Chapter 231: The Whole Family Drinks Northwest Wind

Three days ago.

Shen Xun was summoned by the board of directors.

As Shen Xun walked down from Star Universe Technology, passing the lobby, a group of employees' strange glances occasionally flickered toward Shen Xun, then whispered.

Shen Xun didn't know how much the Star Universe Technology staff knew, but at least everyone knew that Sno East Asia regional head Soren was going to breach the cooperation.

Star Universe Technology wasn't counting on this single project, but it was the company's biggest international project this year and even next year, and it had always been personally led by President Shen.

First the bid was lost, then Old Shen's patent wasn't even touched, and now Sno Company wants to breach and terminate the cooperation; everything is linked to President Shen.

Someone said President Shen was under a Mercury retrograde this year, others said he had attracted petty people, causing such bad luck, but the leadership gradually heard the rumors.

President Shen has been married and divorced.

Marriage and divorce are normal, but President Shen cheated during the marriage and gave the mistress a large sum of money.

Few heard the truth, yet a wave of cold sarcasm arose; Qiao Chuan happened to hear it a few times and spoke up to stop it.

Assistant Qiao didn't scold others for discussing President Shen's Mercury retrograde and petty people, but scolded that point, which instead validated the rumors people had heard.

Everyone watched President Shen and Assistant Qiao leave the company with solemn expressions; most employees wondered what punishment President Shen would face.

Someone said dismissal.

The crowd was shocked, a mix of emotions surged, "Enough, enough," they thought, rushing to work and stopping the discussion.

Seated in the car, Shen Xun closed his eyes and pretended to nap; Qiao Chuan had been uneasy, but seeing this, he suddenly calmed, resigned.

President Shen must have already anticipated his outcome, going through the formalities to hear the instruction and the trial result.

In the top conference room of the Fu Family Group.

Besides the board, the Fu siblings were present.

Board members, one by one, were indignant, accusing Shen Xun of an improper private life that caused Star Universe Technology to lose two projects, and now the third project was almost lost as well.

Shen Xun caught the word "almost," meaning it didn't happen.

Chairman Fu said, "To appease the people of Sno, we have re‑signed the contract."

Re‑signing the contract meant conceding benefits.

Someone seized a point to blame Shen Xun: "Do you know how much you have caused Star Universe Technology and the Fu Family to lose! Once your case goes to trial, the reputations of both Star Universe Technology and the Fu Family will be heavily tarnished!"

Shen Xun asked, "So what is the final decision of the board members? Just say it directly."

Those who scold always hope to see the target in a pained expression, to showcase their authority.

However, Shen Xun remained calm, as if fully prepared mentally.

The accusers grew angrier, immediately looking at Chairman Fu, who sat in the higher seat, and said, "Shen Xun must be dismissed!"

Shen Xun also looked at the chairman.

Chairman Fu looked at Shen Xun: "Resign voluntarily."

Chairman Fu, recalling that Shen Xun secured Sno's project for Star Universe Technology—regardless of the unsavory methods used—at least the Sno project wasn't lost, thus preserving a sliver of dignity for Shen Xun.

Some board members were surprised; they had originally discussed outright dismissal.

Shen Xun was also a bit surprised.

Chairman Fu felt regret.

People who use any means to gain profit are most needed in a company's startup phase, but the Fu Family and Star Universe Technology have long passed that stage; once a certain pinnacle is reached, reputation and face become paramount.

Shen Xun agreed to resign voluntarily, and at the adjournment he suddenly asked, "Who will succeed at Star Universe Technology?"

"That probably has nothing to do with you."

Shen Xun ignored the speaking board member and instead looked at the chairman and the Fu siblings.

Chairman Fu retorted, "What's the matter?"

Shen Xun looked at Fu Youlin: "If it's Young Master Fu, I hope you will continue to employ Qiao Chuan. Qiao Chuan is a very competent assistant. I have signed a non‑compete agreement and will not re‑enter the industry for two years. Qiao Chuan cannot be my mole, but he knows Star Universe Technology's operating system well; he will become the person who helps you adapt to Star Universe Technology most quickly."

Shen Xun had been thinking these past days that he has wronged too many people, including Qiao Chuan.

Once he leaves, Qiao Chuan's only outcome is marginalization; when he eventually can no longer bear it, he will resign voluntarily, sparing the company from compensation.

Fu Youlin gave Shen Xun a deep look.

You call this person evil, yet he treats his own assistant and subordinate staff kindly, hardly making things difficult for them; even when great trouble looms over him, he still remembers to leave a way out for those around him.

During this period at Star Universe Technology, he heard that people's assessment of Shen Xun was quite fair: diligent at work and kind to others.

Yet such a person neglects his wife privately and cheats within marriage.

It's not a great villainy, just something that makes people feel disgusted.

Fu Youlin's takeover of Star Universe Technology had already been decided when the board was discussing Shen Xun's dismissal.

Fu Youlin looked at his father; his father nodded, and he said, "Okay."

Shen Xun let out a small sigh of relief.

The meeting adjourned.

Shen Xun left last, and Qiao Chuan waited outside, anxiously asking, "Is there any turning point?"

Shen Xun gave a self‑deprecating laugh: there is no turning point; when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter, when the wall falls, everyone pushes.

If it were just a divorce without a property case, he could still have a chance; with this case, he is a ticking bomb, and if the Fu Family doesn't discard him, there will inevitably be a small‑scale "casualty."

Everyone knows how to choose.

Shen Xun comforted Qiao Chuan: "Star Universe Technology will be taken over by Young Master Fu, and he promised to keep you as an assistant."

Qiao Chuan was startled: "President Shen…"

Shen Xun gazed at the overcast sky; this winter was truly hard to endure.

"At least for the next two years your position at Star Universe Technology will remain unshakable; after two years…" Shen Xun didn't even know what would happen in two years, "We'll talk about the two‑year‑later matters then."

Qiao Chuan could barely hold himself back; his chest felt oppressively uncomfortable.

President Shen indeed erred in his family life, feeling guilty toward Jiang Lai, yet he also extended mentorship and kindness to many in his career.

Qiao Chuan's heart was a tangled mix of emotions.

Shen Xun heard his phone vibrate, picked it up, and saw Fu Youlin reporting good news to Jiang Lai, saying the Fu Family had already dismissed him.

Lately, no matter how many numbers he tried, he couldn't get through to Jiang Lai's phone.

Before he could get through, it was only because he hadn't found Ping'an and worried a call from Ping'an might come; now that he's found it, a stranger's call naturally can't get through.

He admits his mistake and accepts all the current punishment, but can Jiang Lai at least talk to him?

To get news from Jiang Lai, he directly forwarded Fu Youlin's congratulatory message.

Jiang Lai, seeing the news of his punishment, should reply, right?

She doesn't.

Jiang Lai didn't reply to Fu Youlin's message.

Shen Xun stared at the phone the whole way, until Qiao Chuan reminded him to get off.

That day, Shen Xun's resignation email, citing personal reasons, was sent to every employee's mailbox at Star Universe Technology.

Immediately, the company erupted in chaos.

That was way too fast!

Shen Xun had already begun the paperwork and that same day took some items from the desk home.

The Shen family has recently been staying at Nan Shan Shiyi Hao; one is worried about Shen Xun, and a nanny is also here.

The family was surprised to see Shen Xun return home on time; lately Shen Xun has been so busy he's like a spinning top, coming back in the dead of night, then getting up at dawn to go back to the company.

Qiao Chuan followed behind Shen Xun, carrying some items from Shen Xun's office in his arms.

Shen's father immediately understood, his face turning ashen: "You resigned?"

Mother Shen and Shen Xi stood up in surprise; the mother and daughter didn't believe it at first.

Until Shen Xun nodded and said, "Yeah, I went to the Fu Family headquarters today, and the resignation email has already been sent."

"Why!" Mother Shen asked, puzzled, stepping forward, "Did they fire you or did you quit on your own?"

Shen Xun pinched his bridge of the nose, sat on the sofa, his weary expression evident: "They made me resign myself."

"They made you resign, so you resign?" Shen Xi widened her eyes, "Are you stupid!"

"Are you dumb?" Shen Xun retorted immediately, too lazy to explain.

Or Shen's father interjected, "If the company dismisses your brother, it looks bad on his résumé; resigning on his own can still be respectable."

Shen Xi pursed her lips: "Brother, now you have no job, what will our family do?"

Shen Xun closed his eyes in a headache: "Dad and Mom have pensions; I can support myself. As for you, Shen Xi, you should look for a job; I can't…"

"Why should I!" Shen Xi had never imagined she'd ever have to look for a job.

Shen Xun looked up, angry, "Just because I'm not your father or mother, I… I'm only your brother; I have no obligation to keep caring for you!"

Shen Xi, pale, "But but, these years have been like this."

Shen Xun: "It's different now, Shen Xi; you should take responsibility for your own life. If you still want to rely on us, see whether Mom and Dad are willing to give you their monthly pension; I can't provide that."

"But you gave Lin Shutong so much!" Shen Xi brought up old accounts, "Today it turned out like this, and it's all because of Lin Shutong, right? Isn't Jiang Lai filing a lawsuit? Sue, make Lin Shutong return the whole hundred million, let Jiang Lai give you half, after all that was your money anyway."

Shen Xun stood up: "Even if Jiang Lai sues and recovers over a hundred million, that money won't be given to me; stop dreaming."

Shen Xi: "Why wouldn't it be given to you?"

Shen Xun: "Because we're already divorced, because…"

Because he is the party at fault, and with Jiang Lai having Zhong Poqian as lawyer, the court will award the money to Jiang Lai, not a single cent to him.

Shen Xi cried painfully, clinging to her mother's arm, "Mom, I don't want to look for a job; how could I go to work…"

"Why can't you work?" Shen Xun retorted coldly, "Am I not always working for the Fu Family? Are you really treating yourself as a rich miss?"

Mother Shen intervened, "Alright, alright, stop arguing."

Shen Xi cried even more fiercely, sometimes calling for Mom, sometimes for Dad.

Shen's father: "Stop shouting, it's giving me a headache."

Mother Shen, also dizzy from her daughter's shaking, irritably pulled her daughter's hand away.

What kind of situation is this!

Now that the son's high‑pay job is gone, is the whole family headed for hardship?