CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 351: Weathering the Storm Together

Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Weathering the Storm Together

Qiao Rui was waiting for the elevator and nodded slightly. "Alright, Assistant Li, go ahead."

"I’m very grateful to President Qiao for letting me stay today," Li Chongming said softly. "I’m not good with words, but I just want to say that I will work hard."

Qiao Rui chuckled. "That’s good. Assistant Li, don’t feel pressured. The reason I kept you here is truly because you’re talented."

Li Chongming was momentarily stunned, then forced a bitter smile. "President Qiao, you’re joking. If I were truly talented, I would have assisted the previous President Qiao better."

"At the very beginning of this project, you suggested to Qiao Junxian not to take it on, and you even bypassed him to privately report to my father, advising against it. Neither my father nor Qiao Junxian listened—but just based on that, Assistant Li, you already proved your capabilities."

Li Chongming froze completely and stared at Qiao Rui in shock. "How do you know this?"

Qiao Rui smiled. "I don’t just know this. I also know that you have two students at home, and you especially need this job."

Li Chongming was startled again. "President Qiao, did you investigate me?"

"Yes, not only did I investigate you, I investigated everyone in the President’s Office," Qiao Rui responded candidly with no hint of hesitation. "You not only have two kids in high school, but also two bedridden elders at home. Moreover, your wife is unemployed and works full-time taking care of the elders and children.

You have never accepted a penny of commercial bribery, so despite being an assistant to the Qiao Family President, your family is still barely scraping by."

Li Chongming’s eyes turned red instantly, filled with a mix of shame and pride. He looked at Qiao Rui, feeling an indescribable emotion.

All he felt was a warmth mixed with a sour ache in his heart. This young President Qiao, who was so much younger than him, was astonishing in every sense.

"So, I’ve decided to give you a raise," Qiao Rui said. "Your salary will double, and your bonuses will double too."

"President Qiao, I can’t accept that," Li Chongming shook his head. "It’s against company regulations."

"When I’m here, the rules are whatever I say they are," Qiao Rui said. "If I remember correctly, you haven’t had a salary increase in three years."

Li Chongming laughed awkwardly and nodded. "The previous President Qiao said the company was struggling financially, and being able to issue salaries was already fortunate."

Qiao Rui chuckled. "Indeed, based on the previous state of the Qiao Family’s finances, managing to issue salaries was quite remarkable."

Li Chongming glanced at Qiao Rui, smiling again in embarrassed reluctance.

He had dreamed of a raise—his wife had asked him countless times to bring it up with Qiao Junxian—but he couldn’t find the courage to ask.

At that moment, the elevator arrived. Qiao Rui looked at him and spoke earnestly, "I wasn’t joking earlier about doubling your salary. Starting today, your salary will double. Additionally, I will personally advance you three months of salary. Gai Yin will transfer the money to you shortly."

"President Qiao, I—" Tears welled up in Li Chongming’s eyes.

This grown man almost shed tears.

Qiao Rui gave him a warm smile. "Assistant Li, you don’t need to say anything. I understand."

With those words, Qiao Rui stepped into the elevator.

Standing outside the elevator, Li Chongming remained stunned for a long time, his emotions too complex to describe.

It wasn’t until the elevator reached the first floor that he finally turned around and took a few steps, only to see Gai Yin looking intently at her phone.

After glancing at her phone, she immediately approached Li Chongming and said, "Assistant Li, let me add you on WeChat, please approve it."

Li Chongming quickly took out his phone and scanned her QR code.

Once connected, Gai Yin sent a message with two words: Account.

Li Chongming was surprised at their efficiency and immediately sent over a series of numbers.

Those were the numbers of his salary card—a string he had memorized by heart.

A few minutes later, his account showed an updated balance with a transfer of over 300,000 yuan.

The young President Qiao actually kept her promise and advanced him three months of the raised salary.

God knew his family was on the brink of collapse—with his mother hospitalized and in urgent need of surgery.

And he had no savings left, feeling overwhelmed by difficulties until now.

This time, however, the young President Qiao had resolved his dire situation in one stroke.

"Miss Gai, please help me thank the young President Qiao," Li Chongming said quickly and sincerely.

Gai Yin smiled. "Assistant Li, no need to be so formal. We’re all colleagues, in the same boat through stormy weather."

Li Chongming nodded, his attitude serious and grateful. "Alright, in the same boat through stormy weather."

Gai Yin smiled. "By the way, I’ll contact the audit department shortly to check the accounts. Make sure the team is ready, and coordinate with the finance department."

"Got it. Leave it all to me—there won’t be any problems," Li Chongming said, now brimming with energy as he set off to make arrangements.

At eleven o’clock, Qiao Dui made a phone call to Liang Jinqian.

The call was answered from the other end. "Miss Rui?"

Qiao Rui replied, "Yes, it’s me. Movie Star Liang, is everything still on track on your end?"

"No changes at all. I’m always ready for Miss Rui’s invitation," Liang Jinqian said.

"Alright. I’ll send you the address. If you’re not here by eleven-thirty, I’ll leave," Qiao Rui said calmly.

Liang Jinqian chuckled softly. "In such a hurry?"

"I’m not accustomed to waiting for men," Qiao Rui retorted bluntly.

"Understood!" Liang Jinqian still had a smiling tone, his voice deep and magnetic.

Qiao Rui frowned slightly. Her impression of Liang Jinqian was average, but if he wanted to investigate her, she needed to figure out why.

She hung up and sent an address to Liang Jinqian.

He quickly replied with a message saying: Huishan Xiazhu No. 27? Isn’t this a residential area?

Qiao Rui replied: A private dining restaurant.

Liang Jinqian responded again, saying: Got it. I’ll be there in ten minutes.

Qiao Rui curled her lips slightly upward.

"Young Master, the clothes are ready for you," Huang Ying said from the front. "Would you like to change now?"

"Close the curtains," Qiao Rui instructed. "I’ll change now."

"Understood."

With the car’s curtains drawn, Qiao Rui quickly changed. Seeing Liang Jinqian later, she styled herself meticulously in a classic Hepburn-inspired look. Her bangs fell delicately to the side, making her features even more refined.

She chose an equally Hepburn-style dress, elegant yet appropriately formal.

Stepping into sleek high heels, Qiao Rui transformed completely, looking like an ethereal sprite descended to earth—graceful yet pristine.

Even Huang Ying was momentarily stunned.

"Focus on driving," Qiao Rui reminded her when she nearly bumped into someone.

"Understood," Huang Ying responded, quickly navigating the car towards Huishan Xia Zhu.

Qiao Rui carefully checked her appearance for any imperfections and only felt satisfied afterward.

"Young Master, everything has been arranged. There won’t be any paparazzi following," Huang Ying said before she stepped into the venue.

"Keep a close watch," Qiao Rui instructed, still feeling uneasy.

"Understood, I’ve already arranged for someone to handle it."

"Good." Qiao Rui glanced at her, adding firmly, "Make sure no one photographs Liang Jinqian."

"Got it."

Only then did Qiao Rui enter Huishan Xia Zhu No. 27.

As soon as she walked in, the proprietress at the door greeted her with a bright smile. "Oh my, it really is Miss Rui! You haven’t been here in ages."

Qiao Rui smiled lightly and replied, "Yes, it’s been over a year, hasn’t it?"