Chapter 491 You only see power and shares
Han Lingcui took two days of sick leave. When he returned to Xuanyuan Company, the morning sun was shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto his workstation. The pot of succulents had been watered, and the leaves were plump and glistening with water.
As soon as she put down her backpack, she saw Xuanyuan Pavilion's secretary coming over with a cup of warm soy milk and a sandwich.
"Manager Han, the president said you've just recovered, so don't eat something too cold for breakfast. He asked me to bring this for you."
When his fingertips touched the temperature of the paper cup, Han Lingcui's heart trembled slightly.
While resting at home these days, she couldn't help but think of the warmth of Xuanyuan Ge's hand holding hers in the hospital.
Thinking of the hot coffee he handed her when he was with her revising the plan late at night, those bits of warmth, like vines, quietly entwined her originally firm "mission determination".
She even secretly hoped in her heart that maybe Jiang Shutong was wrong, and Xuanyuan Pavilion's kindness to her was not exploitation.
"Thank the president for me."
Han Lingcui took the breakfast, her voice softer than usual. The secretary smiled and nodded.
"The president also said that if you're still a little tired, you can join the project team later today. He has already told Director Zhang about it."
She sat in the chair and took a bite of the sandwich. The softness of the bread mixed with the aroma of eggs gave her a long-lost sense of security.
When I turned on the computer, a message from Xuanyuan Pavilion popped up on the screen.
"There's no rush to finalize the project. Let's get used to it for half a day and have lunch together at noon."
It was followed by a simple sun emoji.
Han Lingcui stared at the expression for a few seconds, his fingertips hovering over the keyboard, and finally replied with an "OK".
She thought, maybe she could try to let down her guard, even if it was just as a colleague, she should thank him for his care over the past few days.
Han Lingcui spent the entire morning sorting out the final details of the project. Seeing her return, her colleagues in the design department all came over to greet her. Even Xiao Zhou, who had previously been somewhat distant from her, offered her a packet of throat lozenges.
"Manager Han, I heard you were exhausted a few days ago. Take one of these pills quickly. Working overtime to revise the plan is exhausting for your throat."
She took it with a smile, and the strange feeling in her heart faded a little.
It turns out that here, there is not only the care of Xuanyuan Pavilion, but also the warmth among colleagues.
Nearing noon, Han Lingcui finished printing out the final draft of the project and thought of sending it to Xuanyuan Pavilion first, and also took the opportunity to talk about lunch.
She walked to the door of the president's office with the documents in her arms. Just as she was about to knock on the door, she heard Jiang Shutong's voice from inside, with an unquestionable strong tone.
"Xuanyuange, I don't care where your mind is lately. Xuanyuan Group is the foundation of our family. You must collect all your energy and stop hanging around insignificant people. Romance can't make a living."
The words "insignificant person" pierced Han Lingcui's ears like needles.
She paused, her fingers subconsciously clenching the documents in her arms, the edges of the paper rubbing against her knuckles until they turned white.
She knew that Jiang Shutong was talking about her, but she couldn't help feeling a little sad.
It turned out that in Jiang Shutong's eyes, she didn't even deserve to be taken seriously.
Actually, I can understand it.
Although Jiang Shutong valued her abilities, her background was indeed too weak.
There is no way they can match up with the Xuanyuan family.
Just as she was hesitating whether to leave, she heard Jiang Shutong continue speaking.
"The Lu family's daughter will be returning home next week. Have you forgotten? Your grandfather and Mr. Lu made an agreement that you two would get engaged when she returned after completing her studies."
"After so many years, you are well aware of the Lu family's influence in the business world. This marriage will only benefit the Xuanyuan Group. You can't act willfully."
The word "engagement" exploded in Han Lingcui's ears like thunder.
She suddenly looked up and looked at the half-open door, as if she could see the expressions of the two people inside.
She held her breath, waiting for Xuanyuan Pavilion's rebuttal.
She still had a glimmer of hope in her heart, expecting him to say "I don't agree" and "I have someone else in my heart."
But the office was silent for a few seconds, with only the sound of Jiang Shutong's breathing, and Xuanyuan Ge remained silent.
The silence was like a huge rock, hitting Han Lingcui's heart hard.
Her fingertips began to feel cold, and the scenes of the past few days flashed through her mind:
The tenderness he showed when he accompanied her to work overtime late at night, the nervousness he felt when he held her hand in the hospital, the car lights on when he sent her home...
All the things she thought were "sincerity" suddenly changed.
It turns out that what Jiang Shutong said was true. Men's kindness always has a purpose.
He treated her nicely, perhaps just because she was like "that important person," or perhaps just as a pastime before getting engaged.
She was just the dumbest one among his many "insignificant" people, and she almost believed in the so-called "specialness".
Han Lingcui's eyes suddenly felt hot. She was afraid that she would burst into tears if she stayed any longer, so she quickly retreated quietly with the documents in her arms, and turned to walk towards the design department with unsteady steps.
The lights in the corridor were bright, but they couldn't illuminate the gloom in her heart. She didn't even notice that she accidentally knocked over the cleaning tools at the corner of the corridor, making a clang sound.
…
In the office, Xuanyuan Ge's silence when Jiang Shutong mentioned "engagement" was not a tacit agreement, but a suppression of his surging anger.
He looked at his mother, whose makeup was delicate but eyes were full of calculation, and clenched his fists under the table.
Over the years, his mother has always controlled his life on the grounds of "for his own good" and "for the good of Xuanyuan Group". From his studies to business cooperation to marriage, she has never asked him what he wants.
It was not until the sound of tools falling to the ground was heard outside that Lord Xuanyuan subconsciously looked up at the door. A sense of uneasiness suddenly flashed through his heart, as if something important was about to slip away.
But Jiang Shutong continued, "The Lu family is already preparing. You should take some time next week to meet with Miss Lu and cultivate your relationship."
"Cultivate feelings?"
Xuanyuan Ge finally spoke, his voice filled with suppressed coldness, "Mom, what do you want to do?"
Jiang Shutong was stunned for a moment, as if she hadn't expected him to suddenly attack her. "How could I harm you? The Lu family's resources can help Xuanyuan Group expand its overseas market. This is a win-win situation."
"Win-win?"
Xuanyuan Ge sneered, stood up and walked in front of Jiang Shutong, his eyes as sharp as a knife, "Do you think I don't know the situation of the Lu family? Their capital chain broke last year, and now they are in a hurry to marry into the Xuanyuan family, just to borrow our money to fill the hole."
"You're getting me engaged to Miss Lu. It's a partnership on the surface, but in reality, you're letting Xuanyuan Group take the blame for the Lu family! Once we're caught up in this, won't you seize the opportunity to join forces with the board of directors to seize power and turn Xuanyuan Group into a second-rate enterprise?"
These words were like a heavy hammer, making Jiang Shutong's face turn pale instantly. She subconsciously took a step back and avoided his gaze.
"You...what nonsense are you talking about! I'm your mother, how could I harm Xuanyuan Group?"
"Mother?"
Xuanyuan Ge's voice was filled with self-mockery, "In your eyes, 'mother' only sees power and shares."
He didn't want to argue with Jiang Shutong anymore. He turned and looked at the door. The uneasiness he had just felt became stronger and stronger. "I still have work to do. Please go back."
Jiang Shutong looked at her son's resolute back, feeling angry and panicked.
She originally thought that she could use the Lu family's marriage to force Xuanyuan Ge to change his mind, but she didn't expect that he had already seen through the Lu family's true colors.
What made her even more worried was that the noise outside just now might have been Han Lingcui hearing the conversation?
If Han Lingcui developed a grudge against Xuanyuan Pavilion because of the engagement, then all her previous preparations would be in vain.
But if Han Lingcui left because of this, it would be a blessing in disguise.
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