lovenovelstory Chapter 117 The President's Secretary
Chapter 117 The President's Secretary
Chapter 117 The President's Secretary (5k)
"Siyu, which handsome guy are you going on a date with today? You've been fiddling with yourself in front of the mirror for over an hour!"
Roommate Li Jing looked at Lü Siyu, who was dressed up so carefully, and teased her with a smile.
"What? It's just—a normal business meeting." Lu Siyu carefully applied eyeliner while trying to keep her voice calm.
Actually, she was a little unsure whether this counted as a "date".
This morning, Geng Zhi suddenly sent her a text message, directly inviting her to dinner at Xiao Nan Guo that evening.
Since our chance encounter in the cafeteria, I took the initiative to add her on QQ. We've chatted on and off a few times, talking about all sorts of things, but it's always been quite relaxed.
This time, there was no setup whatsoever; they just invited her to dinner, at Xiao Nan Guo restaurant, and booked a private room—this made her wonder even more.
The "Jiaotong University matchmakers" have no shortage of beautiful girls, but I heard that Geng Zhi is still single. Is he like me, the "better to have none than a bad one" type? I do have some resonance in that respect.
He's straightforward, has a clean-cut appearance, and his career is thriving. If he really has feelings for me...
Lu Siyu shook her head to banish those fleeting thoughts, but her hands didn't stop moving; she was ten times more serious than usual when choosing a lipstick shade.
"Tsk tsk, a regular business meeting?" Li Jing crossed her legs, completely unconvinced. "When have you ever put this much effort into a business meeting?"
"That's right, it seems that Siyu's 'better to have none than a bad one' principle has to be compromised when it comes to certain candidates!" Another roommate chimed in.
"That's not necessarily true! What if this person today is the one who would rather die than accept a lesser degree? Right, Siyu?"
6:30 p.m., a quiet private room at Xiao Nan Guo.
Geng Zhi, who was studying the menu, heard a crisp, rhythmic "tap tap" sound coming from afar and finally stopping at the door of the private room.
He looked up and was momentarily stunned when the sunlight fell on Lü Siyu, who had just entered through the door.
The Lü Siyu standing at the entrance was completely different from the female student with a ponytail and plain face that I saw in the Jiaotong University cafeteria last time.
She wore a beige fitted knit dress, with a light brown cashmere cardigan over it, simple black mid-heel ankle boots, and carried a small chain bag.
Her long, flowing hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders, and her makeup was exquisite yet understated, giving her a fresh and poised mature charm.
The difference between college students wearing makeup and not wearing makeup, and between wearing casual clothes and dressing up carefully, is really quite significant!
Geng Zhi thought to himself: "It's just a casual meal and a chat, why are you dressed up like you're going on a date?"
"Welcome, esteemed reporter Lü." Geng Zhi stood up, politely extended his hand, and looked at him directly.
A delicate fragrance, a blend of tuberose and jasmine notes, wafts through the air.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Geng." This time, Lü Siyu did not hesitate and generously extended her hand to shake his hand lightly.
Her voice was much softer than when we last met, less crisp and decisive, and more gentle and graceful, characteristic of a girl.
After she took off her coat and hung it up, Geng Zhi glanced at it casually and silently added in his mind: Hmm, the difference between padded and unpadded coats is indeed quite significant, objectively speaking.
The two ate and chatted, and the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.
But as the conversation deepened, Lü Siyu gradually realized that the main topic of tonight's dinner seemed to deviate quite a bit from the scenario she had imagined on the way there.
"Siyu, when you invite President Ma on behalf of the research group, just subtly hint from a professional perspective that giving a speech on stage might subject you to some public pressure," Geng Zhi explained, putting down his chopsticks.
Lu Siyu's chopsticks, which were holding food, hovered in mid-air as she looked at him in surprise: "Geng Zhi, do you want to recruit me into your life?"
""
"Do you want to be one of my people?" Geng Zhi deliberately feigned surprise.
Lu Siyu then realized the ambiguity in her words, her cheeks flushing slightly. She quickly explained, "Oh dear, that's not what I meant! I meant, to be your—informant!"
"Current partner? I've been single for 21 years and haven't even seen a trace of an ex, so where did this 'current partner' come from?" Geng Zhi blinked innocently.
Lu Siyu was both amused and exasperated by his pretentious nonsense: "You're so straightforward! Why are you talking back like that?!"
"There's nothing I can do, I'm just straightforward." It's cancer, and it's in its late stages. Please forgive me. Geng Zhi shrugged, making a helpless expression.
Lü Siyu: "————"
After several rounds of back and forth, Geng Zhi's witty banter actually brought the two of them closer, though of course, their relationship was purely professional.
Seeing that Lü Siyu frowned slightly, seemingly still having concerns, Geng Zhi swallowed the tender steamed fish in his mouth and said seriously, "Xiao Lü, is there anything else you're worried about? Please speak freely."
Lu Siyu put down her chopsticks and said seriously, "Being straightforward, it's not that I don't want to help. It's just—I want to remain absolutely neutral. This is my professional principle. I don't want to get involved in any company's internal struggles."
"Is this also out of professional ethics?" Geng Zhi asked with a smile, his eyes gentle.
"Yes, professional ethics." Lü Siyu nodded vigorously, her eyes clear. "I chose this major because I want to become an upright journalist in the future, reporting the truth and doing things of value."
Looking at the girl opposite him, who had a serious expression and even a hint of idealism, Geng Zhi was momentarily at a loss for words.
He simply put down his cutlery and solemnly extended his hand to her.
"What now?" Lu Siyu asked, her face flushing slightly again as he suddenly reached out.
"My name is Geng Zhi, and I am as upright as my name suggests. I am honored to have met a like-minded person today, and I must shake hands with him again to commemorate this." Geng Zhi looked at Lü Siyu with an extremely sincere expression.
"Oh—I see." Lu Siyu hesitated for a moment, then quickly touched his fingertip with hers before pulling it back, as if she had been electrocuted.
"Alright! Then we've reached an agreement! Thank you, Siyu, for your understanding!" Geng Zhi immediately put on a satisfied smile.
"Huh? No! I haven't agreed to you yet! The handshake just now was just—out of politeness to a fellow traveler!" Lu Siyu realized that she had been led astray again, feeling a little annoyed and a little amused.
"That's right. Precisely because we are like-minded, we should join hands to do the right thing and uphold justice." Geng Zhi said with a straight face.
"But I always feel—you're setting a trap for Ma Chunmei." Lü Siyu hesitated before voicing her suspicions.
"I'm protecting her." Geng Zhi's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "Right now, public opinion is overwhelmingly praising the 'Jiaotong University matchmaker.' Don't you think the situation is incredibly favorable?"
"Mm." Lü Siyu nodded.
"Xiao Lü, you studied this, so you should understand the complexity of public opinion and the power of reversals better than I do, right?"
"If public opinion really reverses, how much of an impact do you think it will have on Ms. Ma? How strong can a girl's mental resilience be?" Geng looked directly into her eyes, his tone quite sincere.
Upon hearing this, Lü Siyu fell silent instantly.
She had systematically studied communication studies and researched countless cases of public opinion fermentation, reversal, and backlash, so she understood the meaning behind his straightforward words all too well.
Once Dean Liu's white paper is released, it will certainly purify the industry, but it will also be tantamount to a public "declaration of war" on the three traditional giants of the marriage and dating industry.
Those three companies have been deeply involved in the industry for many years, have abundant capital, and are skilled in public relations. It is not impossible for them to guide or even create a reversal of public opinion.
If Ma Chunmei were to stand on that stage at that time, she would likely become the target of public criticism and suffer unimaginable pressure and attacks.
From this perspective, Ma Chunmei's straightforwardness made her aware of the risks in advance, and her decision to withdraw was indeed a form of protection.
After a long while, Lü Siyu raised her head and looked earnestly at Geng Zhi: "Geng Zhi, you promise me you're not lying to me? You really think so?"
"Many people say that I live up to my name," Geng Zhi said frankly. "You can ask anyone in the company who knows me. I may use tricks, but I would never intentionally harm anyone on my team."
"Okay, I believe you." Lü Siyu finally nodded emphatically. "However, before I go to persuade President Ma, I need to verify the truthfulness of what you said with Vice Dean Liu Kangping."
"Of course," Geng Zhi said, expressing his understanding. He then confirmed, "With your professional skills and eloquence, you should be able to persuade Mr. Ma, right?"
"Yes." Lü Siyu nodded, a slight smile appearing on her lips. "I am just as my name suggests."
Upon hearing this, Geng Zhi immediately frowned and began to ponder carefully.
Lü Siyu? How can this name be "as good as the person"? He thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out.
"Hmm? Your name is Lü Siyu—which means 'repeatedly missing the rain'? What does that have to do with being reliable?" he asked, looking puzzled.
"It's not my real name! It's my ID name on the Yinshui Siyuan BBS," Lü Siyu explained, a sly glint in her eyes.
"So, what's your ID name, 'Remembering the Source of Water'?" Geng Zhi asked, even more curious.
"I mean what I say." After saying that, Lü Siyu couldn't help but laugh, a little smug.
"A promise is a promise?" Geng Zhi felt this ID sounded strangely familiar, like he'd heard it somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place it. "Hmm—I have a vague recollection, but not quite—"
"Actually, I have quite a connection with the matchmaker from Jiaotong University." Lü Siyu winked with a hint of pride. "In some ways, I even changed the course of your relationship."
Geng Zhi was completely dumbfounded: "I'd like to hear the details. Reporter Lü, please stop keeping me in suspense."
Lu Siyu didn't say anything, but gracefully picked up her phone, unlocked it, opened the Yinshui Siyuan BBS, skillfully found a post, and then turned the screen towards Gengzhi.
Geng Zhi leaned closer for a look, and the post title was blatantly: JDHN! I know you're watching! Had enough of the countdown? Tonight, I'll put up a "0"! Otherwise—》
The poster is a man of his word.
"So it was you!" Geng Zhi suddenly realized and looked at Lü Siyu in surprise.
It was this post that led the team to decide to end the countdown for the mystery card banner a day early.
Seeing the mixture of shock and recollection on Geng Zhi's face, Lü Siyu felt she had won back the score and couldn't hide her smugness.
"How about it, Boss Geng? Surprised? Unexpected?"
"What a surprise, what an unexpected surprise!" Geng Zhi murmured, then laughed.
When we first read the post, everyone on the team assumed the poster was a hot-tempered STEM guy. Who would have thought that behind that ID was this elegantly dressed, smiling girl!
"Actually, after you became famous, I wanted to apply for a job with you a few times, but I didn't know what I could do, so I didn't go," said Lü Siyu after she finished laughing.
Upon hearing this, Geng Zhi's eyes lit up slightly.
"Oh?" Geng Zhi probed tentatively, "What if I were to extend an invitation to you now? Would you be willing to give it a try?"
Lu Siyu became interested and asked, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "May I ask, Boss Geng, what position can you arrange for me? I'm not going to do serving tea and water."
"That's too much of a waste of your talent." Geng Zhi sat up straight and said seriously, "With your image, logic, eloquence, and that 'say what you mean and do what you say' attitude, you're qualified to be the group's vice president of public affairs, directly responsible to me."
"Pfft!" Lu Siyu couldn't help but almost choke on her tea and quickly grabbed a tissue to cover her mouth.
"Boss Geng, your matchmaker from Jiaotong University is quite famous, but you're also the 'both vice president of the group' —"
Are we taking a bit too big a step? It's easy—well, you know.
"I'm not referring to Ma Chunmei's company, I'm referring to my company," Geng Zhi shook his head and corrected him earnestly.
"Hmm?" Lü Siyu's smile faded. Seeing that Geng Zhi didn't seem to be joking, she asked suspiciously, "So—how big is your company now? How many people do you have?"
Geng Zhi picked up a napkin to wipe his hands, then seriously started counting on his fingers: "Let me count—there are a few core technical staff, the operations team is being built, and those who have confirmed their intentions—well, there are probably eight or nine people right now."
Meeting Lü Siyu's instantly surprised gaze, he calmly added, "The company is indeed very small right now, not really a group. So you can start as my special assistant, or as the president's secretary."
Lü Siyu: "————"
She was speechless for a moment.
"But don't worry, in the future my company will be hundreds of times larger than Jiaotong University Matchmaker," Geng Zhi added earnestly.
"Jiaotong University Matchmaker" CEO's Office.
Ma Chunmei held her phone, her face beaming with barely suppressed excitement, as she spoke with her father, Ma Wencai.
[Ma Chunmei]: "Dad! Good news! The Pre-A round funding from Baihe.com and General Manager Zhu has all arrived in our account!"
Quite a share! Hehe!
[Ma Wencai]: "Good! Very good! Looks like your old man made the right move! Daughter, keep up the good work! Our goal isn't too big, just to make it onto the Forbes list and bring honor to the family!"
Ma Wencai laughed loudly on the phone, unable to hide his excitement.
In his eyes, the arrival of the money meant that his daughter's company was now worth a solid 1800 million! Moreover, with the current media frenzy, the valuation might even rise further.
The father and daughter chatted happily on the phone for a while before Ma Wencai gradually calmed down.
[Ma Wencai]: "Daughter, remember this: we don't rely on fame for a living, so don't be too greedy for those empty titles. People are afraid of becoming famous, just as pigs are afraid of getting fat. Fame is like wings if used well, but it can also be a shackle if used poorly, and it might even turn on you."
[Ma Wencai]: "From now on, let Geng Zhi take the lead in things that require him to show off and take risks. You can stay behind and steadily reap the rewards. The real truth is that the money and real shares are in your pocket. Just be happy with that."
Ma Wencai had repeatedly instilled the idea of "being pragmatic and avoiding empty talk" in his daughter, and Ma Chunmei gradually took it to heart, finding her father's words to be reasonable.
[Ma Chunmei]: "Yes! Dad, I understand! I'm increasingly enjoying the feeling of being in charge. We easily made a net profit of almost 200 million, it's great!"
[Ma Wencai]: "Great! I'll pay Geng Zhi the final payment right away, acquire his shares, and complete the business registration change. Then you'll be the company's largest shareholder in name and in fact!"
[Ma Chunmei]: "Oh, right, Dad, there's something else. Mr. Mu from Baihe.com has very warmly invited me to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of one of their new offline stores, and he even wants me to be a guest."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone before Ma Wencai's voice came through again, this time with a more thoughtful tone.
[Ma Wencai]: "Chunmei, think about it, why is President Mu inviting you so enthusiastically at this time?"
,
[Ma Chunmei]: "Of course it's because they value our cooperation. Our offline business with Baihe.com is progressing very smoothly in Nanjing, and now we're going to expand into the Beijing market together. It's perfectly normal for them to invite me, right?"
[Ma Wencai]: "Daughter, Mu Yan is a cunning old fox in the business world. Why wasn't he this attentive before? Why now? Besides the fact that he just became a shareholder of 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker,' think about it more deeply?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Chunmei paused for a moment, pondered for a while, and then suddenly realized what was going on.
[Ma Chunmei]: "Dad, are you saying it's related to this controversy in the dating industry?"
[Ma Wencai]: "That's right! Geng Zhi's actions have boosted the reputation of 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker,' but they've also severely damaged established brands like Baihe.com."
[Ma Wencai]: "Mu Yan is now eager to bring 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker' onto his ship, using your good reputation to wash away the stain on Baihe.com and stabilize their base. This is a clever tactic of 'using the situation to whitewash'."
[Ma Chunmei]: "Then—daughter, how should I deal with this?"
[Ma Wencai]: "The general direction is definitely to maintain a good relationship with President Mu, but you have both cooperation and competition with Baihe.com. Trust him 70% and keep 30% in reserve; don't give him your whole heart."
Ma Wencai paused for a moment, then continued to add.
[Ma Wencai]: "Baihe.com is currently trying to leverage the influence of 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker,' so you're the one holding the leverage. When it's time to claim your share of the benefits, then do so."
[Ma Chunmei]: "Dad, I understand!"
[Ma Chunmei]: "By the way, Dad. President Mu is very dissatisfied with Geng Zhi's recent public opinion storm. Can I take this opportunity to put him down?"
Ma Wencai thought for a while on the other end of the phone.
[Ma Wencai]: "It depends. Geng Zhi still has value. After all, the bigger this scandal gets, the higher the 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker's' profile will be, and ultimately you'll benefit. There's no need to completely break ties with him for now."
[Ma Chunmei]: "But Dad, I always feel that he—"
She wanted to say something more, but then Li Haipeng knocked on the door and came in, so she hurriedly hung up her father's phone.
PS: One chapter will be updated at 0:00, 1 words per day.