“You understand the YL language?”
Facing the gaze of so many people, An Yingchuan walked straight up to Mai Suisui and asked her point-blank.
Mai Suisui thought for a moment before replying truthfully, “I know a bit.”
“Don’t give me that modest act at a time like this. Just tell me straight, what is your actual level?” An Yingchuan waved his hand impatiently.
Mai Suisui said after some deliberation, “Normal communication shouldn’t be a problem, because I’ve collaborated with that region before…”
“But I’m not entirely sure, since the information I understood back then is likely outdated now,” Mai Suisui said quite cautiously, seemingly realizing something.
“Then let Mai Suisui act as the translator for the YL side later.”
On the stage, Yu Nian flipped through her documents without looking up, yet the words she spoke caused everyone to exchange glances.
Was there no need for further discussion?
Was it really going to be this perfunctory?
In truth, it wasn’t perfunctory at all. The first independent project Mai Suisui completed after joining ZS General Trade was related to YL. At the time, in order to finish the project, she had even enrolled in a private YL language crash course; after that, she had handled many smaller projects for that region.
It was only in the last two years that she gradually stopped following news from there, but the people she had known were actually still there.
However, ability was one thing; whether one was willing to show it off was another.
Because of Yu Nian’s sudden intervention, today’s meeting had evolved into a clash between the company’s factions—a clash that would very likely reach a complete stalemate.
Even if Mai Suisui had become Yu Nian’s assistant, she had no intention of joining the fray. Standing on a side was one thing, but she didn’t want to be the one charging onto the battlefield for anyone.
Unfortunately, trouble always had a way of finding its own door.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Mai Suisui had no choice but to stand up and walk toward the head of the conference table.
During this process, she could clearly feel numerous gazes fixed upon her.
Some were curious, some were scrutinizing, some were well-meaning, and some were malicious… In short, from this moment on, no one would treat Mai Suisui as an insignificant outsider anymore.
She had been forced into today’s struggle.
“You don’t need to worry about anything else. Just sit here and focus on reviewing the materials we’ve prepared. We will connect with other locations first, and YL will be scheduled for last. When the time comes, just stand by my side and help Director An with the translation in real-time.”
Hearing Xu Ya’s words, Mai Suisui nodded and took her new seat.
At the same time, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Jin Enna making an apologetic gesture with her hands pressed together.
You sold me out?
Mai Suisui couldn’t help but shoot her an annoyed look.
Jin Enna shrugged helplessly in return, her meaning clear: what else could she have done?
Mai Suisui pursed her lips in understanding.
Now that things had reached this point, having no power to choose meant she could only follow orders, even though her mood remained sour.
Just then, Mai Suisui seemed to sense something and looked up again, only to see Yu Nian, sitting in the primary seat, watching her.
Their gazes met in the air.
After a moment, Mai Suisui lowered her head respectfully as a greeting. Seeing this, Yu Nian also nodded plainly and returned her gaze to the documents in her hand.
Mai Suisui didn’t think much of it and likewise concentrated her attention on the laptop on the table.
The materials previously collected by the sales department were quite disorganized. Some weren’t even in the correct order. Since YL hadn’t been included in the original plan after all, it seemed some people had gotten lazy again.
Mai Suisui frowned and had no choice but to patiently search through the folders for useful information herself.
Thereafter, the first video conference with the ST side officially began. The vast meeting room fell into the quiet state of a session in progress, and time began to flow slowly…
In the process of working, people often say that “a day feels like a year,” but in reality, if one is truly immersed in work, it is difficult to perceive the passing of time.
“…I hope your side can believe in our sincerity. I trust that as long as the plan can be implemented smoothly, our cooperation will result in a win-win situation.”
The voice of the negotiation echoed through the microphone’s amplification in the dimly lit meeting room.
Mai Suisui withdrew her gaze from the laptop screen, leaned her head back, and rubbed her aching neck.
She glanced at the elegant figure currently sitting in front of the camera lens hosting the meeting.
No matter how capable An Yingchuan was, it was impossible for him to host four or five meetings alone. After hosting two sessions, he lacked the energy to continue, and Yu Nian had stepped in personally.
The massive projection screen emitted a somewhat piercing light, which fell faintly upon that exquisite face, sketching out an indescribable aura.
Mai Suisui blinked tiredly and turned back to whisper to Jin Enna, who had sat down beside her at some unknown point: “How many sessions are left?”
“This one is ending, and then there’s one more before we get to YL. But it’s possible the YL session won’t happen at all,” Jin Enna whispered back.
“Have they still not contacted anyone?” Mai Suisui frowned.
“What do you think?”
Hearing her words, Jin Enna cautiously looked around at the senior executives who were quietly listening to the meeting. “I don’t believe you can’t see the tricks being played here.”
An Yingchuan obviously didn’t want to hand the project over to Yu Nian, so he was intentionally dragging his feet and avoiding contact. But this method was meaningless because while An Yingchuan could delay things for a moment, he couldn’t delay them forever.
Furthermore, there were only a few days left before the Lunar New Year. Once he left after the new year, any progress on the project would have nothing to do with him.
At that time, let alone a share of the profits, it wasn’t even certain if his name would be on the merit list.
But why was An Yingchuan still stalling despite knowing this?
It was to use his own future interests to humiliate Yu Nian today.
To be able to push an old fox like An Yingchuan to this point—no one dared to look down on this young and beautiful female CEO anymore.
So An Yingchuan had played his final card: if you won’t let me have it good, I won’t let you have it good either.
As long as he could clearly display her mistakes in front of everyone, some people would inevitably become dissatisfied with her.
Mai Suisui bit her lip. “Where is Old An?”
“Out for a smoke.”
Hearing Jin Enna say this, she thought for a moment, then stood up while grabbing her coat.
“You’re going out? To do what?”
“To find Old An.”
“What are you looking for him for? He’s irritated right now.” Jin Enna looked up at her with a look of total confusion.
As Mai Suisui put on her coat, she said casually, “I’m going to solve the problem.”
Instantly, Jin Enna was stunned.
At the end of an empty corridor, a window had been opened. An elderly figure in a suit stood by the window with one hand in his pocket, holding a lit cigarette between his fingers.
His thick brows were tightly furrowed, and his slightly clouded eyes remained fixed on the distant scenery, allowing the white smoke to drift out the window.
“Director.”
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind him.
An Yingchuan instinctively dropped the cigarette to the floor and crushed it with his foot before looking up at the newcomer.
“…Mm. Have you finished reading the materials?”
Seeing Mai Suisui walking toward him, An Yingchuan’s expression was calm, maintaining his usual dignity.
Mai Suisui walked up to him, first giving a polite, slight bow of greeting, and then said straightforwardly, “I’ll be blunt, Director. I have a way to bypass you and contact the YL side.”
In an instant, the eyes beneath An Yingchuan’s thick brows narrowed as sharply as an eagle’s.
But Mai Suisui remained perfectly composed.
“Director, there are only a few days left until the New Year. Staying in this stalemate benefits no one. It would be better to try and finalize this project before the holiday.”
“You… are confident?”
“No, that’s why I need you to help me, Director.”
An Yingchuan silently stared at Mai Suisui, who stood before him with a calm face. After a few seconds, he spoke: “What do you want?”
Hearing this, Mai Suisui’s slightly tensed expression relaxed.
Making this decision was truly out of necessity.
She had originally only wanted to quietly get through this period of surging undercurrents. However, since she had already been pushed onto the stage this time, what would it mean to start something and not finish it?
Regarding her attitude toward work, Mai Suisui was a very serious person.
Moreover, if something went wrong today, it wouldn’t benefit her in the slightest.
As she was about to leave, An Yingchuan’s words made her pause her steps.
“Including today, she has already used you so many times. Are you still helping her like this?”
After a moment of silence, Mai Suisui shook her head.
“This is work.”
About another hour passed.
The penultimate meeting had already ended, but everyone present could see the employees of the sales department in the corner, frantically making phone calls. Everyone understood what was happening.
A significant number of people had playful, mocking smiles on their faces as they looked at Yu Nian, who was sitting in the primary seat.
“Sigh, why aren’t they back yet?”
In the corner, Jin Enna kept checking her watch, occasionally looking anxiously toward the tightly closed door of the meeting room.
She noticed Yu Nian sitting in the main seat with her eyes closed, taking a short rest. Obviously, CEO Yu hadn’t given up yet.
But the problem at hand was…
Click.
A soft sound of the door opening rang out. Since the previous connection had just ended and the room was somewhat noisy, the sound was muffled.
However, many people present, including Yu Nian who had just closed her eyes, opened them and turned to look.
A slightly thin figure and an elderly figure walked in side by side.
“Phew… honestly, they’re finally back.”
Seeing Mai Suisui and the other man enter the meeting room, Jin Enna, sitting by the wall, finally let out a sigh of relief.
“Eh? Is Old An not going to host the meeting? He…”
Suddenly, Jin Enna, sitting in her seat, revealed a look of slight bewilderment.
Yu Nian likewise saw that figure take the folder from An Yingchuan’s hand. She sat down without changing her expression in the seat directly facing the camera lens.
Thump, thump…
She tapped the microphone with her hand. In the next moment, the voice that had been heard not long ago at the company general meeting reached the ears of everyone present once again.
“Hello everyone, I am CEO Yu’s assistant, Mai Suisui. Next, I will co-host the meeting regarding YL alongside Director An.”
In a split second, the crowd was shocked.
Even Yu Nian, upon hearing these words, raised her eyebrows slightly, the corner of her mouth curling into an imperceptible smile.