"Mam…. that…." Long Tao hesitated.
"Don't bother; my past life was indeed messy….. messy to the extent you can't even imagine." He heard her chuckle bitterly and looked up to see into her captivating eyes. "Regretting to be my assistant? I won't hold you back."
Without a word, he just studied her face as she waited for an answer. He was almost fifty, had experienced life more than her; yet he felt his experience was incomparable to hers.
"Eleven years!" His words caught her attention, "There's still eleven years until my retirement. And I'm one hell of a clingy assistant. Make sure you don't get bored with this face."
Now that he finally got the chance to be the assistant of someone as strong as her and prove his capabilities, he won't let go of the opportunity.
She chuckled as she started packing her bag, "Then start taking vitamins. It's not going to be easy with me."
"I take that as challenge,"
"Be prepared! This old foggy has recorded our conversation and will soon present it as something else. As soon as he does that, let the matter flare for a few hours before you release the video we recorded."
Long Tao got surprised, but quickly recovered and nodded.
******
Three days passed by and the matter pertaining to land acquisition flared to the extent it became the talk of the city. The media were in frenzy, everybody came with their own theories and evidences, exaggeratedly presenting it to the masses.
Everyone rushed to interview the Martyr widows. They showed their pity side, and how they were mentally harassed by people of Qi Industries.
Not so surprisingly, Hui Guozhi's name was nowhere to be seen. He smartly erased the evidence that leads to him or his company.
Enraged people demanded justice for the poor women whose husbands sacrificed their lives for the country. They appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Women and child affairs for bringing the issue to light.
Even the people at ministry celebrated their victory, calling it a joint effort of the staff and their selfless dedication to do something for the needy. Though everything was done by Suyin, that's how the things work in organisations.
Everyone wants to take credit!
As the public continued to criticise Qi Industries, they choose to remain silent on the issue. None of the spokesperson came forward to clarify it to save the company's reputation.
Shocking!
Naah! Scheming!
Seeing the things were going too smoothly, it surprised Wang Shi! He confirmed it multiple times with his assistant Daiyu but the latter was confused as well.
It was only Zhao Suyin and Long Tao who were aware of the reason. This was the calm before storm. Soon, tables will turn and Suyin would be targeted mercilessly when Hui Guozhi will make use of the video clip he recorded.
He intended to let everyone target Qi Industries first, only to turn out as a victim later by pushing blame to Zhao Suyin.
A clean sweep!
"I think it's time you make use of the video. I can't take it anymore." Hui Chouming strode into Hui Guozhi's office and dropped her purse on his desk before deflating on the chair.
The past three days were very difficult. Being Qi Wren's wife and one of the directors of the company, she could not escape the heat and was continuously pestered by crazy reporters.
"I've never looked this scary."
Hui Guozhi looked up from the document and saw her staring at her face in the hand-mirror with a horrified expression. Pale complexion, puffy red eyes, hollowed cheeks, zero make-up and dishevelled hair! "Let it be. It will benefit you later." He said, "Is Wren upset?"
"Very," She said stiffly, "That slut has received a fair share of publicity. End this before Wren returns from states and reveal the real culprit, you. I won't be able to stop him then."
Yes, she can. Qi Wren loved her. Spoiled her. Cosseted her. He was technically wrapped around his daughter's pinky finger, lost in her beauty, and would do anything to keep her happy.
"Then let's make a move," He called his secretary who came within two minutes, "Release the edited video."
*****
"MAM…."
Long Tao strode into Suyin's room without even bothering to knock.
"They released the video." She lamented as a matter of fact, surprising him as she continued doing the office work and didn't look up from the pile of documents. "If I'm not wrong, it's the part where he had asked me to stop framing him and Qi industries, and I brushed him off, asking for the evidence."
"Y-Yes…." He hesitated, "And they attached a copy of your divorce agreement, marriage certificate and a photo album as well."
Finally she faced him, her ghost of a smile send shivers run down his spine. "Few hours later release all the evidences we have accumulated." She closed the document and stood up, her ease and indifference aggravated him. "The files on the left are all signed. Send them to respective departments."
She picked her bag, changed her walking slippers back into high-heels before calling it a day.
******
Once more, in less than a week of her return, she became a laughingstock. And it was the same bunch of people at both times.
"Qi Industries innocent- framed by former Mrs. Qi."
"Secretary General at the Ministry of Women and child's affairs turned out to be former Mrs. Qi. She took advantage of her position to dupe media and public."
"Land acquisition case against Qi Industries- result of a planned scheme of vicious ex-wife."
"Zhao Suyin- the so-called social worker. Took advantage of Martyr widows to take revenge on ex."
"Qi industries highly misunderstood."
In an instant, a wave of articles, posts and comments flocked over the internet…. All shaming Zhao Suyin.
The post released by Hui Guozhi included her marriage details, her divorce agreement and an album containing photos of her leaving the club with two men circulated as well.
In the photos, they saw Suyin being carried out on shoulder by two men. She was wearing a sexy red gown, and all three seemed drunk.
The video was seen as..... a helpless father went to Suyin's office for the sake of his daughter's marriage and happiness. And there she bullied and humiliated him.
Reporters went to the ministry to question Suyin, but the Ministry arranged additional security and stopped them from entering into the premises.
In the eyes of public and her staff, her image was crumbled, she was labelled as the vicious ex-wife, a third wheel who used unscrupulous means to avenge herself.
The people who tried to take credit for the success suddenly pushed the blame on Zhao Suyin, accusing her for dishonouring a noble profession.
People started pitying Hui Chouming, whose dishevelled picture of entering Hui Pvt ltd's office surfaced.
Seeing the turn of events, Wei Yuan called Suyin, "Miss. Zhao this…."
"Sir, if you trust me, give me twenty-four hours. I know what I'm doing."
Wei Yuan sighed, "Fine, I won't issue any official statement on behalf of ministry as of now. But you better hurry."
"Yes, sir."
Suyin had just hung up when she received a message from an unknown number.
[Do you need help?]
Suyin frowned and typed, [?]
[Wang Shi] The reply came.
A charming smile crawled on her lips, [Thank you. I have it in control]
Suyin stared at the phone for a long time, waiting for his reply.
The three dots appeared and disappeared over five times, making her wonder what Wang Shi wanted to say that he retyped five times.
*Ting*
Finally!
[I trust you]
Three words! The three words flowed over her like warm water in chilly winter. Her heart fluttered as if he had touched something in her heart unknowingly. Something she was not aware of.
She stared at it for don't how long until a voice bring her out from her dazed state.
"Madam, we've reached."
She looked up at the cab driver, nodded and lowered her head back to the three precious words. A tiny droplet on the phone's screen made her wonder as she touched her cheeks with the tip of her fingers.
Wet!
"Madam," The driver called.
She paid him and was about to step out of the cab when she saw the tall building of People's Hospital in front and moved back in. "That's People's Hospital."
"Yes, mam"
"Didn't I say to take me to 'The chillzone'?
"No, you didn't."
*****