Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love

"Do you guys think our boss really managed to open such a huge auto superstore because he has a rich girlfriend?" Those who had returned from the housewarming party spread this gossip throughout the dealership.

"Could it be fake? For such a large superstore, the initial investment alone would need a ’small goal,’ right? If he wasn’t relying on his future in-laws, where would he get that much money?" The speaker was a salesperson named Wang Gang, a recent graduate. Wanting to stay and build a career in his hometown, he was drawn to the new energy sector and chose to join Xi Yuan. As a man in his early twenties, Wang Gang was naturally resentful that his boss was younger and more successful than him. He’s just luckier than I am, that’s all. If I had that kind of luck, I’m sure I wouldn’t be any worse off than him. Now, suddenly hearing everyone gossip that the boss owed his success to his future in-laws, his cynicism reached its peak.

"But I don’t think so. Our boss doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would live off a woman."

"If someone were living off a woman, would they announce it to the world? Of course not. They’d never admit it," Wang Gang retorted with disdain, speaking as if he had personally verified the matter.

His words made it sound plausible, but most of them were still reluctant to believe their boss was that kind of person. After all, his story was so inspiring. They had all resolved to learn from him, only to now be told he owed his success to a woman. The shock was simply too great.

Li You stood in a corner, listening to the discussion as a handsome, tall figure emerged in her mind. Is he really... as contemptible as they say? But I just can’t believe he’s that kind of person. Yes, he definitely isn’t. There must be some misunderstanding.

"You... without any... evidence... is it really okay to be spreading rumors like this?" As soon as she finished, it felt as if she had used up all her courage. She was so nervous she didn’t know what to do with her hands and feet, and her breathing grew ragged. With her head bowed, she didn’t dare to look at anyone’s face. This was the first time Li You had said so much in front of everyone at once; she usually did her best to avoid them.

Amidst their surprise, Wang Gang sneered, "Li You, I’d advise you not to set your heart on the boss. Whether he’s that kind of person or not, you don’t stand a chance..."

"Why?"

Li You regretted the question the moment it left her lips. "I didn’t... mean that... I just... wanted to know the reason..."

It’s true that I’m poor... but... I’m not bad-looking. No, that’s not it. I just think there’s nothing wrong with liking someone. Since he already has a girlfriend, I should just bury this love in my heart. No, that’s not right either. Li You’s thoughts were a complete mess.

"Reason? What reason? His future father-in-law has already shown up, and they’re holding an engagement ceremony for them in Yancheng. If they were going to get engaged, why not do it here in Hui City? Besides, his own family hasn’t said a thing, right? Isn’t it obvious?"

Wang Gang had fallen for Li You at first sight right after joining the company. In this decadent, materialistic age, finding such a pure and beautiful girl was extraordinarily rare. It was a pity her heart was set on the boss, and she was completely oblivious to Wang Gang’s deep feelings for her. Now that he had an opportunity, he naturally wasn’t going to let it pass.

"An engagement ceremony..." Li You’s face turned ashen. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say. He’s getting engaged? Why does my heart suddenly ache? Wang Gang was right... I really am not worthy.

Just then, a stern voice rang in their ears. "Aren’t you all supposed to be working? If you find this job unsatisfactory, you’re free to speak up." As the voice finished, Wu Xiaoya appeared before them in a pair of black leather shoes.

"We weren’t, we didn’t! Please, Manager Wu, don’t punish us! We’ll get back to work right away!"

Seeing Wu Xiaoya arrive, the group began to scatter like startled birds, but she didn’t let them off so easily. "Wang Gang," she said, her voice cutting through the noise, "go to the finance department and collect your final pay. You don’t need to come back to work."

Hearing he was being fired, Wang Gang immediately protested, "Why?!"

Wu Xiaoya looked at him and said, word by word, "Because Xi Yuan doesn’t need employees who gossip about the boss. So, you can go."

"I get fired just for saying the boss lives off a woman? He can do it, but no one is allowed to talk about it? Fine, I’ll leave! Let’s see how far someone with no real talent can go. And as for a suck-up like you, you’ll be the first to go down when the time comes! Fire me if you want, but you’d better not short me on my severance pay." Fired? So what? Do they really think I can’t survive without this job?

Just as he was thinking this, Wu Xiaoya suddenly looked past him and called out, "Boss!"

Wang Gang’s face instantly turned ashen. At most, he only dared to badmouth Xue Yang behind his back; face to face, he wouldn’t dare utter a single word. When Xue Yang walked over and stood before him, Wang Gang immediately apologized.

"Boss, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to discuss your personal affairs with everyone."

Xue Yang raised an eyebrow, asking with amusement, "Oh? And what were you discussing about me?"

"They were discussing what happened at the housewarming party... and I... I just commented that you were living off a woman."

I want to bite my own tongue off. Why did I answer? And why did I have to be so honest? What is wrong with me? Does Xue Yang have some kind of enchanting power over me?

Hearing this, Xue Yang didn’t get angry. Instead, he asked, "Hmm, ’living off a woman.’ That’s an interesting phrase. Anything else?"

"I said that the only reason you could open this huge auto superstore was because of the boss’s girlfriend. That you couldn’t have done it on your own. And for saying that, Manager Wu is firing me."

"Hmm, that does seem a bit inappropriate of her," Xue Yang said. "Our dealership should value freedom of speech. Anything else?"

Xue Yang’s words gave Wang Gang a huge boost of confidence. "See? The boss himself said it: freedom of speech! And you, Manager Wu, are blowing this out of proportion and trying to fire me."

"Hmm. Indeed, that’s inappropriate. Manager Wu, be more careful next time."

Hearing this, Wu Xiaoya immediately admitted her mistake. "Boss, I was wrong."

"Well, there’s no need for Manager Wu to fire me now. I’ll resign myself!" Wang Gang declared. "Boss Xue, don’t say I didn’t warn you. With a manager like her, this dealership’s employees will all quit eventually."

"Alright. Xiao Ya, take him to handle the resignation paperwork," Xue Yang said calmly.

Wang Gang shot Wu Xiaoya a provocative look and mouthed, "Just you wait. You’re next."

...