Chapter 2
Zhuang Yazhi died, but he was not completely dead.
When she opened her eyes again, she was sitting on an international flight, under a clear blue sky.
The timeline on the tablet on the desktop is rapidly rewinding, ticking away as past moments are quickly replaying themselves.
The last time the clock stopped pointed to: July 23, 2022, the day I returned to China 3 years ago.
The pain of my body and internal organs being violently crushed by the car a second ago still lingered throughout my body, but the next second, the sharp, suffocating pain of taking a deep breath was completely ripped out.
My blurred vision slowly became more concrete in my daze, and the radio echoed in my ears.
"Ding-dong, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Our plane will arrive at Haicheng International Airport in 30 minutes. The ground temperature in Haicheng is 28 degrees Celsius and 82 degrees Fahrenheit... The entire crew thanks you again for choosing Haicheng Airlines. We are honored to have shared a pleasant journey with you."
As the plane landed and taxied, Zhuang Yazhi's anxious heart gradually calmed down, and her panicked expression settled.
During the 30 minutes of hesitation and doubt, she gradually realized a fact that she had to accept, even though everything seemed so incredible.
She was reborn, reborn back to the day she returned to Haicheng from abroad three years ago.
Looking up at the sky, a gentle breeze enters my body through my respiratory tract and travels throughout my entire being. Everything familiar makes my body feel exhilarated; it's like I've come back to life.
"You can't bear to see me die like this, can you?"
The turbid tears blurred the view, and the pounding heart pounded violently in the chest.
Walking out from the exit, the passageways and signs along the way are all familiar to me, including the person etched deep in my mind, the one I miss day and night.
His voice was hoarse, and his lips trembled uncontrollably as he spoke: "Mom."
The woman, dressed in a light blue, elegant long dress, appeared to be in her fifties or older. She was gentle, poised, and graceful, and her warm smile touched many hearts.
"Ya Ya." The familiar and affectionate call snapped Zhuang Ya Zhi out of her daze.
Zhuang Yazhi felt a mix of pain, inner turmoil, and bitterness. Her steps faltered as she rushed to her mother's warm embrace, greedily holding her until her restless heart returned to its familiar rhythm amidst her mother's soft, comforting whispers.
Numerous painful images flashed through her mind. Zhuang Yazhi gripped her mother's hand tightly, unable to allow or prevent her from falling helplessly again.
"I'm sorry," Zhuang Yazhi said, her voice choked with emotion.
Su Sinan smiled gently, her delicate hands patting Zhuang Yazhi's thin shoulders lightly, one after another. She too was in tears, but she tried her best to control her emotions; her palms ached from the pain.
"You must be exhausted from the journey. Did you miss your mom?"
The longing was endless, and the words on her lips eventually turned into unspeakable frustration. Zhuang Ya rubbed against her mother's fragrant neck again and again, looking pitiful and needing her mother's love and tenderness.
I miss you so much, my tears keep flowing.
Not far behind, a refined middle-aged man in a suit was also watching this scene. He smiled with relief, looking forward to his wife and daughter reuniting.
My precious daughter!
The kind male voice in her memory was as gentle and tender as ever, but now it sounded different to Zhuang Yazhi. Her heart skipped a beat, and she froze on the spot, staring at the figure who had stopped in his tracks. Tears welled up in her eyes, but they vanished in an instant, replaced by endless indifference in her gaze.
I couldn't bring myself to call him "Dad."
Zhuang Haiming could also see that Zhuang Yazhi's expression was off, but he didn't take it too seriously, simply assuming that the father and daughter had become estranged after not seeing each other for so long.
"Let's go home first."
He turned and left, gesturing for Su Sinan to take her daughter with him.
The car was very quiet. The driver, Chen Wendong, was driving, while Zhuang Haiming sat in the passenger seat, constantly on the phone dealing with company matters.
After getting on the bus, Zhuang Yazhi pulled her mother, Su Sinan, towards the back seat, her long legs drawn up, seemingly unwilling to touch the front seat too much.
Zhuang Yazhi remained tense and cautious, gritting her teeth and staring intently at the seat in front of her, until her mother pulled her into a warm embrace again.
"Close your eyes and go to sleep. You'll be home after a good night's sleep."
Su Sinan still treated Zhuang Yazhi like a child, patting his head and murmuring to lull him to sleep.
Zhuang Yazhi turned her head to the side. The car made her feel uncomfortable, even suffocated. Only after meeting her mother's gentle yet intense gaze did she dare to relax for a moment, and under her mother's comforting words, she slowly calmed her breathing.
But she couldn't sleep, and her mind remained agitated.
The Zhuang family villa was some distance from the airport. Along the way, Zhuang Yazhi glanced at the passenger seat intentionally or unintentionally, her indifferent gaze revealing a hint of hatred beneath her cold eyes.
Su Sinan was overjoyed to learn that Zhuang Yazhi was coming back and busied herself with preparing a welcome banquet at home. Just as the family was about to take their seats, Zhuang Haiming suddenly got up and hurriedly went to the side to answer a phone call.
Judging from his slightly hurried steps as he walked back, he probably had already prepared his explanation.
"I'm so sorry, Ya Ya, there's an urgent meeting at the company that I need to attend, so Daddy can't have dinner with you."
Zhuang Yazhi didn't care at all, and gave a fake smile as an agreement: "You go ahead and do your work."
Three years ago, Zhuang Yazhi might have been fooled by him, obediently massaging her father's back and sweetly saying, "Dad, you've worked hard. Men who work hard are the most handsome."
Unfortunately, it just so happens that today is that illegitimate child's birthday.
Zhuang Yazhi groaned, thinking to herself that she shouldn't have chosen to come back today; what bad luck.
In contrast, Su Sinan seemed to have long been accustomed to Zhuang Haiming's sudden departure. She only cared about feeding Zhuang Yazhi well and focused all her attention on her daughter.
"You've lost weight,"
"That's all you're eating?"
"Drink two more bowls of soup."
"Even a cat eats more than you."
Zhuang Yazhi remained outwardly calm, a faint smile playing on her lips, her familiar nagging voice quite amusing.
The evening breeze was cool, and after dinner, Zhuang Yazhi sat quietly alone in a corner of the garden.
A bright, clear moon hangs in the sky, and the stars are bright and pure.
Being reborn back to three years ago means that everything she had worked so hard to achieve in Haicheng over the past three years has been wiped out.
Power, fame, status, wealth, and the Zhuang Group.
Especially after returning and seeing Zhuang Haiming again, who had destroyed everything beautiful, all the painful memories of the past attacked her mind like a storm.
Zhuang Yazhi was unwilling to accept this. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh. The arrogant spirit etched in her heart burned fiercely in her eyes, filled with hatred.
Just as he was feeling frustrated and had nowhere to vent his anger, a melodious violin tune drifted from the rockery in the garden.
Zhuang Yazhi took small steps closer; it was her mother.
Fireflies danced among the flowers, and Mother Su Sinan, dressed in a white dress, gracefully played music under the moonlight. Her beautiful voice drifted on the wind, her hair fluttering and echoing in my ears, touching my heartstrings.
The soft music lingered in her mind, instantly dispelling her irritability and leaving Zhuang Yazhi with only a faint sadness. It was such a healing and beautiful song, yet her mother's figure appeared somber and sorrowful.
The moonlight was dim, and as the light flickered, she clearly saw transparent teardrops slide down her mother's cheek, falling silently and disappearing into the darkness.
"Mom," Zhuang Yazhi called softly, hoping for a response.
As the music drew to a close, the taut strings were gently released, and the gentle melody came to an abrupt end.
Su Sinan smiled gently and said, "I'm here."
Time slips by quietly, but thankfully it has always been kind to Mom, and peace and tranquility endure.
Zhuang Yazhi was mesmerized. Her mother, as noble, beautiful, serene and well, was right before her eyes, occupying the most precious place in her heart.
All the regrets and resentment from the journey were forgotten at this moment. Desire swelled the heart, causing one to forget the softest part of their soul.
Thankfully, Mom is still alive.
The next morning, Zhuang Yazhi got up early to have breakfast with Zhuang Haiming, during which other directors happened to come to visit.
"Is this Xiaoya?"
Zhuang Yazhi changed her humble attitude and responded politely: "Yes, it's Xiaoya. If I remember correctly, you should be Uncle Dong. When I went abroad, Uncle Dong gave me an expensive fountain pen, hoping that I would return to China soon after completing my studies. Xiaoya has always remembered that. Now I have obtained two master's degrees in finance and law, so I have not let Uncle Dong down."
"Good, good child," Dong Shuhua praised repeatedly, "Xiaoya will definitely have a bright future."
"The group happens to need talent, and it's time for Xiaoya to come back to the company to help out and share the burden with her father."
Zhuang Yazhi simply smiled and didn't respond with a single word. She turned around almost imperceptibly and met Zhuang Haiming's gaze.
She was planning to return to the company as soon as possible, and Dong Shuhua's suggestion was a great help to her, even though it was obvious to anyone that Dong Shuhua was just being polite and flattering.
Before Zhuang Haiming could speak, his mother, Su Sinan, expressed her thoughts: "I had the same idea, after all, Xiaoya is the successor of the Zhuang Group."
Zhuang Haiming smiled faintly, his gaze towards Zhuang Yazhi showing appreciation mixed with an ambiguous scrutiny, his thoughts unreadable.
"Let's do as Si Nan says," he said gently and agreeably to Su Si Nan, his love almost overflowing from his smiling eyes.
Stepping into the company again brought a different feeling.
Three years ago, Zhuang Yazhi boasted that she would start from the bottom and worked diligently while hiding her identity, which led to her being bullied and tyrannized by that illegitimate son.
If she could do it all over again, she wouldn't be so foolish. This time, she chose to walk proudly behind Zhuang Haiming and her mother into the company, declaring to everyone that she was the eldest daughter of the Zhuang family and the future successor of the Zhuang Group.
Background and status are good things. With the status of a young lady, everyone respects and honors her, and treats her with hypocritical flattery and adoration.
However, the board members in the meeting room suddenly began to worry about the appointment of positions.
At this moment, Zhuang Yazhi was calmly sitting in the chairman's seat in the conference room, waiting for them to discuss the matter. Her eyes were high and her smile was cold and imposing.
I met those bastards again. Don't be fooled by their seemingly kind and easygoing appearances. They used to be very manipulative at the company, but they made a mess of things behind the scenes.
A group of people had a heated discussion, and the final response came from the public relations manager.
"Okay." Zhuang Yazhi readily agreed without much discussion.
The board members, who harbored ulterior motives, breathed a sigh of relief and secretly sent someone to report to Zhuang Haiming afterwards.
Zhuang Haiming was busy with other things at the moment. After listening, he nodded symbolically and added politely, "Xiaoya is still young and doesn't know much about the company and the market. If she does anything inappropriate, please forgive her and give her appropriate guidance, Chairman Cai."
"Understood, understood, okay." Cai Xincheng nodded and bowed, his standard smile revealing eight bright yellow teeth.
The young lady was parachuted into the public relations department, and for a time the department became the center of attention for the entire company.
Everyone's keyboards were clattering away, trying to spread the limited information as quickly as possible.
Zhuang Yazhi didn't have time to deal with them; she had something important to do.
Fifth floor marketing department
A newly hired marketing intern was being berated by her grumpy, bespectacled male supervisor. She remained silent, her face full of confusion.
The bespectacled male manager didn't know how long he cursed, but he didn't stop until his mouth was dry.
"Wait a moment," intern Li Si called out to the male supervisor.
Only during these brief pauses does she have time to look for her hearing aid, which she had forgotten about when she came in the morning, having placed it under her file folder.
"Say it again, I didn't hear you."
The bespectacled male manager spat out the water he had just drunk, exclaiming, "Damn! I'm speechless."
The onlookers burst into laughter, and the usually vain, bespectacled manager instantly flew into a rage: "You're fired! Get out of here right now!"
Without hesitation, Li Si turned around and packed his things: "If I'm dismissed during the probationary period, I need to be paid compensation. Please discuss the specific compensation plan with HR. I still have 3 days of leave left, so please convert them into salary according to the salary ratio and pay them accordingly. Please give me a reply with the specific details of the funds after you have finalized them. Thank you."
Before leaving, Li Si handed over the pile of work one by one, saying, "I have finished my work on time. Don't force me to do the work you haven't finished."
"Oh... This is outrageous!" The bespectacled male manager's blood pressure soared, and the returned unfinished documents piled up like a small mountain on his desk.
"Don't even think about getting a single penny. From today onwards, don't even think about finding work in this industry. I'm informing the entire industry to blacklist you."
Li Si slowed his pace, paused and hesitated for a moment. The resentment that had been building up for nearly a month reached a breaking point at this moment. His resentment rose and he frowned: "Your company is truly disgusting. I wish the Zhuang Group an early demise."
"This is a personal matter; please do not associate it with the Zhuang family."
Just when the situation was at a stalemate, Zhuang Yazhi appeared in time.
Zhuang Yazhi promised Li Si, "I will give you the full amount of compensation, not a penny less."
Although he didn't know who the girl in front of him was, her unwavering promise reassured Li Si. "Thank you."
The bespectacled man retorted, "Who do you think you are? Do you even have the right to speak?"
Zhuang Yazhi clicked her tongue impatiently, turned around and glared at him, her words ringing out: "Who are you? Do you have the right to speak?"
He was so busy cursing people in the morning that he didn't have time to read the gossip in the company's small group chat that he didn't even know who Zhuang Yazhi was. When he found out later, he was already devastated.
Just as the bespectacled man was about to retort again, the company's HR director arrived first and shut him up: "You're fired."
In full view of everyone, the bespectacled male manager was dragged away and his mouth was gagged.
The formalities were completed, and Li Si received the corresponding compensation. Without lingering, he handed back his employee badge and left the company immediately. At the main entrance, Zhuang Yazhi had already arrived and was waiting.
"Thank you." Li Si expressed her heartfelt gratitude, still unaware of Zhuang Yazhi's identity until this moment.
Zhuang Yazhi handed over the employment contract: "I am sincerely hiring you as my personal assistant. The monthly salary is 20,000. Start work now."
Li Si was bewildered until Zhuang Yazhi revealed his identity.
"Let's go," Zhuang Yazhi said without saying much, gesturing for Li Si to follow her back to the public relations department.
Over the past three years, Li Si has been her most capable assistant. From an unknown junior employee to the group's heir, Li Si is indispensable.
Now we need to rebuild our foundation, and talented people need to return to the team immediately.
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