Han Qian couldn't quite explain why he felt stifled every time he heard Lin Zongheng's name. When he received his call last night, he knew he'd lost control. With Lin Zongheng's capabilities, dealing with him would be child's play.
Yet Han Qian believed he had done nothing wrong.
He hadn't cooked the braised pork. He understood perfectly what Wen Nuan wanted to say, and also why she hesitated for a heartbeat before speaking.
A fish? What, I don't dare to kill it but others can?
Once the dishes were prepared and placed into the thermal container, he shut off the gas. Everything was in order. As he stepped out the door, he realized he had only fifteen yuan left—just enough for a cab ride to the office. If there was traffic, Su Liang would have to come downstairs and pay.
As he descended the stairs, mentally calculating his fare, he saw the Bora still parked downstairs. He approached, opened the passenger door, and got in. Su Liang wrinkled his nose and murmured:
"Starving. Any chance you'll cook sometime?"
"Anytime."
Su Liang didn't press further. They drove back to the office. Throughout the ride, Han Qian kept glancing at Yang Jie, who lay asleep in the backseat. She was really something—deception done with such poise suggested she must be exceptionally capable at work. Pity that no one in the General Affairs Department feared her, nor heeded her words.
He removed his watch, wiped it clean, and placed it in Yang Lan's handbag.
They returned to the company and parked just outside the main entrance. Han Qian frowned at the red BMW parked askew. Su Liang sighed beside him.
"I'll grab our takeaway from reception. Want to eat out here?"
Han Qian nodded. The car belonged to Yang Lan—neither of them wanted to dirty it. As he prepared to help her out of the car, Su Liang stopped him.
"Let her sleep. If Liu Big-Head finds out she came back like this, he'll go ballistic—and I'll be done for. He's not from around here, met Yang Jie on some out-of-town company trip, then followed her to Glory Group. He even has a kid in junior high, yet still dreams of wooing Yang Jie. Disgusting, right?"
Su Liang left, and Han Qian chuckled. Men gossip too, don't they? He took off his coat and draped it over Yang Jie. His mind remained clear of stray thoughts—he had no space for nonsense. He only hoped she wouldn't catch a cold.
Two boxed meals, one meat and two vegetables, plus two extra servings of rice, two bottles of water, and a fruit salad—these were for Yang Jie when she woke. Su Liang was far more adept than Han Qian at taking care of women.
The two of them squatted by the car, wolfing down their food.
Passersby cast disdainful glances, curious who these two starving fools were. A security guard came over once—upon learning they were Glory employees, he asked if they wanted to eat inside. Han Qian shook his head. They couldn't leave Yang Jie alone.
With food in their bellies, they felt half alive again. Su Liang tossed Han Qian a cigarette—22-yuan Sun Tobacco.
"Qian'er, don't take this the wrong way. I know we haven't known each other long. At first, I helped you just to pass time and make a friend. Later, it was for the money you promised. If it didn't work out, I wouldn't have the face to ask for it. But don't overestimate me. I've got no big dreams—just trying to avoid starving. I'm a nobody. The others in General Affairs are different. Many got in through connections. This company isn't the harmonious place you think. That department belongs solely to Director Yan. Also… tomorrow's executive meeting—can I skip it?"
Han Qian nodded earnestly at first but burst into laughter at the last sentence.
"Are you chickening out? Not a chance. You're on this ship now—no jumping off. Don't want the 20,000 anymore?"
"It just feels too unreal—20,000 in two days? Honestly, where were you last night? Was the sugar mommy pretty?"
Su Liang was the type who could only speak seriously for three sentences before digressing. The two of them joked and bickered like children, laughter dissolving their stress. On the 14th floor, Yan Qingqing was fuming—gnashing her teeth as she watched them from the stairwell.
How could they not be panicking? Eating boxed meals, smoking, goofing around?
At nearly five o'clock, Yang Lan stirred. She opened her eyes, disoriented, her head pounding. As she sat up, a jacket slipped from her shoulders. She opened the car door to see the two men squatting and playing a childish game of "cops and robbers." Absolutely ridiculous.
Hearing the sound of heels, the two men turned simultaneously and grinned.
"You're awake, Yang Jie?"
Su Liang chimed in:
"Thanks to you today. No one expected Manager Li to be such a drinker. There's a veggie salad here—I'll grab you some milk in a bit."
Yang Lan took the salad but didn't open it. Instead, she crouched beside them, watching their silly game. Her mind was blank. Just then, Yan Qingqing saw it all through her binoculars, her hands trembling. Even Yang Lan was infected by their foolishness?
Roughly twenty minutes later, the workday ended. Freed from their corporate chains, the employees of Glory Group burst from the building like schoolchildren. Han Qian and his companions stood and made their way inside, Su Liang helping Yang Jie through the main doors.
Just as they ascended the stairs, a sharp female voice cut through the air:
"Supervisor Yang, next time don't park your car here."
Yang Lan clutched her head, forcing a smile.
"Okay, okay. Today I…"
"I don't want your excuses. Your whole department is a bunch of freeloaders. Don't waste company resources."
Han Qian turned to face the speaker. She was roughly Yang Lan's age, with decent looks and a body dressed head to toe in luxury brands. Her makeup and hairstyle imitated Yan Qingqing's—cheap imitation, lacking both the beauty and poise.
The woman pressed on mercilessly, eventually launching into personal attacks, mocking Yang Lan's driving skills for forcing her to reverse out. Yang Lan kept her head down, apologizing. Finally, Su Liang couldn't hold back.
"I parked the car. If you have a problem, take it up with me, Director Sun."
Director Sun?
An executive?
Sun Ya didn't spare Su Liang a glance. Her eyes swept over Yang Lan with disdain.
"Oh? Supervisor Yang has a driver now? Pretty impressive for someone from the idle General Affairs Department. How much do you make a month?"
Yang Lan said nothing. Just as Su Liang was about to speak, Han Qian stepped forward, placing himself between them, frowning.
"What business is it of yours? Don't you have enough to worry about? Since when does your department get to dictate ours? Who the hell are you?"
Han Qian genuinely liked Yang Lan—in the way a younger brother cares for an older sister. She'd covered for him when he was late, cried over lunch with worry, blocked drinks for him at the table. He couldn't imagine her as anything but kind. A single mother with a child—how could this woman dare bully her?
"Excuse me? You're asking who I am? Sun Ya, Director of Public Relations."
Only now did she notice there wasn't just one handsome guy with Yang Lan—there were two?
Yang Lan tugged at Han Qian's sleeve. He took her hand gently and pushed it aside, then looked coldly at Sun Ya.
"If you can move the car, do it. If not, don't drive. I don't care what department you're in or what your title is. But if you hassle Yang Jie again, I *will* slap you."
He turned to Yang Lan.
"Tomorrow, park outside. If anyone gives you trouble, find me or Su Liang. I don't have much, but I've got one thing—temper."
"Tsk, tsk… Brother Qian's temper is as bad as ever. First day on the job and you dared throw hands with Director Yan. Director Sun, you'd best leave him be."
Xiao Yang Jia appeared, her voice dripping sarcasm. Sun Ya didn't want to escalate, especially with Xiao Yang Jia present. She was also a little afraid—rumors swirled that someone had really fought Yan Qingqing and even ripped out a handful of her hair.
With a final scornful look, Sun Ya huffed and left. Han Qian merely frowned, pressed the elevator button, and stepped in with the others.
Once inside, he asked:
"Yang Jie, you're afraid of her? Who even *is* this Sun Ya?"
Yang Lan didn't answer. Xiao Yang Jia, clearly upset at seeing her sister bullied, muttered:
"Vice President Gao's cousin. Director of PR. Got some tricks up her sleeve, sure, but she picks on my sister because she's too kind. Han Qian, just punch her next time."
"Shut it!"
Yang Lan's voice was sharp. Then she added:
"You think Han Qian doesn't have enough trouble? Avoid her, don't fight. And don't tell anyone about him and Director Yan. How can Director Yan lead if people know? Go home and look after Bei Bei. I'm staying to work late."
"Okay…"
Xiao Yang Jia reluctantly took the car keys and exited the elevator. As she left, she turned and flashed Han Qian a victory sign behind her sister's back. Han Qian smiled faintly.
As the elevator doors closed, he recalled something Su Liang had said: maybe Glory Group wasn't as simple as it looked.