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

hardware outlets in the busiest cities. However, the market competition

current technological innovation would be phased out. The company’s decision-maker would normally

was established 30 years ago. It has its glories during this period of growth. Talk of heavy machinery, people think of Universal Machinery. But now there are far too many suppliers of such machinery. The focus should be on product innovation, not aggressive

Cheng Yuxiu’s

“Take a seat. I

to discuss the company’s future directions.

has a right to attend. What’s more, I agree with what she said just now. The company’s sales performance has been declining year after year. We have been 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

innovation will need big spending and dedication…

the last few years. Otherwise, we will be wiped out.”

the only way

just a clerk. What do you

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 clerk, then I shall make an announcement. From now on, she will be the vice president of

The latter was surprised to find such

He admired her dedication.

doubt, an elite school graduate like her would be brimming with

a bunch of old-fashioned senior employees who are resistant to change. Without innovation to drive the change, the company would eventually drop out

He needed someone far-sighted to help him revamp. Thank God!

the meeting room froze. They

“Mr. Zhang…”

My decision

didn’t want to sound too assertive. “I was only sharing my thoughts on the matter

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

thought of the situation of her family She needed to be strong and

death of her father, she had to

in the company, she had learned a

manufacturing industry she was eager to learn the relevant

trust in me. I will give my best at it.” Cheng Yuxiu finally

would have read the documents for this meeting. I’ll let you chair the

company

little girl like her

Zhang’s decision too hasty. “How could you promote a clerk to be the vice president just like that? Are you crazy or