Perhaps women were born to roam the bustling aisles of shopping centers. Before being discharged in the morning, Wen Nuan asked Han Qian how much money he had left. After rummaging for a while, he produced thirty-one yuan. The two stood at the door of the hospital room, exchanging a long and speechless gaze. Then, without a word, Wen Nuan turned on her heel and stormed back inside, calling out loudly that she would ring her mother and complain that Han Qian had neglected her while she was ill.
"Wait! I've got my card. There's still around one thousand four hundred and thirty-five yuan, and some change."
Wen Nuan had found an effective weapon against Han Qian—calling her mother. Gripping the door handle, she cast him a scornful glance and growled through clenched teeth.
"Could you be any poorer?"
"I could. Ever since someone moved in and does nothing but eat, I've been buying snacks, groceries, towels—three of them! You're picky about food every day, and last night's hospital bill—"
"Could you stop nagging?"
Her arm looped around his neck, she clamped his head under her armpit, silencing him completely.
Last night he arrived at the hospital like a drowned rat. Today, he was escorted out like a captive. Han Qian had successfully left a lasting impression on the nursing staff, who whispered among themselves after the couple departed.
"Ah, it's infuriating how lucky some people are. His girlfriend only had a fever, yet he braved the storm to get her to the hospital."
"Tell me about it. I was on duty last night—it was pouring, yet she only got her hair a little damp. That man was drenched head to toe, and still ran off to buy porridge. There's only one bed and a chair in a private room, and he stayed all night without sleeping."
"He's so handsome! That face could launch a thousand ships."
"Don't underestimate that woman, either. She's quite the beauty herself. Did you see the Cartier bracelet on her wrist? That's eighteen grand! We'd have to save for three years, not eating or drinking, to afford it."
The nurses sighed in unison—beauty, wealth, height, elegance, and a boyfriend who adored her like a treasure. How unfair life could be.
By the time they left the hospital, the sun was already high in the sky. Glancing at Wen Nuan still dressed in pajamas, Han Qian asked softly:
"Where to now?"
"Glory Mall. I want to see just what's so glorious about their glory."
"Wear a mask. Strangers may not recognize you, but everyone at Glory knows the illustrious Vice President Wen."
"It's 'Vice,' not 'President.'"
Han Qian drove with focused seriousness. Wen Nuan casually opened her bracelet to reveal a hidden bank card—her secret stash saved over the years.
Past nine o'clock, Yan Qingqing sat grim-faced in Han Qian's seat in the general department. Su Liang dared not sit too close to the formidable Director Yan. Though he claimed he was fine being her office lackey, she was not at all the type he dared to fancy.
No one dared play games or stream movies now. Heads lowered in feigned diligence, pretending to work. Yang Lan and Liu Jiulong stood behind Yan Qingqing. Xiao Yangjia had already been dispatched to find Han Qian. Half an hour later, she returned, biting her lip and lowering her head.
"Director Yan, Han Qian's phone is off."
Bang!
Yan Qingqing slammed her hand down on the desk, her voice laced with fury.
"His phone is off and you don't know what else to do? Must you report every little thing to me? I brought you here to solve problems, not to become one!"
Xiao Yangjia bolted, legs moving faster than her thoughts. Yan Qingqing's fury toward Han Qian remained unchecked. First, he dared fight her during the interview, then threw her shoes on his first day. On his second, he was late. Now, on the third, he simply didn't show up—not even a call?
Even Yang Lan didn't dare defend him. She herself didn't understand what kind of person he was.
Liu Jiulong's eyes gleamed. This was an opportunity. He offered a sycophantic smile.
"Director Yan, Han Qian clearly disresards company rules—his lunch breaks drag on for hours, and he's always sneaking out for a smoke. Why not just fire him?"
Aside from Su Liang and Yang Lan, everyone else in the department brightened visibly. That scoundrel Han Qian should be fired. Without him, Director Yan wouldn't even be in the general department.
Yang Lan suddenly turned on her heels and hurried back to the office in high heels, retrieving a file to present to Yan Qingqing.
"Director Yan, this is a preliminary proposal Han Qian worked on yesterday. I've reviewed it, and it seems—"
"Your review means nothing. Do you understand project planning?"
Yan Qingqing snatched the file, glanced over it, then raised it and lashed out at Liu Jiulong.
"Fire Han Qian? If the rest of you were worth your salt, I wouldn't have to put up with this crap. All you do is play games and do your makeup. What use are any of you? Fire Han Qian and what—you, Liu Jiulong, will replace him? Or maybe you, Yang Lan? I'm not singling anyone out, but is there anyone here who wouldn't be laughed at if I presented your work? All of you, staring at me—do you not have jobs? If not, go clean the fourteenth floor!"
No one dared respond. Yan Qingqing grew even more furious, hurling the file to the ground.
"Are you all deaf? Can't hear a word I say? Do I need to hand you the mops myself? Or is cleaning beneath your talents? Anyone who doesn't want to work can submit a resignation letter. I'll settle your pay—triple the rate."
The demon queen was truly enraged. Liu Jiulong was the first to flee. He still had a family to support, a wife and children waiting on his paycheck.
Deputy Supervisor Liu: married. In love with Yang Lan.
Yan Qingqing stared coldly at the file on her desk.
"Supervisor Yang, Su Liang. Han Qian wrote both your names into this plan. If he doesn't give me a satisfactory result by tomorrow morning, you two can pack your things and leave—your pay and bonuses will be docked."
"I'll find Brother Qian. He's not the kind to desert his post."
Su Liang dashed off, leaving only Yang Lan behind, head bowed, sobbing softly, tears dropping to the floor like beads. She looked like a bullied little wife. Hearing her cries, Yan Qingqing sighed with exasperation, eyes shut.
"Stop crying. There are so few people in this company I can trust. You're a single mother raising a child—life isn't easy. But Han Qian's utterly unruly. When he returns, you need to discipline him—like you do Yangjia. Understood?"
"Y-yes, Director Yan."
"Could you stop crying? It's giving me a headache!"
"I—I'll stop… Waaa—"
Yang Lan was far too timid. After the scolding, her sobs only grew louder. Yan Qingqing felt her world shatter. She grabbed the file and fled the scene. But no sooner had she gone than Liu Jiulong returned, heart aching at the sight of Yang Lan weeping like a porcelain doll. He offered her a tissue and spoke gently.
"Lanlan, please don't cry…"
"Don't comfort me—go find Han Qian. I don't want to lose my job."
"Alright! I will—I'm going right now."
Liu Jiulong genuinely liked Yang Lan, but sadly, to her, he was nothing more than a colleague.