SCHS - Chapter 18
Chapter 18
The news that Tao Wanwan, the talented star of the Design Department, wanted to resign was undoubtedly a disaster for someone who was wholeheartedly focused on building her career.
Wen Shixue couldn't understand. Just a while ago, Tao Wanwan was eager and actively tackling new tasks. How could she suddenly want to resign? Had something unavoidable happened?
She didn't rush to let Zhu Ziming, a permanent member of the Design Department, leave. With a serious tone, she discussed the matter with him: "Did something happen in her family?"
Zhu Ziming recalled, "We haven't heard her mention anything like that, but I can tell she's been very resistant to coming to work lately, and her mental state is a bit poor."
Wen Shixue frowned upon hearing this, surprised. "Are the tasks I assigned that terrifying? Are they making you all listless? Or is there some kind of employee bullying going on in your department?"
If something like that was truly happening, she, as the President, couldn't stand by. She'd have to summon the Design Department Head and give him a stern lecture. He had just guaranteed her that everything was fine in the Design Department, and now there was bullying? He wouldn't deserve that guarantee if he didn't come to her with his head in his hands!
Zhu Ziming shook his head. "President Wen gave us plenty of time; it's not your fault. There's no bullying either. Everyone usually gets along very well, and sometimes we even hang out after work. There's no situation where someone is being ostracized."
He wasn't lying. From what he had seen, the daily life in the Design Department was indeed harmonious. In their free time, they would gather to discuss current fashion trends, or gossip about colleagues' love lives, or even celebrity gossip. It was a warm and friendly atmosphere, practically an ideal workplace and colleagues.
Moreover, Tao Wanwan had a lively personality, was the youngest, cute, and sweet-talked everyone. Both men and women in the Design Department liked this little sister, so ostracism was simply not happening.
Wen Shixue gazed at him, and after a moment, nodded slightly.
She believed the upright male lead wouldn't lie. And given the male lead's honest and kind nature, if someone were being ostracized, he would definitely notice and go to comfort and encourage them.
So why did Tao Wanwan want to resign?
"Didn't you ask her?" Wen Shixue said.
"I did," Zhu Ziming replied. "She said nothing was wrong at home, and it wasn't about the work tasks. But when I asked for the specific reason, she stopped talking. It was like she didn't want to say, or perhaps... she didn't dare to say."
He still remembered Tao Wanwan tightly pressing her lips together, her eyes dim, avoiding his gaze, telling him not to interfere. She seemed filled with an unspeakable despair and helplessness, as if no one in the world could help her.
Didn't dare to say?
Wen Shixue raised an eyebrow, her slender white fingers gently stroking the stray hairs on her forehead. She fell silent. If it involved daring or not daring, the nature of the problem was different.
Since Zhu Ziming had chosen Chenfeng, he naturally hoped Chenfeng would continue to thrive, allowing him and every jewelry designer with a dream to successfully achieve their aspirations and soar high here. Moreover, he believed Wen Shixue could provide them with the best working environment, which was why he took the initiative to report directly to Wen Shixue, bypassing his immediate superior.
Tao Wanwan's resignation was too sudden and strange, and she was also an excellent designer. Wen Shixue and Chenfeng would definitely not want to lose such a talented person, which was why he proactively reported to Wen Shixue.
Wen Shixue tucked her long hair behind her ear and suddenly thought of someone. "What about Jiang Lei? Did you talk to him?"
Each department head was responsible for their own area. Internal departmental matters should first be handled by the head. If the head couldn't manage it, it should be reported upwards to the Vice President and President for decision. If this matter had reached a point where even Jiang Lei, the head, couldn't handle it, the situation was serious.
Zhu Ziming shook his head again. "No."
"Wanwan was very resistant to us telling the department head about her situation. It was like she was on high alert. As soon as we mentioned going to the head, she would become nervous and scared, and she really didn't like seeing the head. So, to be considerate of her feelings, we didn't inform the head."
Didn't like seeing the head? Wen Shixue gently tapped the armrest, her almond eyes slightly narrowed. She asked again, "How is Jiang Lei's reputation in the Design Department?"
"Quite good," Zhu Ziming said fairly. "He speaks very kindly and usually takes good care of us."
Wen Shixue propped her face on her hand, feeling confused. He was clearly a friendly and good department head, so why would the most likable young woman in the department refuse to see him? Between the two, who had the problem?
The more Wen Shixue thought about it, the tighter her brows furrowed. She sincerely hoped that Jiang Lei had nothing to do with this, because she didn't want to see internal staff causing trouble and sabotaging her career again!
She snapped back to attention and thanked Zhu Ziming.
As Zhu Ziming stood up, he said, "You're too kind, President Wen. Wanwan's resignation came too suddenly and feels strange, so I thought you had the right to know. Besides, you said you would give me a fair and just working environment, didn't you?"
He didn't want Tao Wanwan to want to resign because she had encountered something bad at the company, because that would indicate serious management problems within Chenfeng. In the future, any of them could become "Tao Wanwan." So, for the long-term good and for his colleague Tao Wanwan, he felt it was necessary to boldly advise Wen Shixue, their top boss, and let her curb these unhealthy tendencies.
Wen Shixue looked at him and smiled slightly. "Yes, I meant what I said."
No one could stop her from building her career!
...
Qin Zhen turned around to look at the little princess of the Wen family, who was slumped beside the black leather sofa. The little princess was wearing a white gauze dress with a large black bow pinned at the neckline and a black waist chain cinching her slender waist. Her overall look was quiet and elegant, but her expression was very unhappy, as if she was owed eight hundred million and couldn't get it back.
Qin Zhen had already learned about Tao Wanwan's situation from her. Her first reaction was also that things weren't simple, so she could understand why Wen Shixue looked so unhappy. If this matter was really related to Jiang Lei, an internal staff member, it wouldn't be hard to understand if her expression looked like she wanted to kill someone.
Wen Shixue stared intently at the corner of the table for a long time before finally speaking, "Vice President Qin."
"Hmm?" Qin Zhen responded quickly.
She looked up, saying very seriously and sternly, "I think I look very easy to deceive."
Qin Zhen: "..."
Well, yes... a little.
Wen Shixue continued, "So some people see that I look kind and don't tell me the truth."
She now strongly suspected that Jiang Lei was lying to her, and his previous guarantees were just him spouting nonsense in front of everyone!
Wen Shixue, who once again felt the wickedness of human hearts, was very unhappy.
Qin Zhen remained silent. In this world, there was never a shortage of lies and betrayal. Anyone who had been through the wringer in society understood this deeply.
It was just that Wen Shixue hadn't seen enough yet. No one's life was smooth sailing, and perhaps in the days to come, she would see even more. So Qin Zhen wouldn't lie to her and say this was an accident, trapping her forever in the illusion of a calm, sheltered life where she couldn't be independent. She would stay with her, teach her, and guide her until she could stand on her own—that was why she had come to her side.
She walked over and sat on the sofa next to Wen Shixue, asking unhurriedly, "Will you retreat?"
Wen Shixue looked at her. Qin Zhen's tone was calm as she continued, "In the future, outside of the Wen family, you might encounter lies and betrayal, and more treacherous situations. That's another side you never saw when you were in the Wen family. They will make you angry, make you feel frustrated, just like now."
"So, will you choose to retreat and admit defeat?"
Abandoning the grand ambitions she had set at the beginning, retreating regardless into the embrace of her powerful parents, letting them shield her from all storms for a lifetime, living a carefree life.
Would she do that?
Wen Shixue didn't answer directly, but asked in return, "Are you afraid I'll admit defeat?"
"Yes," Qin Zhen admitted without hesitation. "Once you admit defeat, I lose the meaning of being by your side."
She was here to teach her how to be a good manager, to teach her independence, to teach her to face all difficulties. If she gave up, everything would be in vain, and even the powerful stance she took at the board meeting would become a joke.
She was never afraid of her being rebellious, of her letting her thoughts run wild and saying things that were off the wall, because as long as she didn't give up, it showed that she was serious about this career and had the most sincere heart, wanting to prove herself.
Wen Shixue suddenly laughed upon hearing this, her almond eyes curving into little crescent moons. "Then don't be afraid."
"I won't admit defeat."
Admitting defeat meant she would have to accept her parents' arrangements, marry the male lead, or marry someone else. It also meant her life would once again fall into a pathetic state of being arranged by others.
But whether it was being the villainous supporting character or being arranged to marry by her family, she didn't like it. So, admitting defeat was impossible. She wanted to stand at the highest point, shine brightly, firmly control her own life, and be a unique person!
Qin Zhen hadn't expected her to turn around and comfort her. She was momentarily stunned. After regaining her composure, she looked at Wen Shixue's serious expression, her own softened slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "I'll remember that. President Wen must keep her word."
Wen Shixue liked seeing Qin Zhen smile. It was like seeing a clear rainbow after the rain, making her feel happy. And when Qin Zhen smiled, that calm, distant aura around her would quietly diminish, making her feel as if the distance between them had narrowed a little.
"Don't worry," she said confidently. "I will make you very meaningful."
Then she stood up and said, "Alright, it's time for me, the President, to show some concern for my employees. Vice President Qin, are you coming with me?"
Qin Zhen nodded. With Wen Jian as a precedent, the current Wen Shixue was a bit dangerous. She had to stay by her side at all times. If Jiang Lei had really done something heinous that caused Wen Shixue to lose a valuable asset... Jiang Lei might just die on the spot.
For the sake of world peace, Vice President Qin unhesitatingly stood up and followed the unconventional President Wen.
Wen Shixue reached for the doorknob. Something came to mind, and she suddenly turned back and took a step forward. Just as she was about to say something serious, she unexpectedly bumped into Qin Zhen's arms. Her gaze quickly swept over those rosy lips, and her waist was instinctively supported by Qin Zhen.
They looked at each other, seeing themselves in each other's eyes. The surroundings suddenly fell silent, and in the quiet air, a ticklish sensation seemed to be quietly growing.
This was the second time Wen Shixue had bumped into Qin Zhen's arms, and it was Qin Zhen who recovered first and let go of her.
Qin Zhen looked a bit unnatural, even a little embarrassed. Wen Shixue, on the other hand, felt nothing of the sort and even coolly swept her hair back. "Vice President Qin, please cherish this."
Qin Zhen asked, half-perplexed and half-embarrassed, "...Cherish what?"
Wen Shixue said with a serious face, "You have now hugged the daughter of the Wen Group Chairman and famous artisan Ms. Meng Yuezhu, the President of Chenfeng Jewelry Company, your boss Wen Shixue, twice."
Qin Zhen: "..."
Was that prefix a bit too flashy??
Comments
Post a Comment