After snuffing out his cigarette on the trash bin, Xiao Ming turned around and saw Yun Shi Yu standing not far away, with Shen Siyi looking embarrassed behind her.
"What are you two doing?" he asked in surprise, "Why didn't you come up?"
Today, Yun Shi Yu had her long hair pulled back, revealing a swan-like slender neck, wearing a black OL dress suit that fit perfectly, and even sporting a pair of glasses, resembling a little secretary.
Hmm, her expression is quite cool, an icy secretary.
"Is that the young lady who almost stabbed Shen Siyi? She does look quite youthful and attractive."
"What young lady? Don't talk nonsense, making it seem as if our company's Shen, the director, likes to find young ladies."
From behind, Shen Siyi looked utterly dejected: "Can you guys have a conversation without always making me the subject?"
"Shut it!"
Yun Shi Yu gave him a glare and then coldly asked Xiao Ming, "Isn't she a young lady?"
Xiao Ming shook his head: "Meng was out for the first time that day, and her goal was to stab a scumbag rich second generation. She's a clean girl, don't go splashing mud on her."
"So you kept her by your side? Does... does my sister Xue know about this?"
Xiao Ming couldn't help but laugh and cry, flicking the girl's forehead as he passed by.
"As the company's Chief Human Resources Officer, having recruited so many people, wouldn't you know if I have someone by my side?
Meng has a naturally great voice, and in the future, I plan to make her a superstar diva.
So to me, she is a money tree, and you're not allowed to mention 'young lady' again, got it?"
"Superstar diva?" Yun Shi Yu found it utterly absurd, catching up and saying, "There are plenty of people with good voices in this world, I can easily find you a dozen, why her?"
Xiao Ming turned around in the elevator, his expression serious: "Are you questioning my decision again?"
Yun Shi Yu paused: "I... I just want to understand. It is my right as a shareholder of the company, and you have the obligation to inform truthfully."
"Oh, the media company and Meng will be financed independently by me, unrelated to our company."
Yun Shi Yu was stunned, her face full of disbelief.
Shen Siyi felt he had to speak up, and after some thought, he said: "Ming, although we haven't known each other for long, like Yu, I trust you unconditionally.
We are all in the same boat now, for better or for worse, it's better to discuss any disputes openly, there's no need to hurt feelings."
"What are you thinking? Even if I really did make Yu mad, I wouldn't be immature enough to take it out on business!" Xiao Ming shook his head and chuckled, "The decision to invest independently was made when I was ensuring Bai Xuechao and Gu Xiangmeng's safety.
After all, their past histories are not exactly spotless in the eyes of mainstream society, and once they become famous, someone might dig up dirt to attack them, so it's best if I handle this myself."
Yun Shi Yu's heart, which had been raised high, suddenly fell back into place. She stepped forward and looked directly into Xiao Ming's eyes.
"I want to invest!"
"Bro Ming," Shen Siyi chuckled slyly, "I... I want to invest too."
At that moment, the elevator reached the fifth floor and the doors opened; the receptionist saw Mr. Yun almost clinging to Mr. Xiao's arms and was not sure whether to stand up to greet or to lower her head and pretend not to see.
Xiao Ming pressed down on Yun Shi Yu's head, peeling her away, and then stepped out of the elevator.
"Can't you two understand human words? One is the Yun Family's heiress and the other is the future chairman of Qianshan Group. I did that for the sake of your reputations."
"As long as we can make money, how hard is it to have a good reputation? Which of those merchants and tycoons were clean during their wealth accumulation? Aren't they now revered as saints that come once in a millennium?"
"It's just about doing more high-profile charity, and even getting tax exemptions!" Yun Shi Yu spoke dismissively.
Shen Siyi cared even less, "Ming, you really think too highly of me, as far as reputation goes, I've never had any to begin with."
Xiao Ming was speechless.
"Alright! Since you all insist, we'll find a time to sit down with Han Qing and Bai Xuechao and discuss this properly.
Now, let's leave this topic here and focus on the matter at hand."
Yun Shi Yu and Shen Siyi fell silent, walking side by side behind Xiao Ming, almost resembling his secretaries or assistants.
These days, the pressure from public opinion caused by the shantytown residents' rights defense made the employees of Maohe Real Estate uneasy, with many speculating whether the company was doomed.
Today, hearing that the major shareholder, Ruiye Holdings, would send someone to solve the problem, almost everyone was too anxious to work, each stretching their necks to gaze at the company's main entrance.
When Xiao Ming and his party walked towards the president's office, all the employees were shocked.
"That looks like Designer Jiang's husband! A smelly construction worker all dressed up, trying to look intimidating."
"Watch your words. After all, he did treat us to pizza."
"So what? I'm just stating the facts. At this point, why is a construction worker causing trouble? Does he want the company to be even more troubled?
And you're just as lowly, easily bought by a few lousy pizzas."
"You're the lowly one! If you're so principled, you shouldn't have eaten that day! Accepting people's kindness, yet can't even speak a word of human decency, didn't your parents ever teach you the most basic manners?"
"Who the hell are you saying lacks manners?"
"Talking about you, what are you going to do about it?"
"You..."
"Shut up!"
A stern reprimand carried with it the authority of a leader, interrupting the quarrel between the two female staff members, "That's Ruiye's Mr. Xiao, Mr. Yun, and Mr. Shen, all billionaires, what the hell are you all mumbling about?"
"What?" The earlier scornful female employee's voice was trembling, "But...isn't he Designer Jiang's husband? He's a construction worker, everyone knows that, Mr. Manager, could you have... mistaken him for someone else?"
"Hmph!" The manager snorted coldly, "This construction worker nonsense was spread by Feng Haoyu and Zhou Xialan, you don't need me to remind you of their fate, do you?
Can't you use your brain? Designer Jiang has looks, figure, strong business competence, and is even best friends with Mr. Yang. How could her husband possibly be a construction worker?
Do you really think she's on the same low level as you?
A bunch of ignorant people, always looking down on others.
Get back to work! If anyone talks nonsense again, don't blame me for being unsympathetic!"
The female employee turned to stone, her face pale as paper. The one who had almost argued with her was now rolling her eyes, a cold smile on her lips.
Before long, the news that Jiang Xue's husband was not a construction worker but a major boss spread like wildfire through Maohe Real Estate, and even the cleaning ladies were in on the scoop.
The male staff collectively sighed in dismay, for it meant they stood no chance at all.
Some female staff were envious, others jealous; those who had a good relationship with Jiang Xue were excited, while those who had deliberately set traps and ostracized her began to live in constant fear.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ming had already taken the seat of honor in the conference room, looking arrogantly at the representatives of the shantytown residents sitting across from him.