SCHS - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Qin Zhen drove the car smoothly back to the Wen family home. She raised her eyes to look at Wen Shixue in the rearview mirror. Wen Shixue held a small portion of fries in one hand, picking one up with the other to bring to her lips. A cup of ice-cold coke sat in the cup holder beside her, and she looked extremely comfortable.

Wen Shixue seemed to sense her gaze, gently bit off a slender, soft fry, then calmly pulled out a tissue to wipe her fingers clean. She said politely, "Thank you, Vice President Qin, for going out of your way to drive me back. As a courtesy, I'll drive you next time."

Qin Zhen withdrew her gaze. "No need."

Wen Shixue said freely, "We're all from the same company, Vice President Qin, no need to be so polite with me."

After hearing this, Qin Zhen was silent for a moment, then changed her tone. "Since President Wen puts it that way, I hope President Wen can agree to one more thing."

Wen Shixue asked, "What?"

Qin Zhen said, "From now on, before President Wen makes any decision, please discuss it with me first so I can be prepared."

After spending the day together, she already knew Wen Shixue was quirky and had her own ideas and thoughts. Not only could she say astonishing things, but her actions also carried an unpredictable air. But this wasn't a good sign for her, because she feared Wen Shixue's capriciousness might one day cause a major mistake, leaving her no time to fix it. Therefore, only by knowing in advance could she help Wen Shixue avoid risks as much as possible, come up with the best solutions, and handle any lingering issues. This was also the reason and responsibility for her being by Wen Shixue's side.

Wen Shixue thought it was something major and agreed very readily. "Okay," she said, adding, "I'll try my best to remember."

She had added enough conditions. If she forgot the agreement about physical contact later, like today, Qin Zhen couldn't get angry with her. She didn't have a divine brain and couldn't remember everything perfectly.

They had only just met a few days ago and had already made two agreements, both of which Wen Shixue agreed to very readily. She had already shown her friendliness to the best of her ability, so Qin Zhen naturally wouldn't force her to do anything else. She nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your cooperation, President Wen."

"You're welcome." Wen Shixue got out of the car with her coke and fries. "Vice President Qin, please drive safely."

Qin Zhen said, "I will organize and print the materials and deliver them to you tomorrow. I'll send you the electronic version tonight first. If President Wen has time, you can take a look beforehand."

On the way back just now, Wen Shixue casually asked a few questions about how to be a good CEO. Qin Zhen simplified the content and taught her step by step. The first step was for her to build an understanding of the entire industry and her own products. After that, she would need to learn how to connect resources, expand her network, promote the brand to the outside world, and also focus on improving her insight and overall knowledge.

It just so happened that Qin Zhen, after learning she would be working at the new company, had already collected and read relevant industry materials. She could send them to Wen Shixue after a little organizing at home, so Wen Shixue wouldn't need to bother finding them herself.

Wen Shixue shook the coke in her hand. "Shouldn't this be my secretary's job?"

"I'm temporarily serving as your secretary," Qin Zhen said.

Wen Shixue followed suit. "Thank you for your hard work, Secretary Qin. Please drive safely."

...

Wen Shixue returned home and told Wen Lianchang what she had done to the peeping tom. Father and daughter chatted while sharing a small portion of fries. Finally, Wen Lianchang wiped his hands clean and still told her, "Alright, eat less of this stuff, it's unhealthy!"

Wen Shixue: "?"

Wen Shixue: Who was just eating with me with such relish? — Fine, worthy of being my dad!

Wen Lianchang also told her that after he convened the board meeting to announce the appointment decision, he would go abroad with her mother for a round-the-world trip to relax. He told her to take good care of herself in the country, find Qin Zhen if anything came up at work, and maintain a positive attitude towards learning.

Wen Shixue nodded as she went upstairs, indicating she understood.

Wen Lianchang took a sip of tea. "Remember to call your mom."

"Got it!" Wen Shixue closed her bedroom door.

She sat on the edge of the bed, hugged the soft rabbit plushie, and dialed her mother Meng Yuezhu's number. After it connected, she softly called out, "Mom."

Her mother usually loved doing small handicrafts at home. The small bamboo basket on her bedside table for her phone and the rabbit plushie she was holding were all made by Meng Yuezhu.

Because she liked handicrafts, Meng Yuezhu had been staying abroad recently, participating in various handicraft exhibitions and having a great time. However, two days ago, upon hearing that Wen Shixue had hit her head and slept for three hours, she almost flew back immediately.

Meng Yuezhu confirmed the condition of her head again. She smiled and said she was fine, and even told her about her glorious deed of dealing with the peeping tom.

After listening, Meng Yuezhu chuckled and said, "You're full of tricks, you little rascal." Then, changing the subject, she asked, "Why aren't you getting married?"

Wen Shixue fiddled with the red rabbit's little paw. "If I don't want to get married, I just won't."

"Not in the future either?" Meng Yuezhu asked.

Wen Shixue said, "Respected Ms. Meng, let's talk about the future in the future. My current mission is to be a good 'President Wen,' OK?"

She didn't want to keep talking about marriage. She was still young and didn't need to consider this matter so early. Furthermore, she could even choose not to include it in her life plan at all.

No one stipulated that a person had to get married to live happily and without worries throughout their life. People should choose the most comfortable way to live. If marriage made her feel comfortable, she would marry. If being single made her feel free and happy, then she wouldn't marry. The principle was that simple.

Meng Yuezhu finally didn't say anything more, just told her to learn well from Qin Zhen and praised Qin Zhen extensively.

Wen Shixue hummed in agreement again. She could tell that her parents really liked Qin Zhen and thought highly of her. She recalled Qin Zhen's appearance and those beautiful hands...

Wen Shixue: This young lady is kind and generous. Seeing as Vice President Qin has such beautiful hands, I forgive her.

...

Qin Zhen kept her word and indeed delivered the materials to the Wen family home the next day. She was a familiar face at the Wen house, and the household helpers didn't stop her.

Wen Shixue took the materials from her, casually flipped through them, thanked her politely, and then invited her upstairs. "There are a few places written very professionally. Could I trouble Vice President Qin to explain them to me?"

Qin Zhen readily agreed to answer her questions. The two of them stayed in the study for most of the day until all the issues were resolved. However, just as Wen Shixue was about to see Qin Zhen downstairs and out, Wen Lianchang suddenly walked in through the main door, looking impatient, followed by a man.

Wen Shixue focused her gaze—oh, it was her second uncle, Wen Changshun.

Wen Changshun followed closely behind Wen Lianchang, saying urgently, "Big Brother, please think about it carefully again. The matter of the successor is no joke."

Wen Shixue raised an eyebrow, instinctively wanting to grab Qin Zhen's arm and pull her closer inside to avoid being seen. However, she suddenly remembered the agreement and stopped her hand halfway.

Qin Zhen glanced at her and silently took a step back inside. She recognized him as Wen Lianchang's younger brother and sister, who held shares and positions in the Wen Group. However, judging by the situation, he seemed dissatisfied with Wen Lianchang's chosen successor?

She couldn't help but turn her head to look at the successor, Wen Shixue. She had expected Wen Shixue to feel disappointed at being questioned by a relative, but she found that she had underestimated Wen Shixue again—Wen Shixue was neither disappointed nor surprised. She was leaning against the wall, listening with great interest. She had no doubt that if Wen Shixue were given a handful of melon seeds, she would immediately start cracking them with gusto.

The two elders downstairs clearly didn't notice the two children upstairs. Wen Changshun was still aggressively lecturing Wen Lianchang, "Big Brother, Shixue is a girl."

Wen Lianchang turned back and looked at him irritably. "What's wrong with being a girl?"

Wen Changshun said as if it were obvious, "How can a girl manage such a large company well! You know, girls are always a bit lacking compared to boys!"

Qin Zhen felt uncomfortable and frowned slightly. Although she knew Wen Changshun usually looked down on women, she still wondered where he got the nerve to say such things to Wen Lianchang, the founder of the Wen Group. As far as she knew, Wen Group reaching its current status... seemed to have nothing to do with this second uncle.

Wen Shixue shrugged at Qin Zhen and made a face. This was her second uncle, the number one person in the Wen family who favored boys over girls. He always wanted her to defer to his useless son, foolishly believing that the Wen family's business would belong to his son in the future and that the Wen daughters had no right to inherit it. It was simply laughably stupid.

Wen Changshun downstairs continued, "Big Brother, you also hope that the empire you worked so hard to build can be passed down forever, right?"

"Hmm?" Wen Lianchang said, "You know I built this?"

Wen Changshun was instantly speechless, laughed awkwardly, and then said, "I... I didn't exert myself before, but aren't I making up for it now, wanting the Wen Group to last longer? I'm also doing this for the Wen Group's good."

No matter how sincere he sounded, Wen Lianchang didn't appreciate it. "No need. My daughter is no worse than anyone else. See him out!"

After Wen Lianchang sent the man away, Qin Zhen looked at Wen Shixue and finally asked after a long pause, "Are you alright?"

Wen Shixue was puzzled. "What could be wrong with me?"

Qin Zhen indeed couldn't find any unhappy expression on her face. After thinking for a moment, she said, "After you officially start working, you need to be more careful with everyone you interact with."

This wasn't the time she should have said this, but now was precisely the best opportunity. Wen Changshun might really make trouble for Wen Shixue after Wen Lianchang leaves. It wasn't hard to guess what he would try to do—simply "prove" that Wen Shixue was indeed inferior to his son.

Wen Shixue nodded. "Vice President Qin is right." Then she turned around, leaned over the mahogany railing, and called down to Wen Lianchang, "Lao Wen, after you go traveling, he's definitely going to trip me up, right?"

Wen Lianchang looked up, surprised that she was there, then sighed. "It's alright, I'll warn him."

Wen Shixue said calmly, "Your warning will only scare him while you're here. Once you're gone, he'll still make small moves. So, this warning has to come from me."

She would absolutely not tolerate anyone with ulterior motives causing trouble and hindering her pursuit of her career and inheritance!

"You have an idea," Qin Zhen said.

Wen Shixue turned back to look at her. "I do, but I need to confirm something first."

Qin Zhen: "What?"

Wen Shixue turned back to Wen Lianchang downstairs and asked, "Lao Wen, do any of your board members have heart problems?"

Qin Zhen: "...?"

Why did this question make her feel so uneasy?

...

Two days later, the Wen Group board meeting was held as scheduled. The shareholders arrived on time. Wen Changshun, who already knew Wen Lianchang's decision, sat among them with an unpleasant expression.

The meeting began with the chairman, Wen Lianchang's, speech. He got straight to the point, immediately announcing the decision for the new company, Chenfeng: his daughter Wen Shixue would serve as CEO, and Qin Zhen as Vice President. He then invited Wen Shixue in to formally meet the shareholders.

Wen Shixue stepped into the conference room gracefully in high heels. Her delicate almond eyes were bright and full of spirit, her gaze shining like stars. Small pearl hair clips were tucked behind both ears, and her long hair cascaded down her back, dark and smooth. She wore a black suit exquisitely paired with a lace inner shirt, looking capable yet retaining a girlish charm. Her features were well-defined and delicate, her skin smooth as porcelain, like a doll.

This beautiful doll stood beside Wen Lianchang, looked around the conference room at the shareholders, and calmly bowed to greet them. "Nice to meet you all, I am Wen Shixue."

This was the Wen family's little princess's first formal meeting with all the shareholders. Everyone gave her face, nodding or returning a greeting. Their eyes couldn't help but converge tacitly on the black bag she was holding. It was long and thin, and they wondered what was inside.

Wen Lianchang asked her to say a few words. After saying some pleasantries, she immediately got to the point. "I know I'm still young and have no work experience. I won't be able to earn everyone's approval right away. So, I will take two years to prove myself. Please be patient and wait, just like our Chairman Wen."

"Of course," she said, gripping the black bag in her hand, and smiling at everyone as she unzipped it. "I know some people aren't convinced by me. It's not a big problem to feel unconvinced inside, but if jealousy burns in your heart and you resort to underhanded tactics to hinder my and the company's development, that won't do. That would be harming the Wen Group's interests."

"So, today I'm making it clear to those with malicious intentions and ulterior motives: think carefully before resorting to underhanded tactics, because I have always followed the philosophy of my idol, Mencius—convincing by virtue."

Then, in front of everyone, she pulled out a baseball bat with the character "德" (Dé - Virtue) stuck on it from the bag, her smile gradually turning sinister.

Shareholders: "???"

Does your idol's "virtue" mean this "virtue"??

This isn't a little princess, this is a devil king!!!

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