Chapter71

The idiom was certainly off-limits, and Han Qian no longer dared to tease Yan Qingqing. He adjusted his posture and offered her a succinct explanation: Qian Ling had said she owed Han Qian a favor, though she hadn't specified how or when it would be repaid. She had, however, clearly expressed her thanks to Su Liang.

In a roundabout way, Han Qian also admitted to having his own plans—and Qian Ling hadn't objected. In the end, she had tacitly allowed Han Qian to pursue his next steps, granting him a small token of help. From here on, whether he succeeded or failed would be entirely up to him.

Yan Qingqing found it all a bit too elusive. Was that it?

They hadn't said much of anything—everything seemed to rely on guesswork. She loathed that kind of ambiguous conversation; she preferred people to speak their minds plainly. Noticing her murmuring and frowning, Han Qian rose with a grin.

"Next time, I'll be your interpreter."

In response, Yan Qingqing rattled off a string of English. Han Qian blinked in confusion—English was always his Achilles' heel. She followed it with a string of Korean. Han Qian tilted his head and asked, puzzled,

"No 'oppa' or 'seumnida'? Do you speak Japanese too, by any chance…?"

Yan Qingqing just smiled, striking a coquettish pose. Han Qian clapped his hands in delight.

"Just thinking about those stockings of yours, President Yan, makes me want to eat three extra bowls of rice at lunch!"

"Eye candy, is it?"

"I didn't have breakfast, either."

Han Qian left Yan Qingqing's office, and two minutes later, Xiao Yangjia heard President Yan's furious roar. What had happened this time? More of their sweet and sour bickering?

As soon as Han Qian returned to the Comprehensive Department, Yang Lan was summoned to President Yan's office. Before she left, she gave Han Qian strict instructions: no more fighting, absolutely none—and she told the rest of the department to keep an eye on him and call her immediately if anything happened.

Right now, Han Qian was the department's biggest "problem child." On his first day, he'd gotten into a scuffle with President Yan herself, and ever since, he'd rarely been seen without a new bruise. Because of his "legendary exploits," no one in the department was keen on messing with him.

Han Qian had just settled in to rest when his phone rang—it was an unfamiliar number. When he answered, he realized it was Da Qian'er, apologizing profusely and warning him not to provoke Li Dongsheng when she returned—she'd handle it herself.

Handle it? Han Qian was puzzled. But after hearing that Li Dongsheng had been openly mocking her when she came back drenched in the rain, he hung up.

Scanning the room, Han Qian saw that Qian Wan, Su Liang, and Liu Jiulong were all absent. Li Dongsheng was slouched in his chair, chewing on a straw with a look of disdain directed at Han Qian. Wu Siwan gave Han Qian a smile, and he returned it, even suggesting they have lunch together.

The entire department gasped—what was Han Qian trying to do? Didn't he realize Li Dongsheng had already set his sights on Wu Siwan as his girlfriend? Li Dongsheng glared at Han Qian, who merely gave a dismissive smirk. He hadn't yet used the favor Qian Ling owed him—he certainly wouldn't waste it on someone like Li Dongsheng.

Han Qian wandered over to Qian Wan's computer, which was just across the aisle from Li Dongsheng's. He booted it up and began playing her game. Not because he wanted to play—he was intrigued by what Qian Wan had been playing.

Li Dongsheng's eyes were nearly spitting fire. He had always ruled the Comprehensive Department like a tyrant—no one had dared defy him. No one played games anymore because he'd decreed it so. But here was Han Qian, flaunting that rule right in front of him.

Who did this guy think he was? *My father is a company shareholder!*

Li Dongsheng refused to back down—he pulled out a speaker and was about to crank up some music when Han Qian's voice cut through the air.

"If you dare play music or games, I'll call President Yan right now. I'm fine with being transferred—I'm ready to leave the Comprehensive Department. But you? You're nothing but dead weight—no one wants to share bonuses with you. Thank goodness this department doesn't even have bonuses."

With that scathing jab, Li Dongsheng was left speechless. He didn't dare challenge Han Qian—not unless his mother was there to back him up. All he could do was dial her number.

"Mom, I want to get someone transferred out of the Comprehensive Department," he said, though what exactly he said remained unknown.

When Li Dongsheng hung up, Han Qian spoke again.

"I thought you'd tell your mom I was bullying you. Didn't you say to Da Qian'er's face that she was a worthless woman—said she deserved to be slapped to death? Oh, and Da Qian'er told me herself that you called her 'damaged goods,' didn't she? Don't think you'll get away with that."

Li Dongsheng sneered.

"That's exactly what she is—damaged goods. Used by you and Su Liang. What girl would go off with two grown men and come back limping? Must've been you two who did her in. My mom was right—a woman who doesn't know her place shouldn't be anyone's wife."

Han Qian slowly removed his headphones and stood, his neck cracking ominously as he clenched his fists, knuckles popping.

Before he could act, Wu Siwan piped up.

"Li Dongsheng, how can you say that about Wanwan and Brother Qian? Even if they were dating, it's none of your business. That's just awful, what you said."

Her words fell like acid on Li Dongsheng's ears—she was defending Han Qian? But to Han Qian, Wu Siwan's sweet, concerned act felt more like kindling for the fire. She was fanning the flames with her seemingly harmless words.

Seeing Han Qian ready to pounce, other colleagues hurried to intervene, some calling Yang Lan to report the brewing conflict.

Moments later, Yang Lan strode in on high heels, grabbed Han Qian by the ear, and dragged him off to her office. Li Dongsheng glared daggers at Han Qian's retreating back. Meanwhile, Wu Siwan lowered her head and sent a message on her phone before quietly slipping out of the department.

In Yang Lan's office, Han Qian sat there, fuming.

"Yang Jie, was that even human language he was spewing? If he has a problem with me, he can take it up with me. But the things he said about Da Qian'er? You expect me not to hit him? I know his father's a shareholder—if I have to, I'll just quit after I punch him!"

Yang Lan handed him a glass of water, sighing as she massaged her forehead.

"Calm down. I've already spoken to Director Qian about it. Please, just take a breather. President Yan might act like she's not bothered, but she's counting on you now. If you suddenly left, she'd be stuck cleaning up the mess again. Don't you see? Wu Siwan's been stirring the pot this whole time—she's been acting sneaky lately, like she's got something brewing."

Before they could say more, Liu Jiulong poked his head in, looking puzzled.

"Hey, did you know Wu Siwan's been borrowing cars from Sun Ya lately? They're getting pretty cozy, huh?"

Han Qian and Yang Lan exchanged a glance and spoke in unison, their eyes full of unspoken understanding. Liu Jiulong, however, just felt left out and grumbled under his breath—what was with all this secret eye contact?