69. The wind changes direction
Chi Jin sat at her workstation, feeling the air around her prickly like needles. Chen Yisheng's cold rebukes were still fresh in her mind, each word a lashing blow to her pride. She fought back the sting in her eyes, staring intently at the densely packed text on the screen, unable to comprehend a single word.
Although her colleagues remained silent, she could sense the flickering glances and the silent exchanges. Sympathy? Observation? Gloating? Perhaps a combination of all. She didn't even dare to imagine how the rest of the editorial department's work group would exaggerate and spread the story.
Duan Xingche quietly sent her a message: "Master, are you okay? [Hug]"
Chi Jin glanced at her, her nose getting even more sour, and she didn't reply. She didn't need sympathy, especially at this moment. Sympathy would only make her look even more pitiful.
The office door opened, and Jiang Xuhuan walked out. Her expression was also somewhat solemn, with a hint of just the right amount of helplessness. She walked over to Chi Jin's workstation, sighed softly, and lowered her voice, "Chi Jin, don't take it personally. Mr. Chen might be in a bad mood today, and this just happened to rub shoulders with him. The mistake wasn't a big one, and he wouldn't normally get so angry..."
These words sounded like comfort, but they were like a soft knife, cleverly confirming that Chen Yisheng was "targeting" her because he was "in a bad mood", which made people think more.
Chi Jin forced out a smile that was uglier than crying: "Thank you, Sister Huanhuan, it's my fault for not doing my job well."
"Stop talking like that! Everyone makes mistakes sometimes." Jiang Xuhuan patted her shoulder gently. "Just update the information quickly, write the report and send it over, and everything will be fine. Just let me know if you need any help."
"Yeah, I know." Chi Jin lowered his head and avoided her gaze.
Jiang Xuhuan offered a few more words of comfort before turning and walking back to her own private cubicle. The moment she turned, the gentleness on her face quickly faded, and her brow furrowed slightly. Chen Yisheng's reaction today had been harsher than she had expected, even a little inhumane. While she was happy to see this—enough to embarrass Chi Jin and force him to distance himself from the matter—it also left her with a faint sense of unease. This was unlike Chen Yisheng's usual calm and restrained demeanor.
Did he really notice something, or was he simply upset?
She sat back in her seat and opened WeChat. A message from a familiar editor of "Autumn Letters" immediately popped up: "Sister Huan! What happened just now? Mr. Chen got so angry? We all heard it outside! Has Chi Jin completely fallen out of favor?" followed by an expression of eating melons.
Jiang Xuhuan's lips curled up, but he replied very appropriately: "Don't make wild guesses, it's just a small oversight at work. Mr. Chen is very strict. [bitter smile]"
The other party immediately responded, "Come on, you're clearly furious! It seems those rumors were completely groundless. If they were really that kind of relationship, why would they be so rude and insulting? We were just trying to guess if it was someone from 'The Face,' but now it seems Chi Jin definitely isn't it."
"Shh, keep your voice down. Don't spread this information. It will have a bad influence on Chi Jin." Jiang Xuhuan pretended to dissuade him.
"I know, I know. But now it's good. I guess things will calm down inside you, Faces."
Putting down her phone, Jiang Xuhuan's eyes flickered with satisfaction. The rumors were developing in the direction she had hoped. Chi Jin's harsh public criticism was undoubtedly the most powerful "proof of innocence." If they could just add fuel to the fire and prove that Chen Yisheng was being so harsh on "Face" and Chi Jin because of dissatisfaction with his work, and not for any other reason, then when he actually left due to the "scandal," everyone would focus on criticizing his "character" and "dereliction of duty." Who would bother to delve into the source of the rumors? And as one of the "victims," Chi Jin's future would not only be damaged, but it would also be difficult for him to stay at Zhongxin.
Killing two birds with one stone. She almost applauded herself for her perfect plan.
However, the lingering uneasiness in her heart remained. Could Chen Yisheng really be led around by the nose so easily?
…
On the other side, in Chen Yisheng's office.
Mr. He sat on the sofa, his brows furrowed. "Are you sure? Is it Jiang Xuhuan and Editor-in-Chief Lin?"
Chen Yisheng turned the computer screen towards him, revealing the key part of the investigation summary: "It's almost accurate. The timing, the motive, and the information she had access to all match."
Mr. He sighed and rubbed his brow. "I didn't expect it to be her... She usually seems quite steady. What are your plans? Since you've decided to leave, will you send out the resignation notice next Monday?"
"Wait a moment, I still have some projects to deal with." Chen Yisheng said, "I will take care of them before I officially leave."
"I hope we won't become enemies after you leave Zhong Xin."
"Although it's also a media company, it's in a completely different field. Don't worry."
After seeing Mr. He off, Chen Yisheng sat back in his chair and rubbed his brow. A tough battle had just begun. He had to use these final few days to stabilize the situation, eliminate potential problems, and clear as many future obstacles as possible for Chi Jin.
He picked up his phone and clicked on the familiar chat box. The chat history still lingered on his "Okay. Have a good rest" from last night and the "Good morning" emoji she sent early this morning.
His fingertips hovered in the air for a moment, and finally locked onto the screen.
Now was not the time to contact her. Any extra attention could put her in the crosshairs again.
In Zhongxin, he must remain cold and hard until everything is settled.
At that moment, within the editorial offices of Faces and even the other three magazines, various versions of the story were circulating: "Editor-in-Chief Chen was furious, and Chi Jin had walked into the crossfire and was harshly criticized." Just as Chen Yisheng had predicted, the initial speculation about Chi Jin's "special relationship" had indeed faded considerably. After all, in the eyes of the public, no man would be so ruthless as to publicly rebuke someone he "protected."
Chi Jin sat in the eye of the storm, bearing all kinds of gazes and speculations, feeling depressed and confused. She didn't understand why Chen Yisheng had suddenly changed so much. The warmth of last night still lingered, but today's coldness was so real.
She could only devote all her energy to revising reports and updating materials, paralyzing herself with busyness.
It was not until she got off work that she sent a detailed and perfect report to Chen Yisheng's email.
The moment the email was sent successfully, she felt exhausted.
The phone was quiet for a day, no message from him.
That cold feeling of distance enveloped her once again. She even began to wonder if the hug and kiss by Mirror Lake last night were just an illusion caused by excessive stress.
If it's just acting, is it necessary to kick yourself out?
The rumors did not subside, but instead added new spice because of Chen Yisheng's "thunderous rage".
It's just that the wind direction has quietly changed.
In the small group of the "Childhood" editorial department, the discussion is heated:
"It seems Chi Jin is really not like that. Mr. Chen is really cruel when he scolds me. He doesn't give me any face at all."
"I told you, there's no way someone like King Chen would look down on a mere editor."
"Who could it be then? Now that we've narrowed it down, if it's not Chi Jin from 'The Face', then who could it be?"
"Could it be that person from 'Autumn Letters'? I heard she went to Mr. Chen's office quite often to report."
"Or maybe that new intern at Sunday? She's pretty..."
"Shh! Stop guessing, or you'll get into trouble!"
The targets of speculation began to disperse, and the pressure on Chi Jin was invisibly relieved a lot. Jiang Xuhuan seemed to be more "concerned" about her, and from time to time he came to ask about the progress of the report revision. His tone was gentle, but it always made Chi Jin feel an indescribable discomfort.
"Chi Jin, don't be too stressed. Editor-in-Chief Chen is famous for his strict requirements. What's done is done." Jiang Xuhuan handed her a cup of hot water and said, "Go home and have a good rest."
"Thank you, Sister Jiang." Chi Jin took the water and thanked her in a low voice.
She packed her things and prepared to go home. After a moment's thought, she sent a message to Chen Yisheng: "See you at the usual place."
It's a garage.
…
Chen Yisheng turned his head and looked at Chi Jin, who was still angry in the passenger seat. The corners of his lips curved slightly and he chuckled, "So, my acting is pretty good, right? Following the actress Chi, I finally learned something real."
Chi Jin turned and glared at him, his eyes slightly red, and said in a hard tone: "Don't be so playful! Chen Yisheng, give me an explanation. Stop making jokes!"
"The explanation is, look, the effect is immediate, isn't it?" Chen Yisheng's smile faded a little, his gaze turning to the road ahead. His tone was calm but carried an undeniable effect. "Now, at least most eyes will no longer be focused on you. Your work ability and achievements shouldn't be tarnished by those dirty tricks."
"But the dirty water was thrown on other innocent people."
"Innocent?" Chen Yisheng repeated the word softly, a cold arc at the corner of his lips. "Chi Jin, you have to understand that when some people deliberately spread rumors about you and try to destroy you with the most vicious speculation, they don't feel that they are not innocent at all, and they will not show any mercy. The workplace is not a charity show. Excessive chastity will only make you fall harder next time."
He paused, his voice slowing down. "We were already careful enough before, but the rumors still started. Do you know why?"
Chi Jin stared blankly at his stern profile, a vague but disturbing guess emerging in his mind.
Chen Yisheng didn't look at her, his gaze still fixed on the front, as if stating a fact that had nothing to do with him. However, his voice was cold and sharp. "It's Jiang Xuhuan. She's the good editor and sister you always thought was taking good care of you."
He decided not to hide it from her anymore. There was some darkness that she had to see clearly.
"She has a close personal relationship with Editor-in-Chief Lin. Leveraging this connection, she likely has spies in the editorial department, monitoring everyone's every move, including mine. She accidentally discovered a few years ago that my so-called 'wedding ring' had nothing to do with marriage. In the past year, she's probably keenly aware of the difference in my attitude towards you."
He finally turned his head and looked at Chi Jin deeply, his tenderness undisguised.
"Once the seeds of suspicion were planted, coupled with your recent surge in popularity, which threatened her position, jealousy and a sense of crisis led her to take this risky move. She used the information she knew, distorting and spreading it, hoping to drag us both into this mess."
The car fell into a dead silence, with only the faint sound of the air conditioner. Chi Jin was completely stunned, his pupils slightly dilated with shock. Jiang Xuhuan's usual gentle smile, his caring greetings, and the "helpless" look in his eyes during that report flashed through his mind...
It turns out that the deepest knife really does often come from the most unexpected direction.
The coldness spread up from the soles of the feet little by little.
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