Chapter 35
The outcome of the firm's decision to take sides seems to be quite clear now. Li Chong said smugly to his assistant, "I advise you to disband that group you're talking about. Most people are on our side now, so don't do anything useless."
Inside Shi Xing's office, Yu Shun felt even more confident of victory and said to Shi Xing, "The situation is quite clear. I have more people under me now than you do. I can keep you here to continue doing design work. You've been here for so many years and you're used to it. After all, we've known each other for a long time. As long as you're willing, I'll still give you the best treatment."
Shi Xing smiled calmly: "No need."
Yu Shun was completely oblivious to Shi Xing's calm demeanor. Lost in his own thoughts, he spoke of regret, but the smile on his face revealed his satisfaction with Shi Xing's "sensible" behavior. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. We've worked together for so many years, and I never expected you to leave now. Oh, what a pity."
Shi Xing nodded: "Yes, you're just leaving like this. You should hurry up and find a suitable place. The firm is going to transform and doesn't need as many designers anymore. You and your designer may need to hurry up."
Yu Shun's smile froze: "What? Me? I'm leaving? I have so many people here, if anyone's leaving, it's you!" These past few days, to bolster his reputation, Yu Shun had privately contacted each designer individually, making promises to lure them all over, but it had cost him dearly. He thought he had it in the bag, but Shi Xing wouldn't admit defeat.
Seeing that Yu Shun was still in a daze, Shi Xing took out a contract that had been signed long ago: "Take a look at this project first."
Yu Shun glanced at the contract and saw that it was signed and stamped in the name of the firm, and that Shi Xing was designated as the designer. Then he looked at the penalty for breach of contract, which was several tens, hundreds, thousands...
Yu Shun looked at Shi Xing, his fingers trembling uncontrollably. No wonder he had been busy winning people over all this time, but Shi Xing hadn't made any moves. He had thought the other party had run out of tricks, but it turned out that he had prepared a big move for him all along.
The conflict between the two has now become public, and one of them has to leave. However, according to the contract, if the project is not completed, the firm will have to pay compensation.
Undeterred, Yu Shun examined the document again carefully. While other details could be forged, the client's official seal was undeniably genuine. Moreover, considering the scale of the project, the penalty for breach of contract, though high, was still within a reasonable range.
Yu Shun realized that his idea of monopolizing the firm was impossible. According to the contract, only Shi Xing could continue designing. But now that things had come to this, how could the two of them continue to work together?
Yu Shun's lips twitched a few times: "Fine, you're amazing, I'm leaving."
After saying that, he turned and left. Shi Xing looked at the door shaking under the other person's weight and sighed.
This conflict ultimately ended with Yu Shun's withdrawal.
Everyone who left with Yu Shun was promised better treatment. Of course, someone like Wang Mian wouldn't have that opportunity, but he didn't need it anyway.
After watching everyone else move out that morning, Wang Mian and Liu Si couldn't contain their excitement and ran to Shi Xing's office together: "Hahaha, this is truly gratifying! Before, Li Chong was so arrogant, acting like they were sure to win. In the end, they still slunk away with their things."
Seeing their happy expressions, Shi Xing couldn't help but laugh along. Wang Mian exclaimed excitedly, "I thought we were going to lose, but we made a comeback in the end. How did they do it? We didn't have many people on our side, yet they still managed to leave."
Shi Xing could have predicted that most people would follow suit. It wasn't a secret that Shi Xing wanted his firm to transform and start taking on commercial projects. Although he didn't say it, as designers, they could guess just by looking at the number of projects he handled later.
Most people were very worried about Shi Xing's ideas. Even if the commercial projects were larger and the prospects were good if done well, it would all be empty talk if he couldn't get projects. Shi Xing understood that in the early stages of his transformation, he couldn't guarantee that he could provide good returns for others. Even if he promised a better future, the initial waiting period was unpredictable. No one could wait too long, and the business model that Yu Shun had established was mature and could withstand market testing, so it was only natural that most designers would leave.
However, the matter is in the past, and there's no need to bring it up again.
Shi Xing said mischievously, "The rest of the people don't talk much except for you. Besides, I never agreed that the side with more people could stay. It's not like we're going to have a brawl."
Wang Mian spent the whole morning observing who had left and who had stayed. He and Liu Si had initially thought everyone had sided with Yu Shun, but in the end, some people remained. However, apart from Wang Mian and Liu Si, the others who stayed were usually quiet designers who didn't interact much with others, so Wang Mian didn't remember them well and almost thought that it was really just him and Liu Si on his side.
Wang Mian kept praising him in his ear, and Shi Xing could only say helplessly, "What's there to talk about winning or losing? Is the project I gave you done yet? I remember construction is supposed to start next week, right?"
He turned to Liu Si and said, "This transition period will be a bit chaotic. If any clients ask, you'll need to explain things carefully. Thank you for your hard work."
The two immediately put on serious faces: "Yes, boss, we'll follow up right away." They exchanged a smile and walked out happily together.
Shi Xing looked at the two figures standing side by side, then shook his head with a smile.
"Is that all?" Shi Xing didn't say, but Yoda had already heard everything from Liu Si's live stream.
Upon hearing Yoda's tone, Shi Xing knew what she was talking about. He didn't want to talk about it and cause Yoda any trouble until the matter was resolved, but now that it was resolved, he wanted to tell her so that Yoda could feel at ease.
After hearing what had happened, Yoda was a little curious: "So, you solved it so easily? Why did you drag it out for so long? You could have just told them from the beginning."
Shi Xing frankly admitted: "Actually, I originally wanted to transform the firm, you know. I started by doing home decoration because there were many projects on the market at that time, the construction period was short, and the payment was quick. So at that time, I came into contact with a lot of home decoration projects and accumulated a lot of experience."
As he spoke, Shi Xing looked at Yoda with relief in his eyes: "As you recover, I'm thinking of slowly trying to transition into the workwear business. Actually, Yu Shun is right. If I change direction on my own, the costs will increase for the firm, since there are some things I can't take care of at the firm."
Yoda frowned: "That's not how you put it. Everyone knows how much you've contributed to the firm. Even if you really have to separate, the two of you should sit down and discuss it properly. For him to use this kind of media tactic to force you is not the normal attitude for a collaboration."
Yoda, standing in Shi Xing's shoes, knew how much Shi Xing had sacrificed, which was why he felt wronged. But Shi Xing thought back to when he and Yu Shun first started out; their relationship had been quite harmonious. Their relationship hadn't always been like this.
"When we first started, we were both very young and inexperienced, and we learned a lot of lessons. Fortunately, we were both determined to make something of ourselves, so we supported each other and kept taking orders, no matter how big or small. We accumulated experience and clients little by little, working tirelessly day after day, and new colleagues gradually joined us."
Shi Xing looked into the void: "I can still remember what everyone looked like when they first came in. We worked on projects together and slowly grew the firm together." But later, as time moved forward, people changed.
Yoda could see that Shixing still cherished those memories of the past, and this reassurance brought her peace of mind. She knew that during her slumber, Shixing hadn't been completely consumed by pain. He also had his own memories of that time, and it wasn't just painful waiting.
Yoda was initially unhappy that the other party broke up in this way, but because they were worthy of being remembered in Shixing's memory, Yoda was willing to listen to Shixing's story with a grateful heart.
Compared to his nonchalant demeanor towards others, Shi Xing was able to frankly express his thoughts and anxieties about the future to Yoda: "I want to try designing workwear, but I'm not confident I can do it well. Although I've done some small projects recently, they haven't met my expectations. So I'm not sure if this path will work. Everyone comes to work to earn money and support their families; I can't make everyone bear the burden just because of my own idea. So I know Yu Shun wants to leave, and I thought this would be a good opportunity. If he wants to take the designers with him, he'll definitely improve their compensation. It's a good place for those who leave."
Yoda watched Shi Xing remain calm throughout, knowing that although he didn't say anything, he had been busy with his work, laying the groundwork for his dream, and dealing with the potential turmoil caused by his partner's departure. While the outcome seemed smooth, the process was certainly not as uneventful as he described.
Yoda couldn't understand why Shi Xing, who was so adept at handling his own affairs, would react so strongly to the smallest things when facing her. Whether it was on the beach or at the construction site, Shi Xing's protectiveness towards her always made Yoda worry.
Shi Xing interrupted Yoda's thoughts: "Alright, that's all in the past, don't dwell on it. Today is your birthday, all you need to do now is think about what flavor of cake you want this year."
Yoda snapped out of her reverie and continued carefully selecting cakes with Shixing at the cake shop. They always spent their birthdays together, and Yoda would always choose a different flavored cake. When it was Shixing's birthday, Yoda would also choose his cake, satisfying Yoda's desire to try different flavors.
The two walked to the counter and carefully selected a cake. "Hello, just give me regular candles," Shi Xing said, noticing the clerk preparing to put the number and letter candles into her pocket.
In the past, Yoda never wanted numbered candles; he insisted on inserting each one himself to create a sense of ritual.
Back home, Yoda watched as Shixing solemnly placed the candles one by one. He counted 14, 18, and when he got to the 21st candle, his hand trembled slightly, but he pretended nothing was wrong and continued placing the rest. Even though this scene was something he experienced every year before, Yoda felt a pang of sadness in his heart at that moment.
Looking at the cake piled high, Shi Xing looked at Yoda, waiting for her to make a wish.
Yoda held back her tears. This time, unlike before, she didn't make a wish secretly for fear that it wouldn't come true if she spoke it aloud, and she didn't tell Shi Xing even when he asked.
Having made up his mind, he closed his eyes and blurted out, "I hope that in the future, Shi Xing will be Shi Xing, and Yoda will be Yoda."
Shi Xing didn't understand Yoda's meaning, but Yoda just looked down at the cake. In the candlelight, the two figures swayed behind him, sometimes overlapping, sometimes separating.
"Ah Xing, our lives are equally important. Don't sacrifice yourself for me anymore."
Yoda didn't look at the people around him, yet he was able to keenly perceive their every reaction.
Since she woke up, everyone around her has assumed that the two should get together as soon as possible, because they have seen Shi Xing's efforts and hope that the story will reach its proper ending quickly.
After all, Yoda and Shi Xing were together before Yoda fell into a coma, so it was natural for them to continue being together after he woke up. However, Yoda was worried that taking care of him had become a habit. Especially after witnessing his injury, Shi Xing took his accident as Shi Xing's fault.
Yoda was afraid because she had taken on too much responsibility at such a young age, which made Shi Xing unable to distinguish whether his feelings for her were love or just habit. She couldn't talk about this with her close friends and family because it wasn't that Yoda didn't want to be with Shi Xing, but rather that she cared too much about him, which caused her all sorts of worries.
Yoda mustered her courage: "Let's separate for now. I hope you can recognize your own heart, not focus too much on me, not protect me in a way that disregards your own safety, and not get stuck in the memories of the past."
The next second, the candle was blown out, and in the quiet night, Shi Xing's voice came: "Okay."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com