My Childhood Friend, Who Is An Omega, Has Become My Personal Secretary - Chapter 5

“Miss Shen, you are quite different from the rumors.”

The driver parked the car in front of the hotel entrance, then stepped out and walked to the rear to open the door, whispering a reminder: “General Manager Ji, we have arrived.”

Because Zhang Linen was sitting on the side closer to the curb, she had to exit the car first before Ji Zeyuan could get out.

Zhang Linen packed her laptop into her briefcase and stepped out of the vehicle. Once she was clear, Ji Zeyuan moved toward the door. Just as she stepped one foot out, a person suddenly appeared from the side of the car—drunk, staggering, and dangerously close to Zhang Linen.

Ji Zeyuan’s nerves tightened instantly. She lunged out of the car, and before she had even gained her footing, she stumbled forward to pull Zhang Linen away, shielding her like a hen protecting its chick.

The drunkard was intercepted by the driver, while Zhang Linen found herself encircled in Ji Zeyuan’s arms in an extremely intimate posture.

Once Ji Zeyuan realized what was happening, she hurriedly released her grip. She turned to scold the drunkard: “This is a public place. If you want to act crazy, please go home!”

The drunkard nodded dazedy and was led away by a friend who kept apologizing. Ji Zeyuan cleared her throat, adding a cover-up explanation: “I was just afraid you’d be knocked over.”

Zhang Linen nodded slightly and said with a smile, “Thank you, Miss.”

The two entered the hotel together and boarded the elevator. Mr. Wang, the CEO of Mooncast Media, was already waiting in front of the elevator bank. The moment the doors opened, he greeted them enthusiastically.

“General Manager Ji, I have long looked forward to meeting you. I never expected a small fry like myself would one day have the chance to cooperate with a great figure like you. It is truly a supreme honor.”

Ji Zeyuan returned the greeting politely: “Mr. Wang, you flatter me.” She then introduced Zhang Linen: “This is my secretary, Zhang Linen.”

Beside Mr. Wang stood a delicately made-up Shen Jiuyue, wearing a dazzling “starlight” dress. She flashed a sweet smile, her voice dripping with honeyed tones as she extended her right hand to Ji Zeyuan: “Hello, General Manager Ji.”

Ji Zeyuan reached out and shook her hand, nodding. “Shen Jiuyue, I have seen many clips of your film and television work. You are very talented.”

Shen Jiuyue acted very shyly, lowering her head to brush the bangs at her temple. “Thank you for the compliment, General Manager Ji.”

“Let’s not stand around here; let’s go inside to talk,” Mr. Wang suggested.

Upon entering the private booth, Ji Zeyuan sat down first. Shen Jiuyue very naturally took the seat to her left.

Zhang Linen narrowed her eyes slightly, appearing as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent and took the seat to Ji Zeyuan’s right.

“I’ll go ask the waiter why our food hasn’t arrived yet,” Mr. Wang said before stepping out.

“Miss Shen, you are aware that our Jixia Group is not a small company, so our selection process for a spokesperson is very strict,” Zhang Linen spoke up at the appropriate moment.

Shen Jiuyue nodded and said respectfully, “I am honored to be able to endorse a major brand like Jixia.”

Her attitude was very humble, unlike the rumors circulating online. It was unclear if this was her true nature or if it was because her partner this time was a massive corporation like Jixia.

“However, from what I understand, Miss Shen, your private life seems to be quite chaotic… I hope you don’t mind my directness, but after all, the conduct of a spokesperson directly affects our brand image.” Zhang Linen’s voice was gentle and soft, but her words were razor-sharp.

Shen Jiuyue was visibly stunned for a moment. She glanced at Ji Zeyuan, who remained impassive. Although Zhang Linen’s question was blunt, it was indeed a concern of hers.

“I understand the concerns of your company. I can guarantee that everything said online is absolutely not true, and during my cooperation with your company, I will not do anything to damage the brand image.”

Shen Jiuyue’s answer was formulaic and not a particularly strong response.

Zhang Linen chuckled softly. “As the saying goes, ‘there is no wind without a fire.’ A casual sentence like that from Miss Shen doesn’t carry enough weight in my eyes. After all, anyone can make a hollow promise.”

Ji Zeyuan’s eyes flickered as she looked toward Shen Jiuyue, waiting for her response.

Shen Jiuyue pursed her red lips. “Is Secretary Zhang trying to say that ‘flies don’t sting seamless eggs’? That saying is already ‘out’ in today’s internet age.”

Zhang Linen’s eyelids lowered slightly, and she didn’t speak.

Shen Jiuyue continued calmly and collectedly: “I believe that a large enterprise like Jixia will surely deliberate carefully before hiring someone. The fact that you are willing to sit here today and give me a chance to be ‘interrogated’ means that I am someone who has remained after layers of selection.”

“Give you a chance to be interrogated?” Ji Zeyuan found this a fascinating way to put it. She turned toward Shen Jiuyue and began to look at her properly.

“In terms of reputation, I am currently a hot topic; black PR and rumors are everywhere. There are certainly many people who act more like a ‘white lotus’ than I do. Yet, General Manager Ji is still willing to give this first opportunity to me, which means you must value a certain advantage of mine… perhaps my looks?”

Ji Zeyuan didn’t speak, silently watching her and gesturing for her to continue.

Shen Jiuyue showed no stage fright at all, continuing fluently: “My acting is awkward and I have no special talents. To be able to go viral and become famous based solely on a face—I am indeed very confident in my appearance. A beautiful face is an absolute plus for the brand promotion of beauty products. Even if I were to suffer a moral ‘collapse’ in the future, people would surely say, ‘Even though this Shen Jiuyue’s character is bad, her face is truly top-tier.'”

“And as an artist, whether it’s for the brand, the company, or myself, once a contract is signed, I will inevitably regulate my every word and deed strictly. Otherwise…”

Shen Jiuyue smiled charmingly, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. “General Manager Ji is no fool. If I actually dared to damage the brand image, high liquidated damages would be waiting for me.”

“Ha!” Ji Zeyuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud, her eyes showing admiration. “Miss Shen, you are quite different from the rumors.”

Shen Jiuyue smiled modestly. “General Manager Ji, you overpraise me.”

Ji Zeyuan turned to Zhang Linen and said, “Secretary Zhang, since Miss Shen has put it this way, there’s no need for us to make things difficult. Shall we just sign the contract straightforwardly?”

Zhang Linen looked directly at Shen Jiuyue with a cold gaze. When she turned back to Ji Zeyuan, her expression gradually warmed up into a faint smile. “Mhm.”

She took the contract out of the folder and pushed it toward Shen Jiuyue with her fingertips.

Shen Jiuyue was very good at reading people. Although she didn’t know the specific reason, she had sensed it since the moment she walked in: this woman, Zhang Linen, was very hostile toward her.

However, she didn’t mind. After all, the person with the final decision-making power was Ji Zeyuan. No matter how cold this mysterious Secretary Zhang acted, the endorsement deal had still landed in her hands.

When Mr. Wang returned to the booth and confirmed the contents of the contract, it was signed.

“What kind of wine does General Manager Ji like to drink?” Shen Jiuyue asked very attentively.

Shen Jiuyue was an Omega, and her pheromones emitted a faint scent of strawberries.

Ji Zeyuan replied, “I don’t drink.”

Shen Jiuyue curved her lips into a shallow smile. “General Manager Ji is teasing me. How can someone of your status not drink?”

Zhang Linen interrupted with an unhappy expression: “Aren’t Miss Shen’s words a bit redundant? Is it possible that the Miss would lie to you?”

Shen Jiuyue was stunned, obviously not expecting Zhang Linen to snap at her for that. But she quickly adjusted her state and countered with a fake, unkind smile: “Secretary Zhang is truly adorable, calling General Manager Ji ‘Miss.’ Hearing it, I thought I had returned to the Republican era.”

Ji Zeyuan massaged her brow with a headache and said, “Add another rule: don’t call me ‘Miss’ in public.”

Zhang Linen gave Shen Jiuyue a disdainful look and sighed reluctantly, then looked at Ji Zeyuan and nodded gently.

Shen Jiuyue watched blankly, thinking: Is this person a face-changer?

As they were leaving, Ji Zeyuan went to the restroom while Mr. Wang went to settle the bill. Only Zhang Linen and Shen Jiuyue remained in the booth.

The atmosphere in the room was exceptionally silent. Zhang Linen wore a stern face, completely lacking the gentle demeanor she had shown when Ji Zeyuan was present.

Shen Jiuyue couldn’t resist asking: “Secretary Zhang, have you known General Manager Ji for a long time?”

Zhang Linen turned her head slightly, giving Shen Jiuyue a look of disdain before quickly looking away. Her lips were tightly pressed as she let out a muffled sound from her nose: “Mhm.”

Shen Jiuyue was already used to Zhang Linen’s arrogant attitude and didn’t mind it. She pushed forward and asked: “Then do you know if General Manager Ji is single?”

“Actually, the first time I saw General Manager Ji, I felt like I really liked her. I’m the type of person who falls in love instantly, and I’m very obsessed with looks. General Manager Ji…”

“Ask her yourself.” Zhang Linen interrupted Shen Jiuyue with an icy tone. Her gaze swept over Shen Jiuyue from top to bottom with great arrogance, finally letting out a cold snort: “But you aren’t qualified enough.”

Shen Jiuyue frowned, asking in confusion: “Secretary Zhang, you seem to dislike me very much. May I ask why?”

Zhang Linen looked straight ahead, her icy expression instantly transforming into a pure and innocent smile. She didn’t answer Shen Jiuyue’s question, but instead walked straight toward the person approaching.

Ji Zeyuan shook her wet hands and glanced at Shen Jiuyue, asking: “What were you chatting about with Miss Shen? She looks a bit angry.”

Zhang Linen blinked innocently. “Just about the endorsement. Did I make her unhappy?”

Ji Zeyuan looked down at the harmless-looking Zhang Linen, then quickly shifted her gaze and cleared her throat. “I was just asking.”

“Also, I told you, don’t call me ‘Miss’ in public anymore.”

Zhang Linen showed a disappointed expression, a layer of mist instantly gathering in her eyes as she lowered her head without a word.

Ji Zeyuan noticed the change in her expression and wanted to say something, but just then, Mr. Wang and Shen Jiuyue happened to board the same elevator with them. She had no choice but to swallow the words she was about to say.

“General Manager Ji, we’ll take our leave then. Looking forward to our next cooperation.”

Ji Zeyuan smiled politely. “Mhm, goodbye.”

The driver brought the car to the hotel entrance and held the door open.

Ji Zeyuan didn’t get in first. Instead, she said to Zhang Linen, “You go in first.”

Zhang Linen was stunned. After a moment of hesitation, she entered the back seat.

After Zhang Linen was in the car, Ji Zeyuan said to the driver, “Close the door. I’ll sit in the front.”

The driver was surprised, but he closed the rear door and opened the passenger side door.

Ji Zeyuan bent over to get into the car. Through the gap, she saw Zhang Linen’s watery eyes. Ji Zeyuan’s heart suddenly twitched, and her footsteps paused.

“General Manager Ji?” The driver’s rough voice brought her back to reality. Ji Zeyuan quickly withdrew her gaze and sat stiffly in the passenger seat.

On the road, the car was as quiet as a high school classroom during a nap.

Ji Zeyuan stole a few glances at Zhang Linen through the rearview mirror, but her eyes kept meeting Zhang Linen’s damp ones.

Halfway through the journey, Zhang Linen suddenly spoke: “Driver, stop the car. I want to get out.”