Chapter 4: The Treatment of Elite Workhorses

Time passed by the minute and second. Xie Mingxiao’s report was logically clear and packed with technical details, causing the other technical members present to nod frequently, some even whispering discussions among themselves.

Only Lu Qiuyi in the corner remained motionless, her notebook still pristine and untouched, not a single word recorded.

Finally, Xie Mingxiao concluded his report, and low murmurs of approval echoed throughout the conference room.

Xie Mingxiao glanced toward He Jingyue, awaiting feedback.

But He Jingyue’s gaze first landed in the corner, on Lu Qiuyi and her glaringly clean notebook.

A sudden chill crawled up Lu Qiuyi’s scalp. She wanted to pretend nothing had happened, to quietly close the “evidence” and hide it.

However, just as her fingers moved—

“Heh.”

A faint chuckle escaped from He Jingyue’s throat.

Lu Qiuyi’s heart sank abruptly, and she closed her eyes in despair.

It was over—public humiliation was about to begin.

She stiffly lifted her head, forcing a smile that was more awkward than tearful yet still polite, directed toward He Jingyue.

Yet, the anticipated storm never came.

He Jingyue’s gaze lingered on her face for barely a second before shifting away.

His tone remained calm, revealing no hint of anger or pleasure, as he directed several key questions about the technical points to Xie Mingxiao and the development team. His pace was measured, but every question struck at the core.

Lu Qiuyi’s anxiety eased a little the moment He Jingyue turned the discussion back to the technical matters.

But the next moment brought an even greater surprise.

As He Jingyue prepared to leave the conference room, he paused mid-step. Without turning back, his voice, low but clear throughout the silent room, called out:

“Assistant Lu.”

“Present!” Lu Qiuyi sprang up reflexively.

“You may leave for the day,” He Jingyue said plainly.

Just as Lu Qiuyi was about to breathe a sigh of relief, his voice rang out again like a death knell:

“Be at my office by nine tomorrow morning for a brief report on today’s meeting.”

Boom—

Lu Qiuyi’s vision blackened, and the world spun around her.

He definitely saw her blank notebook, and he certainly knew she hadn’t understood a word.

A brief report? Report what? How perfectly she performed as an illiterate?

Lu Qiuyi: …

“Very well, President He,” she replied with a practiced fake smile.

He Jingyue didn’t look at her again and left the room directly.

Lu Qiuyi collapsed back into her chair as if granted a great pardon, cold sweat instantly dampening her back once more.

The surrounding development members began packing up or continuing their discussions, paying little attention to the dazed assistant in the corner.

She mechanically gathered her belongings, clocked out, and headed downstairs.

The warm evening breeze brushed against her, helping her regain some composure.

She was utterly exhausted—body and soul alike.

Especially after that hellish ordeal resembling an IELTS listening exam, which had drained every last ounce of her mental energy.

Dragging her heavy steps toward the subway station, she pulled out her phone to check the time. The screen lit up immediately.

A new message came from a familiar, unmarked number:

[Mr. Lu]: How did it go today?

How else could it have gone? In deep water and burning flames, life worse than death.

Her fingers tapped swiftly on the screen as she opened the camera and snapped a photo of her nearly blank meeting notebook.

Fortunately, Lu Qiuyi had at least copied down one chart by rote.

Without hesitation, she sent the photo.

Almost instantly—

“Ding!”

[Your account ending in 2333 received a transfer of RMB 100,000 at 17:13. Current balance…]

Immediately after came another message from Mr. Lu:

[Mr. Lu]: Keep it up.

Seeing that freshly deposited hundred thousand yuan, Lu Qiuyi felt as if she had come back to life.

Following the original owner’s memories, Lu Qiuyi entered the upscale apartment building.

As the heavy front door closed behind her, the dark marble floor gleamed brightly enough to reflect her silhouette, and the spacious foyer echoed with her footsteps.

She headed straight for the master bedroom’s dressing room.

Though prepared, she couldn’t help but let out a defeated sigh.

This wasn’t a dressing room—it was a boutique in miniature.

Soft lighting strips lined the cupboards, where exquisite, well-cut garments were hung neatly by season, occasion, and color. Shoes, bags, and accessories sparkled subtly in transparent display cases.

Is this the living standard of a top-tier workhorse?

Wasn’t this far more comfortable than the grim life of a financial grunt?

Lu Qiuyi vowed silently: once she completed this storyline, she would apply for retirement and enjoy a good life.

“These are the ones!” Without hesitation, she gathered the clothes and rushed into the master bathroom.

She switched on the light, revealing a space equally vast. A giant circular jacuzzi looked like a small swimming pool, and the gleaming counters were cluttered with countless bottles and jars she couldn’t name.

Lu Qiuyi had no interest in those expensive skincare products. She turned on the lavish gold-plated faucet, letting warm water gush into the tub.

Grabbing a bottle of shower gel adorned with flashy packaging, she poured nearly half of it in without concern for the amount.

Soon, the tub was filled with thick, sweet strawberry-scented bubbles.

In no time, she stripped off the constricting professional suit that had bound her all day and submerged herself completely into the soft foamy ocean.

“Ah—”

As the stench of the day was replaced by the scent of strawberries, Lu Qiuyi finally exhaled deeply.

He Jingyue, the undercover mission—be damned.

After an indeterminate length of time, her skin slightly wrinkled from the bath, Lu Qiuyi reluctantly climbed out of the tub. She changed into an incredibly comfortable dinosaur T-shirt and ripped shorts, then moved to the open kitchen.

The original owner’s kitchen was so spotless it looked like a show unit, probably rarely used.

Opening the enormous double-door fridge, she found it stuffed with imported fruits, premium mineral water, energy bars, and some salad boxes with labels she couldn’t read.

She pouted, rummaging through the cabinets until, tucked away in a high corner, she discovered a humble container of instant noodles—the braised beef flavor.

“Heaven hasn’t forsaken me,” Lu Qiuyi treasured the find like a priceless gem.

Skillfully boiling water, tearing open the package, adding the seasoning, and plunging the noodles into the boiling water, she soon had a steaming bowl of richly aromatic braised beef noodles on the table.

Not bothering with etiquette, she grabbed a fork and devoured it noisily.

The hot noodle soup, savory and flavorful, brutally stimulated her taste buds, delivering a primal satisfaction.

This was a hundred times better than those cold salads and energy bars.

After finishing the bowl, Lu Qiuyi contentedly burped, rubbing her now rounded belly. She was about to lie down on the bed when a sudden realization struck her:

Something was left undone.

Damn, she forgot to prepare the report!