Zhongcheng Group Headquarters, 6th Floor, Food and Beverage Division

Stairwell.

Zhang Lei put away his phone and pulled out a crumpled cigarette from his pocket, lighting it up.

Amid the swirling smoke, he slumped onto the cold concrete steps, lowering his head to look at the cigarette ash left by someone on the ground, feeling utterly lost inside.

Yesterday afternoon, he was suddenly called in by HR and told his probation period had not passed.

The reason given was “business ability does not match the job requirements.”

That excuse was pure nonsense.

He wasn’t a fresh graduate rookie;

after years of struggling in the workplace, he naturally understood what that really meant.

Last night, he deliberately went to see the department manager Liu Huiyang, the “insider” his uncle had pulled strings for.

But Liu only sighed and patted his shoulder, saying it was the decision from higher-ups and he was powerless.

When Liu said he was powerless, it meant there really was no way.

After pressing for details, Liu vaguely revealed that the newcomer who joined at the same time as Zhang, Ding Furong, had been directly recommended by the President’s Office.

A powerful figure no one dared to offend.

The feeling was like being slapped hard in the face, the sting burning fiercely.

He had worked so hard to stay at the Yancheng headquarters, drinking countless toasts with clients and running all kinds of pointless errands.

He had thought that with Liu Huiyang, his uncle’s friend, as the leader, he was safe.

But after just over a month, he was kicked out so decisively, not even given the chance to transfer back to the Quancheng branch.

In the end, it all came down to his background not being strong enough.

Finishing his cigarette, Zhang Lei stood up without brushing the dust off his suit pants and turned toward the office.

Just as he rounded the corridor, several figures walked straight toward him.

Zhang’s pupils suddenly contracted;

almost instinctively, he pressed himself against the wall and respectfully lowered his head.

Leading the group was the Chief Financial Officer Tian Guowen.

This high-profile executive inside the group was said to be the nephew of Executive Director Tian Chengye, likely to become the next CEO.

Walking beside him, smiling gracefully, was Qin Hua, the Administrative Supervisor from the President’s Office.

Her father was the newly appointed director Qin Dechang, and she had recently grown very close to You Guowen.

The perfect match of talent and beauty had stirred endless rumors within the company.

Seeing these top leaders who were usually only seen in company emails or high-level meetings, Zhang Lei dared not even breathe loudly.

He quietly muttered as they passed, “Director You... Supervisor Qin...”

However, the group walked straight past, chatting and laughing, without sparing him a glance.

After they passed, Zhang Lei finally breathed a sigh of relief and then couldn’t help but mock himself inwardly.

He’d been on his knees so long;

he was practically the one about to be kicked out, yet still acting so humble.

But it was normal. His first job after his family’s decline was at a branch of Zhongcheng.

He held a genuine reverence for this giant.

All the leaders inside were figures he needed to look up to.

If he could get close to any one of them, he wouldn’t have ended up like this.

Putting aside those ridiculous thoughts, he returned to the desk that would no longer belong to him next week, his mood sinking to its lowest point.

Tomorrow was his last day.

Coincidentally, the 10th was payday, so at least he earned his first and last full monthly salary at headquarters.

“Tap tap tap—” The sound of hurried footsteps approached.

A voice deliberately warm came from behind: “Lei, hurry up with the client files on the handover list for those KA accounts. I’m visiting them tomorrow.”

Zhang Lei turned around and saw Ding Furong leaning against the partition with his arms crossed.

Zhang glanced at him without speaking, opened the folder on his computer, and continued organizing the client information.

Ding remained beside him, enthusiastically asking detailed questions about the handover.

The questions got more and more precise.

He acted especially serious and friendly, clearly putting on a show for the surrounding colleagues.

6:30 PM

Zhang Lei didn’t stay late and clocked out on time.

He walked along familiar streets, heading straight toward the “Tian Ji Barbecue” restaurant.

It was already completely dark;

the roads were busy with cars, neon lights flickering.

The barbecue shop was at its dinner rush, bustling and lively.

This chain was famous in Yancheng, located in popular commercial areas.

It offered not only barbecue but also stir-fry and hotpot dishes, and was the preferred spot for many local company gatherings.

He found a booth in a corner and skillfully ordered a dozen chilled beers and some regular dishes, then sent a WeChat message to Tang Song, quietly waiting alone.

Actually, Zhang had many friends in Yancheng since Quancheng was so close.

But during a low point in life, when things were bleak, only a handful could sit quietly and listen, providing a shoulder to lean on.

Tang Song was one of them.

He also knew Tang Song had long changed, becoming a boss after starting his own business.

He secretly hoped this old classmate could offer some help or advice.

Tang Song had hinted at this the last time they met in Quancheng.

Soon, a dozen cold Yanjing beers were brought over.

With a “pop” sound, Zhang opened a bottle and gulped down a big mouthful.

The icy liquid slid down his throat but did nothing to extinguish the suffocating frustration inside;

instead, it made him feel even more restless.

After a moment, a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar figure appeared at the entrance.

As she appeared, many girls in the shop turned their eyes toward her.

Zhang quickly stood and waved vigorously: “Tang Song, over here!”

“Zhang Lei.”

The two greeted each other.

Zhang opened a bottle for him and pushed it forward: “I ordered some usual dishes. Let me know if you want to add anything.”

“This is enough.” Tang Song sat opposite, looking at Zhang’s dejected expression and immediately asked, “What happened? You seem completely off.”

Zhang clinked his bottle with Tang’s and sighed heavily: “Starting with one.”

He took a sip.

Cold appetizers and sizzling skewers were brought one after another.

Zhang picked up a lamb skewer and bit down hard.

Chewing, he vented bitterly, “Damn... tomorrow I’m getting kicked out of the company.”

Tang Song was stunned. “You got fired?”

“Yeah.” Zhang grabbed a grilled kidney skewer and shoved it into his mouth. “Probation failed, the reason: ‘incompetent in business.’”

He laughed bitterly, the voice full of suppressed anger: “I just transferred from the branch to headquarters, haven’t fully taken over clients yet, where’s the business? Ridiculous, right? Damn it... in the end, I was just replaced by someone with connections.”

He gulped the beer and recounted everything about the talk with HR and his meeting with manager Liu Huiyang in detail.

Tang Song listened quietly without interruption.

When he heard “President’s Office,” his eyes flickered slightly.

His sharp insight made him connect the dots instantly.

He recalled the last time he ate here with Zhang Lei, they had just bumped into Gao Junfeng.

This Vice President’s Assistant, by department classification, should be in the President’s Office.

Zhang was a marketing backbone transferred from the branch. Normally, even if there were layoffs at headquarters, he should have been sent back to the Quancheng branch.

This situation was clearly abnormal.

Thinking of Gao Junfeng, a cold glint flashed in Tang Song’s eyes.

If Gao Junfeng was behind this, it was clearly a personal attack.

Zhang Lei was just caught in the crossfire.

Two bottles down, Zhang’s eyes reddened slightly, and he slammed his fist on the table.

“I just can’t accept it! How much did I sacrifice to get into headquarters? Those two years in Quancheng, for sales, I drank until my stomach perforated twice! I finally made it, thinking I could make a big splash in Yancheng, and what happened? Ha, one month and they threw me out.”

“You want to know what’s the worst part?” He pointed at his nose. “Today I still have to hand over the client info I worked my ass off to get, bit by bit, to the idiot who kicked me out!”

His voice got emotional, drawing glances from neighboring tables.

Tang Song patted his shoulder, signaling him to calm down.

After a moment of thought, he said, “Zhang Lei, I’m going to make a call.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

Tang Song didn’t stand, just opened his phone and dialed Little Jing’s number.

“Beep beep—” The call was answered quickly after two rings.

A sweet, obedient voice came from the receiver: “Hey? Song, good evening! I was just about to message you. We must be on the same wavelength! Did you miss me?”

Hearing his rich and beautiful friend’s voice, Tang Song’s lips twitched in a slight smile, his tone softening: “Of course I missed you, Little Jing.”

“Hehe, I missed you too, mwah~”

Tang Song whispered some loving words to his girlfriend before asking, “Little Jing, where are you? Are you free now?”

Little Jing gasped with surprise, “Of course! I’m home, just finished showering, all nice and fragrant. Song, are you asking me out?”

Tang Song chuckled, “I’m eating barbecue with friends. Want to come?”

“Yay!” The sound of rustling clothes came from Little Jing’s side, her voice full of eagerness. “Send me the location, I’m coming right away.”

“Okay, be safe on your way.”

He hung up.

Zhang Lei was stunned: “Holy shit, Tang Song... you have a girlfriend? Since when?”

“...” Tang Song paused, then calmly said, “For a long time. A colleague from my previous company.”

“Awesome! She must be really pretty, right?” Zhang’s eyes were full of envy.

At Zhongcheng headquarters, he had his eye on a female colleague in finance, had even gone out for a meal with her, but before he could start pursuing her, he got fired.

Tang Song sent the location to Little Jing and said, “Hehe, she’s pretty. Let her come join us for the meal, hope you don’t mind?”

“What are you saying! Your girlfriend coming is my honor.” Zhang immediately called out, “Waiter! Over here! More dishes, please!”

Tang Song didn’t stop him.

Zhang ordered two heavy dishes and three or four kinds of skewers, then sat down again.

They clinked glasses and ate a few bites.

Zhang’s mood slowly sank lower.

Normally, he would be pestering Tang Song about his girlfriend.

But now, he clearly didn’t have the energy.

Tang Song comforted him: “Don’t worry, Zhang Lei. Zhongcheng is complicated;

these things happen often. There might still be a way out.”

He didn’t reveal Little Jing’s identity directly.

This old classmate was in a slump.

Some things seen with one’s own eyes had far more weight than words.

Actually, when he first heard Zhang Lei was going to Zhongcheng headquarters, he had planned to ask Little Jing to look out for him once he settled in.

But unexpectedly, after just over a month, Zhang was laid off.

About twenty minutes later.

“Ring ring ring—” The phone rang.

Answering the call:

“Rong! I’m at the door, parking now. Which table are you at? I’ll come find you!”

Tang Song smiled, holding the phone close, and said softly: “I’m in the booth inside, hard to find. I’ll come meet you at the door.”

“Okay, thanks, Song.”

The call ended.

Tang Song stood and patted Zhang Lei’s shoulder: “My girlfriend’s here, I’ll go get her. Wait a bit.”

“Ah? Oh, okay, okay!” Zhang quickly stood and curiously looked toward the busy entrance of the barbecue shop.

He wanted to see what Tang Song’s “former colleague” girlfriend looked like.

Tang Song walked through the lively lobby and pushed open the glass door to step outside.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling window, Zhang saw a tall, beautiful figure getting out of an ice-berry pink Audi A5 at a temporary parking spot not far from the restaurant entrance.

From a distance, with dim lighting, Zhang couldn’t quite make out her exact face.

She wore a loose black windbreaker, but her legs were wrapped in smooth white stockings, long and straight like a comic character’s.

Her thick black hair was like seaweed, and her skin glowed cold white in the night.

But just from her silhouette, one’s heart raced uncontrollably.

Zhang’s eye twitched, and he couldn’t help but curse in his heart.

Damn! Definitely a supermodel-level beauty!

Then he saw the girl, like a happy little bird, rush straight into Tang Song’s arms.

They kissed each other as if no one else existed, making Zhang smack his lips in envy and sourness.

But he had to admit, they truly looked perfect together.

After a while, they slowly parted and held hands, walking back toward the restaurant.

Zhang quickly straightened his clothes and hurried from his seat, preparing to greet them.

After all, he was the host today and should take the initiative.

Just as he approached the entrance, Tang Song and his girlfriend pushed the door open and came in.

This time, Zhang finally got a clear look at the girl’s face.

Sweet and delicate, stunningly beautiful.

With healthy, cool white skin.

In this smoky, lively barbecue shop environment, she looked like a fairy intruding into the mortal world, beautiful enough to be breathtaking.

But he felt the girl seemed somewhat familiar, like he had seen her somewhere before.

However, having drunk some alcohol, his mind was foggy and he couldn’t recall.

He was about to smile and greet her, saying “Hello, sister-in-law.”

Suddenly, a few waiters near the entrance froze, then hurried over.

“Boss!”

“Good evening, boss!”

Little Jing smiled softly and nodded at them: “Good evening.”

Zhang was stunned on the spot, his expression twitching.

Tian Ji Barbecue was no small shop: five branches, each a three-story prime location.

Just that property alone was worth a fortune.

Tang Song’s girlfriend was so young and beautiful, yet a wealthy heiress!

Damn! Is there any justice left? Does the law even matter?!

Not only Zhang, but even Tang Song was stunned and asked, “You own Tian Ji Barbecue?”

Little Jing playfully blinked and said coquettishly, “So, can you guess why it’s called Tian Ji Barbecue? Hehe, I’m the major shareholder, but I don’t really manage it daily. There’s a professional management team in charge.”

The chain was a birthday gift from her parents, a property given early to train her management skills.

Little Jing didn’t care much and only occasionally got involved.

Because of her strong background, nothing had ever gone wrong.

Tang Song immediately understood why many Songmei Apparel team-building events were held there and why Zhongcheng had cooperation with the restaurant. Read full story at n0velfire.net

That was the root of it all.

Looking at the obedient and cute Little Jing beside him, Tang Song felt a strange sensation.

He had always thought she was a rich girl just living off her family.

But besides work, she even had her own business.

He realized he still didn’t fully understand this wealthy beauty friend of his.

She always managed to surprise him.

Tang Song squeezed her hand and pulled Little Jing a few steps inside.

He introduced, “Little Jing, this is my good buddy and middle school classmate Zhang Lei. This is my girlfriend, Tian Jing.”

“Hello, Brother Lei!” Little Jing greeted sweetly, looking especially well-behaved.

“Y-You’re... hello, Little Jing.”

Zhang was still stunned and only managed a dazed reply.

Looking at the figure right before him, something seemed to stir in his mind.

“Let’s sit and chat.” Tang Song patted Zhang’s arm.

The three moved to a booth.

Little Jing smiled playfully at Tang Song, naturally taking off her loose windbreaker to reveal a striking pure desire-style JK uniform underneath.

The fitted design perfectly outlined her flawless, innate JK saint-like figure.

Innocence and sensuality—two seemingly contradictory qualities—merged flawlessly in her, creating a stunning contrast.

Tang Song smiled knowingly.

Clearly, this was Little Jing’s “tips for meeting a boyfriend,” a special outfit worn just for him.

As Little Jing shed the loose jacket and revealed her “complete form,”

Zhang froze as if under a petrification spell, stiffening on the spot.

Scenes flashed through his mind like lightning!

More than a month ago, on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, he was called by department manager Liu Huiyang to be a designated driver outside Sinmo Bar.

He had personally seen that figure coming out from inside, surrounded by a group of mid-level company leaders.

At that time, she stood beside Administrative Supervisor Qin Hua.

She was... she was... Director Tian’s daughter!

This thought exploded like thunder in his mind!

Tang Song’s girlfriend... was Director Tian’s daughter?!

Zhang’s breath caught, his legs weakened, almost unable to stand!