“President Xu, I’m so glad I chose you.” This heartfelt confession from Qin Qing genuinely pleased Xu Yizhi.
Xu Yizhi laughed heartily, patting Qin Qing’s shoulder and affirming: “In a few years, you’ll surpass me.”
“That might be difficult. Give me twenty years, and I might have half your skill.” Qin Qing smiled helplessly, casually making his boss laugh heartily again.
The tense atmosphere of a nearly fatal incident finally eased.
Xu Yizhi stopped laughing and looked at the security guard waiting nearby: “Did you bring the knife?”
“Yes, President Xu. How should we handle this?” The guard handed over a knife wrapped in a plastic bag.
Pang Yong’an, calming himself with a glass of hot water, suddenly shouted: “Call the police. Let that bastard go to jail.”
Everyone looked at him, some nodding in agreement, others shaking their heads in disgust.
Xu Yizhi ignored Pang Yong’an entirely, only looking at Qin Qing: “What do you think?”
Qin Qing sighed. “Let it go. In the end, he didn’t do anything.”
“Didn’t do anything? He almost killed me. Call the police; I’m serious. It’s easy for you to say since it didn’t happen to you.” Pang Yong’an raged.
“He’s a single father. His daughter has a terminal illness and needs treatment. If he gets arrested, what happens to her? She would just die in the hospital. For that reason, I suggest we don’t call the police.” Qin Qing explained seriously.
He looked up at Xu Yizhi with slightly moist eyes. There was compassion, pleading, and tolerance in his dark pupils. Xu Yizhi looked deep into those dark eyes. There seemed to be a flower bud hidden there, untouched by spring winds and autumn rains, but blooming in all its beauty when he passed by. Xu Yizhi gave a low, short laugh.
“Then we won’t call the police.” He decided.
Pang Yong’an looked furious, standing up to argue. Xu Yizhi suddenly tossed the knife to him. Pang Yong’an caught it reflexively, his scalp tingling at the bloodstains on the blade.
“We handle many similar debt cases every year. Desperate people often have a nothing-to-lose mentality. Don’t challenge that with your arrogance. You can’t afford it. Even I am cautious and restrained at work. There’s humanity beyond the law, and debt issues are tangled with countless human relationships. If you only follow the law and ignore humanity, I believe you can’t handle any project.”
Xu Yizhi said coldly, “Take this knife as a souvenir. Let it be a warning.”
He looked around and said calmly, “Back to work. This matter is over.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, glancing at Pang Yong’an with mocking expressions. He nearly got stabbed to death and still hadn’t learned his lesson.
Pang Yong’an couldn’t argue. He could only say through clenched teeth, “I understand.”
Xu Yizhi turned to walk back to his office. After a few steps, he looked back and said, “By the way, aren’t you going to thank Qin Qing? He did save your life.”
These simple words felt like an insult to Pang Yong’an. He gritted his teeth and forced out, “Qin Qing, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Qin Qing smiled, but there was no warmth in his eyes.
He could tell the difference between sincerity and pretense. Xu Yizhi nodded in satisfaction and walked to his office.
Pang Yong’an suddenly raised his voice: “President Xu, if he got his wages early, he’ll tell his coworkers. Then all of POC’s employees might come here demanding payment. That would be a mess. Rules exist precisely to avoid these problems.”
This was clearly a counterattack against Qin Qing. Xu Yizhi stopped and turned around.
Before he could speak, Qin Qing stood up and said seriously, “President Xu, let me handle this.”
Xu Yizhi smiled teasingly, “What if you can’t handle it?”
“I’ll resign voluntarily. I won’t let anyone cause trouble at the company.” Qin Qing promised solemnly.
Xu Yizhi looked at him for a moment and nodded. “Alright. The rest is up to you.” He continued toward his office.
Qin Qing stepped out from his desk and called out, “President Xu, thank you for trusting me.”
That trust meant everything to him. Xu Yizhi waved without looking back. His deep laughter echoed in Qin Qing’s heart like evening bells. The office door closed, and that tall, elegant figure disappeared. Qin Qing sat back down, gently touching his warm ears with his slender fingers.
“You think you can stop them? You’ve never seen the chaos of workers demanding wages. They’ll jump off buildings.” Pang Yong’an sneered from the side. “If you don’t resign, you’re a coward.”
Qin Qing pretended not to hear. 996, hiding under the desk, tilted its head up and poured the remaining chips into its mouth. Then it shot out and kicked Pang Yong’an’s chair over.
“Meow, I hate this guy. I’ll teach him a lesson.”
Before it finished, Pang Yong’an was on the floor, groaning. His colleagues quickly looked down, suppressing laughter. What was wrong with him? When it rains, it pours?
Qin Qing smiled silently, then took out a foie gras can from his drawer and placed it on the desk. “Come eat.”
996 jumped onto the desk, used its sharp claws to open the can, and gobbled it up. What Pang Yong’an predicted happened. Over the next few days, many people came to Lanyu demanding payment. Qin Qing had the front desk post a notice. Workers’ representatives should come the next morning, and business creditors should come the next afternoon. Anyone coming at the wrong time would have their debt verification delayed. To get paid quickly, everyone came at the appointed times. When meeting the workers in the morning, Qin Qing wore a simple white shirt and black pants, sleeves rolled up, hair natural and casual. No suit, no slicked-back hair. This approachable look, with his handsome face, gentle demeanor, and appropriate comfort and care, calmed the angry, desperate workers immediately. Just meeting him was enough to stabilize them.
Qin Qing showed them the IOU and explained patiently: “Look, his daughter has a terminal illness and needs this money. Our company made an exception to pay him early. Lanyu is a responsible company with integrity and social conscience. You can rest assured.”
The workers’ anxiety eased, soothed. The IOU moved them.
“Besides,” Qin Qing added, “we’re still verifying how much POC owes you. We’re also applying for additional compensation. These procedures take time.”
Hearing that they might get compensation in addition to wages, the workers calmed down completely. The leaders left happily and spread the word. Everyone felt reassured. In just one morning, Qin Qing had resolved the workers’ demands. In the afternoon, the business creditors arrived, and Qin Qing had changed his look. He wore his most luxurious suit, the shiniest diamond cufflinks, a watch worth tens of millions, and slicked-back hair. His handsome, almost bewitching face was fully revealed.
Qin Qing, stunningly handsome and dazzlingly wealthy, strode into the office with elegant steps. The rich floral scent, like an unstoppable forest mist, filled everyone’s senses. Everyone looked up, stunned, their pupils dilating. They knew Qin Qing was a rich second-generation, but not to this extent. When dressed up, his looks could outshine any celebrity. Qin Qing sat down and opened another foie gras can for 996.
“You look great today.” 996 flattered shamelessly.
Qin Qing smiled, then casually tossed his car keys on the desk. The sharp clatter drew everyone’s attention. A multi-million-dollar sports car. With that kind of wealth, why work? Seeing this bold display, Pang Yong’an felt a strange fear. He realized that if Qin Qing was this wealthy, he had countless ways to make his life difficult. Two business creditors arrived at that moment. Seeing the dazzling Qin Qing, they hesitated. Their urgency and impatience turned into cautious probing.
“Are, are you Qin Qing?” They approached the desk, noticing the car keys, their speech faltering.
“I’m Qin Qing. You’re the creditor representatives.” Qin Qing stood and shook their hands, his sleeve riding up to reveal his multi-million-dollar watch.
The men’s eyes widened, their aggression fading.
Qin Qing sat down, crossed his legs, and said in a casual but extremely arrogant tone, “I’m sure you know Lanyu advanced eight billion euros for the acquisition of a French company. POC’s debts are less than five hundred million yuan. Do you really think Lanyu can’t pay you?”
The two men broke out in cold sweats. After a moment of anxiety, they calmed down. Yes, what was Lanyu? A world-leading tech company. Could it really default on a few hundred million? It was laughable. Besides, someone with this much wealth was working here. His cold aloofness, his condescending kindness, made them feel small. The two men flushed, feeling uneasy.
Qin Qing’s tone warmed appropriately as he reassured them: “Your debts will be verified by next month. Don’t worry, you won’t lose a cent.”
His promise seemed especially reliable. The two representatives smiled with relief. Qin Qing stood, shook hands, and saw them out. They left without delay. Causing trouble at Lanyu? They had considered it, but seeing the arrogant Qin Qing, they dismissed the thought. Forget his background, they couldn’t even afford to break his cufflink. After seeing them off, Qin Qing walked back slowly. Looking up, he saw Xu Yizhi standing by his desk with his hands in his pockets, his narrow eyes sparkling with laughter.
“You did well. I’d promote you right now.” Xu Yizhi took his hands out and applauded softly.
Qin Qing blinked and immediately asked, “When? After this project?”
This little flower really knew how to push his luck. Xu Yizhi couldn’t help but laugh.
He shook his head and sighed, “Qin Qing, you’re so interesting.”
Qin Qing walked up to him, tilting his head, and asked again, “So, promotion or not?”
Xu Yizhi laughed, his eyes bright. “Yes, yes. After this project.” His gentle tone hid a helplessness that said, “I have no idea what to do with you.”
Qin Qing straightened his head, smiled, and laughed brightly. Xu Yizhi straightened his tie, pulling him closer with a gentle tug. The suddenly shortened distance brought Xu Yizhi’s warm breath to Qin Qing’s face. His pale cheeks flushed pink, like drunk begonias. Seeing this shy but unaware face, Xu Yizhi smiled with even more pleasure. He released the tie and walked back to his office, shaking his head and laughing. After closing the door, he realized he had been manipulated by the little flower. Promising a promotion so easily.
Meanwhile, Cang Ming, sitting in his office, touched his wildly beating heart and murmured, “Controlled… How?”
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