Chapter 79: Purchase the Order

There were quite a few people seated around Shang Yucheng, all seemingly subordinates there to accompany him. Upon seeing Yuan Xi, they greeted her warmly.

“Hey, Miss Yuan, were you drawn here by the aroma of tea too?”

“Chief Yuan, Chief Yuan, come sit here!”

Yuan Xi responded to each of them, chatting with an easy familiarity that suggested close acquaintance.

Liang Jinshang was a little surprised. Those who could sit by Shang Yucheng were likely all general managers of various departments, and yet Yuan Xi was just the head of the third division in Lehai’s design department. There was no need for them to be so attentive to her—unless…

She glanced at Yuan Xi, who sat gracefully by Shang Yucheng’s side—unless all these shrewd people had already seen through the “unusual” relationship between Yuan Xi and Shang Yucheng.

None of them recognized Liang Jinshang, but since she was brought in by Yuan Xi, someone still invited her to sit. Yet the conversation remained centered around Yuan Xi.

“Still calling her Chief Yuan? I’ll take the chance to call her Director Yuan first, for good luck.”

“That’s right, Director Yuan! When are you officially joining us?”

Yuan Xi shot a glance at Liang Jinshang, feigning annoyance. “My job change hasn’t been officially announced yet. If you keep making such a fuss, President Le might get annoyed and refuse to let me go.”

A particularly young and sharp-tongued subordinate next to Shang Yucheng chimed in, “Oh, listen to me! Director Yuan is the face of Lehai—beautiful and highly skilled. It’s no wonder everyone’s eager to recruit her. President Shang, maybe offer her a higher salary and strike first?”

Shang Yucheng, in a relaxed mood, smiled and glanced at the man. “With you constantly singing her praises, how can my salary compete with the emotional value you bring? I think Yuan Xi might join Nantian just for you.”

The young man played along without missing a beat. “Boss, your words are golden. I’ll spread it throughout the company that the goddess Yuan is coming to Nantian just for me!”

Liang Jinshang quietly sipped her tea. She hadn’t heard any rumors about Yuan Xi’s departure in her department, which meant the resignation process hadn’t even begun. Yet these people discussed it openly in front of her, a Lehai employee, likely because her harmless demeanor made them pay her little mind. More importantly, it was Shang Yucheng’s attitude that mattered. If he truly meant to have Yuan Xi, Lehai wouldn’t dare hold her back.

Yuan Xi was clearly no stranger to these people; their conversation was lively and animated. Liang Jinshang kept her head down, savoring her tea in silence. Unexpectedly, someone came over and sat beside her.

“Hey, we meet again!”

The newcomer wore gold-rimmed glasses—it was the same man who’d played mahjong at the Shang family’s old house that evening, apparently Shang Yucheng’s cousin. So he also worked at Nantian.

That night, he not only taught Liang Jinshang several mahjong tricks but also fed her quite a few winning tiles, leaving a good impression. She greeted him with a smile.

“My name is Yan He, Ao’er’s uncle. I know you’re Ao’er’s friend, but I still don’t know your name.”

“Liang Jinshang.”

Yan He was clearly adept at conversing with women, and since Liang Jinshang was alone, the two got along well. He soon noticed her interest in both tea and the tea snacks.

“There are lots of tea gift boxes on the third floor. My girlfriend likes these too. Why don’t you come with me and help me pick some out?”

Liang Jinshang was eager to leave anyway, so she stood up with Yan He.

As company vice president, Yan He naturally attracted attention, especially since Yuan Xi had brought along this pretty, student-like subordinate. Everyone was more relaxed than usual, and one person went too far, joking, “Vice President Yan, did you bring your family this time? Shouldn’t you give us some hush money?”

Luckily, Yan He was easygoing and just laughed, “I’m just taking my family to buy some things, what’s the problem?”

Liang Jinshang knew Yan He meant her, but others misunderstood, deepening the misconception.

“First meeting and already calling her ‘family’? Vice President Yan, you move fast!”

“Shouldn’t you ask the young lady if she’s willing?”

“How could she not be? With VP Yan’s looks and build, if I were a girl, I’d fall for him on the spot.”

Liang Jinshang couldn’t help but frown slightly, disliking these boundaryless jokes from middle-aged men, as if they couldn’t converse without a hint of innuendo. But returning to her seat would seem like a guilty retreat.

She whispered, “Mr. Yan, let’s go.”

Yan He nodded, about to leave, when Shang Yucheng’s voice called out, “Yan He.”

“Yes?”

Shang Yucheng instructed, “Yuan Xi and I are going out for a walk. Stay here, wait until everyone’s finished their tea, and settle the bill.”

In such upscale places, a responsible boss would never let subordinates pay. With his assistant absent, it made sense to ask his cousin.

Yan He readily agreed, watching Shang Yucheng and Yuan Xi leave, then turned to Liang Jinshang. “Why don’t we sit a while longer?”

Liang Jinshang lowered her eyes. “No, I’ve had too much tea—won’t be able to sleep tonight. I’ll go for a walk.”

She stepped outside.

Yan He considered for a moment, then tossed his credit card to the nearest person, telling them to handle the bill later. He caught up with Liang Jinshang, a box of tea in hand, and offered it to her. “You seem to like the Silver Needle white tea. It’s a gift.”

“No, I couldn’t!” That box of tea cost at least several thousand yuan; she certainly couldn’t accept it.

“Take it. President Shang is paying anyway,” Yan He said breezily. “He’s got plenty of money—may as well take advantage.”

Liang Jinshang smiled but still declined the tea.

“I wonder why Cheng always loved tea so much, even at his age. Probably learned it from my third uncle—he’s managed the company alongside him since he was eighteen. Might as well call him his real father.”

Liang Jinshang had only heard of Shang Jinkan after his son, Shang Rong, took the kidney that was meant for Liang Yuanhan. She’d never met him during her two years as a tutor.

Curious, she asked, “Does Chairman Shang not have a son of his own?”

“Oh, he does! But his health isn’t good,” Yan He answered quickly. “He had a kidney transplant not long ago, and I hear there was a serious mishap—almost lost his life.”

“What?!” Liang Jinshang’s reaction was so intense that Yan He looked at her, a bit surprised.

“I’m just timid—stories like that scare me,” she explained softly, though she herself found the act a bit forced.

But seeing her delicate demeanor, Yan He found nothing amiss and comforted her, “It’s all right, let’s not talk about it.”

Because of the kidney issue, Liang Jinshang was particularly concerned about Shang Rong’s operation and pressed, “What happened afterward to Chairman Shang’s son?”