Chapter 51: Feeling Rejected

Jiang Lai looked toward Ke Zhongyu's office, knowing her resignation process was most likely stuck at his end.

She turned and went in.

Assistant Zhou opened his mouth, wanting to call out but not managing in time.

"President Ke." Jiang Lai stood straight in front of Ke Zhongyu, blocking the line of sight of the gossiping trio outside.

"I'd like to ask, where is my resignation process at? How much longer before I can resign?"

Ke Zhongyu raised his eyes: "Why? Resigning to go back to being a housewife."

"Not allowed." Two words, landing with decisive weight.

First Shen Xun tried every means to trap her by his side as a housewife, then Ke Zhongyu held up her resignation process to keep her from leaving—both went against her wishes.

Jiang Lai felt as though a boulder was lodged in her chest, and she retorted: "Whether I go back to being a housewife is no concern of yours, President Ke. I only want to resign within the normal one-month period."

Her voice was unhurried, carrying a sense that she was conversing with a stranger.

Ke Zhongyu did not like this feeling; his sword-shaped brows furrowed slightly.

"You insist on resigning?"

"Yes."

Facing Jiang Lai's resolute gaze, Ke Zhongyu gave a scornful laugh: "And what if I simply don't agree?"

"There's no such thing as a resignation that can't go through. From the moment the resignation process is submitted, once the one-month period is up, I can leave." Jiang Lai met the man's deep, dark gaze. "President Ke, my staying on brings no benefit whatsoever to the Ke Clan."

The person in charge of the Self-developed Chip Project was the Ke Clan president's secretary; if the Ke Clan didn't win this project's bid, all would be well, but if they did win, it would certainly draw investigation.

Ke Zhongyu knew her identity was mysterious, but even keeping her by his side hadn't uncovered anything.

Withdrawing his appraising gaze, he asked: "President Shen is going to be unkind to me?"

"Then let him try."

Jiang Lai took a deep breath, feeling that the man before her was being somewhat of a rogue.

Regardless of whether Ke Zhongyu agreed or not, once the time came, she would leave on her own.

"President Ke, I have nothing else, so I'll be going out now." She turned to leave.

"Stop." Ke Zhongyu called her back, pulled a bid invitation from the drawer, tossed it on the desk, and signaled her to look.

Jiang Lai knew what it was with a brief glance—this was something she had already seen with her own eyes long ago.

She didn't move.

"The Self-developed Chip Project was originally led by Old Cui. Now that it's been developed, don't you want to participate in your mentor's project? And in your own field of expertise, no less." Ke Zhongyu's voice paused, then he continued, "If you feel the position of secretary isn't enough, I'll specially approve you to go to Lan Chuang's Research and Development Center."

A tech company's Research and Development Center held no attraction for Jiang Lai whatsoever.

"Not going."

"..." Ke Zhongyu felt that the Lan Chuang he had built was being looked down on.

He tried to tempt her: "Lan Chuang's Research and Development Center has the second-largest laboratory in all of A City, with the best experimental equipment."

The largest laboratory was precisely the research institute where Jiang Lai worked.

She remained unchanged: "Not going."

Ke Zhongyu: "……"

"Ke Zhongying will go to Lan Chuang's Research and Development Center as soon as she graduates next year." He could only bring out his own sister.

Jiang Lai's gaze shifted slightly.

Thinking there was a chance, he said in a level voice: "What do you think?"

"That's quite good." Jiang Lai analyzed earnestly, "Chongying can use Lan Chuang as a stepping stone; once she has some achievements, have Old Zhao recommend her to the research institute."

Of course, she could also recommend her.

However, since it wasn't the same research direction, her recommendation wouldn't be of much help to Ke Zhongying.

Ke Zhongyu slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and coldly tossed out two words: "Get out."

"Understood, President Ke." Jiang Lai turned briskly, walked out, and pulled the door shut behind her.

Smooth as flowing water.

Ke Zhongyu's finger joints crackled.

……

When Shen Xun received the bid invitation, he beamed with joy, immediately convened a meeting, formed a project team led by himself, determined the focus of work going forward, and at the same time brought out the plans and bid documents he had long been preparing.

Everyone praised him for his foresight.

Chairman Fu was even more full of praise for him; before leaving, he made a point of patting Shen Xun on the shoulder in front of all the senior executives.

"I knew I didn't misjudge you back then. Shen Xun, if we win this bid, it won't just be Xingyu shares—you'll also get a portion of Fu Family shares."

Shen Xun's pupils trembled slightly; an immense joy washed over him like a wave, and he nearly forgot to breathe.

"Chairman, I'll do my best."

"I have high hopes for you, young man."

As soon as Chairman Fu left, the executives came forward one after another to congratulate him. Shen Xun smiled with courteous politeness, his heart set on victory.

The crowd dispersed. He wanted to happily call someone to share the good news, and the first face that flashed through his mind was Jiang Lai's, but he quickly shook his head.

Jiang Lai wouldn't understand; even if he told her, she would only say "not bad."

Shen Xun called Lin Shutong.

On the phone, Lin Shutong said happily, "A-Xun, I knew you could do it. If there's anything you need my help with, I'll help you."

"Shutong, I don't want to put you in too difficult a position. Leave the rest to me."

"Okay." Lin Shutong asked again, "A-Xun, have you told your family? This is great news. If we win the bid this time, you'll have an even broader future."

"I told you first. I'll tell them in a bit."

"Let me go tell your uncle, auntie, and the rest. You focus on your work. The timeline for this bid should be quite tight, right?" Lin Shutong had signed a non-disclosure agreement, so she didn't dare say too explicitly, unable to use a definitive tone.

Shen Xun smiled. "It isn't long. I need to get busy first."

"Okay." Lin Shutong hung up the phone, then dialed the Shen family members' number and told them the good news.

"A-Xun is too busy, so let me tell Uncle and Auntie — if possible, how about we celebrate for A-Xun tonight? I'll book the restaurant."

Shen's father and Mother Shen laughed with irrepressible delight, all the while praising Lin Shutong's gentleness and thoughtfulness.

Finally, Lin Shutong ventured a question: "What about Jiang Lai? Should we invite her along?"

"Why bring her up? She's not going." Mother Shen vetoed it immediately.

They'd already signed the divorce agreement — going, what going.

If only they didn't have to wait for some cooling-off period — her son and Jiang Lai could divorce immediately, and marry Lin Shutong right away.

Lin Shutong booked the restaurant, sent the location to them, and Shen Xun also received the message, saying they'd go to Eden Restaurant tonight to celebrate.

Eden Restaurant had just opened.

Ke Zhongying was also called over by her mom.

"My beautiful, kind, gentle, and gracious Mom — shouldn't you come to this kind of restaurant with Dad? If Dad finds out you only brought me and not him, he'll get mad, and when he gets mad he'll cut off your daughter's food allowance!"

"You can't enjoy yourself fully at a pretty restaurant when you go with a man — you still have to hold back a little. No way I'm calling your dad." Ms. Nian smiled gently. "Besides, Eden was opened by your Auntie Ellie. We're here to show our support."

"Showing support, huh — then can I bring an extra person?" Ke Zhongying had already pulled out her phone as she spoke. Ms. Nian tilted her head for a look — the contact note read four characters: 'Pretty Sister.'

"Is it Jiang Lai?"

"Huh, how did you know, Mom?"

"You usually only call her type 'pretty.' For the sweet type you say they're 'cute,' and for the glamorous type you say they're 'a flower.'"

Ke Zhongying smiled. "Mom, why don't we drop by Ke Clan on the way to pick up Sister Jiang Lai?"