9 Section 9: The Company's Business is a Bit Unscrupulous

Watching Shen Yue unmoved and non-committal, Hai Mingzhu concluded that President Jin still had the ultimate decision-making power in the company, and quickly shifted her attention, "President Jin, you said earlier that the company would be short-staffed if we take on this project. So, I only need to come to your company and find you for a position. As a man of his word, you can't deny what you said."

Jin Xin glanced at Shen Yue and shook his head, "Unfortunately, we have potential, but we don't have enough resources. If you join a company like ours, it will jeopardize your future." He clearly remembered that Hai Mingzhu had once refused to join the company.

"Some companies have both potential and resources, it's just that you've been low-profile and never flaunt your strength. I was blind not to recognize it. Please forgive me, President Jin." Hai Mingzhu clearly had the ability to sweet talk her way out of any situation.

"Advisor Shen, what do you think?" Jin Xin sighed, thinking that the young lady's eloquence might be useful for the company. However, he still placed great importance on Shen Yue's opinion.

"Advisor Shen ..." With pleading in her voice, Hai Mingzhu turned to look at Shen Yue, showing extreme fear of losing this job.

Shen Yue was just looking at the mirrors around, casually saying, "The business from the Giant Industries is a big piece of cake, and we're not the only ones bidding for it. There will be lots of competition. That will be a real test."

"What do you mean, Advisor Shen?" Hai Mingzhu was somewhat confused.

"What he means is that you can stick around for a few days until we secure this project from Giant Industries." Jin Xin half-explained, half-declared, "Firstly, you'll be an intern for a month. We'll see how you perform and then make a decision."

"Alright." Hai Mingzhu smiled happily, showing no sign of concern about her probationary period after one month.

Jin Xin looked somewhat puzzled, "You're not curious about your salary and benefits?"

"Isn't it eight hundred a day, twenty-four thousand a month?" Hai Mingzhu replied without hesitation.

"You're pretty good at math." Jin Xin sighed.

"My primary school teacher said the same thing." Hai Mingzhu felt validated and happy.

Jin Xin felt that he needed to keep the girl's focus, returning to a stern tone, "But business doesn't work like this. Can the price be the same for individual and bulk sales? How about this, a month, eight thousand. Once you pass the probationary period, I can give you a raise. We can even consider meeting your expectations."

"No problem." Hai Mingzhu agreed instantly, proving she was good at bargaining.

Jin Xin was surprised by her response and looked at Hai Mingzhu again. He seemed to want to say something, but ultimately held back.

Finally, as he climbed into the driver's seat, he asked, "Aren't you planning to resign from the photo studio?"

Hai Mingzhu, who was leaning back in her chair, made a ghostly face and laughed, "So I really did fool you."

Jin Xin and Shen Yue were taken aback and asked in unison, "What did you fool us about?"

Hai Mingzhu let out a sly smile,"Actually, I came looking for work after I graduated from college. I saw the recruitment ad from the photo studio and thought I could use you two potential clients..."

Before she could finish, Jin Xin realized, "If you did manage to introduce us as clients, the photo studio couldn't afford not to hire you. Even if you failed, you would have proven your abilities at work to the photo studio. No wonder you were so quick to leave with me. You were playing both sides."

"Bingo!" Hai Mingzhu laughed joyfully. "I'm smart, aren't I, President Jin?"

Jin Xin muttered, "That's what I like about you, your sense of humor."

He glanced at Shen Yue in the mirror. Shen Yue was also looking at him. They both nodded slightly. However, this detail was missed by Hai Mingzhu.

The Mercedes stopped in front of the Golden Soup Hot Pot Shop. Hai Mingzhu followed Jin Xin and Shen Yue to the entrance and asked, "Is this the address of our company?"

Seeing Jin Xin's look of bewilderment, Hai Mingzhu quickly said, "I was only joking, I know we're here for a work meal, right?"

"No need to remind us, we wouldn't make you pay the bill," Jin Xin replied.

The girl laughed awkwardly, having been caught out.

But as soon as she sat down at the table, she was back on form, carrying out the duties of a secretary, "Waiter, bring us your signature Golden Soup Beef Hot Pot, please."

Then she turned to Jin Xin and Shen Yue, "Boss, Advisor, would you like some alcohol?"

Seeing that Jin Xin and Shen Yue both shook their heads, Hai Mingzhu simply ordered, "Also, a big bowl of rice and three side dishes. That's all for now."

After dismissing the waiter, Hai Mingzhu lowered her voice and said, "The hot pot here is enough for four people. We don't need to order anything else to avoid waste."

Jin Xin was somewhat skeptical, "You didn't apply for a job here, did you?"

"No." Hai Mingzhu deftly took out her phone and launched an APP. "It's a culinary guide. I've had my eye on this place for a while. My plan is to save enough money from working over the next year to try all the delicacies in the world. Look, there are spicy crayfish and golden roast pig's trotters nearby..."

"Alright, alright." Jin Xin worried that they might have hired a gourmand instead. "You don't need to go on. We know you are a food lover."

"I have other skills too. Just wait and see, Boss." Hai Mingzhu grinned, still holding her phone, "Can I have your contact information?"

Jin Xin took Hai Mingzhu's phone, dialed a number then handed it back to her.

Hai Mingzhu took a look at the number and handed the phone to Shen Yue.

Shen Yue didn't take it. Jin Xin explained, "As long as you have my number, you can find him."

"Advisor Shen is so mysterious, not even giving a phone number?"

Hai Mingzhu looked curiously at Shen Yue, but she didn't insist and took back her phone, "President Jin, am I an employee of Jintang Company now?"

Seeing Jin Xin nod, Hai Mingzhu quickly added, "I've been holding back a question for a long time."

"We will pay you for today's work." Jin Xin quickly replied.

"It's not about today's salary. But you can pay me now." Hai Mingzhu never missed an opportunity.

Jin Xin straightforwardly took out his phone, tapped twice, and showed Hai Mingzhu a QR code, "You can scan it."

Hai Mingzhu was cautious and puzzled, "Shouldn't you be scanning my QR code to pay me?"

"Are you afraid I'll cheat you out of your money?" Jin Xin spoke playfully.

"That's definitely not going to happen. I definitely have less than eight hundred in my account."

Though Hai Mingzhu said so, she checked carefully after scanning the code and confirmed the amount she received was correct. Only then did she put down her phone.

Seeing Jin Xin glare at her, the young girl laughed awkwardly, "I rarely see this kind of payment method. What I wanted to ask was – are we a professional adultery detection firm?"

Brimming with excitement, Hai Mingzhu added, "So are we a professional adultery detection team then?"

Shen Yue, who had just taken a sip of tea, almost spat it out at Hai Mingzhu.

Jin Xin choked and coughed repeatedly. Seeing the waiter at a nearby table looking somewhat strange, he waved his hand, "When the dishes come, you don't need to serve us."

Only after the waiter tactfully left did Jin Xin whisper, "Mingzhu, while you can eat as much as you like, you need to watch what you say."

As Hai Mingzhu grabbed a large chunk of beef with her chopsticks, Jin Xin saw that they could not random about eating either. He whispered, "Since we're all on the same side, there's no need to hide anything from you. Our company actually deals with 'dirty' things."

Hai Mingzhu paused with her chopsticks in the air. Jin Xin cleared his throat. "You don't understand, do you?"

Setting her chopsticks down, she said, "Are you saying we are ghostbusters?"