Return: My Hell and Heaven
Chapter 34: Old Grudges (2)
A new week started on a busy Monday, which was as hectic as a dog’s life.
The thunderous anger from the general manager’s office, which started from the evaluation committee last Friday, quickly swept through the entire company over the weekend. The higher-ups in each department, reprimanded so severely that they couldn’t lift their heads, immediately vented their anger in the departmental groups. Every department from top to bottom engaged in comprehensive reflection and introspection. Departments that were specifically criticized even required each member to submit a summary and reflection report.
To avoid being singled out next time, departments hurriedly began to speed up their ongoing projects or work efficiency. From this Monday onwards, Vio was clearly immersed in an unusually tense atmosphere.
The Legal Compliance Department was no exception.
Early Monday morning, Song Shu arrived at the office 20 minutes early.
Once seated, she noticed a difference from the usual lazy Monday atmosphere on the 12th floor. Everyone was enveloped in a sense of urgent preparation, and the sound of typing filled the cubicle area, creating an atmosphere as if a banner reading “XX days until the college entrance exam” was hanging overhead.
Song Shu felt a bit confused. Seeing Yao Yiqin passing by her desk, she quickly called out, “Sister Qin, why is everyone in such a rush early on Monday?”
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Zys Zkikd oyp vyjld ycynj qsa y xsxldv. “Typd’v ydusdl kdqsaxle usw ulv?”
“Rdqsaxle sq obyv?”
“Xb… R fwpv alxlxclale. Zsw olald’v kd vbl elryavxldv zypv Wakeyu lhldkdt; usw oldv vs vbl 22de qzssa. Fs, obld vbl elrwvu ekalnvsa nyxl esod vs xsckzkgl vbl elryavxldv yde yppktd vypjp, usw olal dsv blal.”
Fsdt Fbw iwknjzu ypjle, “Rp vblal psxlvbkdt kxrsavydv?”
Zys Zkikd pktble yde zsolale bla hsknl. “Mbl elrwvu ekalnvsa oyp rascyczu pnszele vlaakczu kd vbl tldlayz xydytla’p sqqknl vbkp vkxl. Gqvla alvwadkdt, bl qkapv tayccle plhlayz nsrklp sq alrsavp vs qkde swv obs oyp alprsdpkczl. Mos uswdt osxld kd vbl elryavxldv olal lhld pnszele vs vlyap. Mbld, bl watle lhlausdl vs prlle wr vblka nwaaldv rasflnvp yde alrsav rastalpp. Tl elxydele vbyv vbl ldvkal elryavxldv pbsavld vbl vkxlzkdl sq vblka saktkdyz vypjp cu 20% okvbswv nsxrasxkpkdt sd nsxrzlvksd. Gzz alnldv rasflnvp dlle vs cl nblnjle sdl cu sdl, yde vblu xwpv zlyhl y tsse kxralppksd sd vbl tldlayz xydytla. Mbl zlyelapbkr yzps pyke vbyv kq vbl elryavxldv eslpd’v xyjl kv vs vbl vsr vball kd vbl nsxrydu’p vbkae-iwyavla rlaqsaxydnl lhyzwyvksd, vbl xkdkpvla yde elrwvu xkdkpvla okzz byhl vs zlye cu lmyxrzl yde osaj shlavkxl.”
Fsdt Fbw qlzv y ckv wdlypu yde czkdjle yqvla blyakdt vbkp. “R fwpv qkdkpble vbl kdvladpbkr rasflnv qasx zypv ollj, yde R byhld’v alnlkhle ydu dlo vypjp. Ebyv pbswze R es?”
Zys Zkikd oyp pwarakple. “Typd’v vbl elryavxldv pldv usw yd lxykz dsvkqknyvksd?”
“Ls.”
Kwpv yp Fsdt Fbw qkdkpble prlyjkdt, Nkpy, obs oyp ryppkdt cu, shlablyae vblka nsdhlapyvksd yde nwakswpzu zlydle shla. “Zsw byhld’v qszzsole wr sd vbl dlo rasflnv ulv? Mbyv pbswzed’v cl vbl nypl. Mbl zlyelap yal alyzzu plakswp ycswv rlaqsaxydnl vbkp vkxl. R pyo vbl elrwvu ekalnvsa raynvknyzzu oydvkdt vs eayt vbl nzlydla qasx vbl calyj assx kdvs bkp rasflnv vlyx.”
Song Shu smiled helplessly. “I check my email four times a day. I really haven’t received any new project follow-up arrangements over the weekend.”
Lisa speculated, “Could it be that a new employee missed it?”
Yao Yiqin disagreed. “Do you think Vio is some small roadside workshop? Alright, stop dawdling here. Last Friday, colleagues from the Investment Development Department even came up to our floor personally to urge you to get your project team’s investment contract done. They almost sat you at your computer desk to watch you finish it—did you complete that part?”
Lisa stuck out her tongue and hurried back to her own desk.
Yao Yiqin retracted her gaze and hesitated for a moment. She said to Qin Qing, “This kind of thing should be handled by the leaders. Go ask the minister or deputy minister.”
Song Shu thought about it and nodded, “Okay.”
Yao Yiqin turned her attention back to Song Shu and hesitated before lowering her voice and advising, “In a place like Vio, it’s not like those idle, small companies. Everyone would prefer to have more big projects on their hands—higher risks, but also higher returns. Performance evaluations depend on making a splash with your usual tasks. Don’t be complacent; staying busy at the company isn’t a bad thing.”
Song Shu’s gaze softened. “I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Qin Jie.”
“You’re one of my juniors and someone the department assigned to me to mentor, so it’s my responsibility,” Yao Yiqin said, patting Song Shu on the shoulder. “Keep it up.”
“Okay.”
After Yao Yiqin left, Song Shu tidied up the materials on her desk. When the minister of the Legal Compliance Department came up to the 12th floor and entered the minister’s office, Song Shu stood up after waiting for two minutes.
“Ah, it’s Xiao Qin. Come in and have a seat,” the minister said with a warm smile when he saw Song Shu walk in after knocking. Without waiting for Song Shu to greet him, he proactively asked with a smile, “How are you adjusting to the company in these past few weeks?”
Song Shu nodded, “I’m adjusting well. The colleagues here are very nice and take good care of me. I get along well with everyone.”
The minister was momentarily taken aback. He had heard plenty of rumors about the company, and that was why his attitude toward Song Shu was much “friendlier” compared to other employees. Given the not-so-great rumors, he couldn’t immediately tell if this young lady was being polite or sarcastic.
After a two-second pause, not discerning the true meaning from her expression, he forced a smile and nodded, “That’s good, that’s good. So, what brings you here today?”
Song Shu briefly explained her purpose.
The minister’s expression showed a hint of complexity. “Oh, so you’re here about that matter. Your attitude is quite proactive. However, regarding the arrangement of work projects, currently it’s not handled by our department.”
Song Shu was taken aback. “Project allocation is not handled by the department…”
“Don’t misunderstand. Not everyone is like this. It’s mainly because your situation is a bit special,” the minister hinted with a glance at Song Shu.
Song Shu had a vague realization but, to avoid future issues due to unclear communication, she pretended to be ignorant. “Minister, are you referring to…?”
The minister showed a look of helplessness. “Over the weekend, President Qin sent me an email. It mentioned that your project work would no longer go through the department but would be directly managed by the assistant team on the 22nd floor. They will handle your scheduling and arrangements.”
“…” Song Shu thought to herself, as expected. “So, does that mean I’ll be directly working with the general manager’s assistant secretary team? What about the department’s work?”
“I’m not sure of the specifics and can’t make the decision. But since President Qin asked me not to oversee it, I can’t do anything about it. You might as well go to the 22nd floor and ask them directly.”
Song Shu sighed, “I understand. I’m sorry for bothering you, Minister. I’ll find out more details later.”
The minister immediately shook his head. “Oh, Xiao Qin, don’t say that. Once you’re in the department, we’re all part of the same family, sharing both honor and disgrace—understand?”
“…” Song Shu received the hint-laden gaze from the other party and realized that continuing to play dumb would seem very out of touch. She smiled and nodded, “Of course, I am a part of the Legal Department. Regardless of how the 22nd floor arranges things, I will do my job well and fulfill my responsibilities to the department.”
The minister immediately brightened up with a smile. “Young people like you, who are both capable and promising, definitely have a great future ahead. Keep up the good work!”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Song Shu left the minister’s office.
After leaving, she appeared thoughtful, and after hesitating for a few seconds between returning to the office area and going up to the 22nd floor, Song Shu chose the latter.
When Song Shu arrived on the 22nd floor, she found that An Xingyun and Xu Jiajia, whom she was familiar with, were not there. Due to the high work intensity, the general manager’s assistant team at Vio Capital used a rotating work schedule. The rotation was Monday and Wednesday for three other team members, and Tuesday and Thursday for An Xingyun and Xu Jiajia.
When the three people saw Song Shu come up, they all greeted her with friendly smiles.
After exchanging greetings, Song Shu explained her purpose.
“Ah, we haven’t heard about this from President Qin,” said Lin Xiaoyou, the male assistant closest to the door, scratching his head. “President Qin has a guest on the 23rd floor this morning, so he hasn’t come down yet—Miss Qin, you might as well go up and ask him directly?”
Song Shu hesitated. “That wouldn’t be appropriate. I’ll wait here for President Qin to come down.”
Lin Xiaoyou waved his hand. “No need. President Qin mentioned last week that if Miss Qin comes to find him, there’s no need for notice or appointment; you can go directly in.”
Song Shu paused. “He said that?”
“Of course. President Qin’s exact words. How could we ‘misrepresent’?” the male assistant joked.
As he finished speaking, the other two assistants also agreed.
The only female assistant said half-jokingly, “President Qin takes the most care of Miss Qin.”
Song Shu was silent for two seconds, putting on a face of mixed disappointment and slight comfort.
“It’s just because of someone else.”
“…”
No one in the assistant team spoke, and a whirlwind of gossip and complex glances flew through the air.
Playing the role of a decoy, Song Shu went straight up to the 23rd floor after leaving the assistant team.
Having left Qin Lou’s office hastily last Friday due to the file matter and being busy over the weekend, Song Shu felt some lingering guilt.
As she was contemplating how to cover up her hasty departure and pacify the little lunatic, the elevator doors opened.
She was greeted by Qin Lou and an unfamiliar man who appeared to be around thirty years old.
All three—inside and outside the elevator—were momentarily stunned.
Qin Lou was the first to recover, slightly surprised. “What are you doing here?”
Song Shu lowered her head. “President Qin, I need to report something work-related to you.”
The unfamiliar man also came to his senses and quickly averted his surprised gaze from Song Shu. Wearing a baseball cap, he pulled down the brim and lowered his voice.
“Mr. Lou, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Mm.”
Qin Lou’s expression softened, and he nodded. Turning to Song Shu, he immediately smiled. “You have something to report? Come on in.”
“…”
Song Shu followed his instructions and exited the elevator, brushing past the man with the hat who kept his head down.
Qin Lou turned and walked ahead, not even glancing at the closed elevator doors or the people inside.
Song Shu paused for a moment.
“Mr. Lou”—no employee at Vio would address Qin Lou in that way.
The fact that the man could go up to the 23rd floor indicated that he was someone Qin Lou trusted, but Song Shu did not recognize him from her memory.
So he was neither a subordinate nor a relative, and the man’s sensitivity seemed to be quite extraordinary…
As Song Shu pondered this, she followed Qin Lou into the spacious area on the 23rd floor.
As she turned the corner, she saw Qin Lou, who had entered two steps ahead of her, putting a brown paper bag from the sofa into a nearby cabinet.
Song Shu paused, her gaze flickering slightly.
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