After finishing the call, Feng Manlun glanced back at the He family's resort before quickly getting into his car and driving away.
With Feng Kexin taken away by Feng Manlun, the people present looked at Shen Qi with an even greater layer of respect. Now everyone could clearly see that He Yining truly valued Shen Qi.
Xiao Chun quickly had the restaurant deliver the food. Everyone took their seats and ate in an orderly manner.
After breakfast, everyone took their leave and departed from Nanshan. Chen Chen finally got his wish to ride in Han Fei's car. Shen Qi caught the grateful look Chen Chen shot her and knew she had done the right thing.
Once the others had left, Xiao Xia approached Shen Qi and asked, "Second Young Madam, the management teams from the resort and Nanshan Administrative Committee have all assembled. When would you like to address them?"
"Address them?" Shen Qi was taken aback. "What address?"
"Have you forgotten? Starting last night, you're the owner of Nanshan! As the new boss, they naturally need to come and meet you!" Xiao Xia said with a grin.
Shen Qi couldn't help but laugh. "No need, right? I don't really know how to manage anything."
"You just need to meet them; the specific management rules can stay as they were. Besides, even if you're not skilled at management, the group is still there. They have their systems; they just need to report their performance to you on time, and the year-end profits will go into your account," Xiao Xia explained.
Shen Qi thought it over. Since she couldn't avoid it, she might as well meet them. She nodded and said, "Alright, let's meet them first."
Turning around, Shen Qi didn't find He Yining. For some reason, she felt a bit uneasy without him by her side.
She followed Xiao Xia to the resort's lobby, where several rows of mid- and high-level managers were already standing. Seeing Shen Qi approach, they all bowed in unison. "Hello, General Manager!"
Shen Qi was stunned for a moment before realizing she was indeed the general manager of Nanshan. "Hello, everyone," she said, nodding. "I'm glad to meet you all. Although I'm in charge of Nanshan, I'm not very knowledgeable about management. So, let's keep things as they were. I believe that with the He Group's leadership, we can all succeed together."
Shen Qi wasn't good with words and couldn't offer any inspiring speeches, but the people below still applauded enthusiastically.
One manager stepped forward and asked respectfully, "General Manager, when would you like to review the reports?"
"Reports? Ah... I'll take them home to look over," Shen Qi said, glancing at Xiao Xia. "I doubt I can finish them all at once."
The manager quickly adapted. "Should we also send the accounting ledgers to you?"
"Ah, sure," Shen Qi replied. She suddenly envied He Yining, who had such capable assistants handling everything for him. As this newly appointed general manager, she was all alone with nothing.
Xiao Xia immediately interjected, "Streamline the reports. Don't tire out the Second Young Madam, or the老夫人 will hold you accountable."
Shen Qi's face flushed. The managers exchanged knowing looks, making her even more embarrassed.
When she left, the managers had indeed trimmed the reports down to the essentials before handing them over. Shen Qi had her car driven back by someone else and got into the same car as He Yining.
In the car, Shen Qi stared at the reports with a headache and couldn't help complaining to He Yining, "Is this what you look at every day? How boring!"
He Yining glanced at the reports in her hand and casually replied, "Yours are the most basic level. What I have to review is far more complex!"
Shen Qi looked at him in shock. "Then you must be so bored every day!"
He Yining pinched her cheek and said with a smile, "Not really. That's why you need to chat with me every day, so I won't be bored."
Shen Qi swatted his hand away. "I'd rather stick to being a stylist."
"Speaking of which, are you interested in learning design?" He Yining let go of her cheek and said seriously, "The He Group has its own independent luxury brand in Europe, along with its own designers. You studied aesthetics and enjoy being a stylist, but have you ever thought about trying fashion design or furthering your styling skills?"
Shen Qi's face lit up with excitement. "Really? Can I really do those things?"
"Of course," He Yining said with a light laugh. "As long as you don't cross the He family's bottom line, you can do anything."
Shen Qi's eyes sparkled, and she nodded firmly. "I've been hoping for this for a long time! I've always wanted to study under those international masters, but I never had the chance or the skill to get them to take me on as a student."
He Yining knew she would be thrilled to hear this, and his phoenix eyes softened with warmth. "Charles will be coming to the country soon and staying for a while. He's a trendsetter in European fashion. Learning from him will be very rewarding."
Shen Qi nodded vigorously. "I won't let you down!"
Oh my god, this happiness came so suddenly. She was actually going to study under an international top-tier master! It felt like a dream. Shen Qi couldn't wait to meet Charles.
As the car drove home, Shen Qi stuck her hand out the window, letting the breeze slip through her fingers. The feeling of relaxation was absolutely wonderful.
Just then, her phone rang urgently. She glanced at the number and frowned. It was from the Shen family. What did they want now?
She didn't want to answer, but the phone kept ringing persistently, so she couldn't ignore it. He Yining just looked at her without saying anything.
Biting her lip, Shen Qi answered. "Hello?"
"Shen Qi, come back quickly! Mom's in trouble!" It was Shen Yinyin on the line.
Something happened to Mrs. Shen? What could it be?
Though doubtful, Shen Qi asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"
"I don't know! I came home and found her unconscious! I'm taking her to the hospital now. Hurry up and come! She's your mom too!" Shen Yinyin said urgently before hanging up.
Shen Yinyin's tone was strange. Normally, when she called, she was either bossy or sarcastic. Today, she sounded almost normal.
But since it involved Mrs. Shen, Shen Qi couldn't ignore it. She immediately texted Shen Yinyin for the hospital's location and got a quick reply.
After receiving the information, Shen Qi turned to He Yining. "I need to go to the hospital first when we get to the city. My mom seems to be sick. I have to check on her."
He Yining's phoenix eyes flickered slightly, but his tone remained steady. "Alright, have Xiao Xia go with you."
"What about you? Will you be okay without him?" Shen Qi asked.
"It's fine," He Yining said, looking at her. "You're my legitimate wife now. Remember, no matter what happens, don't feel you have to put up with anything. Understand?"
Shen Qi felt a warmth in her heart. "Mm."
He Yining smiled and patted the seat beside him. Shen Qi obediently moved over, hugged his arm, and leaned against him.
When they reached the city, Shen Qi got out, took Xiao Xia, and drove another car quickly to the hospital Shen Yinyin had mentioned.
Once there, Shen Qi called Shen Yinyin, who directed her to the top-floor ward.
After hanging up, Shen Yinyin immediately said to Mrs. Shen, "She's coming. Mom, make sure you act sick convincingly! This is our only chance!"
Mrs. Shen gritted her teeth. "That little wretch dared to hide at home and avoid me! I don't believe she'll dare not come if I'm sick! Let's see if public opinion doesn't tear her apart!"
Shen Yinyin said, "So, it's all about our acting now!"
Mrs. Shen checked her reflection. "Is my foundation thick enough? Do I look like I've been seriously ill?"
"Mom, don't worry. I won't let her get too close. I'll block her, and you just cry and complain!" Shen Yinyin grabbed her mother's hand and coaxed, "Mom, as long as I can get into Jinghua Manor, I'm halfway there! Once I get He Yining into bed, Shen Qi will have to step aside. Then we can deal with her properly."
Just then, they heard Shen Qi's voice outside. "Excuse me, nurse, which room is Mrs. Shen in?"
Hearing Shen Qi, Shen Yinyin quickly let go of her mother and stood to the side, pretending to wipe tears. Mrs. Shen also put away her mirror and lay back, looking as if she was on her last breath.
Shen Qi found the room and knocked. A voice from inside said, "Come in."
Xiao Xia waited outside. Shen Qi pushed the door open and saw Shen Yinyin wiping tears in the corner, while Mrs. Shen lay in bed with a frighteningly pale face.
Shen Qi walked in, placed a fruit basket and flowers on the table, and moved to check on Mrs. Shen, but Shen Yinyin stopped her.
"Mom is very weak. Don't get too close," Shen Yinyin said. "She must have overworked herself and collapsed."
Shen Qi looked at her incredulously. Did Shen Yinyin have no shame saying that? Mrs. Shen overworked? Please! What had she ever overworked at? Oh, right—her daily mahjong games, beauty treatments, shopping, and catering to Shen Yinyin's endless demands.
Turning to Mrs. Shen, Shen Qi asked, "Mom, are you feeling any better?"