Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Three of Them
Yulei International truly lived up to its reputation as a company led by women. The restaurant on the fifteenth floor was elegantly decorated, with a clean and airy atmosphere and pleasing colors.
From the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the urban landscape surrounding Zhonghai City. The tables and chairs were avant-garde, with a mix of silver-white plastic and metal, exuding a strong sense of modern style.
The lighting fixtures in the restaurant were also elegant and refreshing, with various colors of crystal-like glass pendant lights. Potted plants were sparsely placed in the corners, and the delicate green leaves indicated that they were carefully tended to.
At the counter for swiping meal cards, bar-style tables were used, and the dining staff wore clean white uniforms, welcoming guests with smiles.
When Yang Chen followed the three women into the restaurant, he didn't attract much attention. After all, although there were fewer male colleagues at Yulei International, there were still some, especially in the PR department. Moreover, with over two hundred employees at the headquarters, sitting down on this floor didn't make them stand out.
Seeing Yang Chen's interested expression, Zhang Cai smiled and said, "How do you like it? Our company's benefits are among the best in Zhonghai."
"The design is very nice. I feel hungry as soon as I walk in," Yang Chen replied truthfully.
"The restaurant's renovation was personally designed by the president. Since the president took office two years ago, the company's performance and benefits have greatly improved. We really admire her," Zhang Cai said proudly.
The president? Wasn't that his cold wife? Yang Chen thought, observing the neat and clean decoration around him, which was entirely in cool tones.
Suddenly, Zhao Hongyan turned around and said, "Speaking of the president, I remembered something. What happened when the president called you to her office yesterday?"
"I told you, it was just to greet the new colleague," Yang Chen replied vaguely.
"Who would believe that?" Zhao Hongyan scolded, knowing she wouldn't get a straight answer. She changed the subject, "Hey, Yang Chen, what do you think of our president when you saw her?"
"What do you mean?" Yang Chen asked.
"Are you from Mars? When you joined our company, didn't you know that our President Lin is known as the most beautiful woman in Zhonghai's business world?" Zhao Hongyan looked incredulous.
There's such a title? Yang Chen really didn't know. He grinned and said, "She's okay, just cold. Looking at her gives me goosebumps."
"The president should have a different temperament," Liu Mingyu, who had been silent, suddenly interjected, followed by agreement from Zhang Cai and Zhao Hongyan.
Yang Chen was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Lin Ruoxi's aloofness to be seen as a unique temperament by the employees of Yulei International, and they seemed to hold her in special respect. Regardless of her personal charm or management skills, it seemed that his beautiful wife was indeed extraordinary.
After finishing their meals, the four of them sat at a larger table. It was then that Yang Chen noticed a separate area near the east side of the restaurant, partitioned off by intricately carved glass windows. Inside, the tables were brightly colored, surrounded by sofas of various hues.
"Why aren't there many people in there? It looks much more comfortable," Yang Chen asked, puzzled.
The three women glanced over, and Zhang Cai replied, "That's where the company's senior management dine. Only those at the deputy ministerial level and above can enter. The food for the senior management is also different, with a chef specially cooking for them."
"Why isn't such a large space occupied by many people?" Yang Chen felt it was a waste. "We might as well sit in there; it's a waste to leave it empty."
"Once you reach the deputy ministerial level or above, you're constantly entertaining. Who has time to eat in the company cafeteria every day?" Zhao Hongyan replied. "But you shouldn't even think about going in there. Rules are rules, and we low-level employees should just do our jobs."
Liu Mingyu added, "In fact, it's also a kind of incentive policy for ordinary employees. Differences in treatment can stimulate people's competitive spirit. With competition, people strive to improve. I think it's quite necessary."
Yang Chen looked at the chicken steak and cauliflower on his plate. They were well-prepared, but the portions were small. He felt a bit frustrated and tapped his lips. "This portion is so small. I could finish it in just a few bites. It's not as satisfying as the five yuan fast food boxes from the little restaurants I used to eat at."
The three women exchanged puzzled glances. They had no idea what the five yuan fast food boxes from the market's small restaurants were like. Seeing Yang Chen looking unsatisfied, they instinctively used their chopsticks to transfer some of their food onto his plate.
"We usually can't finish our meals anyway, so take some of ours," Zhao Hongyan said helplessly. "If you eat with us in the future, we won't waste food."
Just then, a group of people walked into the restaurant, and many of the employees stood up simultaneously, showing a hint of nervousness as they greeted them.
"Oh, the president and the ministers are here. The ministerial-level meeting must have ended," Zhang Cai exclaimed, stopping her movements and standing up along with the other two women.
Leading the group was none other than Lin Ruoxi, her hair tied up high, her face devoid of makeup but as flawless as the moon. Her icy demeanor, which repelled others from a thousand miles away, akin to a goddess of the Tianshan Mountains, appeared even more striking against her pure black suit. She was a woman who didn't need makeup, yet her mere presence could outshine others.
The other high-level executives who appeared alongside her confirmed this point. Most of them were female executives, all dressed appropriately with elegant demeanor. Among them was Mo Qianni, Yang Chen's superior in the PR department. However, at this moment, these dazzling beauties, following behind Lin Ruoxi, seemed like stars and moons dimmed by the sunlight, no longer as dazzling.
After just a glance, Yang Chen lowered his head. He felt that eating was more practical in the current situation.
Thus, when everyone present stopped what they were doing, stood up, and greeted the newcomers, Yang Chen, who was quietly devouring his chicken steak, suddenly became a peculiar sight.
As Lin Ruoxi passed by Yang Chen, she didn't pause at all, not even glancing in his direction, as if she didn't recognize him at all. In fact, when she had just entered, she noticed the scene where the three women at Yang Chen's table were transferring food to him, and she felt a sudden displeasure. Her cheap husband was treating the company like a place to pick up women! One woman wasn't enough, so he needed three?! Some other executives noticed that Yang Chen wasn't eagerly trying to please like the other employees and was just focused on his meal. They felt somewhat displeased, but they couldn't say anything. They simply made a mental note of this person and put him on their blacklist.
Mo Qianni, who was resplendent and elegant in a light yellow suit, had been in a meeting since early morning and hadn't seen Yang Chen. Seeing this scene now, she also felt a wave of displeasure. Suddenly, something came to mind, and a hint of teasing flashed in her eyes. She paused next to Yang Chen and said, "Yang Chen, prepare yourself a little this afternoon. We're going out for something." After saying that, she walked away without looking back.
Yang Chen swallowed the food in his mouth in one gulp. He knew very well that this female boss who didn't like him was definitely up to something again. He had just thought of making up an excuse like "very busy," but he saw Mo Qianni already engrossed in a serious discussion with another company executive, completely ignoring him.
"Wish you good luck," Zhao Hongyan blinked at Yang Chen.
Yang Chen shrugged indifferently, smiled, and continued to focus on his "battle."