Chapter 21: Very Sweet and Affectionate

Qiao Wei hastily said, "Miss Bai, you came at just the right time. We accidentally lost the contract, unable to prove that Qin Hai did indeed sign a contract with your Four Seas company. Now the company is considering terminating Qin Hai. Can you help us testify to confirm that Qin Hai did sign a contract with you?"

For Qiao Wei, the appearance of Bai Ruyan was like a lifeline. With just a few words from Bai Ruyan, it could be proven that Qin Hai did sign a contract with Four Seas. In that case, not only would Qin Hai not be dismissed, but Qiao Wei wouldn't have to accompany that nauseating Jian Ren.

Qiao Wei looked at Bai Ruyan with anticipation, believing that Bai Ruyan wouldn't refuse her request. After all, it should be a simple matter for Bai Ruyan, and they did indeed sign a contract.

However, Bai Ruyan didn't give her a clear answer. Instead, she turned around and asked Qin Hai with a charming smile, "So, are you leaving here soon?"

Qin Hai touched his nose, awkwardly saying, "It seems like that's the situation. Miss Bai, aren't you here just to enjoy my misfortune?"

"Do I seem that bored?" Bai Ruyan covered her mouth and chuckled, then cast a flirtatious glance at Qin Hai. The eyes that seemed to speak carried a hint of complaint, not only leaving Qin Hai stunned for a moment, but also causing all the men present to uncontrollably swallow saliva at the myriad of charm Bai Ruyan exuded.

"What are your plans next?" Bai Ruyan asked.

Qin Hai smiled casually and said, "What else can I plan? I'll go back to the construction site, continue my old job. I have arms, legs, and the strength in my shoulders. I'll just keep working there, after all, it won't starve me."

At this moment, a mocking laughter came from the side. Qin Hai and Bai Ruyan turned around to see Jian Ren with a sneering expression, disdainfully saying, "Exactly, someone like you is more suitable for labor on the construction site. That's where you should be. Work hard for a few years, maybe you can save up enough to get yourself a wife, marry a village girl. If you continue to stay here, I don't think you'll ever amount to anything. You might end up a lifelong bachelor."

Jian Ren's words quickly gained strong agreement from people like Xue Rong and others. Several of them chattered excitedly, all believing that the construction site was the most suitable place for Qin Hai. As the discussion continued, some even claimed to have a distant relative's nephew working as a foreman on a construction site and suggested recommending Qin Hai for a trial there.

The onlookers also joined in the buzzing discussions, fueled by the encouragement from Xue Rong and others. Soon, Qin Hai's personal situation spread, and most of the people present knew about his background, that he had worked as a laborer on a construction site before joining the company.

As a result, the gazes directed at Qin Hai began to change.

Sympathy, disdain, indifference—all mixed together. Various ridicules and mockery followed.

Listening to these discussions and witnessing the strange and scornful looks from the crowd, both Qiao Wei and Xiao Lingling's faces grew increasingly unpleasant.

In contrast, Qin Hai remained consistently relaxed, as if what those people were saying had nothing to do with him.

Furthermore, he enthusiastically watched Jian Ren, who was surrounded by his subordinates like a center of attention. Jian Ren's face was full of joy, and his chubby hands were constantly rubbing his shiny bald head, clearly enjoying himself to the fullest.

After enjoying Jian Ren's embarrassing state, Qin Hai seemed to casually glance at the outskirts of the crowd. There, Lin Qingya's face was already covered in a bone-chilling frost. It was evident that the self-proclaimed Ice Queen and CEO was suppressing a boiling rage that could erupt at any moment.

Qin Hai laughed so much that his stomach almost hurt. In fact, he had known since Lin Qingya stepped out of the elevator. As the King of Stars, having eyes and ears everywhere was a child's play for him. Lin Qingya was so beautiful that even in a crowd, she stood out like a crane among chickens. How could he not notice her?

Looking at Jian Ren's smug expression, Qin Hai shook his head silently, offering three seconds of silent mourning for Jian Ren in his heart.

How ignorant one must be to dare to call Lin Qingya a village girl!

Do you even know how impressive she is? Does your mom know?

Just then, Bai Ruyan walked up to Jian Ren and asked, "Are you Mr. Qin's superior?"

Jian Ren was momentarily stunned, then immediately excitedly put on a wide smile, eagerly saying, "Yes, yes, my surname is Jian. I am the Marketing Department Manager of Yafang Group. May I ask for the lady's name and the purpose of your visit to our company?"

"My surname is Bai. Are you planning to dismiss Mr. Qin?" Bai Ruyan inquired.

Jian Ren, with a puzzled expression, glanced at Qin Hai and then at Bai Ruyan. He speculated about the relationship between them and said, "Indeed, Qin Hai violated the company rules and should be dismissed under normal circumstances. Miss Bai, may I ask about your relationship with Qin Hai?"

"He's my friend!"

Friend?

Jian Ren furrowed his brow, finding it hard to believe that Qin Hai could attract such a beautiful and elegant girl. However, judging from Bai Ruyan's reaction, their relationship seemed to be more than just ordinary friends.

Damn, how did such a fool manage to snatch such a beautiful girl? What a waste!

Jian Ren silently cursed, filled with envy for Qin Hai's unexpected good fortune.

Bai Ruyan blinked her big watery eyes and asked Jian Ren, "Director Jian, may I inquire why you want to dismiss Mr. Qin? As far as I know, he has excelled in various aspects."

"Excellent?" Jian Ren sneered, "Miss Bai, maybe you haven't known Qin Hai for long. Don't be deceived by his appearance. He's just a laborer from a construction site. He has no skills whatsoever. He was working on a construction site not long ago, and I don't know how he managed to sneak into our Yafang Group. Moreover, during his time here, he hasn't closed a single deal, and he can't even handle the simplest copywriting. How can such a person be considered excellent?"

Lin Qingya, standing on the outskirts of the crowd, inwardly furrowed her brows. Jian Ren's words sounded harsh, but they were based on facts. In her view, Qin Hai was nothing more than an unscrupulous fraud, and the term "excellent" had no connection with him whatsoever.

Bai Ruyan also furrowed her brows, wearing a seemingly distressed expression. Then, with a soft and gentle tone, she pleaded, "Director Jian, Qin Hai is my friend, and from what I know, he is truly outstanding. I'd like to help him and request you not to dismiss him. Can you please reconsider?"

Bai Ruyan possessed an incredibly beautiful face, and her speaking voice was as sweet as those Taiwanese female celebrities. Simply listening to her talk was like sipping a bowl of sweet soup, an exquisite and delightful experience.

Jian Ren's eyes subtly shifted, and after lingering on Bai Ruyan's particularly alluring and seductive figure, his lustful thoughts involuntarily surfaced again. He thought that since he couldn't have Qiao Wei, he definitely couldn't let this beauty who had delivered herself to him slip away.

With determination, he said with a hidden agenda, "Actually, I'm not specifically targeting little Qin. It's mainly because this is how the company's management system works. However, since Miss Bai wants to plead for him, I believe you must have your reasons. How about we go to my office for a detailed discussion? If Miss Bai can provide me with sufficient reasons, keeping Qin Hai may not be impossible."

After Jian Ren finished his insincere words, Bai Ruyan looked at him with a meaningful gaze. A trace of cunning flashed in her eyes, and she continued in her sweet voice, "I understand. Since that's the case, let's discuss it upstairs. Director Jian, I'm not familiar with your office, so please lead the way!"

Because it's the Chinese New Year holiday season in the past few days, I have been a bit lax. Please forgive me. I will strive to update more in the future!