Chapter 174: A Confident Man Is Most Charming!
Leaving Han Mei’s office.
Jiang Yi returned to her workstation in the office with a dejected mood.
Although she was usually good-tempered.
Being repeatedly targeted by Han Mei, she couldn’t help but feel quite angry.
However, she was short on cash right now and also owed Jiang Tao over a hundred thousand yuan in external debt.
She desperately needed this job to earn more money and didn’t dare to resign easily.
The other colleagues in the office looked at Jiang Yi with a mixture of schadenfreude and sympathy.
To be successfully hired as a kindergarten teacher at Aidi Kindergarten, one not only needed strong professional skills but also had to be outstanding in physique and appearance.
Therefore, the female teachers at the school were all eye-catching beauties when walking on the street.
Yet, even among the group of beautiful female teachers, Jiang Yi was considered exceptionally outstanding.
Otherwise, Director Liu wouldn’t have taken a liking to her at first glance.
The competitive nature among women is quite strong; although the other colleagues in the office were polite to Jiang Yi on the surface, they were actually quite jealous of her in their hearts.
When several single female colleagues heard that Director Liu had taken a liking to her, they were all incredibly envious from the bottom of their hearts.
Although Manager Liu was already over 50 years old this year, due to his habit of exercising and living a life of luxury.
Manager Liu’s condition appeared better than that of office workers in their thirties, and he was even a bit handsome!
Crucially, this Manager Liu was currently single, with no wife or children at home!
Such a man was practically a real-life diamond bachelor!
What others couldn’t get, fell into Jiang Yi’s lap, yet she wanted to avoid it as much as possible.
While everyone was jealous, they also secretly cursed her for being out of touch and too naive!
Coupled with being targeted by Han Mei now.
Some female colleagues who had an average relationship with Jiang Yi even felt a sense of schadenfreude.
Han Mei had also praised Director Liu a lot in front of Jiang Yi, extolling him as a uniquely exceptional man.
Successful in his career, sincere and generous, kind to others, refined in speech, and handsome.
But Jiang Yi was truly not interested in that Director Liu at all, not even a little bit.
Therefore, she didn’t want any entanglement or connection with him, which was why she refused so decisively.
However, Han Mei clearly didn’t think so and was determined to play matchmaker for the two.
“Sigh… so troublesome.”
Jiang Yi twirled her pen, sighing inwardly, feeling for the first time the trouble that being single brought her.
*Ring ring ring—*
The mobile phone in her pocket suddenly rang.
Jiang Yi took out her mobile phone and saw that the caller ID displayed the name “Jiang Tao”.
Seeing Jiang Tao’s call, Jiang Yi was slightly stunned and also a bit puzzled.
Jiang Tao rarely called her during her work hours; this was the first time.
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Yi’s delicate and fair fingers swiped to answer the call.
“Hello, Jiang Tao.”
“This noon? I’m here…”
“Ah? You, you, you’ve already asked Director Han for leave for me?”
“Director Han is going too?”
“Oh… okay, I understand.”
“Mm, bye-bye.”
After a brief conversation on the phone, Jiang Yi’s expression was somewhat bewildered.
“What’s going on? Jiang Tao wants to treat Director Han and me to a meal??”
Jiang Yi couldn’t figure out Jiang Tao’s intention, but she definitely had to give him face.
…
In the open space outside the Xiao Shahe Urban Village.
*Ring ring ring—*
As soon as Jiang Tao hung up Jiang Yi’s call, his mobile phone rang.
The caller ID displayed the name “Xiao Qi”.
“Hello, Xiao Qi.”
After answering the phone, Jiang Tao greeted Jiang Jiaqi with a smile.
“Your parents have arrived, that quickly, okay, I’ll get ready to head over.”
“You prepare the contract first.”
“Okay, see you later.”
After hanging up the call with Jiang Jiaqi, Jiang Tao directly started the car and drove towards Jiang’s Food Factory in the Bai Ge Zhuang Industrial Zone.
In less than 20 minutes, the Mercedes-Benz G-wagon stopped at the main entrance of the food factory.
It was called the main entrance, but the gate wasn’t large, perhaps only about 5 meters wide at most.
Coupled with the two large iron gates taking up a considerable amount of space, the G-wagon could barely drive in.
Jiang Tao didn’t bother to drive inside and parked the car directly at the entrance.
He pushed open the door, got out of the car, and walked into the food factory.
As soon as he entered the gate, through the large window of the office, Jiang Tao saw Jiang Jiaqi talking to a man and a woman in the office.
Hearing the movement in the courtyard, Jiang Jiaqi in the office turned her head and saw Jiang Tao.
Jiang Jiaqi’s small face instantly showed a look of joy, and she opened the office door to come out and greet him.
“Uncle Tao, you’re here!”
Jiang Jiaqi ran a few steps out to meet Jiang Tao, greeting him sweetly with a smile.
Jiang Jiaqi’s parents also followed out of the office.
“Jiang Tao, we’ve come to rely on you.”
“If my wife and I do anything poorly in the future, you don’t need to hold back, just say it or scold us if necessary.”
“If we can’t do well, we won’t make things difficult for you; we’ll directly resign and return to our hometown.”
“And we won’t have any complaints!”
Jiang Jianjun expressed his attitude to Jiang Tao as soon as they met.
This older brother clearly sounded like an honest person, his simple and honest demeanor almost radiating off the screen.
“Thank you, Jiang Tao, for giving me and my husband such a great opportunity.”
Yang Wenyan looked at Jiang Tao with eyes full of gratitude.
She also held great expectations for this job at Jiang’s Food Factory.
After living most of her life, she had never worked a job with such high salary and good treatment!
If she could successfully get hired at Jiang’s Food Factory, not only could she earn more money now.
With social security from the Capital City, when she got old, she would receive a much larger pension than the elders in the village, giving her a better prospect for life.
“Brother Jianjun, Sister-in-law Wenyan, you don’t need to be so polite, and you don’t need to feel pressured about work.”
“Since I asked you both to come, I’m confident you can handle the work here.”
Jiang Tao also smiled and greeted Jiang Jianjun and Yang Wenyan, his tone gentle with an appropriate distance.
Hiring acquaintances to work has both pros and cons.
The advantage is that everyone knows each other well and can be trusted.
The disadvantage is that when people are too familiar, it becomes difficult to manage them.
Therefore, maintaining a certain distance at work is also very necessary.
After exchanging pleasantries at the office door, Jiang Tao invited them into the office.
After a little more idle chat, Jiang Tao discussed work and treatment issues with Jiang Jianjun and Yang Wenyan.
As he had promised, after deducting social security and housing fund, the net salary would not be less than 5,000 yuan.
Jiang Jianjun and Yang Wenyan were extremely satisfied with the salary and naturally had no objections.
“Xiao Qi, take some time today to take your parents for a physical examination.”
“And also go and get their health certificates.”
“Once the physical examination is passed and the health certificates are obtained, the formal employment contract can be signed.”
Although everyone knew each other, the necessary procedures for onboarding still needed to be followed.
Jiang’s Food Factory is a food company, so health certificates are essential; Jiang Tao’s parents also had to obtain them, with no exceptions.
Also, the pre-employment physical examination could not be skipped.
It’s better safe than sorry.
If any occupational diseases were discovered after joining, it would be unclear.
It’s best not to test human nature if possible!
They chatted until a little past 11 AM.
Jiang Tao asked Jiang Jiaqi to get 5,000 yuan from Jiang Bing to cover the cost of their parents’ physical examination, health certificates, and purchase of daily necessities.
There was a container house in the factory courtyard that could be lived in.
In the future, Jiang Jianjun and Yang Wenyan would live there and also take on the night shift security guard duties for the food factory.
In addition to their regular salary, Jiang Tao would give them an extra 1,500 yuan each for duty.
This way, the couple could save on rent upon arrival and earn more money, killing two birds with one stone.
At 11:18 AM, Jiang Tao bid farewell to Jiang Jianjun’s family and drove away in the G-wagon parked at the entrance.
“Jiang Tao has really made it now…”
Watching the Mercedes-Benz G-wagon drive away, Jiang Jianjun turned to his wife and daughter and said sincerely.
“Yes! He gives off a completely different impression now, he already has the aura of a big boss.”
Yang Wenyan nodded in agreement; in her mind, Jiang Tao had undergone a complete transformation, like a different person!
This was the result of Jiang Tao’s recent consistent exercise and significant improvement in physique.
It was also related to the strong sense of accomplishment and confidence brought about by his surge in wealth.
A confident man is the most attractive!
“Uncle Tao has indeed changed like a different person, he’s become so handsome and has such a distinguished demeanor!”
Jiang Jiaqi watched the direction Jiang Tao’s car had driven away, her face showing a somewhat infatuated expression.
“By the way, Dad and Mom! I have some more great news to tell you!”
“What good news?”
Jiang Jiaqi’s parents looked at her curiously.
Jiang Jiaqi said directly: “I heard from Grandpa Jiang Wen that Uncle Tao has developed another recipe for barbecue sauce, which will also be mass-produced at the food factory from now on.”
“Uh… is that considered good news? And ‘great’ news?”
Jiang Jianjun was somewhat disappointed upon hearing his daughter’s words; what kind of good news was this!
Yang Wenyan also looked at her daughter with confusion, unable to see what was so good about this news.
“Oh, Dad, Mom, use your brains!”
Jiang Jiaqi looked at her honest and simple parents and felt a little exasperated.
“Think about it, how many people are there in our factory now?”
“Besides Uncle Tao, Grandpa Jiang Wen, Grandma Tian, and Aunt Jiang Bing, it’s just our small family.”
“What does this mean? It means Uncle Tao values our family quite highly.”
“If the factory adds more production lines for other products in the future, more workers will definitely be hired.”
“By then, we’ll be the veteran employees of the company, and promotions and salary increases won’t be far off, right?”
The more Jiang Jiaqi spoke, the more excited she became, as if she could already imagine her bright future of becoming a company executive, earning tens of thousands a month, and buying a car and a house in the Capital City.
“Your mother and I don’t understand anything; we’re just laborers, not suited to be leaders.”
Jiang Jianjun shook his head, retreating before even trying.
Like Jiang Tao’s uncle, Tian Xiaoguang, he had struggled at the social bottom for most of his life and had long been smoothed down by life’s hardships.
He had long accepted his mediocrity and was content with it.
If someone arranged a ready-made task for him and told him how to do it, he could do it well.
But if he were to be a leader and lead others, just the thought of it made his head ache.
Yang Wenyan on the side echoed:
“Your father is right; one should know contentment. One should only take as much as they can handle.”
“Uncle Tao gives your father and me such good treatment; we are already very content.”
“You young people have many more opportunities in the future, and your learning ability is also strong.”
“Qiqi, you need to perform well, strive to impress Uncle Tao, and get promoted again.”
“…”
Jiang Jiaqi gave a wry smile upon hearing her parents’ words and didn’t try to persuade them further.
To each their own.
With her parents’ personalities, changing their views in a short period would not be an easy task.
Like most parents, they accepted their fate or were semi-retired themselves, but they pushed their children relentlessly.
Many things they couldn’t accomplish in their youth, they wanted their children to do.
“Let’s find a place to eat first. In the afternoon, I’ll take you to see the production workshop, and tomorrow morning I’ll take you for your physical examinations.”
Jiang Jiaqi no longer tried to “coach her parents” and changed the subject with a smile.
Actually, what her mother said wasn’t wrong.
If she and her father passed the physical examination and were hired by Jiang’s Food Factory, it would already be a very good job for them.
With a take-home salary of 5,000 yuan, plus the 1,500 yuan duty allowance, their monthly take-home pay would be 6,500 yuan.
In addition, they don’t have to spend money on accommodation, and each person receives a 500 yuan meal subsidy per month.
They don’t have to spend a single penny of their salary.
Theoretically, a couple can save 13,000 yuan a month!
If you add in the mid-year and year-end bonuses, saving sixteen or seventeen thousand yuan in a year should be no problem!
In a year, they can earn over ten thousand yuan more than in previous years!
If people in the village knew about this income, wouldn’t their eyes turn red with envy?
Jiang Tao’s request for them to keep their salaries a secret and not spread it in the village was due to these concerns.
…
11:55 AM.
A black Mercedes-Benz G-Class stopped in a temporary open-air parking space to the right of the main entrance of Aidi Kindergarten.
Jiang Tao pushed open the car door and, before he could even light his cigarette, he saw a beautiful and familiar figure jogging out from the school entrance.
She was wearing a sheer dress with pink and white flowers, and a white short cardigan jacket over it.
Her smooth long hair flowed up and down with her movement, like fine silk.
Her delicate and fair face had a slight blush, likely from running, which added to her beauty.
Jiang Tao’s gaze locked onto Jiang Yi, who was running towards him, and his hand paused its motion of lighting a cigarette.
As a normal man.
Jiang Yi’s beauty and grace were not entirely unattractive to him.
Especially Jiang Yi’s outfit today, which was very feminine and perfectly suited Jiang Tao’s taste.
“Hoo hoo… No, I’m sorry Jiang Tao, for making you wait.”
“Can I treat you to a cup of coffee as an apology?”
Jiang Yi stopped in front of Jiang Tao, slightly out of breath, and handed him the cup of coffee she was holding, which was still warm.
“How did Teacher Jiang know I like coffee? Oh, I know, it must have been that rascal Jiang Xue who told you, right.”
Jiang Tao playfully teased Jiang Yi with a smile, took the coffee from her hand, and said, “Thanks, Teacher Jiang.”
Jiang Yi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with her hand, looking a little embarrassed:
“You’re welcome, it’s just free coffee from our office pantry.”
“Uh, haha, Teacher Jiang, there’s no need to be so honest.”
Jiang Tao was amused by Jiang Yi’s honesty; this was so typical of her!
“Let’s go, Teacher Jiang, get in the car first. It’s about time, we can chat as we go.”
Jiang Tao called out to Jiang Yi, then turned and opened the car door to get in.
Jiang Yi hesitated for a moment, walked around the front of the car to the front passenger seat, opened the door, and got in, proactively fastening her seatbelt.
The seatbelt created an alluring shape on her chest, revealing a distinct cleavage between her breasts.
It had to be said, Jiang Yi’s figure was truly impressive and genuinely substantial.
Jiang Tao had seen this before when he visited her home and saw her in pajamas and tight yoga clothes.
Muttering to himself “see no evil,” Jiang Tao then pulled his attention away from her cleavage, started the car, and headed towards Wanxiang Hui.
Along the way, Jiang Yi wanted to ask Jiang Tao several times why he had suddenly invited her and Director Han to dinner together.
But she held back.
“Is he trying to get Director Han to take better care of Xiao Xue, and wants me to be there to liven things up?”
“Maybe he’s not familiar with Director Han and won’t have much to talk about, so he’s asking me to go and liven up the atmosphere?”
“Does he know that Director Han and I actually don’t get along? What if things go wrong…”
The more Jiang Yi thought about it, the heavier her heart became, feeling the greater her responsibility.
“Um, Jiang Tao, actually, Director Han and I…”
“I know, Director Han hasn’t been getting along with you lately, has she?”
Before Jiang Yi could explain, Jiang Tao interrupted her.
“You, how did you know? Then you still…”
Jiang Yi looked at Jiang Tao with a puzzled expression, a lot of question marks popping up in her mind.
“It’s precisely because she’s not getting along with you that I’m inviting both of you to dinner, to help you ease your relationship.”
While driving, Jiang Tao began to increase Jiang Yi’s favorability towards him and reap benefits for himself.
“Ah? Jiang Tao, you…”
Upon hearing that Jiang Tao’s lunch invitation today was to help her and Director Han mend their relationship,
her pretty face immediately showed surprise, as well as unexpectedness, and an expression of immense gratitude.
Oh no, why do my eyes feel hot, like something is about to flow out.
This feeling of being cared for by an unexpected person when one is helpless deeply touched Jiang Yi’s heart.
She looked into his eyes, at his face, unsure if it was due to being moved or her own illusion.
She felt that Jiang Tao’s features looked even more pleasing to the eye, more three-dimensional, and more handsome.
In fact, this was due to the increase in Charm Points Jiang Tao had gained after triggering a special event in the last couple of days.
Not only did Jiang Yi feel he looked more pleasing and handsome.
Xu Li, Du Ennan, Jiang Bing, his father and mother, and Jiang Jiaqi all felt the changes in Jiang Tao.
Moreover, they all tacitly attributed the changes in Jiang Tao to the boost his current career gave to his charm.
Everyone thought they were seeing Jiang Tao through a “filter.”
That’s why he looked more pleasing and handsome.
But the truth was the most unlikely one – Jiang Tao himself had genuinely become more handsome!
The increase in Charm Points not only altered his demeanor but also subtly refined his facial features.
However, this subtle refinement was so masterful that it left no trace.
Looking at Jiang Tao’s face, Jiang Yi’s heart suddenly started to beat faster.
This feeling…
“I wish he wasn’t married.”
Jiang Yi was startled by her own thought.
She knew that this sudden thought meant she had developed feelings for Jiang Tao!
But she knew she could never do something like that, never be a third party who destroys someone else’s marriage.
With this in mind, Jiang Yi quickly averted her gaze from Jiang Tao’s face and guiltily turned her head to look at the rapidly receding streetscape outside the window.
“You don’t need to thank me. Helping you is also helping myself.”
“If you have to work overtime every day, who will tutor our Xiao Xue with her homework?”
Jiang Yi didn’t comment on Jiang Tao’s explanation.
He said that just to avoid feeling too indebted, right?
“Regardless, I still need to thank you, thank you Jiang Tao.”
“You’ve been a great help to me again this time.”
This time, Jiang Yi didn’t dare to look at Jiang Tao again, her gaze still fixed on the window, and her gratitude towards Jiang Tao increased significantly.
Last time, he had lent her money to cover the medical expenses for her niece Jiang An’an’s surgery.
This time, he…
Could it be that he also… towards her…
When Jiang Yi thought of that possibility, she quickly shook her head to dispel the thought.
“You’re welcome, we’ve known each other for so many years, we’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Friends should help each other.”
“Having more friends opens more doors, perhaps I’ll need Teacher Jiang’s help in the future.”
“No, not in the future, I need it now, don’t I?”
“Xu Li said that our Xiao Xue’s grades have been improving rapidly lately, all thanks to Teacher Jiang’s effective teaching.”
While driving, Jiang Tao steered the conversation towards lighter topics.
“Ahem, not really, it’s mainly because Xiao Xue is smart and quick to learn.”
When talking about children, Jiang Yi suddenly said:
“By the way, Jiang Tao, my brother and An An have been wanting to treat you to a meal to thank you in person.”
“When are you free? Let’s set a time for a casual meal.”
Jiang Yi suddenly remembered what her brother had asked her to do and quickly took the opportunity to mention it to Jiang Tao again.
She had mentioned it to Jiang Tao before, but he had refused, citing work as an excuse.
More than ten days had passed since the invitation was first extended.
Jiang Tao hadn’t given her a definitive answer, probably having forgotten about it.
To Jiang Tao, this might have been a trivial matter.
But for Jiang Yi, her brother Jiang Hai, and her niece Jiang An’an, they would never forget his kindness.
Jiang Tao thought for a moment and finally gave a perfunctory reply:
“I’m quite busy recently, let’s talk about it after I’m done with this period.”
He had lent Jiang Yi over a hundred thousand yuan without Xu Li’s knowledge.
Although he was innocent and had nothing to fear, it was an early investment in Jiang An’an for a 10000% rate of return, not because he desired Jiang Yi.
But this matter was really difficult to explain to Xu Li.
“Oh…”
“It’s okay, your work is important.”
Jiang Yi smiled and expressed understanding after hearing Jiang Tao’s words, but felt a little disappointed.
