Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love

This time, Xue Yang specifically chose a hot pot restaurant not far from Xiangshan Villa. The restaurant was steaming, the aroma of hot pot wafting through the air. The two of them sat around the stove, savoring the satisfaction and joy the food brought.

Upon returning from the hot pot restaurant, they even brought a portion to go.

"Miss, Young Master Xue, how thoughtful of you to remember an old woman like me while you were out dining," Auntie Shen said, her eyes shimmering with emotion and gratification as she took the takeout box.

At that moment, all her efforts seemed rewarded. Her devotion to treating the young miss like her own daughter had not been in vain.

Lin Xi gave a sweet smile, and then she and Xue Yang went back to their room.

「...」

Due to Xue Yang’s sudden order cancellation, Qiangsheng Printing Factory faced an unprecedented crisis, as if it had been enveloped in darkness overnight.

Those customers who had initially been drawn by Xue Yang’s reputation were now like startled birds. One after another, they announced the suspension of their cooperation, causing Qiangsheng’s order volume to plummet to a standstill.

Su Guoqiang, the usually steady leader, now found himself in an unprecedented state of anxiety. He stared intently at the list of customers who had canceled their partnerships, his brow deeply furrowed. He felt like an ant on a hot griddle—anxious and restless, yet utterly powerless.

The atmosphere in the office was oppressively tense. Everyone else remained deathly silent, fearful of accidentally provoking the helmsman, who was on the verge of rage.

However, as the saying goes, when it rains, it pours. Just as Su Guoqiang was at his wit’s end trying to salvage the situation, his good-for-nothing brother, Su Jianqiang, inappropriately came knocking, seeking compensation.

"Big Brother, since you’ve decided to fire me, shouldn’t I get the compensation I’m owed according to company policy?" Su Jianqiang’s tone was flippant, as if the Su Family’s troubles were none of his concern.

Upon hearing this, Su Guoqiang burned with anger. He glared at his unrepentant brother and said, enunciating each word, "Su Jianqiang, when have you ever truly contributed to Qiangsheng over these years? I’ve always been the one supporting you behind the scenes, allowing you to hold the position of sales manager.

"But what do you do? Instead of being grateful, your foolish actions have pushed Qiangsheng into an abyss of ruin! Now, because of Xue Yang’s cancellation, other clients have followed suit, causing incalculable losses. I haven’t even settled the score with you, yet here you are demanding compensation!

"Do you realize your actions have not only put Qiangsheng in jeopardy but have also brought shame to the factory! You have the gall to talk about brotherly affection? It’s utterly ludicrous!"

Su Guoqiang’s voice trembled with rage, his words like sharp blades striking directly at Su Jianqiang’s weak spot.

Facing Su Guoqiang’s rebuke, Su Jianqiang showed no remorse. Instead, his expression grew even more sinister as he threatened, "Big Brother, don’t burn your bridges. If you don’t compensate me according to the rules, our bond as brothers will be completely severed."

Su Guoqiang’s face turned livid. "Su Jianqiang! Listen to me," he said in a deep voice. "The company is facing an unprecedented predicament, and we are short on funds. If you still hold any shred of brotherly affection, you should leave immediately and stop making an unreasonable scene. Otherwise, from this day forward, the Su Family’s doors will be shut to you."

Su Jianqiang seemed not to care about Su Guoqiang’s warning and instead made another request. "Since compensation is out of the question, Big Brother, how about you give me that batch of goods Xue Yang ordered? That shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

Su Guoqiang furrowed his brow. "What use do you have for that batch of goods?" he asked, puzzled.

Su Jianqiang sneered, "Don’t you worry about that. Just give them to me. It’s either the goods or the compensation. Take your pick."

"That’s the client’s property! We have no right to dispose of it privately!" Su Guoqiang firmly refused, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"He’s already said he doesn’t want them. You’re just letting them take up space. You might as well give them to me," Su Jianqiang persisted, trying to get his way through shamelessness.

"Even if the customer doesn’t want them, we cannot simply appropriate their property," Su Guoqiang retorted sternly. "I’ve already decided to handle that batch of goods according to company regulations. They will be either destroyed or donated to maintain our company’s reputation and principles."

Su Jianqiang’s eyes darted around as he was clearly scheming. Then, he put on a sincere expression and said, "Big Brother, I have a suggestion. Why don’t you let me handle the destruction of this batch? I guarantee that I will follow the company’s regulations and procedures to the letter. There will be absolutely no impropriety."

Seeing Su Guoqiang waver, he added more fuel to the fire. "Big Brother, it’s just this one small request. Can’t you grant it? I promise, this time, I’ll show you that I’ve changed and that I’m sincere."

Su Guoqiang gazed at Su Jianqiang, seemingly assessing the truthfulness of his words. After a moment of deep thought, he slowly nodded, his tone carrying a subtle hint of a test. "Alright, since you’re so insistent, I’ll let you handle the destruction of the goods. But remember, this is your chance to prove yourself. If you handle this well, I’ll consider letting you manage a branch should the company plan to open one in the future."

Upon hearing this, a cold smile involuntarily curved Su Jianqiang’s lips, but it was fleeting. He quickly adjusted his expression and said with feigned gratitude, "Thank you for your trust, Big Brother. I won’t let you down."

However, in his heart, he was plotting something else entirely.

Managing the company is, after all, just working for someone else, always being held back. But with this batch of goods, I’ll have the capital to make a comeback. In the future, I’ll be my own boss, free to do whatever I want. I’ll never have to answer to anyone again.

Su Jianqiang’s eyes flickered with greed and ambition. He was already eager to convert this batch of goods into the starting point for his own business and embark on a brand new journey.

The advertisements were already packed and ready to be taken. Su Jianqiang had them loaded onto a truck and drove off. After driving to a temporary storage spot he had rented and unloading all the advertisements, he was gasping for breath from exhaustion. He sat on the ground, looking at the advertisements as if gazing upon his own bright future.

Now all I need is an investor.

Su Jianqiang took out his phone, found a number in his contacts, and dialed it.

The first time, there was no answer.

Undeterred, Su Jianqiang tried again. However, the second call also went unanswered.