Chapter 22: Rumors Arise and the Siege from All Sides
Time: An afternoon on a workday, the sun beginning to grow languid, filtering through the window and casting soft shadows across the desk.
Location: Inside the Hongyu Group's market department, once a space filled with vitality and harmony, now shrouded by the dark cloud of rumors.
The atmosphere in the office has thickened, as if the very air has become weighted. The once light-hearted conversations have been replaced by hushed whispers and heavy silences. After returning from the meeting, Zhang Liang could clearly sense this oppressive atmosphere, as though he were a fly trapped in the center of a spider's web, surrounded by invisible but incredibly sticky suspicion and doubt. He walked slowly back to his desk, each step feeling as though it were sinking into cotton—soft and ineffective. His eyes reflected a glimmer of confusion and helplessness, his heart silently screaming, "Why? Why doesn't anyone believe me?"
Sitting at his desk, Zhang Liang tried to focus on his work, but the murmurs around him buzzed like an irritating swarm of flies, circling in his ears. He saw several colleagues gathered in a nearby corner, occasionally casting wary glances in his direction, their eyes filled with distrust and detachment, as though he were a carrier of some dangerous virus. One colleague, who had always been chatty and friendly with him, now avoided his desk as if it were cursed, walking by as if terrified of being contaminated by the "bad luck" Zhang Liang was supposedly carrying. The colleague moved along the walls like a nervous rodent, desperately avoiding any contact.
At that moment, Li Qiang swaggered over, wearing a smug, icy smile that felt like a dagger aimed straight at Zhang Liang. Raising his voice deliberately, he taunted, "Oh, look who it is, our great hero Zhang Liang. Why the long face? Did those little rumors get to you?" He feigned a look of sympathy, but his eyes were filled with schadenfreude, like a fox watching a struggling prey.
Zhang Liang looked up, glaring at Li Qiang with seething anger, his eyes burning with the intensity of a fire that could consume him. Through clenched teeth, he retorted, "Li Qiang, don't pretend to be so innocent. Were those rumors spread by you? Why are you doing this?" His voice trembled slightly, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, as if ready to strike.
Li Qiang shrugged nonchalantly, spreading his hands, "Zhang Liang, don't accuse me unjustly. I just overheard some chatter. How am I supposed to know whether it's true? Maybe, just maybe, you've actually done something shady, and now you're trying to blame others for your own mistakes." His words pierced Zhang Liang's heart like poisoned arrows, leaving him shaking with rage.
Rising in fury, Zhang Liang's chair was violently pushed backward with a loud screech, like an angry shout of defiance. He took a step forward, closing the distance between him and Li Qiang, and said, "You're lying! I have always been upright and transparent in my actions. I've never wronged anyone. What's your real intention behind these malicious slanders?" His breathing grew heavier, his chest rising and falling like a bull ready to charge.
Li Qiang, seeing Zhang Liang's intense reaction, was momentarily startled, but he maintained his composure, lifting his chin and saying, "Hmph, you say you've done nothing wrong, but who can prove that? The rumors are circulating for a reason. If you're really innocent, then show us the proof." His eyes flickered briefly with panic, but he quickly masked it, putting on a defiant, stubborn expression.
Just as the confrontation reached its peak, Su Yao rushed over. Her face showed concern and urgency, like a delicate flower swaying in the storm. She stepped in front of Zhang Liang, facing Li Qiang. "Li Qiang, stop causing trouble," she said firmly, her voice calm but resolute, like a stream that cuts through stone. "We should all trust Zhang Liang; he's not the kind of person you're making him out to be."
Li Qiang gave her a disdainful look, sneering, "Su Yao, don't let his facade fool you. You think you know him? Maybe he's been scheming behind your back, too." His words cut like a cold wind, making Su Yao feel a chill in her heart, but she stood her ground. "I trust Zhang Liang, and I believe in his character. No matter what others say, I won't change my mind." She took his hand firmly, offering him warmth and strength. The comforting touch eased some of the anger within Zhang Liang.
However, the whispers of the others didn't cease with Su Yao's words. Around them, colleagues continued to gossip, their eyes filled with suspicion and distrust. One female colleague murmured, "Su Yao is so naive, maybe Zhang Liang's been deceiving her too." Another colleague agreed, "Yeah, there are too many people like that nowadays—one face for the public and another behind closed doors." Their words were like sharp knives, slowly cutting into Zhang Liang's heart, leaving him in deep anguish.
Zhang Liang surveyed his surroundings, filled with helplessness and sorrow. He knew that no matter what he said at this moment, it would be difficult to change their minds. He recalled the words from the Tao Te Ching: "The good do not argue, and those who argue are not good." He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Turning to Su Yao, he said, "Su Yao, thank you for believing in me. But right now, I don't want to argue with them. I will prove my innocence through my actions." His voice was calm yet firm, like a lighthouse standing steadfast in the storm.
Su Yao looked at him with admiration and support. She nodded and said, "Zhang Liang, I believe in you. No matter what difficulties come, I will stand by you." Her words were like a beam of warm sunlight piercing through Zhang Liang's dark world, bringing him comfort and solace.
The day's work felt like an endless nightmare to Zhang Liang. He struggled in the whirlpool of rumors, each second a torment. Finally, the end-of-day bell rang, and Zhang Liang, like a weary bird, dragged his exhausted body out of the office. As he walked through the bustling crowd, he felt a deep loneliness and isolation. He didn't know how long this rumor storm would last, nor if he could truly overcome this crisis. But he knew one thing: he couldn't give up. He had to persevere.
"Zhang Liang, do not let this temporary adversity disturb your mind. 'Achieve the extreme of emptiness, keep still and steadfast,'" the system's voice rang out, like a wise sage whispering in his ear, offering him guidance and strength.
Summary: In this chapter, Zhang Liang faces the relentless tide of rumors, with Li Qiang's provocations and his colleagues' doubts weighing heavily upon him. Despite the anger and helplessness, he finds solace in Su Yao's trust and support. Following the wisdom of Laozi, "The good do not argue, and those who argue are not good," Zhang Liang decides to avoid confrontation and rely on his actions to prove his integrity. The next chapter will reveal how Zhang Liang, amidst rumors and mounting pressure, clings to his principles and continues his journey toward resolution. Stay tuned for the next developments in Chapter 23.