"Do you guys think our boss really managed to open such a huge auto superstore because he has a rich girlfriend?" Those who had returned from the housewarming party spread this gossip throughout the dealership.
"Could it be fake? For such a large superstore, the initial investnt alone would need a ’small goal,’ right? If he wasn’t relying on his future in-laws, where would he get that much money?" The speaker was a salesperson nad Wang Gang, a recent graduate. Wanting to stay and build a career in his hotown, he was drawn to the new energy sector and chose to join Xi Yuan. As a man in his early twenties, Wang Gang was naturally resentful that his boss was younger and more successful than him. He’s just luckier than I am, that’s all. If I had that kind of luck, I’m sure I wouldn’t be any worse off than him. Now, suddenly hearing everyone gossip that the boss owed his success to his future in-laws, his cynicism reached its peak.
"But I don’t think so. Our boss doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would live off a woman."
"If soone were living off a woman, would they announce it to the world? Of course not. They’d never admit it," Wang Gang retorted with disdain, speaking as if he had personally verified the matter.
His words made it sound plausible, but most of them were still reluctant to believe their boss was that kind of person. After all, his story was so inspiring. They had all resolved to learn from him, only to now be told he owed his success to a woman. The shock was simply too great.
Li You stood in a corner, listening to the discussion as a handso, tall figure erged in her mind. Is he really... as contemptible as they say? But I just can’t believe he’s that kind of person. Yes, he definitely isn’t. There must be so misunderstanding.
"You... without any... evidence... is it really okay to be spreading rumors like this?" As soon as she finished, it felt as if she had used up all her courage. She was so nervous she didn’t know what to do with her hands and feet, and her breathing grew ragged. With her head bowed, she didn’t dare to look at anyone’s face. This was the first ti Li You had said so much in front of everyone at once; she usually did her best to avoid them.
Amidst their surprise, Wang Gang sneered, "Li You, I’d advise you not to set your heart on the boss. Whether he’s that kind of person or not, you don’t stand a chance..."
"Why?"
Li You regretted the question the mont it left her lips. "I didn’t... an that... I just... wanted to know the reason..."
It’s true that I’m poor... but... I’m not bad-looking. No, that’s not it. I just think there’s nothing wrong with liking soone. Since he already has a girlfriend, I should just bury this love in my heart. No, that’s not right either. Li You’s thoughts were a complete ss.
"Reason? What reason? His future father-in-law has already shown up, and they’re holding an engagent ceremony for them in Yancheng. If they were going to get engaged, why not do it here in Hui City? Besides, his own family hasn’t said a thing, right? Isn’t it obvious?"
Wang Gang had fallen for Li You at first sight right after joining the company. In this decadent, materialistic age, finding such a pure and beautiful girl was extraordinarily rare. It was a pity her heart was set on the boss, and she was completely oblivious to Wang Gang’s deep feelings for her. Now that he had an opportunity, he naturally wasn’t going to let it pass.
"An engagent ceremony..." Li You’s face turned ashen. For a mont, she didn’t know what to say. He’s getting engaged? Why does my heart suddenly ache? Wang Gang was right... I really am not worthy.
Just then, a stern voice rang in their ears. "Aren’t you all supposed to be working? If you find this job unsatisfactory, you’re free to speak up." As the voice finished, Wu Xiaoya appeared before them in a pair of black leather shoes.
"We weren’t, we didn’t! Please, Manager Wu, don’t punish us! We’ll get back to work right away!"
Seeing Wu Xiaoya arrive, the group began to scatter like startled birds, but she didn’t let them off so easily. "Wang Gang," she said, her voice cutting through the noise, "go to the finance departnt and collect your final pay. You don’t need to co back to work."
Hearing he was being fired, Wang Gang imdiately protested, "Why?!"
Wu Xiaoya looked at him and said, word by word, "Because Xi Yuan doesn’t need employees who gossip about the boss. So, you can go."
"I get fired just for saying the boss lives off a woman? He can do it, but no one is allowed to talk about it? Fine, I’ll leave! Let’s see how far soone with no real talent can go. And as for a suck-up like you, you’ll be the first to go down when the ti cos! Fire if you want, but you’d better not short on my severance pay." Fired? So what? Do they really think I can’t survive without this job?
Just as he was thinking this, Wu Xiaoya suddenly looked past him and called out, "Boss!"
Wang Gang’s face instantly turned ashen. At most, he only dared to badmouth Xue Yang behind his back; face to face, he wouldn’t dare utter a single word. When Xue Yang walked over and stood before him, Wang Gang imdiately apologized.
"Boss, I’m sorry. I didn’t an to discuss your personal affairs with everyone."
Xue Yang raised an eyebrow, asking with amusent, "Oh? And what were you discussing about ?"
"They were discussing what happened at the housewarming party... and I... I just comnted that you were living off a woman."
I want to bite my own tongue off. Why did I answer? And why did I have to be so honest? What is wrong with ? Does Xue Yang have so kind of enchanting power over ?
Hearing this, Xue Yang didn’t get angry. Instead, he asked, "Hmm, ’living off a woman.’ That’s an interesting phrase. Anything else?"
"I said that the only reason you could open this huge auto superstore was because of the boss’s girlfriend. That you couldn’t have done it on your own. And for saying that, Manager Wu is firing ."
"Hmm, that does seem a bit inappropriate of her," Xue Yang said. "Our dealership should value freedom of speech. Anything else?"
Xue Yang’s words gave Wang Gang a huge boost of confidence. "See? The boss himself said it: freedom of speech! And you, Manager Wu, are blowing this out of proportion and trying to fire ."
"Hmm. Indeed, that’s inappropriate. Manager Wu, be more careful next ti."
Hearing this, Wu Xiaoya imdiately admitted her mistake. "Boss, I was wrong."
"Well, there’s no need for Manager Wu to fire now. I’ll resign myself!" Wang Gang declared. "Boss Xue, don’t say I didn’t warn you. With a manager like her, this dealership’s employees will all quit eventually."
"Alright. Xiao Ya, take him to handle the resignation paperwork," Xue Yang said calmly.
Wang Gang shot Wu Xiaoya a provocative look and mouthed, "Just you wait. You’re next."
...
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