That damn Tang!

This had become Young Master Du’s new name for Tang Yuanyue.

Du Zhaohui hadn’t always called him that – first, it was Chairman Tang, then Brother Tang… now it was “damn Tang.”

Ah Hua swallowed his urge to comment – the Young Master had wanted to try such tactics too but had been rejected by Xia Xiaolan every time.

After fuming for a while, Du Zhaohui remembered the key point:

“So she’s going to Hong Kong?”

Ah Hua respectfully nodded, “According to Chairman Tang’s people, during her university winter break.”

Du Zhaohui stroked his face.

Hong Kong wasn’t just Tang Yuanyue’s base – it was also his, Du Zhaohui’s.

When Xia Xiaolan came to Hong Kong, he absolutely couldn’t let her meet Xia Ziyu. Though even if they met, they might not recognize each other – Xia Ziyu had finished her recovery period.

“Any progress with Xia Ziyu?”

Ah Hua definitely knew this, “She’s now working in the Second Young Master’s secretarial office.”

First come, first served?

Du Zhaohui felt the progress was too slow.

“My brother has a flock of pretty young things in his secretarial office. Keep an eye out, see who gets close to him, and if any can be developed as our people!”

That fool Xia Ziyu couldn’t even seduce a man properly. If he hadn’t invested so much in her, Du Zhaohui would’ve abandoned this chess piece.

Strange.

How could he have such thoughts?

Previously he would never change plans for anyone’s sake. If Xia Ziyu in Hong Kong could benefit him, why should he give her up?

Du Zhaohui pondered for a while, finding an explanation for his behavior:

“Because Xia Ziyu hasn’t shown any usefulness lately… Yes, that must be it.”

Come to think of it, Xia Ziyu had once shown “prophetic” abilities, correctly predicting the Soviet leadership change. Du Zhaohui still didn’t understand how she’d managed that.

But it was just that one time – Xia Ziyu never made predictions again.

Thinking of this, Du Zhaohui added another instruction for Ah Hua: “Have people watch Xia Ziyu closely, and see what she does in private. Don’t let her out of sight – this woman isn’t honest.”

The thoughts of Xia Ziyu led Du Zhaohui to think of Wang Mingming.

“Has that woman returned to Hong Kong?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Du Zhaohui sneered, “Have someone talk to Wang Mingming about how to handle her contract breach.”

On the mainland, Du Zhaohui was unwilling to get his hands dirty with such matters. But with Wang Mingming back in Hong Kong, the situation was entirely different.

In 1980s Hong Kong, the wealthy called the shots. For Hong Kong artists and celebrities, someone with money and triad connections was untouchable. Du Zhaohui showed a hint of satisfaction: He wasn’t the only one who could play games!

…

Hong Kong.

Chengying Group Building, Central.

Though entering the secretarial office around the same time, Xia Ziyu and Ye Xiaoqiong received vastly different treatment.

With Du Zhaohui’s financial support, Xia Ziyu could afford a small apartment and nice clothes.

Ye Xiaoqiong had nothing but herself to rely on. For a woman trying to establish herself in Hong Kong, it was extremely difficult. If not for her English skills, she would’ve ended up serving in tea restaurants instead of working at a major company in Central.

Xia Ziyu, who joined the secretarial office after her, spoke pleasantly and dressed well, sharing many common interests with the pretty secretaries and quickly becoming one of them.

But Ye Xiaoqiong remained separated from the group.

No choice – who told her to be poor?

She couldn’t afford to join colleague gatherings and only had two good outfits that she wore repeatedly – bought with the initial wardrobe allowance Du Zhaoji had grudgingly approved.

Since joining the secretarial office, Ye Xiaoqiong has received two raises, but her money still wasn’t enough!

She needed to pay rent.

Buy food and clothes.

Set aside savings.

She’d also enrolled in night school.

Mainland qualifications weren’t recognized in Hong Kong, and her education level hadn’t been high to begin with. To establish herself in Hong Kong, she needed further education.

Ye Xiaoqiong wanted to succeed, not content with being a secretary forever. But if she couldn’t even excel as a secretary, how could she advance?

Buying fewer clothes and luxuries, and investing time and money in self-improvement might not show immediate results, but she firmly believed it would pay off in the long run.

Her two raises proved her outstanding performance as a secretary.

A secretary who didn’t flirt with the boss or dress provocatively gradually caught Du Zhaoji’s attention… But being unsociable made her a target.

While Ye Xiaoqiong remained oblivious, Xia Ziyu saw her as the biggest rival.

Seducing Du Zhaoji wasn’t easy.

After all, he was surrounded by young women, and those who dared dream of the Second Young Master were all at least passably attractive. Post-surgery, Xia Ziyu was much prettier than before and considered herself among the top beauties in the secretary pool. She wasn’t afraid to compete with other women but feared those with different approaches like Ye Xiaoqiong… While everyone dressed elaborately, Ye Xiaoqiong didn’t focus on appearance, taking a different path.

Xia Ziyu was anxious.

She resented joining the company after Ye Xiaoqiong. Despite her desperate attempts to get close to Du Zhaoji, he had grown accustomed to working with Ye Xiaoqiong, leaving Xia Ziyu’s wishes unfulfilled. Like now, when the Second Young Master was heading out, while all the female secretaries waited expectantly, he simply called Ye Xiaoqiong’s name:

“You come with me.”

Ye Xiaoqiong quickly gathered her things and followed Du Zhaoji out.

The remaining secretaries gritted their teeth.

What did the Second Young Master see in her?

If asked this question, Du Zhaoji wouldn’t bother answering.

If he wanted women, he could date female classmates with shared interests.

He could date celebrities who could entertain him and look pretty.

He could date women of similar social status, forming power couples through marriage to strengthen his position… Why would he be interested in a mainland bumpkin secretary?

Du Zhaoji hadn’t taken an interest in Ye Xiaoqiong – rather, she simply followed orders without unnecessary chatter or flirting attempts.

If he had to choose a secretary to accompany him, Du Zhaoji would pick Ye Xiaoqiong.

In the car, Du Zhaoji observed Ye Xiaoqiong’s professional skirt suit – the style was fine, but the fabric was poor quality.

“I remember giving you a wardrobe allowance, yet you’re still like this… Never mind, we’ll stop at a store on the way, buy yourself a new suit – professional wear, but better and more expensive.”

Better and more expensive?

Ye Xiaoqiong wondered if she could afford her boss’s idea of “expensive” even if she emptied her savings.

Ye Xiaoqiong nervously asked:

“Mr. Du, may I ask where we’re going?”

Du Zhaoji’s fingers rested on the leather seat, “A small, private auction.”

For someone like him, what was being auctioned was secondary – these were social occasions he had to attend.

For such occasions, he trusted Ye Xiaoqiong’s abilities but disapproved of her appearance.

An auction?

Such events were far removed from Ye Xiaoqiong’s life experience.

But she couldn’t embarrass the Second Young Master.

If she did, he wouldn’t take her next time.

Xia Ziyu completely misunderstood – Ye Xiaoqiong wasn’t seeking Du Zhaoji’s affection, but his respect!