Chapter 286

At that moment, the conference room door was pushed open.

Manager Wang looked at the two girls who entered one after another, frowned and said, "Do young employees nowadays really ignore etiquette? Don't they know to knock?"

Among the two who came in, one was the girl named Lili, a member of Zhang Haoyang's team.

Manager Wang had a slight impression of her, so even though he didn't know the other girl, he treated both as employees in his department.

After saying that, his gaze unintentionally lingered on the tall girl beside Lili; her striking looks and figure truly caught his eye.

Unbeknownst to him, the few others present were stunned.

"Manager Wang…" Lili said timidly, "I… I just gave a rough account of what happened to the secretary of Manager Lu…"

Manager Wang seized the point he cared about most, his face turning sour as he demanded, "You actually went to see Manager Lu? What does that mean! You don't respect the leader of my department, do you?!"

"Manager Lu's secretary?" Zhang Haoyang, Si Ya, Yu Teng and Li Weiwen all said in unison.

Manager Wang snapped back to his senses, looking again at the young woman beside Lili, "That's not right; I've seen Manager Lu's secretary before, and she doesn't look like this… Who exactly are you?!"

"Fine, Ning Jinli," Si Ya mocked, "In the time it takes to turn your head, you still dare to impersonate the President's Secretary? Have some shame?"

Manager Wang's face showed astonishment, "Do you know her?"

Zhang Haoyang sneered, "Heh, we all know her, because she's also a university classmate of ours. About an hour ago we ran into her in the lobby downstairs; she's not a President's Secretary at all, not even an employee of our group."

"Sister… you… you're not the President's Secretary?" Lili was dumbfounded.

Ning Jinli said calmly, "Well, indeed I'm not."

Lili felt as if struck by lightning; she had thought that even without finding Manager Lu, bringing a secretary to the scene to clarify the whole matter would at least be useful, but she hadn't expected to cause such a huge blunder.

Ning Jinli looked at the visibly conflicted Yu Teng and Li Weiwen, "On the way down in the elevator with Lili, I heard her give a rough account of what happened; when we just arrived at the office I also asked a few people, so I have a clear picture now. Rest assured."

The two wanted to speak but stopped; on one hand, they felt it was rather uncomfortable to involve her.

On the other hand, because they didn't know what relationship she had with Shennong Pharmaceutical Group, they worried she might be unable to resolve the issue and instead cause trouble for herself.

After all, connections have degrees; even if one could introduce them to a job, it doesn't guarantee they can smooth over problems for them.

In short, the two felt especially uneasy.

Regarding Ning Jinli's words, Manager Wang only felt baffled, "No, you're an outsider not belonging to this group, what are you meddling with here?"

At this moment, not only was Manager Wang completely confused, but the many university classmates in the group video call started by Si Ya were even more bewildered.

Someone typed a question in the group:

"What's going on?"

"Si Ya, what are you all doing?"

"Could you explain it to us…?"

"……"

Si Ya saw these questions, her eyes flicked, she got up from her seat, and then appeared in the video livestream.

Since her phone was on the table, propped by a document rack, it didn't affect her being on camera; how could she not show her face when making a splash?

To let the classmates watching the scene via video know what was happening, she walked to Zhang Haoyang's side and said to Ning Jinli, "Yu Teng and Li Weiwen made a mistake and are about to apologize to Haoyang. And you, you actually pretended to be the President's Secretary to rescue them. Anyone with a brain wouldn't do such a foolish thing. Do you think we're idiots? Moreover, our department's Manager Wang is still here!"

Now the classmates on the video call finally understood.

Although they still didn't know what mistake Yu Teng and Li Weiwen had made or why they needed to apologize to Zhang Haoyang, from Si Ya's words and the video they could tell a juicy drama was unfolding.

Si Ya mocked Ning Jinli, then immediately turned the blame on Lili, "And you, you're also a fool. It's one thing to go to Manager Lu to make a petty report, but you found a fake secretary—are you trying to make us laugh?"

Lili clasped her hands, her mind a blank, feeling both nervous and embarrassed, too ashamed to lift her head.

Zhang Haoyang then spoke, "Ning Jinli, you only came along with them for an interview; you have nothing to do here. I'm too lazy to argue with you about impersonating the President's Secretary—just leave."

Ning Jinli smiled slightly, "Based on what I've learned, you and Si Ya bullied Lili first, and then Yu Teng and Li Weiwen happened to come over for a business liaison, so you defended Lili. The ones at fault should be you, yet you turn it around and make them apologize? By doing this, aren't you afraid of ruining your own future?"

"Hahaha!" Zhang Haoyang laughed out loud, "Ning Jinli, who do you think you are? An outsider running into our group to lecture me? Who's at fault and who isn't, does that give you the right to point fingers? What are you even?"

Si Ya, standing nearby, also laughed, "Isn't that right? I've never seen anyone so clueless about their own worth. Open your eyes—our department's leader, Manager Wang, is still sitting right there!"

Ning Jinli shifted her gaze to Manager Wang, her eyes carrying a scrutinizing tone.

Earlier, when Lu Jieming reported some group matters to her, he also mentioned the managers of various departments, naturally including the man from the Promotion Department.

From Lu Jieming's description, Manager Wang himself possesses the ability to manage a department well.

But this person has a flaw: he likes to hear subordinates flatter him, and when handling certain departmental matters, he shows some bias.

Lu Jieming has already placed this person on a watchlist; if his flaw doesn't cause major impact, he'll continue as department head, after all, no one is perfect.

But if he ever causes a serious problem, he'll have to be removed.

Clearly, Manager Wang is completely unaware of any of this.

"Manager Wang, I've heard of you," Ning Jinli began slowly, "I'll ask you one question: regarding today's incident between the two groups of employees, do you intend to handle it impartially or protect the guilty?"

Manager Wang's face showed disbelief, "Girl, haven't you even grasped the situation? I'm the boss here! How I deal with internal matters has nothing to do with you, an outsider. On what grounds do you interrogate me with such aggressive tone?!"

Ning Jinli said, "Please answer my question."

Manager Wang slammed the table, "What the hell am I supposed to answer you! Zhang Haoyang, does this university female classmate have a brain problem? She's wasting such a beautiful face and figure!"

"Exactly, exactly, she's got a brain problem," Si Ya said laughing, "Manager Wang, let me tell you, she probably puts on a show. Back in university she liked to act like a pristine lotus, indifferent to the world. Now it's worse; she's developed a performative personality, constantly showing off, and she even performed that for you, making a joke of you."

Her words were addressed to Manager Wang, but deliberately spoken for the classmates in the video chat group to hear.

As long as she could trample on Ning Jinli, she wouldn't miss the chance.

Manager Wang pressed his forehead, helplessly saying, "Fine, fine, I'm too lazy to spar with her. You all do whatever you need to do."

Zhang Haoyang sneered, glancing at Ning Jinli, "Since you don't want to scram, fine, stay here and watch Yu Teng and Li Weiwen apologize to me; I don't mind."

Then he withdrew his gaze, lifted his head and chest, and in a commanding tone said, "Come, kneel down."

Yu Teng and Li Weiwen's complexion shifted from pale to bluish to flushed.

Originally the two didn't want Ning Jinli to know about this, but inexplicably they were summoned as if Lili were Manager Lu's secretary.

They both felt sorry for Ning Jinli, yet kneeling before Zhang Haoyang in front of her was… too humiliating.

It was a relief she wasn't present, after all they had just made up their minds.

But now she was standing beside them, and for a moment the two fell into an extremely awkward and tangled situation.

Zhang Haoyang stared at the two's expressions, which were at the extreme of complexity, and then teased: "Oh… almost forgot, Li Weiwen, you kid like Ning Jinli, right? You even failed to confess last night, hahahaha! As for you, Yu Teng, I recall you also had feelings for Ning Jinli during university. So now, in front of the object of your admiration, you think kneeling to me is too shameful?"

His words kept stabbing at the two's hearts, making their faces flush with bulging veins.

But Zhang Haoyang showed no mercy, issuing an ultimatum and leaning in slightly, lowering his voice: "Don't forget what I told you before Ning Jinli came in. Do you want that laughably thin dignity you barely have, or do you want your future? These days, if your personal file bears a prison stain, it will be hard to find a job later—especially for a top graduate from a prestigious school. It could ruin your whole life…"

His voice was like a demon's whisper, harshly provoking and humiliating the two's already near‑breaking minds.

Yu Teng and Li Weiwen could no longer think; the invisible massive pressure seemed to drain all their strength, their legs trembling as they were about to kneel.

At that moment, Ning Jinli strode between them, firmly grabbing each of their arms. "Let's go, we don't need to pay attention to Zhang Haoyang."

Her voice was gentle, yet seemed to carry a certain power.

Suddenly, Yu Teng and Li Weiwen felt an inexplicable confidence rise within them.

With her intervention, the two stopped trembling and did not kneel.

"Ning Jinli!" Zhang Haoyang's expression darkened. "Since we were once classmates and you're a girl, I don't intend to argue with you. Don't push your luck on me!"

Ning Jinli said calmly, "I actually don't want to argue with you either, which is why I decided to take the two of them away first. As for what happened between you today, there will be a resolution later. Let me remind you that any of your actions will affect the final outcome."

Zhang Haoyang never considered the meaning behind Ning Jinli's words; he simply assumed she was using her gender as an excuse to cause trouble here.

Regarding the current situation, Manager Wang chose to be a bystander.

Anyway, he had already handed the authority to handle the matter to Zhang Haoyang, and he didn't want to get tangled in these people's messy relationships.

"Ning Jinli, do you think Haoyang won't lay a hand on a woman?" Si Ya raised her hand, pointing at Ning Jinli's nose. "If he doesn't act, I won't be polite! I'll count to three; if you still don't move aside, I'll make you pay!"

"One!"

"Two!"

"Three!"

After the three counts, Ning Jinli showed no reaction.

Si Ya immediately slapped her.

Slap!

Ning Jinli lightly clasped her wrist, preventing the slap from landing.

The scene was also captured clearly by the phone on the conference table.

The classmates watching via the video chat group were shocked and began debating in the group.

"What's up with Ning Jinli? She actually dared to stand up to Zhang Haoyang and Si Ya?"

"She didn't have this personality before, right?"

"Yeah, back in university, even when Si Ya bullied her, she never fought back. Why is she so bold now…?"

"That said, she does look pretty cool like this."

"Sigh… being cool is one thing, but the consequences could be severe. Don't forget what happened that night at the gathering; Zhang Haoyang's background is formidable. Ning Jinli wasn't there then; otherwise, she wouldn't dare be so bold now."

"..."

The group chat heated up, and many expressed concern over Ning Jinli's actions.

Of course, there were also people supporting Zhang Haoyang and Si Ya, who seized the chance to lavish praise on them and claimed Ning Jinli was courting death.

Si Ya's wrist was clasped; she tried to break free, found she couldn't, and angrily said, "Ning Jinli! Let go of me!"

Ning Jinli replied seriously, "I can let go, but I remind you, I don't want to fight anyone; you'd better not do that either."

"Release her!" Zhang Haoyang commanded forcefully.

Ning Jinli calmly released her fingers.

But in that instant, Si Ya didn't hesitate and delivered another slap.

Slap!

A crisp slapping sound rang out.

But the one who received the slap on the face was Si Ya.

Her right hand remained suspended in the air, eyes wide, while her left hand slowly moved toward her cheek; when her fingertip touched the skin, a sharp pain spread from her left face to her whole head.

She didn't even see clearly how Ning Jinli moved; in that instant, everything went hazy in her mind.

Yu Teng, Li Weiwen, and Zhang Haoyang, who were standing nearby, barely saw the slap Ning Jinli delivered first.

But none of them dared to believe that Ning Jinli would slap Si Ya back.

Several seconds passed.

"Xiao Ya… Xiao Ya, are you okay?" Zhang Haoyang said, cradling Si Ya, his eyes full of concern as he looked at her dazed eyes and rapidly swelling left cheek.

Si Ya burst into tears, screaming, "She… she hit me! She actually dared to hit me!"

The few people present were greatly shocked, and the classmates in the video chat were also jaw‑dropped, staring dumbfounded at their phone screens, causing the chat discussion to pause.

"I warned you," Ning Jinli said, her eyes slightly cold, "but you didn't listen."

Si Ya realized that the phone was still live‑streaming to the classmates, so everyone must have seen her being hit, and she became indignant and furious.

"Ning Jinli! You damned slut! I'm going to fight you!"

She raged, lifted her high‑heeled foot, and kicked Ning Jinli's abdomen with all her might!