"Indeed, what a coincidence."
Fang Ruoye raised her glass at Bai Liuxian, who then poured himself the same drink.
"Our children are both in Sunflower Class, I hope we will get along well as parents."
The word "our" gave Fang Ruoye an inexplicable flutter in the stomach. She quickly raised her drink to her lips, hoping to conceal the blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Mhm, let's do that."
"The Sunflower Class is full of children from prominent families. It is very important to emphasize to our kids that their parents' battles in society have nothing to do with them. As kids, their first and foremost focus should be on their education and growth --- nothing else."
"I cannot agree more, Mr. Bai."
Bai Liuxian stood next to Fang Ruoye, overlooking the numerous parents clustered in small, self-absorbed conversations.
Some of these parents were very zealous. Beyond providing an excellent learning environment for their children, the Golden Dragon Academy served as a crucial social and business nexus for the parents, many of whom aimed to expand their ventures or obtain financial backing.
In contrast, although Fang Ruoye and Bai Liuxian stood together, they did not engage in any such conversation. With their children as their sole focus of being in the Golden Dragon Academy, they quickly ran out of topics. In the end, they just took small sips of their drinks and looked elsewhere. The atmosphere between them was too awkward.
"If I am not mistaken, the children should be back from their short tour now. Mr. Bai, excuse me, I shall take my leave."
Fang Ruoye was more than relieved to have an excuse to leave. The silence between them was starting to suffocate her.
Bai Liuxian nodded with a smile.
"See you soon, Miss Fang."
There was a tacit understanding between them not to ask each other how they landed their children in this prestigious academy. It was good, Fang Ruoye thought to herself. She would rather not show off her three powerful cousins, and she had the feeling that Bai Liuxian might prefer to keep his secrets as well.
Right now, she was very pleased with her circumstances.
Her divorce from Luo Yanming had been finalized, Luo Xianxian was starting school at Golden Dragon Academy, and her grandmother forgave her for her past folly.
Life could not be better.
Now that she began to settle down, it was time to stop mooching off her cousins and get a proper job to feed herself and Luo Xianxian.
Fang Ruoye pulled out her phone to browse online job boards. Having been out of work for a while, the competitive job market was beginning to fuel her worries about finding a new position.
How could she compete against fresh, young women and men who had just graduated from college?
Not to mention that she was a single mother who had to take care of her only daughter.
Fang Ruoye's concerns were nullified when she spotted three job offers in her mailbox, each e-mail shimmering with greater promise than the last.
The first one came from the Recruitment Head Manager from Phoenix Trading International, undoubtedly Jiang Wei's doing.
"Dear Miss Fang Ruoye,
Good morning. My name is Zhu Yanli, I am the current Recruitment Head Manager of Phoenix Trading International. I am here on behalf of our CEO, Mr. Jiang Wei, who speaks highly of your exceptional skills, extensive work experience, and impeccable work ethic.
After viewing your CV, my jaw is literally on the floor. Miss Fang, seeing that you once worked in our group, how did the former manager bear to let you go? If you are open to it, why don't we meet up to discuss your next career move?
Salary, facilities, benefits, positions, we can cater to everything based on your requirements. Please contact me as soon as you can, because we are very interested in having you back in our group!"
Fang Ruoye burst into laughter.
What exceptional skills? What extensive work experience? Back when she was working at Phoenix Trading International, she was only one of the many interns that the company recruited annually.
She quit the company to get married after getting to know Luo Yanming for less than two years.
That was how foolish she was. Blinded by love, and giving Jiang Wei a lot of heartache.
The second one came from Longyue Entertainment, certainly Jiang Yue's handiwork.
"Dear Miss Fang Ruoye,
Good morning, my name is Lin Hongxue, the HR Manager of Longyue Entertainment. We met once when you came with Mr. Jiang Yue to our headquarters. The first time I saw you, I was immediately captivated by your grace and beauty.
I have been desperately hoping to entice you into joining our company, but Mr. Jiang Yue kept telling me that you were busy and did not have the time to take up any job.
Mr. Jiang Yue just informed me of your availability this morning, and I just had to write to you to ask for an appointment.
Please contact me with your next best date and time of availability. Miss Fang, based on my keen observations, you have a star quality. I will make you famous within three months!"
Fang Ruoye shook her head with a smile. Whether or not she possessed star quality was up for debate, but Jiang Yue most likely told Manager Lin that she would lose her job in three months if she failed to recruit her.
Fang Ruoye expected the third one to come from Jiang Cheng's law firm, but it actually came from someone she did not at all recognize. The sender was a private person, bearing the name Lan Ziwei.
"Dear Miss Fang Ruoye,
My name is Lan Ziwei. You may not remember me, but I am a close friend of the Jiang family. Recently, I found out that you were looking for a job, and I happen to need some assistance to manage one of the hotels in my Baiyue Hotel and Resort chain. Would you be willing to give it a try?"