Girl, There's Something Wrong With You - Chapter 14

Chéng Family Residence

“A visiting card?” Cheng Jinyang was quite surprised to hear that Wang Jinglun from the Taiyuan Wang family had come to visit.

Who is this guy? Due to Wang Wanrou, Cheng Jinyang only knew her third brother, Wang Xinzhi.

Of course, aristocratic families tended to have many children, especially someone like Wang Maohong, a third-grade supernatural, who had numerous descendants, so it was normal not to know everyone.

He just didn’t understand why someone he had never met would suddenly visit. Could it be that he was here to see Wanrou as well?

After instructing the doorman to escort the visitor to the guest hall, Cheng Jinyang went to the study to find Wang Wanrou and told her about the situation.

“Oh, Jinglun.” Miss Wang put down her book. “He’s not here to see me… Well, I’ll go with you.”

Wang Jinglun was drinking tea in the guest hall, while the doorman stood respectfully beside him.

Since the reception fee had increased, the quality of tea here had also improved significantly.

However, the doorman wasn’t confident that it would meet the standards of the Taiyuan Wang family.

Hence, he could only stand by, trying to make up for the product’s shortcomings with excellent service.

Wang Jinglun, however, merely drank the tea with a calm expression, then put down the cup without saying a word.

“Would you like a refill, sir?” the doorman quickly asked attentively.

“Thank you,” Wang Jinglun nodded.

So the doorman took the cup to change the tea leaves, thinking that this young master was really easy to please.

The second cup of tea was soon served. Just as Wang Jinglun raised the cup, a cold voice came from outside:

“What’s so good about that tea?”

“Sister.” Wang Jinglun quickly stood up, greeted Wang Wanrou respectfully, then turned to Cheng Jinyang and bowed to introduce himself.

So it was the brother-in-law. Cheng Jinyang promptly returned the greeting.

“Brother Jinyang.” After some tea and formalities, Wang Jinglun got serious and said, “I…”

“Here to seek an official position,” Wang Wanrou interrupted.

“It’s father who…”

“Sent you,” Wang Wanrou said blandly. “Although you don’t understand why, you unconditionally trust father’s command.”

Wang Jinglun: …

His expression remained unchanged, but his eyes showed a slight hint of resentment.

“Since Jinglun is ambitious in the military, it’s naturally a good thing,” Cheng Jinyang quickly intervened. “Jinglun, do you know the duties of my post as Assistant Commander?”

“Jingkou is a key strategic location with many refugees. Recruiting brave warriors to stabilize local order is one aspect,” Wang Jinglun answered seriously. “With Songjiang fallen, the pressure on Jianghuai is immense, and the cavalry is struggling alone. Holding Jingkou ensures the supply line for the cavalry, and in the long term, can support the northern defense line, that’s the second aspect.”

“Is there a third aspect?” Cheng Jinyang asked with a smile.

“The Shendu Cheng family is a military family. The heavy responsibility of resisting Liyang falls on no one but you, Brother Jinyang,” Wang Jinglun said in a low voice.

No one but me… So everyone understands that Zhongshu Yu is worried about being unable to defeat the rebel army and thus is eyeing my Iron Giant.

Cheng Jinyang understood and looked at Miss Wang, seeking her opinion with his eyes.

“Though my brother is of mediocre talent, he is dependable and cautious, suitable for the role of Chief Clerk,” Wang Wanrou said. “You can decide as you see fit.”

Wang Jinglun: ?

“Alright then,” Cheng Jinyang said solemnly. “Jinglun, I intend to appoint you as Chief Clerk. Would you be willing?”

“Though I am unworthy, how dare I not accept such an honor?” Wang Jinglun bowed in thanks, though his bow clearly included both Cheng Jinyang and Miss Wang.

Cheng Jinyang waved his hand, signaling the family members outside to come in and arrange accommodation for Wang Jinglun.

After all, since General Cheng’s headquarters had yet to open, having the brother-in-law join first was certainly a reason to treat him as family.

After Wang Jinglun left, Cheng Jinyang smiled and asked, “Wanrou, what kind of position is this Chief Clerk?”

“The Chief’s confidant, the second-in-command,” Wang Wanrou explained simply, knowing he was clueless. “He can handle all sorts of miscellaneous tasks in the future.”

So, it’s like a chief of staff. Cheng Jinyang suddenly understood.

He wanted to ask more, but the doorman announced another visitor. This time, it was Xie Youdu from the Xie family.

“Is he here to ask for an official position too?” Cheng Jinyang wondered to himself.

Compared to Wang Jinglun, Xie Youdu was a bit shorter and not as handsome, but he was clearly more shrewd. After a brief conversation, he mentioned that Xie Anshi had sent him and highlighted how both Xie Anshi and Xie Lingjiang valued him.

This was very pleasing to hear. After all, the Fufeng Xie family was a prestigious clan, and Xie Anshi was a rising star in politics. His praise held more weight than most.

Cheng Jinyang showed a humble expression, exchanged some polite words, and then looked at Wang Wanrou.

“Youdu, since Uncle Xie sent you, did he mention what position he hoped you would take?” Wang Wanrou asked with a slight smile, her earlier arrogance towards her brother gone.

“He did not,” Xie Youdu replied with a smile. “I am willing to serve as a minor official under your command, ready to follow any orders.”

“A minor official?” Wang Wanrou chuckled. “That would be a waste of your talent. My brother Jinglun has already been appointed as Chief Clerk. What do you think about that?”

“I am willing to serve as the Chief Clerk’s registrar,” Xie Youdu immediately responded.

Regardless of talent, considering family status and senior relationships, he was content to temporarily serve under Wang Jinglun.

So, Cheng Jinyang called someone to arrange for Xie Youdu to settle temporarily within their territory.

Great, the office hasn’t even opened yet, and I already have two people under my command. Cheng Jinyang felt a bit smug and asked Wang Wanrou with a smile, “Wanrou, what position is the registrar?”

“Clerical work, overseen by the Chief Clerk, with the registrar managing specific tasks,” Wang Wanrou said. “It’s the third-in-command.”

So, the Chief Clerk is the chief of staff, and the registrar is like a secretary. Cheng Jinyang understood.

“Isn’t it a waste of talent to make Xie Youdu the registrar?” he asked again.

“He proposed it himself, so how could it be a waste?” Wang Wanrou frowned.

“But what if he’s just being humble and actually has high self-regard?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Wang Wanrou shook her head. “It’s not like the registrar is the main military officer. This is your own office, isn’t it? You can decide who gets promoted. Besides, do you think they’re coming to serve you just for these minor positions like Chief Clerk and registrar?”

“True,” Cheng Jinyang thought. It seemed he needed to quickly shift his mindset to think from a leader’s perspective, considering the bigger picture.

The Chief Clerk and registrar positions were just for cultivating close aides. Wang Jinglun was his brother-in-law, so he needed to be prioritized for training. Xie Youdu could be assessed further for his abilities…

Before he could continue his thoughts, the doorman announced another visitor.

Zheng Qiupei from the Zheng family was seeking an audience.

Wait, why is Zheng Qiupei here to ask for a position… Oh, she’s already staying with us, so that’s not an issue.

Guided by the attendants, Zheng Qiupei arrived at the guest room, greeted Cheng Jinyang gently, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then tactfully stated her purpose: “Jinyang, I’ve been staying here for several days, well-fed and taken care of, so I feel uneasy. If there’s any work in the Cheng family, I’d like to contribute…”

“Ah, Sister Xiaopei, there’s no need to be so polite,” Cheng Jinyang laughed, trying to reassure her. “You are a valued guest of the Cheng family. If there’s anything lacking in our hospitality, please forgive us.”

“No, no, I’ve been very comfortable here,” Zheng Qiupei said hurriedly. “It’s just that staying here without doing anything makes me feel guilty. So I wanted to ask if there’s any work like laundry, sewing, or other household tasks I could help with…”

Cheng Jinyang was stunned. Her words seemed genuine, not pretentious.

Wow, a dignified lady from one of the five great families, secretly a hardworking person? She doesn’t feel comfortable without working?

Something’s off here!

So he looked at Wang Wanrou again and said with a smile, “Wanrou, if I remember correctly, you recently had a batch of books transported from your family estate. How about letting Sister Xiaopei help you organize them?”

“Please, Rourou!” Zheng Qiupei clasped her hands together, sincerely pleading, “Let me help!”