The pushover offended a top-tier boss

Zhou Huaijin looked at her aggrieved and defiant expression, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile. He stopped teasing her and let go of her hand.

"I'll give you a task tomorrow. Take a headcount of the secretariat's staff and collect some cash, at a rate of 20,000 yuan per person. Consider it a New Year's bonus for everyone who's worked hard all year."

Ye Zhenzhen's eyes lit up immediately: "When do we get our holiday? Do we have to wait until the 29th of the lunar year?"

"Once I finish my work, I can leave two days early."

Ye Zhenzhen was even happier when she heard the news.

"Can I go get the money first and then go back to work tomorrow?" she asked tentatively.

That way she can sleep in late and take a stroll outside, a perfect way to slack off.

Zhou Huaijin saw right through her little scheme. He was too lazy to expose her.

"Can."

"Thank you, boss."

I'm happy again.

The next day, Ye Zhenzhen slept until nine o'clock.

Sure enough, without 8 a.m., people become much more cheerful.

She went to the bank to withdraw cash first.

There were twenty-two stacks of cash; it was the first time she had ever taken so much money.

To avoid attracting attention, she deliberately used an old bag, which was her old insulated bag for taking out pickled fish.

There were eleven people in total, each paying 20,000, totaling 220,000. They used the card he provided. He hadn't even spent any of it himself yet, but he had already spent 220,000.

Hmph, the change is gone just like that.

Eight million seems like a lot, but if he spends it like this, she'll only have less and less left.

Hmph, what a cunning old man.

There was a shopping mall near the bank, and she strolled around inside. When she passed the LV counter, she stopped.

In the shop window, she saw the bag that Xu Nan had shown off to her before.

Lin Zhi's words suddenly echoed in his mind—"Sleep with his people, spend his money."

That's right.

She stepped into the store, carrying the worn-out takeout bag in her hand.

No one came up to greet her.

"Bring that bag down so I can take a look," Ye Zhenzhen said, pointing to the bag in the shop window.

A tall saleswoman walked over, expressionless.

"Miss, this is the new collection for this spring, it costs 24,500."

The sales assistant took the bag down, placed it on the glass counter, and pushed it in front of her.

Ye Zhenzhen picked up the bag and tried it on.

Twenty-four thousand five. This bag is worth more than three months of her salary.

Although she had eight million in her account, she was a little timid.

She took out her phone, intending to call Zhou Huaijin.

"Miss, we don't allow photos here. If you're not buying, please give them to us so we don't get them dirty," the saleswoman's voice drifted over from the side, tinged with impatience.

Ye Zhenzhen's anger flared up instantly.

"I call!"

Who wants to take a picture?

At that moment, in the district committee meeting room, Zhou Huaijin felt a sudden tightness in his heart as he looked at the incoming call.

He remembered Nan Jing's phone call. Ye Zhenzhen would never call him unless there was a reason.

Something must have happened again? Could it be a car accident on the road, or that someone bullied him again?

He answered the phone quickly, forgetting even to avoid it.

Unexpectedly, a weak voice came from the other end:

"Boss, can I use the card you gave me to buy a bag?"

Zhou Huaijin gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger.

"Don't ask me about such trivial matters."

Ye Zhenzhen pouted, "Why are you being so fierce!"

She stood inside the store, holding her phone.

The aloof saleswoman next to me was rolling her eyes at her colleague.

"She even has to ask her dear husband for permission. See, this woman is definitely going to get scolded soon."

They've seen it all before—many housewives who secretly took their husbands' cards to buy bags only to have them forcibly returned, and others who were scolded when they called to ask for their money back.

"LV, it costs over 20,000..." Ye Zhenzhen whispered into her phone.

Zhou Huaijin took a deep breath, his brows furrowing even deeper.

I was distracted from work to answer her call, so I thought it was something important.

So she's going to buy this shabby bag?!

More than 20,000 yuan? Who are they trying to embarrass? If they took her out carrying that shabby bag, their friends would laugh at them to death.

They're so poor they're desperate, or they simply can't afford to live anymore.

His profession has made him used to keeping a low profile. But there has to be someone in the family who spends money, and he needs to get her to change that habit as soon as possible.

"Ye Zhenzhen".

"Couldn't you buy something more upscale?"

Ye Zhenzhen was stunned.

The two saleswomen's mocking laughter stopped instantly.

Ye Zhenzhen held her phone, her mind racing.

She smiled slightly at the two saleswomen.

My husband said, "This isn't high-class."

Then, with her head held high and chest out, she turned around and went to the Chanel store next door.

Eighty-four thousand, quilted lambskin. Gold double-C clasp, leather chain shoulder strap. She had seen this style online and thought it was gorgeous, but the price was something she couldn't even dream of owning.

Ye Zhenzhen waved her hand dismissively: "Here, swipe your card."

"Oh, and one more of the same style, mailed to Beijing."

Good sisters should share happiness and joy.

"Yes, ma'am!"

The saleswoman's eyes lit up, and she became incredibly attentive: "Madam, please wait a moment, we'll pack it for you right away. You can sit in the lounge area for a bit; we've prepared some refreshments for you."

Ye Zhenzhen was invited to the rest area. There was a small round table covered with a white tablecloth, on which sat a pot of black tea, a few macarons, and a plate of small cookies.

She sat down, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and suddenly understood the joy of being a rich woman.

Eighty-four thousand. She had never spent so much money in her life, and today she spent two portions in one go.

When the bag was finished, the sales assistant handed it to me with both hands, bowed slightly, and smiled respectfully: "Madam, here is your bag. We look forward to your next visit."

As Ye Zhenzhen walked out of the store, several saleswomen watched her go.

She deliberately carried her shopping bag and walked past the donkey's house, giving them a big eye roll.

Hmph! That felt good.

-

Ye Zhenzhen returned to her workplace carrying a huge sum of over 200,000 yuan and her Chanel handbag.

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator on the eighth floor, I heard Chen Xuefei's voice, which was incredibly gentle.

"The leaders are having a meeting with the Education Department. That's all for now. Please have a seat."

Ye Zhenzhen glanced at him curiously, wondering what important person had arrived this time.

The person was wearing a dark gray cashmere coat over a black velvet dress. Their hair was styled in a bun at the back of their head, and the emerald on their neck was the size of a one-yuan coin. They also had matching pigeon-egg-sized earlobes, exuding an air of nobility.

Wow, the boss's mom is here.

Ye Zhenzhen, like a thief, quietly returned to her workstation.

With Chen Zheng not around, she quietly listened to the conversation in the reception room.

"Professor Jiang, would you like tea or coffee?"

"Water will do." Zhou's mother sat down on the sofa, smiling and remarking, "It's been so many years since I've heard anyone call me Professor Jiang."

Chen Xuefei smiled and replied with admiration: "My major in college was history, and your book 'A Study of Modern Chinese Economic History' had a great influence on many of us back then. At that time, all my classmates said they hoped to become your students."

Zhou's mother smiled and waved her hand, "You flatter me. My expertise is not profound and I am far inferior to many senior professors in the field."

"So, Xiao Chen, you studied history?" Zhou's mother glanced at Chen Xuefei, her gaze softening with warmth. "Who's your teacher?"

"My teacher was Mr. Chen Jiye."

"Oh, Professor Chen? He's an expert in the field of history." Zhou's mother nodded, her tone full of admiration. "It's a pity that I neglected my profession later because of the family business."

"Professor Jiang, you're too modest," Chen Xuefei said with a smile, then added, "It's a blessing for the people of Bin City that you've raised such an outstanding son as Secretary Zhou."

Ye Zhenzhen couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "People with high emotional intelligence are indeed different."

When I first met her, I didn't even know what to call her. In the end, Zhou Huaijin told me to call her "Auntie".

Look at Director Chen, he can easily charm people with just the title "Professor Jiang," chatting about academics and mentorship.

Otherwise, how could they become leaders?

Zhou's mother then pulled Chen Xuefei aside for a chat: "Little Chen, you look quite young, are you married yet?"

Chen Xuefei said shyly, "Professor Jiang, I'm already 30 and still single. I'm too busy with work to find a partner."

"Like Zhouzhou, no matter how busy you are, you still need to consider your personal life. You need to balance starting a family and building a career."

"You're right."

Zhou's mother thought to herself, "This girl is quite nice. She speaks and acts with grace and poise, and it's pleasant to listen to her."

To have reached this position at the age of 30, one must be capable and have some family connections.

After leaving the meeting room, Zhou Huaijin went straight to find his mother.

He was wearing a dark blue shirt with two buttons undone at the collar, looking like he had just escaped a long meeting.

"Mom, you didn't even tell me you were coming."

He sat down next to his mother, his tone slightly reproachful.

"I know you're busy and I didn't want to bother you. Your work comes first." Zhou's mother looked at her son with a touch of tenderness and heartache in her eyes.

"It's alright, Comrade Chen kept me company for a while." She glanced at Chen Xuefei and smiled.

Zhou Huaijin nodded to Chen Xuefei: "Thank you for your hard work. Go ahead and get back to work."

"Yes, boss." Chen Xuefei stood up and gave a slight bow.

"Tell Ye Zhenzhen to come and make tea," Zhou Huaijin said again.

Chen Xuefei paused for a moment, then forced a smile and replied:

"OK."

As he turned around, his gaze instantly darkened.

It's Ye Zhenzhen again.