Just as Han Qian was settling in for a brief rest after lunch, he was startled awake by a crisp, lively voice. Looking up, he saw a petite young woman in formal office attire, bounding cheerfully into the General Affairs Department. She seemed intimately familiar with everyone present—those playing games quickly exited their programs, and female colleagues began sharing snacks.
Alas, the playful girl had little time to revel in her entrance. A single dry cough from Supervisor Yang was enough to bring her to heel. She obediently clung to Yang Lan's arm, affectionately calling her "sis." Yang Lan, clearly exasperated, sighed with helpless resignation.
"What are you doing here again instead of staying with Director Yan? Be careful or she'll deal with you herself."
Little Yang Jia wrinkled her nose in protest.
"I didn't sneak off! Yan won't be mad—I'm here to keep the flies away from her! Sis, which one is Han Qian? She told me to fetch him."
The moment her words landed, all eyes turned to Han Qian. The corner of his mouth twitched; he hadn't expected Yan Qingqing's revenge to be quite so swift. Su Liang, sprawled across the table beside him, whispered:
"Brother Qian, will we ever see you again?"
"I see a nice pack of smokes in your drawer," Han Qian replied with a smile.
Su Liang handed him the cigarettes without hesitation, clutching his stomach in laughter.
"A farewell gift from your brother."
At that moment, the mischievous Yang Jia approached Han Qian, studying him from head to toe. Then, turning back to Yang Lan, she grinned slyly.
"So this is Han Qian? Not bad looking. No wonder Yan hired him even after he pulled her hair. Tsk, tsk. Han Qian! You've got my respect. Go on now—Yan's office is the last one on the fourteenth floor."
Han Qian frowned slightly at the playful girl. "Aren't you coming with me?"
Yang Jia beamed. "I only make heroic entrances when the tide is truly against you. Right now, I'm just hungry."
"Then starve."
Ignoring her attempted extortion, Han Qian rose and gave Yang Lan a polite smile, promising a swift return. Yang Lan nodded, but as soon as she turned to her sister, her expression darkened. Tugging Yang Jia by the ear, she dragged her into the office.
As Han Qian made his way to Yan's office, he lit a cigarette. He couldn't guess what madness had seized her this time, but whatever awaited, he would endure it—this was his only chance at Rongyao.
He knocked. When her voice called out, he entered quietly.
"Director Yan, you asked for me?"
Yan Qingqing, slumped over her desk, rolled her eyes weakly and said,
"If you weren't you, would anyone else dare come in? Let's not pretend here. You pulled my hair—you think I won't make you pay? If you can't handle it, quit. I'll even triple your severance. But if you're staying, start by cleaning this office. It's one of your General Affairs duties."
"Understood, Director Yan. I'll fetch a mop and rag immediately."
His calm acceptance unsettled her. She watched in disbelief as he swept the floor and cleared the fruit peels off the table. Eventually bored, she turned her attention to the files concerning the land bid project.
The more she read, the more furious she became. A mall? Competing with the old department store in the city center? Were her staff blind or deaf? Did they not know Rongyao already had a mall there? Someone else proposed a wholesale market—right across from a discount emporium. Someone even dared to suggest a hypermarket chain. It was maddening.
"AHHHHHHH!"
A shrill scream erupted from her lips, making Han Qian shudder. She swept all the documents from her desk to the floor, along with her high heels. Han Qian exhaled slowly and resumed tidying without a word, though his mind reeled.
Was he fated to be a househusband? Three years of marriage had seen him doing chores. He thought divorce had freed him—but here he was, cleaning up after another woman.
He must have wronged a great many women in a past life. It was the only explanation.
When he placed the papers back on her desk, she immediately shoved them to the ground again. He picked them up a second time. She knocked them off once more. This time, he swept them all into the trash, along with her heels, and resumed mopping.
Yan Qingqing exploded.
"Han Qian, are you insane? You threw away my shoes! Are you going to carry me home now?"
"I can't carry you. And does the General Affairs Department now include chauffeur services?"
"You're outrageous. And I'm the idiot who hired a bunch of morons."
"I am not one of them. As for your hiring choices, that's your issue."
"You came here to argue?"
"Did you hire me as a cleaner, Director Yan?"
Even a clay statue has its limits. Han Qian had long been immune to beauty, thanks entirely to Miss Wen Nuan. Yan Qingqing was so livid she could barely breathe. Her hand hovered over the phone—just one digit from calling HR. Her ample chest heaved with fury, but Han Qian had his back to her. Had he seen it, he might've sighed for Wen Nuan.
The difference was… too great.
Half an hour passed before he finished. As he prepared to empty the trash, he asked,
"Should I toss these... project proposals too? Am I returning to General Affairs?"
"Go wherever you like. Just get out of my sight."
As he turned to leave, her voice rang out again:
"Han Qian, you bastard, bring back my shoes!"
He paused, glancing at the bin. Embarrassed, he'd genuinely forgotten them. He returned with the basket and, scratching his head, said,
"Um… Director Yan, here are your shoes."
She rose, barefoot on the cold tile, and passed him without a word, snatching her shoes and tossing them aside. Looking up at him, her eyes shimmered with frustration and defeat.
"Han Qian, help me."
He blinked, glancing at the trash bin in his hand. He understood, or at least guessed.
"Trying to revive a dead horse?"
She nodded earnestly.
"There's no one else. The planning and project teams have failed me. I never expected anything from General Affairs. If this collapses, I'm done."
"I'm expensive."
"Payment in kind?"
"You're worth less to me than cash. I need money. That's why I wanted into the Planning Department. What can you offer?"
"HR's Song Jing told me you originally applied for the Planning Department. You know the work, right? If your proposal avoids loss and passes upper management, I'll pay you 200,000 yuan."
"Give me a week."
"We don't have a week. Two days, tops."
"Then double it."
"Deal."
No one was at a disadvantage. Yan Qingqing wasn't foolish—if the proposal failed, he'd get nothing. But if he succeeded, it proved his worth. Even if he did nothing, he could just return to General Affairs and play games for two days.
Women are born performers—especially when playing the role of the weak.
And Han Qian had nothing to lose. This was why he had come to Rongyao. Only here could he spot problems—and solve them.
He left, the wastebasket and Yan Qingqing behind.
What he wanted now… was money.