On the day of Zhou Zixing’s burial, the prison guards granted Zhou Mo special permission to attend the funeral under escort.
Many past images of Zhou Zixing floated in Zhou Mo’s mind: Zhou Zixing taking him to a technology exhibition, Zhou Zixing picking him up from school, Zhou Zixing explaining problems to him, Zhou Zixing taking off his suit to put on an apron and fry a steaming bowl of egg fried rice for him…
Zhou Mo calmly shook his head at the wall: “Why go with so many people? One person to collect the ashes is enough.”
When Zhou Shunshu heard these words, she nearly fainted. Tang Yang stood beside her, supporting her.
The funeral proceedings were simple, with paper offerings burning to ashes and scattering in the wind.
Logically, since Zhou Zixing had fallen from grace, everyone should have avoided association. Unexpectedly, many high-ranking officials from the industry attended. Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan stood at the edge of the front row, helping to manage the situation.
After the ceremony, as the officials were leaving in their cars, Tang Yang and the others were still wrapping things up.
Many strangers, whom Tang Yang had previously thought were from a different group, came to Zhou Zixing’s grave—
Because of that handwritten self-examination letter from Zhou Zixing, because of the “ZX” signature, he left when half-conscious and half-muddled.
Over the years, Zhou Zixing had accepted bribes totaling 360 million yuan, yet his bank transfers to welfare institutions amounted to 380 million yuan.
As Jiujiang continuously drained the welfare institutions, Zhou Zixing kept filling them up. His list of recipients grew from one or two to a page, two pages, and finally a thick stack… He even donated all of his salary beyond basic household expenses.
Dedicating oneself to charity isn’t easy; he would occasionally go overboard, like sponsoring students in mountain areas.
For Zhou Zixing, this was what he felt he should do, ending only with his death.
For those who came to his grave, ZX had been their everything.
When ZX sent money, the welfare institution would rarely make steamed pork with rice powder, with a crowd of children salivating around a big table. When ZX wrote letters, they would sit obediently and listen to the director or teacher read them, thinking this person must have the heart of a bodhisattva, like a gentle and warm ray of sunshine.
When ZX appeared at the climax of the “Jiujiang Major Case,” they froze in place, then explained to friends nearby that there must be some misunderstanding. ZX was truly a kind person, not fake kindness, but genuine sincerity evident in his words.
They had moved from the deepest, dilapidated buildings in the city to bright university campuses, from loneliness and dependence to small career successes. Some were ordinary, some excellent. Some sold five-yuan pancakes on food streets, some stood on the highest award podiums in the tech industry. Some drove sports cars, some rode electric bicycles, some took buses to come…
Zhou Zixing’s grave was on the third level. The steps were narrow, but they didn’t push or rush. They queued orderly to offer flowers and pay respects.
Online, countless netizens said everything stemmed from the Huishang leadership, that Zhou Zixing’s death was too easy for his heinous crimes.
In the cemetery, people of various ages and identities queued from the grave to the cemetery gates. Later, there were so many that some couldn’t even reach the grave. They stood far away, in a direction where they could see the smoke, silently paying respects, bowing, or kneeling with red-rimmed eyes, kowtowing three times and remaining prostrate.
A sea of black.
Tang Yang glanced once, then quickly averted her gaze. She tightened her hand in Jiang Shiyan’s, emotions flowing in her eyes.
Later, a light rain began to fall.
Everyone opened their umbrellas.
Tang Yang saw Zhou Mo, standing quietly in the farthest corner.
Jiang Shiyan tilted his head to look at Tang Yang.
Tang Yang nodded.
Tang Yang’s pregnancy was now visible. Jiang Shiyan carefully supported her down the steps, slowly walking to Zhou Mo’s side.
Fine rain brushed their faces, clothes rustling in the wind.
“You still came,” Tang Yang said softly.
Zhou Mo’s gaze fell on those people, showing no emotion: “The prison was too stuffy, so I came out for a walk.”
Tang Yang didn’t rush to speak, and Zhou Mo didn’t open his mouth. The two fell into a faint silence, with only the footsteps of mourners coming and going in their ears.
After a while.
Tang Yang said: “When I went to Linjiang City Welfare Institution with Qin Yue before, it was the first time I heard the person in charge mention ZX. Qin Yue joked that it stood for philosophy. Later, I thought it was you…” The initials of Zhou Mo and Xu Shanshan’s names.
“I’m selfish and narrow-minded, I don’t have such a big heart,” Zhou Mo let out a faint laugh, “I never thought it was him either.”
Tang Yang paused, seemingly casual: “Have you ever thought about why Zhou Zixing first got involved with Jiujiang?”
Zhou Mo’s eyes turned to Tang Yang.
Zhou Zixing had left his work notes from his years as a bank president to Tang Yang, and when Tang Yang helped Zhou Shunshu sort through his belongings, she saw Zhou Zixing’s diary—
Zhou Mo knew that Zhou Zixing and his wife hadn’t had children for his sake.
But what Zhou Mo didn’t know was that Zhou Shunshu had been pregnant before, but had accidentally miscarried. After the miscarriage, the couple worried they might unconsciously favor a biological child in the future, so they decided not to have any more children.
Zhou Zixing’s first connection with Jiujiang was when Zhou Mo was eight years old.
At that time, Zhou Zixing was still the director of the Huishang Rural Credit Cooperative, and Wei Xianyong was the purchasing director of Jiujiang Steel. Wei Xianyong wanted to push through an account via Huishang, but the operation was slightly improper, so Zhou Zixing refused.
It was a summer when Zhou Mo accidentally spilled boiling water and burned himself.
As Tang Yang reached this part, Zhou Mo’s expression gradually became composed.
Tang Yang continued: “The medical conditions in the small town weren’t good, so Zhou Xing took you to the county hospital overnight.”
“Twenty years ago, hospitals weren’t very standardized. An emergency surgery costs two thousand yuan. Your aunt had just had a miscarriage not long ago, and Zhou Xing’s monthly salary was only two hundred yuan.”
While Zhou Zixing was at his wit’s end, Wei Xianyong brought a business card of a famous doctor specializing in burn treatment, a basket of eggs, and two thousand yuan in cash.
Zhou Zixing knew he shouldn’t accept it, that he shouldn’t take it. But he had called his colleagues, and everyone’s savings were limited. Zhou Zixing was tempted: “I’ll consider the business card as a favor I owe you, and I’ll pay back the money gradually.”
“Either don’t accept it, or don’t pay it back.” Wei Xianyong’s choices were clear.
It was in the hospital corridor, with several emergency patients queuing in front. Mo was so small, curled up on the hospital bed, crying out in pain.
Zhou Zixing knew he could wait, that he would raise the money in a day or two. But in the night, Mo was in so much pain, calling him “Uncle Xing” over and over, shivering with pain…
Once he took the first wrong step, there was no turning back.
Zhou Mo wasn’t a quiet child; in his teens, he would climb roofs and catch fish in rivers. He had broken his leg before and also had acute appendicitis. Zhou Mo had been to the hospital many times, so many that this burn seemed insignificant in Zhou Mo’s memory.
It was true that Zhou Zixing deleted surveillance footage, and it was also true that he treated Zhou Mo well.
“After Shanshan’s incident, he thought about sending you both abroad. He swallowed his pride and contacted an old friend of his,” Tang Yang’s eyes were swollen, unsure how to express herself, “It’s just… regrettable.”
Until his last breath, Zhou Zixing’s face was turned towards the hospital room door.
And Zhou Mo, from beginning to end, never gave Zhou Zixing a chance to explain, not even for a moment.
Zhou Zixing had wronged Shanshan, and Zhou Mo, having received the grace of upbringing, hadn’t fulfilled his filial duty of seeing him off.
Zhou Mo thought, that at that time, Shanshan was already planning to go abroad, and he also had plans to go abroad. If Gan Yiming hadn’t found Shanshan and caused trouble afterward, if it wasn’t for Wei Changqiu’s intervention… but there are no ifs.
“It is regrettable,” Zhou Mo tugged at the corner of his lips.
It wasn’t about forgiveness, just acceptance.
Acceptance after everything had settled.
Seeing Zhou Mo smile, Tang Yang couldn’t hold back her tears.
In this whole affair, Gan Yiming and Wei Changqiu were the culprits, so why were Shanshan and Zhou Xing the ones who suffered the heaviest punishment?
Tang Yang gently stroked her belly: “So, what are your plans for the future?” Her voice was husky.
“I’ll read more books in prison, and after I get out, I’ll travel around. Shanshan never got to go abroad,” As he said the latter part, Zhou Mo’s voice became very gentle. He lowered his eyes to look at Tang Yang’s belly, then at Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan’s intertwined hands, “I regret that I won’t be able to attend your wedding…”
All three fell silent.
The fine rain was like ox hair, soaking a dark layer on the shoulder of the suit over Zhou Mo’s prison uniform.
Tang Yang’s eyes were brimming with tears. She wanted to hug Zhou Mo, but as a woman of the opposite sex, it seemed inappropriate, and there were also reporters present.
Jiang Shiyan understood the meaning of every look in Tang Yang’s eyes. He walked over and, on behalf of Tang Yang, gently hugged Zhou Mo.
“My condolences,” Jiang Shiyan’s hand patted Zhou Mo’s back, paused for a moment, then patted again, “My condolences.”
The first was for Zhou Mo’s lover, and the second was for Zhou Zixing.
Zhou Mo closed his eyes, and nodded slightly, his gaze searching for Zhou Shunshu.
Jiang Shiyan handed the umbrella in his hand to Zhou Mo, then left with Tang Yang.
The rain fell on their hair, like white sugar in a nursery rhyme.
Jiang Shiyan unbuttoned his suit jacket and wrapped Tang Yang in his arms as they walked.
“Am I very cruel?” Tang Yang suddenly asked, stopping in her tracks.
It seemed that if she hadn’t said these things, letting Zhou Mo hate Zhou Zixing, Zhou Mo might have felt better.
“That wouldn’t be fair to Zhou Zixing.” Jiang Shiyan also stopped, turning back to gently wipe away the tears from the corner of Tang Yang’s eyes.
Jiang Shiyan’s car was parked a bit further away. The light rain had turned the light gray ground into dark gray. Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang stood toe to toe. Tang Yang looked up slightly, and in Jiang Shiyan’s deep eyes, she saw a complete and clear image of herself.
Shanshan was gone, and Zhou Mo had endured for hundreds of days, finally smiling with acceptance.
Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan felt both pity and gratitude that they loved each other and could truly stand before each other.
There wasn’t much more to say. Jiang Shiyan just looked deeply at Tang Yang, then lowered his head to kiss her forehead, her brow, the tip of her nose, and then her lips. Then, he took out a velvet box he always carried in his trouser pocket and knelt on one knee.
Jiang Shiyan opened the velvet box, took out the ring inside, pulled Tang Yang’s hand, and then… directly slipped the ring onto Tang Yang’s left ring finger.
Then, still holding her hand, he gently kissed her hand.
Earlier when they had stopped, Jiang Shiyan, fearing Tang Yang would get rained on, had taken off his black suit jacket and draped it over Tang Yang’s head like a headscarf. Tang Yang could imagine how timid she must look now.
At the cemetery gate, in a gray and white setting, in the middle of nowhere, in the rain, with a pile of discarded construction materials by the roadside.
So this is where he chose to propose to her???
Jiang Shiyan didn’t point it out.
Tang Yang also played dumb: “What’s this? What are you doing?” She waved her left hand, her voice soft and gentle, “You should get up first.”
Jiang Shiyan obediently stood up, also teasing her seriously: “It’s an iron ring, I put it on you, it can keep you safe.”
Tang Yang let out an “Oh”: “With you by my side, you can keep me safe.”
Saying this, she pulled the ring off her hand and threw it directly on the ground.
Jiang Shiyan smiled, picked it up from the ground, wiped it clean on his clothes, and put it back on her.
Tang Yang threw it again, and Jiang Shiyan picked it up again.
Tang Yang threw it for the third time, like a child throwing a tantrum. Jiang Shiyan really couldn’t think of any romantic lines to say, he could only look at her with eyes full of tenderness as he picked it up again.
The cool metal nestled between her fingers. Just as Jiang Shiyan thought Tang Yang would throw it again, he placed his hand next to hers.
Tang Yang was silent for three seconds, then broke into a smile.
“Third time’s the charm, I won’t take it off again,” she said, her eyebrows curved in happiness as she leaned close to Jiang Shiyan’s ear and whispered, “For a lifetime.”
His little girlfriend’s demeanor was clear and touching. Jiang Shiyan suddenly held her tightly in his arms.
He, Jiang Shiyan, had truly fallen for Tang Yang, hadn’t he? Cooking for her, getting jealous for her, losing his temper for her, reining in his recklessness and starting to follow the rules for her, and even hugging another man for her.
But why did Jiang Shiyan feel so happy about falling for her?
Had she bullied Jiang Big Dog? Probably not…
Tang Yang nuzzled his shoulder slightly, raising her arms to hug him back. Though there were no roses or mansions, who could blame him for being Jiang Big Dog?
Tang Yang sighed: “Don’t be so nervous, I promise to marry you, I promise to marry you.”
“Did I say I wanted to marry you?” Jiang Shiyan held back a laugh.
Tang Yang’s smile suddenly froze, and she pushed him away to walk forward.
Jiang Shiyan had gone too far with his teasing, “I do want to marry you, I do.”
He hurriedly caught up with her.
Tang Yang snorted, ignoring him.
Jiang Shiyan shamelessly held her hand tightly.
Tang Yang lowered her head, unable to hold back a small smile.
Jiang Shiyan had been secretly glancing at Tang Yang, and seeing this, he also quietly curled his lips into a smile.
As they passed an intersection, with crowds of people outside the window, Jiang Shiyan suddenly said: “How about we name our future Jiang Little Dog ‘Jiang Weitang’?”
Jiang Shiyan seemed to have caught a cold from the rain, his voice a bit hoarse.
“Wei Tang? What if it’s a boy?” Tang Yang reached out to feel his forehead temperature.
Jiang Shiyan gently tapped Tang Yang’s nose, unable to hold back his smile: “Jiang, Wei, Tang.”
Jiang from Jiang Shiyan’s surname, and Tang from Tang Yang’s surname.
Wei takes the right side of the character for ‘only’, and the heart radical from the character for ‘cherish’.
As Zhou Zixing’s files were removed from Huishang, and Zhou Zixing’s former secretary resigned, everything seemed to return to peace, bearing the scars of a war’s end.
Huishang was fined 500 million by the central bank for unauthorized credit granting, customer trust faced an unprecedented crisis, Zhou Zixing’s self-examination letter revealed insider operations at the top level, and the employee resignation rate for the new quarter remained high…
Tang Yang completed the handover amidst the turmoil, officially taking the top seat at Huishang.
Some said she was deeply scheming, setting up traps for Huishang’s original top management for her promotion.
Some said she used her beauty and her relationship with Jiang Shiyan was a typical business marriage.
Others said she was ruthless, with her final report putting the entire Huishang on the edge of a knife.
…
Tang Yang let it in one ear and out the other. Her first bold reform was to restrict the powers of the top management, implementing cross-departmental bottom-up supervision, and rejecting overreach and personal favoritism.
Cross-departmental bottom-up supervision meant that a vice president in charge of retail might be monitored by the security department or the risk control department. Tang Yang also encrypted the monitoring departments. In other words, the top management knew that departments outside their jurisdiction were monitoring their behavior and fund movements, but they didn’t know which departments.
This was a form of fairness and rights for the lower-level employees, but not very friendly to the top management. They were quite disgruntled at first, but then Tang Yang set up a special team to draft a plan to relax restrictions on employees’ side jobs.
Previously, bank employees were explicitly prohibited from buying certain special categories of financial products, and there were quota limits on buying certain products.
Tang Yang retained the requirement for item-by-item reporting but abolished the prohibition on purchases, hoping to demand internal integrity from a “vertical” perspective.
The top management felt more at ease, and the employee resignation rate reached its lowest point since July.
Just when everyone thought this was enough, Tang Yang did something even bolder—
She directly obtained authority from the head office to add two weeks of early pregnancy leave for female employees, compressed maternity leave from 90 days to 80 days but provided a 20-day voluntary adaptation period for women returning from maternity leave.
On the surface, the leave increased by two weeks and decreased by ten days, not much change, but the subsequent 20 days of voluntary leave was intriguing.
For those wanting to return to the workplace and gain promotion, having an adaptation period was undoubtedly good news. For those just wanting to resume work, it meant an extra 20 days of leave time.
Some colleagues said Tang Yang did this because she was pregnant herself, for her convenience.
As a result, they were showered with spit from female colleagues.
Jiang Little Dog grew rapidly between four and five months, and Tang Yang could no longer fit into her shirts, so she chose loose autumn dresses.
Her dresses were knee-length and soft in color, but her methods were decisive and her actions swift.
People at Huishang often saw this scene: Tang Yang, walking in three-centimeter low heels, surrounded by a group of people entering and leaving meeting rooms, her back straight as a ramrod, the butterfly bow at the back of her head tied according to Jiang Shiyan’s mood and performance, delicate and exquisite, carrying a bit of President Tang’s playfulness.
When Tang Yang first took office, the cross-departmental bottom-up supervision system had already stirred up heated discussions in the industry. After she reformed the leave policy for female employees, by the end of October, the employee resignation rate was directly suppressed below the average line.
After the Huishang turmoil, there were many personnel changes. Branch Manager Shen from the Nanjin Street branch, who had previously interacted with Tang Yang, was promoted to the Huishang branch, managing product marketing.
After Tang Yang’s three major reforms, he thought back to that afternoon when the young girl had calmly recited Huishang’s slogan. He understood the meaning of Tang Yang’s decision and tentatively added a “women’s workplace care” label to the maternity leave adjustment, sending it to Yixiu for packaging.
In the same month, Huishang’s new customer rate explosively soared to its highest peak in three years.
From taking over the mess, and cleaning it up, to completely stabilizing the situation, Tang Yang only took one month.
She steadied the helm, and Huishang took on a new look.
Five months pregnant, not yet 30 years old, a doctoral graduate from a prestigious university, and the youngest bank president.
For a time, “Tang Yang” frequently appeared in various media with her career achievements. Only at the end was it briefly mentioned, oh, she’s also the wife of Yixiu’s CEO.
Some marketing accounts called her a “thorny rose”, some bloggers evaluated her as a “woman of faith”, while the official Central Broadcasting account wrote “soft ointment on the knife’s edge”, with content featuring photos of Tang Yang attending events, Tang Yang representing Huishang’s City A branch making commitments to the public and media on credit issues.
In the video, Tang Yang spoke at a moderate pace. She looked at the camera, her smile gentle, her gaze firm.
Although Tang Yang’s marketing was the result of discussions among Huishang’s top management, aimed at covering the aftermath of Huishang’s previous involvement in the case, it’s undeniable that Tang Yang was a phenomenal figure.
The last person who could be called phenomenal was — Jiang Shiyan, the number one new media figure who restructured Yixiu three years ago.
When Yixiu’s top management discussed Tang Yang’s popularity, Jiang Shiyan just sat with his legs crossed, his face full of “hurry up and praise her, this is my wife” radiance. The top management discussed and decided to kick the CEO out of the meeting room.
Jiang Shiyan wasn’t upset. After returning home, he happily cooked, bathed, and blow-dried hair for his big darling who was carrying twins, and told bedtime stories.
He casually mentioned that he was really kicked out of the meeting room by Yixiu’s top management, and Tang Yang laughed uncontrollably.
“You little ingrate,” Jiang Shiyan tugged at Tang Yang’s soft white ear, sarcastically saying, “Don’t know who it was, who used to yell at people just for trending, ‘Jiang Shiyan, take it down quick’ ‘If you don’t take it down I’ll do this and that to you’, now being all over the screen doesn’t faze you at all…”
Tang Yang burrowed into his arms, sweetly calling: “Husband!”
“Alright, alright.” Jiang Shiyan raised both hands in surrender, then wrapped his arms around her clumsy waist, the indulgence in his eyes more intoxicating than moonlight.
In mid-November, Tang Yang flew to Huishang headquarters on a business trip, accompanied by Ao Siqie.
When the top management at the headquarters saw it was Tang Yang coming, they all greeted her with smiles.
After Tang Yang explained her purpose, those people simultaneously frowned: “It’s good to achieve results in a new position, President Tang should continue to work hard. Being proud and complacent is not a good habit. Moreover,” the top management paused, “in my personal opinion, Danxintong is President Tang’s brainchild, President Tang would want to see Danxintong successfully issued more than any of us…”
Various aspects of Huishang were gradually recovering. At this time, issuing Danxintong as a product with inherent sentiment and topicality would undoubtedly be a timely rain.
But Tang Yang, as the designer, used her signature on the issuance document as a condition to request the head office.
The head office president persuaded earnestly: “Women’s safety is an issue that should be called for attention by the police and government. We are a commercial bank. We’ve just gotten rid of the trust crisis, there’s no need to expose ourselves again.”
“Rather than letting others discover this detail later and push Huishang back into the spotlight, it’s better to be proactive in disclosure,” Tang Yang said, “In my personal opinion, doing this is to overturn and rebuild, truly re-establishing a credit system.”
Tang Yang added: “Moreover, the public will have a degree of tolerance for proactively stating the truth. If we receive positive feedback, it would be icing on the cake. If we get negative comments, Danxintong would serve as a buffer.”
The top management wavered.
At this moment, Tang Yang handed over an emergency response plan for the relevant decision and a foundation startup plan.
On the day Tang Yang’s file completed the process and her administrative level was officially set as “President”, it coincided with Danxintong’s first issuance press conference.
Industry bigwigs gathered in the 800-person hall, various media set up their equipment in the hall, heads packed tightly, flashbulbs and shutters flashing together.
Even before the press conference, the media had greatly exaggerated the significance of Danxintong, likening it to promoting re-employment and declaring the renovation of the trust system.
When the press conference began, the host’s wording was very cautious.
The first item on the agenda was for Tang Yang, the designer of Danxintong, to go on stage and introduce the product content.
The Jiang Little Dog in Tang Yang’s belly was already six months old, forming a rounded arc under the spotlight.
The second item was for the host to introduce the issuance situation.
Danxintong’s issuance expanded from branch issuance to national issuance, and the participating units also expanded from 762 locations to include 198 well-known enterprises such as Youran Residence. Representatives from some of these enterprises went on stage to introduce relevant information.
The third item was the signing ceremony. After deliberation and layer upon layer of selection, the first batch of Danxintong issuance documents was chosen to be signed for workers who were nominally under Jiujiang but not controlled by Jiujiang, and who had been laid off due to Jiujiang’s impact. This batch of workers was introduced through Danxintong to work in a construction company under Youran Residence’s control.
Tang Yang went on stage again, and an etiquette lady handed the first document and pen to Tang Yang.
On the big screen, Tang Yang held the pen in a standard gesture, writing a dot, then a horizontal line. The audience’s breath followed her movements, held and released.
Everyone guessed that Tang Yang would sign the first Danxintong document.
After signing, Tang Yang retreated to the side of the main stage. Jiang Shiyan and other Yixiu executives came on stage. Because there was a foundation establishment ceremony on the agenda later, the reporters were not surprised.
But no one expected that after Tang Yang stepped back and stood steady, all the lights in the venue suddenly went out!
Screams and whispered discussions lasted for about a minute before light appeared on the screen, and the host’s low, steady voice resonated in the vast hall.
“In 1999, Wang Qin officially joined Huishang Cooperative Credit Society Xinghe Town Branch. Unable to bear the harassment from Director Xu Youwei, she resigned two months later. The reason for the resignation was recorded in her file as medical retirement.”
“In 2002, during Huishang’s cooperation with Puxi, a female employee from the loan approval department, Chang Xiao, died unexpectedly. Huishang City A Branch compensated Chang Xiao’s family with 500,000 yuan to settle the matter privately.”
“In 2007, someone reported that the president of Huishang Baisha Street Branch had sexually assaulted a female subordinate. Huishang Branch did not handle this matter.”
“…”
“And, Xu Shanshan.”
Zhou Zixing’s self-examination letter mentioned Xu Shanshan, and Zhou Mo’s testimony also included Xu Shanshan. After obtaining permission from Zhou Mo and the head office, Tang Yang instructed the disclosure of all details about Xu Shanshan. From hospital examination reports to phone recordings between Zhou Zixing and Wei Changqiu, Wei Changqiu gathering people to beat Xu Shanshan in front of Huishang, Xu Shanshan’s death certificate, and a transaction record about the very beginning – the triazolam tablets that Gan Yiming obtained through Jiujiang’s He Zheng and put in Xu Shanshan’s water!
A young, vibrant life died due to sexual assault and its aftermath, yet Huishang and Jiujiang helped cover it up?
The screen froze on Xu Shanshan’s smiling face, and the venue fell into dead silence.
Half a minute later, a chaotic mix of sobbing, discussions, and the sound of adjusting tripods filled the air. Whether out of anger or sympathy and unclear about Tang Yang’s intentions, the scene – especially among the female reporters – erupted into rapid-fire chatter.
“Tang Xing, are you trying to vindicate Wang Qin and Xu Shanshan? Does Hui Shang’s head office know about the content you just authorized to be disclosed?”
“Tang Xing, how is the previously revealed information related to Danxin Tong or the foundation that will be established later?”
“Tang Xing, you’ve been with Hui Shang for less than three years. What are your motives and goals in vindicating Xu Shanshan? Does this signify any major developments?”
Questions were hurled one after another towards the podium.
Tang Yang, seemingly oblivious to the commotion, locked eyes with Xu Shanshan’s photograph. Seeing Shanshan’s smiling eyes, Tang Yang’s own eyes reddened as she curved her lips into a smile.
The uproar gradually subsided.
Meeting everyone’s gaze, Tang Yang returned to the center of the podium. Her slender figure alone supported the vast stage.
“Hello everyone, I am Tang Yang, the president of Hui Shang’s A City branch,” she introduced herself fully. “First, on behalf of Hui Shang’s head office and the entire branch leadership, I would like to apologize to the aforementioned colleagues and the public.”
To the colleagues, for failing to create a safe working environment; to the public, for concealing the truth.
After speaking, Tang Yang switched to holding the microphone with one hand.
Her belly was quite large, making it difficult to bend, but she still managed a 90-degree bow, maintaining it for a full minute before standing upright again.
The media had seen various forms of crisis management, but they hadn’t expected such a cruel, frank, and tearful voluntary disclosure.
Then, Tang Yang began answering the second question: “Since its establishment, Hui Shang’s A City branch has had a total of 46 internal sexual assault or suspected sexual assault cases, including rape. Two weeks ago, Hui Shang contacted law enforcement to reopen each case, demanding that all living suspects undergo investigation and face due legal punishment and public criticism.”
Some reporters in the audience cheered.
Tang Yang continued methodically: “We chose this timing to disclose because, firstly, the ‘Danxin Tong’ Foundation, jointly established by Hui Shang and Yixiu, will officially begin operations today. Secondly, the foundation will focus on issues such as families of martyrs, medical care for the disabled, depression in the elderly, and workplace protection for women. The foundation will provide free legal aid to female employees who have experienced workplace sexual assault or been dismissed due to pregnancy, regardless of their company affiliation.”
Women’s safety and workplace discrimination have always been focal points of public opinion. Many companies would apologize or rectify after incidents, but none had directly revisited cases and established a foundation like Hui Shang.
It seemed that because the new branch president was Tang Yang, and Tang Yang was no ordinary person.
Amidst the silence, a reporter again questioned her motives.
Was it for publicity or something else?
Tang Yang surveyed the scene, her gaze pausing briefly on Jiang Shiyan before moving on.
“I consider myself quite fortunate. I met my husband in high school, and he has been by my side during many confusing and helpless moments, accompanying me through graduation, starting work, and even during the tumultuous times when I took over as branch president, he constantly encouraged me.”
“I can wake up every morning to see him, as well as the first ray of sunlight and the mist. When I feel this peace and warmth, I can’t help but think,” Tang Yang looked back at the big screen, “If Wang Qin, Chang Xiao… if Shanshan and the others were still here, or to put it another way,” Tang Yang turned back, “they should have been like us now, sitting in bright, spacious offices, with stable and happy relationships and futures worth looking forward to.”
But they were no longer here.
The venue fell silent.
Tang Yang gripped the microphone tightly: “I feel fortunate for everything I have now, so I hope that standing in a position with some influence, I can focus on many semi-visible areas and speak for those groups eager to have a voice.”
Tang Yang said: “I’ve been supported by others and now hope to become a support for others. I hope that vulnerable groups like women and the elderly can receive appropriate protection. I hope that with Hui Shang and the foundation as a starting point, we can bring many previously hidden issues to light and propose solutions.”
Tang Yang continued: “I hope that more and more people will believe that there are always some things without hypocrisy, without cover-ups, without vainglory, without whitewashing. I hope they believe that there will always be people standing firm in the storms, not putting on a show, not being impetuous, but truly improving, truly progressing.”
Tang Yang spoke at a moderate pace, her voice full of quality, transmitted through the amplifier to every corner of the hall. It seemed to carry a subtle electric current, tingling and seeping into everyone’s hearts.
Branch Manager Fan sat in the center of the front row, directly opposite Tang Yang on the stage.
Once, Branch Manager Fan asked Tang Yang what kind of person she wanted to become, and what she wanted to gain or give. Tang Yang hadn’t answered then.
But now, Branch Manager Fan was gratified; the young woman seemed to have found her answer.
As Tang Yang finished speaking, the applause was sparse.
The foundation’s legal representative was Jiang Shiyan, and the host invited him on stage according to the cue card.
As Tang Yang stepped to the side, Jiang Shiyan prepared to move to the center.
In the moment they passed each other, under the flashing of countless camera shutters, Jiang Shiyan, using his body to partially obscure the view, gently squeezed Tang Yang’s hand and whispered, “You’re so beautiful, I can’t take my eyes off you.”
Tang Yang laughed softly, her eyes reproaching him, but her hand squeezed his back.
Then, Jiang Shiyan stood in the center where Tang Yang had been moments before.
Jiang Shiyan had attended many similar press conferences, but never before had he smiled as soon as he took the microphone.
“Hello everyone, I am Jiang Shiyan, Chairman of the Board of Yixiu Media and the legal representative of the Danxin Tong Foundation.”
There’s a saying about “establishing oneself at thirty,” and Jiang Shiyan, standing on the stage, was exactly thirty years old.
Compared to his former self as the young and brash founder of Yixiu, he now held more titles, wore a well-fitted suit, and exuded a unique charm that balanced vigor with the stability of family life.
Tang Yang watched him, slightly lost in thought.
The camera opportunely focused on the contemplative Tang Yang.
Jiang Shiyan, observing Tang Yang’s pensive expression, his deep eyes filled with tender smiles, said, “First, on behalf of myself, I would like to express my sincerest respect and love to Ms. Tang Yang.”
Respect could be understood as coming from a business partner, but this was a major occasion, and the word that followed was… love.
Tang Yang feigned confusion, her ears turning red.
Was this a subtle way of showing affection in public?
The reporters below belatedly processed Tang Yang’s words, then were struck by Chairman Jiang’s declaration. Thunderous applause erupted.
Jiang Shiyan’s low, gentle voice rose after the applause: “Secondly, I must correct one point. From beginning to end, it has always been Ms. Tang Yang accompanying me, guiding me, and spurring me on.”
Another round of enthusiastic applause followed his second statement.
Jiang Shiyan continued: “The fundamental reason I could transform from a troublesome child into someone who can be considered somewhat mature, with some career achievements, and fortunate enough to collaborate with Hui Shang in establishing this foundation, is due to the influence of Ms. Tang Yang’s excellent qualities.”
More applause followed.
Jiang Shiyan added another word: “I…”
Another wave of applause.
With each word Jiang Shiyan spoke, the audience below erupted in applause, like children playing a prank.
The media and guests below were laughing. Tang Yang was laughing.
Jiang Shiyan couldn’t continue. He turned to the side, also laughing.
He was trapped on stage by the applause, unable to speak or leave.
This was a formal occasion, and Yangyang had warned him not to act up.
But forced by circumstances, Jiang Shiyan waited for half a minute. Not only did the applause not stop, but someone in the audience called out: “Chairman Jiang, can you stop imitating President Tang’s speech style? Can you show some sincerity…”
“The Danxin Tong Foundation is the first foundation established by Yixiu. In its subsequent operations, the foundation will adopt public company standards to disclose financial data… Furthermore, we welcome supervision from all sectors of society through various channels.” Jiang Shiyan seized the brief moment of quiet after the heckler to rapidly deliver the essential content.
Then, facing the reporter who had called out earlier, he said, “President Tang said important things, I also said important things, how is that not sincere? Don’t think I didn’t see your gossipy looks. Yes, yes,” Jiang Shiyan nodded, channeling the assertiveness Tang Yang used when educating him at home, “President Tang is my wife, but this is an important occasion, not children playing house.
Do you need me to shout ‘Tang Yang, I love you’ three times – Tang Yang, I love you; Tang Yang, I love you; Tang Yang, I love you – before you stop applauding and let me go?”
Jiang Shiyan’s imposing manner continued: “Young man, which media outlet are you from? If you’re from Yixiu, come to my office this afternoon with your resume. If not, go pack up and come to Yixiu.”
The reporter shouted back: “Chairman Jiang, I can see you want to confess your love but are afraid President Tang will make you kneel on the washboard!”
The audience burst into laughter. Even the leaders from Central Broadcasting and Hui Shang’s head office couldn’t help but smile.
Tang Yang, watching Jiang the Big Dog looking like he was about to explode from embarrassment, took the microphone Ao Siqie handed her from backstage and called out with a smile: “Jiang Shiyan.”
The soft utterance of those three syllables spread throughout the hall.
The venue suddenly fell into a silence so complete you could hear a pin drop.
Jiang Shiyan turned his head to look at Tang Yang. Tang Yang’s eyelashes still held traces of tears, but she was smiling at him, her voice soft: “I love you too.”
It carried a sense of helplessness, but also an unwavering, gentle warmth.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang looked at each other and broke into smiles.
The hall erupted with whistles and applause that seemed to go on forever.
Yangge Yangge, I am Pangge.
Yango Yango, I am Yangyang.
Jiang Shiyan has one and only one Tang Yang and Tang Yang has one and only one Jiang Shiyan.
They’ve gone from sighing deeply in classrooms, lamenting the hardships of life, through pioneering difficulties, and also through rapid successes. They don’t hide their ambition to reach high positions, they pursue fame in the traditional sense, they hope to become influential and credible figures, and they also hope to see more overlooked corners of society, to give voice to all that deserves respect, however small.
They possess the vigor of the younger generation, tacit understanding, and firm determination to act.
[I hope that more and more people will believe that there are always some things without hypocrisy, without cover-ups, without vainglory, without whitewashing. I hope they believe that there will always be people standing firm in the storms, not putting on a show, not being impetuous, but truly improving, truly progressing.]
—— What does it feel like to fall in love with a longtime friend who happens to love you back?
The direction her finger points is also the direction his finger points. His hand covers hers, palm against the back of her hand. Over time, mountains and seas, dawn and dusk, they finally interlock their fingers, completing and perfectly fitting into the spaces between her fingers.
(End of main text)