Detective Luo had gone abroad for work.
Exactly how to investigate Sara Zhuo was Detective Luo’s expertise, so Xie Qian just needed to handle the formalities for his trip out of the country.
Today was also the first day Zou Weijun officially went to work at “Jinhu”.
The day Zou Weijun returned to the capital, she had barely stepped into her mother-in-law Old Lady Xie’s home when she received a call from Xie Jinghu. Xie Jinghu hypocritically asked about Zou Weijun’s living arrangements upon her return, saying he would have someone tidy up the house.
“No need for you to worry, I will live with Mum.”
This truly caught Xie Jinghu off guard.
“Have you mentioned it to Mum?”
“I have, and Mum welcomes me very much.”
Xie Jinghu choked.
Why had the old lady not told him about this? Who was truly the old lady’s own son?
Xie Jinghu wanted to say more, but Zou Weijun had already hung up.
Old Lady Xie had watched the entire interaction between Zou Weijun and Xie Jinghu without comment, and instead smiled as she asked the housekeeper to help with Zou Weijun’s luggage.
“The room is already prepared. You can stay as long as you like. Do you have any dietary restrictions? Tell Xiaotian later.”
Xiaotian was Old Lady Xie’s housekeeper, quick on her feet and an excellent cook whose food suited the old lady’s taste perfectly. She had been by the old lady’s side for several years now and had long since mastered the Xie family’s preferences. “Sister Zou used not to like ginger or garlic, preferring light flavours. I wonder if living in Chengdu for two years has changed that?”
Zou Weijun smiled. “No change. Xiaotian, your cooking is so good that I love whatever you make!”
Xiaotian smiled with pursed lips and carried the suitcase into the room.
The room had a bed, wardrobe, and dressing table. Fresh sheets covered the bed, all prepared in advance on Old Lady Xie’s instructions.
Having worked as a housekeeper for Old Lady Xie for several years, Xiaotian had no desire to leave. Besides the high salary from the Xie family, she preferred the atmosphere there. Everyone in the Xie family was well-mannered. Whenever they visited the old lady, they were polite to Xiaotian, never bossy. Being a housekeeper was just a job, not servitude like in the old society, yet many employers subconsciously acted superior around their help.
The Xie family’s atmosphere was what Xiaotian liked.
If Xie Jinghu had not cheated, the atmosphere would have been even better. As it was, there was a slight flaw. Xie Jinghu was truly like a rat dropping ruining a pot of soup.
Over these two years, with Zou Weijun and Xie Qian in Chengdu, Xiaotian often heard the old lady sighing.
Xiaotian knew the old lady did not want Zou Weijun and Xie Jinghu to divorce, but that would only leave Zou Weijun aggrieved.
Why had Zou Weijun returned to the capital yet chosen not to live in her own house, opting instead to squeeze in with the old lady?
She must not want to tangle with Xie Jinghu.
Xiaotian could not openly state her position, but after helping Zou Weijun unpack, she handed her a key. “Sister Zou, this is the house key. The old lady does not carry one when she goes out. Now only you and I have keys to the house. Be sure to keep yours safe. If you lose it by accident, just let me know.”
There were only two keys to the house: one with Xiaotian, and now one given to Zou Weijun. No spares.
The housekeeper Xiaotian’s words carried deeper meaning, and Zou Weijun understood. Her smile was sincere. “Xiaotian, thank you!”
“No thanks needed. It is what I should do.”
Ah, Sister Zou truly had such poise.
Xiaotian was dazzled by Zou Weijun’s smile and simply could not fathom how someone who already had a wife like Zou Weijun could still cheat!
The two walked out together. Xiaotian headed to the kitchen to get busy, and Old Lady Xie gestured for Zou Weijun to sit beside her. “Have you decided which department to go to?”
The old lady meant, ideally, the finance department.
Once she controlled Xie Jinghu’s purse strings, he would no longer be able to hop about.
A man without money in his pocket was a tiger without teeth. The women outside were no fools; seeing no cash coming from Xie Jinghu, they would withdraw on their own!
Zou Weijun did not directly answer whether she would go to finance, but instead mentioned what she knew. “I hear that ‘Jinhu’ has recently been sorting financial reports. The accounts have already been gone over once. If I go now, there would not be much point, would there?”
Old Lady Xie’s aged face reddened.
Xie Jinghu’s actions were too petty. Doing this was clearly to guard against Zou Weijun.
“Then what do you want…”
“I want to rotate through positions.”
Zou Weijun clearly had a plan. “I do not understand ‘Jinhu’s’ investment projects or company operations, but I am willing to learn from the basics. Treat me as an ‘intern’. Rotating through positions is common for interns in big companies.”
Old Lady Xie did not press. “As long as you have a plan, that is fine.”
The old lady had originally wanted to ask about Zou Weijun’s work in Chengdu but feared touching a sore spot.
Alas.
It was all because Jinghu had taken the wrong path, leading to the current situation.
Having an undutiful son meant the mother had to desperately make amends. The old lady truly wished she could wait on Zou Weijun hand and foot. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got along very harmoniously, and with the housekeeper Xiaotian adding levity, Zou Weijun’s days back in the capital were quite comfortable.
After two days of rest, Zou Weijun went straight to ‘Jinhu’ headquarters without announcement.
In their circle, it was Mrs Peng who liked checking up on her husband’s post. Zou Weijun did not enjoy such things, but returning to her own company, she felt no stage fright.
The click of high heels announced her arrival, carrying an air of two metres and eighty centimetres tall. No one dared stop Zou Weijun from going upstairs, but she did not. Instead, she waited in the lobby.
“Tell your President Xie that I am here to start work.”
Xie Jinghu received the message and came downstairs with several people. Only then did Zou Weijun stand.
“I will start work today.”
“Fine. I will let the finance department know…”
Xie Jinghu was clearly prepared and not flustered.
Zou Weijun deliberately went off script. “I am not going to finance.”
Xie Jinghu frowned. “Do you think this is a vegetable market picking cabbages? You can just choose as you please!”
Zou Weijun ignored him and asked Assistant Qi directly. “Does your President Xie lack a secretary lately?”
Ah?
Suddenly named by the lady boss, Assistant Qi was a bit nervous.
“Not lacking… lacking… Do you think we are lacking?”
Assistant Qi stammered through it only to notice President Xie’s face turn ashen. Though he had played the traitor, he did not plan to reveal his turncoat status immediately. He retreated behind Xie Jinghu and said no more.
Xie Jinghu’s displeasure made Zou Weijun pleased.
She did not even know why she had feared him before.
This man was not as formidable as imagined. He was human, full of flaws.
Zou Weijun took charge, picking up her bag and heading to the lift first, while not forgetting to instruct Assistant Qi. “Xiao Qi, trouble you to make me a work badge. I do not want to be stopped tomorrow when I come to work.”
“…Alright.”
Assistant Qi watched Zou Weijun’s retreating figure and quietly asked Xie Jinghu. “What exactly does Madam want to do? Finance was all arranged, yet she does not go to finance.”
Xie Jinghu was stumped by Assistant Qi’s question.
What did Zou Weijun mean? Not going to finance, but wanting to be his secretary?
She wanted to keep a close eye on him in daily life?!
