Chapter 9: Smile, coax, and wheedle

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

On the other end of the line, Xu Duo chattered. “Haiqiao, how was it? Did you get them?”

Lu Haiqiao sighed softly and replied coldly, “No, I’m a step too late.”

Xu Duo could sense her dissatisfaction in her tone and asked. “Then what are we going to do now?”

After a few seconds of silence, Lu Haiqiao said, “Help me find out who’s competing with me for these two paintings.”

Pausing for a moment, she continued, “I suspect there might be two groups of people.”

Xu Duo: “Why do you say that?”

Lu Haiqiao: “Let’s investigate first and we’ll see if my guess is correct.”

Xu Duo was unhappy. “Why don’t you investigate it yourself? I’ve been very busy recently. I have a few business deals to attend to.”

Lu Haiqiao’s tone was light. “I’m a computer idiot.”

Computer… idiot?

If she could, Xu Duo wanted to reach through the internet and beat Lu Haiqiao to death.

A person who hacked into the school’s administrative system in elementary school and changed her unflattering ID photo had the cheek to call herself a ‘computer idiot’?

Xu Duo snorted. “I don’t…”

Before she could finish her sentence, a soft, sweet voice came from the other end, “Duoduo, please help me. You’re so capable, investigating a few people shouldn’t be a big deal for you. You just need to spare a bit of time… right?”

Well, she smiled, coaxed, and wheedled.

Lu Haiqiao had unleashed her ultimate charm and soft-soaped Xu Duo. Who could resist it?

Xu Duo immediately changed her words. “It’s impossible for me to not agree. I could never refuse you, Miss Lu!”

“So you promise. You can’t go back on your word.” Lu Haiqiao confirmed again.

Xu Duo held her phone up and leaned against the back of the chair. The chair tilted back. “Alright, if I say I’ll investigate, I’ll do it. Once I’m done with the business deal I’m working on…”

“Tomorrow,” Lu Haiqiao abruptly stated as she finished packing up her tablet and stood up from the bench.

Xu Duo was stunned. “Huh?”

Lu Haiqiao, expressionless, walked out of the mall with her bag in hand, “I want to know the results tomorrow.”

Xu Duo: “…”

Miss Lu, can I interview you?

May I ask how you seamlessly switch between a cute girl and an unreasonable woman with such a harmless-looking face?

…

It was already 4:30 p.m. when Lu Haiqiao returned to the company.

She worked as a columnist on social topics at the ‘Jolie Fille’ magazine.

This was somewhat famous in the industry for its focus on fashion and entertainment. Since social topics made up only a small part of the content, as long as she submitted her articles on time monthly, her workload was not heavy.

This was also the reason why she chose this magazine. It spared her time to do something else.

Passing by the reception desk, Lu Haiqiao headed towards the office area.

Upon entering, she met the manager of the administration department, Fang Chuoqi.

Fang Chuoqi had likely just come from the pantry, holding a white mug that emitted a faint wisp of steam.

She walked over to Lu Haiqiao and stopped. Then, she sized her up with a meaningful gaze. “Clocking-out at five o’clock and you came back at four-thirty. You’re just in time to clock out on the nail. Lu Haiqiao, you’re good at time management. You managed to get through another ordinary workday with ease.”

Lu Haiqiao’s long lashes fluttered slightly, and she didn’t look at her, but her tone was serious, “I’ve taken leave.”

Fang Chuoqi’s dislike for Lu Haiqiao was an open secret in the entire magazine.

She was a few years older than Lu Haiqiao, and even when she wasn’t a manager, she always regarded herself as a senior. But even though she often spoke with a hint of arrogance and self-importance, Lu Haiqiao had never held it against her.