“Oh, tell me what’s on your mind. How can I help you?”

Having guessed Ye Xiaoqiong’s intentions, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t disappointed at this point.

Their positions were different, and Ye Xiaoqiong didn’t know that Xia Xiaolan was helping Du Zhaohui. She wanted to try her luck based on their previous connection – perhaps Xia Xiaolan would be willing to help her?

Ye Xiaoqiong felt somewhat embarrassed.

After all, her education had taught her to have integrity, and asking for favors hardly demonstrated that.

Moreover, Xia Xiaolan didn’t owe her anything; rather, she had helped her before. Now she was putting Xia Xiaolan in a difficult position—

“As you saw today, I work for Second Young Master Du Zhaoqi at Sheng Rong Group. Now the Second Young Master wants to buy the production line, and the Chinese delegation also wants to buy it. I… I want to ask for your help.”

Xia Xiaolan smiled and encouraged Ye Xiaoqiong to continue:

“And then? Did you hear that the American company wants to sell the production line to the Chinese delegation because of Zhou Cheng, so you came to ask for my help, hoping the Chinese delegation would give up competing?”

The truth usually isn’t pleasant to hear.

Although Xia Xiaolan was smiling, her words weren’t tactful, and the stark truth was even more unpleasant.

Ye Xiaoqiong lowered her head, “I’m sorry if I weren’t at my wit’s end, I wouldn’t have come. Second Young Master Du needs to buy this production line, and I need this job…”

Xia Xiaolan let out a soft “oh.”

That meaningful tone made Ye Xiaoqiong want to find a crack in the ground and disappear into it.

“Xiaoqiong, you’re very capable. In such a short time, you’ve become Second Young Master Du’s capable secretary. Since you’ve earned his recognition, you could surely find work at other companies in Hong Kong. I know Second Young Master Du needs this production line, and you feel you need the job he’s giving you, but have you considered whether the Chinese delegation needs this production line?”

What right did they have to ask the Chinese delegation to give up?

If they couldn’t buy this production line, Du Zhaoqi could buy others.

America had many restrictions on mainland China, but was very lenient with Hong Kong!

For the Chinese delegation, this might be their only chance to buy a production line with a suitable price and technology. It was a rare opportunity – to give it up to Du Zhaoqi. Not only would Deng Changxing and Song Zhicheng go crazy, but Xia Xiaolan couldn’t agree either.

Although she often called herself a cunning merchant, she could still distinguish right from wrong.

These production line purchases might seem insignificant individually, but when you put ten or eight together, wouldn’t they affect China?

While Xia Xiaolan couldn’t donate all her assets to support national development, when she could help, she wouldn’t refuse!

Even without a mutual benefit arrangement with Du Zhaohui, she would still be willing to help… She could understand Ye Xiaoqiong not wanting to lose her job, but coming here tonight, she couldn’t quite understand.

Was Ye Xiaoqiong’s job the only one that mattered?

Wasn’t Deng Changxing working just as hard to complete his duties?

Xia Xiaolan’s words left Ye Xiaoqiong unable to lift her head.

She opened her mouth, wanting to explain her situation to Xia Xiaolan, but found she didn’t know where to begin.

Should she say she was in a particularly difficult situation, with a great revenge to exact?

Should she say she couldn’t lose her position by Du Zhaoqi’s side because she suffered day and night, finally gaining Du Zhaoqi’s trust, and she wasn’t confident she could replicate her abnormally rapid promotion at Sheng Rong Group?

Even if she explained, how could Xia Xiaolan empathize?

“I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t have come. If I’ve disappointed you, I apologize!”

Ye Xiaoqiong stood up and bowed.

Even as she walked out of the hotel, Xia Xiaolan didn’t call her back.

This meant it was truly impossible to get her help.

Ye Xiaoqiong smiled self-mockingly:

“I’ve become someone even I despise, pathetic, pitiful, and shameful!”

She had considered Xia Xiaolan her benefactor, but now she had come to embarrass herself in front of her benefactor. Losing face was one thing, but failing to accomplish anything – how would she face the Second Young Master when she returned?

…

“I thought you’d at least offer her some encouragement even after refusing.”

The meeting had ended so quickly – he’d only finished two cigarettes!

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “What should I encourage her to do? I can see she has her ideas. Ye Xiaoqiong isn’t the same pushover we met on the train anymore. She’s changed a lot to be able to establish herself by Du Zhaoqi’s side!”

If Ye Xiaoqiong hadn’t mentioned knowing her and Zhou Cheng, why would Du Zhaoqi have sent her on this errand?

Since Ye Xiaoqiong chose to come, regardless of what she said, at least half of it was her intention.

At a minimum, she held onto the hope that Xia Xiaolan would help her again.

Well, sorry, but Comrade Ye was bound to be disappointed!

Last time in Hong Kong, Xia Xiaolan had subtly warned Ye Xiaoqiong that the Du family wasn’t a peaceful place, that a small company employee shouldn’t get involved in the Du family’s inheritance dispute, yet Ye Xiaoqiong still plunged headfirst into this whirlpool… What could Xia Xiaolan do?

She chose her path. If you desire high returns, you must bear high risks.

At that time, Xia Xiaolan didn’t know she would agree to help Du Zhaohui, and now she and Ye Xiaoqiong stood on opposing sides.

Though Xia Xiaolan spoke casually, her tone seemed somewhat angry, and Zhou Cheng reached out to rub her face: “Alright, why get angry over someone else’s matters? People choose their paths – whether it leads to a bright future or a cliff edge, how can you predict it for others?”

“I’m not angry, I just think that a woman who seemed quite decent has changed too quickly.”

To put it bluntly, Xia Xiaolan thought, little Ye’s behavior was somewhat shameless.

Deception and scheming in business was one thing, but shouldn’t there be some bottom line in how one conducts oneself?

At least Xia Xiaolan would never go to others asking them to give up competition just like that, regardless of past favors or grudges – why should they agree? This production line deal involved millions of dollars worth of business, and who knew how much profit it could generate once acquired? Shouldn’t one be aware of this?

If Xia Xiaolan were to make such a request, she would offer equivalent compensation.

She was used to win-win situations, or even multiple parties benefiting simultaneously, where nobody loses – that’s how business could be discussed.

Ye Xiaoqiong simply asked the Chinese delegation to take a loss, to give up competing for the production line, without mentioning how to compensate for their loss… That’s not how things should be done.

Zhou Cheng urged her to go to sleep:

“You’ve already refused, why think so much about it? You need to rest early, you still have to interpret tomorrow.”

Xia Xiaolan nodded firmly, “I must interpret well, definitely make Second Young Master Du feel hopeful. He wants to win you over, but if Director Deng is effective enough and directly cuts off Second Young Master Du’s backup support, I’m sure Second Young Master Du will be very disappointed.”

As for whether Ye Xiaoqiong would lose her job because of this.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t be expected to take responsibility.

She didn’t owe Ye Xiaoqiong anything.

If she lost her job, it would only prove that Du Zhaoqi was petty and not a suitable “good master” to follow!