"Chairman Zhang?" Minister Li looked in astonishment at Chairman Zhang, who was expressionless but had a look in his eyes that said, ’I’m very upset, don’t mess with me.’

I nodded slightly, my gaze lowered, "Hello, Chairman Zhang," switching to a soft, delicate voice like a young girl’s.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the angry expression on Minister Li’s face in response to my gesture! His mouth twitched slightly, and when he noticed me sneaking a look at him, he glared fiercely.

Chairman Zhang glanced at me, then turned his eyes back to Minister Li, looking between the two of us before slowly walking over to sit by the swivel chair.

"I could hear the commotion from miles away. What’s with all the yelling in the office? How unprofessional!"

Minister Li stepped forward, nodding and bending over to explain to Chairman Zhang.

"Nangong Yang just arrived and doesn’t know how to handle many things yet. I’m helping her sort out her work!"

"Having Minister Li sort out work issues? I must be poor at identifying talent. Nangong Yang, even if you’re not an overseas student, F University is renowned domestically, right? Did you return everything you learned to the teachers?" Chairman Zhang said while calling my name, but he kept his eyes on Minister Li.

Standing behind Minister Li, I couldn’t see his facial expression clearly, but I did notice him wiping his sweat.

Chairman Zhang’s words had underlying meanings, and even I could hear them; there’s no way Minister Li, a seasoned pro, wouldn’t catch them.

I stepped forward intending to reveal the truth to Chairman Zhang, but then I thought better of it, realizing the words would betray my initial intent.

"Chairman Zhang, Minister Li is truly helping me organize my work." As soon as I said it, I regretted it, wishing I could bite off my tongue.

Chairman Zhang squinted his eyes and scrutinized me carefully. Leisurely, he stood up and walked over to Minister Li.

"Since Nangong Yang says Minister Li is helping sort things out, I won’t say anything further. Let me be blunt: right now the Old Master isn’t around, and the group follows my directives. Let me be clear, even if you want to punish someone, you need to consider their superior, understand, Minister Li?"

"Yes, yes, of course, of course, President Ji is currently not around, and everything is indeed under Chairman Zhang’s control. Everyone in the group knows this." Minister Li tightly gripped the hem of his clothes.

Chairman Zhang gave Minister Li a deep look, then slowly walked a few steps, stomping loudly on his high heels—echoing conspicuously in the quiet office. As he walked to my side, on impulse, I looked up to meet Chairman Zhang’s gaze.

"You can continue," Chairman Zhang said as he walked out of the office on his heels.

Watching her back, I suddenly felt a hint of awe. Why? I pondered for a long time, until Chairman Zhang told me this was the aura of a strong woman. I possess it too, just hasn’t been refined at this stage due to my unruly nature.

Dazed, lost in thought, until I snapped back to reality to find Minister Li standing before me, looking at me with eyes full of inexplicable thoughts. Without allowing more time to think, I heard him say, "Don’t think that just because you spoke well for me this time, I’ll be grateful. This is the end of the matter for now, go back!"

"What about my salary?"

"Not deducted!"

So what does Chairman Zhang mean? What does ’even if you want to punish someone, you need to consider their superior’ mean? I’m not a dog! Even if you hired me, you shouldn’t say that! It’s too much! Just as a feeling of awe was rising, it was crushed deeply in my heart by a single sentence.

Increasingly unable to understand what Chairman Zhang is thinking, previously arranging Li Hua by Ji Ran’s side, and now helping me out of a pinch?

Are women in business all so inscrutable?

Forget it, can’t worry about that now. My brain is already small, now it’s being overwhelmed by Han Wanwan’s situation!

Back in the office, I hadn’t even warmed my seat yet when a bunch of people crowded around to ask me all sorts of questions.

"Nangong Yang, did you get fired?"

"Nangong Yang, did you get scolded?"

"Nangong Yang, your phone rang just now, I accidentally saw it, and it was Ji Ran, our President Ji. Tell us, is there something going on?"

"Exactly, first day here you went to President Ji’s office, even though you were transferred back later, we all know it was to avoid suspicion."

"Nangong Yang, you’re so secretive, been here for so long, even though newcomers are always treated like errand girls, that’s company culture. You have such a strong backing yet didn’t tell us, making us offend an important figure unknowingly."

I looked at them, bewildered by their chatter.

I was only out for a moment; how did everything change regarding their attitude toward me upon my return? I looked at Xiao Fang, who gave me an ’I don’t know either’ look. Ignoring them, I silently picked up my phone and walked out of the office.

"Hello, Ji Ran?"

"What’s up?"

What’s up? You called me, and now you’re asking me what’s up.

"Nothing, I saw a missed call, so I..."

"I’m busy over here, no worries, I’ll hang up first."

Beep beep beep...

What an inexplicable guy. Forget it, better check up on Han Wanwan.

"Han Wanwan?"

"Nangong Yang." A weary voice from the other side.

"What’s wrong? Why so tired?"

"Nothing." Heavy nasal sound, could she have been crying?

"Were you crying?" I asked with some concern, "This isn’t good for the baby."

"Lin Zhong! I’m going to kill you, you brat!" Madam Lin’s voice.

Lin Zhong is home too? Could Madam Lin also know? Han Wanwan is very strong, she didn’t cry in the four years of college, so the problem must be really serious.

I took advantage of my lunch break to catch a cab to Han Wanwan’s home.

The clock struck twelve, and I hurried off to Han Wanwan’s house. When the door was opened, there were still signs of a recent fight inside. Madam Lin sat on the sofa, quietly sobbing, and Lin Zhong, who opened the door, had slightly reddened eyes. I looked around but didn’t see Han Wanwan, and my heart leapt into my throat, "Where’s Han Wanwan?"

Lin Zhong pointed to the bedroom.

After comforting Madam Lin briefly, I headed into the bedroom.

Han Wanwan was lying on the bed, turned away from the door. Hearing the door open, she uttered, "Get out!"

The voice was weak. I knew Han Wanwan too well; at this moment, she must be bearing immense pain alone.

I didn’t speak, slowly closing the door and moving to sit down by the bed. I heard Han Wanwan let out a deep sigh, and the moment I sat, her eyes closed.

"Han Wanwan," I called softly.

Han Wanwan opened her eyes when she heard it was me, turned to look at me, her eyes slightly red, her mouth drooping, and said tearfully, "Nangong Yang."

After saying it, a tear ran down from the corner of Han Wanwan’s eye, and I tenderly raised my hand to gently wipe it away for her.