My sister-in-law from Qingdao

Not long after I sat down, I received a WeChat message from my sister-in-law, Su Xiaoya.

"Is it convenient for you to talk?"

I paused for a moment, smiled and greeted everyone, then took my phone and went outside to quickly call my sister-in-law.

"Sister-in-law, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Your brother came home very late last night, and this morning he told me that Lin Moli gave you two cartons of very expensive cigarettes?"

"Yes, she gave me two Taishan Buddha Lights. I don't know how much they cost, but my brother said they were over a thousand yuan each."

"Xiao Dong, Lin Moli is very beautiful and a nice person, but she has a rather easygoing personality. You are so handsome and knowledgeable, so you should be careful."

Su Xiaoya's tone was calm and natural, and she wasn't joking.

I couldn't help but laugh and say, "Sister-in-law, aren't you overthinking this?"

"Indeed, I might be overthinking things, but you should still be careful. Lin Moli is nice to you, maybe because of me, or maybe because of yourself."

When you're with her, it's fine to eat, drink, and have fun, but don't get too emotionally involved.

Su Xiaoya's words left me somewhat bewildered, and I didn't come to my senses for a moment.

"Sister-in-law, I didn't have much interaction with General Manager Lin. She just asked me how my first day at work went and gave me two packs of cigarettes. Tonight, she took all of us from the foreign trade department out for dinner, saying it was to welcome me back."

"Okay, I got it. Just keep what I told you in mind. I'll give her a call when I have time and give her a little warning."

After hanging up the phone, I stood alone in the corridor, lost in thought. What did my sister-in-law mean by that?

Thinking about it, I think I understand. After all, my sister-in-law is Lin Moli's best friend. Maybe she knows what kind of woman Lin Moli is, and she's probably afraid I'll be deceived.

Back in the room, everyone started to get lively, drinking beer and chatting, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Lin Moli abandoned her boss-like airs, rolled up her sleeves, and joined in the lively chatter with us.

Seeing my colleagues around me all so enthusiastic and with rosy cheeks, I suddenly felt a sense of belonging.

We didn't leave the hotel until after 10 o'clock.

Back in my dorm, I lay on my bed, thinking about what my sister-in-law had told me, and I couldn't help but laugh. She really was overthinking things.

After washing up and coming out of the bathroom, I saw my phone ringing. It was Lin Moli calling.

I quickly answered the phone.

"Chen Dong, are you drunk?" Lin Moli asked cheerfully.

"Mr. Lin, I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm fine too, as long as I'm not drunk. If you're not drunk, go to sleep early, you have to go to work tomorrow."

Those few words made me feel cared for and loved.

Lin Moli's pretty and warm face is etched in my mind. I must say, this female boss is really a nice person.

Lying in bed, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Remembering the messages I hadn't replied to during the day, I couldn't help but get out of bed and go to the office building alone.

Yu Chaowen told me that our European and American clients are in different time zones, so when we send them messages during the day, they usually reply at night.

I'm not a workaholic, but since my boss cares so much, I have to work hard.

When I arrived at the office, I was surprised to find the lights on, but no one was inside. However, my mentor Zhao Lina's computer was on.

Just as I was about to help her turn off the computer, I heard footsteps behind me. I quickly turned around and saw Zhao Lina walking in, her hand covering her lower abdomen, her back bent, and her face pale.

Seeing me, she paused for a moment, then frowned and said, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Master, aren't you still awake too?"

"I'm going to reply to a client's message." Zhao Lina clutched her stomach and sat down at her workstation. Looking at her pale face and the cold sweat on her forehead, although I didn't like her, I felt a greater sense of respect for her.

Before I even turned on my computer, I heard a thud, and Zhao Lina fell from her chair to the ground, unconscious.

Without thinking twice, I quickly picked her up from the ground and ran downstairs. The hospital wasn't far away, and we arrived at the emergency room five or six minutes later.

After a period of emergency treatment by the doctors, Zhao Lina woke up.

The woman saw me sitting by her bedside and looked at me with gratitude, saying, "Did you bring me here?"

"Look at what you're saying, who else could it be but me?"

"Thank you."

I stayed with her at the hospital for more than two hours. By the time the IV drip was finished, it was already past 1 a.m.

I helped her downstairs to hail a taxi. When we got back to the entrance of the company's women's dormitory, Zhao Lina didn't go back to her room immediately. Instead, she whispered, "Chen Dong, thank you for tonight."

"Don't stand on ceremony with me. You're my master, and I'm your apprentice. You've taught me so much. Since you're not feeling well, isn't it only right that I take you to the hospital?"

There are a few things I want to say to you.

Zhao Lina looked around, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

"Say what you have to say, I'm listening."

Zhao Lina frowned, swallowed her words, shook her head, and said, "Let's talk about it another day."

Looking at the woman's forlorn figure, I shook my head and smiled bitterly.

I guess she felt guilty for being too cold to me.

The next day, I went to work on time. Zhao Lina's expression towards me was noticeably better, and she started teaching me how to find clients and how to communicate with them.

My colleagues all went to lunch, leaving just the two of us in the office.

Zhao Lina slowly turned around and asked me softly, "Did you go to a party last night?"

"Yeah, I went to a party last night, and you didn't come when I called you."

Where did you go after the party?

I paused for a moment, then laughed.

"Didn't they take you to the hospital after the party?"

"Okay, I was overthinking it."

Looking at her hesitant expression, I had a feeling that she had something important to tell me.

I stood up and walked to her workstation, leaned over her desk, and asked with a smile, "Master, what do you want to tell me?"

"There are some things I don't know whether I should say or not. If I say them, it might be seen as gossip, but if I don't say them, it just doesn't feel right."

Zhao Lina's expression was somewhat solemn, making it difficult to guess what was going on.

"Sister, what do you want to say? I'm all ears." I'm not stupid. I know this woman's words must be very important, so I stopped calling her "Master" and started calling her "Sister" directly.

Zhao Lina paused for two seconds, then laughed.

"You called me 'sister'?"

"Yes, can I call you 'sister'?"

"Since you call me sister, then I'll treat you like a younger brother. To tell you the truth, in the entire foreign trade department of Linglong Embroidery Company, no one respects me, and no one is willing to help me. If it weren't for my strong business skills, I would have been fired long ago."

I was a little disappointed by what Zhao Lina said; it doesn't seem to have anything to do with me.

She suddenly changed the subject.

"Take it easy, Yu Chaowen sees you as a thorn in his side."

Hearing this made my heart skip a beat. How could this be? How could he possibly see me as a thorn in his side? On my first day here, he warmly welcomed me and was all smiles, appearing kind and friendly.

But I still couldn't help asking, "Why?"

"President Lin!"