Chapter 143 - GOOD BYE, SECRETARY SHI (2)

"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~."

I paused after listening to Alexander Priest, who started rambling with his usual Casanova attitude. Honestly, Alex was a Casanova, but he wasn't a jerk, at least not the worst jerk out there.

Except for that time when he kissed me and fooled me by saying that it was a custom in his country to kiss the cheek of someone they just know.

Yeah, that part… he was a total lying jerk.

But after we knew each other better, I had to admit that Alexander Priest was actually a good person, albeit a bit unrestrained. I think of him as my good friend rather than a potential romantic interest, though.

It was just me, but it seemed that I couldn't fall in love with anyone but Meng Bao.

Which was unfortunate… imagine if I didn't meet Meng Bao in this world? Would I be a single old, loveless lady in my whole life? 

Hmph, Baobao got to treat me well as his wife in the future. I've sacrificed my love life just for him. He got to compensate! 

"Hey, Ying Jie, you there?" Alex tilted his head to snap me out of my daze. 

I chuckled and then waved my hand. I continued putting my stuff inside the box again.                   

"Eh? What is this? Did you get promoted or moving to a branch company? Whoa, you're amazing, Ying Jie. I know that you'll make it big someday!" Alex said. 

"Although, you can always ask me for promotion. You can always be my personal assistant, you know~" Alex winked at me with his grin. I just rolled my eyes and ignored his regular advance.

…

"Ying Jie? Is everything alright? You would usually ridicule me when you're in a good mood," Alex confronted. "Just tell me if you need something, okay?"

"I'm not okay," I said. I sighed and continued packing. After I'm done with everything, I took a scotch tape and wrapped the box. I stared at the empty desk. Now I didn't have anything except my memory in here. 

There was some grievance in my heart, but at the same time, I didn't have anything to regret.

Because I am the one who decided to admit my relationship with Meng Bao. I didn't think it's fair for Meng Bao to fight for our love, while I became a passive girl who did nothing.

I am Shi Ying. I was born as a warrior lady. Even though there was no war, I will fight my own war, including in love.

I wanted to fight for my love as well. Because for me, love between two people had to be equal.

It was like walking in the same direction, side by side, helping each other. Because that was love for.

I didn't want to be that girl in a romance novel that did nothing other than being saved by her man.

I am also a strong woman! I could fight, even I had to sacrifice something that I treasured deeply!

"W—What do you mean you're not okay? Did you get hurt somehow? Are you in pain or something?" Alex asked worriedly. 

"Uh, not really, I just got fired," I replied. 

"FIRED?!" Alex jolted, and his eyebrows raised. "H—How? You're literally the backbone of this office. You know well how incompetent I am and how Uncle Yang is too busy to even think about documents and such!"

"Well, it's a long story. But in the end, I just want to say that I don't regret anything, including this," I stated.

Alex was stunned for a while, and then he turned his back. I knew what he wanted to do, so I grabbed his arm, "What are you trying to do? Protesting to Mr. Yang?"

"Yes, Uncle Yang must've been drunk for firing someone like you!" Alex protested. 

"No, it's fine. I also want to leave. I have something else to do!" I held him. I really didn't want him to be in trouble, knowing that Alex and Meng Bao were best friends in real life. 

Alex finally stopped. He darted his eyes at me and asked, "You're the one who wants to quit? Why?" 

"I have something else to do. Though, in the end, I still have to find another job," I sighed. Really, that was the most difficult part of moving on from this job. I've been in this company for seven years and had become his secretary for five years. It was a very colorful life, I could say.

It wouldn't be easy for me to forget everything, and I didn't have any intention of forgetting anyway. 

This place had taught me many things. 

Alex still didn't want to give in, "Well, then what is your next plan? You're unemployed now. Of course, you have to find a new job, right?"

"Yes, indeed, to find a new job. Though, I don't know which place will accept a high school graduate as a secretary. I might have to take a bachelor's degree first," I said. 

"… I can take you, Ying Jie," Alex suggested. "I mean, I've been planning to open my own business in China after all. I'd love to have you as my secretary… and personal assistant, hehe~" Alex giggled flirtatiously, to which I only replied by rolling my eyes. 

"But for real, I want you to be my secretary," Alex said seriously. "Though I'm still in the development stage, I can always recommend you to my friend. He also needs a second secretary. I think it'll be better if you can work with someone that I know."

"It'll be easier for me to fetch you back after I've opened my first company, and we will work together to build that company. What do you think?" Alex suggested. 

…

Now, I had to admit that was a great proposal. Alex and I actually clicked as coworkers and friends, although we didn't click as lovers.

Though, it seemed that he still had his hope for me romantically. But I didn't respond much because I'm now staying with Meng Bao, and I am fighting for my love with Meng Bao. 

There was no third wheel drama stuff here. Move on. 

"Can you really help me find a new job? You know, I still have to provide for my family. It'll be difficult for me if I can't find a stable job," I said to Alex.

Alex nodded assuringly, "I have a lot of connections, Ying Jie. As long as you're willing. Don't worry, I will connect you to the good ones. Of course, I wouldn't want you to be treated horribly by your new boss."

I took a relieved breath. I should thank Buddha for giving me such a good chance after I got fired. The salary might be lower, but hey, I could live and provide for my family. 

"Then, please do, Alex. I will ever be so grateful! Tell me if you need anything. I will certainly help you, including covering all of your incompetence in the office job!" 

"Hey, that's a hard jab, Jie!" Alex pouted. But it only took him few seconds to return back, and he laughed it off. 

"Then, I'd love for you to reward me with a kiss. How about it?" 

"Heh, you're still trying to find a chance!" I chuckled. "I'll help you find a girlfriend instead. What do you think?"

"Ah, you don't need to do that for me, Jie. You know that my charm is irresistible to all girls except you," Alex replied. 

"That's because they're girls, and I'm a grown woman," I shrugged. "Oh well, I'll leave now, but I'm definitely going to do a follow-up for that offer of yours. I really need a new job as soon as possible."

I carried a heavy box full of my stuff on my shoulder, and then I used the VIP lift, "I'll recommend few branch secretaries to fill that seat. Treat them well. At least tell them how incompetent you are. All you do is binging on some movies and playing games while you're working."

"But at least I still did my job well, right?" Alex asked, searching for validation. 

I laughed heartily and nodded, "Fine, fine. I have to admit that you're always giving the best solution as a manager. You're just bad in admin works."

"That's why I need you as my secretary, Ying Jie, haha~."

"Well, I guess I got paid to do the menial tasks. I'll leave now, bye, Mr. Alexander Priest."

"I'll call you later about that secretary job. Goodbye, Secretary Shi."

I smiled for the last time, staring at the office that raised me for five years. I turned my back and entered the lift. 

The lift went down, signaling the last trace of Secretary Shi in the office. 

…

Alex sighed as he stared at Ying Jie's desk, "It's so unfortunate that you're not interested in me, Ying Jie…."