Luo Yating was startled when she received Qin Can’s email, and angrily connected to his internal line, beginning with: “What are you trying to do, Qin? This is a company, are you treating company resources as a game? Do you have any professional ethics left?”
A weary voice came through from the other end: “For this matter, I need your help. When are you free?”
Luo Yating had prepared a belly full of reproaches, but hearing these words tinged with vulnerability, she swallowed them back instantly. She pursed her lips and checked her calendar: “Either after ten or between six and six-thirty.”
Qin Can said: “I’ll treat you to dinner. If you don’t want to come, forget it.”
The sound of a phone being slammed came through the line. Qin Can looked at the receiver and set it aside. He ran his hands through his hair and hung his head low. Deep down, he knew this wasn’t a difficult case. But it wasn’t proper. He asked himself: “Qin Can, what exactly are you trying to do!”
This wasn’t about logic, and Qin Can didn’t think it was about emotions either – he had absolutely no romantic feelings toward Ning Yue. But he indeed wanted to help her, couldn’t resist wanting to comfort her, and he found these inexplicable impulses terrifying! And this labor dispute that Ning Yue herself had initiated – how should he approach it?
Or perhaps, he could let Luo Yating handle it?
Qin Can couldn’t help but retreat.
Ning Yue continued her routine of picking up her child from school. The elderly father-in-law seemed to feel it was inconvenient living with his daughter-in-law, so after visiting his wife each day, he would return to his own home. The once-crowded house suddenly felt empty. Ning Yue cooked dinner herself, preparing it with Hu Ziyuan. The eating was secondary; Hu Ziyuan had great fun. His mother allowed him to do things that his grandmother and grandfather usually forbade, as long as he cleaned up afterward. One dinner took two hours. After accompanying the child to finish his after-school assignments, it was bedtime. Ning Yue checked her watch, then looked at her persistently quiet phone, smiling as she accompanied her child to brush his teeth and wash up.
In the dead of night, as Ning Yue sat alone at her desk, she saw a new message on her phone.
“I’m downstairs at your place, do you have time?” It was Tian Qiuzi’s number.
Ning Yue thought for a moment and replied: “It’s too late, let’s talk tomorrow.”
“You’ve won, I have nothing now. Don’t you want to savor the victor’s joy?”
“Thanks for letting me know. Good night!”
With Tian Qiuzi’s proud nature, once she made her move, there was no turning back. When she spoke those words, Ning Yue had already been certain of this outcome.
The secret safe was now full of documents, almost unable to hold anymore. Over these years, while Ning Yue might not have been able to do anything about Hu Cheng, she could still keep track of everyone around him. She calmly observed them, whether women or men, initially with anger, then depression, despair… But as time stretched on and these people’s files gradually accumulated, what Ning Yue saw before her eyes seemed like a time-lapse drama. She watched mansions rise, watched him marry beautiful women, watched the mansions fall – in just a few short years, the ups and downs of so many lives together created a sense of witnessing fifty years of rise and fall!
Ning Yue’s mood was indeed that of a victor, as Tian Qiuzi had said. However, she also felt melancholy. Because time had taught her that without Tian Qiuzi, there would be Tian Chunzi, Tian Dongzi… In her life, Tian Qiuzi’s exit couldn’t bring any substantial change. At most, she was just a mortal caught in the crossfire of battling immortals.
A sense of sympathy for a fallen opponent quietly arose.
Ning Yue stared at her phone, pondering for a long while, typing and deleting, wanting to say something. In the end, she sent nothing. In one’s life, others are merely passing travelers. And in Tian Qiuzi’s life, she was just an extra. How one summarizes their life is their own business, not for others to meddle with.
Finally, Ning Yue simply went to bed.
Qin Can wait for Luo Yating’s response, eating string after string of barbecue whose taste he couldn’t distinguish. When the table was covered with so many skewers that they completely hid the payment QR code, Luo Yating finally spoke slowly: “This Ning Yue, why is she threatening her family like this? What happened in her family?”
Qin Can breathe a sigh of relief. He had prepared himself for Luo Yating’s mockery about his motives in this action because he couldn’t explain why he cared so much about Ning Yue. Sometimes, he felt he should just admit it might be love, but whenever he thought that way, he felt a sense of guilt that triggered strong feelings of denial.
Qin Can mentally sort through everything he knew about Ning Yue’s family matters, making sure there were no speculative parts, before speaking. To summarize, it was relatively simple: the woman had a job but seemed to be under some pressure to quit. And her husband appeared to be having an affair. So overall, under circumstances where she was forced to resign, the woman wanted to use this huge compensation as a way to make the whole family agree to let her keep her job. After finishing, Qin Can habitually anticipates Luo Yating’s next question. He figured she would either discuss how to play the role of the pressuring party or simply refuse. Unexpectedly, Luo Yating asked: “With infidelity, why not just divorce or forgive? Why make it so complicated?”
Qin Can was stunned – this question didn’t quite match Luo Yating’s usual professional image! But he still said: “Ning Yue doesn’t want a divorce.” He considered whether to share everything Pan Jie had found out.
Luo Yating suddenly interjected: “That mistress Tian Qiuzi, does she have some connection to our company? Why does that name sound so familiar?”
Tian Qiuzi, Hu Cheng’s lover. Luo Yating hadn’t realized she was opening up a path to discuss Ning Yue’s family matters, which wasn’t her original intention.
Qin Can casually ask: “She’s a manager at an investment bank handling our company’s IPO. But how did you know it was Tian Qiuzi?”
Then, Qin Can was shocked to feel Luo Yating’s instantly changed demeanor – embarrassment, awkwardness, and panic!
Luo Yating smoothed her perfectly neat temples and stood up, saying: “I understand, I’ll consider it carefully. Whatever happens, we can’t let personal emotions override company interests!”
The last sentence was a bit harsh, but Qin Can had no intention of arguing. He felt this reaction was normal; he had seen others – no, people – whose secrets had been exposed react this way under such panic, some even throwing tea at him. Luo Yating had only jabbed at him with words; he was already grateful!
Watching Luo Yating’s retreating figure, Qin Can wondered: Could Luo Yating have some connection to Ning Yue? Or…
Qin Can was startled: Could she be involved with Ning Yue’s husband?!
He recalled a rumor: Before his arranged meeting with Luo Yating, he had heard vague mentions that she might have had a brief marriage!
Could it be such a coincidence?
Tian Qiuzi called several times, all met with “The phone is powered off” messages. Taking a deep breath, she threw herself heavily against the seat back, closing her eyes. Under the bright street lights, in layers of shadows, one could see Tian Qiuzi’s eyelids, outlined by eyeshadow colors in varying depths, trembling rapidly. It was as if those eyes refused to be covered, struggling to push open the heavy eyelids.
After a long while, Tian Qiuzi suddenly hurled her phone forcefully; it hit the windshield with a “bang.” A small white spot instantly appeared on the smooth, transparent glass, then spread into many irregular fine lines.
“Nobody gets to be happy!” Tian Qiuzi forced these words through her teeth.
Hu Cheng ate a steaming breakfast. It was an ordinary breakfast: buns, fried dough sticks, tofu pudding, golden sesame seeds, plus a cup of fresh hot milk straight from the pot.
Hu Cheng wasn’t generally picky about food, but he must have hot milk for breakfast and before bed – a habit from childhood that he had no intention of changing.
Such breakfasts weren’t unfamiliar to Hu Cheng. At his mother’s, it could be even more abundant; at Tian Qiuzi’s, it could be more exquisite; at Ning Yue’s… Hu Cheng’s chopsticks paused. He realized that in all these years of marriage, except for the first few years, Ning Yue had never cooked for him!
“Is it not to your taste?” A soft, slightly hoarse voice came through, carrying both careful confirmation and visible timidity.
Hu Cheng shook his head, turned to give the woman a reassuring smile, then continued eating with his head down.
She was an ordinary woman, even appearing somewhat aged. Her eyelids had drooped, partially covering what were once almond-shaped eyes, with clearly visible wrinkles at the corners, and the nasolabial folds were as deep as the East African Rift Valley, recording past hardships. Only her tall, straight, still-delicate nose and the clear, graceful contours of her lips spoke of her former beauty and allure. This face belonged to the woman in the photograph from Tian Qiuzi’s file.
Hu Cheng finished eating quickly, pulled out a tissue to wipe his mouth, and asked, “Are you going to the company today?”
The woman nodded.
“Have you prepared Ming Ming’s tuition? Don’t use the store’s money. If you’re short, I can help you make it up.”
The woman’s expression changed slightly, then became peaceful as she said, “No need, you’ve given enough, more than enough.”
Hu Cheng turned to look at her, and suddenly sighed, “Has Tian Qiuzi contacted you?”
The woman showed an embarrassed expression, smiled, and looked away, clearly not wanting to discuss this topic.
Hu Cheng shook his head: “Don’t mind her. If anything happens, just come to me.”
The woman just smiled and shook her head, as if they were discussing some mischief done by a disobedient child, something that had passed and wasn’t worth mentioning. This expression made Hu Cheng, who had been secretly observing her, relax. His eyes and brows stretched sideways, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
Ruan Meiying’s home was in an ordinary community.
This place was originally the textile factory’s staff dormitory. After the factory went bankrupt, the houses here changed hands several times, and not all residents were original workers and their families anymore. But the red brick buildings remained unchanged, and the width of the alleys stayed the same. The nine buildings in the entire complex were like a person growing old, gradually hunching down among the surrounding towering buildings. However, walking into this community, the thick street trees proudly displayed layer upon layer of annual rings, their lush green canopies effortlessly shading all the open spaces. In summer, amid the intense chirping of cicadas, the sound of old people moving chess pieces, the babbling of toddling children, merged into a simple harmony that played daily. The aroma of dishes and meat wafting from the storefronts, along with the fragrance of steamed buns and flatbread from the community’s staple food kitchen, spiraled up to the heavens like temple incense, wrapping around the entire complex.
This was also where Hu Cheng grew up.
Back then, he and Ruan Meiying sat under the tree shade for an hour, only glancing at each other once. Hu Cheng had long forgotten what they talked about; he only remembered the cicadas’ singing, the chess-playing sounds, and children’s crying, only remembered the food aromas drifting from windows, the fragrance of cut watermelon…
He didn’t always remember these things.
For a time, he had hated this neighborhood so much, as if those buildings not only lowered the altitude but also diminished his character. After making money, his first act was to buy a house and move his parents out. He rarely told anyone about his background, and even when marrying Ning Yue, he seldom mentioned his past. When buying their marital home, he chose the location furthest from this neighborhood in the city.
His life had always moved upward and forward until he happened to meet Ruan Meiying. By then, he had already achieved success, but the moment he saw Ruan Meiying, he suddenly realized he’d been missing something! The past came crashing over him like a tidal wave, drowning him. Those intense emotions weren’t just about showing off, nor mere nostalgia, but rather a sense of security and excitement at finally finding his roots, making him feel vulnerable in a way he’d never experienced before! To the point that whenever he felt troubled, only standing in this neighborhood, under these big trees, could he find peace, as if the air here contained some kind of tranquilizer!
Hu Cheng parked outside the neighborhood. This way, he could walk through it each time; even if he might not notice much of the scenery when preoccupied, the familiar smells were enough to satisfy him, making him feel like he was still that young man in a white shirt.
His phone vibrated slightly. Hu Cheng glanced at it – a WeChat message from Ning Yue. Upon opening it, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. What was going on? Hadn’t she already resigned? Why was there talk of a lawsuit? And such high compensation! With the family house as collateral! What game was Ning Yue playing? Had she gone mad?
Hu Cheng’s anger flared up instantly, burning his rationality to ashes. He forgot to keep walking, standing still as he called Ning Yue.
When the call connected, Hu Cheng launched into a tirade: “Ning Yue, what tricks are you playing? Aren’t you a lawyer? How could you agree to such high compensation? How dare you use the family house as collateral, are you insane?”
The other end was quiet for a moment, then Hu Cheng’s mother’s voice came through: “Hu Cheng, what are you saying? What’s this about using our house as collateral? Didn’t you already repay the bank?” Her voice trembled. The older generation had an innate fear of “debt.”
Hu Cheng felt like he was sprinting full speed and hit a wall. Taking a deep breath, he asked, “Mom? Where’s Ning Yue? Isn’t this her phone?”
Hu Cheng’s mother said, “She went to ask the doctor when I could be discharged, but she didn’t take her phone. I saw it was you calling, so I answered. What were you just saying? What did Ning Yue do? What did she do with the house?”
Hu Cheng suddenly felt irritated by this habit of casually checking other people’s phones, even though the perpetrator was his mother. When she used to check his father’s phone, he thought it was perfectly reasonable. Later, when she checked Ning Yue’s phone, he didn’t care. Only today, when his mother answered this call, did Hu Cheng realize what a deadly bad habit it was!
When Ning Yue returned, she saw Hu Cheng’s mother shouting into the phone: “Explain clearly, what exactly happened to the house?” Seeing Ning Yue enter, his mother raised her hand and threw the phone, hitting Ning Yue in the head. Unfortunately, no blood was drawn, so Hu Cheng’s mother only paused briefly before shouting: “What exactly did you do with our house? Who did you mortgage it to? What right do you have to do this? Is this your house?! How dare you?” As she shouted, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
In hospitals, sometimes death isn’t that easy. In less than five seconds, the old lady was revived. Of course, she wasn’t feeling well. After all, to monitor for other issues, the nurses and doctors had inserted some tubes, making it impossible for her to speak.
Ning Yue sat quietly on a chair outside the ward, waiting. Things were progressing as she had anticipated, but each step seemed to exceed her expectations. Sitting there, she had considered that if she left everything behind – left Hu Cheng and this family – perhaps there wouldn’t be so much trouble. But in this world, so-called “leaving everything behind” always comes with prerequisites!
Hu Ziyuan, her child with him, was flesh and blood she couldn’t abandon.
She had considered leaving the child with Hu Cheng, but was he someone capable of “loving” a child?
No one understood Hu Cheng better than Ning Yue. After getting to know him, she realized some people loved themselves to the bone, whose selfishness was as natural as the laws of nature! For Hu Cheng, playing with children on impulse was fine, creating a favorable environment for them was fine, and even fighting for them was fine. But when it came to paying attention to the details of a child’s life, he had no time. When it came to controlling his emotions according to a child’s psychological development, he had no patience. If a child tried to get his attention by constantly challenging his patience, the result would likely be his unhesitating disgust. In that case, Hu Ziyuan and Hu Cheng could very likely become enemies. And if there was a stepmother then… Ning Yue didn’t believe a woman would love another person’s child without reason, even if that person was an adorable child. No one knew better than Ning Yue: children are all born devils – except when they’re sleeping. She didn’t want to turn away carefree, leaving her child alone to face his father’s other side and an unfamiliar stepmother. If that was the alternative, she would rather continue struggling in this quagmire.
“How’s Mom?” Hu Cheng rushed over, and seeing Ning Yue, after his first question, he immediately followed with, “How could you upset Mom like this?”
Ning Yue sat with drooping eyelids, head down. Where the phone had hit her forehead was burning with pain; though the nurse had bandaged it simply, it couldn’t stop the pain.
As Hu Cheng moved to enter the room, Ning Yue stood up to leave. Hu Cheng grabbed her, demanding harshly, “Where are you going?”
Ning Yue whirled around. She didn’t know her eyes were very red, but she had to keep them wide open to hold back the many tears she’d been holding back!
Hu Cheng was startled by Ning Yue’s expression, his grip unconsciously loosening slightly. Ning Yue broke free from his restraint, only saying, “Going to buy a phone.”
“Mom’s in this state, and you’re thinking about buying a phone?”
“Mom threw my phone at my head, breaking the phone,” Ning Yue said word by word. “Your mother took my phone without permission and answered my calls. It was what you said on the phone that angered your mother. Then your mother threw my phone at my head, and you come here saying I upset your mother! Can you still speak like a human?”
Ning Yue was trembling with anger. She took a deep breath to barely calm herself: “If Ziyuan’s school needs to contact me about anything, I’m worried they won’t be able to reach me without a phone.”
Hu Cheng stepped back, still looking Ning Yue up and down suspiciously, finally noticing the white bandage on her forehead. But he merely glanced at it, then looked at the wall beside them as if he hadn’t seen anything.
There was a phone store near the hospital. Ning Yue had just finished setting up her new phone with her SIM card when she saw a message from Qin Can: “Your case needs the company’s involvement. Director Luo has agreed to handle it. She hopes to talk with you as soon as possible.”
Ning Yue replied: “Can my husband be included?”
Qin Can stare at the reply on his phone, unable to press send for a long while. He had realized that Ning Yue had been waiting for this moment from the beginning. When Ning Yue was willing to bring her husband forward, it was probably the final moment.
Qin Can has always treated Ning Yue as a soon-to-be single mother needing help returning to society. Perhaps subconsciously, not long after meeting her, he had already considered her a single mother. Now that Ning Yue’s husband had appeared, Qin Can felt slightly dazed, as if returning to long ago, when a man with a blurry figure stood opposite him and his mother.
“Okay,” he hit send.
The screens went dark, both Qin Can’s and Ning Yue’s.
Hu Cheng’s mother had been shrewd all her life, but now she was powerless despite her wishes. Seeing the situation wasn’t good, Hu Cheng quickly left the ward, beyond her reach. Hu Cheng’s father stayed behind but kept repeating the same few phrases: “You misheard, Ning Yue resigned, and the company is paying compensation. Hu Cheng thinks it’s unreasonable and wants Ning Yue to refuse. It has nothing to do with our house! Think about it, the house was bought with our money – well, even if Hu Cheng gave us the money and it was in our names, Ning Yue’s name isn’t on it! She can’t do anything with this house. Take care of your health! Ziyuan is still waiting to eat your cooking! Health is important!”
Her tired body couldn’t resist Hu Cheng’s father’s monotonous mumblings, and soon Hu Cheng’s mother fell asleep.
Hu Cheng’s father looked at his wife’s aged face, sighed, and walked out. Hu Cheng was sitting outside, and his father sat down too, taking out a cigarette but putting it back under his nose: “What’s going on? Tell me!”
When Ning Yue came upstairs, father and son had just finished a brief discussion. Seeing Ning Yue, Hu Cheng was about to jump up but was held down by his father. Hu Cheng’s father asked Ning Yue to sit down, first asking about her forehead injury, saying what Hu Cheng’s mother did was wrong. Ning Yue said it was nothing.
Everyone knew this was just politeness. The apology lacked sincerity, and the acceptance was merely perfunctory.
“I’ve heard everything from Hu Cheng. Ning Yue, forget about the job, just talking about this contract. You’re a lawyer, how could you sign something like this?”
Ning Yue smiled bitterly, touching her forehead wound: “I haven’t worked for many years, I’ve forgotten most of my professional knowledge. As for this document, I just thought it was a formality, without real effect. Besides, such obviously unfair terms couldn’t possibly be valid. So I didn’t pay much attention.”
Hu Cheng lowered his voice and shouted: “Didn’t pay attention? I’ve never seen any other labor contract using one’s own house as collateral!”
“The company said I didn’t have a good work background and couldn’t guarantee sufficient repayment ability, so they needed collateral. But the house should be fine, right? I’m not the property owner, so such collateral is invalid.” After a pause, Ning Yue smiled bitterly, “If only we had someone to consult.”
Hu Cheng seemed not to hear, pressing on: “Are they still going to sue?”
Ning Yue laughed coldly inside but showed hesitation on her face, “I don’t know. Maybe I’m really rusty with business matters, there might be something I overlooked.”
Hu Cheng’s father frowned: “Ning Yue, we certainly support you wanting to work, but no matter what, you should have discussed signing this contract with us.”
Ning Yue glanced at the old man and smiled: “Everyone was signing, like an assembly line, I didn’t think much about it! I also didn’t expect to quit so soon.”
Hu Cheng suddenly stood up, pointing at Ning Yue: “You’re hopeless!”
Ning Yue stood up slowly, sneering: “Why don’t you find a brick and hit me with it, let you vent your anger like your mother!”
Hu Cheng’s lips trembled as he snorted, looking away.
Hu Cheng’s father also stood up, speaking earnestly: “Stop arguing, and let’s solve this problem first. You’re husband and wife, you need to discuss things together. You can’t just do whatever you want based on your ideas. This matter still has room for negotiation. If the family needs you to resign, and you have to pay such a large compensation, tell me, where will our family live?” He looked at Ning Yue after speaking.
Ning Yue thought to herself: How could that happen? Though Hu Cheng didn’t own houses in his name, the companies he controlled owned more than one property! If anyone ends up out in the cold, it would only be me! But unfortunately, I don’t want that either. With this in mind, she said to Hu Cheng’s father: “Dad, the company just called, saying they want to discuss terminating the contract with me. Since you put it that way, should we have Hu Cheng participate? To prevent me from agreeing to something I shouldn’t.”
Hu Cheng twisted his neck: “Not going! I’m busy!”
Hu Cheng’s father glared: “You must go! Besides, if it doesn’t work out, Hu Cheng, just let Ning Yue continue working! After all, this job doesn’t seem to interfere with taking care of Ziyuan. Your mother is just being fussy, you can’t always go along with her.”
Ning Yue lowered her head in silence. She knew Hu Cheng would go, but before going, he had to show his authority. Such things, once you’re used to them, don’t matter anymore. Hu Cheng glared at Ning Yue, said nothing, and turned to leave.
Hu Cheng’s father shook his head and went to the ward.
They arranged to sit down together to talk the next day, and the time was sent to Hu Cheng, who had no objections. Hu Cheng’s mother said seeing Ning Yue made her dispirited, so Ning Yue was excused from cooking and attending to her at the bedside.
However, if you don’t look for trouble, trouble finds you. The unwilling and well-connected Tian Qiuzi intercepted her at the hospital entrance, saw the gauze on her head, and asked with a smile: “Karma?”
This wasn’t their first meeting, but this Tian Qiuzi was completely different from the gentle and charming one from last time. If one had to describe it, imagine a brilliantly radiant rose, but one that was falling apart petal by petal. This must be the real Tian Qiuzi.
Ning Yue thought, if you didn’t count that person, Hu Cheng’s aesthetic preferences were quite consistent. He liked gorgeous, stubborn, strong, beast-like women. Such people submitting to him would give him an immense sense of achievement. So sometimes, when Ning Yue consoled herself, she would think, though marrying Hu Cheng had countless downsides, at least it proved she had once been excellent.
Ning Yue looked at the milk cup before her, carefully correcting her wording: that person, in their youth, was actually like this too.
“What did you mean by telling me about Ruan Meiying?” Tian Qiuzi, probably having nothing left to lose, saw no need to hide anything and asked directly, “You calculated it all, didn’t you? That I would go find her, Hu Cheng would definitely protect her, and then wait for him to despise me, right?”
Ning Yue picked up the milk spoon, stirring gently, as if those round, smooth ripples contained some remarkable mystery.
Tian Qiuzi glanced disdainfully, remembering Ning Yue’s once fierce appearance, and wouldn’t mistake her current silence for weakness. Moreover, after experiencing despair and madness, she had now completely calmed down. Perhaps not completely calm, but at least she knew clearly what she should do now.
“You want to divorce Hu Cheng, but you’re afraid you won’t find work and won’t be able to support your child, right?” Tian Qiuzi stopped discussing Ruan Meiying.
Ning Yue sighed inwardly, recalling a phrase she had read somewhere: “When you make your move, that’s when you expose your weakness.”
Tian Qiuzi was truly clever. If she and Hu Cheng hadn’t almost cost her her job, she wouldn’t have acted this way. But since things had come to this, she would deal with it.
Tian Qiuzi carefully observed Ning Yue’s expression, showing slight hesitation. In her heart, she was convinced that no woman would want to leave a man as excellent as Hu Cheng. Saying this was merely to test Ning Yue. But Ning Yue’s silence made Tian Qiuzi suddenly uncertain. Just as she hesitated, Ning Yue shook her head and smiled: “My marriage is very stable, you know this better than I do. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be looking for me today.”
One sentence hit Tian Qiuzi’s weak spot. She had been abandoned by Hu Cheng for the first time for obtaining Ning Yue’s contact information without permission. The second time, she was cast aside again for provoking Hu Cheng’s other women.
Ning Yue looked at Tian Qiuzi, her gaze calm, “You’ve been with Hu Cheng for so many years, haven’t you realized that as long as you live quietly within the circle he’s drawn, he’ll never give you trouble.”
Tian Qiuzi froze. Years of vague feelings suddenly became clear at this moment, along with the thoughts that had troubled her.
“Are you content with that?” Tian Qiuzi’s voice was somewhat shrill.
“I’m used to it. After having a child, I even admire this protective trait of his.” Ning Yue’s words carried a hint of mockery. If Tian Qiuzi had caught it, perhaps there wouldn’t have been later troubles, but she didn’t. In her view, Ning Yue was like Ruan Meiying, both weak women without ambition! No, there was nothing to say about an old woman like Ruan Meiying, who was probably already menopausal. Ning Yue wasn’t weak, she had just been simmering in warm water for too long and couldn’t jump anymore.
Tian Qiuzi sighed disappointedly, leaned back into the sofa, adopting a lazy posture, and looked askance at Ning Yue: “If you want to keep this job, I can help you.”
“Why?”
“Because Hu Cheng doesn’t like you having a job.” Tian Qiuzi spoke bluntly with obvious malice.
Ning Yue thought seriously for a moment, “Thank you. However, this is my business, and my family’s business, no need for your concern.”
“Fine, if I don’t help you, I’ll just have to help Hu Cheng then.” Tian Qiuzi sat up proudly, “You went to such lengths to break up me and Hu Cheng, wasn’t it because you hoped I wouldn’t help him?”
Ning Yue looked at her for a while, smiled, and stood up saying: “Do whatever you want. I need to go.”
“I can make your group not sue you, reach an agreement with Hu Cheng, cancel the huge compensation. After all, your salary is so low, such a huge compensation amount is unreasonable, it’s easy to cancel.” Tian Qiuzi was full of confidence.
Ning Yue nodded: “Is that so? If you can do it, go ahead.”
Tian Qiuzi had underestimated the complex internal relationships within a company, especially a large group! Or did she think this was just a simple procedural issue that anyone could resolve?
Ning Yue wanted to ask her, has love made you lose your mind? How could you be so arrogant to the point of stupidity? Aren’t you afraid your affairs might get implicated? Driving her car, Ning Yue’s face showed a cold smile she couldn’t even detect herself. The viciousness that flashed in her eyes when thinking about Tian Qiuzi’s matter was no less than Tian Qiuzi’s madness.
Things weren’t as simple as Tian Qiuzi thought. When she found Director Chen, he told her that somehow this matter had gotten into the hands of that old woman Luo Yating, and he couldn’t intervene. At the same time, Director Chen told Tian Qiuzi that within two months, she must transfer the money back to him. When Tian Qiuzi asked why, Director Chen said he just had a bad feeling, and recently sales replenishment was being urged unusually urgently, the company’s internal audit was dragging on, financial records were being scrutinized too closely, and he had already been called by legal three times! At this critical moment, he hoped to get through it safely.
Seeing Director Chen’s impatient expression, Tian Qiuzi wisely said nothing.
Back then, to help Hu Cheng, she transferred some money that Director Chen had entrusted her to manage into Hu Cheng’s company. Director Chen didn’t know about this, and Hu Cheng hadn’t asked much at the time, but now it seemed…
Tian Qiuzi dug her nails into her flesh in hatred: Hu Cheng’s silence at the time was just to maintain leverage over her, to gain maximum convenience. As a result, she had foolishly transferred such a large sum to Hu Cheng without even asking for a contract, it went into the new company’s capital and became Hu Cheng’s own money! Now whether she could get it back depended entirely on Hu Cheng’s mood!
Tian Qiuzi weighed her options. If she had to cover the money herself, she would be bankrupt just repaying the principal. She didn’t even know how to explain the interesting part to Director Chen! At that point, not being able to repay would be secondary; her reputation would be ruined. The circle was only so big, how could she face clients old and new? Moreover, if Director Chen went down for misappropriating public funds, whether Tian Qiuzi could stay uninvolved was also questionable! Overnight, Tian Qiuzi seemed to age ten years.
That same morning, Hu Cheng finally arrived late to the meeting room.
Before this, Ning Yue had already met with Luo Yating. Though the important matters were yet to be discussed, despite this being their first meeting as superior and subordinate, the special circumstances meant Ning Yue wasn’t particularly formal. After exchanging greetings and a handshake, she sat down, lost in thought.
Qin Can carefully observed Ning Yue, feeling something odd about her today. Whether it was her messy bangs, downcast eyes, or that gray cardigan, everything gave an impression of timidity and helplessness. Why would Ning Yue present herself this way? Qin Can felt vaguely uneasy. Glancing at Luo Yating, he noted that Ning Yue had agreed without hesitation when hearing of Luo Yating’s involvement – wasn’t that somewhat suspicious?
Luo Yating discreetly studied Ning Yue. If not for this occasion, she would have been somewhat surprised. She couldn’t help but look down again at the documents in her hand – Ning Yue was already forty. She was only five years older and had always taken careful care of herself, but the difference looked more than just five years.
A thin thread of jealousy crept into her heart, making Luo Yating smile. Her smile made Qin Can, sitting beside her, feel uneasy, and he asked softly, “Is there something wrong with the documents?”
Luo Yating spoke frankly: “You’re Ning Yue, right? Just looking at you, one would never know you’re already forty.”
Ning Yue smiled awkwardly: “I’ve just been at home with the child, maybe that’s why I don’t look worn out.”
“Your work performance has been excellent,” Luo Yating said sincerely. “Whether in external negotiations or internal investigations, you’ve done well, not just completing your assistant duties but also helping your department colleagues with lots of work. I admire your abilities.”
“Thank you!” Ning Yue kept her head down, as if too preoccupied to lift it. “I had hoped to work well, but ended up causing trouble for the company.”
Luo Yating frowned slightly: “Qin Can have told me everything, and what you’re doing is somewhat inappropriate.”
For some reason, the phrase “abuse of litigation rights” popped into her mind, but she quickly pushed it aside. She thought, perhaps she wasn’t willing to “help” after all!
Ning Yue nodded, offering no argument.
Qin Can grew anxious, thinking: “Luo Yating, this approach isn’t right! Although we’re opposing parties in the litigation, we’re putting on a show, aiming to help Ning Yue use litigation pressure to make her family yield. Starting by criticizing Ning Yue sets the wrong tone!” His thoughts shifted, his heart tightening, “Could Luo Yating have deceived me, not wanting to help? Considering their usual opposition, her sudden agreement made Qin Can immediately regret his decision.”
Sure enough, Luo Yating continued: “From the company’s perspective, litigation isn’t something to be taken lightly. In your case, I’m very concerned about how it might affect the company’s image.”
Ning Yue kept her head down, staring at the shiny table surface before her, remaining silent regardless of what was said!
“If your husband insists, or if it’s reasonable, we’ll consider a settlement acceptable to both parties,” Luo Yating expressed her thoughts. She disliked being led by others, and in Ning Yue’s case, she found herself being led too often. This time, she had to act according to her judgment, even if someone might get hurt!
Qin Can’s pen clattered onto the table as he turned to look at the whiteboard. Ning Yue seemed completely unsurprised, not only failing to insist on litigation or arbitration but showing gratitude instead, nodding and saying: “I understand. I’m already grateful that Director Luo is willing to mediate for me.”
Luo Yating’s mood improved, and she softened her tone: “If you want to continue working but your family disagrees, even if this method succeeds, without your family’s support, working will still be difficult in the future.”
Ning Yue nodded. This was the only expression any normal person could have at this moment.
Luo Yating set aside her initial unease and displeasure, took a deep breath, and said more gently: “Of course, every family has its difficulties, and we should help where we can. Director Qin thinks very highly of your work ability and future potential. Based on the principle of retaining talent for the company, I will still try my best to mediate this matter. I also hope that if you stay after this, you’ll be able to take on more responsibilities.”
Ning Yue kept her head down submissively: “Thank you! I’m sorry for troubling everyone with this matter.”
When Hu Cheng entered the meeting room, the atmosphere had already been tense for a while. The secretary led the way, and upon opening the door, felt the thick chill in the air. She stepped aside to let Hu Cheng in, then stood at the doorway.
Luo Yating raised her head to indicate it was fine, and the secretary immediately closed the door and left. As Luo Yating’s trusted confidante of eight years, that single glance was enough for her to notice something unusual about Luo Yating – her hands were tightly crossed and clasped together. This was a sign of her nervousness, a gesture that hadn’t been seen for many years.
When Luo Yating turned her attention to Hu Cheng, she wasn’t surprised to see his shocked expression. She smiled slightly; such a meeting seemed to have appeared in her dreams many times: strictly professional, facing each other proudly. You’ve done well for yourself, and I’m doing fine too. Of course, if you weren’t doing so well while I was thriving, that would be even better.
Ning Yue looked up at Hu Cheng, and sure enough, that was his expression. She felt deeply moved. The connections between people were so mysterious – when fate brings people together, they can meet across a thousand miles. When there’s no fate, they can pass by each other daily without meeting!
Hu Cheng, who should have been either furious or forcing composure, wore an expression of shock! And Luo Yating, upon seeing Hu Cheng, curved her lips into a cold smile.
Qin Can’s gaze swept between the two of them. His suspicions grew stronger: Luo Yating and Hu Cheng didn’t seem like strangers! Moreover, there seemed to be deep grievances between them! Looking at Ning Yue, her pretty, gentle face remained peaceful and undisturbed. But at this moment, seeing this scene, shouldn’t she, as a wife, show surprise or anger?
Ning Yue’s expression was too calm, as calm as an audience member who already knew the ending, quietly waiting for the curtain to rise. Just then, Ning Yue suddenly turned her head and gave Qin Can a slight nod. In that mask-like expression, finally appeared a trace of emotion – apology?
The moment Hu Cheng recognized Luo Yating, his heart felt stuffed with dog fur: after not seeing each other for over a decade, deliberately avoiding all contact, they had become negotiating opponents in a meeting room over his current wife’s matter!
While Luo Yating’s still beautiful and capable appearance, along with the familiar mockery flickering in her eyes, constantly reminded Hu Cheng: no matter how hard you try, there’s always one woman in this world who dumped you!
The past surged like a tide, waves of fury sweeping over him. Hu Cheng narrowed his eyes and sat beside Ning Yue. His heart was filled with vengeful rage. He didn’t mind failure and could endure humiliation, but all of this absolutely could not come from women. With women, he was invincible! Especially those women who had once submitted to him – once they bowed, they would be slaves for life! Anyone who escaped his control became the most unforgivable traitor in Hu Cheng’s eyes!
He glared fiercely at Ning Yue, but she gave him a slight smile. Her confident manner was like pure oil poured onto Hu Cheng’s rage – could these two women have joined forces to deceive him?
He sized up Luo Yating again. Of course! With Luo Yating’s vindictive personality, if she knew about Ning Yue’s marriage to him, she would try to stir up trouble even if nothing had happened! He knew this woman too well!
Luo Yating, Hu Cheng’s ex-wife. Marriage duration: forty-six days!