Shi Nian looked at Manager Wu, who had fallen to his knees in disbelief.
"I'll be letting you go because you once honestly worked for BaiYue."
Hearing her words, Secretary Shang looked at Shi Nian in surprise. He thought that rather than letting him go out of sentiment, Shi Nian simply couldn't be bothered with such a small fry.
Manager Wu walked out of the office dejectedly. Outside, the workers he once controlled rejoiced over his termination.
Seeing everyone busy with their duties, and no one sparing him a glance, Wang Shi hurriedly left the office.
After dealing with the issue at hand, Shi Nian dismissed the employees standing outside the office and Ding Shun's team.
"Manager Qing, you should stay behind," Shi Nian said to Qing Feng, who was just walking out with Little Bai.
Little Bai looked at Qing Feng worriedly. Seeing his concern, Qing Feng patted his shoulder, wordlessly telling him not to worry and to go back.
Qing Feng had been stunned by all that happened but quickly adapted to the situation.
Noticing her adaptability, Shi Nian nodded approvingly. She always appreciated quick-witted people.
"Manager Qing, I hope you'll work as diligently as you did with my parents. I look forward to a happy cooperation in the days to come."
Shi Nian paused, then continued,
"I'd like a thorough screening of all the workers here. I don't intend to teach you your job, but there's much to be done. I hope that the next time I come here, I'll see something different."
"Understood, Director Shi," Qing Feng replied appreciatively.
"You can leave now," Shi Nian dismissed her.
Qing Feng was stupefied for a moment. She thought Shi Nian had more to say — perhaps something to convince her or gain her support — but unexpectedly, she said nothing.
Seemingly aware of Qing Feng's thoughts, Shi Nian asked, "Is there something else?"
"No… Yes. Thank you, Director Shi." Qing Feng bowed slightly and walked out.
…
Over at Shi Wang's end, he had almost exploded in anger after Shi Nian ended the call.
In a fit of rage, he threw his phone and swept everything off the table.
"Shi Nian dares! She dared to outrightly go against me and threaten me?!" He was livid.
"Such a good daughter you have, Shi Beicheng," he spat hatefully.
After a while, Shi Wang calmed down.
The mess over at BaiYue had been his own doing — an intentional scheme to bring it to ruin. Although he wanted the Shi Consortium, he also wanted BaiYue destroyed — the thing Shi Beicheng treasured the most.
Shi Wang had done much to tear down BaiYue, but always behind the scenes.
He covertly used people like Manager Wu and the financial head whom Shi Nian had gotten arrested during her visit — men greedy for quick success.
Shi Wang was confident there was no evidence that could point to him as the mastermind.
Still, he felt Shi Nian had purposefully embarrassed him by removing Manager Wu.
He could see she was tactically removing his people from BaiYue. He couldn't sit back and watch that happen.
The more he thought about recent events, the more agitated he became.
Unable to stay calm, he called Secretary Shang. Shi Wang believed the man should have called earlier to inform him, at least so he wouldn't be caught unprepared.
Unfortunately, Secretary Shang left his calls unanswered.
Shi Wang couldn't shake the growing unease creeping in.
He wouldn't know that Shi Nian hadn't planned to deal with him this early — she had only reacted to Manager Wu's behavior.
…
Later, Shi Nian received a call from a friend inviting her to dinner that evening.
Just as she was having a headache over dealing with friends she barely knew, she received a text from her second cousin inviting her to dinner as well.
Only then did Shi Nian realize how much time she had spent at the warehouse.
She informed Secretary Shang of her leave, gathered her documents, and set out.
After she left, Secretary Shang immediately returned Shi Wang's calls — only to get yelled at.
He hurriedly made his way to Shi Wang's office at the Shi Consortium headquarters.
…
Shi Nian told her chauffeur the location her second cousin had sent.
When she arrived at the upscale restaurant, her cousin's assistant was already waiting at the entrance.
The assistant noticed her the moment she got out of the car and walked up to her.
"Miss Shi, I'll be leading you to Master Cheng YouLin," he said.
Shi Nian nodded and allowed him to lead the way.
As they walked in, Shi Nian heard someone call her name. She didn't respond — the voice wasn't familiar — until two people stood in front of her, blocking her way.
"I told you, you didn't recognize Nian Nian wrongly," one of them said, pulling the other forward.
Recognizing the face before her, Shi Nian saw it was one of her so-called friends — Ye Qiu.
"Sister Nian, you're here. Did you also receive WeiWei's invite?" Shi Ning spoke timidly, hiding behind Ye Qiu.
Shi Ning acted as if she were afraid Shi Nian might scold her for being there.
Ye Qiu pulled her forward and teased, "Why are you always so timid in front of your cousin? She doesn't bite!"
Shi Ning bit her lip and whispered, "You're right, but cousin has been harsh lately. The other day, she hurled a stick at Dad and me."
The more she spoke, the more pitiful she appeared, her body trembling slightly.
Ye Qiu couldn't bear it. "Nian Nian, Shi Ning's dad is your uncle. You shouldn't have done that. What would your father say if he were here?"
Ye Qiu's words made Shi Nian frown. "However I act toward others isn't your concern. Do not mention my father again."
Unwilling to say more, she signaled Cheng YouLin's assistant to continue leading the way.
Ye Qiu, provoked by Shi Nian's calm arrogance, reached out to grab her sleeve — but missed.
Shi Nian's reflexes had been honed over lifetimes.
She didn't bother with her and walked off, just as a group of bodyguards entered, escorting a man in a wheelchair.
Seeing the familiar face, Shi Nian stopped.
The man seemed to sense something and turned toward her — but Ye Qiu quickly stepped in front of Shi Nian, blocking her from view.