Chapter 35: The Duties of the Female Assistant

The crowd watching the scene was now collectively dumbfounded.

“Uh, well, here’s the thing, miss. First, I need to explain some details about the job for the female assistant we’re hiring.”

“All right, go ahead!”

Looking at the obedient Mu Qiao before him, Zhang Shen couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. How could a woman with such beauty be willing to humble herself as a personal assistant?

“First, the assistant must be available twenty-four hours a day, always at my side. Second, the assistant must remain with the person she’s assigned to at all times. Third, should any accident befall that person, the assistant needs to provide immediate emergency aid…”

“All right, I accept everything else.”

Mu Qiao had little patience for Zhang Shen’s endless conditions; she simply wanted to enter his life as soon as possible.

“Well, since you’re so eager for this job, I can hardly refuse your sincerity. Let me first get your basic information.”

“Name?”

“Mu Qiao.”

“Age?”

“Twenty-four.”

“Marital status?”

“Single.”

…

One had to admit, Zhang Shen’s string of questions revealed his utter lack of tact. Any other man in the room would have known better than to ask such foolish questions of a woman.

“All right, I’ve finished my questions. You can start work whenever you like.”

“Then let’s start now!”

Zhang Shen was surprised, then smiled. He had expected Mu Qiao to take a couple of days, but as soon as the interview ended, she was eager to begin. On second thought, Zhang Shen realized that having someone willing to start immediately was exactly what he wanted.

“Very well, come upstairs with me.”

At these words, those nearby couldn’t help but whistle and jeer. To them, this job interview seemed nothing more than a pretext, and seeing Mu Qiao follow Zhang Shen upstairs, they couldn’t help but grumble with envy.

Mu Qiao followed Zhang Shen up the stairs, and as the recruitment ended, the crowd dispersed.

In truth, Mu Qiao had already defined Zhang Shen as a scoundrel in her heart. Joining him upstairs, she anticipated he had ulterior motives, so she made preparations in secret.

Zhang Shen opened the door and invited Mu Qiao to sit. After she entered, he closed the door furtively, making Mu Qiao even more vigilant.

“Miss Mu, please don’t misunderstand. There’s something I can’t let outsiders know, but since you’re to be a personal assistant, you have the right to learn everything. If you wish to withdraw now, it’s not too late.”

Mu Qiao thought Zhang Shen was about to make some inappropriate move, but to her surprise, he began to confide sincerely.

“What is it?”

“Miss Mu, to be honest, the assistant we’re seeking isn’t for me, but for a friend. Because she’s a woman, I had no choice but to hire a female assistant.”

Mu Qiao seemed to guess who it might be.

“Why must the assistant be with her twenty-four hours a day?”

“To be frank, I only learned yesterday that my friend has an inexplicable toxin in her body. She had an attack yesterday, and according to her, she’s had this illness since childhood. I’m truly worried about her, so I decided to find a personal assistant.”

“Oh, so that’s it!”

Seeing that Mu Qiao showed no hesitation, Zhang Shen was surprised. Most people seek jobs for money, but when faced with something that might endanger their life, no amount of money would persuade them. Yet Mu Qiao hadn’t even asked about salary and accepted at once. Even after learning about the toxin, she didn’t shrink back.

This woman was… really quite strange.

“Where is she? May I see her?”

Mu Qiao just wanted to confirm whether the girl with the toxin was the one she suspected. Seeing Mu Qiao’s eagerness, Zhang Shen readily agreed, leading her straight to the retirement home and directly to Jiang Muyun’s room.

Mu Qiao could hardly believe it. Was the person she’d be protecting really the young lady? But why had her employer, Jiang Zhengxing, never mentioned the toxin? Did he know nothing about it?

After knocking twice, Zhang Shen, seeing no response, anxiously called Jiang Muyun. After a while, her voice answered.

“Xiao Yun, where are you?”

“Grandma Zhang wanted to go shopping, so I went out with her.”

Before Jiang Muyun could finish, Zhang Shen interrupted, “I told you not to go out, didn’t I? Can’t you just wait?”

Jiang Muyun knew Zhang Shen’s sternness came from deep concern, so she didn’t argue but responded meekly, “All right, I’ll come back now.”

“Hurry back, I have something to discuss with you.”

Hearing there was something to discuss, Jiang Muyun quickly asked, “What is it? Has someone’s son or daughter fallen ill again?”

Zhang Shen was exasperated. Though they were doctors, it was hardly appropriate to hope for others to get sick.

“You’ll know when you get back!” Zhang Shen hung up.

Mu Qiao watched closely. The connection between Zhang Shen and the young lady was extraordinary, and Zhang Shen’s concern for her was far deeper than it appeared.

About ten minutes later, Jiang Muyun ran upstairs.

Her first words to Zhang Shen were, “Well? What did you want?”

Zhang Shen didn’t answer directly, but pointed to Mu Qiao with a pout.

At first, Jiang Muyun didn’t understand, then realized that this woman was to be the personal assistant Zhang Shen mentioned last night.

Mu Qiao, upon seeing the young lady, greeted her naturally and politely. Zhang Shen, unaware of the true relationship, simply thought Mu Qiao was courteous by nature.

“Miss, I’m Mu Qiao. From now on, I’ll take care of your daily needs. If there’s anything you’re dissatisfied with, please let me know directly.”

Zhang Shen found it amusing. A woman so focused on work, yet indifferent to her salary—was she really here just for the job? But with no better candidates, he had no choice but to accept.

“Miss Mu, I think we should discuss your salary.”

“Oh, I’d like to hear the details!”