Phi-Fic Chapter 221 Isn't this a bit too direct?
Chapter 221 Isn't this a bit too direct?
Miao Zi slightly raised the corners of her lips, revealing a sincere and professional smile: "Mr. Ye, you're too kind. My existence is to ensure that every business decision you make receives the most efficient and professional support for implementation. This is my duty, and also my honor."
Sunlight streamed through the car window, illuminating the confident gleam in her eyes that belonged to a top financial professional.
With a deep roar from the engine, the bright orange McLaren P1, carrying two people and a weighty business blueprint, drove out of the underground space of the Zifeng Tower and merged into the surging traffic of Nanjing.
The hum of the engine created a deep background sound inside the car.
Ye Fan gripped the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the traffic ahead, and casually asked, "Speaking of which, your transfer from Fujian to Nanjing was because of me. I wonder if you're settling in well here? Nanjing and Fujian are quite different in terms of climate, food, and so on."
Miao Zi turned her head to look at Ye Fan's smooth profile and smiled, "Thank you for your concern. Actually, I adapted quite quickly. The work processes at banks are pretty much the same across the country, and I haven't had much trouble adjusting to life there."
She paused, her tone unusually relaxed: "And thanks to you, I've actually been much more relaxed lately than when I was in Fujian Province. There aren't as many big projects in the industry that I need to oversee personally, so I'm a bit 'idle'."
This statement was half a joke and half a fact.
Ye Fan chuckled upon hearing this: "I'm relieved to hear you say that. Otherwise, you might resent me when you're transferred to Jinling and leave your familiar environment."
Miao Zi quickly straightened up and said sincerely, "How could that be! On the contrary, Mr. Ye, it was precisely because of serving you that I had the opportunity to be transferred to the Jinling branch. This is not only a sign of trust, but also a promotion. Whether it's the salary and benefits, the development platform, or the workload..." She glanced at Ye Fan, with a touch of humor, "everything is 'significantly improved' than before. I'm so grateful, how could I complain?"
"I have to thank you, otherwise I would never have had this opportunity in my entire life."
Ye Fan's smile deepened, tinged with a hint of mockery: "Oh? So, I've become your 'benefactor'?"
Miao Zi nodded calmly, her eyes clear: "You are absolutely right to say that."
Ye Fan's tone suddenly took on an unquestionable quality: "Now your 'benefactor' has a small request."
"Please speak," Miao Zi said, immediately sitting up straighter.
Ye Fan glanced at her and said calmly, "Just stop calling me Mr. Ye. It sounds awkward. Just call me by my name. We already talked about it on the way here. We're not that far apart in age, so we can just be friends."
A hint of hesitation flashed across Miao Zi's face: "Wouldn't this... seem too impolite?"
Deeply ingrained professional habits made her instinctively resist this "crossing the line".
Ye Fan glanced at her: "I don't mind, so what are you afraid of? We'll be meeting and interacting a lot in the future, and this formality will only make it harder to communicate."
His attitude was very clear: this was not a discussion, it was a demand.
Miao Zi sensed his insistence and had no choice but to compromise, her voice softening, "Well... alright. You... uh, I'm glad you don't mind."
"That's right." Ye Fan nodded in satisfaction, glanced at the time on the car, and said, "It's almost noon, let's have lunch together. You've been in Jinling for so long, and I haven't properly treated you to a meal yet. Consider it a way of thanking you for your hard work lately."
Miao Zi instinctively tried to decline: "No need, Ye... Ye Fan, these are all things I should do."
"Don't refuse too soon. After lunch, I have something important to do with you this afternoon."
"Is it serious business?" Miao Zi asked curiously.
"Yes, buy a house!"
"Buy a house?" Miao Zi was a little surprised, but quickly realized it made sense.
Given Ye Fan's wealth and plans, purchasing real estate is perfectly normal.
Ye Fan nodded: "That's right."
He had this plan a long time ago. He hadn't bought a house in Jinling yet. The house he took Liu Ruyan to buy a while ago was mainly for Liu Ruyan. He himself didn't own a single house.
A while ago, he took a map of Nanjing and started drawing and sketching in his dorm room. He mainly circled areas that would appreciate in value in future generations, and he planned to buy some houses then, but he kept putting it off.
So, taking advantage of this trip, he naturally wanted to look at a few houses, buy a few first, and also provide a place for Xie Wanning, Xu Yunshu, and Chen Wanyu to stay.
Miao Zi works for ICBC.
She has access to a wealth of high-quality housing information and developer resources, making her the ideal "guide".
Therefore, Ye Fan doesn't need to go through the trouble. He just needs to have the bank screen out a batch of properties first, and then he can choose some locations based on his previous memory and go to see the properties.
Miao Zi sighed inwardly.
Even though she was used to seeing people spend money like water at the bank, Ye Fan's actions—spending over five million yuan to rent a top-tier office building in the morning and then going to look at apartments at noon—still left her secretly amazed by his efficiency and boldness in spending money.
However, as Ye Fan's personal secretary, her most important task is to serve all of Ye Fan's needs well and to say as little as possible what she shouldn't say.
"Okay, I'll call the bank now and have my colleagues help me filter through a batch of properties that meet your requirements." Miao Zi took out her phone to make the call.
"No rush!" Ye Fan suddenly interrupted, turning the steering wheel to bring the car to a steady stop in front of a magnificent building.
Miao Zi was somewhat puzzled.
They've arrived at their destination? So quickly?
Miao Zi looked up and saw a huge signboard.
Jinling Shangri-La Hotel.
She was stunned for a moment!
Weren't they going out to eat? Why are they suddenly at the hotel?
This...this is way too direct, isn't it?
Could it be... could it be that what he meant by "treating each other as friends"?
A jumble of thoughts flooded her mind uncontrollably, causing her heart to race, her cheeks to flush slightly, and her fingers to unconsciously tighten around the bag strap.
She was completely unprepared for this kind of "progress"!
Her mind flashed back to Ye Fan's usual gentle yet aloof demeanor, and then to his frankness when discussing how sports cars attracted women... This contrast left her thoughts in disarray.
"Let's go!" Ye Fan didn't explain what he meant, but unbuckled his seatbelt, opened the car door, and moved naturally and smoothly.
His expression was calm.
Miao Zi took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and unbuckled her seatbelt to get out of the car.
She tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but her slightly tense shoulders and somewhat hurried steps betrayed her inner turmoil.