.
Who was this person?
How could she be so brave?
Standing before her was Tong Mei!
She never reasoned with anyone when she lectured!
!!!
Their lucky star for today!
It had to be her!
When the two looked up and noticed Qiu Xi behind them, their expressions of joy froze.
This… isn’t this the person Manager Zhao brought over earlier?
As a newcomer, wouldn't she be scolded until she cried?
They knew that anyone personally brought by Manager Zhao, any experienced employee could figure out with a little thought that this was another student sent by the training base.
Furthermore, after their minister had been chatting for so long and then turned around with a dark expression, it further confirmed their suspicions.
This girl, a pretty girl at that, was a student from the training base.
No one knew why the batch of students had come so early this time, more than a month ahead of schedule. The Lunar New Year hadn't even passed, yet the people had arrived… It wasn't surprising that their minister was angry.
The people who had come before truly couldn’t catch their minister’s eye, especially since they were so good-looking…
Looking at this one now, they could already imagine her crying every day in the future.
How miserable!
Such a beautiful girl falling into their minister's hands, wouldn't she be worn out or stripped of her skin?
As they thought about it, their expressions became increasingly strange, drawing Qiu Xi’s attention for quite some time.
These two were quite peculiar. Judging by their expressions, they seemed to be people who relied heavily on their imagination.
“Enough!”
“You two, do as I said. I’ll check on it later. If it’s still not up to par, you don’t get to go home today. You’ll work overtime until tomorrow morning, and it must be done!”
“Yes!”
“Sister Tong, we’ll fix it immediately!”
With that one sentence, the two girls, whose souls had already drifted away, were jolted back. Trembling, they didn’t even lift their heads and immediately began to make corrections.
Seeing this scene, Qiu Xi was first confused, then acted as if nothing had happened.
They hadn't even started interacting yet. She couldn't jump to conclusions. She would take it slow.
……
“As for you, what was your name again?” Tong Mei looked at the pretty young girl in front of her, her brow furrowed even deeper.
Another troublemaker!
“Qiu Xi.” Qiu Xi looked at Tong Mei calmly and nodded.
“Qiu Xi, alright!”
“Follow me.”
With that, she strode out.
Her sky-high heels made no sound as she walked, step by step. Qiu Xi watched from behind in amazement.
……