Chapter 112: Not Holding Grudges
Chapter 112: Not Holding Grudges
Seeing Yang Chen return to his seat, Zhao Hongyan looked at him with a strange smile, "Did you really get together with Minister Mo?"
"I wish I did with you instead," Yang Chen winked at her.
Blushing, Zhao Hongyan hit Yang Chen, "I'm serious! Don't joke with me!"
"You guess," Yang Chen teased, knowing well about women's innate gossip cells.
Seeming to have assumed the relationship between Yang Chen and Mo Qian Ni, Zhao Hongyan asked again, "Is Minister Mo okay?"
"Do you think she's not?" Yang Chen pointed to Mo Qian Ni, who was explaining work to several female PR staff, still energetic and determined.
Feeling relieved that Mo Qian Ni was fine, Zhao Hongyan sighed, "Actually, we sisters have discussed Minister Mo's situation. It's not a big deal. That man doesn't seem like a good person. He must have treated Minister Mo badly first. Minister Mo might be a bit harsh, but as long as she treats us well, that's what matters."
"Is she good to you guys? I feel like she's always making you work, acting like a foreman," Yang Chen joked.
Rolling her eyes at him disdainfully, Zhao Hongyan said, "You little newbie only knows how to play games. Don't you know that's how big companies operate nowadays? They maximize employees' labor while providing enough benefits. Let me tell you, since Minister Mo took office, the PR staff's annual bonuses and allowances have been the highest in the company. All the welfare benefits prioritize us. Many sisters have been bullied while accompanying clients, but Minister Mo has helped them seek justice several times, even arguing with some stubborn senior executives of the company."
"She's that domineering, and nobody manages her?" Yang Chen thought Mo Qian Ni was only "mean" to him, but it seemed she was fair in her actions.
Laughing, Zhao Hongyan explained, "Minister Mo was promoted by the CEO himself. She's actually an old member of the company, and she's also a friend of Mr. Lin's privately. Mr. Lin definitely supports Minister Mo. Those bad guys in the company can't climb over our department's head. Besides, Minister Mo's personal connections are quite strong. Otherwise, why would Mr. Lin appoint her as the temporary vice president when he was on sick leave?"
After listening to Zhao Hongyan's explanation, Yang Chen gained a better understanding of the company's system. However, he didn't dwell on these matters too much. After chatting for a while, he immersed himself in the gaming business.
Just played two rounds of matching games when Yang Chen's phone rang. Glancing at the number, it was that little scamp Tang Tang calling.
With a smile, he answered the phone, greeted by Tang Tang's sweet voice on the other end, "Uncle! I miss you so much!"
"I don't miss you."
"Hmph, still so unromantic," Tang Tang pouted, then asked, "Uncle, what are you doing? We've been writing computer systems all day today, those things are so boring. I finished my work and have nothing to do, so I'm bored to death."
"You find something to do when you're bored, I'm at work."
"Work?" Tang Tang seemed to discover a new world and asked, "Uncle, what do you do for work?"
"Play games," Yang Chen answered truthfully.
Tang Tang chuckled, "So Uncle's a soy sauce worker, what game are you playing? WoW? EQ? Or some knock-off game like Miracle?"
Yang Chen thought for a moment, not really sure what to classify "Matching" as, so he vaguely replied, "A high IQ game."
"A high IQ game? What game is that?"
"It's 'Pet Pokemon Matching'," Yang Chen reluctantly disclosed the name.
Tang Tang remained silent for a while, then burst into laughter, a wild laughter that could be heard even through the phone.
Yang Chen felt annoyed. Was it really that funny? After all, it's one of the top games on the casual gaming charts! He's keeping up with the trends!
It took Tang Tang a while to control her laughter, then she said, "Uncle, you'll be looked down upon like this. A man as handsome and wise as Uncle, how can you play such girly and aunty games?"
"What should I play then?" Yang Chen was quite pleased with this praise, after all, it was true!
"There are many games, it depends on what type Uncle likes, whether it's real-time strategy games, sports action games, shooting games, role-playing games, or management simulation games," Tang Tang listed a bunch of terms that were completely unfamiliar to Yang Chen.
Yang Chen wasn't stupid. He could roughly understand what those terms meant. But action, shooting, he was too lazy for that. Enough of that in real life, no need to bother with it in games. As for management simulation, he'd rather tend to cattle!
"I like real-time strategy games, is that something like fighting?"
"Yeah, it's like battling against people or computer opponents, building houses, deploying troops, and then engaging in warfare on the map," Tang Tang explained.
"Sounds interesting. What's the name of the game?" Yang Chen asked.
Tang Tang thought for a moment and said, "Uncle, how about this? I'm free this afternoon. You come to the school to pick me up, and I'll take you somewhere. Then I'll introduce you to some fun games and even teach you!"
"Don't try to deceive me. Aren't you supposed to be in school? Why are you out playing games?" Yang Chen lectured with an adult-like tone, completely ignoring the fact that his own diploma was a forgery.
Tang Tang pouted, "Uncle, believe me! I really don't have classes today. It's all computer-based learning, and I've finished all my assignments. I can leave anytime without affecting my studies!"
Yang Chen was itching to try out that "warfare" game. During his years abroad, he often envied the generals in armies, commanding various units to engage in large-scale battles with just a command. While he could command a few people himself, most of the time he was a lone wolf, and the people he could command weren't as disciplined as the military. It felt lacking.
"Okay, then. I'll pick you up at 1 o'clock in front of your school," Yang Chen agreed.
Meanwhile, Lin Ruoxi, who had just been discharged from the hospital and returned to work, naturally heard about the morning incident at the company's entrance. However, the composed her easily detected that something was off, at least in the way "Mo Qianni" was handling things.
But Lin Ruoxi didn't rush to question the person involved. After finishing a pile of complicated documents, in the afternoon, she personally called Mo Qianni and asked her to come to her office for a talk.
Mo Qianni's mood was surprisingly good. With a genuine smile on her face, she walked into the office and casually sat on the large sofa nearby, glancing at Lin Ruoxi, who had a faint expression. She teased, "Chairwoman Lin, you're working so hard right after getting discharged. What about us ordinary employees?"
Lin Ruoxi, in a bubblegum pink sweater, looked a bit more youthful, reminding people that this stunningly beautiful CEO was just in her early twenties.
Lin Ruoxi looked at Mo Qianni with concern for a long time, "Qianni, are you okay?" Although she cared a lot, Lin Ruoxi's demeanor made her question sound rather monotonous.
Mo Qianni pursed her lips and shook her head with a smile. "Do I look like someone with a problem?"
"Good then," Lin Ruoxi nodded, then casually added, "What you did this morning was a bit unusual."
Mo Qianni wasn't surprised. With their many years of friendship, Lin Ruoxi's understanding of her was as deep as her own understanding of Lin Ruoxi. Perhaps others couldn't tell the fake Mo Qianni apart, but she could naturally detect any anomalies.
To prevent the situation from escalating, Mo Qianni had already decided to keep the truth about the incident secret. She wasn't flustered and explained with a smile, "I also couldn't believe it at the time. Maybe I was really too angry and couldn't control myself."
Lin Ruoxi nodded and then asked casually, "Have you known Yang Chen for long?"
This question was a bit mysterious. As Yang Chen's lawful wife, Lin Ruoxi had heard about Mo Qianni's intimate behavior with Yang Chen, even being referred to as his lover. Instead of directly questioning Mo Qianni, she indirectly broached the topic.
Mo Qianni felt a pang of guilt, but as long as she remembered Yang Chen's word "will," she couldn't suppress the sense of guilt. She knew she couldn't outright deny everything, so she didn't feel too embarrassed.
"We haven't known each other for long, just a superior-subordinate relationship. Ruoxi, you should know me, I'm not that kind of person."
Mo Qianni didn't answer "yes" or deny it. This kind of response, to a large extent, had already implied her "admission." She wasn't "that kind of person," so if there was something, it was serious!
Both were intelligent and proud women, and sometimes, they could convey a lot through just a few words.
Lin Ruoxi felt uncomfortable again. She didn't think she could be jealous over her unreliable husband. More likely, she was upset that her good friend had developed feelings for Yang Chen.
What's so good about that man? Could even someone as rational as Qianni fall for him?
Seeing Lin Ruoxi's silence, Mo Qianni worried that she was angry with her. With a hint of embarrassment, she added quietly, "Ruoxi, don't be mad. There's nothing between us. It might just have been a moment of impulse on my part. He hasn't done anything to wrong you, really."
Lin Ruoxi found it amusing. One of her few close friends was developing feelings for her useless husband and was now apologizing to her in fear. Could she really be mad at her good friend for such an incapable man? It was a joke!
"Qianni, don't get worked up. I'm not angry at you. I just hope you can see some facts clearly. He's not worth your effort," Lin Ruoxi sighed softly.
Mo Qianni was taken aback. She didn't understand why Lin Ruoxi, as his wife, would calmly speak these words. She smiled bitterly, "I also know he's very unreliable, but some things aren't controllable by reason."
Lin Ruoxi furrowed her brows. She could detect a hint of sweetness in Mo Qianni's words, which made her increasingly uncomfortable and irritable. She really wished that man who brought her so much trouble would step forward and clarify everything, preferably... preferably saying that he and her good friend... were impossible!
Lin Ruoxi pressed a button on her desk, and soon, a neatly dressed woman in a black suit, with a serious expression, walked in.
"Chairwoman Lin, is there something you need?"
"Wu Yue, summon Yang Chen from the Public Relations Department to the office. I have some questions for him and Minister Mo," Lin Ruoxi ordered.
The efficient secretary Wu Yue had already anticipated that Lin Ruoxi might call Yang Chen, so she had called the Public Relations Department earlier to inquire about the situation.
"Chairwoman Lin, Yang Chen left the company about fifteen minutes ago."
"During work hours? Where did he go?" Lin Ruoxi and Mo Qianni both looked at Wu Yue in surprise.
Wu Yue said expressionlessly, "According to the information provided by the Public Relations Department staff, Yang Chen went out to play games with someone."
A dark cloud immediately descended upon Lin Ruoxi's beautiful face, and Mo Qianni beside her also showed a look of deep disappointment.
"A hopeless case," Lin Ruoxi sighed in disappointment, even feeling the urge to throw something, but ultimately she just closed her eyes wearily and waved her hand for Wu Yue to leave, as if all her strength had been drained in that moment.
Seeing Lin Ruoxi's helpless expression, Mo Qianni couldn't help but feel responsible, silently lowering her head, feeling increasingly regretful and self-blaming...