Chapter 11

Before coming, Cheng Yanran hadn’t thought about giving Zhou Zhou a ride. Now he remembered there were papers, a laptop, and water bottles scattered in the car he drove.

His face changed, “Zhou Zhou, wait here. I’ll move the car closer.”

Zhou Zhou said okay and told Zhou Feng to go home first.

Cheng Yanran’s car was a big SUV too, but much more expensive than the one Zhou Feng liked.

He went to the car and moved all the stuff from the front and back seats into the trunk. He grabbed some tissues and carefully cleaned the passenger seat. Still not satisfied, he felt a little regret for being lazy recently and not washing the car or charging his other electric car to save trouble.

The price of that electric car was only about 300,000 to 400,000 yuan, which was much more low-key compared to others.

He was afraid of wasting too much time, so he quickly drove the car to the showroom entrance. After parking, he went to open the door for Zhou Zhou.

He was very polite and careful.

Manager He understood even more clearly that what Cheng Yaran said today was absolutely right. Then he thought to himself about how to quietly give Zhou Feng more benefits when he came to pick up his car.

Cheng Yaran glanced at Zhou Zhou and asked, “Are you going back to work or home?”

“Home. I have a computer at home, so I don’t need to go to the office. My home is in Feicui Bay, at the corner of Liu Jing Road and Chaoxia Road.”

“Okay, I know that place, no need for navigation.”

Driving from the dealership to Feicui Bay would take about 30 minutes. Although he wanted to spend more time with Zhou Zhou, he also knew she had to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting, so he took the city’s elevated highway directly.

The highway was a bit longer but had no traffic lights, so the car could go faster.

“I’ll take the highway; it’s faster,” he said.

“No rush for those few minutes. Just be careful,” she replied.

They really hadn’t met in a long time. Cheng Yaran tried hard to find topics to talk about, hoping to make Zhou Zhou speak. He started talking about her work.

“Is Mayor Xu strict?”

“Not really,” she answered.

“Did you become her secretary right after you came back?”

“Yes, pretty much. I could have chosen other jobs, but Manager Wu, the leader who just called me, said Mayor Xu needs a secretary and wanted me to come. I didn’t mind where I went, so I agreed to try. I didn’t expect to have been here over a year.”

“Do you work overtime a lot? I heard the two offices often have lights on late.”

“Overtime is normal, but not too extreme. Some colleagues do work very hard and stay up all night often.”

That answer was comforting, but Cheng Yaran felt a little sad inside. He wondered if she was one of those who stayed up all night.

“Are you used to it now? Coming back from abroad and working a different job?”

“It’s okay. Every job has its reasons. I’ve met many important people and learned a lot.”

“Do you live in Feicui Bay? Not going back to the old city?”

“Going back is too inconvenient. Sometimes I finish work late, and taking the subway back and forth is tiring.”

Cheng Yaran hadn’t taken the subway for a long time. He thought about the trip from city hall to the old city.

“You could buy an electric car. It doesn’t need gas and starts fast. It might be quicker.”

Zhou Zhou shook her head.

“I didn’t drive at all while I was abroad. I’m not good at it. The traffic is bad during rush hour, so I’d rather not. My dad needs someone to watch the store. If I don’t go home, my mom just needs to take care of Yuan Yuan. When I go back, she cooks so many dishes and gets very tired.”

“Parents are like that. I don’t go back much either.”

Zhou Zhou smiled, “Now you’re the boss, you don’t have fixed working hours.”

Cheng Yaran complained, “Ha! Being a small worker, I can slack off sometimes. The company isn’t mine anyway, right? Being the boss is harder than being an employee. You have to work and think about making money. Otherwise, the employees won’t get paid next month and the company will go bankrupt quickly.”

Zhou Zhou smiled more deeply. Mayor Xu was originally focused on economic work, and she understood H city’s main industries well.

Cheng Yaran and Chen Jing’s company was the rising star of H city. It was like the city’s golden signboard. Dongsheng Technology wasn’t big but had many high-level talents, and the products had high tech content. The government gave many subsidies. The company was running very well.

But making money was definitely stressful. Chen Jing told her that Cheng Yaran owned 50% of the shares.

Seeing Zhou Zhou laugh, Cheng Yaran said, “Really, I feel like I have two jobs — one doing technology, one doing finance.”

“Those who can do more, have to work more.”

“Don’t joke, Zhou Zhou. No one dares to say they’re capable when they’re with you. I’m far behind.”

He sighed.

Zhou Zhou was a girl who had to take care of her family and was not worse than anyone at work. She was so strong and excellent.

The car just turned off the highway into a busy residential area.

He asked with a little worry, “Did you buy your house in Feicui Bay? That area is convenient but a bit messy.”

Near Feicui Bay, there were two shopping areas, one was a big flower market with lots of people.

Zhou Zhou nodded, “Yes, the houses aren’t big, but it’s cheaper than nearby neighborhoods, and it’s close to the subway.”

“That’s true. It makes it easier for you to go to work.”

Cheng Yaran looked at the dashboard; it was already 5 pm. He asked, “It’s almost dinner time. Do you want to go eat at the snack street near your community?”

Zhou Zhou didn’t cook at home, so eating a bit before going back was good and saved ordering delivery.

After chatting all afternoon, the strangers they once were had mostly disappeared. She was comfortable and said, “I know a place with good Cantonese dim sum. Let’s go.”

Cheng Yaran only asked to test her reaction but was surprised she agreed happily. He said, “Okay, you lead, I’ll find a parking spot.”

The weekend snack street was very crowded. They finally found a parking spot on the roadside, but still had to walk a few hundred meters to the shop.

Near here was a famous flower market, so there were many flower shops on the street. Many female college students were holding roses in red, yellow, pink, and purple, or carrying fragrant lilies and bright sunflowers.

Cheng Yaran wanted to buy Zhou Zhou a bouquet but was too shy to say it. He thought about what excuse to use as they walked.

Before he could decide, they arrived at the Cantonese dim sum shop.