Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Six: Outside the Cubicle (2/2)
That interviewee was Qi Feng.
Initially, HR did not want to hire any graduates from that year’s cohort. That was the first time Xiao Yu had relied on his status as the chief designer to forcefully allow Qi Feng to enter the company.
Xiao Yu also took care of Qi Feng in many ways back then. Not only did he pull him into his own team of designers, but he also introduced him to Lin Zhou when he noticed that his designing style was different from his.
After the car accident, Xiao Yu had been dismissed by SI. Other than feeling at a loss about his future, Xiao Yu had been most worried about Qi Feng, whether his subordinate’s future would be affected by his actions.
…… It seems like he had worried too much.
Xiao Yu laughed at himself.
The trio chatted awhile more and seemingly prepared to leave.
Xiao Yu checked the time and opened the cubicle door.
His gaze swept across the trio’s faces filled with panic, awkwardness, and nervousness, before he focused on Qi Feng.
“What a coincidence.”
“W-What a…” Qi Feng stuttered.
Xiao Yu did not care as he proceeded to wash his hands at the basin, close the faucet, wipe his hands dry before he left.
Leaving the trio behind in a daze.
……
“What took you so long? Did anything happen?” Jing Mo quickly realized something amiss with Xiao Yu’s emotions.
“Nothing really. J-Just happened to meet some people from my previous company.” Xiao Yu did not want to speak about it at first. But, when the person asking was Jing Mo, he hesitated for a moment before he answered. “There’s this subordinate that I pulled for a promotion back then. I just overheard him saying that I’m a slut who slept his way to the top.”
“Oh.” Jing Mo nodded his head understandably. He was quite an expert in consoling, plus, he was specifically instructed on what to do next in situations like this.
“Do you know who they are?”
“My ex-subordinate, his surname is Qi,” Xiao Yu answered honestly despite not knowing why Jing Mo asked that.
“Alright, noted.” Jing Mo adjusted his spectacles. “We’ll end him once Chairman Yan is back.”
Xiao Yu: “… Hold on?”
“Just joking.” Jing Mo shrugged his shoulders playfully as if he were not aware of how frightening the joke had sounded to Xiao Yu.
“That’s not funny at all.” Xiao Yu wiped the cold sweat on his forehead.
“So what do you plan to do? Take revenge?” Jing Mo asked.
Xiao Yu shook his head bewilderedly. “I don’t know. I was very, very disappointed at first. But I don’t feel as sad now.”
Jing Mo replied, “That’s because living well is the best revenge.”
“…… That’s true.” Xiao Yu agreed.
If the same thing were to happen to him just after he had been kicked out of SI, he may have hidden in the cubicle and waited till the trio left before he tiptoed his way out. However, right now, he could stand there justly and honorably. Even if he stood there without saying a word, those people would still be embarrassed and at a complete loss.
That should be the norm. He did nothing wrong; it was them who were wrong.
As Confucius said, “The gentleman is open and at ease; the villain is full of worries and anxiety.”
This should be the way.
“Thank you.” Xiao Yu said.
“No need for that. It’s part of my job to make sure you’re in a good mood.” Jing Mo laughed lightly, “In fact, it’s totally fine if you would be a bit more willful. There’s someone pampering you after all. Why don’t you sway Chairman Yan through pillow talk and make him buy SI?”
“Hey, that’s enough. Anything more and I’ll get angry.” Xiao Yu blushed at the teasing.
Jing Mo shut his mouth without much choice.
“Oh right, I also heard something bad and I’m not sure if I should say it.” Xiao Yu scratched his head.
“Hmm, about your sex life?”
“You!”
“Fine, I’ll stop teasing you. It’s about that subordinate of yours?”
Xiao Yu nodded his head and continued, “I didn’t get everything he said but I think someone got something unfavorable against me that will be used to prove that I slept with Yan Jin in exchange for benefits.”
Jing Mo’s expression turned serious as the joking side of him disappeared.
“Seems like that can’t wait till Yan Jin gets back. Who’s that person?”
“Qi Feng, SI’s official designer. He should be under Lin Zhou right now.”
“Noted. I’ll check on it. You don’t have to worry, just act like you usually do. Even if something were to happen, we will protect you. You have to believe us that before Yan Jin comes back, we won’t let you get hurt.”
“That’s exaggerating. You make me sound like a fragile young lady.” Xiao Yu felt that Jing Mo’s way of addressing the issue was puzzling, but he did not think further. “If it was the past, I may really be uncomfortable with those opinions. But, I won’t feel that way now. No matter what happens, I’ll always be YL’s chief designer. As long as YL needs me, I won’t lose anymore.”