Le Tong’s unauthorized leave issue hasn’t been brought up again by Ji Rui these past few days, it seems to have just fizzled out.
Coincidentally, the finance departnt has been working on the payroll reports these days. While having lunch, Le Tong sat with Aunt Huang and a few others, chatting about salaries. Le Tong tentatively inquired, and the young girl handling the reports told her that her salary had increased by several hundred yuan compared to the previous month, plus there were two transfers to her account from the president and Special Assistant Yang made in a personal capacity.
It seems Ji Rui rely wanted to scare her a bit about the leave and didn’t intend to really pursue it. Moreover, he even transferred a substantial amount for breakfast money as promised.
Le Tong, the little money grubber, was overjoyed upon learning that her salary would safely land into her pocket in a few days, and she quietly made spending plans.
All along, she’s been a very organized person regarding her daily life and future plans.
Especially with money!
It’s not that she’s stingy, it’s just that, having grown up accustod to pinching every penny, her financial planning skills are far from amateur level.
Especially since she got the idea of buying back the small apartnt, her financial plans have beco increasingly professional.
After her mother passed away, she would divide her monthly salary into four parts: one for living expenses, another for ergencies, one part would go into a fixed deposit, and finally, so would be used to purchase funds as an investnt.
The salary at Ji Family is already higher compared to other places, and with overti pay and various benefits, it’s several tis her first job’s salary.
After finishing lunch, Le Tong cheerfully calculated with a calculator how much space she could buy in her apartnt with this month’s added salary.
"Tongtong, want so pizza? I accidentally ordered an extra!"
These days, Zhong Hao reports to Ji Family daily, as if he’s put down roots there. If Le Tong didn’t know he’s a director at Jisu Company, she’d surely mistake him for a colleague.
"Director Zhong, you have quite a lot of accidents!" Le Tong unceremoniously exposed his not so clever excuse.
Yesterday afternoon, Zhong Hao brought over a cup of coffee, saying he had accidentally ordered an extra cup, and today, it beca an extra pizza.
"Yeah, ever since eting you, all my caution has turned into accidents."
Zhong Hao’s skin is indeed thick and tough, Le Tong’s bluntness simply can’t faze him.
In fact, Le Tong doesn’t dislike Zhong Hao, she just doesn’t like mixing personal matters with work; she still vividly rembers that question Ji Rui asked Zhong Hao.
If possible, in the workplace, she tries to avoid displeasing Ji Rui. Having such a thought doesn’t an she’s considering Ji Rui’s feelings, rather, standing as an ordinary superior, no boss would want to see subordinates getting too close to other business partners, especially since her position as the president’s secretary involves a lot more confidential matters.
"Director Zhong, I’m sorry, but I have a lot of work to do!"
Le Tong pretended not to understand his words, of course, she would never take his words seriously.
"Do you have ti tomorrow evening? My teacher’s wife sent so specialties, among which, two large bags specifically for you."
Zhong Hao didn’t seem to mind or perhaps he simply didn’t hear her subtle hint to leave, persistently trying to invite her out.
"You’ll be coming to Ji Family again tomorrow, right? Could you bring it to the office for ?"
But Le Tong didn’t want to get too entangled with him.
Zhong Hao’s appearance at her teacher’s wife’s place was clearly for a matchmaking purpose.
However, she felt nothing for him, so she didn’t want to give him any false hope.
"Then I’ll wait till you’re available, I’m leaving now."
No matter whether Le Tong liked it or not, Zhong Hao left the pizza on her desk and turned to leave.
Looking at the box of pizza, Le Tong couldn’t help but wonder if she was being too harsh?
Zhong Hao was clearly kind, but she treated him with a cold face.
Reflecting for a mont and hesitating a bit, Le Tong took out her phone and sent a ssage to the number on Zhong Hao’s card.
"I have ti tonight, not sure if it’s convenient for you?"
In just a few seconds, her phone chid with a notification, "Sure, you decide the restaurant and ti."
Not knowing where Zhong Hao lived, Le Tong decided to find a quiet restaurant suitable for a chat near Ji Family. This way, even if it got late after dinner, she could walk ho by herself without bothering anyone.
After sending the ti and place, Zhong Hao’s reply ca imdiately.
"Okay!"
Since she agreed with Zhong Hao to et at seven, Le Tong left work as usual, freshened up, changed into a sweater and jeans, wrapped a scarf around her neck, and leisurely walked out of her apartnt.
At the corner, Zhang Yi was at his usual spot roasting sweet potatoes, only this ti Sister-in-law Zhang was standing next to him with Wenwen on her back.
From afar, she saw them busy with their hands and feet, chatting and laughing.
Having heard too many stories of great love that ended unhappily, seeing this simple yet harmonious couple, Le Tong felt a twinge of envy. Perhaps, it takes simple people like the Zhang couple to genuinely experience joy and happiness.
"Sister... Sister!"
Wenwen, who had been quietly leaning against Sister-in-law Zhang, spotted Le Tong, reaching out desperately for a hug.
Le Tong checked the ti, seeing she had so extra, she walked over to pat Wenwen’s head.
"Wenwen be good, Sister will co to play with you in a couple of days."
Since Le Tong no longer worked overti, she found herself with more free ti in the evenings. Watching TV alone at ho wasn’t fun, so she often went to the Zhang Family to play with Wenwen.
She’s rarely broken a promise to Wenwen, so after receiving her assurance, Wenwen obediently nestled back onto Sister-in-law Zhang’s back.
After saying goodbye to the Zhang family, Le Tong took about ten minutes to reach the reserved restaurant, just five minutes before seven.
The waitress escorted Le Tong to a window seat, brought her water, and asked, "Miss, do you want to order now?"
Le Tong decided she’d cover this al because she didn’t want to owe Zhong Hao any favors.
"Wait a few more minutes, my friend hasn’t arrived yet." Le Tong replied after sitting for ten minutes and being asked by the server.
Initially, Le Tong thought Zhong Hao had gone ho to fetch the specialties for her, so she didn’t think much of it.
As she watched guests co and go at the restaurant, Le Tong checked the ti, noting it was now eight, a whole hour past their scheduled ti, yet there was no call from Zhong Hao explaining his tardiness.
After sitting a bit longer and finishing a large glass of water, Le Tong pulled out her phone and dialed his number. The call went through, but no one answered for a long ti.
Could he be driving and unable to take the call?
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