Dressed as the Scumbag Alpha Mom of the Tragic Female Lead (ABO, GL) - Chapter 63

Chapter 63

“…That’s all for the first round of job reassignments and salary adjustments. Everyone’s done great work recently, and the company’s achievements are clear for all to see. Let’s keep pushing forward and create brilliance together!”

After Zhuang Qi’s passionate speech, the office erupted in enthusiastic applause. This was the company’s first personnel reshuffle since its founding, and everyone received some form of reward. After observing for a while, Zhuang Qi and Jiang Chuxie had subdivided the employees’ roles. Except for three freshmen who remained in customer service, the rest were reassigned to newly formed departments.

The HR department had two people, and the technical department had five, temporarily split into development and testing groups. Jiang Chuxie directly managed the technical department, while Zhuang Qi handled the rest.

The five in the technical department aside, other employees also saw significant salary increases. Zhuang Qi and Jiang Chuxie made these decisions based on individual circumstances and the company’s needs, and most were satisfied, except for one person.

“Senior Zhuang, wait a moment. I have something to ask.”

As Zhuang Qi and Jiang Chuxie finished the arrangements and prepared to leave, a male Beta caught up to them.

“Min Hang? What’s up?” Zhuang Qi wasn’t surprised, smiling brightly. “We’ve got urgent business soon, so make it quick.”

The Beta, Min Hang, was of average build and unremarkable appearance, the type who’d blend into a crowd.

“Senior, I want to know why I wasn’t assigned to the technical department. I passed the tests, didn’t I?”

For an internet company, the technical department was critical, and with Jiang Chuxie’s technical edge, they were extremely selective. The technical team was chosen together, with trustworthiness as a key factor beyond test performance.

Trustworthiness was subjective, and with confidentiality agreements offering little binding power, they had to rely on instinct for now.

The technical department’s members were all juniors or seniors who’d known Zhuang Qi the longest. Min Hang, the only sophomore in the company, was assigned to HR.

Jiang Chuxie evaluated the test results, but the final decision was mutual.

“Min Hang, it was a comprehensive decision. As a sophomore, your technical skills are impressive. But you’re busy with studies, right? Chuxie and I were thinking of you, not wanting to hinder your academics. If you really want to join the technical department, we can reassign you in your junior year.”

Zhuang Qi’s tactful deflection was masterful, her tone kind and earnest, as if their decision was for his benefit.

Min Hang clearly wanted to push back. “Senior, I can balance studies and work.”

Zhuang Qi raised a hand gently. “I know your effort and recognize it. But we’re not an exploitative company. Assigning you to HR wasn’t a casual choice to keep you out of tech. Min Hang, you’re in HR at the student council too, and as president, I’ve seen your skills. You’re well-connected and know many people. You can shine in HR, helping recruit talent. The company’s just getting on track, and we need your help urgently.”

Min Hang frowned, unable to find a rebuttal.

Seeing this, Zhuang Qi patted his shoulder, speaking earnestly. “I know you’re ambitious, diligent, and admire Chuxie, wanting to work with her. But as a student, your priority is studying. You’re only a sophomore, unlike juniors and seniors planning careers. Focus on learning and setting goals, don’t rush. We’re a small startup; department roles aren’t rigid. If you want to learn, ask—your seniors won’t refuse.”

Min Hang sighed, seemingly convinced, nodding. “You’re right, Senior. I’ll keep working hard to earn your approval.”

Zhuang Qi nodded. “That’s the spirit. Don’t be down. I’ll add fifty to your salary. You’re someone I believe in—don’t let a small setback discourage you.”

The raise seemed to cheer Min Hang up. He thanked Zhuang Qi and returned to the office smiling.

“Raising his salary just like that? Aren’t you worried others will complain?” Jiang Chuxie, silent until Min Hang left, smiled. “I didn’t expect you to veto Min Hang for the technical department too.”

“Hey, Min Hang’s the only sophomore. In HR, he’s in a league of his own. Adding fifty, those below him stay below, those above stay above—what’s there to complain about? Besides, he worked hard and really wanted tech. This is compensation.”

“Then why did you also block him from tech?”

They chatted as they headed to the parking lot. Jiang Chuxie had been driving to get back in practice. Zhuang Qi buckled up in the passenger seat, grinning. “Didn’t you say we need trustworthy people? Those five were picked for their grades and honesty, hired for tech. I’ve known them long enough to vouch for their reliability. Min Hang… I’m not saying he’s untrustworthy, just that I don’t know him well enough.”

“But you seem to get along with him.”

“I get along with everyone. Good relations don’t mean deep understanding or enough trust.” Zhuang Qi glanced at Jiang Chuxie. “Besides, you thought the same, right? You said his skills were above average, yet you rejected him without hesitation.”

Information technology was a burgeoning field, and B University’s students were competitive even in the broader market. Experienced programmers wouldn’t join their scrappy startup, so they focused on recruiting classmates.

“Yeah… he’s skilled, but too eager to show off. I don’t need that now, though maybe later.”

They exchanged a knowing smile.

“The office surveillance is installed. You should feel better now, right? When you rushed to set it up, I thought something happened.”

“Better safe than sorry,” Jiang Chuxie said with a faint smile. “That’s our headquarters, after all.”

“I mean, you should relax and rest now. Your dark circles are showing through your foundation and glasses.” Zhuang Qi shook her head. “I get that you’ve been busy and sleep-deprived. But the company’s mostly set now, so your load’s lighter. Get your certificate with Gu Lingjun tomorrow, then take a honeymoon and rest a few days.”

“Is it that obvious?” Jiang Chuxie adjusted her glasses. “I thought I hid it well.”

“No hiding from my sharp eyes,” Zhuang Qi said proudly. “Man, I never thought you, the oblivious one, would beat me to everything. Wife, kid—I’m still living alone.”

Jiang Chuxie glanced at her. “You and Zhao Zi are engaged, right? No rush.”

“Engaged, sure, but what’s the point? Zhao Zi’s applying for overseas internships—can you believe she didn’t even tell me?”

Jiang Chuxie didn’t meddle in their relationship, brushing Zhuang Qi off with a few vague replies before dropping her home.

“Freezing, freezing! Hurry back!” Zhuang Qi waved as she got out. “Tomorrow, Zhao Zi and I are coming to celebrate. Don’t forget to cook something good!”

“Got it.”

The car Jiang Chuxie drove was sold to her cheap by Zhuang Qi. Knowing she wanted a car, Zhuang Qi offered to give her one, but Jiang Chuxie and Gu Lingjun insisted on paying a small amount.

After parking, Jiang Chuxie locked the car carefully, scanned her surroundings, and headed to their building.

“Chuxie, you’re back!”

The sound of the security door must’ve alerted Gu Lingjun. As Jiang Chuxie reached for the inner door, Gu Lingjun flung it open and threw herself into a big hug.

Jiang Chuxie hugged her back, stepping inside and closing both doors.

A faint fragrance wafted from Gu Lingjun and the room. Jiang Chuxie inhaled deeply, guessing, “Mmm, smells good. Chicken soup?”

“Oh, forgot the kitchen door!” Gu Lingjun, practically hanging off Jiang Chuxie, said playfully, “Yeah, chicken soup. Chicken hotpot tonight—nutritious and easy. Pretty great, right?”

Jiang Chuxie chuckled. “More like you know so few dishes, hotpot’s all you could think of.”

Gu Lingjun lightly punched her. “Whose fault is that? You won’t let me learn to stir-fry since I got pregnant. Besides, I made soup because you’ve been tired lately. How can you diss me?”

Recalling Zhuang Qi’s comment, Jiang Chuxie knew her face showed fatigue. She kissed Gu Lingjun’s forehead as an apology.

“My bad. Thanks for caring.”

“Hmph, that’s better.”

“Anything happen this afternoon while I was out?”

Gu Lingjun led her to the dining room. “Nothing big. I went grocery shopping. Later, a salesman selling kitchenware knocked. I sent him away through the security door.”

“A salesman?”

Door-to-door sales, nearly extinct in Jiang Chuxie’s past life, were common here, with less developed internet and fewer data leaks, making phone sales less prevalent.

When choosing this complex, Jiang Chuxie valued its guarded entrance. A salesman getting in was unexpected.

Or was it really just a salesman?

“Yeah, first time I’ve seen one. So weird.”

Gu Lingjun’s old complex would never have allowed such a thing, so she’d never encountered one.

“Got it. I’ll complain to property management.”

Gu Lingjun paused. “You think he was pretending to be a salesman?”

“Real or not, property shouldn’t let him in. I’m just reminding them to tighten security. Don’t worry too much.”

The explanation made sense, but for some reason, Gu Lingjun felt uneasy.

She wasn’t the tense one—Jiang Chuxie was. Since learning of the pregnancy, Jiang Chuxie had grown… paranoid. Come to think of it, Gu Lingjun hadn’t seen her sleep in a while.

Before, Jiang Chuxie usually woke first, but sometimes, staying up late, Gu Lingjun woke before her or found her asleep on the sofa.

Lately, though, she only recalled Jiang Chuxie awake—staying until she slept, there in the morning with breakfast ready. Was Chuxie sleeping at all?