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After leaving the pantry, Bo Ying went to the restroom again.
When she returned to her seat, she received quite a few scrutinizing looks.
Bo Ying could roughly guess why—it was probably because what she had said to Zhu Xiaoxia earlier had spread around.
And it was likely exaggerated as it spread.
But regardless of whether it was true or not, Bo Ying didn’t care much.
She wasn’t the type to be afraid of trouble. She was straightforward and didn’t fuss over trivial matters. If anything, it wasn’t about such small issues.
A long time ago, Chi Lu and another close friend, Zheng Jinyao, had mentioned to her that there were both generous and petty women in the workplace. They advised her to be cautious and try not to offend anyone.
Bo Ying remembered this, but she wasn’t the type to compromise.
Moreover, just a few days ago, in the restroom—a hotspot for gossip—she overheard Zhu Xiaoxia and Du Nan, the head of the legal department’s first group, talking about her.
That day, most of Bo Ying’s clothes were inexpensive. Her dress cost two hundred yuan online, with a unique design. Her socks were only two digits, and her undershirt wasn’t expensive either.
The only expensive items were her bag, her little blazer, and her leather shoes, all from well-known brands, each costing tens of thousands of yuan.
In the He Corporation’s legal department, spending tens of thousands on clothes and bags was within the norm.
But perhaps due to the stark price contrast in her outfit that day, Zhu Xiaoxia assumed she was wearing counterfeit goods.
As a result, while chatting with Du Nan in the restroom, Zhu Xiaoxia sighed several times, saying that young people nowadays were vain, pretending despite having no money. Wearing fake goods worth hundreds of yuan, they still acted arrogantly without feeling ashamed.
At that moment, Bo Ying was lazily sitting on the toilet and happened to hear the entire conversation.
After hearing it, she didn’t feel much.
Because she had always been like this. Whether expensive or cheap, if she liked something, she would buy it, wear it, use it.
She never thought about whether carrying a bag worth millions meant she couldn’t eat at street stalls or whether wearing clothes worth hundreds of yuan into luxury stores would make her look down upon.
Gossip was gossip. People talked behind her back; she couldn’t control it and didn’t need to take it to heart.
But if provoked directly, Bo Ying wouldn’t tolerate it.
Instead, she would settle old scores along with new grievances.
...
After sitting down at her workstation, Pei Yunmeng turned her head toward Bo Ying and gave her a thumbs-up.
Bo Ying raised the corner of her lips and glanced at her with mild annoyance.
A moment later, she received a new message on WeChat.
Pei Yunmeng: [Bo Ying, you’re so awesome!]
Three minutes ago, Bo Ying’s retort to Zhu Xiaoxia in the pantry had been heard by colleagues and quickly spread.
In no time, everyone knew about it.
Bo Ying: […Which group did you see it in?]
Pei Yunmeng: [A small group you’re not in.]
Bo Ying: [How many people are in the group?]
Pei Yunmeng: [Ninety-eight percent of the company’s colleagues are there. Only a few newcomers like you haven’t infiltrated yet.]
Bo Ying was speechless: [Isn’t that exaggerated?]
Pei Yunmeng: [Not at all. You can’t imagine how gossipy our company’s colleagues are.]
They all worked in offices, doing similar tasks day after day, which gradually became monotonous. Gossip added some fun to their dull lives, allowing them to relax.
Every employee who had been with the company for more than half a year was part of at least three gossip groups, large or small.
Seeing this, Bo Ying suddenly felt a bit worried.
However, her concern was directed at only one person.
Pei Yunmeng noticed her spacing out and poked her shoulder, lowering her voice to ask, “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.” Bo Ying looked at her and whispered, “Our kind of gossip… the boss generally wouldn’t know about it, right?”
Pei Yunmeng chuckled, “Of course not.”
She said, “The boss is so busy, he definitely doesn’t pay attention to this. Moreover, I’ve heard from President He’s assistants that he doesn’t like using WeChat or chatting with people. He isn’t in any of our groups.”
Hearing this, Bo Ying breathed a sigh of relief.
That’s good.
Although she thought there was nothing wrong with what she said to Zhu Xiaoxia, she simply didn’t want He Jingxiu to know.
Pei Yunmeng, seeing her expression change, couldn’t help but laugh. “What, are you afraid the boss will have a bad impression of you if he finds out?”
“No.” Bo Ying touched the tip of her nose and, after some thought, said, “It would just be a bit embarrassing.”
As for impressions, she didn’t have a good one with He Jingxiu anyway.
Pei Yunmeng smiled and patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Then rest assured, the president definitely won’t know.”
Bo Ying: “Mm.”
She had just thought it through and felt that He Jingxiu indeed wasn’t someone who had time to listen to ordinary employees’ gossip.
However, Bo Ying overlooked one key point: to He Jingxiu and a few others, she wasn’t just an ordinary employee of He Corporation.
After entering the president’s office several times, Qi Xuezhen sensed that their boss was in a pretty good mood today.
Whenever He Jingxiu was in a good mood, his work efficiency was high.
After signing the important contracts at hand, it was time for the morning meeting.
He Corporation had many subsidiaries, and He Jingxiu seemed to have multiple brains, constantly multitasking.
Today’s meeting was chaired by General Manager Zhao Xuzhi, with He Jingxiu as an important observer.
The project involved the research and development of new technology, and everyone argued fiercely, unwilling to give in.
Some thought Zhao Xuzhi’s idea was too risky and aggressive. He wanted to create a product not currently available domestically. Success would be great, but failure would significantly impact He Corporation.
When He Corporation was founded, its main focus was manufacturing and construction. Later, the group expanded, but it wasn’t until He Jingxiu’s father’s generation that they ventured into real estate and finance. Under He Jingxiu, the group started exploring technology and new energy industries.
Thus, the group was divided into two factions: the conservative and the innovative.
The older directors believed focusing on existing projects was sufficient, allowing everyone to retire peacefully. The younger ones, however, always wanted a piece of the technology and new energy pie.
During these meetings, He Jingxiu usually listened to everyone argue before speaking.
Initially, he remained calm and relaxed.
Similarly, if he wasn’t busy, Qi Xuezhen wasn’t either.
Moreover, such meetings had dedicated assistants taking notes, so he wasn’t needed.
Therefore, while Zhao Xuzhi and another director were arguing fiercely, he even had time to glance at his phone.
It was fine until he saw something, then he started to hesitate.
By the end of the meeting, Qi Xuezhen still hadn’t decided whether to tell He Jingxiu about it.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t have hesitated, absolutely not letting such gossip occupy the boss’s time. But since it involved Bo Ying, a woman with intricate ties to his boss, not telling him seemed inappropriate.
Qi Xuezhen was conflicted all the way, deciding to tell He Jingxiu when Zhao Xuzhi, who had lost the argument with the old fossils in the meeting, stormed into the president’s office.
He pulled out the chair opposite the desk and sat down, crossing his legs and staring at He Jingxiu.
He Jingxiu, under his gaze, appeared indifferent.
After a tense silence, Zhao Xuzhi couldn’t bear it anymore.
“President He, why didn’t you say anything just now?”
“What should I say?”
Zhao Xuzhi: […] What else could he say? “Just now, if you had said something, I don’t believe Director Li would have opposed it so strongly.”
Although He Jingxiu hadn’t been in charge of He Corporation for long, those old fossils listened to him. Occasionally, they had objections to his decisions, but nothing like the heated argument just now.
He Jingxiu smiled faintly and calmly said, “It’s different.”
He tapped the table lightly, pondering for a moment. “Actually, I think your idea is too aggressive and risky.”
Zhao Xuzhi fell silent.
He Jingxiu glanced at him and frankly said, “I suggest you gather more information and do more psychological assessments.” After a pause, he added, “I’ll play basketball with Director Li and the others this weekend.”
At this, Zhao Xuzhi naturally understood He Jingxiu’s intention. To deal with those old fossils, one shouldn’t confront them directly but use roundabout tactics.
And this person could only be He Jingxiu.
Thinking of this, Zhao Xuzhi marveled, “President He’s methods are brilliant.”
He Jingxiu’s silence during the meeting was entirely a strategic move. He knew that even if he supported Zhao Xuzhi’s proposal in the meeting, the other fossils wouldn’t agree. It was better to delay for now.
Knowing the matter could be resolved, Zhao Xuzhi relaxed.
He was about to ask He Jingxiu for a cup of coffee when he turned his head and saw Qi Xuezhen.
Zhao Xuzhi raised an eyebrow. “Assistant Qi has something to report?”
Qi Xuezhen hesitated.
He Jingxiu looked up at him. “Speak up.”
Qi Xuezhen had no words. He couldn’t show He Jingxiu the chat records, so he painstakingly relayed the words he saw word by word.
After listening, He Jingxiu hadn’t said anything, but Zhao Xuzhi laughed first.
“Did Bo Ying really say that?”
Qi Xuezhen nodded. “Yes.”
Zhao Xuzhi raised his eyebrows and looked at He Jingxiu. “Your old friend is quite a character.”
He Jingxiu glanced at him and twirled the pen in his hand. “Anything else?”
Qi Xuezhen paused, understanding his meaning.
He fell silent for a moment and said softly, “After this spread, opinions varied.”
Some thought Bo Ying’s statement showed confidence, suggesting her family background might be good. Others believed that a girl in her twenties boasting like this must be kept by someone.
After all, in many people’s traditional views, children from wealthy families were low-key.
He Jingxiu understood.
He nodded and said gravely, “I understand.”
Zhao Xuzhi was surprised. “Won’t you do something for your old friend?”
“What to do?” He Jingxiu stared at his phone, his tone calm. “She can handle it herself. She doesn’t need me for now.”
If such trivial matters required his intervention, then Bo Ying wouldn’t be the Bo Ying he knew. More importantly, if he really helped Bo Ying, she would get angry.
Zhao Xuzhi didn’t understand his thoughts and only felt the need to protect her.
He muttered a few sentences, unsure if He Jingxiu heard them, then took a call and left.
Seeing He Jingxiu didn’t give instructions, Qi Xuezhen returned to his assistant position.
At lunchtime, Bo Ying felt the thick atmosphere as soon as she entered the cafeteria.
For a moment, her appetite vanished.
“Yun Meng.”
As soon as they queued up, Bo Ying made a decision.
She looked at Pei Yunmeng and softly said, “I suddenly don’t feel hungry. I won’t eat with you.”
Pei Yunmeng exclaimed, “Are you sure?”
She glanced around, roughly understanding why she didn’t want to eat.
“How about I pack something for you to take back to the office?”
“No need.” Bo Ying smiled. “You eat. I’ll go back first.”
Pei Yunmeng had no choice. After some thought, she suggested, “Then let’s eat outside?”
Bo Ying raised an eyebrow, reminding her, “Didn’t you finish your work?”
When they came downstairs earlier, Pei Yunmeng was complaining that she hadn’t finished her work and didn’t have time to rest, let alone queue up to eat.
“Oh, right.” Pei Yunmeng helplessly said, “Then I really can’t accompany you.”
Bo Ying smiled. “Eat in peace. I’ll go back first.”
“Alright.”
Bo Ying calmly walked out of the cafeteria. Just as she reached the elevator, her phone received a message.
Debtor: [Want to eat Japanese food?]
Bo Ying: […Yes!]
The next second, the location was sent to her phone.
Bo Ying opened it and glanced. This Japanese restaurant was near the company, no more than a ten-minute walk.
She held her phone and walked out without hesitation.
Reaching the company entrance, Bo Ying was hesitating whether to turn left or right when her phone vibrated again.
Debtor: [Turn right.]
Bo Ying: [.]
After turning right, Bo Ying immediately saw the person standing across the road.
She paused and walked towards the crosswalk. Just as she arrived, the red light turned green, allowing her to cross.
Bo Ying stepped onto the road and walked a third of the way when He Jingxiu also approached from the other side.
She froze, surprised. “Don’t you need to cross the road?”
“No.”
He Jingxiu stood beside her, looking down and said, “Let’s go.”
After crossing the crosswalk, Bo Ying belatedly realized that He Jingxiu had come to pick her up.
“You—”
Bo Ying abruptly stopped and looked at him.
Noticing her gaze, He Jingxiu asked, “Why are you looking at me?”
Bo Ying shook her head, changing her words at the last moment. “How did you know I hadn’t eaten?”
He Jingxiu raised his eyebrows and calmly said, “Someone always feels embarrassed after being stubborn.” He looked at her teasingly and asked, “I didn’t remember wrong, did I?”
Bo Ying choked, uttering a subdued “Oh.”
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