Chapter 34: An Encounter in a Foreign Land [4]

"You’re joking, Sister Tianli. I think I’m better suited for behind-the-scenes work." Wen Xiaorou had met with her boss, Sister Tianli, first thing that morning. Under Tianli’s instruction, she had switched from calling her "Boss" to "Sister Tianli."

Wen Xiaorou’s boss was not very tall, slightly plump, and looked rather stern. She wore black-rimmed glasses, favored dark-colored professional attire, and had a somewhat gruff, masculine voice that made her seem like a tomboy.

"Hehe! Of course, everything is voluntary; I was just offering a personal suggestion." Sister Tianli smiled at Wen Xiaorou, though she inwardly lamented what a pity it was to waste such good potential.

"Hehe!" Wen Xiaorou giggled foolishly, wondering to herself why, despite her looks, she couldn't catch Jing Nuo’s eye. *Sigh!* It was useless to think about it; they wouldn't have any connection in the future anyway.

On her first day, Wen Xiaorou didn't do much of any real substance. The company was small, with only ten employees including the boss. Occasionally, well-proportioned women would wander in and out. Her job mostly involved printing model profiles and uploading them to a website—it was hollow, boring, and required no technical skill. By the time she clocked out, she felt dazed and unproductive. It was a far cry from the high-octane, project-filled, and overloaded workload she had imagined for a new hire.

"Wen Xiaorou, how was your first day?" Cheng Yiyi asked when she returned home that evening.

"No passion," Wen Xiaorou replied lazily.

"You can't be like that. You need to have passion for life and work."

"It’s the company that has no passion, not me."

And so, Wen Xiaorou spent a month in that passionless company with no passion of her own. On payday, however, she was absolutely thrilled to see an unexpectedly large sum of money in her account. She hadn't expected such a small company to pay so well. Wen Xiaorou felt invigorated, filled with renewed hope for her work and life, and she immediately treated Cheng Yiyi to a lavish feast.

"Xiaorou, you’ve seemed a bit lackluster during your first month at the company. This isn't the attitude a new employee should have." The day after she received her paycheck, Wen Xiaorou was called into the boss’s office for a chat.

"I will definitely work very hard from now on!" Wen Xiaorou looked at Sister Tianli, fearing that after paying her so well, the boss was about to let her go. She had finally found a job and settled in; she didn't want to be kicked to the curb. Taking a deep breath, she mustered all her strength and stared at her boss, promising to work hard.

"Hmm, it's good to have that determination. To spark your enthusiasm, the company has decided to send you on a business trip to Paris. I want you to get a feel for what models in the fashion capitals are like and how they work," the boss said, pushing up her black-rimmed glasses as she gave her instructions.

"A business trip? An overseas business trip? Am I going alone?" Wen Xiaorou was stunned by this sudden stroke of luck. She had only been there for a month, and she was already becoming a permanent employee and going abroad? Sister Tianli must really value her. She silently vowed to herself that she would work hard.

"This company doesn't like to hire constantly. Once someone is hired, they must be utilized; that is the only way to keep an employee’s heart. Of course, you won't be going alone—I will be going with you." The boss’s expression remained as stern as ever.

"Thank you, Sister Tianli!" Wen Xiaorou clutched the documents in her hands and bowed ninety degrees to show her gratitude.