"Well, it's true that he was at fault in this matter. He was greedy and used some bad ingredients... But you see, the employees didn't suffer any harm, and the company compensated them. Can you please show some mercy and let him off the hook?"
Qingyan asked slowly, "What do you mean by letting him off the hook?"
"For example, we can let this matter pass and have him provide free meals to the employees for six months or a year... You can trust me, I will keep a close eye on the ingredients from now on, and I won't let him deceive us with inferior quality again!"
"It was because you were keeping an eye on things before that the problem occurred," Qingyan's gaze fell on him, carrying a hint of pressure. "Doesn't Mr. Hu bear any responsibility at all?"
"Yes, I do bear some responsibility..." Hulin Quan lowered his head. If it weren't for other reasons that prevented him from taking another approach, why would he be here, begging the girl in front of him?!
"If you think it doesn't matter for the employees to consume those additives, then you should eat them too, just like them, for a year. After a year, we can discuss this matter again."
"President Qing, are you joking?" Hulin Quan tried to please her with a smile. "One year... That's enough to serve my relatives 365 days of prison food."
"Is prison food less appetizing than additives?"
"..."
"At least it's healthier."
"..." Hulin Quan was completely speechless.
"As the Vice President of the company, instead of reflecting on yourself and compensating the employees immediately after the incident, you were trying to defend your relatives. I don't know how you have the face to tell me all this. If you wanted to settle this privately, I'm sorry, but I can't do that."
Upon hearing the girl's resolute rejection, Hulin Quan's heart sank halfway. However, thinking about his own relatives getting involved in trouble, which could very well implicate him, he had to brace himself and continue.
"President Qing, it's mainly because our families have a deep personal relationship. My elderly mother is eighty-nine this year. When she heard that he got into trouble, she cried, threw a tantrum, and even threatened to commit suicide unless I helped him out..."
"His family has been pestering me as well. I really had no choice but to come to you, even though I was ashamed to do so..."
"The main reason is that we can't bear to see him suffer like this..."
...
"So, are you willing to let the employees suffer for it?" Qingyan raised her gaze and asked.
"Well..."
"There's no room for negotiation in this matter, Mr. Hu. It would be best if you thought about yourself more. Mr. Liu is your relative, and when such a thing happens, the headquarters will definitely investigate it thoroughly."
Upon hearing this, Hu Linquan's heart completely sank, and his confident demeanor disappeared. He walked away with a slight bow and a dejected look.
Qingyan enjoyed the dessert Si Yechen bought for her and finished her work shortly before quitting time.
Nightfall arrived.
Si Yechen took her to a candlelight dinner, his eyes seemingly filled with countless words, but in the end, he didn't say a word and silently served her food.
"Is something wrong?" Qingyan looked at his hesitant expression, feeling puzzled.
"Do you... not like the bracelet?" Si Yechen gazed at the beautiful light in the girl's eyes, seemingly crestfallen. "Or... do you not like me?"
Qingyan: ???
"Have I been bothering you lately, making you tired of me?" Si Yechen picked up a hot towel and gently wiped away the sauce at the corner of her lips, his gaze intense yet expectant as he waited for her answer.
It was then that Qingyan noticed she had forgotten to wear the bracelet on her wrist.
"If you don't like me, I will work harder to make you like me. Can you give me a little more time?"
Qingyan: ???
"If you don't like that bracelet, I'll design a new one for you."
Qingyan: !!!
"You designed that bracelet?" Qingyan was surprised.
But for Si Yechen, it was not a difficult task. He had a natural talent for design since childhood. To put it in Qingyan's words, if he focused solely on design, he would become a legend in the design world!
His design talent had caused a sensation internationally.
"Yeah," Si Yechen looked into her eyes, his expression serious and earnest. "Is it the problem with the bracelet or with me? If both, I'll fix them together."
Qingyan curved her lips, her smile pure and radiant. "The bracelet is lovely, and I really like it. I accidentally spilled some juice on it in the afternoon, so I took it off when I went to wash my hands and forgot to put it back on."
So this man thought she didn't like him anymore, that's why he was being so cautious?
"And what about me?" Si Yechen's gaze was serious and attentive as he looked at her. "Do you like me or not?"
"..." Who asks such a question?
"I'm okay with you," Qingyan chuckled. "Can we focus on eating now?"
Si Yechen affectionately touched her face, dispelling the gloom from earlier and replacing it with sweetness and happiness.
Yan Yan said he was okay.
Which means he usually does well.
He smiled and happily fed her.
"I can eat on my own."
"Would you like me to feed you with a spoon, or..." Si Yechen suddenly approached and kissed her lips, hinting at something.
"You..." This guy was being mischievous again!
After finally finishing their meal, Si Yechen dropped her off at the company building and got out of the car to open the door for her. "I'll accompany you upstairs."
"The production line at the company operates 24 hours."
If he were to go up, it was highly likely that people from the production department would see him.
Seeing Si Yechen looking somewhat aggrieved, Qingyan helplessly said, "Wait here for me, I'll come down after getting the bracelet."
"Then hold me for a while."
"..."
"Just a quick hug, and I'll let you go upstairs." Si Yechen opened his arms, acting like a child begging for a hug.
Qingyan looked at this man who was usually cold and indifferent, now acting so childishly in front of her. She felt even more helpless. In order to avoid being seen, she lightly touched him as a gesture.
She thought it would be just a brief touch, but unexpectedly, Si Yechen's arms suddenly enveloped her. "When will I ever see the light of day?"
"Huh?"
"When will people know that I'm your fiancé?"
"..." Qingyan was speechless. "Is that important?"
"It's important." Si Yechen held her tightly. "Very important. Has anyone at the company been pursuing you?"
Qingyan found it amusing. In the past couple of days, she had turned the company upside down. Not to mention men, even women didn't dare to approach her...
"No."
"I like it." Si Yechen breathed in her fragrance. "I really like it, like it a lot. You're a married woman now, so keep your distance from others."
"..."
"Can you do that?"
"Alright, I understand. I need to go upstairs now." Qingyan didn't want to engage in public displays of affection on the busy street, as it wouldn't be appropriate.
She entered the company, entered the office password, pushed the door open, and the bracelet was still quietly lying on the desk...
Thinking of what he said tonight, Qingyan's heart warmed.
In order not to keep him waiting for too long, she put on the bracelet and left the office. Just as she was about to enter the elevator, she suddenly heard voices coming from the emergency staircase...
It sounded like an argument, with a hint of resentment.
Qingyan walked quietly, pushed open the door to the staircase, and only then did she realize that the voices were coming from several floors below.
Because of the echoing in the staircase, the voices sounded louder.