“Work by your side?”

You Li’s heart pounded.

Holding the phone receiver, many thoughts rushed through her mind at once.

Her greatest difficulty was no longer financial. After her probation period, You Li became the store’s hardest worker. Though youngest, she earned the highest commission – her best month brought in over 300 yuan, just shy of breaking the 400-yuan threshold.

This salary, not counting the career’s prestige, meant that she, a girl not yet 20, had matched the income of senior officials like Tang Hongen.

When a young woman could earn such a respectable wage herself, she could finally straighten the back that life had forced her to bend!

What she lacked now wasn’t money, but an opportunity to leave.

You Li’s heart was about to leap from her mouth with nervousness.

“You don’t need to answer right away, you can think it over. I need a secretary now, though I’m not sure if you’re suited for it. If you’re willing, I’d want you to receive training in Pengcheng for a while. You should be able to handle things after two months. As for the salary—”

Before Xia Xiaolan could finish, You Li couldn’t contain her excitement: “Sister Xia, of course, I’m willing! Can I work in other cities?”

Xia Xiaolan was quite surprised.

Most young girls didn’t want to leave home, like Ma Wei from Shangdu, whom Xia Xiaolan had also thought highly of.

She’d asked You Li to consider because being her secretary meant traveling everywhere.

Unexpectedly, You Li actively wanted to work elsewhere. Xia Xiaolan explained: “The work location isn’t fixed. After I return to China, wherever I am is where you’ll need to be, possibly on 24-hour standby. I’ll still be studying in Beijing, but your work will mainly be in Pengcheng, though you’ll need to frequently travel between Beijing and Pengcheng, even all around the country.”

Pengcheng was Xia Xiaolan’s business base.

This windfall had dropped right into You Li’s lap.

The concerns other girls her age had didn’t exist for her – she couldn’t wait to leave Beijing, the further the better.

Even traveling between Beijing and Pengcheng didn’t scare You Li. As long as she could settle her mother in Pengcheng, she wouldn’t fear that man anymore.

“Sister Xia, no, President Xia, no need to think it over. I’m willing, I can start anytime!”

Xia Xiaolan could sense You Li’s urgency.

You Li trusted her so much that she agreed eagerly without even asking about the salary. As an employer, how could Xia Xiaolan not be pleased to have such a secretary?

Only capable bosses had people willing to follow them.

“First handle the handover in Beijing. Once the store finds your replacement, you can report to Qihang Real Estate in Pengcheng. At the company, someone will settle you in and provide secretary training. You’ll have two months to adjust to this job.”

By the time Xia Xiaolan returned to China, she hoped Little You would be experienced enough to share some of her trivial work.

As for salary?

Though Little You didn’t ask, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t shortchange her.

Who working for Xia Xiaolan had ever been treated unfairly in compensation?

After giving Little You a few more instructions, Xia Xiaolan felt satisfied with finding a suitable secretary candidate. You Li hung up the phone, overjoyed herself.

Though she tried to contain her excitement, others in the store couldn’t help teasing:

“Little You, you’re close with President Xia!”

“Why did President Xia call you specifically?”

“Little You, tell us…”

The store manager shooed the others away. “Customers are coming in, why aren’t you attending to them? Don’t complain about your commission being lower than Little You’s when payday comes. She’s never as idle as you all, always focused on work!”

Turning to Little You, who had already made up her mind, she naturally told the manager to prepare time for hiring.

The manager was happy for Little You too. “President Xia wants you by her side? Little You, you’ve struck gold! I hear President Xia’s business is huge!”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t rely on Liu Fen.

She had her other businesses.

This wasn’t a secret among Blue Phoenix’s employees.

They might not know the details, but they’d all heard something. Though Liu Fen was a strong female boss, her daughter was even more remarkable – both a top student and a big boss.

Little You was extremely excited herself.

She had struck gold.

Life was changing for the better.

Little You calculated her savings. Besides the portion of income she took home to appease that man, she had secretly saved nearly 1,000 yuan, definitely enough to take her mother to Pengcheng and get settled.

They didn’t need a big or luxurious house, just a place for mother and daughter to stay.

She wasn’t afraid of traveling nationwide as President Xia’s secretary.

She could minimize her expenses, save her salary, and hire someone to care for her mother!

Just escaping the current “home,” Little You saw a bright future ahead.

She was clever too, keeping that man pacified with monthly increases in wages. Her actual commission was confidential – even if he asked at the store, the manager wouldn’t reveal it.

The first month she took 50 yuan home, the second month 60 yuan, and the third month 80 yuan. This gradual increase made that man grumble about her being useless, but it temporarily appeased him.

Last month, Little You took 150 yuan home.

This unprecedented act prompted that man to heat a large bucket of water and give Little You’s mother a bath. But Little You wasn’t foolish enough to be moved by such small favors. If she gave someone 150 yuan monthly, they could bathe her mother daily, cook delicious meals, and care for her mother meticulously.

These small favors were like a master throwing a bone to an obedient dog.

Little You wanted to be human, not a manipulated pet.

That sticky, disgusting gaze had never truly left her. Only because she brought money home, and Little You used “Young Master Shao’s” name as pressure, did that disgusting man not dare to do anything.

Soon, this hellish life would end.

Little You forced back her tears. She didn’t need anyone’s sympathy or help. Xia Xiaolan had taught her that everyone could only truly rely on themselves!

After work.

Little You walked with light steps.

Shao Guangrong lowered his car window, waiting for the girl to turn 18 – then he could speak clearly without being considered a beast, right?

At 18, Little You would be a grown woman.

Little You had developed early, especially in the past half year, with a woman’s figure becoming more apparent.

Shao Guangrong often came to the clothing store looking for Little You. Initially to warned this calculating woman against having ulterior motives, but over time, he found Little You ignored him, focusing solely on work, and not trying to get close to Xia Xiaolan. Shao Guangrong had no grounds to forbid Little You from working at the clothing store!

His frequent visits had even reached the ears of Tong Lili and others, who knew he had his eye on a salesgirl.

Damn, it was strange – though he knew Little You was calculating, he couldn’t help developing feelings for her. Shao Guangrong felt it was karma for his past sins. Seeing Little You about to walk past, he couldn’t help poking his head out:

“Hey, come here for a moment!”