“Qianhe.” Gu Xingyun urged.
Gu Qianhe clenched her teeth tightly and hurriedly signed her name on the agreement.
As soon as she finished signing, Gu Xingyun immediately handed the document to Zhao Xiaodong.
“Go back to the company now and call Jiang Lai over.”
Gu Qianhe sat in her chair and called out aggrievedly, “Big Brother…”
She had already sacrificed so much — how could she not even get a single word of comfort from him?
“I’ll come back later. Get some rest.”
Gu Xingyun patted her shoulder and turned to instruct Gu Shaochen to look after her.
Gu Corporation — CEO’s office, top floor
Gu Xingyun handed the signed share transfer agreement to Jiang Lai.
“As long as you sign here, five percent of the company’s shares will be yours.”
He leaned slightly forward, clearly impatient.
“Where’s the Zhuang project proposal? Did you bring it?”
Jiang Lai took a folder from her briefcase. “Here. Cash on delivery.”
She opened the share transfer agreement and carefully reviewed it from start to finish. After confirming there were no issues, she signed her name.
At the same time, Gu Xingyun was reading the Zhuang project documents.
The profit-sharing terms were far more favorable than usual — the kind typically offered only when a small company desperately seeks cooperation.
Yet this was a project Gu Corporation had repeatedly begged for, and Zhuang Group was still willing to make concessions.
Gu Xingyun was slightly startled and pointed to a clause.
“Is this correct?”
Jiang Lai glanced at it casually.
“The proposal was reviewed multiple times by Zhuang Group’s lawyers. There’s no mistake.”
She put the signed agreement back into her briefcase and stood up to leave immediately.
Gu Xingyun froze for a moment before regaining his composure.
Zhao Xiaodong asked cautiously, “President Gu, is there a problem with the project?”
“No.” Gu Xingyun shook his head lightly. “On the contrary — Zhuang Group made concessions.”
Zhao Xiaodong looked where he was pointing and was equally surprised.
“Maybe they did this as a favor to President Pei?”
“Impossible.”
Gu Xingyun sighed.
It was already difficult enough just to secure the project; Zhuang Group had no reason to go this far.
He couldn’t figure out the reason, but faintly felt it had something to do with Jiang Lai.
He relaxed slightly and signed his name under the “Party B” column.
That night, news that Gu Corporation and Zhuang Group had signed a medical equipment cooperation agreement shot to the top of trending searches.
Many who had predicted Gu Corporation’s downfall were slapped in the face, while the entire company celebrated a major comeback.
Jiang Lai only saw the news at noon the next day. After scrolling through the comments, she received a message from Zhao Xiaodong.
[Zhao Xiaodong: Miss Jiang, President Gu says you can return to work.]
[Zhao Xiaodong: He also adjusted your position. If you’re not satisfied, tell me.]
Attached was a photo of a brand-new work badge:
Finance Department — Team One Leader: Jiang Lai.
Jiang Lai replied slowly:
[Got it. I’ll come this afternoon.]
Although the Zhuang project was secured, with Gu Qianhe’s “fortune-borrowing” still in play, Gu Corporation’s future remained uncertain.
She had to stay and protect Old Madam Gu’s life’s work.
After a simple lunch, Jiang Lai returned to the company before the end of break.
As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she ran straight into Lin Sihui.
“You were fired — why are you still here?!” Lin Sihui’s voice was sharp.
She had asked HR earlier and confirmed Jiang Lai had been dismissed, which made her feel smug all morning.
“Looks like Miss Lin’s information is outdated.” Jiang Lai pulled out her badge and put it around her neck.
“I’m your team leader now.”
Lin Sihui frowned. “That’s impossible!”
Finance Team One handled the company’s most critical work. A team leader usually had over ten years of experience and outstanding achievements.
With Jiang Lai’s background, this sounded absurd.
She grabbed Jiang Lai’s wrist. “Your mouth is really something. Come with me to HR — let’s see how someone who was fired dares to claim she’s a team leader.”
Jiang Lai shook off her hand and took off her badge, tossing it to Lin Sihui.
“Any questions?”
Lin Sihui looked down — right in the center of the badge were the words:
Finance Department — Team One Leader
Name: Jiang Lai
She stood there in shock, holding the badge like a hot potato.
At that moment, Zhao Xiaodong came down with the official personnel order and saw Lin Sihui confronting Jiang Lai.
He hurried over.
“Miss Lin, starting today Jiang Lai is the leader of Finance Team One.”
He placed the official document in front of her.
“This is personally approved by President Gu.”
Lin Sihui stared at the document in silence; her hand trembled and the badge fell to the floor.
Jiang Lai folded her arms calmly.
“Secretary Zhao, since Miss Lin is now my team member, I should have basic personnel authority, right?”
“Of course,” Zhao Xiaodong nodded.
Jiang Lai spoke in a firm, commanding tone:
“From today on, Lin Sihui is removed from Team One.”
Lin Sihui’s face turned pale. “I’m more capable and experienced than you — why should I leave just because you say so?!”
Jiang Lai replied unhurriedly,
“Are you the team leader?”
“Your annual performance reviews are a mess every year. You only stayed in Team One because Gu Qianhe kept pleading for you — this isn’t a secret.”
Each word hit Lin Sihui like a slap.
Her last fig leaf was torn away.
Nearby colleagues began whispering and pointing.
Everyone knew her reports were full of basic mistakes, which had caused them trouble more than once.
“Sihui, the leader has spoken. Stop embarrassing yourself.”
“Yeah, honestly, your level fits Team Two or Three much better.”
People who had previously suffered because of her now took the chance to pile on.
Lin Sihui stood there flushed and speechless.
Jiang Lai ignored her and walked past her into the office.
Zhao Xiaodong picked up the badge from the floor and tried to return it.
“I’d rather not use something she touched. Sorry to trouble you, Secretary Zhao.”
Understanding immediately, Zhao Xiaodong pocketed it.
He then turned to Lin Sihui.
“Miss Lin, please come with me to HR — they’ll reassign your position.”