Has The Live-in Alpha Stepped Up - Chapter 22

22: Considered Training

After bidding farewell to Director An, An Yizhu and Yu Guqiu returned to the car.

An Yizhu solemnly thanked Yu Guqiu: “Yu Guqiu, thank you.”

Yu Guqiu, however, didn’t look at her and only replied lightly, “It was just a small effort. Why thank me?”

The elementary school near the old factory had long been abandoned due to the factory’s decline. Like the lifeless tile-roofed houses in the area, it was no longer as bustling as it once was. Leaving it empty was a waste, and having someone manage it might even be better.

“To you, it might not mean much, but for Old Mom An, for the welfare home, for all the children, and for the ‘me’ of the past, your actions are a lifeline. So, I must thank you.” An Yizhu was unusually serious, unlike her usual self.

She didn’t take any of this for granted just because she and Yu Guqiu had a marital relationship, a prenuptial agreement, or were business partners.

Yu Guqiu glanced at An Yizhu.

Before coming to the welfare home today, she hadn’t expected that behind such a bright smile lay such a life background.

The An Yizhu of the past had depression, but now she showed no signs of illness—optimistic and positive, as if she had become a completely different person.

Perhaps she had truly lost her memory, thoroughly and completely.

Heaven had given her a chance to reset everything and start anew.

If so, maybe their meeting really was just because An Yizhu had gotten lost.

Maybe heaven was also giving her, Yu Guqiu, a chance to start over.

Gradually accepting this possibility, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Yu Guqiu’s lips: “I know what I provided is exactly what the welfare home lacks most right now, but there’s no need to thank me. Placing the welfare home under my supervision is just a better way to control you, isn’t it?”

Yu Guqiu’s tone at this moment was arrogant and domineering, but no longer as stern and rigid as before.

That smile, though barely noticeable, captivated An Yizhu. She could sense the warmth and playfulness hidden beneath that beautiful, cold exterior.

An Yizhu played along with a grin: “Yes, yes, yes! The boss is so wise! This is indeed a great way to keep me in check. For my own future and the welfare home’s, I’ll go through fire and water for you without hesitation! Swear loyalty, obey every command… Hey, aren’t you going to interrupt me? I’m running out of lines here.”

Yu Guqiu replied coldly, “If you’re running out, then shut up.”

But the smile at the corner of her lips didn’t fade in the slightest.

“Got it! Shutting up now.” An Yizhu’s grin widened.

Xie Fang, who was driving, listened to their conversation and couldn’t help but smile as well.

This was truly wonderful.

In the fifteen years she had been driving for Yu Guqiu, this was the happiest period she had ever experienced.

And this happiness would likely continue, thanks to An Yizhu’s presence.

An Yizhu, however, couldn’t stay idle for long. After a brief silence in the car, seeing that Yu Guqiu wasn’t busy, she couldn’t resist muttering again: “I just wonder if the money in the card we gave Old Mom An is enough to cover the transition period. The welfare home has so many mouths to feed.”

“Four hundred thousand should last a while. Once they’re settled, I’ll have someone follow up.” Yu Guqiu, in a good mood, answered An Yizhu’s concerns.

“What?! Four hundred thousand?!” An Yizhu was so shocked by the amount that she didn’t even have time to savor the gentleness in Yu Guqiu’s words.

How could it be so much?

Didn’t Yu Guqiu say this was her pocket money?

Did she have some misunderstanding about what “pocket money” meant?

Should she go back and ask for the bank card?

Using someone else’s card with such a large sum—wouldn’t the bank notice?

Would Director An get arrested?!

An Yizhu’s mind raced with wild thoughts.

Yu Guqiu, unable to stand An Yizhu’s sudden outburst, covered one ear and asked disdainfully, “Did you not even read the contract properly? Your monthly allowance is four hundred thousand. It’s written in the contract.”

An Yizhu hurriedly pulled out her copy of the contract from her bag.

She had indeed only skimmed the beginning and end in the office. As she had said, she trusted Yu Guqiu wouldn’t harm her, so she hadn’t scrutinized it after signing.

The contract clearly stated: “A monthly base allowance of four hundred thousand, adjustable upon request by Party B or at Party A’s discretion.”

An Yizhu counted on her fingers.

Four hundred thousand a month, twelve months made four million eight hundred thousand, two years would be nine million six hundred thousand, plus the ten million after the contract ended.

That was nearly twenty million!

No wonder the contract was only for two years.

If she could sign it freely, she’d definitely sign until she achieved financial freedom.

Wait, no—twenty million was already enough for financial freedom.

If she could sign indefinitely, she’d sign until the end of time!

Yu Guqiu didn’t let An Yizhu continue her wild fantasies and assigned her a task: “I’ll have HR send an email to your university’s academic office arranging for you to intern at our company.”

“So I’ll even get two salaries?” An Yizhu, who had thought she could enjoy university life, was now faced with reality. “Wait, what about my classes? Didn’t Lin Meng say I was failing so badly I might have to repeat a year?”

“Once you secure an internship at our company, do you think the school will still withhold your diploma?” Yu Guqiu spoke as if educating this socially inexperienced youngster about how cause and effect worked in the real world.

An Yizhu pouted.

She wasn’t actually worried about the diploma—she was mourning her university life.

Seeing she wasn’t cheered up, Yu Guqiu returned to the main topic: “Arranging for you to intern at the company is mainly to free up your time so you can cooperate with me as needed. After that, you can choose whether to continue working at the company, return to school, or do both—it’s up to you.”

“There’s such a good thing?! You’re the best!!” An Yizhu’s eyes lit up, and she couldn’t help but throw herself at Yu Guqiu in a hug.

All domineering CEOs in novels should take notes—stop throwing money around to control people’s lives!

A life with the freedom to choose is the best life!

Yu Guqiu was stunned, never expecting An Yizhu to be so bold as to suddenly hug her.

She quickly pushed her away.

But An Yizhu, undeterred by being pushed aside, happily put the contract away, her eyes sparkling.

For some reason, Yu Guqiu’s mood also improved.

After a pause, she announced something even more important: “The wedding is in three days.”

“What?” An Yizhu was shocked—this was way too rushed!

And a crucial question: “Does today count as one of those days?”

“Today counts.” Yu Guqiu nodded.

Yu Guqiu really knew how to deliver “surprises.”

An Yizhu couldn’t help but ask, “Am I the last person to know I’m getting married in three days?”

Yu Guqiu finally smirked, replying meaningfully, “Not quite. I forgot to mention it to Old Mom An just now.”

An Yizhu held it in for a few seconds before blurting out, “…Thanks a lot.”

Yu Guqiu was doing this on purpose.

After all, An Yizhu never followed the script.

But now, An Yizhu was a sharp blade in her hands—this blade needed to learn to move at its master’s pace.

Was this considered training?

Yes.

Knowing exactly what kind of annoyed expression An Yizhu would make, Yu Guqiu didn’t even need to look at her. Just gazing out the window, she smiled contentedly.