110: Chapter 110 Quiet Contact

After finishing their meal, the guide led them to the lounge area.

Several people took their seats on the sofa, and the guide said goodbye and left first. General Manager Zhao Qiming leaned against the back of his chair, glanced at his phone, and suddenly turned to Chen Mochi and said:

"By the way, at 1:30, let's go sit in President Li Fan's office. I just made an appointment with him."

Chen Mochi was stunned for a moment: "Li Fan? Who's that?"

General Manager Zhao Qiming glanced at him and lowered his voice: "You forgot? During the first draft review a few days ago, that slightly chubby guy from Party A."

Chen Mochi thought for a moment, then realized: "Oh—him, I have a bit of an impression."

Qiao Yichen sat nearby, seemingly scrolling through his phone, but his ears were pricked up.

News about Li Fan.

It came without any effort at all.

He suppressed the slight ripple in his heart and continued looking down at his phone.

After resting for half an hour, General Manager Zhao Qiming checked the time and stood up: "It's about time, let's go."

Chen Mochi stood up as well. Qiao Yichen also closed his phone and followed them at a leisurely pace.

The three of them walked to the elevator, and General Manager Zhao Qiming pressed the up button. The elevator doors opened, and they entered together.

General Manager Zhao Qiming reached out and pressed the button for the 15th floor, then turned to look at Qiao Yichen: "Where are you going?"

Qiao Yichen replied casually: "Just wandering around, checking out other floors."

General Manager Zhao Qiming nodded and didn't ask further.

The elevator rose smoothly. The number jumped to 15, and the doors opened. General Manager Zhao Qiming walked out first, with Chen Mochi following behind. Qiao Yichen came out last at a slow pace, paused for a moment, and scanned the end of the corridor.

The doorplate for the Vice President's office was at that end of the corridor, and someone was standing at the door, looking down at their phone.

He withdrew his gaze and didn't go that way, instead turning in the opposite direction toward the public lounge area.

The lunch break was almost over, and the lounge area was bustling.

Several young women gathered by the coffee machine, chatting while waiting for their coffee. The aroma of coffee beans wafted from the pantry, mixed with their low laughter.

Qiao Yichen stepped forward and greeted them with a smile: "Good afternoon, ladies!"

Several people looked over. Someone replied with a smile "Good afternoon," someone else just gave him a faint glance and looked back down at their phone. A girl with a ponytail sized him up and spoke quite directly:

"Who are you? I haven't seen you before."

Qiao Yichen explained with a smile: "I'm Qiao Yichen from Company Name, I came with the company today to do some research."

As he spoke, he took two steps forward and said casually: "I was passing by and wanted to ask for a cup of water, I wonder if it's convenient?"

A girl with glasses nearby nodded, took a disposable paper cup from the cabinet and handed it to him, pointing to a corner: "There's a water dispenser over there."

Qiao Yichen took the cup and thanked her repeatedly. After pouring the water, he didn't join the crowd but walked to the furthest corner with his cup and sat down across from a girl who was looking down and drinking coffee.

"You don't mind, do you?" he asked.

The girl looked up from her phone screen, gave him a faint glance, and looked down again: "I don't mind."

Qiao Yichen placed his water cup on the table and took the initiative to speak: "My name is Qiao Yichen, I'm here today to do some research."

The girl took a sip of coffee, looked up at him, and her lips curled slightly: "I heard you just now."

Qiao Yichen smiled and waited for her to continue.

The girl put down her coffee cup and said calmly: "Zhou Qian, from the HR Department."

Zhou Qian looked at him suspiciously: "Since you're here for research, why did you come to our floor?"

Qiao Yichen pointed in the direction General Manager Zhao Qiming and the others had gone: "I came with the company leaders to see President Li Fan." He then pointed to himself, "They went to see President Li, and I'm just wandering around outside."

Zhou Qian glanced in the direction he pointed, nodded understandingly, and didn't ask further. However, her hands didn't stop; she kept typing.

Qiao Yichen glanced at her screen and asked casually: "Is work that busy?"

Zhou Qian didn't look up and gave an "mm": "A few fresh graduates are coming for interviews this afternoon, there's a pile of materials to prepare."

Qiao Yichen leaned back and said casually: "I understand, I understand. My own team also had some newcomers a while ago, and it's really not easy to train them."

Zhou Qian's movements paused for a moment, and she looked up at him: "You lead a team?"

Qiao Yichen smiled and shrugged: "Don't I look like it?"

Zhou Qian laughed too, sizing him up: "You do."

Qiao Yichen took a sip from his water cup and changed the subject: "Your group is still better, having its own cafeteria. My colleagues were so envious just now."

Zhou Qian put down her phone and became interested: "Then why don't you have your colleagues jump ship and come here?"

Qiao Yichen looked at her with a smile: "Sure, then would Miss Zhou be willing to disclose what the company's benefits and compensation are like?"

Zhou Qian was amused and tilted her head at him: "Then you have to tell me your current monthly salary first, otherwise how can I compare?"

Qiao Yichen leaned forward and lowered his voice: "It's confidential, I'm only telling you." He paused, "About 15k before tax."

Zhou Qian blinked: "Then you're still earning more than me; I only make 12k."

Qiao Yichen asked with a chuckle: "How many years have you been doing this?"

"I've been in HR for four years." Zhou Qian placed her phone face down on the table.

Qiao Yichen nodded: "You're in a big company, it's stable. And HR work is quite suitable for a young girl like you."

Zhou Qian was amused by him and was about to say something when her phone vibrated. She glanced at it and stood up:

"I have to get busy, the interviewees are almost here."

Qiao Yichen stood up as well, only to realize that the people in the lounge area had mostly left, leaving just the two of them. He hurriedly took out his phone:

"Let's add each other on WeChat. If I want to jump ship later, I'll come find you."

Zhou Qian was amused and took out her phone to scan his QR code. After it went through, she waved to him: "Okay, bye-bye."

Qiao Yichen also waved: "Bye-bye, go ahead and get busy."

Zhou Qian turned and walked towards the office area.

Qiao Yichen stood in place, watching her figure disappear around the corner of the corridor, then looked down at his phone—Zhou Qian, HR Department. This person is useful.

Having achieved his goal, he didn't stay any longer and turned toward the elevator.

The elevator went down, the numbers ticking by one by one. Reaching the first floor, the doors opened, and he stepped out, his gaze scanning the lobby reception—two girls were huddled together chatting, laughing from time to time.

Qiao Yichen walked over, stood by the reception desk, and greeted them with a smile: "Hello."

One of the girls with short hair looked up, a professional smile on her face, her tone polite and courteous: "Hello, how can I help you?"

Qiao Yichen leaned against the reception desk and said casually: "I'm here for research this morning, from Company Name. My colleagues are still upstairs meeting with the leadership, so I came down to wander around."

The short-haired girl nodded: "Oh, I see."

Qiao Yichen wasn't in a hurry to leave and continued the conversation: "I just wandered around upstairs; your company is really big, I almost got lost."

The long-haired girl next to her also looked up and said with a smile: "It's always like that when you first arrive. We used to lose our way all the time when we first started."

Qiao Yichen looked at her: "How long have you been here?"

The long-haired girl thought for a moment: "Almost a year now."

Qiao Yichen nodded and asked the short-haired girl: "And you?"

"I've been here longer, over two years."

Qiao Yichen sighed with a smile: "Then you must know this company inside out. Next time I come for research, if I get lost, I'll ask you for directions."

Both girls laughed.

Qiao Yichen glanced at the ID badges hanging on their chests. The long-haired girl was named Yu Peishan, and the short-haired girl was named Sun Ya. He pointed to Yu Peishan's badge:

"Yu Peishan, that's a very nice name."

Yu Peishan was stunned for a moment, a trace of surprise flashed across her face, and then she smiled: "Thank you."

Qiao Yichen took the opportunity to take out his phone: "Let's add each other on WeChat. It'll be convenient to ask you for directions if I get lost next time."

Yu Peishan glanced at him and took out her phone with a smile: "Sure, you can scan mine."

The two of them added each other on WeChat. Qiao Yichen waved to them: "I won't disturb your work anymore, I'll go check out that area."

Sun Ya nodded with a smile, and Yu Peishan also waved to him.

Qiao Yichen turned and walked toward the building's back door, his figure quickly disappearing into the afternoon sunlight.