Chapter 56

Han Qian and Su Liang were caught smoking in front of the restroom sink—a grave transgression. Dragged back to the office, they were scolded thoroughly by Yang Lan in front of everyone. Liu Jiulong handed Yang Lan a cup of hot water, glaring at the two as he rebuked them.

"Look at you two! Grown men, nearly fifty between you, and still so childish?"

Han Qian pouted and muttered under his breath, "Add your age in and we'd all be senile by now."

"What did you say, Han Qian? Who's senile?" Liu Jiulong roared.

Han Qian ignored this sycophant's attempt to impress Yang Lan. He pointed to the dark circles under his eyes and looked pleadingly at Yang Lan. "Yang Jie, did they remove the little cot in the office?"

His meaning was clear: he wanted to catch a nap in her office. Yang Lan's face darkened, but seeing Han Qian's pale face and heavy dark circles, she wavered. She was about to speak when Liu Jiulong cut in, shoving Han Qian into his seat. "Work!"

Yang Lan swept her gaze across the general department. "Same old issue—mind your conduct. Prepare for what's on your desks; I have a meeting."

She left in her heels, the very image of a stern homeroom teacher. With her departure, Han Qian sank into his seat, dozing off. Just as he was drifting, Li Dongsheng began blasting music through the department, causing Han Qian to frown deeply.

Wu Siwan softly reminded Li Dongsheng not to disturb others' work, but he merely shrugged, typical of someone spoiled by his family. Then, Qian Wan stood up, walked to his desk, and shut down his computer, frowning. "Play your games, I'll play mine. Don't interfere. You're disrupting my gaming, and I won't stand for it."

Li Dongsheng shot up, shoving her shoulder as he cursed, "Qian Wan, don't think I'm afraid to hit you!"

"What's going on here? Back to your seats, all of you!" Liu Jiulong barked. "Li Dongsheng, listen to your music without bothering anyone else. Qian Wan, return to your desk."

Qian Wan shot Li Dongsheng a cold glare but didn't go back. Instead, she tapped Han Qian and Su Liang on the shoulder. "You two okay? If so, how about a quick game?"

The general department was just that laid-back. Su Liang hesitated, but Han Qian grinned and agreed. They switched seats with a couple of colleagues and put on headsets. The department transformed into a mini internet café, and the sandbox game they played was addictively fun—truly living up to the saying, "You leave home with an umbrella, but in-game, you scavenge all your gear."

Han Qian and Su Liang were getting the hang of it, though still far from pros. Liu Jiulong, seeing the peace and quiet, was just thankful no one was arguing. After two hours, just as the three were about to claim their first in-game victory, Yang Lan returned, accompanied by Yan Qingqing. All three still had headsets on, oblivious until Yan Qingqing stood by Qian Wan's side, startling the girl.

Han Qian was still asking if Qian Wan had any smoke grenades when a stack of documents smacked his back. He winced, turned to snap, and saw it was Yan Qingqing. Shrinking back, he grabbed Su Liang, ready to bolt. Su Liang was slower, and Yan Qingqing caught him by the hair, scolding furiously.

"Play, play, play—that's all you lot know! The higher-ups are talking about disbanding the general department and here you are gaming away! Fine—Han Qian, Su Liang, Qian Wan—form a team and head to the airport community right now. Ask the residents what kind of compensation they need. Go, now! Qian Wan, if you don't want me to call your aunt, stop pouting."

Qian Wan didn't dare pout again. She grabbed her coat and prepared to leave when Han Qian suddenly spoke up. "President Yan, I'm not feeling well today. Could I..."

Before he could finish, the usually quiet Wu Siwan stood up, her voice clear. "President Yan, Han Qian didn't rest well last night. Perhaps I could go instead?"

Both Li Dongsheng and Yan Qingqing's brows furrowed. Li Dongsheng stared at Wu Siwan in disbelief, his gaze then turning icy as it settled on Han Qian. Yan Qingqing, meanwhile, pinned Han Qian with a cold stare. After a long, heavy silence, she barked at Wu Siwan.

"You? If you were truly capable, I wouldn't be worried about this department's future. And Li Dongsheng—if I find out you're making life hard for Yang Lan, you're out of here. Starting now, no more games, no more movies. Anyone I catch will be fired, I don't care who your backers are."

Then she turned to Han Qian. "Well? Get going!"

Han Qian scratched his head and extended his hand. "No car, President Yan."

"Then take the bus! Move!"

They had no choice; caught red-handed, they filed out. Yan Qingqing, her face dark with anger, turned to Yang Lan. "If you can't manage this department, I'll have Xiao Bai take over tomorrow."

The mention of Xiao Bai made the eyes of every man in the department light up—except for Li Dongsheng, who was too busy glowering at Wu Siwan.

"Am I not enough for you?" he demanded coldly. "Why are you so concerned about Han Qian? Don't forget, my mother has chosen you as her daughter-in-law."

Wu Siwan gripped her pen tighter, biting her lip in silence. Li Dongsheng's heart grew colder, his hatred for Han Qian deepening—unaware that the faint smile on Wu Siwan's lips was born of calculation.

Few offer kindness or malice without a reason.

Interests are the strings; people the puppets.

Marionettes.

A 320 car was a luxury for an errand, but the three of them left anyway. As they stepped out of the building, it began to rain. Su Liang looked at Han Qian helplessly. "Brother Qian, maybe show off those good looks and get President Yan to lend us a car? This downpour is insane."

Han Qian glared at him. "Did you not see the fury in her eyes? Ask Yang Jie instead."

Su Liang tried to call Yang Lan, but his expression soured. "Her car's in the shop."

Qian Wan looked at Han Qian, puzzled. "Didn't you drive this morning? It's a four-seater—I've never been in a Porsche before."

Su Liang's eyes widened. "Brother Qian, did you really spend the night with a sugar mama?"

Han Qian ignored him and turned to Qian Wan. "Didn't you drive too?"

"I've only got a two-seater. Want to ride in the trunk? Oh, right—it's in the front. Want to squeeze in?"

Before he could reply, Yan Qingqing emerged from the lobby, shouting, "What are you three still dawdling for? Even if it's raining knives, get out there! Playing games, smoking by the restroom—you three are really making the department proud!"

Qian Wan was the first to shed her coat and shoes, dashing barefoot into the downpour. Su Liang's jacket was still in the office.