"Forget it, let’s not talk about her! What do you think about the developnt project I ntioned to you a few days ago!"
Ji Rui didn’t want to argue with Yang Sheng about Le Tong, nor was he willing to admit that Yang Sheng’s overly protective attitude towards Le Tong made him sowhat uncomfortable.
Yang Sheng was also perceptive. Seeing that Ji Rui didn’t want to discuss further, he shifted the topic to the developnt project. Yet in his heart, he secretly planned to talk to Le Tong, and if she was willing, he would find a better company for her.
Yang Sheng had mostly heard about Le Tong’s past from the professor. Besides admiration, he felt sympathy and a protective urge towards this younger schoolmate. Thus, even if the person causing her grievances was his boss and friend, he couldn’t just stand aside.
In the evening, Le Tong and Yang Sheng sat in a western restaurant not far from the company. After ordering food and chatting briefly about their recent life, Yang Sheng went straight to the point.
"Tongtong, let ask you sothing, and you have to answer honestly!" Rarely did Yang Sheng act so solemnly in front of Le Tong.
Le Tong looked at him confusingly, "Um, speak, senior brother."
"Are you happy working at the Ji Family?"
Yang Sheng actually wanted to ask if Ji Rui had troubled her in the past half year. But he feared such a direct and sharp question might stop her from telling the truth, so he rephrased it gently.
Le Tong didn’t expect such a sudden question and thought for a mont before answering, "Well, it’s alright."
Yang Sheng was very surprised. Her reply was exactly the sa as Ji Rui’s, word for word.
He interpreted Le Tong’s answer as: although it’s barely satisfactory, she can still endure it. Because that’s the aning of Ji Rui’s answer.
Thus, Yang Sheng could now basically confirm that both Ji Rui and Le Tong didn’t have a good impression of each other and, in fact, got on each other’s nerves.
"Tongtong, if you’re not happy with your work, I can find you another job with equally good conditions."
Yang Sheng thought that if his friend Ji Rui didn’t know how to appreciate her, he would find her a good company that could appreciate her talents. Even birds choose their best roosting spot, let alone humans?
Le Tong guessed that Yang Sheng probably heard so unpleasant words from Ji Rui, but she knew well enough that wherever there are people, there always is gossip and oppression. Anywhere she goes, she would certainly encounter so unfair treatnt. As long as the unfairness doesn’t cross her limits, she can endure it.
Besides, if she insisted that Ji Rui, the president, made her unhappy, who can guarantee switching to another company, the boss would treat her like a deity?
"Thank you, senior brother. I think Ji Family is pretty good; I don’t plan to jump ship for now." Le Tong shook her head, refusing his goodwill. Yang Sheng had always treated her well, and she didn’t want to make it difficult for him.
Yang Sheng didn’t quite believe her, and while resting his chin on his hand, he scrutinized her closely. "Then why are you getting so skinny?"
At this point, Yang Sheng had presud Ji Rui to be the culprit behind Le Tong’s weight loss. The more he thought about it, the more he felt he should rescue his young schoolmate from such dire straits soon.
Le Tong felt a headache coming on, wondering how she could explain to make him understand her imnse love for this job.
She hadn’t been in a good mood lately; her emotions had sunk for a while, and losing weight was normal.
But the reason for her bad mood and low spirits was sothing she couldn’t possibly share with Yang Sheng, so she resorted to a harmless little lie. "I had acute gastroenteritis recently, couldn’t eat or sleep well, struggled for a few days, and ended up like this."
Yang Sheng looked at her half-believingly, sweeping his gaze over her smiling face but found no clues, rely sighing lightly.
"Tongtong, although I’m not so bigshot, I could still stand up for you if you suffer grievances at the company."
Le Tong chuckled and raised her hand towards him, "Senior brother, I swear, if I suffer grievances, I’ll make sure to cry to you first. Is that okay?"
Yang Sheng had no way to deal with her, smiling helplessly as his hand naturally reached out to pat her head.
"You said it yourself, if you ever suffer grievances, co to ; don’t keep it bottled up inside!"
Le Tong nodded obediently, blinked at him, and pitifully clutched her stomach, "Senior brother, I’m so starving!"
Yang Sheng knew she was only trying to change the subject, but he didn’t want to expose her; he waved his hand to call the waiter.
Prompted by Yang Sheng, the waiter soon brought out the fragrant food, and the heavy topic ca to an abrupt halt.
During the al, Yang Sheng shared many encounters and amusing stories from abroad in the past half year. Le Tong rarely had the chance to travel, so she listened with keen interest.
As the chat got livelier, Yang Sheng asked the waiter to open a bottle of red wine. The two chatted and sipped wine, unknowingly finishing the whole bottle.
A simple dinner lasted from dusk until nearly ten o’clock, and the crowd in the restaurant gradually changed from working professionals having dinner to couples on dates.
If it weren’t for having to work tomorrow, Yang Sheng would surely drag Le Tong to stay until the restaurant closed.
"Tongtong, my car is parked over there; I’ll drive you ho."
Yang Sheng pulled at Le Tong’s arm, signaling her to follow him.
Le Tong stayed put, "Senior brother, my ho is just across the street. I can walk back; you should go ho and rest early."
Yang Sheng wasn’t going to listen to her. Seeing her unmoving, he wrapped his arm around her thin shoulder, half pulling, half pushing her to his car, opened the door, and stuffed her inside.
"Now I realize, senior brother can be quite domineering too." Le Tong teased Yang Sheng, who plopped down beside her and shut the door with a bang.
"Isn’t it because you’re so disobedient?"
Yang Sheng instructed the driver to take the car to the alley across the street and then turned to look at Le Tong again.
"The professor said you’re gentle and good-tempered. Tsk, I’m amazed how your stubbornness is considered a good temper?"
Yang Sheng had drunk a bit of wine, getting irritated. This young schoolmate would rather endure Ji Rui’s attitude than complain a bit to him—either she’s too stubborn or she looks down on him as her senior brother.
"Senior brother, are you going to hold a critique eting?" Le Tong glanced sideways, smiling at Yang Sheng.
"How could I dare? You’ve got so many of my weaknesses in your grasp! To maintain my good image, I have to be careful and keep an eye on you, little schoolmate!"
The two bantered back and forth, and the car soon stopped at the alley.
"Senior brother, good night."
Outside the car, Le Tong held onto the car door, bending down to bid farewell to Yang Sheng.
"Not inviting up?" Yang Sheng asked her seriously.
"No, it’s inappropriate for a man and woman alone!"
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