21. The Burning Mona Lisa
As Fang Kaixuan left Tan Dawei's office, she was deep in thought. Passing Qin Zhisheng's seat, she glanced at her, then silently followed her back to her seat. They didn't say much; she simply picked up a pen from her desk and fiddled with it for a moment.
Workplace storms come much faster than Fang Kaixuan had anticipated.
She thought she had a choice, but she didn't. Staying meant this: appeasement was useless. As the ancients said, "Today you cede five cities, tomorrow ten, and then you get a night's rest. But when you rise and look around, the Qin army is already at your doorstep."
Before Fang Kaixuan could even indulge in sentimental musings, Xiao Ju's questions arrived. She didn't say much, just three question marks.
This is the most extreme way Little Orange can express her anger.
Fang Kaixuan knew exactly what her friend was asking. Worried that words alone wouldn't be enough to explain, she quickly made a phone call. Fortunately, Xiao Ju answered.
But they remained silent after answering, waiting for Fang Kaixuan to explain.
"I really didn't know about this..." Fang Kaixuan was also in a very bad mood.
Uncontrollable changes and blatant bullying were all to be expected. But such scandals were easily covered up with money—not even a large sum—given by those who claimed to be focused on creating long-term value to those who touted themselves as guardians of social conscience. Amidst clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, many things were forgotten, as if nothing had happened.
This incident deeply affected Fang Kaixuan. In the past, many similar things must have happened around her, but back then she was far away and could pretend not to see them, so she didn't have to feel guilty.
But this time, she couldn't pretend not to hear the crying nearby.
What's more, there's also Little Orange.
Fang Kaixuan was a little surprised. On the phone, Xiao Ju, who was usually hot-tempered and straightforward, didn't get angry. She just asked her, "Shall we have dinner together tonight?"
It seems that only by explaining the situation face-to-face can one vent their anger. Fang Kaixuan readily agreed.
They arranged to meet at their usual Hunan restaurant that evening. Fang Kaixuan rushed over after work, and Xiao Ju was already sitting there. Next to her was a pale-faced, very thin woman who looked to be about the same age as the two of them.
Fang Kaixuan roughly guessed who this was.
"Sit down," Xiao Ju said calmly.
The unfamiliar woman nodded to Fang Kaixuan and handed her a stack of documents. Xiao Ju introduced her as Lin Qiao, the family member of the patient involved in the case of the forged report.
Xiao Ju turned to Fang Kaixuan: "Logically, you shouldn't be showing these to me, since you're somewhat of an insider at the company involved. But... anyway, the manuscript is ruined now."
Fang Kaixuan took the stack of documents, which included testimonies from other patients' families, industry experts interviewed by Xiaoju, and testimonies from several sales representatives who wished to remain anonymous.
"Actually, this phenomenon isn't anything new; it's happened before, and the articles aren't specifically targeting any single company. But to be able to get away with it just by paying money is really infuriating. Of course, my own boss isn't any better; he's a bastard who actively seeks handouts." Xiao Ju's tone wasn't pleasant.
Lin Qiao remained silent, simply listening. Often, those involved in tragic events are remarkably calm, perhaps because they have already shed countless tears in the darkness.
Fang Kaixuan wanted to explain, but any words seemed powerless.
She could only whisper to Xiaoju, "I didn't tell the company which media outlet wanted to report on this. I wasn't informed about how this matter was being handled in advance either."
Little Orange nodded.
The three remained silent, waiting for the food to arrive. It was the most common Hunan restaurant dishes: stir-fried beef with yellow peppers, bitter melon and bullfrog, chicken giblets with white chili peppers, and cucumber with perilla leaves. Each dish was one of Fang Kaixuan's usual favorites; he could easily eat two bowls of rice with one meal.
But that night she had no appetite at all; it felt as if a heavy stone was weighing on her stomach, like a fishbone stuck in her throat.
If Lin Qiao had cried her heart out in front of them, or even cursed at them, Fang Kaixuan might have felt a little better. But Lin Qiao had probably cried too many times already, and had no tears left. Her pale face had a detached look under the yellow light.
Fang Kaixuan wanted to explain, to comfort, to defend himself, but he couldn't utter a single word. Any beautiful words seemed too frivolous in the face of death.
Xiao Ju was unusually quiet, only making sure Lin Qiao ate a little more.
After finishing her meal, Xiao Ju put down her chopsticks and asked Fang Kaixuan, "What exactly happened?"
Fang Kaixuan cautiously replied, "It's said that when your editor-in-chief He was reviewing the manuscript, he contacted us because it mentioned the company's investors..."
"I guessed so. Old He came to our office all smug, showing off how good he was at networking and getting companies to sign three-year framework agreements with him without even having to negotiate the price. Just looking at his face made me want to vomit."
Fang Kaixuan was relieved only after Xiaoju regained its attack power.
"Ms. Lin, I'm so sorry," Fang Kaixuan said.
“No, no,” Lin Qiao, who usually kept her head down, finally looked up. “You’ve all gone to so much trouble. Especially thank you, Reporter Xu. I’ve been to their company many times before, trying to reason with them. The company said the salesperson in charge had left, and that this had nothing to do with the company, but the contract was signed with the company. When I went back, they accused me of extortion.” Lin Qiao’s eyes welled up with tears. “But I really, really didn’t do it for the money.”
Xiao Ju patted her on the shoulder to comfort her.
Fang Kaixuan unconsciously folded the tissue back and forth, and said in a low voice, "It's really disgusting."
"What did your boss say?" Xiao Ju asked.
Fang Kaixuan didn't answer. She couldn't bring herself to tell Lin Qiao what her boss had said.
The bosses didn't say anything particularly cold, because they simply didn't care about such a trivial matter.
Each partner donates to different charities every year, sits in the front row at charity galas and actively raises their hands to photograph the handicrafts of orphaned and disabled children, and sends their own children to teach in the Liangshan Mountains for two weeks so they can be included in their college applications. But their compassion goes no further than that; they don't really care about anyone else.
The three of them sat by the window when suddenly it started to rain, the rain pounding against the glass with a dense, rhythmic sound. Beijing should be dry and rainless this time of year, but the gentle patter of the rain seemed to possess a spirit, filling the unspoken silence between them.
They remained silent for a long time.
Until Xiao Ju whispered, "With Lao He's attitude, I don't want to work here anymore. It's fucking boring."
Fang Kaixuan and Xiaoju often complain about work together, but they usually only complain about petty people and gossip—these are the kinds of minor annoyances. Back at work, Xiaoju is always the most hardworking person in the team, and Fang Kaixuan is always serious and cautious.
This was the first time the two of them had the same question simultaneously:
"What the hell am I doing?"
After saying goodbye to Xiao Ju and Lin Qiao, Fang Kaixuan didn't immediately call a taxi home. She walked in the rain, the sound of the rain like white noise, gradually relaxing her chaotic nerves. Getting soaked in the rain felt almost like a form of self-torture.
She wanted to put Lin Qiao aside for now and think about where she should go.
Xiao Ju was right, and Qin Zhisheng was right too; the opportunity the boss offered her was indeed excellent. Two or three years ago, she would have packed her bags without hesitation and headed to a new world.
But now she can't pretend she doesn't know that the reason her boss was so generous and merciful to her might be because he was so indifferent to the cries and fates of others.
Like that debate question: if an art museum is on fire, should you save the burning Mona Lisa or a kitten? There are certainly a thousand reasons to save a masterpiece, but people who would let a kitten burn to death right next to them are truly terrifying.
It must have been like this before, but she hadn't paid attention. But now, having seen Lin Qiao's eyes, as sorrowful as the deep sea, she couldn't pretend she didn't know.
Before Fang Kaixuan could make a decision, Boss Shen asked her to come in for a talk.
///
Where is the male lead?
Haha, it's been quite a while since I've been here. Maybe I should just call it a "guest appearance" instead.
This chapter was incredibly frustrating to read. My former boss's words kept echoing in my mind: "You can't be too fastidious about cleanliness when doing business." What's considered normal conscience by some is considered fastidiousness by others.
Speaking of work-related frustrations, I'm not sleepy anymore; being in it is truly infuriating.
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