Chapter 349: Aunt Ruan Is Just Too Innocent

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

These days, Ruan Danchen was having a hard time at work. None of her colleagues were talking to her.

They were afraid of offending the Qi family. Even the wife of Director Zhao was cold toward her as if she was the root of all their problems.

Ruan Danchen could not even raise her head in the company. She could only hope to boost her clientele so that Director Zhao would think twice about firing her.

She had been dealing with Mu Huaisheng for the past few days but all her designs to date have been rejected. He seemed to be unsatisfied with her work but could not point out which part which he did not like. Instead, he just told her to redo the design.

Till this day, Mu Huaisheng had not signed any work contract. Ruan Danchen might have slimmed down one size due to the pressure at work.

Yang Yunshu clenched her teeth and kept her lips sealed. Her chin was trembling slightly as she watched Ruan Danchen.

Yang Yunshu felt that the woman intentionally hid her status to trick her into offending her.

“Danchen, you’re here!” Director Zhao heard about her arrival from the front desk and quickly came downstairs with his wife in tow. He was all smiles and sunshine.

Ruan Danchen nodded faintly at him. Director Zhao hurriedly tugged at his wife’s arm.

The wife showed a gentle expression and said, “Danchen, I’m sorry for misunderstanding you. Stay here and focus on your work. I promise you, this won’t happen again.”

Ruan Danchen was stony-faced and did not answer her.

“Yang Yunshu, come here!” Director Zhao shouted.

Yang Yunshu walked over with her jaw clenched. “Danchen, I’m sorry. It was my fault. I was jealous and wrongly accused you. I won’t do it again. A magnanimous person such as yourself shouldn’t worry about small-minded me.”

Ruan Danchen could accept the apology for the insults that were thrown at her but she could not forgive Yang Yunshu for denigrating Qi Youxuan.

The thought of it made Ruan Danchen’s blood boil.

“Director Zhao, I have accepted her apology. In the future, I do not wish to hear the name, Yang Yunshu, in Chengshi,” Ruan Danchen said without mercy.

“Rest assured, the accounts department has already calculated her pay. Once the money is released, she will be dismissed,” Director Zhao replied.

Yang Yunshu’s face turned pale but she did not beg for her job. She knew that Director Zhao could not retain her if he wanted to stay in Ruan Danchen’s good books. She will just have to search for work elsewhere.

Ruan Danchen nodded. Then, she took out a letter from her bag and handed it to Director Zhao. “This is my resignation letter. I would like to complete the process today.”

“This—” Director Zhao’s expression shifted. “Danchen, we can talk things over. Didn’t you say that you’ll stay if Yang Yunshu apologizes and I fire her?”

“Director Zhao, I believe you misunderstood. I did not make any promises, just a request for Yang Yunshu’s apology and dismissal.”

Director Zhao was worried. If the company let Ruan Danchen leave without negotiating now, it would be an affront to the Qi family.

In a moment of panic, he blurted out, “Danchen, you can’t be so cruel!”

“Does she have a choice?” A deep, male voice boomed from the entrance of the design department.

Everyone including Ruan Danchen turned their heads toward the door. Qi Chenglin stood at the doorway, exuding an air of class.

His appearance immediately calmed Ruan Danchen. Her eyes were drawn to him like magnets while a loving smile played on her lips.

Qi Chenglin had his left hand in his pocket while Qi Youxuan held onto his right. Qi Youxuan was dressed in sports attire instead of a school uniform. He had on a down jacket but it was not zipped up.

“Why aren’t you in school?” Ruan Danchen asked Qi Youxuan. Her reaction was very mother-like, as observed by the other staff in the company.

“It’s gym class so I asked Dad to bring me here,” Qi Youxuan answered obediently.

Qi Youxuan’s encounter with Yang Yunshu was very upsetting. Hence, Qi Chenglin checked his son’s class schedule. Since gym was the last period he had today, Qi Chenglin agreed to take him out of school to visit Chengshi as a form of moral support.

Qi Chenglin did not want Yang Yunshu’s words to prick at his heart forever.

Qi Chenglin brought the little boy over and Ruan Danchen ruffled his round head affectionately. She looked up and asked Qi Chengling, “Why are you here all of a sudden?”

“Xiao Yang said he dropped you off here. Wanted to see how was your resignation process going,” Qi Chenglin said.

He was likely worried that she would be taken advantage of by the company and decided to drop by. Her heart warmed at the sentiment. She lifted her head and smiled sweetly at him, her eyes crinkling. His support made her feel anchored.

“Director Zhao says that I’m cruel. Seems like he’s unwilling to let me go,” Ruan Danchen paid no mind to Director Zhao and spoke honestly.

Qi Chenglin already told her to be truthful about anything that was upsetting her.

The coyness in Ruan Danchen’s voice improved Qi Chenglin’s mood. He smiled at her warmly. The female employees around them could only watch with envy.

Previously, it was Song Yu who triggered them. Now, even Ruan Danchen was being blessed by the fates.

Although Qi Chenglin came with his son, to be cared for by a man like him, they would not mind if he had a football team worth of sons.

When Qi Chenglin looked at Director Zhao, all warmth left his gaze. He asked sardonically, “Director Zhao is unwilling to let her go?”

“No, no. Young Master Lin, do not misunderstand.” Director Zhao’s heart jumped in his chest. “I just feel that Danchen has been with us for so long, it would be a waste to see a familiar face leave.”

“Director Zhao, this is my first time hearing a rejected resignation. Truth be told, as my fiancée, Danchen can go to whatever company she wants. Why do you think she would want to stay cooped up here? If she wanted to, she could open up her own company. Why should she stay here and endure your treatment?” Qi Chenglin’s cold, dark eyes made Director Zhao sweat.

“Young Master Lin, don’t be mad. It was my fault for believing the wrong person. I actually have a lot of faith in Danchen. When I made her take leave, it was just to shut some people up. I really treasure Danchen as an employee here,” Director Zhao quickly said.

Qi Chenglin gave him a cynical look. He grabbed the resignation letter from Ruan Danchen’s hand and tossed it at Director Zhao. The director rushed to catch the letter.

“The resignation letter has been submitted. I hope that it’s effective immediately,” Qi Chenglin commanded.

Director Zhao’s face was somber. They had just managed to please Song Yu but Yang Yunshu had to find trouble with Ruan Danchen. He was at wit’s end.

Qi Chenglin’s line of sight shifted to Yang Yunshu. The woman squirmed and thought of hiding.

“I heard that you said my son lacked manners. Were you implying that I did not raise him well?” Qi Chenglin’s gaze was cold as winter. Qi Youxuan squeezed his hand tightly.

Ruan Danchen went to stand by the boy. She placed both her hands on his shoulder.

Yang Yunshu chewed her lips. With a cracking voice, she said, “No. I am the one who lacks manners. It was my fault for saying those things to a child Young Master Lin. It was my fault. I am sorry Little Master. It was my fault. I’m the one without the manners. Please forgive me.”

“You hear that? She’s the one who lacks manners,” Qi Chenglin lowered his head and spoke to Qi Youxuan.

Qi Youxuan’s big, round eyes focused on Qi Chenglin and then Ruan Danchen. He only relaxed after Ruan Danchen gave him a slight nod of affirmation. He turned to face Yang Yunshu.

Unexpectedly, Yang Yunshu got onto her knees and crawled toward Qi Youxuan. “Little Master, please forgive me. Young Master Lin, I know my wrongs. I will resign immediately, I beg you and Dan… no, Miss Ruan to forgive me. Miss Ruan, I know it’s my fault. Please, I will never do it again.”

“What are you doing?” Qi Chenglin shouted as Yang Yunshu tried to take hold of Qi Youxuan’s hand. He quickly stepped in front of his son and carried him into his arms.

“Hold her back!” Director Zhao angrily yelled at the other employees in the office.

The other employees stared at each other. The sight of Yang Yunshu begging on the floor was enough to make them ignore the director’s order.

“Be mindful next time,” Qi Chenglin said coldly. He walked off with one arm carrying Qi Youxuan while the other hand holding onto Ruan Danchen’s hand.

“Young Master Lin, walk safe.” Director Zhao followed them and shouted, “Young Master Lin, please cool off.”

Only after the elevator door had shut did Director Zhao walk back to the office with his head down. This was a bad premonition.

When he got back to the design department, his secretary, Xiao Wang was there with panic in his eyes.

“Director Zhao.” Xiao Wang started, then he glanced around and decided to go to the director’s ear. “We just received news, Qilin has issued a statement that they will no longer partner with Chengshi,” he whispered.

Director Zhao’s looked crestfallen. This statement from Qilin would make other companies reconsider Chengshi as a business partner.

“It’s done…” Director Zhao muttered under his breath. Suddenly, he turned to glare red-eyed at Yang Yunshu. Brimming with anger, he pointed a finger and shouted, “Get lost!”

“Director Zhao, Qilin also said that any company that employs Yang Yunshu will not have Qilin’s support.” Xiao Wang figured this news might put Director Zhao in a better mood.

Yang Yunshu collapsed on the floor. Qi Chenglin was burying her in. How would she get a job now?

Qilin’s business portfolio spanned across multiple fields. They were not only killing her current career as it would be impossible for her to even find other jobs.

Shame was the last thing on her mind as Yang Yunshu cried loudly into her palms.

Director Zhao cursed. “B*tch! You dare cry! My company is being dragged down the drain by you! Don’t you dare cry here!”

Spit flew from his mouth as he shouted furiously. “Call security and get her out of here!”

Everyone but Xiao Wang was stunned. Xiao Wang dialed for security, and moments later the guard escorted Yang Yunshu out of the office.

…

…

In the car, Qi Youxuan felt much better after hearing Yang Yunshu’s apology. His mood was better now, especially after the bad auntie begged from the floor.

Ruan Danchen felt very relaxed after resigning from her post. Qi Chenglin could sense the happiness of the mother and son in the backseat.

“What do you guys want for lunch?” Qi Chenglin asked, clearly in a good mood.

It was the end of November and the weather was colder now. The air conditioner in the car was on. Qi Youxuan watched as the strong winds howled outside the car. He rubbed his meaty palms together and said, “Dad, let’s go to Uncle Yan’s hotpot shop.”

Qi Chenglin checked the time and determined that there was enough time to send Qi Youxuan back to school, so he agreed.

He called up the shop and booked a private room.

Qi Chenglin and Qi Youxuan were not fans of spicy food so they got a hotpot with the divider. Ruan Danchen ate the spicy side.

The spicy side of the hotpot came to a boil first. Ruan Danchen was not shy to start her meal first.

Qi Youxuan stared hungrily as Ruan Danchen begun eating. His own pot of soup was not even bubbling yet.

The slice of beef between Ruan Danchen’s chopsticks was dipped in some sauce. The smell of cooked meat made Qi Youxuan’s mouth water.

Ruan Danchen smiled at Qi Youxuan and asked, “Do you want to try out the spicy side?”

Qi Youxuan gulped and licked his lips. He was still too young to have tasted spicy foods. Additionally, his dad suffered from a weak stomach so Aunt Zheng rarely prepared spicy foods.

This time, Qi Youxuan could not resist the temptation. He sucked his lips and said, “Let me have a try.”

So Ruan Danchen cooked a beef slice and placed it in his bowl. The young boy took a cautious bite but the spice was strong enough to make him cough. He quickly gulped down some water. Although his initial reaction was bad, he slowly got used to the spice and the more he ate, the more addicting the flavor was. When the non-spicy side of the hotpot started to boil, Qi Chenglin cooked some vegetables and placed them in Qi Youxuan’s bowl, not wanting him to only eat meat.

As they were eating, Ruan Danchen received a call from Qilin’s human resources department. She excused herself to pick up the call—turns out they were asking her to go for an interview tomorrow.

Qi Youxuan saw Ruan Danchen disappear to take the call. As he chewed on a slice of lotus root, he turned his dad, “Dad, does Aunt Ruan have a lover?”

Qi Chenglin almost choked. He placed his chopsticks down and looked at his son. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, why is she so secretive about the phone call? Why can’t she answer in front of us?” Qi Youxuan had been extremely vigilant when it came to Ruan Danchen as if worried that someone might steal her from him.

“Your Aunt Ruan is trying to get a job in Qilin. She doesn’t want to get in with my connections so she’s hiding her application from me,” Qi Chenglin explained to his son.

Qi Youxuan turned his head to the door, then back to his father. He sighed. “Aunt Ruan is too innocent.”

Qi Chenglin said nothing.

After a moment, Ruan Danchen came back to the table in high spirits. The father-son duo said nothing and continued eating.

…

…

The interview the next day was set at ten in the morning. Ruan Danchen arrived outside the interview room and counted nine other people who were waiting to be interviewed. Yao Jingfei was one of the people waiting.

Yao Jingfei was dressed in a less ostentatious fashion, just a tan-colored wool coat over a shirt and slacks. A look of surprise crossed her face when she saw Ruan Danchen, she thought Ruan Danchen would have failed the written interview.

Yao Jingfei was the third to go in, Ruan Danchen the fifth.

A moment later, Yao Jingfei walked out of the room with her chest puffed and her chin held high. She was brimming with confidence as if she had already secured the job.

Yao Jingfei gave the people who were waiting a haughty look. Her lips curled into a smirk and she said to them all, “One of the examiners 1  is my dad, so y’all should know the outcome by now.”

The person before Ruan Danchen came out from the interview room. “You’re next.”

Ruan Danchen nodded and went in. She froze at the sight of the panel.

The three examiners were not the ones Qi Chengyue told her about. Sitting in the middle seat was someone Ruan Danchen knew.

It was Qi Chenglin himself!

Ruan Danchen was shocked. She felt a bit guilty now that she was caught red-handed by Qi Chenglin.

A blush was starting to form on her face. Qi Chenglin raised an eyebrow and pointed at the chair. He spoke with a smirk on his face, “Not sitting?”

Yao Qingzhi, who was seated to his right, was surprised at Qi Chenglin’s sudden shift in demeanor.

Yao Qingzhi had personally requested the human resources department put him as one of the examiners so that his daughter would be favored. He even tried his best to get in the two other examiners’ good books in hopes that they would score his daughter well.

However, when he arrived this morning, both examiners had been replaced. Instead, it was Qi Chenglin and the manager of the design department.

Qi Chenglin had on a stern and stoic face when the previous candidates came in. Those ladies who came in clearly adored him but also feared him.

When Ruan Danchen walked in, Qi Chenglin’s attitude immediately changed. While he could not be called gentle, there was an obvious change in him.

Manager Zou who sat beside Qi Chenglin knew what was happening. Qi Chenglin had already told him about Ruan Danchen’s identity and expressed hopes that Ruan Danchen would be welcomed into the design department.

Through this request, Manager Zou understood the sudden appearance of an empty position. It was clearly meant for Ruan Danchen. Manager Zou knew that he had to look after Ruan Danchen and make sure that she does not get mistreated.

Previously he also heard news about Yao Qingzhi’s daughter wanting the position, which was why Yao Qingzhi had been trading favors around the Qilin. Today, Qi Chenglin suddenly came and asked him to join for the interviews, replacing the original examiners. Qi Chenglin likely knew about Yao Qingzhi’s intentions.

Manager Zou could not help but smile when he thought of Yao Jingfei’s smug face, as if she was an elite. When she came in and saw Qi Chenglin, her eyes were fixated. Throughout the whole interview, she only looked at Qi Chenglin.

She was not aware that her status was nothing compared to Ruan Danchen.

Ruan Danchen blushed and sat down with a guilty look. She did not dare face Qi Chenglin’s teasing smirk.

“Miss Ruan, isn’t it?” Qi Chenglin flipped through Ruan Danchen’s resume.

Ruan Danchen could only play along and whispered, “Yes.”

“Miss Ruan is speaking too soft, I can’t quite hear you,” Qi Chenglin said.

“My name is Ruan Danchen,” she raised her voice and said.

Qi Chenglin smiled and looked down at her resume. “It says here that Miss Ruan is unmarried. Do you have a boyfriend?”

Yao Qingzhi nearly spat out his saliva. Qi Chenglin never asked this question to the candidates before.

Ruan Danchen’s face was red when she replied, “I do.”

“Any marriage plans in the near future?” Qi Chenglin put down the resume and fixed his gaze on Ruan Danchen.

Ruan Danchen felt his gaze scorching her bones. ‘What was this man thinking? Asking such a question in a job interview?’

Clearly he had no intention of conducting a proper job interview. Ruan Danchen went with the flow and answered, “Unsure. This depends on my boyfriend, he hasn’t proposed yet.”

“If he were to ask, would you accept?” Qi Chenglin leaned forward inquisitively.

Yan Qingzhi let out a dry cough. The questions were getting out of hand.

Manager Zou was also shifting around in his seat. Marriage was suddenly in the talks now.

“Well, that will have to wait until he proposes.” Ruan Danchen lifted her chin slightly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She knew the man’s reaction to her confession so she said with a smile, “But I really love him. I think he’s the one I want to spend my life with.”

Ruan Danchen looked into Qi Chenglin’s eyes. There was weight behind those words and her lips curled into a blissful smile. “To know him in this lifetime is the luckiest thing that could happen to me. If I could marry him, it would be the good karma that I’ve collected from all my past lives. I don’t know how I got the karma to meet a man like him. I am eternally grateful for him. He has a huge heart and doesn’t argue with me. I don’t think I’ll ever find someone as patient as him. I always feel that I’m no match for him because he’s too good. I’m not sure if he’s willing to marry me but I really want to be his wife.”

Qi Chenglin’s throat was dry. He could not even utter a single word. While his face showed nothing unusual, his neck which was covered by the shirt collar was red.

Ruan Danchen seemed to be able to spy the redness beneath his collar but she could not be certain.

Qi Chenglin stared at her and said nothing.

If it were not for her self-control, she would have went up to him and kissed him but they were still in the middle of an interview.

She lost track of which confession was it when she realized that Qi Chenglin blushed very easily whenever she expressed her love for him. His reaction was a far cry from his usual demeanor.

“Huh!” The longer Yao Qingzhi listened, the more it did not make sense. This was not an interview but a flirtatious exchange. He was not impressed by Ruan Danchen and immediately drew an ‘X’ on the evaluation form.

However, other than Yao Jingfei, his rating for other candidates were also below average.

Since Qi Chenglin had been struck speechless, Yao Qingzhi asked Ruan Danchen some work-related questions and subsequently wrapped up the interview. “Alright, Miss Ruan, you can wait for our call. Please inform the next candidate to come in.”