After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became My Creditor - Chapter 16 - Lan?

Han Qian didn’t make an effort to get to know the other people in the General Affairs Department, as he already had enough help. Besides, he believed he was already labeled as selfish and rule-breaking, and trying to be friendly would only be seen as currying favor. However, someone did come to greet him.

“Han Qian? Late on your second day at work, huh? Quite the talent.”

Han Qian looked up at the person approaching him. It was a man in his forties, slightly balding, not very tall, with a beer belly that made his suit’s belt look like it was holding up his stomach. Han Qian smiled politely.

“Hello.”

The middle-aged man didn’t take the greeting as a courtesy. He patted Han Qian on the shoulder and said softly, “It’s good for young people to have drive, but you also need to understand some rules and consider others’ feelings. Stepping on others to get ahead isn’t a good habit.”

Han Qian understood. This was an attempt to intimidate the newcomer. He smiled but didn’t respond, turning back to his planning work. The ignored middle-aged man was displeased and reached out to grab the documents on Han Qian’s desk. Just as he touched them, Han Qian placed a hand on them and frowned.

“Shouldn’t you ask before touching someone else’s things?”

The middle-aged man frowned back. “I’m the deputy supervisor of the General Affairs Department. I have the right to check on the work of department employees to prevent slacking.”

“Then maybe you should check on those playing games and watching movies. If you disrupt my work, I’ll have to ask Yang-Jie to speak with General Manager Yan about how you interfered and prevented me from completing my tasks.”

Han Qian was well aware of this so-called deputy supervisor’s intentions. The others in the department didn’t want Han Qian disrupting their way of doing things. If he caused the department to become busy, it wouldn’t be acceptable to them, so they sent Liu Jiulong to trouble him.

Liu Jiulong thought dealing with a newcomer would be easy, but he didn’t expect this kid to be so oblivious to the rules. Just then, Yang Lan opened her office door and frowned at Han Qian and Liu Jiulong.

“Deputy Supervisor Liu, don’t disturb Han Qian. The work he’s doing was assigned by General Manager Yan. Alright, everyone, tidy up your tasks. Other departments have had complaints about us. At the last executive meeting, Vice President Gao mentioned integrating the General Affairs Department. If there’s no work, practice making spreadsheets or improve your handwriting. Deputy Supervisor Liu, do you have more business with Han Qian?”

“No, no, Lan, do you have time after work today…”

“No, I need to pick up Beibei. She’s got a bit of a cold.”

With that, she turned and closed her office door, not giving Liu Jiulong a chance to speak. Liu Jiulong didn’t seem embarrassed, and everyone else acted as if nothing had happened. Han Qian put down his work and, with a hint of mockery, said, “Deputy Liu, isn’t it a bit unethical to pursue a married woman?”

“What do you know, kid? Lan is raising her child alone. It’s tough for her. I’m just concerned.”

“Hmm? Yang-Jie is single?”

“Hmm? You interested?”

Then a dry cough came from Yang Lan’s office, and both men immediately quieted down. Liu Jiulong seemed to forget about targeting Han Qian, casually pulled over a chair, and gazed longingly at Yang Lan’s office.

Still a romantic guy, huh?

Although Yang-Jie had intentionally informed everyone that Han Qian was busy working on tasks for General Manager Yan, the girls continued their online shopping and binge-watching, while the guys treated Yang Lan’s words as mere background noise, doing whatever they pleased. It was all because Yang Lan’s personality was too gentle.

Liu Jiulong kept gazing at Yang Lan’s office, his eyes filled with hearts.

After lunch, once everyone had eaten, Han Qian went downstairs for his meal. Just as he was about to dig into his set meal, Su Liang returned. He immediately spotted Han Qian and rushed over, grabbing a drink from the table and gulping it down.

Han Qian put down his chopsticks, curious. “Did you go to the desert? Didn’t you eat outside?”

Su Liang, panting heavily, replied, “No, I was planning to take some people from the renovation company out for lunch. But once we got to the restaurant, a few bosses insisted on having drinks. Your schedule is tight, and delaying things in the afternoon wouldn’t be good. So I paid the bill and came back.”

With that, he pointed at Han Qian’s meal tray. Han Qian chuckled and pushed it towards Su Liang, then got up to get another set meal, buying two bottles of water on the way back. Once seated again, he told Su Liang that a few minutes wouldn’t make a difference, suggesting they eat first and discuss matters later while smoking.

As they wolfed down their food, Han Qian noticed that the chicken steak on his plate had already been devoured by Su Liang.

Outside the main entrance of Rongyao Company, two young men puffed smoke into the air-short-haired Han Qian and long-haired Su Liang, enjoying the pleasure brought by their cigarettes.

“Qian-Ge, I asked some renovation companies this morning. Nowadays, if someone goes to a renovation company to refurbish their home, it means their family conditions aren’t bad. Especially those buying houses in the new district; they source their materials from surrounding cities. Some even prefer Chinese styles, traveling far for them. The renovation company folks say that home renovations aren’t just for comfort anymore. The quality of one’s home can be a point of comparison. When friends inquire, buying branded materials might not scream prestige, but at least it avoids disdain. Moreover, people have started gifting renovations.”

Han Qian nodded, offering a cigarette to Su Liang, who instead tossed half a pack to Han Qian, adding, “Don’t stress yourself too much. They say a car’s dashboard is a man’s second face; I think it’s the cigarette. Any tasks this afternoon?”

Han Qian nodded again. “Yes, I need you to check out the Building Materials Market for their products and prices, then head to the furniture market on the old district’s outer ring. Just call me before the end of the day. Yang-Jie wants you to stay and help me with overtime.”

“Can’t do overtime; I’ve got a date with a college student to watch a movie tonight. Can’t join you in your hardships, won’t be back at the company.”

“Alright, I’ll tell Yang-Jie you’ll be busy until late.”

Having just joined the company, Han Qian was handed this tricky task. Even Yan Qingqing wasn’t sure of Han Qian’s capabilities. General Manager Yan’s favored ones, like Yang Lan, would give him some respect. Han Qian spent the entire afternoon drafting the planning proposal. As the day ended, Wen Nuan sent a text. Han Qian glanced at it, intending to put the phone down, but then decided to call back.

“I might be home a bit late tonight, maybe an hour or two. Don’t order takeout; I’ll cook when I get back.”

“Han Qian, I’m not feeling well. Come back early.”

“Okay, I got it.”

After hanging up, Han Qian didn’t think much of it and continued working. Time passed, and when he felt a bit of back pain, he realized his phone was missing. He got up and searched everywhere, finally finding it wedged under the desk. It showed three missed calls-two from Wen Nuan and one from his mom.

Han Qian was puzzled. His mom had the old man with her, and if there was anything urgent, the old man would call. He decided to call Wen Nuan first, but after two attempts with no answer, panic set in. He recalled the incident two years ago when a creep broke into Wen Nuan’s home, posing as a delivery person, and Han Qian ended up with a cut on his arm.

Running, Han Qian called his mom, thinking Wen Nuan might have contacted her. But his mom only asked about his plans for the New Year.

It’s over!

Something’s happened to Wen Nuan.

The sky outside mirrored Han Qian’s mood.