Chapter 22: This Secretary Job Should Have Been Mine

In the blink of an eye, Lin Ye’s mind raced through the implications. "Manager Zhao, I have considered this carefully. I feel that with my current abilities, serving as the executive assistant might..."

Zhao Zhi’s lips slowly curled into a smile of expected confidence. "Your salary will increase by fifty percent from your current rate."

"I am a brick for this company, meant to be moved wherever I am needed most!" Lin Ye’s righteous tone made him sound exactly like a veteran employee who had been with the company since its inception.

Zhao Zhi smiled faintly, finding the young man rather amusing.

"Then it’s settled. I’ll offer my congratulations now, Lin Ye. From here on out, I shall have to address you as Secretary Lin."

"Manager Zhao, you are being far too polite," Lin Ye replied with practiced courtesy. As for why the position was offered to him rather than anyone else, he didn't even think to ask.

There are some things that, when you are meant to know them, you will; when you aren't, it is best to simply play the fool.

Zhao Zhi pulled a new document from his desk drawer and slid it toward Lin Ye. "No need for such formalities, Secretary Lin. Go ahead and sign this transfer contract, and I will take you to the executive suite shortly."

Out of caution, Lin Ye picked up the contract to review it. The more he read, the wider his eyes grew—not because there were issues, but because of the sheer scale of the benefits.

A base salary of thirty thousand, a monthly phone allowance of fifteen hundred, a transport allowance of six thousand, and the use of a company car for the executive, with fuel expenses reimbursed via receipt.

There was even a housing subsidy of three thousand per month.

My goodness! With these perks, not only would he gladly take the secretarial role, but he might even consider selling his soul if asked.

After finishing the contract, Lin Ye slowly looked up at Zhao Zhi with a look of profound astonishment. Zhao Zhi felt somewhat uneasy under his gaze.

"What is it, Secretary Lin? Are you dissatisfied with the compensation?" Zhao Zhi asked, puzzled.

Hearing this, Lin Ye hurriedly waved his hands. "No, it’s not that. I assume this transport allowance is meant for fuel? I have a driver’s license, but I don’t own a car. Perhaps we could waive this allowance?"

It wasn't that Lin Ye didn't want the money—goodness knows he loved a paycheck—but the terms were so generous that he felt something was wrong. Where had he been placed? He felt as if he were dreaming, and not even in his wildest dreams would he have imagined such an offer.

Zhao Zhi waved a hand dismissively. "Whether you have a car or not is irrelevant. The company will provide you with a Mercedes-Benz; this was a specific request from the executive."

"As a company executive, you can’t exactly have your assistant taking the bus everywhere, can you?"

It was clear that Zhao Zhi was in a good mood, even finding the humor to crack a small joke with Lin Ye. He then reached into a smaller drawer and produced a Mercedes key fob.

Lin Ye recognized the key; he had briefly owned a Mercedes AMG in the past. While this key was different from his old one, the three-pointed star logo was unmistakable.

"This key was kept by the previous executive assistant, but she has since resigned. It is yours now. The car should be parked on the second basement level of the company garage."

After a few seconds of silence, Zhao Zhi seemed to remember something else and continued, "If I recall correctly, that car has been sitting in the basement for quite some time without being driven."

"You should head down there shortly to inspect it, then take it to a 4S dealership for maintenance to ensure there are no safety issues. And have it washed while you're at it—the executive prefers cleanliness."

"Understood. I will handle it."

Hearing that the car had belonged to the previous assistant put Lin Ye at ease; as long as it wasn't a vehicle provided specifically for him, it felt more grounded.

The benefits in the contract were truly impressive. Zhao Zhi’s mention of a fifty-percent raise had been a massive understatement—it was more like a fivefold increase.

With the current compensation for the role of executive assistant, he no longer had to worry about his future quality of life, nor did he have to fret over his parents’ situation.

With that thought, Lin Ye stopped overthinking, picked up a pen, and signed his name.

Zhao Zhi took the signed contract, letting out a small sigh of relief. He had successfully completed the task assigned to him by his superior.

"Since the contract is signed, Secretary Lin, let me take you to see your office."

Good heavens, he even had his own independent office! This was something Lin Ye had never dared to dream of before. The perks of this position were truly spectacular.

Lin Ye tucked the car key into his pocket and followed Zhao Zhi to the elevator, heading up to the top floor. To his surprise, there was a reception desk on the top floor as well, staffed by a young woman who was quite stunning.

"Manager Zhao, you're here." The receptionist stood up to greet him.

"Xiao Li, this is the new executive assistant, Lin Ye. Please go fetch the keys to the secretary’s office."

Xiao Li was efficient, returning with the keys in under a minute.

Zhao Zhi took the keys and led Lin Ye inside to the entrance of a large office.

"Secretary Lin, this is the executive’s office. I will have Xiao Li come find you later to register your fingerprint for access. The smaller room next to it is your office."

The two stepped into the modest-sized office. Lin Ye was surprised to find it had a floor-to-ceiling window. The chair looked soft and comfortable even without sitting in it. There was even a fish tank in the room, though for some reason, it was completely empty.

"Secretary Lin, if you have no questions, I shall leave these keys with you." Zhao Zhi handed the keys over.

Lin Ye took them in a daze, feeling as if he were intoxicated. It all felt so surreal—just an hour ago, he was a lowly clerk, and now, he was an executive assistant.

"Oh, right. The executive asked me to tell you to call her tomorrow at two in the afternoon." Zhao Zhi tapped his forehead, pulled a small notebook from his pocket, and handed it to Lin Ye.

The first page of the notebook contained a phone number and the name "President Su" written beneath it.

Upon seeing the name "Su," Lin Ye couldn't help but think of Su Qing. Even with his new thirty-thousand-a-month salary, he still felt there was an insurmountable chasm between him and her.

Her gentle, sweet voice seemed to echo in his ears, and his consciousness felt as if it were being pulled back to that morning when he first met her...

"Xiao Li! Come over and help Secretary Lin register his fingerprint for the executive office!"