Chapter 142 - GOOD BYE, SECRETARY SHI

"Secretary Shi, come with me to the office. I have something to talk about with you."

Mr. Yang Zhuhuo entered the office first, he closed the door, but it seemed that he really waited for me. Because usually, he would start the day by asking about his schedule. 

I paused for a while. I wasn't optimistic enough to think that Mr. Yang wanted to give me a raise or whatever. I knew from his tone that it was about my employment in this office. 

Madam Yang must've talked with Mr. Yang about what happened in the village, about Meng Bao and Me. 

I took a deep breath and put down the documents I've prepared today because I wasn't sure if I'd need them after leaving this office anyway. 

I opened the office door and bowed my head respectfully when I saw him sitting on his chair, reading today's newspaper. 

"Do you need me for anything, Sir?"

"Sit down," Mr. Yang ordered.

I obediently sat at the seat facing him. For some reason, the seat became hot as my nervousness and expectation rising. Since I woke up in the morning, I've prepared myself for the worst. 

Mr. Yang put down the newspaper and then checked his phone. It seemed that he was reading some text, probably from his wife, Madam Yang. 

He sighed and finally opened his mouth, "So, you're that woman my son was talking about."

"Yes, Sir," I replied. I had nothing to hide anymore since it was all already crystal clear. 

"When you entered my office for the first time, did you already know about my son's identity?"

"No, Sir. Yang Menghuo and I haven't been in contact for fifteen years. We've just found out about our past few days ago," I replied. 

"So you're saying that all that happened are coincidences?" 

"… rather than coincidence, I'd rather call it a fate, Sir…." I said with certainty. "Yang Menghuo had promised me in the past that he will find me and marry me, no matter how. And I've kept that promise deep in my heart for fifteen years as well."

"I thought I'd never find him again, and I start giving up. That's why I joined an app, the Rent A Boyfriend app. So I can find a good man to show to my parents."

"At least with that, I can bring him as a fake boyfriend, and they will stop questioning when will I get married because there is no way I will get married other than with my childhood sweetheart, Mengmeng."

"But fate intertwined us together once more, and you can see it with this, Sir," I showed the ring that Meng Bao gave as the 'engagement ring. 

Mr. Yang seemed to have noticed the ring, and he nodded. After he acknowledged the ring, I took it off and then showed the red circle on my ring finger. The sign that I've met my fated lover, my other side of the red string.

Mr. Yang's calm demeanor finally showed some change after he saw the red mark circled around my ring finger, "Don't tell me that your red string of fate is…."

"Yes, Sir, it is Yang Menghuo, your son…"

…

Mr. Yang Zhuhuo sighed. He massaged his neck. Maybe he was thinking about how to tackle this problem. Even though the solution was really simple. All he needed to do was to kick me out of the picture from Meng Bao or threaten to fire me.

"Secretary Shi, when I met you for the first time and recognize your existence in this office, there was only one thing in my head… that you will be such a hard worker. I know that you will be a great secretary of mine."

I was stunned that Mr. Yang would go on full length to praise my competence in the office. He was usually silent about anything non-work-related. 

"T—Thank you very much, Sir," I bowed my head politely. I wouldn't say that I didn't have any good memory of him. Albeit conservative and henpecked, Mr. Yang Zhuhuo was a hard worker who inspired me to work hard for my better future. 

He also understood my family background and never questioned whether I would take a university degree or not. In fact, I bet Mr. Yang's office was the only office that would take a high school graduate like me as a secretary. 

"Didn't I tell you that I wouldn't mind my son to marry anyone as long as he is happy with his choice? Unlike my wife, who sets standards for our future daughter-in-law, I just hope that Menghuo can have a normal loving wife."

"And at some point, I've been trying to offer you to have a date with my son. But you always refused…."

"Maybe it's really fate that bound you two together, so I have no saying in this. I'm not a man who will doctrine my son to do something that he doesn't like. That's why I don't force him to work in the office."

Mr. Yang Zhuhuo paused, he sipped the coffee that I made just now, and he commented, "Your coffee tastes the best. I think my son will also like this since he also has the same taste as me when it comes to food and drink."

"Thank you, Sir…."

I still didn't know where this conversation led to. Because I expected Mr. Yang Zhuhuo to fire me right away, knowing that he was a henpecked husband.

But he kept talking about our work relationship together. He continued talking about how Meng Bao was a difficult boy and kid in the past. 

I kept nodding and agreeing with all his stories because it was all true. But I also got curious whether he would drop me right now or not. 

Thus I collected my courage and asked, "Sir, about my job… Madam Yang told me that she'll call you to fire me. I wonder if this is true…."

"Ah, about that…." Mr. Yang Zhuhuo sighed. "I've agreed upon that request. You will be laid off today. Don't worry, I've contacted the HR division to give you a compensation of twenty-four months of your salary. Count that as a loyalty bonus because you've been my best employee for seven years." 

My heart dropped after hearing that. I knew it was bound to happen, but when Mr. Yang actually fired me, I couldn't handle the pain and pinched my thigh with nails, so the pain in my heart would be transferred somewhere. 

I had worked here for so long, I've never complained about anything as long as I could get money to provide for my family. But it was no more, I guess…

I took a deep breath and then bowed my head respectfully, "Mr. Yang Zhuhuo, thank you for your generosity and kindness for seven years. I've learned a lot from you, and I will continue supporting you and your career. This office has been my second home for so long, and it helps to provide for my family's basic needs and education. I personally thank you for being so kind to me."

I got up and then bowed my head for the last time, "Then I will clean up my secretary desk. I will recommend some of the branch secretaries to work here instead."

"Good," Mr. Yang replied. 

I turned my body, walked out of the door, but before I closed it, Mr. Yang suddenly said, "Don't leave Beijing for now. Stay for at least a few months. It's better if you can find a job in Beijing as well."

…

"I will try, Sir," I said and finally left the office. 

It was easy for him to talk, but getting a job in the big city with my education was difficult. And many CEOs and Bosses didn't want a secretary that didn't have a bachelor's degree.

"Hm… I guess I will find a cheap university so I can finish and get my bachelor's degree…." I pondered. 

I walked to my desk and took a box from the storage. I started putting all my belongings into the box. My mind was still muddled, thinking about how things could go this far. 

I started wondering if loving Meng Bao was a mistake…

But when I remembered how happy he was for meeting his beloved childhood sweetheart again for fifteen years, I guess it was worth it. 

I sighed and started planning on what I should do next. Maybe I should live with Shi Qiang for a while until I got back on my feet. 

Amidst my long ponder, a man suddenly came out of the VIP lift. The platinum-haired man came out with a fresh face, and his face got even brighter when he looked in my direction. He smiled at me and stride quickly to stand by my side, "Secretary Shi, how's your trip to your hometown? Is it good? Have you talked about us to your parents? I wonder if I should come and introduce myself first, haha~."