After a few lines of hypocritical pleasantries, the top lieutenants of both sides wore formulaic fake smiles. However, the smiles on Meng Lingyao’s side were a bit more genuine, while those on the Qi side were somewhat strained.
After all, the Qi staff felt like they were being suckers, practically begging to give people money. Looking at their own boss, they suspected he had been possessed—how else could he make such a decision?
If the boss is obsessed with scattering wealth, what can the employees do? They could only let him have his way. In the Qi Group, the Boss is supreme; no one can sway his thoughts.
The Qi employees looked at their boss with resentful eyes.
What on earth is this!
Then they saw the grinning mouths of the Meng employees and sighed deeply toward the heavens.
The negotiation between the two companies this time was only regarding the details of the contract clauses. Since the contract had already been stamped with the Meng Group’s official seal, it was now legally binding.
These matters didn’t require the two bosses to deliberate; the subordinates went back and forth discussing how to maximize interests.
Qi Employees: Poverty alleviation work is so hard to do!
Meng Employees: This thigh is so thick, it feels so good to cling to it!
Meng Lingyao and Qi Zhongjing sat at the head of the table with an office desk between them. Meng Lingyao’s face was stiff from maintaining that fake smile, while Qi Zhongjing was busy admiring the beauty. He stared straight at Meng Lingyao, his eyes like a scanner, seemingly capable of imprinting the other man’s image into his mind.
Beautiful, so good-looking, wifey, hehe.
Meng Lingyao felt prickly under the gaze. He couldn’t help but purse his lips and glare at the man, but the other didn’t restrain himself; his gaze remained bold, and a faint, delighted smile even surfaced.
He’s the golden thigh, he’s the golden thigh…
Meng Lingyao kept brainwashing himself. He felt so suppressed that he was starting to feel ethereal and transcendent, as if he had risen above the secular world.
Peaceful, exceptionally peaceful… ababa ababa…
…
The “Little Meng Group,” originally a subsidiary in another city, had moved into Y City half a year ago. Back then, they hadn’t shown their sinister intentions, though signs were already visible.
Now, calling itself the “Orthodox Meng Group,” the Little Meng Group was like a beast devouring its host, flourishing immensely.
The partnerships that had “exploded” (failed) had been fully transferred to the Main Meng Group. They had taken away a large portion of the partnerships and funds, and from top to bottom, everyone was waiting for the day the Main Meng Group officially declared bankruptcy.
It was like the behavior of an ancient concubine waiting for the legal wife to die of illness so she could be promoted.
Successive rounds of celebratory drinks were had, jokes were watched day after day, and they were counting down the days until the Meng Group’s bankruptcy.
If they didn’t have to maintain some decorum, the CEO of the Little Meng Group would have started a trending topic titled “When Will the Meng Group Go Bankrupt,” checking in daily to boost the stats.
That little piece of trash [Meng Lingyao] had been running around for help, looking utterly pathetic. Little did he know they had greeted everyone in advance; no one would give him a single chance at assistance.
“The head of the Qi family went to see that trash Meng Lingyao?” Meng Qiang, now Chairman and CEO of the Little Meng Group, frowned as he listened to his subordinate. “What is he doing there? Could that waste Lingyao actually invite him? No, based on that brat’s personality, that’s impossible.”
Clearly, he understood Meng Lingyao’s personality. Moreover, the feud between the Qi family and the Meng family was entirely credited to Meng Lingyao.
“Keep investigating. Also, see how many people from the Meng Group are coming over. Keep poaching them. Hollow them out for me. As long as they have the mind to leave, give them a little sweetness,” Meng Qiang instructed. Although he was wary of the Qi staff going over there, he didn’t have much real alarm in his heart.
If he hollowed out the Meng Group’s personnel, no matter how many tricks Meng Lingyao had, he wouldn’t be able to hold up the structure. As for the people poached over—they could get good treatment at first, but as for later…
Jobs are so hard to find nowadays; these people should be willing to take a little loss later on.
Calculating in his mind, a shrewd light flashed in Meng Qiang’s eyes.
On the other hand, the current situation of the Meng Group was such that, in anyone’s eyes, no one would use their own pocket to fill such a massive capital gap. No one is a philanthropist; they are all old foxes of the business world.
Therefore, Meng Qiang was more inclined to believe that the Qi Group was kicking them while they were down. After all, the “little waste” and the Qi family leader had been enemies for years.
“A list has already arrived. There are many people. The resignation and hiring processes are being synchronized. Tomorrow, that place might be empty,” the subordinate replied, bringing good news. “Young Master Meng said today that whoever wants to leave can leave. This agitated those people. The resignation rate of the Meng Group today is probably terrifyingly high.”
“Good, very good! As expected, he’s a brat who can’t keep his cool. Even now, he’s being willful!” Meng Qiang was excited. He dismissed his subordinate and couldn’t help but call another person. “Yes, exactly. It’s almost a hollow shell. That trash Meng Lingyao is still speaking without a filter. Perhaps tomorrow we will see the news of the Meng Group’s bankruptcy.”
“Hahaha, that truly is good news.” The person on the other end let out a delighted laugh, performing a laughter duet with Meng Qiang. “I’ll start preparing the victory banquet.”
…
Indeed, because of Meng Lingyao’s words, rumors spread quickly among the employees of the teetering company. Those who were already wavering grabbed onto the Little Meng Group’s olive branch like a life-saving straw. Others wanted to wait and see if there would be a turn for the better.
After all, the Qi Group had come today, and the upper management didn’t look panicked at all.
The level of sharp intuition of this second group of people deserved to make them a fortune.
Every resignation application was approved, and wages were settled on the spot. This was synchronized with the hiring at the Little Meng Group; they didn’t even have to show up in person to be hired there—it was a seamless transition.
Just as they were cheering and jumping for joy, the management posted several messages in the work groups that they hadn’t been fully cleared out of yet:
The company has reached a cooperation agreement with the Qi Group.
Due to the increase in resignations and the surge in workload resulting from the Qi cooperation, overtime pay will be doubled.
Effective immediately, salaries for all remaining on-duty staff will increase by 30-50%.
The company has vacancies; on-duty staff can internally recommend high-quality employees. There will be an internal referral bonus after they pass their probation.
Management positions are vacant. On-duty staff can self-recommend for management roles. The review deadline is in two days. Please submit promptly.
The people who had just finished packing their things were dumbfounded. The remaining employees, however, were screaming with excitement. Every one of them, who had been worried sick before, was now as hyper as an excited monkey.
“Look at the company’s recruitment!” one excited female employee shouted. She felt like she was in a dream. She had been browsing job apps earlier, only to find a whole list of job openings from her own company, with benefits significantly higher than the industry average.
“Wow! It’s real! The company won’t go bankrupt!”
“Aaaaah! I don’t have to change jobs, I’m getting a raise, and I can even strive for a management position!”
…
The news of the cooperation between the two companies was released by their official accounts as soon as the agreement was finalized. The Qi Group was clearly acting as a public backer for the Meng Group.
Setting aside the massive uproar the news caused in the outside world, Meng Lingyao looked at Qi Zhongjing, who was relaxing on the sofa in his office as if he were at home, and curled his lip inwardly.
He saw Qi Zhongjing holding a cup of tea, the steam curling upward. The five fingers holding the cup were long and fair; the milky-white teacup was almost the same color as his skin. His brows were relaxed, and he seemed to be in a state of leisurely ease.
His eyes seemed to be glazed with a layer of glistening moisture due to the tea mist, and the way he looked at Meng Lingyao was filled with tenderness.
After the cooperation discussion ended, Qi Zhongjing had followed him to the office, looking like he had something to say.
Meng Lingyao’s feelings toward Qi Zhongjing were complex. On one hand, the man had stepped in to save his company; on the other hand, he was indignant about the man taking advantage of his crisis.
Thus, he didn’t know how to speak first. The atmosphere was a bit odd, and for a time, the room fell into a silent stalemate.
Meng Lingyao didn’t like tea, nor did he like coffee. His office was mostly filled with fresh-squeezed fruit juice. He held a glass of juice, looking out the window so he wouldn’t have to look directly at the other man.
“Lingyao, I think we shouldn’t announce the matter of us getting our marriage certificate in two days to the public for now. Is that okay?” Qi Zhongjing broke the silence.
Although he was dying to tell the whole world that Meng Lingyao was his, announcing the news at this moment would undoubtedly put the other man in an unfavorable position.
People might say Meng Lingyao sold himself for glory, or that the Meng family sold their son for profit, and so on…
He didn’t want Meng Lingyao to suffer that grievance. For the person he had dreamed of for over twenty years, those rumors would undoubtedly cause him pain. Therefore, it was better to pass the Meng Group crisis first, and then announce it naturally later.
Furthermore, their wedding had to be grand; it needed everyone’s blessings.
At the thought of the wedding scene, Qi Zhongjing was practically bubbling with joy.
His treasure, entering the venue in a sacred suit, walking toward him with slow yet firm steps, surrounded by blooming flowers as embellishments…
When these words reached Meng Lingyao’s ears, however, they took on a different meaning. Afraid of being found out, so it needs to be covered up. Like a rat in a gutter that can’t see the light.
After all, it was a “sugar baby/lover” relationship cloaked in the skin of marriage—and he was the one in the subordinate position.
Meng Lingyao’s lips curled, his heart full of sarcasm, yet his tone was exceptionally calm. “Actually, it’s not that much trouble. Why go through the effort? We don’t even have to get the certificate. I don’t mind. Do whatever you want.”
He wants to sleep with me, wants to degrade me—does he need that piece of paper to make it legitimate? It’s not that much trouble. When he gets tired of playing later, we’ll have to divorce anyway. Not getting the certificate is simpler.
“No!” As soon as Meng Lingyao finished speaking, Qi Zhongjing immediately refused. His voice was a bit urgent, making Meng Lingyao turn his head to look at him.
Perhaps realizing his tone was off, Qi Zhongjing softened his voice. “Just hide it for a bit. We still have to get the certificate.”
Meng Lingyao sneered in his heart and said casually, “Fine, whatever. If we’re getting it, we’re getting it.”
Just a certificate. It didn’t matter; it was just a piece of paper.
To Meng Lingyao, it didn’t matter if that paper existed or not. He just assumed Qi Zhongjing wanted to play some game and deliberately required this procedure—or maybe with the certificate, he could be even more “free” with him?
Hypocrite!
Meng Lingyao cursed secretly but pretended not to care on the surface.
Qi Zhongjing suddenly sat down next to Meng Lingyao. The movement made Meng Lingyao turn his head to look at him. They were too close; Meng Lingyao wasn’t used to such proximity, as the other man’s aura was too aggressive.
Qi Zhongjing, however, smiled. That smile was very charming. He already had a great face, and now it was even more dazzling.