Chapter 40 Bullying
Jiang Yining sank into the large, soft sofa in the lounge. The cool leather felt through her thin yellow dress and onto her skin, slightly dispelling the afternoon's heat.
Outside the window, the bustling street scene was filled with traffic, the sunlight blocked out by the air conditioning. The phone screen was lit up, playing a funny video of a pet blogger's corgi rolling down the stairs and then getting up in a daze, accompanied by exaggerated sound effects.
She couldn't help but chuckle, her lips curving upwards as she let out a few clear, low laughs. Just then, the heavy, soundproof doorknob of the lounge suddenly clicked open from the outside.
Jiang Yining assumed Xie Shiyan had returned after finishing his business, so she subconsciously turned off her phone screen, a smile still lingering on her face, and looked up. But her smile froze slightly the moment she saw the figure in the doorway.
Standing at the door was a young woman in the company's uniform skirt suit, with a small metal name tag pinned to her chest: Receptionist Gao Xinxin. She wore a standard but slightly stiff professional smile.
His gaze swept quickly over Jiang Yining's obviously expensive bright yellow dress, then swept over her meticulously made-up and radiant face, a fleeting, almost imperceptible scrutiny and wariness passing through the depths of his eyes.
"Hello," Gao Xinxin walked in a few steps, stopped, and spoke in a polite but businesslike tone, "How can I help you?"
She paused, her gaze clearly probing, "This is an area that the president provides for important clients to rest temporarily."
Gao Xinxin had just finished lunch and returned from the staff restaurant. As she passed the side wing of the lobby on the first floor, she caught a glimpse of a stunningly beautiful stranger sitting in the lounge, dressed in a gorgeous gown that looked like she was going to a banquet.
Everyone in the company knew that President Xie was aloof from women and even disliked those who actively sought favors. Gao Xinxin's mind immediately went on high alert. This woman was definitely after President Xie.
She was either a gold digger trying to climb the social ladder, or a honey trap sent by a competitor. Her professional ethics allowed her to maintain a semblance of politeness, but the contempt and rejection in her heart had grown wildly like vines.
Jiang Yining paused for a moment, then understood the other person's subtext. She composed herself, abandoning the relaxed demeanor she had displayed while watching the video, and sat up straight, explaining calmly, "Hello. I was arranged by President Xie to wait for him here. If you have any questions, you can call President Xie directly to confirm." She stated Xie Shiyan's name, meeting the other person's scrutinizing gaze with composure.
Gao Xinxin's professional smile froze for a moment. Call President Xie to confirm? What a joke! President Xie was someone who was extremely busy and exuded an aura of coldness that kept strangers at bay. Could a mere receptionist like her really call and bother him?
What if this woman was talking nonsense? Wouldn't she be courting death? Gao Xinxin sneered inwardly, but dared not show it on her face. She simply replied, "Okay, ma'am, please wait a moment." She quickly left the lounge, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Jiang Yining frowned slightly as she watched the door close again, a sense of foreboding creeping into her heart. The receptionist's attitude clearly showed distrust, and she seemed determined to cause trouble.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the half-closed door was pushed open more forcefully. Gao Xinxin returned, followed by a woman in her thirties wearing a dark gray suit skirt and with her hair neatly styled in a bun.
Her expression lacked Gao Xinxin's superficial politeness; her brows and eyes betrayed a condescending impatience and scrutiny. Her name tag read: Front Desk Supervisor Wang Li.
Wang Li walked in, her mid-heeled shoes clicking loudly. The sound of her high heels hitting the floor was particularly jarring in the overly quiet lounge.
She first scanned the rest room with sharp eyes, like a radar, making it seem as if she was checking for any damaged items, before finally focusing on Jiang Yining.
That gaze, filled with undisguised criticism and scrutiny, swept from her exquisite hairstyle and makeup all the way to her dazzling gown, finally settling on her face.
“Madam,” Wang Li began, her voice flat and coldly businesslike, “I am the floor manager. Please show me your appointment registration information, or explain which client you are visiting. This is a client lounge specially approved by the president; unauthorized personnel are not allowed to linger here.” Her words struck like cold stones.
Jiang Yining's discomfort intensified. She took a deep breath, suppressing her offended displeasure, and stated clearly again:
“I’ll say it again, it was Mr. Xie himself who arranged for me to wait for him here. I didn’t make an appointment, nor did I need to, because he brought me here personally.” Her voice remained steady, but carried an undeniable force.
"Bring you here personally?" Wang Li seemed to have heard an extremely absurd joke, a very sarcastic smile curving her lips, and she let out a short, contemptuous "Heh" from her nose.
She crossed her arms, a posture that combined defensiveness and aggression, making her aura even more forceful and unfriendly. "Madam, our CEO Xie is extremely busy. He doesn't personally arrange receptions for just anyone. He certainly wouldn't just throw any unknown person into this lounge."
Her voice suddenly rose a few decibels, carrying a sharp questioning tone, "No appointment, no formal registration, please leave immediately and do not disrupt our normal work order."
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