Chapter 56: Tearing Off the Mask

Shang Zhitao’s heart, which had been bubbling with excitement, was doused with a bucket of cold water by Luan Nian. Would she never receive his affirmation?

Even though she knew what he said was very likely true, her heart couldn’t accept it. Perhaps I should go with Alex, perhaps I should do as Lumi said and cling tightly to Alex’s coattails, and from then on, I would soar. If I stay, I’m very likely to be fired by the new boss and still have to endure Luan Nian’s deep-seated contempt.

I’m not the first person in the workplace to rise by clinging to someone powerful, nor will I be the last. This is an opportunity fate has given me to take a shortcut, and I should cherish it.

As she tossed and turned in bed, Alex sent her an email with an introduction to the new company: Series C funding, a vast world of opportunities. She even looked up the company’s address; it was near her home. From now on, she could take fewer crowded buses, reduce her commute time, and improve her happiness index. Most importantly, with a new job, Luan Nian wouldn’t be everywhere. She could see him less and gradually break off their inappropriate relationship. She could embrace a new life.

She made many plans. The next day, when she went to work, she even had the illusion that she wouldn’t be staying at Lingmei for long.

As soon as Lumi arrived at the company, she sidled up to Shang Zhitao and whispered, “Did he contact you?”

Shang Zhitao nodded.

“What do you think?”

“I want to go with him.”

Lumi was silent for a moment before saying to Shang Zhitao, “Whether you go or not is just your personal choice. You’re so capable; you’ll do well anywhere.”

“Am I really that capable?” Shang Zhitao asked Lumi.

“Yes, you’re great.” Lumi thought for a moment and then added, “But I hope your decision isn’t just about money, because that’s not rational enough. But I must tell you, you really are very good.”

Then why does Luan Nian think I’m worthless? Shang Zhitao was sensitive. Luan Nian wasn’t targeting her. He was just saying what he thought. The workplace was complex. There were only a few employees in the Marketing Department who could handle things independently. If Alex was going to fight in a new environment, he should bring the more capable ones, not choose Shang Zhitao. Luan Nian was just speculating; he had no evidence that Alex was taking Shang Zhitao or anyone else with him. He hoped Shang Zhitao had the ability to think independently, although she likely didn’t.

Choosing Lingmei meant no immediate high cash rewards like the new job, but Lingmei was a top company in the industry, making it easier to become an industry expert, though it required persistent effort. Going to the new company meant higher cash rewards in the short term compared to Lingmei, but it also came with risks. Luan Nian always believed that only sufficient ability could make one competent in any job. No matter how the boss changed, ability would ultimately allow you to stand firm. He hoped Shang Zhitao could figure this out for herself; no job offered a free lunch.

It wasn’t until Wednesday that Luan Nian announced a Marketing Department meeting for Thursday. Alex’s last day was at the end of the month, and he would still attend this meeting. Luan Nian asked everyone to organize their current projects, as he wanted to hear reports one by one.

Everyone was nervous, except for Sunny, who had already decided to go with Alex. Shang Zhitao, however, was wavering between leaving and staying. In any case, the project report still needed to be done well. She spent the entire Wednesday summarizing and reviewing her work. By the time she packed up to leave, it was already late at night. Luan Nian’s office light was still on. She didn’t know what he was busy with; he was always so busy.

Did Luan Nian also get to where he is today by clinging to someone powerful? Shang Zhitao suddenly asked herself this. Did he also win industry awards, join the board of directors, and lead the China branch by relying on someone influential? If he didn’t have a backer, what did he rely on to reach this position?

Her hand rested on the elevator’s open button without her realizing it.

It wasn’t until Luan Nian entered the elevator and looked at her hand that he asked, “Waiting for me?”

“Huh?” Shang Zhitao didn’t understand what he meant. Following his gaze, she saw her hand on the wrong button, and her face suddenly flushed red. “No.”

“Lost your soul?”

“No.”

Luan Nian saw the evasiveness in Shang Zhitao’s eyes and knew he was right. Alex was indeed going to take her. The workplace was complex. He had said what needed to be said. She was an adult and should make her own decisions.

He went down to the underground parking lot, and his car drove out through the regular lane, not circling to the front of the company. Luan Nian wanted to reduce his appearances in front of Shang Zhitao to give her time to think independently.

He even thought that perhaps it was a good thing for Shang Zhitao to leave Lingmei, so that they could naturally break off this relationship. He sat on the bed and read for a while, then received a call from his mother, Doctor Liang. Every elderly mother was enthusiastic about setting up blind dates for their single children, and Doctor Liang was no exception. This time, the information she sent was more normal: a twenty-six-year-old girl who taught painting at a university, which matched Luan Nian’s hobbies. Doctor Liang also sent a photo of the girl, her hair pulled back, looking slender and fair-skinned, with bright, captivating eyes. In Doctor Liang’s words, it was rare to find someone who looked so compatible with her son just from a photo.

“Do you want to meet her?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Too busy lately. And...” Luan Nian thought for a moment and then replied to Doctor Liang, “I haven’t been feeling well lately.”

“What are the symptoms?”

“Dizziness, blurred vision, weak limbs, no libido or appetite,” Luan Nian fabricated, trying to divert Doctor Liang’s attention.

“Kidney deficiency, right? Go to the hospital for a check-up.” Doctor Liang knew Luan Nian was talking nonsense but didn’t call him out. Their mother-son relationship was good. When Luan Nian talked nonsense, it meant he was against blind dates. Doctor Liang knew her limits. It wasn’t a big deal anyway, so she just joked around a bit.

Luan Nian put his phone aside, remembering Shang Zhitao’s absent-mindedness. He finally called her, “Are you sure you have nothing you want to ask me? Or are you sure you have nothing you want to tell me?”

“No,” Shang Zhitao said resolutely, not mentioning Alex at all. Even though Luan Nian had sent her that strange message, indicating that he had guessed, Shang Zhitao wouldn’t say anything, so he would have no evidence, and Alex wouldn’t be the deserter who was going to disrupt the team’s balance.

She had figured this out. She hadn’t realized that she had unknowingly sided with Alex. At this crucial juncture of choice, she didn’t trust Luan Nian, nor did she choose him. Because she knew that her staying or leaving and her development were not important to him. He hadn’t even sincerely tried to keep Alex. What was she to him? The cheap and obedient employee in his eyes? If Lingmei was willing to have such employees, then there must be plenty of them everywhere.

Her silence represented her determination. Luan Nian understood. He thought for a long time and then said to her, “If you want to leave, you can tell me in advance. I’ll talk to HR about it as a dismissal, so you can get compensation.”

Shang Zhitao was surprised that Luan Nian was being so kind, so she sincerely thanked him. “Okay, thank you, Luke. If I decide, I will definitely tell you in advance.”

“So what did Alex promise you? Double your salary? A promotion within a year? As long as you follow him, you’ll have a good future? Shang Zhitao, do you have a brain?” Luan Nian’s voice suddenly rose. His anger burned through the phone, scorching Shang Zhitao’s eardrums, leaving her nowhere to hide.

Shang Zhitao suddenly realized she had fallen into Luan Nian’s trap. He had used a feigned retreat to lure her into his setup, making her unknowingly betray Alex. According to company regulations, departing senior executives were not allowed to take team employees with them within six months; this was considered unfair competition and was subject to non-compete clauses. Previous people hadn’t pursued it because they weren’t Luan Nian. Luan Nian was ruthless.

Shang Zhitao held the phone, unable to speak. Her mind was blank.

The complexity of people was beyond what Shang Zhitao imagined. Alex and Luan Nian’s relationship wasn’t as harmonious on the surface as it seemed. Alex originally had a chance for promotion; he even thought it would be him, but the board of directors chose Luan Nian. Alex cooperated with Luan Nian, but he was the first senior executive to leave after Luan Nian took office. No matter how well the superficial work was done, the actual actions revealed the true thoughts.

“Why aren’t you talking?” Luan Nian said, suppressing his anger. “Do you know what your fundamental problem is, Shang Zhitao? It’s that you’re not firm enough. You’re only how old? You waver so easily when you encounter some temptation. Have you thought about your future? Or do you just want immediate benefits, with such a short-sighted view?”

“Having money means having a future,” Shang Zhitao said. She didn’t actually think so, but she just wanted to say it. “I’ll make my own decisions about my own affairs, no need for you to worry.”

“Do you think I want to worry about you? If you used your brain a little, I wouldn’t have to waste my breath on you!”

“I didn’t ask you to talk to me!” Shang Zhitao had never thought she would argue with Luan Nian. She was the obedient one among them. He taught her, and she learned; he made decisions, and she followed. But when Luan Nian was angry, he spoke without choosing his words. When she was wavering, his attitude completely pushed her away. She forced herself to calm down and then said, “Then I’ll tell you my decision now. I’ve decided to go with Alex. Not for any other reason than his repeated support for me and because he has always respected me and spoken to me kindly.”

To speak kindly, to say nice things, was Shang Zhitao’s humble wish. Even though she knew Luan Nian was just that kind of person, he spoke that way to everyone. But he was also the one who said gently on the phone, “Then I’ll bring flowers to see you.” It was just that she wasn’t the person on the other end of the phone.

Shang Zhitao still cared, cared completely.

She hung up the phone, suddenly feeling a little wronged. She had expected Luan Nian to try to keep her, but not in this way.

But when she calmed down again, she realized that although every word Luan Nian said was unpleasant, she had indeed been thoughtless, and she had indeed been inadvertently drawn into high-level power struggles. Why exactly did Alex want to leave? Why didn’t Luan Nian try to keep him? What did it mean to only care about immediate benefits without thinking about the future?

Shang Zhitao was stubborn. She began to resist Luan Nian’s strictness. The problems between them had always existed, but she had previously been unwilling to face them, and now they were just being triggered.

“Then I wish you good luck,” Luan Nian said to her.

“I will.”

Shang Zhitao tossed and turned in bed like a pancake. The next day, when the Marketing Department meeting started, there were still dark circles under her eyes. She and Lumi chose seats in the corner, glanced at each other, and didn’t dare to breathe loudly.

Luan Nian, however, smiled and joked, “Such a solemn atmosphere, it would make me mistakenly think the Marketing Department was being disbanded.”