Chapter 88

Ding Hao didn't care about Zuo Xueying's reaction. After taking a puff of his cigarette, he said leisurely, "Alright, I admit I did have some interest in your beauty. But after hearing your story, I feel that you've indeed had a tough time. So now I feel a bit embarrassed to make a move on you. Don't worry, I invited you here for work, not for your beauty."

"Are you really going to let me be the general manager of your company? Which company are you from? Do you have the final say?" Zuo Xueying clearly didn't believe that this young man, who was about her age, could have his own company. But she didn't want to miss even a one-in-ten-thousand chance.

"Have you heard of Shanwai Mountain? It seems the newspaper reported on it a few days ago. I acquired it," Ding Hao said casually, flicking the cigarette butt into the lake.

"Are you the one who acquired Shanwai Mountain Restaurant?" Zuo Xueying looked at the young man in front of her in surprise. She couldn't believe that this person was the one reported in the newspaper a few days ago, who had acquired the nearly bankrupt Shanwai Mountain Catering Co., Ltd.

"Seems you know about it, that makes things easier. Let me introduce myself, I'm Ding Hao. By the way, I forgot to mention that I'm a French-Chinese," Ding Hao extended his right hand, fearing that she wouldn't believe him, he had to reveal his identity as a Chinese expatriate again.

Zuo Xueying mechanically shook his hand, still unsure whether she had really met a benefactor or if she had already entered heaven. After narrowly escaping death, such a stroke of luck had fallen into her lap.

"Alright, stop daydreaming. It's summer, but being wet is still uncomfortable," Ding Hao said as he stood up.

"Where are you going?" Zuo Xueying quickly stood up and asked, not wanting to give up on the job opportunity just as it was starting to look promising.

"Of course, I'm going to find a place to dry my clothes. Do you plan to stay here and let them dry naturally? Besides, this lake is a dead lake, the water is already foul. I don't understand how you picked this lake. If you're going to die, at least choose a clean place," Ding Hao said, then took out his car keys and walked towards the car.

"Get in the car? Do you think I'm a bad guy who's going to sell you?" Ding Hao looked at Zuo Xueying, who was hesitating outside the car, in confusion.

"No... not that. I'm afraid of dirtying your seats," Zuo Xueying replied. In fact, she was still suspicious. When Ding Hao said he was the owner of Shanwai Mountain, she thought she had a chance at a job. But seeing his QQ car, her doubts resurfaced.

It was understandable. As the CEO of a company worth hundreds of millions, how could he drive a QQ? She didn't want to follow this seemingly dishonest young man. Last time, he had chatted with her online out of the blue, then arranged a blind date, only to apologize upon meeting. What was he up to this time?

"Get in the car, my dear manager. From now on, your value is many times that of this car. You're not afraid of death, so why be afraid of me? Besides, I'm quite handsome! Get in the car, are you getting in or not? If you don't, I'll throw you back into the lake!"

Zuo Xueying realized that Ding Hao's patience wasn't very good. He often resorted to force after a few words. She didn't know that today Ding Hao was deliberately doing this to cover up the awkwardness of her suicide attempt and to help her regain some confidence as quickly as possible.

Zuo Xueying thought about it and decided that since she wasn't afraid of death, she shouldn't be afraid of him. He was just a young man, and in terms of social experience, he was far behind her. If he was a bad guy, she would fight him, even if she couldn't win, she would bite him. With this thought, Zuo Xueying naturally got into Ding Hao's car.

On the way, Ding Hao took out the photocopies of the company acquisition documents and handed them to Zuo Xueying. Only then did she believe that the young man in front of her was indeed a company owner.

Ding Hao took Zuo Xueying to his home. Of course, when they entered, Ding Hao had to drag her in, as she was afraid he might lose control.

Once inside, Zuo Xueying realized her worries were unfounded. Ding Hao's villa was worth millions. It seemed he was pretending to be poor, as there was also an Audi R8 parked nearby. Perhaps only such a wealthy boss would live in such a large house alone.

Ding Hao found some neutral-looking clothes in his room and threw them to Zuo Xueying, who was standing awkwardly to the side. "Go take a shower. I live alone, so there are no women's clothes in the house. Luckily it's summer, so you can make do for now."

"After you finish, I'll take you out to buy some clothes. Don't just stand there, do you want me to help you wash?" Ding Hao said with an evil expression.

Of course, Zuo Xueying wouldn't let Ding Hao help her wash. She rushed into the bathroom in a panic. Twenty minutes later, an awkward voice came from the bathroom, "Can I use your towel?"

"Sure, my towels are very clean," Ding Hao said indifferently. But he didn't realize that Zuo Xueying was trying to remind him to give her a separate towel. Perhaps Ding Hao lacked the experience of older men, or perhaps he was deliberately keeping his distance to maintain his image.

Half an hour later, Zuo Xueying finally came out of the bathroom. Ding Hao rushed up to her, saying, "You took so long, I'm feeling uncomfortable. Go out, it's my turn."

Zuo Xueying was startled by Ding Hao's sudden approach. She thought he had finally lost control, but to her surprise, he just said that. She breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Change the towel, I used that one, it's not clean."

"It's fine, I'm not like you girls, I don't have a phobia of dirt," Ding Hao waved his hand indifferently and closed the bathroom door.

But Zuo Xueying outside felt like dying. She had said that to remind him not to share a towel with a girl. But who would have thought that the fool didn't understand at all.

Thinking of Ding Hao using the towel she had just used, Zuo Xueying felt a burning sensation all over her body. But she couldn't rush in to stop him; this was his house. He had not only saved her but also offered her a job.

He had even found her clothes and let her use his towel. He was being very kind! But Zuo Xueying still felt very uncomfortable.

Ten minutes later, Ding Hao came out of the bathroom, fresh and clean, and said to Zuo Xueying, "Dry your hair, I'll take you out to buy clothes and eat, then we'll go see your mother."

"See... see my mother?" Zuo Xueying looked at him in surprise. She didn't understand what he meant. Why did he want to see her mother? Was he planning to make a move on her through her mother? Was he that eager? Would he use her mother's illness to force her to comply?

"I'm going to pay the medical bills you haven't paid and see if we can get your mother a better room," Ding Hao explained.

"Why are you being so nice to me? I have nothing now, I'm of no value to you. With your wealth, finding a young and beautiful woman is just a matter of snapping your fingers. And I still don't believe you're doing this just to... to possess me," Zuo Xueying bit her lip and asked the question that had been on her mind.

"Are you worried about that? I told you, my company is short a general manager, and I think you're suitable, so I'm giving you a try. If you're still thinking about your mother while working, it's not good. You might make some wrong decisions," Ding Hao explained.

"Is it that simple?" Zuo Xueying still didn't believe it.

"Believe it or not! Of course, we need to agree on some terms. I'll provide you with funds and necessary social connections. My requirement is that you turn the company around within a year and achieve an annual profit of 300 million within three years. If you fail, our employment contract will be terminated, and you'll have to repay the medical expenses I've covered, several times over."

"I'll have the legal department print out the contract soon. Look it over, and if there are no issues, sign it and start tomorrow. Remember, you only have three years, and you must make a profit in the first year. Of course, I'll give you enough authority, and your future is in your hands."

Ding Hao didn't lie to Zuo Xueying. When they arrived at the hospital, he quickly paid the medical bills and even got Zuo Xueying's mother a better room. But the more he did, the more Zuo Xueying felt uneasy. Was he really willing to bet so much on someone he had just met? Did he have that much confidence in her?

Even when Zuo Xueying signed the contract, she still felt like she was in a dream. She didn't pay much attention to the details, such as her salary being much lower than that of a typical general manager, and that it wouldn't be increased for three years.

In fact, Ding Hao was also taking a gamble. The reason Shanwai Mountain was losing money was due to internal management issues. Now that he had bought it, the old CEO and vice presidents were no longer useful. As a newcomer in Qianjiang, he didn't know any industry leaders or veterans.

This girl, who had been admitted to Zhejiang University, must have some talent, and being a business school graduate, she should know more than he did. The key was her six years of hotel management experience. Where else could he find such a suitable person?

Later, Zuo Xueying was directly appointed as the general manager of Shanwai Mountain under the guidance of the Qianjiang SASAC director. Ding Hao didn't even attend the new general manager's inauguration ceremony. Later, at Zuo Xueying's insistence, he agreed to hire a chairman's assistant to report to him and monitor the company's operations.

---- Wishing everyone a happy May Day!

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