After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became My Creditor - Chapter 13 - The Little Girl

After more than half an hour, the folks in the General Affairs Department started speculating about who this sudden newcomer was. Some asked Yang Jia for information, while others internally criticized, thinking that Yan Qingqing must have taken a liking to this slick-looking guy.

Such is the nature of people. Of course, they only dared to think these things privately, as the unattainable always seems sour, especially since Yan Qingqing often dressed quite flamboyantly.

The idea that people are inherently good is a myth; a dirty heart is innate.

Yang Lan, curious as well, asked Yang Jia about Han Qian. How could someone on their first day be summoned to General Manager Yan’s office, and why was he hired before completing the formalities?

Gossip is a woman’s nature, and with Yang Jia, the queen of gossip, around, she had already dug up everything about Han Qian. Glancing around sneakily, she whispered in a low voice.

“Sis, this Han Qian isn’t as innocent as he looks. I heard that on the day of his interview last Friday, he got into a fight with General Manager Yan. It was quite a scene until Manager Song from the Human Resources Department intervened.”

A fight with General Manager Yan!

Yang Lan’s eye twitched slightly. This incident wasn’t a secret in the company. On that Friday, people were already speculating about who dared to clash with the company’s fierce madam. The mental image made Yang Lan rub her temples; it seemed like a not-so-peaceful person had joined their otherwise peaceful General Affairs Department.

While the two sisters were gossiping, the ajar office door was knocked on.

“Yang-Jie, General Manager Yan wants her secretary to report back quickly; there’s something urgent.”

Han Qian had returned, and Yang Jia couldn’t afford to laze around in the General Affairs Department any longer. She got up and dashed off, not forgetting to grab some snacks from the department. The little girl’s stature might be small, but her appetite was anything but. This reminded Han Qian of Wen Nuan munching on snacks on the couch.

What he couldn’t stand was someone eating snacks on the bed or couch, leaving crumbs everywhere.

Sitting in his chair, lost in thought, he realized he had forgotten to ask Yan Qingqing for the materials. Should he go back? Remembering Yan Qingqing’s sharp tongue, Han Qian shivered. Maybe he should wait until Yang Jia was done and ask her, or if that didn’t work, he could go to the gentle Yang-Jie.

While Han Qian was daydreaming, Su Liang dragged his chair over to Han Qian’s side and whispered.

“Qian-Ge, did you make it back safely? Did General Manager Yan call you in to settle the score from Friday?”

Han Qian placed a hand on Su Liang’s head, laughingly scolding him.

“You’re even more gossipy than the ladies. But you’re right; General Manager Yan did call me in for revenge. I ended up cleaning the office and got a pile of work. If I had known she was the boss, I wouldn’t have dared to fight, right?”

“Come on, Qian-Ge, don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it. Even though General Manager Yan has a bit of a temper, she’s a real goddess. Plenty of people would take a scolding just to get a glimpse of her. If you don’t want to go next time, let me.”

Su Liang had a mischievous grin, while Han Qian looked at him with a bright gaze, seriously saying.

“You said it, no take-backs.”

“I heard General Manager Yan was in a short skirt and heels today. Ah! The queen.”

“Is that your thing?”

“I’d rather be whipped.”

Su Liang’s sleazy grin left Han Qian feeling rather helpless. Just then, the girl sitting across from them muttered “pervert” under her breath, prompting Su Liang to abandon Han Qian and engage in a debate about perversion and love with the young lady.

Han Qian found Su Liang’s easygoing nature quite refreshing; making friends without any hidden agendas was a relief. He wasn’t one for scheming. Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the doorway-Yang Jia had returned, arms laden with over twenty folders. The folks in the General Affairs Department, seeing a chance to curry favor, rushed to help her, only to be kicked away one by one.

“I’m still a kid, don’t try to take advantage of me.”

As she spoke, she plopped the stack of files down next to Han Qian with a thud. Han Qian leaned back, eyeing the pile with a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. Yang Jia fished a can of Red Bull from her pocket and placed it on the table, panting slightly.

“General Manager Yan said to give you all these documents and to bring you coffee. I’m broke, so I snagged a Red Bull from the Marketing Department for you. Don’t tell General Manager Yan!”

Seeing the little girl’s fist-shaking threat, Han Qian chuckled and tossed the Red Bull back to her.

“Thanks for your hard work, little Secretary Yang. Consider this your reward.”

Yang Jia accepted the Red Bull without hesitation, then suddenly remembered Han Qian’s “little secretary” remark and immediately flared up, puffing out her chest and exclaiming indignantly.

“What’s small about me, huh?”

Han Qian stroked his chin, pretending to ponder as he looked at Yang Jia.

“Tsk tsk tsk, still small.”

“Wow! Sis… Han Qian is bullying me.”

Yang Jia slipped into her role instantly, tears almost welling up, which threw Han Qian into a panic. Apologizing seemed right, but not apologizing felt wrong. At that moment, Yang Lan emerged from the office, gave her sister a light knock on the head, and smiled at Han Qian.

“She’s my younger sister. She often comes to the General Affairs Department to slack off and loves to mess around. Don’t take her antics seriously, Han Qian.”

So they were sisters? How did gentle Yang-Jie end up with such a mischievous sibling?

Han Qian scratched his head, noticing his colleagues snickering, which only made him more embarrassed. He muttered softly, “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have teased Yang Jia.”

Yang Lan shook her head with a gentle smile.

“We’re all colleagues now, seeing each other day in and day out. No need to be so formal. General Manager Yan called me earlier too, saying she wants results by Thursday. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.”

“Thank you, Yang-Jie.”

Receiving a task from General Manager Yan made the other employees in the General Affairs Department unhappy. If one person starts working, it makes the rest of us look idle, which doesn’t sit well with any department manager. No one wants to work, and they certainly don’t want to see Han Qian working.

As a newcomer, you should follow the unspoken rules here. Trying to make a mark and curry favor with the bosses on your first day?

Han Qian was unaware of their thoughts. He was different from them. They earned enough to live comfortably, and some might not even need to work. But Han Qian was strapped for cash. Wen Nuan seemed easygoing now, but what if Lin Zongheng returned and started whispering in her ear? People are made of flesh and blood; they waver.

Taking a deep breath, Han Qian delved into the basic materials, trying to figure out what had stumped the entire planning proposal team.

After an afternoon of work, Su Liang’s call of “time to clock out” reminded Han Qian it was already five o’clock. It was time to pack up and head home. As Han Qian gathered the files to take home, Su Liang sidled up with a cheeky grin, throwing an arm around Han Qian’s shoulder.

“Qian-Ge, don’t work so hard. Not everyone likes seeing someone put in effort.”

Han Qian paused, quickly understanding Su Liang’s words. He took a deep breath and replied with a self-deprecating smile.

“Su Liang, if you knew the pressure I’m under, you might understand. I’m not trying to impress anyone.”

Su Liang maintained his carefree grin, chuckling.

“Everyone has their own life to live, but it’s wise to stay guarded. Is it tough? You seemed stressed all afternoon. If you need help, I…”

“Yes, I do!”

“Ugh, Qian-Ge, I was just being polite.”

Maybe it was a matter of chemistry, or perhaps Han Qian hadn’t made new friends in a while. But their camaraderie, seen by others, was irksome, especially to some men.

To them, Su Liang was nothing more than a sycophant.