[Chapter 442: Li Xiaoran's Assistant Diary]
Linton didn't stay long at the estate; he had too much on his plate at the company, especially with the upcoming Universal takeover.
The next morning, he flew back to Los Angeles on the Boeing 737 private jet still parked at the airport, accompanied by Li Xiaoran, Meena, Goodman, some bodyguards, Lin Hao, and his secretary.
Lin Hao didn't linger in the US either. He was at a critical point in his career advancement and caught a direct connecting flight back home from LAX.
---
From that point, Li Xiaoran officially became Linton's assistant, beginning a rather clueless life in that role.
When she arrived at the company, she quickly realized how much she had underestimated things. Her English was only conversational, so when people talked shop, she was completely lost. Reading documents felt like deciphering an alien language. After all, she had trained in dance all her life -- not administrative work -- and had no clue how to be an effective assistant.
Linton didn't put any pressure on her or assign specific tasks. He simply told her to learn from Meena.
Since arriving in America and reuniting with Linton, Li Xiaoran's biggest impression was how outrageously wealthy he was. His Montana farm and the gardens there were impressive, but his Los Angeles office was on a whole other level -- it occupied an entire floor by himself.
Besides the usual offices and conference rooms, there was a massive swimming pool, a gym, a movie theater, and super-luxurious bedrooms with bathtubs. This was no office -- it was more like a palace. She struggled to find words to describe it, settling on "ultra-rich," way beyond anything she'd ever imagined.
...
After work that evening, she quietly asked Meena, "Hey Meena, where am I staying tonight?"
Meena looked at her, surprised. "Since you're the boss's personal assistant, of course, you stay at his house. Your room is already set up."
"What? We're staying at the boss's place? Then what about you and the boss...?"
"Xiaoran, don't get the wrong idea. The boss's LA home is a huge estate. As assistants, we get small apartments on the grounds. Besides, the women around the boss are all A-list stars. If I wanted to sleep with him, he wouldn't even look my way. Your skin is nice and pale, and your figure is okay, but you're not as pretty as me. Do you want to try your luck? Sorry, but there is no chance."
Li Xiaoran blushed. Why was this American girl so blunt? She couldn't believe Meena said all that. "Don't get me wrong, I wasn't thinking like that!"
Still, she felt a surge of defiance. "You're blind! I'm way prettier than you, thank you very much."
Meena just shrugged. "Don't be shy; it's normal to think that way. But the key is whether the boss likes us or not. If he doesn't, it's just wishful thinking. We shouldn't waste energy on that. Just focus on being good assistants. As long as the boss trusts us, wherever we go, people will treat us with respect."
Li Xiaoran's curiosity got the better of her. "So... you're secretly in love with the boss?"
"That's hardly news. Let me tell you, there are probably over a hundred women in this building alone obsessed with him. I bet there isn't a single woman who wouldn't be tempted if the boss snapped his fingers."
"So, is he a womanizer?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"You know... like...?"
Li Xiaoran couldn't find the right words.
"Okay, enough gossiping about the boss. It's bad form. Here, take a look at this book."
Li Xiaoran accepted the book and glanced at the title -- it was unfamiliar. She pulled out her English-Chinese dictionary and found it was the Assistants' Guide to Efficient Work.
It was a good book, definitely what she needed right now. The problem? She couldn't understand much of it. Sigh. Looks like she was about to wear out that dictionary.
...
Back at the estate that night, having already been stunned by the farm's gardens, Li Xiaoran wasn't as shocked by Linton's wealth this time, but it still exceeded her expectations.
When Linton introduced her to the housekeeper Amy and celebrities like Madonna, Sophie Marceau, Cristiana, and Monica, the way they looked at her felt a little odd.
Meena didn't notice it, but Amy and the others were more familiar with Linton's tastes and standards. No wonder Izumi Sakai, Noriko Sakai, Akina Nakamori, Vivian Chow, and Michelle Reis were all part of his harem.
Though Li Xiaoran wasn't considered a beauty by Western standards, compared to Michelle Reis and Vivian Chow, she actually measured up well in Asian terms.
Even more remarkable was her skin -- it was incredibly flawless and paler than many women, practically glowing with radiance.
Despite Madonna, Sophie Marceau, Cristiana, and Monica enjoying Linton's special energy, Li Xiaoran's skin still seemed better than theirs -- even rivaling Nicole Kidman's. That was a big advantage.
These women secretly wondered if Li Xiaoran might even be a potential recruit to Linton's harem.
Amy was especially welcoming, determined to take good care of Li Xiaoran and help her meet the estate's high standards.
Li Xiaoran was stunned seeing Linton warmly embrace and kiss Madonna and the other top stars as if they were part of one big family. It felt like a scene from a royal court polygamist story -- was she dreaming?
She pinched her thigh to make sure she wasn't. 'Nope, this is real. What a player. I can't believe I ever liked him.'
...
After leaving the main house, Meena took Li Xiaoran to the guest apartments and filled her in on the estate.
But Li Xiaoran's mind was elsewhere -- today's revelations were overwhelming.
When they reached the room Amy had set up for her, Meena was about to leave.
"Xiaoran, here's your suite. Get your things settled. In half an hour, I'll take you to dinner."
"Wait, Meena, don't go. Tell me more about the boss."
"What do you want to know?"
"I see how close he is with Madonna, Sophie, Cristiana, and Monica. Are they... you know?"
"Come on, didn't you figure that out? They're definitely in that kind of relationship."
"Don't they ever fight living together?"
"You're underestimating the boss. There are actually 20 beautiful women living in the main house."
"Twenty?"
"Yes, besides one who helps manage his investments and oversees the charity foundation, the rest are big stars in the entertainment industry."
"Who are they?"
"The investment manager is Winnie Gesso, and then there's Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Connelly, Naomi Watts... Vivian Chow, Michelle Reis..."
"Vivian Chow and Michelle Reis? They're from Hong Kong, right?"
"Right, seems you know them from movies. But don't worry, you'll get to know them soon. They come by to stay regularly."
"But how do so many women live together without fighting?"
"On the contrary, they get along pretty well."
"How does the boss manage that?"
"That, I don't know -- I can't get in on that part."
"Can the boss even handle so many women?"
"Look at him -- does he look worn out to you? Here's a secret: he throws all-night parties with them. They're having a blast."
"All-night parties? What does that mean?"
"You're such a rookie. You don't know?"
"Explain it to me."
"It's like... a group..."
"A group what?"
"Don't say that; it's a family party. Totally normal."
"Wow, won't that wear him out?"
"Not our problem. Trust me, he's not interested in you."
"Yeah, screw him. No way I want his attention."
"Alright, quit being stubborn. Let's go eat."
That first night at the estate, Li Xiaoran couldn't sleep. All she kept thinking was, 'What kind of man is Linton, really?'
*****
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