41. Imperial Shredded Chicken
Yu Chuanbei convened a project review meeting early in the morning. He oversaw the data and financial analysis for several of the company's newly launched expansion projects before they could be implemented. When it was Zheng Hong's turn to report, he was so nervous he was at a loss for words several times. Yu Chuanbei, however, seemed more affable than usual, avoiding a barrage of questions or pointed out any errors or omissions with a stern face. The meeting lasted until a little after 1 p.m. before Yu Chuanbei realized it was time for lunch. "Take an hour's break, then we'll continue," he said, setting down his materials and preparing to stand. Zheng Hong suddenly called him over, politely saying, "Boss, I've had the front desk order takeout in advance. Let's eat together in the conference room before you go to rest. It'll be hard to find food at this hour." Yu Chuanbei nodded and sat down again. Zheng Hong instructed two other young, new team members to pick up the takeout while he cleared the documents on his desk to make room. Yu Chuanbei held up his project document and said expressionlessly, "There were several data citation errors in your report, and I circled them for you. There was even one place where the calculation method was improperly used. Are you planning to start over as an intern? This is the point I just highlighted that needs to be revised. You must correct it today, and all projects must be submitted tomorrow. I didn't expose you in front of everyone just now, not because I wanted to show you mercy, but because I didn't want people to say that someone on our team was taking revenge. I don't care about your private life, but you should keep your head clear during work hours!" "Yes, yes, boss! Thank you for your mercy!" Zheng Hong hurriedly took the document with both hands and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he should have gotten through this hurdle. Unexpectedly, Yu Chuanbei said again, "I did have other better ways to handle the situation last night. I was rash. I apologize. But - I hope you won't give me this opportunity again in the future." Zheng Hong was about to say something surprised and polite, but was interrupted by the two colleagues who had retrieved their takeout. He then said, "Boss, I ordered some dandan noodles for you. Didn't you always say Sichuan was your second home, and that a bowl of dandan noodles could cheer you up when you're feeling down? Come on, eat." He placed the noodles in front of Yu Chuanbei, opened the lid for him, and even helped him break up the disposable chopsticks. Yu Chuanbei was indeed hungry. He took the noodles and took the first bite when he suddenly stopped with a look of pain on his face. The root of his tongue burned again, and he almost forgot that he hadn't dared to eat breakfast because of this "hidden illness." "Boss, what's wrong?" Zheng Hong had been worried about his life all day. Yu Chuanbei...
Yu Chuanbei convened a project review meeting early in the morning. Several new expansion projects launched by the company had to go through his data and financial analysis before they could be put into operation.
When it was Zheng Hong's turn to report, he was so nervous that he was speechless several times. However, Yu Chuanbei seemed "kinder" than usual. He did not ask him a series of critical questions or point out his mistakes with a stern face.
The meeting lasted until after 1 p.m. before Yu Chuanbei realized it was time for lunch.
"Take a one-hour lunch break, and then continue working." He put down the materials in his hand and prepared to get up.
Zheng Hong suddenly called him over, "Boss, I asked the front desk to order takeout in advance. Let's eat together in the conference room before you go to rest. Otherwise, it will be difficult to find food at this time."
Yu Chuanbei nodded and sat down again.
Zheng Hong instructed two other young colleagues who had just joined the team to pick up takeout, and he cleared the documents on the desk to make room.
Yu Chuanbei held up his project file and said expressionlessly, "There were several data citation errors in your report, and I circled them all. There was even one place where the calculation method was improperly used. Are you planning to start over as an intern? I just highlighted the points that need revision. You must fix them today, and all projects must be submitted tomorrow. I didn't expose you in front of everyone just now, not to show you mercy, but because I didn't want people to say that someone on our team was taking revenge. I don't care about your private life, but keep your head clear during work hours!"
"Yes, yes, boss! Thank you very much for your kindness!" Zheng Hong hurriedly took the information with both hands, breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he should have passed this level.
Unexpectedly, Yu Chuanbei spoke again, "I did have other better ways to handle the situation last night, and I was rash. I apologize. But—I hope you won't give me this opportunity again."
Zheng Hong was surprised to open his mouth to offer some pleasantries, but was interrupted by two colleagues who had returned their takeout. He then said, "Boss, I ordered some Dandan noodles for you. You've always said that Sichuan is your second home, and that a bowl of Dandan noodles can cheer you up when you're feeling down. Come on, come on, eat some."
He placed the noodles in front of Yu Chuanbei, helped him open the lid, and even helped him break the disposable chopsticks.
Yu Chuanbei was indeed hungry. He took it and just after taking the first bite, he stopped suddenly with a painful expression.
The root of his tongue began to hurt again, and he almost forgot that he hadn't dared to eat breakfast because of this "hidden disease".
"Boss, what's wrong?" Zheng Hong has been worried about his life all day.
Yu Chuanbei couldn't eat anymore. He stood up and walked out of the meeting room, tiredly replying, "Nothing, just a mouth ulcer."
He returned to his office, sat on the sofa, and rested his feet on the coffee table. He pinched his brows, but couldn't drive away the worry in his heart.
He pulled out his phone, only to discover Luo Hao had sent him a message a little after ten o'clock: "Yu Laosi, what's going on with you? I was on a business trip and missed two events. Without my help, how did you suddenly go back to the pre-liberation era? Or, more strictly speaking, back to the Stone Age?"
He only sent Luo Hao a question mark in reply. Luo Hao, who seemed quite free, replied immediately, "I wanted to gossip about your girlfriend-to-be early this morning and see how far you two have progressed since your intimate activities. But I saw that she wasn't in a good mood, and I was even disappointed."
"How is she?"
"Her eyes were swollen. I asked her if she was crying, and she said she drank too much water."
Yu Chuanbei sighed deeply, retracted his raised legs, sat up straight on the sofa, and called up Ling Ling's WeChat.
He pondered his words, but ultimately decided to send just three words: "I'm sorry."
But the other party replied in a long paragraph: "Lingling has enabled friend verification. You are not his (her) friend yet. Please send a friend verification request first. You can only chat after the other party passes the verification."
For a second, Yu Chuanbei excitedly grasped the phone, thinking that it was really Ling Ling herself who replied; but the next second, he felt like a big fool with monkey hair not shed completely.
He threw his phone heavily onto the coffee table. He closed his eyes and leaned back on the sofa to rest, recalling Luo Hao's words of advice to him in the bar.
For the first time, he felt tired while pursuing Ling Ling.
*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day at work, Ling Ling discovered that Bai Yihuan's attitude towards her had completely changed. She was sullen the entire time, completely ignoring her. She even walked away when she wanted to talk to her about work. Ling Ling couldn't stand it anymore.
"Huanhuan, what are you doing?" Ling Ling chased her to the tea room and asked her, but her tone was still full of humility. She really didn't want to ruin the relationship between people she had to spend every day with.
"Don't you know exactly what I do? But you hide everything from me. I was so stupid as to treat you as my best friend, but you treated me like a monkey." Bai Yihan said to her arrogantly, holding a cup of coffee.
Ling Ling didn't want to waste her life on such ineffective socializing, so she simply got straight to the point: "If it's because of Yu Chuanbei, I don't think you have any reason to treat me this way. I accidentally overheard your phone call in the hallway earlier, and it was just an accident that I wanted to avoid even more than you did. Although he and I knew each other before, I felt that it was my privacy and there was no need to tell you every detail. At the dinner party, you said you liked him, so I kept my distance from him. I don't think I've done anything to let you down."
"You were clearly flirting with him, but you didn't tell me, making me look like a clown and making fun of you. Your vanity must have been greatly satisfied!" Bai Yihan was not to be outdone.
Ling Ling didn't bother to argue with her and ended the fight with one last sentence: "Our friendship is just a workplace one. Maintaining a superficial cordiality is enough. Let's not act like a couple at odds, wasting each other's time and energy arguing over right and wrong. We both know full well that you've been exploiting me; and all my actions have been sufficiently honest and upright. I even think my personal ethics surpass yours. Don't use this shit to annoy me in the future. This item is not on my pay slip. You're getting paid to clear someone else's trouble, so please be more professional during work hours. This invoice is from Sister Mei. I've recorded the form for her and sent it to your email. The financial system can only submit it using your account. I'll paste the invoice and put it on your desk now. This was originally your job, so please don't push it onto me again. I came later than you, but I'm no less intelligent!"
After saying that, Ling Ling turned around and walked out of the tea room in a domineering manner. At the door, she ran into Gu Chuqi, who was stirring his coffee while watching the show.
Gu Chuqi made another cup of coffee and returned to his workstation, praising Ling Ling in his characteristically sarcastic tone: "Oh, not bad! Are you trying to learn from the millennials who cleaned up the workplace and tore apart the green tea bitches?"
Ling Ling swiped her mouse to send an email, glanced at her with a wry smile and said, "I thought you were praising me. Then I'll treat you to lunch at Hema downstairs."
"Okay, what do you want to eat?"
"Emperor's Shredded Chicken."
"Haha, very good!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~
The work of building the Tuowu system platform has entered the final stage. Seeing that Ling Ling is free, Mei Xiao throws her a new case - an advertisement for Qinshuang sanitary napkins.
It's good to be busy like this. When you look down, you're making money, and when you look up, you're thinking about how to make money. You don't have to worry about men or scheming colleagues anymore.
Ling Ling worked overtime alone in the company at night. The quiet office area was more suitable for her to think quietly about her writing inspiration.
But Luo Hao suddenly appeared and disturbed her peace.
Seeing her desk filled with colorful sanitary napkins and tampons, Luo Hao couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, are things so open now? Sanitary products can be placed so freely."
"Yeah, I'm choosing which tampon to make into a necklace pendant." Ling Ling retorted to her disapprovingly.
Seeing that the girl wasn't angry with him, Luo Hao could only say soothingly, "Don't take your anger out on Chuan Bei on me! Honestly, he's been chaste for you ever since he met you. He truly loves you."
Ling Ling rolled her eyes, then looked away from the computer screen and said, "Mr. Luo, Yu Chuanbei is great in every way, and he also happened to remain a virgin for me. Should I be so grateful that I have to marry him? Are all adult men in this world who don't have sex good people? I've never been promiscuous either. Basic ethics and morals for women become a bonus for men!"
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