Although he didn't explicitly say it, he believed Zhao Qian understood what he meant.

The so-called price to pay was, of course, her body.

But Zhao Qian had prepared money instead.

This made him very displeased.

He had thought fifty thousand yuan would be an astronomical amount for this young girl.

Yet she had actually managed to come up with it.

Director Yang's tone turned somewhat unpleasant.

"Oh, you're prepared?"

"Mm."

"How much did you prepare?"

"Fifty thousand yuan."

"Fifty thousand?" Director Yang chuckled, "Fifty thousand is far from enough. You need to understand, a lot of people are eyeing this position. If you want it, you'll need at least two hundred thousand."

"What? Two hundred thousand?"

Zhao Qian was furious inside.

Last time he clearly said fifty thousand, how did it suddenly jump to two hundred thousand?

"What did you think?" Director Yang said, "This is the market rate."

"Of course, if you can't come up with the money, there's always another way. It just depends on whether you're willing or not."

Director Yang's words couldn't be more blunt.

Zhao Qian understood what he meant, of course.

But she borrowed money from Wang Dahai precisely to avoid being coerced like this.

She pursed her lips and said, "I will prepare it."

Director Yang cursed in his mind — truly ungrateful.

He snorted, "Fine, you prepare it. But let me remind you, the spot won't wait for you forever. You have three days, after that it's too late."

"If you change your mind, give me a call."

Director Yang hung up the phone.

Zhao Qian sat on the sofa, feeling as if all strength had drained from her body.

Faced with these unspoken workplace rules, she felt a sense of helplessness.

She took out her phone and found Wang Dahai's profile picture.

After hesitating for a long time, she still chose not to contact Wang Dahai.

...

Rain City District, Human Resources Bureau.

After Director Yang finished the call, he cursed under his breath.

Just then, a junior clerk walked up and said, "Director Yang, Director Xiao is calling for you."

"Understood."

Director Yang went to the director's office, knocked on the door, and opened it with a sycophantic smile: "Director Xiao, you were looking for me?"

"Close the door."

He shut the door and walked in, about to ask something, when Director Xiao suddenly cursed, "Has your damn brain turned to mush?"

Director Yang froze, "Director Xiao, what does this mean?"

"What does it mean?"

"It means I want to ask you what the hell are you thinking!"

"A spot that someone earned through legitimate testing, and you, what, thought you could just take it away?"

"You had the nerve to claim it for yourself?"

"And make her fork over fifty thousand yuan?"

"Who the hell gave you the guts to pull this stunt, huh?"

Director Yang felt his brain go blank.

How did Director Xiao know about this?

Who ratted him out?

"Director Xiao, I…"

"Don't try to talk your way out of it. I'm asking you—did this happen or not?"

Director Yang turned pale and hesitated for ages before finally nodding stiffly, "It did."

"Damn you!"

Director Xiao cursed and said, "Right now, you'll contact this young woman and apologize to her!"

"Yes, I'll do it right away."

Director Yang asked, "Director Xiao, this, who told you about this?"

Director Xiao glared at him, "What, planning to retaliate?"

"No, I was just…"

"I'll tell you—it was Secretary Chen who called me!"

"Secretary Chen? Which Secretary Chen?"

"How many Secretaries with the surname Chen are there in Rain City District?"

"Ah, the district committee's Secretary Chen?"

"Yes."

Director Xiao said, "Also, let me tell you, this Zhao Qian has a connection with Secretary Chen. Offend her, and you won't have anything good coming your way!"

"I-I wouldn't dare offend her!"

Director Yang was already scared out of his wits.

Never in his wildest dreams did he think that this girl, who seemed to have no background, actually knew Secretary Chen.

If he had known Zhao Qian had such a connection, he wouldn't have dared even if he had two guts.

But now it was too late.

Secretary Chen had already found out and had even called in.

Now, all he felt was regret.

But regret was useless—the situation had already unfolded.

His only option now was damage control.

Leaving the office, he immediately called Zhao Qian.

Seeing Director Yang's number, Zhao Qian hesitated for a long time before answering, "Director Yang…"

"Miss Zhao, where are you?"

Director Yang's fawning tone, along with the respectful "Miss Zhao," left her baffled.

Why is he speaking to me like this?

"Director Yang…"

"Miss Zhao, we seem to have had a misunderstanding. Anyway, if you're free today, could you please come over and finalize your employment paperwork?"

"Huh?"

Zhao Qian was increasingly perplexed. What was going on?

Director Yang's attitude had done a complete 180.

"Director Yang, you…"

"Oh, Miss Zhao, really, you should've mentioned that you're acquainted with Secretary Chen earlier."

"Secretary Chen?" Zhao Qian was even more puzzled. "Which Secretary Chen?"

Her tone confused Director Yang too.

What the hell?

She doesn't know Secretary Chen?

But Director Xiao had just said that Secretary Chen personally phoned regarding her.

And the name matched, the situation matched.

This couldn't be wrong.

Director Yang asked, "You don't know Secretary Chen?"

"No."

This… Director Yang was filled with doubt, but regardless, Secretary Chen's call was undeniably real.

And Director Xiao's attitude was unmistakably genuine.

None of this could be faked.

No matter what, he didn't dare harbor any further thoughts about Zhao Qian.

"Miss Zhao, why don't you just come over and take care of the employment paperwork first?"

"Alright."

After hanging up, Zhao Qian still felt like this wasn't real.

She was dying to know—who exactly was Secretary Chen?

She suddenly recalled how Wang Dahai told her yesterday that he would help resolve the matter.

Could it really have been him?

But his surname isn't Chen either.

Zhao Qian hesitated, then decided to get dressed, eat breakfast, and head to the Human Resources Bureau. On the way, she sent Wang Dahai a message.

"Do you have time tonight?"

"I probably do. What's up?"

"I want to treat you to dinner."

"Got the job settled?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I'll call you after I finish my work tonight."

Zhao Qian arrived at the Human Resources Bureau, where Director Yang was already waiting at the door.

Seeing her arrive, he greeted her with a smile akin to a blooming flower, overflowing with enthusiasm: "Miss Zhao, come, come, let me take you to get your paperwork done."

Although Zhao Qian wasn't entirely certain whether Wang Dahai had helped her.

Nevertheless, it was undeniable that Secretary Chen had made a phone call on her behalf.

With this kind of backing, she felt a newfound sense of confidence.

When facing Director Yang, who had previously tried to exploit her, she no longer felt as afraid.

Still, she didn't lash out or speak harshly to him, maintaining a neutral tone.

After completing the procedures, Director Yang assigned her a position.

"Zhao, if you ever have any issues, feel free to come directly to me."

"Thank you, Director Yang."

"Don't mention it. Well, go ahead and familiarize yourself with the work now."

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