"Third Brother," Bai Jingyuan called several times, "Third Brother? Are you even listening to me?!"
Gu Mang was somewhat lost in thought and coughed lightly twice.
Bai Jingyuan laughed, "Boss, now I finally know how to write the words 'disheartened'! I can tell from the phone that your thieving eyes are only eyeing your little sister-in-law right now!"
"Bai Jingyuan," Gu Mang said in a deep voice, "just say so if you're itching for a beating. You don't need to be so subtle in reminding me."
Bai Jingyuan chuckled twice, knowing that he was about to do something good, and dared not say anything more before quickly hanging up the phone.
The next day, Lin Yuqing met Jiang Yao at the open-air Western restaurant below the Jiang family building.
"Ms. Jiang," Lin Yuqing smiled, taking out a termination agreement, "I've already discussed it with your secretary beforehand, and now all that's left is your signature. Please!"
Jiang Yao's face was already pale, and now her features were almost distorted.
Ever since being swindled out of tens of millions by that fake Singaporean, the Jiang family has become a laughing stock in the entire industry.
Jiang Mingyuan felt utterly humiliated wherever he went, and he vented his anger on Jiang Yao. He not only severely reprimanded her at the board meeting but also revoked several profitable projects from her hands.
Even after returning home, Jiang Yao was trembling with fear, carefully observing his expression.
Now, Hongzhang Company has also become a fence-sitter, taking the opportunity to sever ties with the Jiang family and terminate the cooperation, just like those other companies.
Jiang Yao gritted her teeth, looked at Lin Yuqing's smiling face, gripped the pen tightly, and signed her name on the agreement with difficulty.
"Thank you," Lin Yuqing said with a smile after the check. "If there are no problems, your company should receive the formal termination letter within three days. Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Jiang. This meal is on me!"
"No need." Jiang Yao crossed her arms. "I'm not so destitute that I can't even afford a meal!"
"It's only right." Lin Yuqing offered to pay the bill, and after returning, she smiled politely at Jiang Yao before preparing to leave.
However, Jiang Yao's sharp voice rang out from behind, "Is Hongzhang Company out of people now? Such an important termination agreement, and they send a nobody to sign it!"
Lin Yuqing stopped in her tracks.
"Making a big deal out of nothing!" Jiang Yao sneered. "When you were chasing after me for cooperation, you weren't acting like this at all!"
Lin Yuqing took a deep breath.
Jiang Can's older sister is really difficult to deal with. Even after all this, she's still stubborn and has to say something sarcastic.
Since that's the case, Lin Yuqing isn't one to be trifled with either.
She turned around, revealing a dazzling smile, "Miss Jiang, times have changed!"
"We've learned our lesson this time. When choosing a partner, we must understand their... intelligence level! Ha, those who can be easily swindled out of tens of millions have a serious intellectual deficiency, and we really can't continue to cooperate with them!"
Jiang Yao's face darkened, and she glared at her intently.
"Besides, how can a collaboration be done without the chairman's involvement? Ha, as far as I know, your father was unaware of the collaboration when Miss Jiang discussed it with Hongzhang, wasn't he?"
"Alas, the chairman of the Jiang family business makes all the decisions, so Miss Jiang probably doesn't have much say in it!"
"Have you said enough?!" Jiang Yao slammed her fist on the table, the knives, forks, and bowls clattering together.
Lin Yuqing gave her a cold look, finally giving Jiang Can a little venting of her anger.
But just then, she saw Jiang Yao's expression change, from her previous rage to a hint of smugness, with the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.
"Lin Yuqing," she scoffed, "Look over there!"
Lin Yuqing was taken aback. Following her gaze, she saw two girls chatting and laughing while eating ice cream under a parasol not far away.
Behind them, the sky was blue and the clouds were white, and the trees were like umbrellas. Around them, large clusters of azaleas were blooming brightly.
Just by looking at this picturesque scene, you can tell how sweet the ice cream in their hands must be.
Lin Yuqing frowned, feeling a little awkward.
"Sigh," Jiang Yao deliberately dragged out her words, "You treat her like a best friend, but she doesn't even take you with her when she goes out to eat!"
"Lin Yuqing, you probably don't know who's across from Jiang Can, do you? That's Huo Zhixin! The youngest daughter of the Huo family in Yangcheng. Last time our family held a charity gala, this Huo Zhixin came in arm in arm with Jiang Can, calling her her best friend! Ha, who knows what tricks that little bitch Jiang Can used!"
"Your best friend has married someone better! Does she even remember you?" Jiang Yao patted her shoulder. "That's just human nature, so unpredictable!"
After saying that, she waved her hand and walked away, swaying in her high heels.
Lin Yuqing's gaze followed Jiang Can and Huo Zhixin.
She admitted that she was a little jealous, as this was an ice cream shop she often treated Jiang Can to.
Friendships between women are sometimes more subtle and fragile than romantic relationships. You are my best friend, and I consider myself your best friend too, but you actually brought someone else to a store we used to share, and you didn't even invite me.
This sour feeling, tinged with jealousy, began to spread and ferment in Lin Yuqing's heart.
But at this moment, her attention was more focused on Huo Zhixin.
She frowned...
This girl looks so familiar; I feel like I've seen her somewhere before.
...
In the afternoon, while working, Jiang Can saw Lin Yuqing in the break room and greeted her happily.
Lin Yuqing simply smiled faintly.
Jiang Can was slightly taken aback. As usual, she made her a cup of black tea and handed it to her, then asked softly, "Sister Yuqing, what's wrong?"
Lin Yuqing wasn't one to beat around the bush, so she told her directly what had happened at noon.
"Oh, you saw us?" Jiang Can smiled, her eyes crinkling, looking innocent. "Why didn't you call me? Actually, I wanted to invite you to come with me at noon, but your department said you left early, so I..."
"Alright, no need to explain!" Lin Yuqing's temper flared up quickly but subsided just as fast.
It turns out that Jiang Can wanted to invite her to come along.
Knowing that she still values her as a good friend is enough.
Lin Yuqing smiled, then seemed to remember something and asked her, "Why were you with that girl at noon?"
“She is Huo Zhixin,” Jiang Can said truthfully. “I originally wanted to introduce you to her! Last time, when Jiang Yao locked me in the basement, she was the one who rescued me.”
"Is she really Huo Zhixin?"
"What's the problem?" Jiang Can blinked.
Lin Yuqing felt increasingly uneasy, her brows furrowing.
"I... I just suddenly remembered that nurse who came out of the ward when we went to see your husband in the hospital. Do you remember her?"
Jiang Can thought for a while, then shook her head in confusion.
"Her skirt was very short, and she was very pretty!" Lin Yuqing said anxiously. "I took a second look at her, and even though she was wearing a mask, I can't be mistaken!"
"You mean, Huo Zhixin is that nurse?"
Lin Yuqing was stunned and suddenly couldn't answer.
"How could that be!" Jiang Can laughed. "The Huo family's daughter and a nurse... their social statuses are worlds apart!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
