The red apricot over the wall
The next day, rumors about You Jiale, Zhang Xiande's "special assistant" at Zhang's Industrial, spread like wildfire throughout the company and even the city. Some vividly described how You Jiale had cheated on Zhang Xiande with him, was caught red-handed, and was kicked out in a fit of rage.
Because someone witnessed Assistant Yu going to a brothel to seek pleasure, and being caught red-handed by Boss Zhang, who was there for business.
This means Zhang Xiande doesn't need to hold a press conference to clear You Jiale's name.
Is this considered an unconventional way to clear one's name?
Early in the morning, the Zhang's Industrial Building was filled with an even stronger atmosphere of gossip than usual.
As soon as You Jiale walked in, everyone couldn't help but glance at him.
"Did Assistant You kick the boss out?"
"That's because he knew that the Empress had returned and his position was unstable, so he probably found a new partner in advance."
"I didn't realize Assistant Yu was so decisive."
"These people have such wild imaginations, have they been watching too many palace dramas?" He tried to act nonchalant as he returned to his desk, organizing documents while listening intently to catch any snippets of conversation.
"It seems he left with a woman last night..."
"The boss doesn't look too happy..."
"I knew it! People who climb the ladder by their looks are bound to get into trouble sooner or later..."
You Jiale rolled her eyes, thinking, "What do you mean by 'getting ahead by relying on looks'? I rely on my talent, okay! Besides, what business is it of yours who I go with? You're just being nosy."
Not long after, Lin Zhi walked over with a document in her hand, a strange expression on her face. "Brother Jiale, this document needs the boss's signature."
"Rumors are circulating that you went to see a girl last night? Are you planning to abandon our boss?"
You Jiale rolled her eyes, tidying up the documents on the table as she said irritably, "What nonsense are you talking about! What could I possibly have to do with him? People with so much free time should go find a factory to make shoe soles."
Lin Zhi nudged his arm with her elbow. "Is the boss treating you badly?"
You Jiale raised her voice, a hint of dissatisfaction in it: "What do you mean 'good' or 'bad'! My relationship with him is completely innocent, like boss and assistant! What's wrong with me relaxing a bit after get off work last night?"
Lin Zhi asked curiously, "Relax? Go to a place like that by yourself?"
You Jiale sneered, "If you're going to have fun, why not go alone? Why go in a group?" She paused, "Besides, wasn't Pei Zhiyuan in the boss's private room last night?"
Lin Zhi was taken aback, a look of surprise on her face: "Young Master Pei is here too? Really?"
You Jiale curled her lip, her tone laced with sarcasm: "They can have dates in that place, but I can't go out and have some fun? What kind of logic is that?"
Lin Zhi blinked, seemingly understanding something, but still a little confused: "This..."
You Jiale didn't give her a chance to ask further. He picked up the document, stood up, and said, "Stop guessing. I have to deliver this document to the boss." He thought to himself, "These people really love a good show. Perfect, I've been wanting to settle scores with that old fox too!"
He arrived at Zhang Xiande's office door and knocked gently. "Come in," came Zhang Xiande's calm voice from inside.
You Jiale pushed open the door to Zhang Xiande's office and saw the boss sitting upright behind his desk, not even lifting his eyelids, engrossed in the documents in his hands. His expression was as calm as if nothing had happened the night before. This calmness only fueled You Jiale's anger. He felt that his displeasure hadn't caused the slightest ripple in Zhang Xiande's eyes.
"Mr. Zhang, this document is waiting for your signature." You Jiale didn't stand on ceremony and slammed the document in her hand onto Zhang Xiande's desk with a "thud," her tone carrying an uncontrollable irritation.
Zhang Xiande slowly raised his head, rolled his eyelids upward, glanced at You Jiale, and showed no emotion whatsoever. "Did you have a lot of fun last night?" His voice remained steady and calm, neither sarcastic nor inquiring.
Upon hearing this, You Jiale's anger flared up instantly. "Thanks to you, I'm 'very happy'!" he exaggeratedly emphasized the word "very," "Being called over for no reason and then left there without even getting a word in, I'm truly 'very' happy!"
Zhang Xiande put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and stared at You Jiale with a chilling gaze. "Oh? Is that so? Where did you go after you went out last night?"
Zhang Xiande's words carried a hint of inquiry, which made You Jiale even more displeased. She thought to herself, "Is this old fox trying to check up on me?" "The person has disappeared without a trace, of course I went back to sleep, what else could I do?"
Zhang Xiande paused for a moment, then looked back at the documents on the table, his tone softening slightly. "About last night... I admit, there might have been some misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?" You Jiale raised an eyebrow. "I'd like to hear how this 'misunderstanding' came about. Did I call myself over here?"
Zhang Xiande raised his head, looking at You Jiale with a complicated expression. "You are someone I keep by my side, representing the Zhang family. Even in your private life, don't associate with those shady people."
"Neither fish nor fowl?" You Jiale's voice unconsciously rose a few decibels. "Do I need your permission to make friends? You're being too nosy! Besides, who's 'neither fish nor fowl'? I think some people..." He paused, not finishing his sentence, but his eyes darted towards Zhang Xiande. *I think gay people are the ones who are neither fish nor fowl!* But he didn't dare say it aloud.
Zhang Xiande's gaze darkened. "You Jiale!" His voice carried a hint of warning.
You Jiale glared back at him without backing down, "Zhang Xiande! Although you're the boss, we have a mutually beneficial relationship. You can't interfere in my private life! You didn't even offer an explanation for what happened last night, but you're already putting on airs like the boss?" He felt he had already given him enough face, but Zhang Xiande's condescending attitude made his anger rise.
The atmosphere in the office instantly became tense, as if the air itself were about to freeze. Their gazes clashed in the air, neither willing to back down an inch.
Just as things were at a stalemate, Zhang Xiande suddenly sighed, his tone softening. "Alright, what happened last night was my fault."
You Jiale was stunned for a moment, not expecting that someone like Zhang Xiande would actually apologize. He was momentarily speechless and muttered, "You know you're wrong? What did you do wrong?"
Zhang Xiande looked at him, his eyes filled with a hint of helplessness, yet also with a touch of seriousness. "I shouldn't have pried into your private affairs, nor should I have spoken to you in that tone."
Looking at Zhang Xiande, You Jiale's anger gradually subsided. He knew that for Zhang Xiande, given his personality, to say something like that was a miracle.
You Jiale pouted, her tone softening considerably. "You can't take your bad mood out on me! What are people saying outside? They're saying I'm promiscuous and cheated on you!"
"While this will certainly put an end to a lot of those messy rumors, it's really damaging to my reputation, isn't it?" You Jiale couldn't help but mutter.
Zhang Xiande seemed to see through You Jiale's little scheme, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. "People outside? You care a lot about what they say?"
"Of course I care!" You Jiale said irritably. "I'm a straight man, and I like pretty young girls! Those rumors, always implying that I have some kind of ambiguous relationship with you... that's a complete insult to my character!"
Zhang Xiande ignored You Jiale's explanation about her sexual orientation, but simply picked up the pen on the table, gently placed it on the pen holder, and then looked up at You Jiale, saying calmly: "Instead of worrying about these unfounded rumors, Assistant You should spend more time on the affairs of 'Leji Delivery'."
He paused slightly, his gaze scrutinizing, and continued, "'Leji Delivery' was built by you, and it's at a crucial stage of development right now. Don't let irrelevant things distract you."
You Jiale wore a speechless expression, her tone slightly annoyed: "Yeah, yeah, you're absolutely right, boss! I should be like a donkey, never able to rest for a day!" "You'd better hurry up and sign this thing, I'm in a rush to pull the millstone."
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