Chapter 19: Yuan Kai Driving a Mercedes-Benz

“I’m serious—I just closed a 6 million yuan deal, and my commission alone is 300,000!” Zhao Xiangjun exclaimed happily.

“That’s amazing! This just proves my investment instincts are spot on. When you get your bonus, before you pay me back, you’re taking me out to dinner!”

Chen Xiao replied, “How about I cover all your meals from now on?”

Zhao Xiangjun rolled her eyes. “Save it. Better start saving money to woo your wife. I’ll settle for just one meal!”

“Alright then, you pick the fancy restaurant, and I’ll foot the bill!”

Just joking—Xu Wu already treated her to 25,000 yuan worth, so Zhao Xiangjun could ask for anything and he’d deliver.

“I want cold noodles with rice noodles, extra chili!”

Chen Xiao joked, “Are you aiming high? What’s that worth?”

Zhao Xiangjun smiled, “It’s about what I like, not how much it costs!”

Chen Xiao was speechless. Fine, my mindset isn’t elevated enough!

They chatted a while longer. Chen Xiao noticed that though she appeared standoffish at first, once familiar, she was quite playful and loved bantering.

Time was nearly up, so they headed upstairs together. On the way, Chen Xiao asked to add her on WeChat. This time she didn’t refuse but said, “I have fewer than 30 contacts, mostly relatives, a few classmates, and colleagues.”

Chen Xiao asked, “So what am I then?”

“You’re nothing!”

Okay, that sounded like an insult—she was being mischievous again!

They exchanged goodnights and went to their respective rooms.

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The next morning, Chen Xiao was radiant as he drove to work in his beloved new car for the first time. Feeling the thrill of 258 horsepower, 370 Nm torque, and 6.5 seconds to accelerate from zero to a hundred kilometers per hour, life felt wonderful.

Dr. Feng’s robotics company had gradually filled its staff over the past few days. With all departments now essentially complete, the company was slowly regaining vitality.

A newcomer arrived in the sales department—a young, stylish, and pretty woman named Ma Jing, who worked as the sales assistant handling administrative tasks like file archiving.

Yuan Kai, the sales manager, gave her a brief company tour before returning to the sales area. Pointing to Chen Xiao, he said, “This is our salesperson Chen Xiao, also new, just been here a month.”

Chen Xiao politely welcomed her. Ma Jing was impressed—young, handsome, and sunny-looking, and since everyone was just employees, there was no sense of hierarchy.

“Ma Jing, since you’re new, you can shadow me or Chen Xiao to get familiar with sales.”

Ma Jing thought for a moment and said, “Manager, why don’t I start with Chen Xiao? Your sales skills are too strong; I’m afraid I can’t keep up yet. I’ll learn from Chen Xiao first. Once I have some experience, I’ll learn from you.”

Yuan Kai was slightly displeased. He’d hoped to take his beautiful assistant out to make a good impression—who wouldn’t want a gorgeous female assistant on business trips?

But Ma Jing’s words left him no room to argue. Finally, he added, “I have a car. He takes bus number 11. It’s so hot today; are you sure?”

Ma Jing replied, “It’s fine. I’m not pampered. Besides, I’m here to work, not to enjoy myself.”

Yuan Kai nodded and said to Chen Xiao, “Chen Xiao, you’ll show Ma Jing around today. Be generous—if you take a taxi, it won’t bother her. You need to have some manners.”

Chen Xiao ignored him and said to Ma Jing, “Wait a moment. I just need to finish this round, then we’ll go.”

“This round?” Ma Jing looked puzzled. Seeing him bury himself in work, she had no choice but to wait at her desk.

At that moment, Yuan Kai was preparing his materials to leave. Whether intentional or not, he pulled out his car keys and spun them around his index finger, impossible for Ma Jing not to notice.

“Wow, Manager, you’re amazing—driving a Mercedes!” Ma Jing looked admiringly.

Yuan Kai smiled smugly, “It’s nothing. Work hard, and you’ll have one too!”

Though he said it was nothing, pride was written all over his face.

“Manager, which model is it?” Ma Jing asked.

Yuan Kai’s voice lowered. After a while he said, “Mercedes A-Class, base model—just a means of transportation.”

Ma Jing sighed, “I wanted that car before, but my dad wouldn’t buy it for me.”

Yuan Kai, acting like a big brother, said, “A girl driving a Mercedes is a bit flashy. No wonder your family wouldn’t get you one.”

Ma Jing shook her head. “My dad said that car isn’t good-looking or easy to drive, so he bought me something else.”

Yuan Kai’s expression darkened. Annoyed, he said, “What did your dad buy you? A Volkswagen Polo? That’s more suitable for a girl!”

“I got a C260. My dad says that’s the real entry-level Mercedes, perfect for a girl.”

Damn, are you sure you’re not bragging? Yuan Kai was furious. That admiring look just now—what was that about? Acting so well! If she weren’t young and beautiful, he wouldn’t have tolerated this.

His stomach hurt from anger, leaving him speechless.

Ma Jing rolled her eyes and said, “I still rely on my parents. The manager’s impressive—he can buy the car he wants on his own!”

Yuan Kai didn’t want to talk to her anymore. He stuffed his documents into his bag and left without looking back. Who doesn’t want good parents?

These new employees were so difficult—nothing but trouble! Yuan Kai deeply missed Wang Jing.

“Hey, Chen Xiao, did I offend the manager?”

Chen Xiao stifled a laugh. “Don’t worry, no one argues with women.”

Ma Jing pouted, “I’m just afraid he might be tempted by my beauty and have other thoughts, so I’m trying to make him dislike me first.”

Chen Xiao glanced at her. Beauty? Ma Jing had the girl-next-door charm, stylish and pretty, but not stunningly beautiful. After spending time with Zhao Xiangjun, who was truly a femme fatale, Ma Jing looked like a mere sprout in comparison.

The company’s CEO, Feng Feifei, was also a great beauty—a benchmark of sorts—so Ma Jing was overthinking.

Before Chen Xiao could reply, he received a call from the property management company of Yunfeng Tower. They asked if he was available, as the transfer paperwork for the 22nd floor had been completed. He could go directly to the property office to collect the title documents.

The property manager also informed him that the tenant on the 22nd floor, Zhongjian Equipment Co., Ltd., owed a year’s rent. The previous owner had been overseas, but now that the property had transferred, the overdue rent would be owed to Chen Xiao.

This put Zhongjian’s manager in a panic. The new landlord could evict them at any time for unpaid rent, and a lawsuit had already been filed in court. So they were desperately trying to get the property company to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the new owner to discuss a rent payment plan.

“Ma Jing, get ready. We’re heading out too!”

Chen Xiao packed his documents into his briefcase and went downstairs with Ma Jing.