Financial Workplace Survival Guide – CH 070

Chapter 70 ☆, Was It Out Of Necessity Or A Ploy To Sell?

The conversation reached a stalemate.

Xin Xin opened up a new angle: “How is the police investigation going?”

Yang Manman raised her eyes, her beautiful eyes filled with resentment. “Compared to Fang Keyan, I am powerless. The police said the evidence is not conclusive. There is no way to prove that I was forced. They are forcing me to settle out of court.”

Xin Xin hesitated for a moment. “When they first came to investigate, Zhang Qiao and Su Qi did not mention your relationship with Fang Keyan in order to protect you. Later, the police reviewed the surveillance footage and discovered that they had met with Fang Keyan…”

“What do you mean? If I am dating Fang Keyan, I will not be violated? Are you saying that I am a shameless mistress, a shameless woman, and that he will not violate me against my will?” Yang Manman interrupted Xin Xin urgently, staring at her as if searching for the answer she wanted.

Compared to others, she seemed particularly intolerant of even the slightest doubt from Xin Xin.

It was a strange feeling, since she was the one who spread Xin Xin’s scandalous rumors behind her back. Although Xin Xin did not take any severe revenge after hearing about it.

But from that moment on, Yang Manman was filled with a fighting spirit. Xin Xin became her imaginary enemy. Whether at work or in daily life, she subconsciously felt that Xin Xin was either targeting her or looking down on her.

For example, at this moment, she sensed a subtle arrogance and disdain in Xin Xin’s few words.

Xin Xin certainly did not think that way. Whether Yang Manman was a mistress or not, whether she was in a relationship or not, had nothing to did with her. Perhaps her weakness was that she did not have a very keen emotional perception, but her strength was that she almost never had strong feelings of like or dislike.

She simply felt that this incident would definitely influence the police’s judgment.

“I did not say that. I completely believe you were coerced. But when the police investigate this, they need to find evidence. Without evidence, it is difficult to prove you were assaulted…”

Xin Xin tried to explain, but before she could finish speaking, a glass of warm water was suddenly splashed on her face.

Yang Manman screamed hysterically, “Get out! All of you get out!”

Fu Meng stood up first and pulled Yang Manman aside, using her body to block Xin Xin. “What exactly do you want to do? What did Xin Xin say wrong? Besides, I am your direct supervisor. If you have grievances, you can vent them on me. Why hurt others?”

Yang Manman sneered, “What kind of good person is this vixen pretending to be? Of course you do not care. A woman who usually sells her body for power—what does she know about dignity?”

Because of Lin Chong’an, Fu Meng was often talked about behind her back, and she had long since become indifferent to it. However, being spoken to like this to her face for the first time still made her feel a little embarrassed.

Yang Rui wiped away imaginary sweat and tried to break up the fight with little confidence, saying, “Alright, alright, you are both adults; stop arguing.”

Fu Meng suppressed her temper, took a tissue from the table, and wiped Xin Xin’s face. “Are you alright?” Xin Xin wiped her face, feeling a little annoyed and secretly regretting that she should not have spoken first.

Fu Meng seemed relieved and smiled at her. “Let’s go.” She was a woman who rarely admitted defeat, but at this moment she clearly did not want to stay any longer.

Seeing the commotion, Yang Rui realized that Fu Meng and Xin Xin must have decided to back out, fearing that leaving would only escalate the situation further and that they would not want to come back a second time. So, he decided to go all in and lay out his intentions directly.

“Yang Manman, the police have already told you the situation. Your evidence against Fang Keyan is insufficient. You know Fang Keyan’s wife; she is a prominent figure at Haining TV. You want to use public opinion, but they are even better at it. The whole situation is unfavorable to you right now. If you withdraw the case, the company will fully support you and help you win financial compensation.”

Yang Manman looked at Yang Rui, whose face, which usually looked ordinary, now appeared unusually vicious and sharp.

Her gaze slowly swept across Fu Meng’s and Xin Xin’s faces.

Xin Xin was soaking wet and looked extremely disheveled. Fu Meng stood guard, half her body positioned between her and Xin Xin as if facing a formidable enemy.

Yang Manman suddenly remembered when Fu Meng first arrived, everyone said that Fu Meng was Zhao Xi’s girlfriend and that she was there specifically to teach Xin Xin a lesson for seducing her boyfriend. She also remembered how Xin Xin had slunk away from the Investment Banking Department to the Sales Department and how Fu Meng had been so smug back then, but now she was in the same predicament, possibly losing her job.

At that time, she thought Fu Meng would be her protector and a stepping stone to success. And she was willing to be a sharp sword for Fu Meng to use against Xin Xin.

But at this moment, both of them were looking at her with the same arrogant and disdainful eyes.

Yang Manman suddenly understood something, and large tears fell from her eyes. She had been too naive; there were never friends or enemies in the workplace.

This world was one where the strong survive. From the past to the present, she had always been nothing more than a gun, a handy weapon that could be discarded at any time.

No one would really put themselves in her shoes and think from her perspective.

Her despair, fear, and pain were incomprehensible to anyone. Who was Fang Keyan? He was the CEO of a listed company, and his wife was a local celebrity in the news.

And what was she? A woman in her twenties who had nothing but beauty and a job.

In the blurred world of tears, she saw Fang Keyan’s tenderness and gentleness towards her. With his doting smile, extravagant spending, and patient tactics, he slowly won her heart.

Her love was about daily playful teasing and sharing the beauty of sunsets.

At that time, they had just gotten together, and she solemnly told Fang Keyan, “I am a very traditional girl. I will not have an intimate relationship with you without a promise.”

Fang Keyan kissed her. “It is okay, I will listen to you. Do not worry, I will not let you suffer.”

Fang Keyan was forty-five years old, but he did not look old at all. He did not smoke, did not have any unpleasant smell, and possessed a physique built on a lot of money and the composure that came with wealth and power.

From initial wariness and aversion to the social interactions that were forced upon her out of fear of project problems, she was gradually won over.

Yang Manman even recalled how terrified she had been when she went to Xin Xin to try and join forces against Fu Meng. And how Xin Xin had refused her, how coldly she had ignored her pain.

She thought she would gain allies but instead received a lecture.

Only now did Yang Manman finally understand. Fu Meng and Xin Xin’s conflict was all an act for her; they probably had already planned how to deal with her all along.

What was even more infuriating was that Fang Keyan took advantage of her trust and got her drunk. That night was neither enjoyable nor pleasant. She kept complaining of feeling unwell, but the man completely disregarded her hangover and wantonly violated her.

Now it was her turn to pay the bill.

Because she became a useless weapon in the company, and because of the tenderness she craved and the gifts she received, she paid a heavy price.

Along with this lesson, what died was not only her purity but also her innocent heart. As if she had made up her mind, Yang Manman regained her composure after her heart-wrenching sobs.

“Then I will trouble you, Mr. Yang. Please negotiate on my behalf. As long as he pays the money, I will drop the case. But if they cannot meet my demands, we will fight to the end. I have nothing, while they are all influential figures. I do not believe I will lose.”

Xin Xin watched helplessly as Yang Manman’s expression shifted from pain and agitation to a deathly silence, a feeling that terrified her.

She offered a price for a settlement, which was the greatest ambition she could think of at such a young age.

But all three people present felt saddened, as such compensation was, for the other party, almost the simplest way to resolve the trouble.

After leaving Yang Manman’s house, none of the three of them spoke.

Once in the car, Yang Rui breathed a sigh of relief. “In any case, we’ve finally completed the task that Ms. Chen assigned us. She did not ask for much, and we can even negotiate a little more for her. Both sides are satisfied.”

Xin Xin felt an indescribable sadness, as if they had just destroyed someone’s soul with their own hands. Fu Meng remained silent, perhaps thinking of herself.

The case of Yang Manman being assaulted was resolved very smoothly.

Before the New Year even arrived, Fang Keyan’s compensation had already been deposited into her account. It was unclear whether he was willing to pay to avoid further trouble or genuinely felt guilty towards Yang Manman. Not only did he not try to negotiate a lower price, but he also gave her a considerable amount more.

Yang Manman dropped the case and went back to work as usual.

Regardless of the truth, most people neither cared nor were interested. As long as Yang Manman was not a perfect victim, her unavoidable circumstances all became bargaining chips.

Xin Xin had some untimely worries. Yang Manman was such a proud girl, and now the whole company knew about this, so there would inevitably be some gossip. She was worried that Yang Manman would not be able to handle it.

Fu Meng came specifically to thank Xin Xin. She brought a bag of tea, which was not fancy, but Xin Xin, who was used to drinking tea, could tell at a glance that it was quite expensive.

“I cannot accept this. Why are you sending such an expensive gift?”

Fu Meng smiled and said sincerely, “Please accept it. You’ve gone to too much trouble. To be honest, do you know what my first reaction was when I went to Yang Manman’s place this time?”

“My visit to her was arranged by Chen Lisha, not for you.”

Fu Meng nodded. “What I was most grateful for at the time was that it was lukewarm water. It is not just about thanking you for this incident but also for the fact that when I asked you for help, you never held a grudge against me for my past actions towards you.”

Xin Xin’s eyes widened in surprise. “You were just here because you were targeting me.”

Fu Meng laughed and said, “I understand; it’s a woman’s jealousy. So please accept it, otherwise I will feel guilty.”

Xin Xin accepted Fu Meng’s gift without further hesitation.

Happy New Year in advance.

Regardless of what happened, the streets were still decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and businesses were already creating a festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year.

Xin Xin had bought her ticket and planned to go home this year to visit relatives and friends and spend time with her parents.

While packing her luggage, she asked Zheng Zaochuan, “When are you going to Jiangcheng?”

Zheng Zaochuan helped her pack her luggage. Perhaps because he had to take care of himself at a young age, Zheng Zaochuan was extremely self-reliant. Although he might not care about every little detail, he would think of special circumstances and buy her some useful small storage items in advance.

“I have not decided yet,” Zheng Zaochuan replied somewhat casually.

Seeing that he was not in a good mood, Xin Xin stepped over the luggage on the ground and crawled over to him, planting a kiss on his lips. She gently asked him, “What is wrong? You are already missing me even before I’ve left?”

Zheng Zaochuan looked up and suddenly asked her, “Can I come to see you?”