She had never had contact with anyone from a fashion publication before, and she wasn't sure if they would change their entire operational style for a small business like hers.
Chen Lishu said to Zhang Bin, "Let's not rush. Yesterday, the store had a great victory. I promised the employees that I would treat them to a meal. It's not too late to discuss this after the dinner.
After the dinner, the company's development also needs to get on track. Then, you'll stay by my side to negotiate contracts. If the fashion publication doesn't work out, we'll have to cooperate with an advertising company."
Seeing that this plan might not be implemented anytime soon, a hint of disappointment quickly flashed in Zhang Bin's eyes. However, he said, "Alright, President Chen. Everything you say goes!"
Just as Chen Lishu was about to discuss the dinner with Zhang Bin, a noisy commotion suddenly erupted from outside the door.
Zhang Bin first pricked up his ears to listen to the commotion outside, then frowned and looked at Chen Lishu, saying, "President Chen, is that the girl you brought arguing with someone?"
Chen Lishu also heard it. As she was getting up to go outside to see what was happening, the office door was suddenly pushed open. Su Nian walked in with a dark expression, looking furious.
Chen Lishu asked with concern, "What's wrong? Why did you walk in with such a sulky face? Who did you have a dispute with outside?"
Su Nian said irritably, "It's Lu Gen!"
Lu Gen? How could these two people, who were not related in any way, end up arguing?
Before Chen Lishu could ask for the details of the situation, Su Nian blurted out like pouring beans: "That Lu Gen was holding a lunchbox outside your office again, saying he was here to deliver food to you!
Madam, you have no idea, but the onlookers have gathered from your office doorway all the way to the lobby. Everyone is speculating about Lu Gen's relationship with you!
At the time, I kindly persuaded him to go back. Putting aside whether you are a married woman, even if you were a single young girl, he shouldn't act like this. Isn't this ruining a girl's reputation? I think this Lu Gen has malicious intentions!"
Zhang Bin chimed in, "President Chen, I'm also a man, and men generally have those kinds of thoughts. Do you need me to help you arrange a talk with this man about dismissing him?"
Chen Lishu stopped Zhang Bin with her hand, thinking to herself that it must be because she had never mentioned to her employees that she was married and had children, which had given Lu Gen the wrong impression!
Dismissing someone just for delivering food once seemed a bit unreasonable. More importantly, this Lu Gen had helped her before. If these things got out, wouldn't it give people the impression of ingratitude?
To avoid making things too unpleasant and affecting the company's image, Chen Lishu simply said, "Go out now and tell Lu Gen to focus all his attention on his work. I don't want any rumors unrelated to work to spread.
Also, thank him for passing by the factory last time and helping to distract those hooligans when I was in danger, which allowed me to escape unharmed.
I have a thousand yuan here. You can hand it over to him, and say it's for nutrition and medical expenses. The hooligans have also received their due punishment, so this matter ends here."
Drawing a clear line between them in front of so many employees would be quite a blow to Lu Gen.
Su Nian was relieved that Chen Lishu didn't have any other intentions towards him.
Her purpose in coming here was not only to ensure Chen Lishu's safety but also to help Commander Gu keep an eye on his wife!
Commander Gu had told her at the time that there were many "toads" outside, and although Madam wouldn't be tempted, she might be affected by them. Now, it seemed Commander Gu was truly prescient!
To avoid the "toads" from persistently bothering her, Su Nian took the thousand yuan, took a deep breath, and with a stern face, quickly walked outside.
Seeing Su Nian appear, a cold glint flashed in Lu Gen's deep eyes. He said, "Miss Su, have my intentions been conveyed to President Chen? How is it? Did she ask me to come in?"
Looking at Lu Gen's confident demeanor, as if he had already secured Chen Lishu, Su Nian sneered and said without mercy, "Madam says thank you for passing by the factory last time and helping to distract the hooligans! You were the one injured, not her, so there was no need to come deliver food!
Also, those hooligans have already received their due punishment, and this matter should come to an end. Here is a thousand yuan as medical and nutritional expenses. Please focus more on your work in the future!"
After speaking, Su Nian took out a thousand yuan and stuffed it into Lu Gen's arms.
The employees who had gathered to watch started whispering among themselves:
"Didn't they say President Chen liked Lu Gen? It doesn't look like she likes him at all, more like she wants to distance herself!"
"I don't think there's anything between them either! What is President Chen's status? How could she like a small employee? Maybe this is all Lu Gen's one-sided wishful thinking?"
"..."
Lu Gen, who had been rejected, listened to the employees' discussions, feeling both embarrassed and angry. He gripped the lunchbox tighter and asked in a low voice, "This meal was made by my mother. My mother said she saw President Chen enjoying it last time and thought this flavor was probably what President Chen liked, so she specifically asked me to bring it today.
I won't bring food next time. Can I come in this time to give it to President Chen? Such good food cannot be wasted, and after all, it's her old lady's kind gesture."
Su Nian cursed him as shameless in her heart upon hearing his morally manipulative words!
Wasn't Lu Gen telling everyone that he and Madam had a good private relationship and had even eaten together?!
Just as she was about to retort, the office door slowly opened.
Chen Lishu had heard their entire conversation from inside the office. Seeing Lu Gen making things worse, she felt it was necessary to handle it herself.
"President Chen!"
Chen Lishu cast a meaningful glance at Lu Gen, then gracefully accepted the lunchbox and said, "Comrade Lu, I'll accept this meal. Auntie's cooking is indeed delicious. As her tenant, I am truly fortunate to have such good food, but please don't bring it anymore in the future; it's too troublesome."
When the company employees heard the word "tenant," they all looked enlightened. That meant these two had no relationship after all!
"President Chen..." Lu Gen tried to say something to bridge the gap between them.
Chen Lishu gave him no chance to speak, instead adopting the air of a boss, her expression stern. "By the way, the company has just been established, and as the Sales Director, you have many things to personally handle. I hope you will focus all your attention on your work. If you do well, you will be promoted.
I still have high hopes for you, a highly educated person. Don't let the employees below surpass you, or it would be a pity to be pushed out.
I'm saying this not just to Director Lu, but to everyone present! Don't just look at the company's good benefits; the competition is also fierce. If you want to stay here for a long time, everyone must work hard!"
"Alright!" The employees who had gathered to watch responded with a unified shout.