"It ended at nine. I grabbed a late-night snack after. That's why I'm back so late!
By the way, I went to your hometown for wonton noodles tonight!
I haven't been there in ages. It's still so good!" Aria said while drying her hair.
"You went to eat without calling me! I haven't been there in forever."
"I'll call you next time!" Aria replied with a grin.
"What prize did you win tonight?" Maya asked curiously.
"An induction cooker. Oh, I forgot to take it!" Aria suddenly remembered she'd left it in the vice president's car.
"Where did you leave it?" Maya asked from the other end of the line.
"In a colleague's car!" Aria answered, her head feeling stiff.
"I'm so done with you. Talk to your colleague tomorrow. I bet it's gone." Maya couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"It won't be lost!" Aria laughed.
It was just awkward to talk to the vice president about it.
"Your company has great benefits. You've only worked a few days and you already won a prize!" Maya said enviously.
"Yeah, I think so too!" Aria replied, a hint of pride in her laugh.
"Let me know when your company recruits next time. I'll apply too!"
"Sure!" Aria answered. "I wish we could work at the same company!"
"Dream on. Don't get too excited. It's still a question if I can even get in."
"Come on, there's always a chance. Didn't I get in?"
"True! You're lucky. When you get promoted, if you need an assistant or something, I'll have a better shot!"
"That'll take a long time!"
"Don't you have faith in yourself or in me?" Maya complained.
"Promotions aren't that easy. It's more practical for you to get in first!"
"Alright, I'll wait for the next opportunity!"
Aria and Maya chatted for a while before hanging up.
Maya had signed a contract and started working earlier than Aria. Her family had found her a job through connections. She didn't really like it, but the pressure to find work was intense. She planned to just go with it for now, gain some experience.
She had also sent out tons of resumes back then. She'd basically go to any interview.
Getting into Sterling Group was a complete surprise.
If she had the best luck in her life, it wasn't winning the induction cooker tonight. It was getting into Sterling Group.
So she had to do well. Strive to become a regular employee. Strive for a raise. Strive for a promotion.
Well, she'd better be practical and focus on becoming a regular first!
Aria got up to blow-dry her hair, or she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
While drying her hair, she thought about the induction cooker she'd left in the vice president's car. How could she tell him?
Then she remembered she owed the vice president several thousand dollars, and her mood sank.
She never expected that asking for a snack would land her in such huge debt.
She hadn't told the vice president yesterday. It was up to her to figure it out.
She should have led the way and taken the vice president to that snack bar today.
Two people couldn't even finish a hundred bucks' worth of food, and they could pack the rest.
What a terrible decision!
Aria couldn't help but sigh again. She had to work hard from now on. Make money. Pay back the debt.
But thinking about it, she was trapped in the elevator yesterday. Scared to death.
If saving her meant spending five thousand dollars, she'd gladly pay fifty thousand!
Well, she didn't have fifty thousand. But her life was worth that much!
Aria kept blowing her hair, lost in thought.
Soon her hair was dry, and she was too sleepy to keep her eyes open.
Before falling asleep, she vaguely remembered sending a text message. But once she was asleep, she forgot all about it.
Aria woke up as usual when the alarm went off. She washed up and got ready for work.
After getting on the subway, Aria took out her phone. There was an unread text message from an unsaved number.
Aria opened the message.
"Sorry, I just saw this. The car has already left. I'll give it to you in a couple of days!"
Aria scrolled up and found the message she had sent.
"Vice President, I'm sorry, I left my induction cooker in your car."
Before she fell asleep last night, she was still thinking about the induction cooker she'd left in the vice president's car. She had somehow found his phone number and sent that message.
Aria wanted to cover her face and pretend nothing had happened.
After hesitating for a long time, Aria replied.
"It's okay, no rush! Thank you, Vice President!"
After sending the text, Aria stared at the unsaved number. Her heart fluttered a little.
She couldn't help but save the number. She couldn't just write "Vice President." That seemed too obvious.
Aria thought for a moment and saved the contact as "Induction Cooker."
When she arrived at the company, the office was still buzzing about last night's event.
Hannah Moore looked up at Aria and asked with a smile.
"Aria, is your induction cooker working well?"
"It hasn't been used yet. It should work great!" Aria laughed.
"Aria, can you cook?" Li Jing asked.
"A little bit!"
"Perfect. It'll be really useful!"
"Yeah, I think so too!" Aria agreed with a smile.
Later, Aria went to the administration department to help clean up the venue from yesterday.
Hannah Moore had taken the morning off because she wasn't feeling well. Only Aria and Manager Yang were left to clean up.
Olivia Clarke tidied up while chatting with Aria.
"What prize did you win yesterday?"
"An induction cooker!" Aria answered.
"That's good too!"
"Yeah, I really like it!"
"Keep working hard next time. You might win a bigger prize!"
"Thank you, Manager Yang!" Aria replied with a smile. Then a question popped into her head. "By the way, Manager, does everyone who didn't win a prize get a participation gift?"
"Yes. Who didn't get one?" Olivia turned to look at Aria.
"It's... it seems like the vice president didn't get one!" Aria answered awkwardly.
"That's normal. Didn't you know the top management doesn't participate in these lucky draws? That way, we get more chances!" Olivia answered with a smile.
"Oh, I see!" Aria nodded. She looked up and met Manager Yang's gaze, so she laughed.
"Aria, we all like nice things. But most of the time, they're not meant for us!" Olivia said meaningfully.
Aria looked at Manager Yang, confused.
"Don't set your heart on people who are too far away!" Manager Yang lowered her voice and said again.
Aria finally understood. Manager Yang was subtly telling her not to have any designs on the vice president.
"Manager Yang, you've misunderstood! I don't have any strong feelings for the vice president!" Aria answered, her face reddening.
"I didn't mean anything else. But you're a part of our administration department now. I've always looked out for my own people. I hope my team can work happily in the company!" Manager Yang answered with a smile.
"I understand. Thank you for the reminder!" Aria nodded.