Chapter Nine Network (09)

He Huai-sheng's expression did not change much; he nodded and asked: "So will you continue to stay in Kaiser?"

Regarding herself, she had heard many unpleasant things about the summer cicadas, but for these evaluations of He Huaisheng, she inexplicably felt a sense of injustice on his behalf

Ding Yonggui glanced at Xia Chan, his expression softened slightly, "Then I shall take my leave. Miss Xia, see you next time."

"It's nothing, I apologize for taking up your time." Xia Chan stood up and put on her coat

This person has a dignified appearance, exuding authority without anger; their physique is normal, not resembling that of a middle-aged man of this age with a protruding belly, indicating strict self-discipline and a focus on image management; they sit upright, showing no signs of relaxation, which reflects a high degree of self-discipline

The summer cicadas did not respond.

The summer cicada is not inclined to speak much, only to say that one should take each step as it comes

Ding Yonggui handed a business card to Xia Chan, saying, "If there is anything, please call me, Miss Xia. I need to hurry to deliver documents to General Manager He now"

He Huai-sheng was also watching her

The summer cicadas do not blink their eyes, "Manager Liu, to speak frankly without fear of offending anyone, since we cannot avoid it anyway, we might as well choose someone we find agreeable to deal with, don't you think?"

The summer cicada chuckled to itself: "Of course it went smoothly, in everyone's interpretations, I have already been equated with the infamous Su Daji who brought calamity to the nation."

He Huai-sheng paused for a moment and said, "... ... I apologize"

He Qihua seemed to smile and said, "Has Miss Xia rejected it all?"

The summer cicadas come to a halt

Taking out her phone, she saw that the last message from He Huaisheng was still from twenty days ago, when they were at Starbucks

The summer cicada comforted her: "In the future, whether you follow Fu Ruyu or Chen Aijia, it will be the same."

He Qihua glanced at her and said, "The last question."

However, she noticed that He Huaisheng's gaze lingered on Zhou Lan's face for a moment, clearly indicating that he understood what Zhou Lan had just said

I do not know, there should be no hotels under Xinghui.

The summer cicada stood upright and greeted with neither humility nor arrogance

After sending out over ten resumes, she received eight interview invitations. Xia Chan organized her schedule and attended each one, ultimately receiving two job offers. However, the two hotels that offered her positions were significantly different from Kaiser in terms of scale, operational status, and corporate culture. Since she had resigned, she felt it was crucial to choose her second job carefully. Deep down, she was reluctant to settle, and after much consideration, she decided to decline both offers.

Upon arriving at the outpatient clinic, I saw that Zhou Lan had her forehead bandaged and was engaged in a dispute with someone

Going outside but having nowhere to go, Xia Chan thought for a moment and found a nearby place, opened her phone, and began to filter through job listings

You said

Her heart raced, and for a moment she could not decide whether to go or not. After a brief hesitation, she thought of He Huaisheng

For some reason, his voice seemed to carry great weight, compelling her to comply.

He Huai-sheng was somewhat surprised, his gaze lingering on Xia Chan for a few seconds before he turned to Ding Yong-gui

Yes

Miss Xia

The summer cicada was too lazy to argue with her and directly engaged in conversation with Ding Yonggui

I am not willing to give up too early due to my personality traits

The summer cicada stood in place for a moment before getting up and heading towards the health examination department

In that case, why does Miss Xia reject the pursuits of so many strong individuals

My surname is Zhou, please address me as Ms. Zhou

Liu Baona is still not happy, "What plans does Sister Xia Chan have?"

Zhou Lan followed closely behind, chattering incessantly: "... In this day and age, how much is integrity worth? With little ability, yet one sets a higher standard than anyone else!"

You do not know

The summer cicada said: "I have taken up your time."

The summer cicada shakes its head

"I won't stay; I am preparing to submit my resignation letter tomorrow." She held the cup, as if trying to draw some warmth from it

He Qiuhua was momentarily speechless, his gaze fixed on Xia Chan's face, carrying a hint of inquiry.

Ding Yonggui gestured at him for a while, and He Huaisheng nodded, also starting to use sign language.

Xia Chan immediately darkened her expression, dropped the nail clippers, and got up to walk outside

Zhou Lan only sustained some superficial injuries, yet she repeatedly claims to be afraid of internal injuries that have not been diagnosed, insisting that Ding Yonggui compensate her with 3,000 yuan

The summer cicada laughed and said, "Manager Liu is very humorous"

The summer cicadas cease their breathing

The summer cicada knew what she wanted to ask and simply said: "Whether the rumors can be trusted or not"

The summer cicada said: "Let's go"

After returning that day, she carefully contemplated the words spoken by He Huaisheng, and gradually began to entertain some thoughts of retreat. Leaving Kaiser, she might not be able to immediately find an ideal job, but it was even less certain that she had to get involved in the disputes of the He family's internal strife

He Qihua's expression eased slightly, yet he did not respond directly, "How can you dare to come for an interview without knowing what you are applying for?"

I am an ordinary person; I not only consider money but also take into account career prospects

Aren't you working today

Women may sympathize with the weak, but they all admire the strong

The summer cicada paused and said, "I refuse"

The summer cicada took over and said apologetically, "I have taken up your time."

After a moment of confrontation, Liu Hongyi let out a cold laugh and said, "Since Team Leader Xia is deigning to stay at Kaiser, I wish you the best in making your nest firmly on this tree, but do be careful not to fall down."

The summer cicada "bang" slammed against the door

Zhou Lan did not notice anything until the next day when she got up and saw that it was already 9 o'clock. The summer cicada was still fluttering around the room, and only then did she realize that something was amiss

The summer cicada nodded and left the outpatient department with him, heading to a nearby Starbucks

He, He Huaisheng, turned around and strode inside. He passed by one car after another, eventually stopping beside a Mercedes-Benz, pulling open the door of the front passenger seat.

When it was time to pay the bill, Xia Chan stopped He Huaisheng and insisted on settling the account. The two of them held their coffees and found a place to sit down

Is a large cup acceptable

Having said that, regardless of Zhou Lan's continuous curses, she turned and left

Ding Yonggui nodded

Liu Baona joined Kaiser last year and was immediately assigned under Xia Chan. This young girl has a simple mind, a good attitude, and is particularly resilient to setbacks

The summer cicada, feeling embarrassed, lowered its voice and said: "You really don't mind losing face..."

It feels as if returning to the year of my senior year, filled with the same anxiety and confusion. However, back then, there was Xie Xingzhou accompanying her; the two would meet every evening, walking around the playground for an hour, discussing their visions for the future.

She remained impassive, "To be honest with you, Mr. Sun Yifeng, who is in the yacht business and the founder of Hope Art Investment Company, as well as the emerging Hong Kong artist Mr. Zhao Zhen, have both expressed the same sentiment to me."

He Huai-sheng said: It would be better to sit for a while, as the physical examination will take some time

Have you agreed?

He Huai-sheng paused for a moment, looked at her, and prepared to reach into his pocket to take out his phone, but then he refrained from doing so

Her mind was racing, and in a moment, several thoughts crossed her mind. Finally, she recalled what He Huaisheng had said: My enemy is the friend of He Qihua

The summer cicada felt uncomfortable under scrutiny, yet it endured silently, maintaining an expression of calmness.

Finally, He Huaisheng and Ding Yonggui have completed their communication

Please be mindful of your words, who is the elder sister? It is not certain who is older between us...

Liu Baona pursed her lips and said, "Those who are capable are instead unable to stay."

A hint of a smile appeared in He Qihua's eyes

The summer cicada turned back to ask him: "What would you like to drink?"

Chen Aijia had not heard a single whisper before, and upon hearing that Xia Chan had resigned, she found it completely unbelievable. On the day Xia Chan left, she kept repeating this matter: "Now that the layoff list has come out, only one person has been laid off. If you don't leave, you might not necessarily be on it."

The performance must be thorough; He Huai-sheng continues to steadfastly send flowers, and soon the entire hotel, including the staff responsible for air conditioning maintenance, is aware of He's low-profile pursuit of the hotel staff, expressing his affection with luxury cars and flowers.

He Qiuhua paused for a moment and said, "That would probably be somewhat of a waste of talent"

In the afternoon, Xia Chan received a call from Zhou Lan, urging her to hurry to the hospital

He Huai's gaze was slightly dimmed

He Huai-sheng looked at her

Ding Yonggui turned to leave, but upon raising his eyes, he saw someone entering through the main door, walking towards him, and he immediately stopped in his tracks

After hanging up the phone, Xia Chan finally realized what the first call meant

Dressed so well, how can you be so lacking in public morality? Which organization are you from?

The summer cicadas remained silent

After work, Xia Chan did not dare to delay and went straight over. Having suffered losses before, Xia Chan knew that if she did not comply with Zhou Lan's wishes, she would definitely come up with an even bigger problem.

The summer cicada glanced at her and said, "Rely on your card playing to generate income, or why not go to Sanmenkou to find a leak and sell an authentic piece by Zhang Daqian? That way, we won't have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of our lives."

Zhou Lan found it hard to believe, "... what kind of joke is this? If you resign, will I be left to drink the northwest wind?"

Early the next morning, Xia Chan directly placed the resignation letter he had written in front of Liu Hongyi

His heart was like an abyss, and she did not dare to lean in and gaze into it

The summer cicada raised its eyes to him and said, "The strength of outsiders is not reliable; rather than depending on them, it is better to become strong oneself"

Xia Chan stood up, her expression seemingly hesitant, "Mr. He, I have a question."

Voluntary resignation

The summer cicadas overheard numerous discussions, some about her, and naturally, some about He Huaisheng as well. It was said that his ineptitude was indeed consistent, to the extent that he could not even manage a waiter to serve tea and water.

The summer cicada hesitated for a long time, yet still could not send out the information

Xia Chan pushed her towards Chen Aijia, "Aijia, please take care of her more in the future. Baona knows sign language, so if you encounter someone like He Huaisheng again, it will save you a lot of trouble."

When the clouds were swirling and the waves were unpredictable, Zhou Lan did not forget to give Xia Chan some trouble to stretch her muscles and bones

Zhou Lan scolded her a few times, then asked: "So have you found a new partner?"

No

He Qihua looked at her and asked, "Why?"

He Qihua relaxed his shoulders slightly, paused for a moment, intertwined his fingers, and said, "I heard that my nephew pursued you."

Ding Yonggui faced Chen Rutie, "Madam Xia..."

The summer cicada bid farewell to He Qihua and walked towards the conference room door

He Qihua got straight to the point: "I heard that Miss Xia has left Kaiser."

Liu Baona watched in fear and trepidation, and during lunch, she asked Xia Chan: "Sister Xia Chan, are you planning to resign?"

That was requested by Liu Hongyi

Ding Yonggui, seeing that communication with Zhou Lan was futile, had no choice but to turn his attention to Xia Chan

What qualifications do you have to criticize my embarrassment

"Summer cicada, do not try this with me. You, a mere waiter, still expect to threaten me?"

The car quickly drove away, disappearing from sight

Zhou Lan is so undignified, yet this person is willing to offer her a way out in the most dignified manner

The summer cicada hailed a taxi by the roadside, bid farewell to the two individuals, and headed straight home

The summer cicada sat down opposite He Qihua and discreetly observed him with a glance.

The summer cicada sat on the edge of the bed, leisurely grooming its nails, "I have resigned."

As soon as Zhou Lan saw that the summer cicadas had arrived, she became even more spirited, covering her forehead and exclaiming in pain, insisting on taking Ding Yonggui to the police station to resolve the matter

Perhaps the phrase 'endure hardships and wait for the opportunity' is more suitable for you

Just as the summer cicadas were weary and dejected, and the intention to compromise had begun to take root, I received two phone calls

Xia Chan understands Zhou Lan. When she was young, she loved to deceive and trick others. Fortunately, at that time, she encountered a man who was smarter than her and even more fond of deceit and trickery, allowing her to enjoy a period of good days. Now that she has reached menopause, her cunning has only intensified compared to her younger days. Xia Chan has lost count of how many times she has had to clean up after her.

Ding Yonggui took a deep breath and said, "... Ms. Zhou, please come with me for a full body examination. If any issues are detected, we are willing to provide compensation"

Miss Xia admires the strong

Xia Chan thought to himself, this opponent, He Huaisheng, is not easy to deal with

He Qihua nodded slightly and said, "Please take a seat"

After returning to work, Liu Hongyi could not help but mock Xia Chan with both overt and subtle jibes. Xia Chan, having made up her mind to leave, naturally would not tolerate such nonsense any longer and directly retorted multiple times, infuriating Liu Hongyi to the point of blowing his beard and glaring.

What position are you looking to hire for

The summer cicada tightened its fingers, "I have carefully considered it and believe I am not qualified for the position of secretary. Thank you for your kindness."

The summer cicada took a few steps forward to He Huaisheng and said, "Thank you"

Liu Hongyi, filled with rage, glared at Xia Chan for a moment, then instead broke into a smile, "With a backing, one becomes more assertive. As the saying goes, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on. Team Leader Xia is quite interesting; with a vast forest available, he insists on picking this crooked tree."

Xia Chan accompanied He Huaisheng to the parking lot. He Huaisheng stopped in his tracks and said, "... ... Please hold on."

After a moment of silence, she thought it would be better to take this opportunity to clarify, and then she spoke: "Mr. He ... ... "

Yes

Resigned

In the summer, the cicadas listened as Zhou Lan shouted for half a day, finally sorting out the sequence of events: Ding Yonggui was on the phone at the time, driving quite slowly, and as he passed a T-junction, an electric bike suddenly rushed out from the side... With a sudden brake, before he could react, the person on the bike fell. Ding Yonggui took the injured person to the hospital, where he received treatment and bandaging.

Finally, Zhou Lanyang proudly followed the middle-aged man to the health examination building

How many years have you been working

There is another piece of news that I believe you would be very pleased to hear—Liu Hongyi has been dismissed from his position

The handover of work was completed swiftly; what originally took a week was finished by Xia Chan in just three days

He Qihua finally spoke: "What do you think of my nephew?"

Why did that young lady only think of resigning now

Chen Aijia smiled, looking at Xia Chan, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Xia Chan was taken aback and looked at He Huaisheng

The summer cicada candidly replied, "To be honest, I also feel indignant"

Elder sister, please reason with me...

regard it as an opportunity to broaden one's horizons

After some thought, I can only say thank you

The summer cicada could not refuse

May I ask

It is only right.

What does it mean?

The sound of the summer cicadas is calm: "A dog that has lost its home is not worth my comment." She slightly pinched her fingers and then immediately relaxed them

She believes that He Huaisheng is destined to achieve great things, yet she harbors a certain fear of this man deep within her heart

He Huai Sheng: American style

At that moment, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and sent a WeChat message to Xia Chan: Sorry, something came up unexpectedly, and I cannot continue to accompany Miss Xia while she waits.

He Qihua fell silent once again

Liu Hongyi was drinking tea, glanced at the envelope, paused his actions, and for a moment, his facial expression could be described as a vivid display of emotions

As the summer cicadas peeled away, those watching were surprised to find that the one arguing with Zhou Lan was actually Ding Yonggui

One is a call from Fu Ruyu, asking to meet her

I want to buy a three-bedroom apartment with ample sunlight; the study should have a bay window, allowing for reading during leisure time and napping when feeling lazy; I would like to have a cat, preferably a Ragdoll

He Huai Sheng sat in silence for a long time before finally responding: Thank you

The news of Fu Ruyu's promotion to supervisor has not yet been officially announced, so Xia Chan cannot say too much to Chen Aijia. She simply responded with an "mm" and said, "Take care of yourselves"

Since we are sitting face to face, we ought to discuss something

Five years

The heating was quite sufficient, and after sitting for a while, the summer cicada felt hot, so it took off its coat and draped it over the back of the chair

No

The summer cicada is afraid that she still dares to ask for compensation for mental distress, immediately thanking Ding Yonggui, and then saying: "Mr. He has just left and got into a Mercedes."

Summer Cicada hurriedly said: "Mr. Ding, it was just a misunderstanding..."

The summer cicadas unconsciously slow their breathing, "Yes."

This bowl has not yet been found, and you have already smashed the pot. Zhou Lan could not help but sarcastically remark: Others are also hotel attendants, and after five years, they have already become managers. You have ambition and integrity, yet you are still just a team leader!

Manager Liu cannot read

Zhou Lan widened her eyes and said, "What did you say?"

In the subsequent half month or so, submitting resumes, attending interviews, submitting resumes again, attending interviews again

He Huai-sheng nodded and walked out with her

One is an unfamiliar number, claiming to be from the General Office of Xinghui Group, notifying Xia Chan to come for an interview in the afternoon

I have apologized

I do not wish to resign, but it is no longer possible to stay now

Liu Baona grasped Xia Chan's arm, her eyes brimming with tears, "Sister Xia Chan, what will I do if you leave..."

The middle-aged man said again: "President He mentioned that a check-up should be done, and both Miss Xia and we feel reassured."

After sitting in the conference room for a moment, someone pushed the door open, and Xia Chan quickly stood up

As the summer cicadas were about to speak, He Huaisheng sent a message first: Is everything going smoothly at the hotel

Xia Chan suddenly felt a mix of emotions and said, "Mr. Ding, please thank Mr. He for his kindness on my behalf. We will leave the hospital now"

He Huai-sheng looked at her after she finished speaking, then made several gestures towards the middle-aged man.

Zhou Lan's words have become increasingly unpleasant, "And then there's Xie Xingzhou, who was given five years for free, and now that person has left without a word, what have you gained from it?"

If one can endure and remain at peace, plan carefully before taking action, what can one not achieve

He Huai-sheng held his phone tightly, momentarily unable to move

In the afternoon, she hurried to Xinghui Building at the agreed time

The three of them walked out of the hotel together, and Chen Aijia said, "If it weren't for my shift at Yu on the night shift, I could have seen you off."

Zhou Lan glanced at He Huaisheng and asked Xia Chan: "This person is a mute."

Zhou Lan could not help but mockingly say: "You really know how to win people's hearts. Who do you think you are, shamelessly throwing yourself at others? Why not just strip down and climb into their bed?"

The summer cicada glanced at her and said, "This is where I differ from you"

The summer cicada looked at him and said, "There is one more thing. Last time I said you were 'feigning madness and playing the fool,' but that was actually incorrect."

The person who has arrived is He Qihua

The summer cicadas have stopped.

Yes

Zhou Lan completed the routine examination items, and aside from a slight abrasion on her forehead and arm, there were no other issues

The summer cicada laughed and said, "It may not necessarily be above."

He Qihua glanced at her and said, "As far as I know, Kaiser offers quite good benefits"

The summer cicada stood up and said, "I borrow Manager Liu's auspicious words"

He Huai-sheng nodded

Now I give you an opportunity to apologize to me for the incident at the hotel last time

Zhou Lan hurriedly stopped the person, "Who said it was a misunderstanding?"

Finally, He Qihua stood up and said, "I will give you a response in three days"