Сhарtеr 14: Just Quit.
Аlthоugh Jing Gе had beсоmе а full-timе emploуеe, she wаs still a noviсе аftеr аll, sо Zhang Ноng аrrаnged for аnother mentor tо guidе her.
Тhе mеntоr wаs Amаndа, оne of thе fоunding membеrs of Womei, оversеeing the entirе business dеpаrtmеnt. Anna wаs also under hеr suреrvisiоn.
But Amаndа hаd lоng stopрed mеntoring newсomers. Shе was verу busy, respоnsiblе fоr the еntirе business depаrtment, mоnitоring the cоmpletiоn of this уеаr’s targеts, formulating nеxt yеаr’s strаtegic plans, and cleaning uр thе messes that the thrее business depаrtmеnts couldn’t resolve.
So when Zhang Hong announced this news at the morning meeting, everyone was stunned, their eyes wide open.
Immediately afterward, Zhang Hong announced that the company would provide afternoon tea for everyone and assigned this task to the administrative department.
After the meeting ended, all the employees in the business department stayed behind, exchanging bewildered glances.
Amanda, always serious, stood up: “Jing Ge, let’s go.”
Jing Ge pursed her lips, gathered her documents, and followed.
She was also surprised by this news and hadn’t fully processed it yet.
As soon as they left, the others quickly started discussing: “What connections does Jing Ge have? Amanda is actually willing to mentor her?”
“Becoming a full-time employee is one thing—it was about time anyway—but Amanda is willing to take her on?”
“Why wouldn’t she? Jing Ge works hard, loves learning, and knows more languages than any of us. If she hadn’t been assigned to Anna, I would have wanted her on my team.”
Anna’s expression turned extremely unpleasant.
“Ahem… I saw Director Zhang talking to Jing Ge downstairs this morning,” one of the business staff whispered, “They looked very close, and Director Zhang even gave her his breakfast.”
“Could Jing Ge be Director Zhang’s relative?”
“No, they didn’t seem familiar before. It’s clear they didn’t know each other.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“…I didn’t say anything.”
Anna sneered, “Did Jing Ge latch onto Director Zhang?”
“Anna! I didn’t say that! It’s not my business, I didn’t say anything!”
“What’s there to be afraid of?” Anna said sarcastically, “This kind of thing isn’t uncommon. No wonder Director Zhang always speaks up for her.”
“……”
No one responded, making excuses about having work to do before dispersing in small groups.
Jing Ge was assigned a small desk opposite Amanda’s.
Although Amanda was serious and spoke as concisely as possible—using one word when two weren’t necessary—Jing Ge felt incredibly at ease.
This feeling seemed familiar.
Like… Li Musi.
That kind of quiet, powerful presence, the calm assurance that nothing was impossible as long as he was around.
Amanda sent her a website link and told her to post a few links on it after finishing her current tasks.
She didn’t explain why.
Jing Ge was smart and understood after browsing the site.
Amanda was giving her the opportunity to find clients on her own.
Jing Ge wouldn’t waste this chance. She didn’t even go out for lunch, instead finishing the leftover sandwich from the morning.
After posting a few links, Jing Ge received a call from Li Zhan.
The name “Li Zhan” had become a thorn embedded in her skin, a constant reminder that it was still there, piercing her flesh.
He had been visibly furious when she left in the morning, and Jing Ge thought he wouldn’t bother with her for a while, at least.
After hesitating for a few seconds, Jing Ge answered the call.
Li Zhan’s voice was lazy, as if he had completely forgotten about the morning incident: “Come out and have some fun. I’ll introduce you to a few friends.”
“……” Jing Ge fell silent for a moment. “I’m at work.”
“Just quit,” Li Zhan said carelessly. “I’ll make up for whatever you lose.”
Jing Ge took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “You’re still in school.”Where did he get the money to compensate her?
Li Zhan: “A friend and I are planning to start a company. I’ve already talked to my parents, and they’re willing to provide funding. Quit that lousy job of yours—from now on, everything I earn will go to you.”
Jing Ge didn’t argue with him.
In truth, she had a lot of curses she wanted to hurl at him.
But she held back.
She simply repeated, “I’m at work. I don’t have time to go out.”
Li Zhan: “What about tonight?”
Jing Ge: “I might have to work overtime.”
She had just become a full-time employee, and there was an overwhelming amount of work.
Li Zhan: “These friends could be… helpful to you.”
A few of his foreign classmates, whose families were all in business, planned to purchase goods from the domestic market to sell back home, taking the import-export route.
Li Zhan wanted Jing Ge to meet them.
But before he could finish speaking,
Jing Ge reflexively resisted: “I really can’t. I’m extremely busy. Maybe after this period.”
“What did you say last night?” Li Zhan’s voice turned cold, seemingly annoyed by her repeated refusals. “You said you’d listen to me…”
The last thread of patience in Jing Ge’s mind snapped with a “ping.”
“Come on then, come stab me to death!” she hissed, suppressing her volume. “Then go stab my dad, my mom, my grandma, and Jing Beile! I don’t want your damn money. You could give it to me one second and take it back the next. Li Zhan, I’m warning you—my job is my bottom line. Anything else can be discussed. If you dare touch my job, I don’t care about any damn engagement or any damn favors. I’ll go die with you!!”
With that, she hung up the phone.
Silence instantly enveloped her ears.
After unleashing all those curses, Jing Ge froze for a few seconds before a wave of bitterness surged over her.
She buried her face in her arms, tears silently falling in the deserted office.
By the time Amanda returned, Jing Ge had composed herself and handed over the completed documents.
“Well done,” Amanda flipped through them and casually asked, “Did you have lunch?”
Jing Ge: “Yes, a sandwich.”
Amanda looked up at her: “A cold one.”
Jing Ge: “It was good.”
“…”
After a brief silence, Amanda called the administration department: “Order two servings of wonton soup for afternoon tea…”
Then she asked, “Any dietary restrictions?”
Jing Ge shook her head.
Amanda nodded.
After hanging up, Jing Ge asked hesitantly, “We can order food like that?”
“Others can’t,” Amanda replied calmly. “But I can.”
“…”
Bosses truly are bosses.
On a cold day, a warm bowl of wonton soup warmed Jing Ge from the inside out, sweeping away the gloom in her chest and lifting her spirits.
As work was about to end, Jing Ge received a call from Li Musi.
Jing Ge was surprised: “Uncle?”
“Yes,” Li Musi’s voice was steady and even. “Working overtime?”
Jing Ge: “There are still a few things left to finish.”
Li Musi: “Can they be postponed?”
Jing Ge checked: “Yes.”
It must be something important, otherwise Li Musi wouldn’t have contacted her.
“Alright,” Li Musi said. “Come downstairs.”
“…”
Once in the car, Li Musi explained the situation.
The police wanted to see her.
They said they couldn’t find any information about the perpetrator, and the surveillance footage didn’t show his face clearly. All the acquaintances around the female shop owner had been investigated, with no suspicious findings.
The only person who had seen the perpetrator’s face was Jing Ge.
They wanted her to go to the police station so that, based on her description, a sketch artist could draw the perpetrator’s likeness.
Jing Ge was nervous.
Because she couldn’t remember at all.
Her vision had been blurry, and the perpetrator was nothing but a hazy, pixelated blur in her memory.Li Musi sat beside her, glancing sideways downward. Jing Ge’s hand had unconsciously tightened its grip on the corner of his clothes, twisting the fabric into deep creases.