Zhao Youlin did not know if she should laugh or cry. She took out the bag filled with boxes of pastries under Joy’s sparkling eyes.
When Joy saw a variety of pastries, he cried out and grew increasingly excited.
Even Duan Yarong was stunned when she saw the bag was filled with boxes of pastries. She asked in surprise, “Why are there so many pastries?”
Zhao Youlin smiled and said, “They were made by my staff. I think they taste quite good, so I brought them back for you guys to try out.”
Duan Yarong was relieved to hear that Zhao Youlin was willing to share with them when she got something good. However, she was more concerned about the other subject in Zhao Youlin’s words, “Your staff? Have you managed to recruit some staff?”
“Yes. I just recruited them today. They are siblings and are quite skillful.”
While the two were chatting, Uncle Zhao walked over to them from afar and said, “Eldest lady, Mr. Zhao and the young master are waiting for you in the study room. They have something to discuss with you.”
‘Something to discuss with me?’ Zhao Youlin frowned and asked him tentatively, “Did Grandpa say what it is about?”
“Mr. Zhao only asked you to meet him in the study room as soon as you come back. As for what exactly it is about, Eldest lady, it’s best you ask him yourself.”
‘What evil plot did the old coot have in his mind again?!’ Zhao Youlin rolled her eyes helplessly. Then, she passed the bag to Duan Yarong, bent down and caressed Joy’s head. She said, “I’m going to see Great Grandma and Grandpa now. Joy, stay with Grandma obediently. You can only eat two to three of each pastry and no more than that, okay?”
Joy was salivated over the bag in Duan Yarong’s hand. Although he wished to finish them all, he obediently nodded after Zhao Youlin said so.
“Mother, keep an eye on Joy. Don’t let him eat too much, or else he might easily get tooth decay.”
Duan Yarong nodded. She smiled and said, “Alright, you can go now.”
After Zhao Youlin finished explaining, she hurriedly went to the study room on the second floor.
The former master of the Zhao family had already heard the movement when Zhao Youlin stepped into the house. Therefore, when he saw Zhao Youlin coming over to him, he smiled, waved his hand at her and said, “Youlin, you’ve come back. Remember to close the door.”
Zhao Youlin shut the door of the study room and went up to the former master and Zhao Shunrong. She asked, “Grandpa, Father, why did you want me to come over in such a hurry?”
The corners of the former master’s lips curled upward, very much like a Buddha’s smile. The more he smiled like this, the more shivers ran down Zhao Youlin’s spine. She always thought the old coot had some wicked plans in his mind.
Indeed, the former master’s next sentence fully revealed his intentions, “Youlin, you’ve come back for some time. It’s about time to enter the Zhao Group to help your father.”
Zhao Youlin narrowed her eyes. She knew that the old coot was ill-meaning. How long had it been since he dug a hole for her to jump into it?!
“Grandpa, if I remember correctly, I used to study clothing design in college instead of finance. I’m afraid that even if I join the company, I won’t be able to help Father much either. You might as well forget about it.”
The former master would not spare Zhao Youlin so easily. He said kindly, “Hey, what does it matter even if you did not major in this? Who had the right to say that one must be a finance person in order to join the company?”
“But, I know nothing. I’ll only slow him down.”
Ever since the birthday banquet, Zhao Youlin had become everyone’s target. Joining the company was almost equivalent to exposing herself under everyone’s laser sights. She still wanted to live in this world!
“It doesn’t matter even if you don’t know anything. Your father would guide you. Soon, you’ll be familiar with the company’s basic operations. By then, you won’t be the one slowing him down. Instead, you’ll be the one at the forefront.”
“But, I’ve never worked in the Zhao Group before. If I join the company so abruptly at this time and when the people find out about this, they would talk about how the Zhao Group practices a double standard and unfair policy.”
When the former master heard this, he snorted in defiance, “Talk about us?! The entire company is ours. You’re my granddaughter, one of the future heirs of the Zhao family. What’s wrong with wanting to get my future heir prepared for her future by letting her join the company to get herself familiarized with it?! I wonder who dares to simply talk about it!”
Zhao Youlin rolled her eyes at the former master. She decided to ignore the old man who was growing increasingly annoying with each passing moment.
When the former master noticed that Zhao Youlin was not moved by his words and ignored him, he decided to change his tactics. His expression changed within the blink of an eye and he grinned as he said, “Youlin, look at your father, he’s only in his early forties, yet he already looks so old. It’s all because he’s been facing the stress from piles of work. If you join the company, you could share the burden with him so that he doesn’t have to be so exhausted. He could also spend more time accompanying your mother at home, right?”
When Zhao Shunrong heard the old man blatantly say that he looked old, he silently glared at him with transparent disdain. ‘Apparently, he’s the oldest of us all, how shameless of him to say that I’m old. I’m really speechless.’
Zhao Youlin was disgusted with the fact that the former master used Zhao Shunrong and Duan Yarong to persuade her after he had failed to convince her. She put on a fake smile and retorted, “Oh dear, as you mentioned, my father looks so old all because he is worn down by too much of the company’s affairs. If I were to join at such a young age, wouldn’t that make me grow old very soon?! This is very scary, especially for the young ladies! No, I’m certainly not going even if it means taking my life away!”
Zhao Shunrong fell speechless. He had wanted to say that just because he had fewer facial expressions, it did not mean he was old.
The former master of the Zhao family was infuriated upon Zhao Youlin’s retort. It took him some time before he calmed his breath. He stared at Zhao Youlin and said, “Are you truly that reluctant?!”
Zhao Youlin heaved a sigh as she looked at the old man’s serious look, which was a rare sight. “Grandpa, it’s not that I’m ignorant and not willing to share the burdens with you and father. It’s just that it’s really out of my capability. Having to take care of Joy alone has already gotten my hands full, much less I still have to manage an outlet. I truly have no energy to spare for the Zhao’s Group affairs. Grandpa, please be merciful and don’t make things difficult for me.”
The former master looked fierce and said angrily, “Stop using my precious great-grandson as an excuse. Your mother can take care of him. So, he’s no need of you. As for the lousy outlet of yours, no one knows if the business can even be run successfully. How can you compare it with the Zhao Group?! How can you turn down the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for such a crappy outlet?! You truly are…”
“Truly are what?” When Zhao Youlin heard the former master refer to the outlet she had worked so hard for as a lousy outlet, his expression darkened and a flash of cold glimpse was caught in her eyes.
The former master noticed his eldest granddaughter’s cold gaze and like someone who was good-for-nothing, he was intimidated by her stare. He cast a subdued glance at Zhao Youlin and said in an aggrieved tone, “N-N-Nothing… lass…”
Zhao Youlin paid the former master no more heed. She sneered and turned her face sideways. She clearly did not intend to accept the old man’s proposal.
