Accidentally Sold Myself (Rebirth) - Chapter 6

6: Maxing Out the Pampering Skill

Secretary Jiang led Gu Xi through several turns until they reached the CEO’s office. Just as she was about to knock, Gu Xi pushed the door open and walked in.

Inside the office stood a man and a woman, heads lowered, their faces unclear. Seeing Gu Xi barge in, Luo Ningshuang didn’t get upset. Instead, she handed a document back to the woman and said, “Screen the endorsers again and revise the advertisement design. This time, we’re focusing on couple’s clothing, mainly to drive high-end male consumer interest.”

“Yes, President.”

After the two left, Gu Xi spoke up, “I don’t understand why you want me as your assistant. Let me make this clear: I don’t have any impressive education or work experience. If I mess up, you can’t use that as an excuse to dock my pay.”

“Can you drive?” Luo Ningshuang asked, arms crossed, ignoring the question.

Gu Xi blinked, caught off guard. “Huh? Oh… no, I can’t.”

As a broke person, keeping a girlfriend was already a struggle—adding a car to the mix would probably work her to death.

Wait a minute. Why was her sugar daddy dodging her question? Was she planning to dock her pay later? Gu Xi gave Luo Ningshuang a suspicious look.

Luo Ningshuang seemed to read her expression and found it amusing—what a little money-grubber. She pulled out a black bank card and placed it on the desk. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch your measly salary. Take this card. Every month, 20,000 will be deposited into it. The password is six 6s.”

Secretary Jiang’s eyes widened at the sight of the gold-trimmed black card, inwardly cheering for the CEO’s wife-pampering skills.

Gu Xi picked up the card, inspecting the gold trim and muttering, “I wonder if this is real gold.”

“Secretary Jiang, arrange the upcoming meetings and then enroll Gu Xi in a driving school.” Luo Ningshuang said, her fingers tapping the desk.

“Yes, President Luo.”

After Jiang left, Luo Ningshuang pointed to a desk by the door. “You’ll work there from now on. Just wait for my instructions.”

“Oh!” Gu Xi walked over to inspect it. The desk had a computer and everything she’d need. When Luo Ningshuang wasn’t giving orders, she could probably slack off and write her novel. But she didn’t like being by the door—it felt like she was a guard dog.

With that thought, Gu Xi started pacing back and forth. Luo Ningshuang looked up, puzzled, as Gu Xi surveyed the room and nodded toward an outlet near the window.

Having picked her spot, Gu Xi unplugged all the computer cables, rolled up her sleeves, and started pushing the desk toward the window. The desk’s legs scraped against the floor, producing a grating “screech.”

After a couple of pushes, Gu Xi was exhausted. She looked up at a stunned Luo Ningshuang and barked, “What are you standing there for? Come help me!”

Luo Ningshuang actually got up and helped move the desk. It took them ages to shift it halfway across the room until Secretary Jiang returned. Gu Xi roped her into the effort, and the three of them finally got the desk to the desired spot.

Secretary Jiang, who rarely exercised, was panting heavily. Coughing, she said, “President, if you wanted to move the desk, you could’ve called security. Why do it yourself?”

Gu Xi’s eyes darted to her, as if to say, You had people to call and still did it yourself? Are you crazy?

Luo Ningshuang, at a loss for words, could only mutter, “Exercise.”

Jiang suddenly felt enlightened. The CEO must be trying to show off her girlfriend energy in front of her wife! How could she have been so dense as to ruin the moment? Quickly redirecting Gu Xi’s attention, she said, “President, everything’s arranged. The meeting is in an hour. As for Miss Gu Xi’s driving school, they said if she can drive, she just needs to go through the motions there.”

Jiang’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Luo Ningshuang, who seemed confused. She quickly added, “Um, President, you’ve got an hour before the meeting. You could personally teach her.”

Praise my quick thinking! Jiang thought. She’d messed up earlier, but now she’d handed the CEO a perfect chance to show off her girlfriend energy.

“No time.” Luo Ningshuang said, rubbing her temples. “The recent scandal with Nuan Zhen has started to damage the company’s reputation. I need to handle it quickly. You teach her, and be back before the meeting.”

Gu Xi didn’t even want to learn to drive. She’d rather spend that time writing—she hadn’t written a single word today!

Jiang, meanwhile, was dumbfounded. She was supposed to teach? How was that supposed to show off the CEO’s domineering girlfriend energy? But since the President had spoken, she could only agree. What a blockhead! No wonder the CEO needed her help to win a wife.

Reluctantly, Jiang dragged Gu Xi downstairs. They passed the front desk, where the receptionist gave a helpless smile. The receptionist’s eyes lit up as she nudged her colleague. “Look, that’s the one who said she’s the CEO’s assistant. So reckless—bet the CEO will fire her.”

“Wow, she’s a beauty!” the other girl said.

“Is that your focus?”

“What’s wrong with it? The CEO never needed an assistant. She’s probably already fired. Look, Secretary Jiang’s dragging her away.”

As Gu Xi was pulled farther away, the gossip faded. Annoyed, she muttered, “If you’re going to gossip, at least keep it quiet. Even I heard you.” Curious, she asked, “Jiang, has the CEO never had an assistant before?”

Jiang shook her head. “Call me Wenxi. For work, I handle things. For personal matters, Aunt Lan takes care of the CEO. Anything else, President Luo can manage herself.”

Wenxi led Gu Xi to her car and drove to an empty lot, carefully explaining the accelerator, brake, and gearshift.

“It’s simple. Think of it like bumper cars. I’ll be right here, and there’s barely any traffic or people, so don’t be nervous. Start by pressing the clutch.” Wenxi coached patiently.

Gu Xi nodded, stiffly pressing the clutch. Since it was a manual car, she forgot to check the gear and pressed the brake too hard. The car lurched forward, starting and stopping erratically, startling Wenxi. “Relax! Put it in gear and ease off the brake.”

Gu Xi fiddled with the gearstick, then abruptly released the brake. The car shot forward as she floored the accelerator. Wenxi shrieked, “Brake! Hit the brake!”

Gu Xi let go of the gas, aiming for the brake, but she hit the accelerator again instead. The car surged forward as Wenxi wailed, “Brake! Stop!”

Finally, Gu Xi got it right, and the car stopped safely. Wenxi, clutching her chest, asked, “Do you ever play racing games or bumper cars?”

Gu Xi shook her head sheepishly. “I’m a total gaming black hole. I’ve never driven before. It’s kinda tough. Should I try again?”

“No way, you’re my ancestor! Please don’t drive—for everyone’s safety. Let’s head back. I’ll report this to the CEO.” Wenxi said, switching seats and driving back.

Gu Xi was relieved. She’d been terrified, and learning to drive felt like a waste of time when she could be slacking off and writing.

Passing the front desk again, the two receptionists stared at Gu Xi in disbelief, their eyes tracking her every move.

Back in the CEO’s office, Wenxi immediately reported that Gu Xi was unfit to drive, emphasizing she was a “road hazard.”

Luo Ningshuang frowned at Gu Xi, then decided, “Fine. Arrange a dedicated driver for her.”

Jiang Wenxi instantly understood. The CEO had planned this all along! She must have wanted Gu Xi to realize driving was tough, then swoop in with a driver to show her girlfriend energy. Brilliant!

Impressed, Wenxi nodded. “I’ll handle it right away.”

“No need,” Gu Xi protested. “I can just take the bus.”

Wenxi, speaking for Luo Ningshuang, shot it down. “No way. You’re the CEO’s wife now. If people saw you squeezing onto a bus, it’d make the President lose face.”

Gu Xi hesitated. “But…”

Luo Ningshuang cut her off. “No buts. Jiang’s right. At the meeting, we’ll announce our relationship. Everyone will know you’re my wife.”

“Fine.” Gu Xi relented.

Jiang Wenxi’s eyes sparkled again. The CEO was staking her claim on Gu Xi—so domineering! She wanted a wife like that too!

“Secretary Jiang, why are you still standing there? Get to it.” Luo Ningshuang said, her tone icy. Lately, this secretary was spacing out too much. If it affected her work, she’d need to consider a replacement.

Feeling the chill from Luo Ningshuang, Wenxi shivered. “Yes, right away!”

Gu Xi clutched her stomach, which was growling—she hadn’t even had breakfast. Luo Ningshuang pulled a bag of cookies and milk from her drawer and handed them to her. “Eat these to tide you over. After the meeting, I’ll take you to dinner.”

Gu Xi took the milk and cookies, noticing Luo Ningshuang’s half-drunk coffee. Frowning, she asked, “What did you eat this morning?”

“Coffee.” Luo Ningshuang replied without looking up.

“That’s not enough! Drink this milk.” Gu Xi pushed the milk toward her.

Luo Ningshuang shook her head. “I don’t like milk. It’s for you.”

Gu Xi frowned again. Jiang Wenxi had said Luo Ningshuang could take care of herself. “Is there any tea?”

“You want tea? It’s in that cabinet.” Luo Ningshuang said, pointing, surprised.

Gu Xi opened the cabinet, finding wine, tea, and coffee, but no beverages like milk. It seemed the milk really was prepared just for her.