In the beginning, President Chen valued the quality of the products and the reputation of the company. Unfortunately, as people moved forward, they would slowly forget their original intention. This was the first time someone reminded him that he had forgotten his original intention after so many years.
President Chen sighed. After a long time, he asked, "When will Miss Xing take office?"
Xing Shu smiled. "Next week, if all goes smoothly."
President Chen said, "Looking forward to working with you."
After hanging up the phone, Xing Shu heaved a sigh of relief. She made herself a cup of coffee. Soon after, she received a notification on her cell phone from the bank—the money transfer to the charity organization was completed. Her card balance now was less than 20,000 yuan.
Xing Shu did not have much material needs. Other than this small apartment and a car, the rest of her money was donated to charity. The director of the Radiant Welfare Home had raised her. She was already on her last breath when they found her. It was the director who paid out of his own pocket to send her to the hospital for emergency treatment. He had spent a fortune, and his wife even divorced him because of that.
Xing Shu had always felt indebted to the director; so she donated all her monthly salary, after deducting her living expenses. Cheng Corporation Group's salary was not low, but in the three years after graduation, she had never bought any luxury goods. There was a birthday reminder on her cell phone—for her mother, Wu Minxia's birthday. No matter what, she had lived in the Xing family for more than 10 years; so it was still necessary to buy birthday gifts. But even if she spent the 20,000 yuan to buy gifts, Wu Minxia would probably not care for it anyway.
Xing Shu thought about it and changed her clothes before going out. She decided to make something herself—a cake. Wu Minxia had a sweet tooth, but she was afraid of getting fat. Hence, Xing Shu took great care to choose low-caloric ingredients at the supermarket.
Just as she wrapped things up with the cake, Xing Shu received a call from her father, Xing Guotai. "Xing Shu, where are you? Linlin is hungry."
It seemed like Xing Linlin was also attending tonight's birthday banquet. Xing Linlin had always attended every major family gathering. In that instant, Xing Shu did not feel like going anymore. "Dad, I'm still working overtime. I'll get someone to send the cake over first."
Xing Guotai glanced at Cheng Xingyang—seated opposite him; and next to Xing Linlin—who wore a dark face. President Chen had humiliated Cheng Xingyang in the negotiation with Lirong Corporation this morning. President Chen's sharp and acerbic remarks had alarmed several members of the senior management in the company. If it were not for his father backing him up, his uncle—Cheng Lang—would probably have already known. That President Chen was too vicious—he slammed all the M&A staff to the point of absolute imbecility. Just a nobody from a puny company… The nerve of him! It was all Xing Shu's fault!
Cheng Xingyang was filled with pent-up anger. Coupled with Xing Shu ignoring his calls, he was intent on giving Xing Shu a tongue-lashing the moment she appeared to vent his anger. However, Xing Shu still had not appeared. After hanging up the phone, Xing Guotai said, "Xing Shu is still working overtime. She will probably come over later."
The Xing family was not aware of Xing Shu's resignation. When Cheng Xingyang heard this, he immediately mocked, "Work overtime? Why is Xing Shu still working overtime now? Cheng Corporation Group has already fired her. She just doesn't want to come."
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Xing Linlin was the first to transform—a hint of sadness appeared on her face, and she leaned toward Xing Zewu in a bid to distance herself from Cheng Xingyang. With a trembling voice, she looked at Wu Minxia and said, "Aunt, I'm sorry. Is Xing Shu still angry with me? Aunt, I'm so sorry. Today is your birthday, and I made you angry…"
Wu Minxia shook with anger—her biological daughter actually made up an excuse not to attend her birthday party! Cheng Xingyang's presence exacerbated Wu Minxia's embarrassment. She took out her cell phone—called Xing Shu—and said brusquely, "Xing Shu, Cheng Xingyang is also here. Why didn't you tell us that you're not working in Cheng Corporation Group anymore? Xing Shu, what's wrong with you? You've been obedient since you were young. Are you trying to disappoint your parents now?"
Biased parents would never admit that they were biased, let alone when the bias was toward an outsider. Wu Minxia sanctimoniously pushed all the blame to Xing Shu. "Xing Shu, I don't care what you're doing. Come back quickly!" She hung up the phone curtly.
Xing Shu stared at the cake that she had baked, unable to take a step out of her apartment. It was impossible to fall out with the Xing family—blood is thicker than water—unless they crossed the line.