Stealing Your Heart

As usual, Cheng Yuxiu ensured she left for work after Zong Qifeng had gone out. This was to avoid any embarrassment.

After all, their relationship was rather strange.

Though they were strangers to each other, they treated each other with due courtesy and respect. Indeed, they did not know much about each other even after meeting face-to-face on a few occasions.

Even though they lived under the same roof, they had not taken breakfast together.

This was because Zong Qifeng wouldn’t eat breakfast at home, and he came back at night after she had retired to bed.

Here was a man who went out early and came back late; and the woman avoided him purposely.

When she arrived at the office that day, she attended to the routine as usual. She was ever willing to learn so she had obtained a good grasp of the company’s products. She stood by the photocopy machine, to print 20 sets of documents for use in that morning’s meeting. Once she finished, she took the duly bound documents into the meeting room, placing one set in front of each attendee’s seat.

At this point, someone entered the meeting room. It was Mr. Zhang. He was impressive with the neat arrangement in the meeting room. When Cheng Yuxiu placed the last set of documents, Mr. Zhang stared at her unfamiliar face. “Are you new here?”

Before Cheng Yuxiu could answer, her immediate superior interrupted. “Yes; she has joined us for two months.”

Mr. Zhang was wearing a black suit. He was a rather obese man in his forties. Though his face looked a bit fierce, overall he gave people the impression of an upright person.

He nodded. “Look at her. This is the correct manner to conduct oneself at work. No matter what is your job title or the nature of your job, you must do it perfectly. This is the right attitude all of you must have.”

Some staff showed up in the meeting room and took the chance to butter up Mr. Zhang.

Though Cheng Yuxiu was new to the workplace, she knew how to get along with people. Those were the cream of the company; as a clerk, she knew better not to say much in front of them. She wanted to leave the meeting room quietly by the back door.

“Wait.” Mr. Zhang detected her intention and stopped her. He raised his head to look at Cheng Yuxiu. “Where did you graduate? Where did you work previously?”

“I am a graduate of Huaqing University. This is my first job.” Cheng Yuxiu replied honestly.

Mr. Zhang was rather stunned. “An elite school graduate?”

He wondered why a person with that kind of education would go for a clerical job for a start. “Why did you take up this job?” He just couldn’t believe it.

“I really don’t mind taking up a clerical job as l lack the relevant working experience. Personally, I feel there is nothing wrong with this job. One thing for sure, I get to learn about the company’s core business activities even when I am printing documents.”

“Tell me then, what have you learned so far?” Mr. Zhang was curious.

the company’s products including heavy machinery such as pressing

hardware outlets in the

that failed to keep pace with current technological innovation would be phased out. The company’s decision-maker would normally focus on those that proved to

heavy machinery, people think of Universal Machinery. But now there are far too many suppliers of such machinery. The

you know?” Cheng Yuxiu’s immediate

approvingly. “Take a seat. I want you to take part

meeting is to discuss the company’s future directions. With regard to

facing stiff competition which affect our annual turnover. But have you really looked into the root cause of our poor performance?” Mr. Zhang looked in the direction of Cheng Yuxiu and continued, “I must say I agree with her; the company must be

will need big

make this long-term investment by tapping its reserves accumulated over the last few years. Otherwise, we will be wiped out.” Cheng Yuxiu reiterated her thinking on the point, without rebutting anyone in

keeps changing. Innovation is the only way to stay ahead

clerk. What do you

Mr. Zhang. He cast a serious look at the dissenting staff and continued, “Since all of you think that she has no right to attend this meeting as a

presented what was on the mind of Mr. Zhang. The latter was surprised to find

He admired her dedication.

school graduate like her would

old-fashioned senior employees who are resistant to change. Without innovation to drive the change, the

someone far-sighted to help him revamp. Thank God! This girl has indeed

the meeting room froze. They thought the announcement was just their

“Mr. Zhang…”

all. My decision is

not competent for that post.” Cheng Yuxiu didn’t want to sound too assertive. “I was only sharing my thoughts on the matter

to come by good ideas like what you have shared just now.” Mr Zhang interrupted. “I have confidence in you. Why are you rejecting this appointment? Don’t tell me

to be strong and do something

father, she

as a clerk in

eager to learn the relevant management and

I will give

read the documents for this meeting. I’ll let

employees of the company

a little girl like her

more and more unreliable now.” Some considered Mr. Zhang’s decision too hasty. “How could you promote a clerk to be the vice president