Chapter 328 Cold War
"Rules?" Ji Wan sneered, "What rules? Rules about stealing credit?"
Chi Lin frowned, "Ji Wan, you have to understand that the company has its own way of operating. As the department manager, Liu Zixin does have the authority to be responsible for communicating with important customers."
Ji Wan felt a wave of disappointment and anger. "So you're not going to support me? Even though you know I fought for this project and put in the effort?"
Chi Lin sighed, "I didn't say I don't support you, but I can't openly violate company regulations. This will make other employees think that I am biased towards you."
"Favoritism?" Ji Wan's voice suddenly rose. "Is giving due recognition and rewards considered favoritism? Chi Lin, you know it's unfair."
"There's no such thing as absolute fairness in the business world," Chi Lin's tone hardened. "Everyone has to play by the rules. Since you've chosen to work for the company, you must abide by its rules."
"What if the rules themselves are wrong?" Ji Wan asked back.
Chi Lin was silent for a moment, as if thinking about how to respond.
Finally, his tone softened. "I understand how you feel. I'll talk to Liu Zixin and make sure your work is recognized. But he should still be responsible for the main coordination of the project. This is the most appropriate arrangement."
Ji Wan looked at Chi Lin, and his disappointment deepened.
She thought that, at least at work, Chi Lin would treat her fairly and support her.
But now it seems that even in this regard, he has chosen to compromise and compromise.
"You know," Ji Wan said softly, "I thought you would at least support me at work, even though you've betrayed me in marriage."
Chi Lin's expression changed. "I didn't betray you. Ning Weiwei and I are just friends."
"Really? Then why do you drop everything and go find her every time she calls?" Ji Wan's voice was bitter. "Why did you choose to take my car keys and give up taking care of my sick grandmother that night just to save her?"
How ironic.
"It was an emergency," Chi Lin argued. "Ning Weiwei's ex-husband assaulted her. If I hadn't gone, her life might have been in danger."
Ji Wan sneered, "It's always like this, there's always a reason, but you never thought about how your choice made me feel?"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Chi Lin took a deep breath and tried to control his emotions. "Ji Wan, can we stop arguing? I'm really tired."
Ji Wan looked at Chi Lin's tired eyes, and the anger in his heart gradually subsided.
She picked up her chopsticks and continued eating, "Okay, no more quarreling."
Silence fell again.
Chi Lin stood up, took out a bottle of red wine from the wine cabinet, opened it and poured two glasses.
"Have a drink, maybe it will help you relax." He pushed one of the glasses in front of Ji Wan.
Ji Wan looked at the wine glass and did not refuse.
She picked up the glass and took a sip. The sour taste of the red wine spread in her mouth, coinciding with her complicated mood.
Chi Lin also took a sip of wine, then said, "Regarding Liu Zixin's matter, I promise to take care of it. I will make sure your efforts are recognized, and I will also let him know that he can't take credit for others' work."
Ji Wan raised his head and met Chi Lin's eyes. "Really?"
"Really." Chi Lin nodded seriously, "I may not directly interfere with his management authority, but I will find other ways to solve this problem."
Ji Wan nodded, and the dissatisfaction in her heart eased a little.
At least, Chi Lin was willing to give her some support in her work.
The two of them finished their dinner quietly, occasionally chatting with each other. Although the atmosphere was not warm, it was no longer tense.
The wine glass gradually emptied, Ji Wan felt a little drunken, and his cheeks flushed slightly.
"I'll go clean up the dishes." Chi Lin stood up.
Ji Wan shook his head, "No, I'll do it."
"Let's go together." Chi Lin compromised.
The two of them cleared the table together, their movements in perfect coordination while maintaining a subtle distance.
Ji Wan washed the dishes and Chi Lin wiped the table, and no one said anything.
After finishing packing, Ji Wan looked at his watch and said, "It's getting late. I'm going back to my room to rest."
Chi Lin nodded, "Okay, go to bed early."
Ji Wan turned and walked up the stairs. Suddenly, he remembered something and turned back to ask, "Are you going back to No. 1 Mansion tonight?"
No. 1 Mansion is their wedding house. Since their grandmother was discharged from the hospital, they have been living in this villa most of the time to take care of her and rarely go back.
Chi Lin shook his head. "No, I still have work to do, so I might have to stay up late. I'll just spend the night on the sofa in the study."
Ji Wan nodded, "Good night then."
"Good night." Chi Lin watched Ji Wan go upstairs until her figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Back in the room, Ji Wan sat on the edge of the bed, his mind full of thoughts.
The relationship between her and Chi Lin seemed to be stuck in a strange state.
They are not enemies, but they are not close either; they have common interests, but they each have their own ulterior motives.
This kind of cold war state of being close yet distant is more exhausting than an open quarrel.
She took out her cell phone, hesitated for a moment, and finally put it aside.
Ji Wan originally wanted to send a message to Chi Wenyan to ask for more details about the Qihai project, but now did not seem to be the right time.
Outside the window, the moonlight is like water, sprinkling on the flowers and trees in the courtyard, making it seem particularly quiet.
This home, once the safe haven she had always dreamed of, has now become a cage that suffocates her.
At the same time, Chi Lin was sitting in front of the computer in the study with a frown on his face.
An email from Fu Qichuan was displayed on the screen. The content was short but meaningful.
"We have reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with Ji Wan on this project. Please note that this is the final deadline."
Chi Lin closed the email and breathed a sigh of relief.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number. When the call was connected, he asked in a low voice.
"Ning Weiwei, any news?"
Ning Weiwei's voice came from the other end of the phone, "There is no definite news yet, but I heard that Chi Wenyan met with Ji Wan again today."
A hint of coldness flashed in Chi Lin's eyes. "Keep paying attention. Notify me immediately if there is any news."
After hanging up the phone, Chi Lin walked to the window, looked at the dark night sky, and fell into deep thought.
The relationship between Ji Wan, Chi Wenyan and the Qihai project is much more complicated than he imagined.
He had to remain vigilant and not let anyone ruin his plans.
It was late at night and the lights in the villa went out one by one.
Ji Wan and Chi Lin were tossing and turning in different rooms, unable to sleep.
The cold war between the two people dragged on indefinitely.
A week later.
Ji Wan sat in the office, concentrating on reviewing the latest plan for the Qihai project.
This week, she worked late into the night every day to ensure that every detail of the plan was carefully polished.
Although Chi Lin promised to deal with Liu Zixin's affairs, he has not taken any actual action so far. Liu Zixin still does his own thing and tries to interfere in every aspect of the project.
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