After Being Betrayed I Married the Glamorous CEO-Chapter 20, If You Don’t Understand Respect, I Can Teach You!

With Su Ziye’s backing, Lu Qi’s presence in the company was comparable to that of a regent. She had clashed with Su Xiyang head-on several times, their arguments so fierce that uninformed onlookers often thought Lu Qi was the company’s rightful president.

Which of the employees didn’t complain bitterly about her overbearing ways? Over time, everyone learned to give Lu Qi a wide berth, terrified of displeasing her. Consequently, Lu Qi’s arrogance swelled by the day.

The employees wouldn’t have dared to dream that one day Lu Qi would be publicly slapped—and for the second time, at that!

Lu Qi clutched her face, stunned. The second time! It was the second time this man had slapped her.

"You..." Lu Qi was dumbfounded. By all accounts, she was about to resume her post, which proved Su Xiyang had no power to get rid of her. Soon, her authority in the company would once again be absolute. How dare Shen Fanyun act so brazenly toward his direct superior? Isn’t he afraid that my very first act upon reinstatement will be to fire him?

"Are you out of your mind?" Lu Qi gritted out. What on earth did Su Xiyang hire as the Head of Security? Does he have no ability to read the room? What good could possibly come from opposing me?

"How dare you!" The official who appeared with Lu Qi, a man named Chen Haiqing, couldn’t help but furrow his brows, his face filled with anger. "You call yourself a man, yet you’re petty enough to pick a fight with a woman. Don’t you find that disgraceful?"

Shen Fanyun flicked his fingers and stated calmly, "Once you enter these doors, all safety and order within this company fall under my full authority. This woman was shouting and harassing other employees on my territory. As the department head, is there a problem with me stepping in to handle it?"

Chen Haiqing sneered, "You hit her!"

"This is private property. She was causing a disturbance without permission," Shen Fanyun retorted. "Let alone hitting her, I’d have been justified in detaining her on the spot in the name of self-defense."

His words left Chen Haiqing speechless and infuriated. As a director of the municipal safety bureau, every business in the city was supposed to be as submissive to him as a mouse to a cat. Weren’t they all obsequious and overly courteous? They feared that a single mistake would earn them a rectification notice from him, forcing them to shut down for however long he pleased. When had the security head of some shoddy company ever dared to show him, Chen Haiqing, such contempt? The Head of Security? Wasn’t that just a glorified chief of security guards? For a mere security chief to defy him was simply preposterous!

Around the corner by the elevators, Su Xiyang stood with her arms crossed. Watching Lu Qi clutch her face and wince in pain, she couldn’t suppress a small smile.

This is the second time? Shen Fanyun truly doesn’t know how to cherish the fairer sex. Lu Qi isn’t ugly; she’s actually quite attractive. On top of that, she’s a young matron, married for four years without children. How could he bring himself to strike her? However, the trouble Shen Fanyun is stirring up seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Defying a department head like Chen Haiqing is no small matter. If he holds a grudge, he could make things incredibly difficult for the company on the security front!

"Mr. Chen, long time no see," Su Xiyang said, quickening her pace as she emerged. "I was just dealing with some personal items, which caused a bit of a delay. My apologies for not greeting you sooner."

Today, Su Xiyang wore high heels with black stockings, and her hair was pinned up, making her look exceptionally vibrant. Her complexion was rosy, like a peony bud poised to bloom.

Tsk, tsk, she switched brands? I vaguely remember the last pair she wore had letters on them. A genuine pair costs thousands, even tens of thousands. A pity I tore them. I wonder what this new brand feels like, and if it’s easy to tear?

"Su Xiyang, get your dog on a leash! There will be consequences for provoking me!" Lu Qi fumed upon seeing her. Just because she didn’t dare challenge Shen Fanyun didn’t mean she feared Su Xiyang. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Su Xiyang feigned ignorance. "What happened?"

"You!" Lu Qi was left speechless.

Chen Haiqing spoke with displeasure, "Your company’s security head is far too heavy-handed. That’s not a good sign. He’ll bring you big trouble sooner or later."

Su Xiyang nodded and assured him, "Don’t worry, I will ensure he undergoes a thorough self-criticism."

"Self-criticism?" Lu Qi scoffed. She pointed a finger at Su Xiyang and declared resolutely, "This man must be fired! Right now! I will not allow him to remain in this company! It’s either him or me!"

Su Xiyang simply ignored her, which only made the screeching Lu Qi appear all the more undignified.

Unable to contain her rage, Lu Qi shouted again, "Su Xiyang, I told you to fire him! Are you deaf? How dare you disobey my instructions?"

At these words, Chen Haiqing’s expression turned peculiar. If he recalled correctly, Su Xiyang was the actual boss, wasn’t she? Lu Qi was, at best, just an employee. An employee being so disrespectful to her own superior, even arrogantly demanding that her orders be carried out? This was...

SMACK!

A moment ago, Su Xiyang had tolerated Lu Qi’s disrespect. She had hoped to give Lu Qi an opportunity to back down gracefully. However, the woman seemed to have misunderstood something. Did she really think Su Xiyang had no temper? Or that she was made of clay, to be molded at will?

"Say that again," Su Xiyang said, her eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on Lu Qi.

Lu Qi had never seen such a serious and cold Su Xiyang before. For a moment, she was dazed. But she quickly composed herself, lifted her chin, and stated self-righteously, "I said, fire that bastard. Right now. Immediately."

"And if I don’t?" Su Xiyang countered.

Lu Qi froze, trying to think of a response.

SMACK!

To everyone’s surprise, Su Xiyang raised her hand and delivered a crisp slap across Lu Qi’s other cheek, the sound echoing for all to hear.

Afterward, she turned to Chen Haiqing and said politely, "I’m just handling a personal matter with an employee. I hope I’m not taking up your time?"

"Not at all, not at all," Chen Haiqing replied, feeling a flush of second-hand embarrassment. He hadn’t realized just how insolent Lu Qi was in her own company. Didn’t she bring this beating on herself?

"Remember, I am your boss," Su Xiyang said, turning back to stare at Lu Qi. This time, her gaze was so intense it made Lu Qi’s skin crawl, causing her to forget the stinging pain in her face.

"When you speak to me, show some respect! If you don’t know how, I can teach you. Of course, you are also free to resign with dignity instead of clinging on here like a stray dog!"

Lu Qi: "..."

Everyone: "..."

No one had ever imagined that Su Xiyang, who was usually so aloof she seemed to exist above worldly matters, could be so domineering. With a single slap, she had stunned Lu Qi into silence.