4 Chapter 4

"Confidence is one trait I'm very certain you are not lacking in, so it's okay. The main reason is clear for everyone to see. Your work principles and ethics are very solid, you have had an excellent and constant performance record ever since you joined this company, and you have steadily risen through the ranks.

"Even the retired Chairman took notice and has complimented you twice in the past. Therefore, you don't need to belittle yourself or feel inadequate. You're a very capable executive, an asset to AiChen Mobile and the Li group in general."

Pei Yueran felt overwhelmed. Her eyes pricked with tears, but she blinked them back. It was a very emotional moment for her, knowing that the person she held in such high esteem had noticed and even complimented her work. She decided she would not let him down. "So, what does this entail?"

"If you accept the proposition, you would assume the temporary office of the Special Assistant to the Chairman. It's a newly created Top-level management position, and the duration of this work posting is one year.

The Board of Directors made a compromise and decided that they would assess the progress of the new Chairman after six months and if it is satisfactory, the position would be dissolved earlier and you can return to AiChen."

Pei Yueran nodded, deep in thought. The proposition made sense, and it would be beneficial for the new chairman to have someone who knew the ropes well to show him. However, she knew it wasn't as straightforward as it sounded on the surface.

She couldn't quite figure it out yet, but she loved a good challenge. The Board of Directors were a group of foxy, cunning old men, and she felt like she could smell their ulterior motives from far away...

Wait!

Far away....that meant the chosen candidate had to relocate to City M! Pei Yueran balked and instantly changed her mind. She did not want to leave City A.

"I'm sorry President Qi, but I must decline. I truly appreciate Chairman Li's and your trust in me, and I promise to continue to work hard for the company, but I can't leave City A for now. I'm sorry."

Qi Molin looked at her, studying her face intently. He noticed her initial elation and then her subsequent hesitation. He began to think of ways to convince her. Retired Chairman Li had committed this into his hands and he wanted to do the Retired Chairman a favour.

But when he saw her firmness, and the familiar guarded mask she always wore when she would not change her mind about a matter, he temporarily gave up.

He pretended to be calm, "Alright then, it's a voluntary proposition anyway, so you can decline. I'll forward your reply to the Board of Directors tomorrow morning, but I hope you will take more time to think about it.

"It is a good position that will look great on your portfolio, and it would provide valuable training experience for you."

"Alright, I'll think about it", Pei Yueran said, even as she removed it from her mind. Her no was no.

*****

Grandma Zhou had the habit of walking round the orphanage every evening. She began doing that over twenty years ago, when the current land for the orphanage was first purchased.

The orphanage was still a small brown bungalow then, and even though it had now been developed to include several buildings including a library, cafeteria, computer room and elementary school for children with special needs, she still found it relaxing to walk round the perimeter.

She would water whatever flowers she could find, and would sometimes put some in her hair or gift beautiful blossoms to any child she saw walking around.

As she walked, greetings came occasionally from children from various directions. "Good evening Grandma". She would smile and respond, even as she checked the time.

It was almost 7pm and Ran'er would arrive at any moment. She looked forward to seeing her. She wondered if Chen'er would come along.

"Grandma!", a calm, steady voice that sounded a bit childish called out, and she turned around. "Chen'er!", she called and held out her arms, waiting until he walked close enough before hugging him. She had hardly ever seen him run. He was always steady, just like Han Lei.

Pei Yueran walked up to them after parking the car properly. "Ran'er, you're here."

"Yes Mum, good evening. How have you been?" Pei Yueran was one of the few adults that still called her Mum. She was abandoned in front of the orphanage when she was only three days old, and Director Zhou was the only parent she had ever known.

"Very fine, and how was work today? Come in quickly", she said as she ushered them into her house on the premises. It was minimalistic, but decorated in warm tones and gave off a homely feeling.

She served them cold water and asked what they would want to eat. Pei Yueran declined, saying she wasn't hungry and Han Yichen was noncommittal, fixing his eyes on the puzzle game on one of the side stools in the living room.

He asked for permission to play with it and took it up, arranging the pieces correctly. Within a few minutes, a general outline could already be seen.

Since Director Zhou insisted, Pei Yueran finally "ordered" chicken noodles, and followed Director Zhou into the kitchen.

As they worked, they chatted about light topics. Director Zhou asked her about her job, while Pei Yueran asked about the children in the orphanage.

After some time, the noodles were ready and they moved to the dining room to eat.