Chapter 2751: Grandfather

Ma Minyuan pondered, the evidence in his hands was difficult to use to kill Cao Peng and Sun Zheng Hua; at most it would just disgust them, preventing their promotion for three years, which meant little, and would instead cause those two mad dogs to keep staring at him, ready to bite—truly not worth the loss.

But if handed to Zhou Andong, these evidences might produce unexpected effects. After all, Zhou Andong's track record speaks for itself; when everyone doubted him, even thought his appointment as wool factory manager was seeking death, the final result shocked everyone, with the Yin family's faces swollen from Zhou Andong's blows.

However, this matter still carries risk; he must personally talk to Zhou Andong and not let his daughter get involved: "Xiaotong, tell Zhou Andong to meet me at the Qingcha Tea House in Zhongshan at six tonight."

"Okay!" Ma Xiaotong exhaled and said: "Tonight I'll go with Director Zhou."

"No!" Ma Minyuan firmly refused: "You shouldn't participate in this; just inform Zhou Andong."

"Alright, I'll go notify him now." Ma Xiaotong hesitated, then hung up and left her office.

Ma Xiaotong returned to Jiang Yuyue's office; upon entering, she saw Zhou Andong lazily leaning on the sofa, playing with a lighter, arguing with Jiang Yuyue, while Huang Jiamin watched helplessly from the side.

"Boss, my father wants to see you; meet at the Qingcha Tea House in Zhongshan at six tonight."

"I know." Zhou Andong glanced at his watch, stood up, and said: "I'm leaving, Yuyue—practice this Korean version of 'One of a Kind' well; record it by year-end, and after the New Year, release it across Asia via Sony Entertainment's channels."

Huang Jiamin, suppressing her excitement, said: "Yuyue, aside from the Spring Festival Gala, I won't take any other commercial performances; your task now is to practice this song."

Jiang Yuyue nodded, picked up the sheet music from the table, and hesitantly said: "I feel this song 'One of a Kind' actually suits the Korean language context better."

Zhou Andong snorted: "Do you know, to help you enter the Korean market and better complete the Korean version of 'One of a Kind,' I've worked myself white-haired?"

"Good good good!" Jiang Yuyue laughed: "Boss Zhou, you've worked hard—I'll definitely practice this song well and not disappoint your kind guidance."

"Just knowing is enough." Zhou Andong waved his hand casually: "I'm leaving."

At that moment, a heart-wrenching cry came from the East Wing General Office: "Grandfather..."

Zhou Andong paused, Jiang Yuyue, Ma Xiaotong, and Huang Jiamin all turned toward the window; immediately after, a group ran out from the West Wing Comprehensive Department, with several young men rushing into the East Wing.

Jiang Yuyue stood and quickly walked out: "Let's go check."

Inside the General Office, a young girl sat on the floor, face pale, tears continuously flowing from her despairing eyes.

Another short-haired girl sat beside her, face streaked with tears, sobbing while comforting: "Young Lady, don't cry—grandfather wouldn't want to see you like this; he'd feel heartbroken."

"Exactly!" a woman in her thirties also knelt, gripping Young Lady's slightly cold hand, tears unstoppable: "Young Lady, don't cry—now go ask Manager Ma for leave; you still need to go home to send grandfather off on his final journey."

"What happened?" Zhou Andong entered the General Office, glanced around, then fixed his gaze on Young Lady, speaking gently: "Did something happen at home? Tell me—what difficulties do you have? We'll figure it out together."

Young Lady seemed to have lost her soul; hearing Zhou Andong's words, she mechanically turned her head, her once beautiful eyes now empty and lifeless. When she saw it was Zhou Andong, a glimmer of spirit returned to her eyes, but she opened her mouth and could make no sound.

Zhou Andong knew that in moments of extreme emotional distress and grief, vocal cords can swell and temporarily lose voice, so he turned to the thirtysomething woman.

The woman quickly stood and replied: "Just now, Liu Jie's family called, saying her grandfather passed away."

Zhou Andong looked at Liu Jie—grieving her grandfather to this extent clearly shows the depth of their grandparent-grandchild bond.

The short-haired girl stood up, voice choked: "Liu Jie lost her mother at age five; her father remarried. As they say, a stepmother brings a stepfather—no lie there.

After the stepmother gave birth to a brother, Liu Jie became the family maid, starting at age seven to care for her brother, feed pigs and chickens, cook for her parents. But she knew only through studying could she escape that cage.

Yet her father refused to let her study; it was only her grandfather's insistence that made him relent—but he couldn't neglect household duties. So every day after school, her first task was finishing all household chores, then studying; thus she slept only four or five hours a day.

Heaven does not betray the sincere—she got into Beijing Language University. This time, her father was adamant: no university, reason being the family had no money. Her stepmother even cursed her, calling her a money-losing commodity, destined to marry, saying all that studying was useless.

But the next day, her father spent over two hundred yuan to buy a brand-new bicycle for her younger brother, who had just started junior high. She went to confront him, asking why there was money for the brother's bike but not for her college.

She got not justice but fists; that day, heavy rain fell, she was bruised all over, curled on a wooden bed, letting rain leak through the roof soak the quilt. Until near dawn, her room door was pushed open—her grandfather, bent with age, walked in."

The short-haired girl knelt again, cradling Liu Jie in her arms, tears flowing: "Grandfather trembled as he took out money from his arms, wrapped in a flowered handkerchief left by grandmother.

He opened the handkerchief, layer by layer—inside were fifty-eight yuan, five jiao, and six fen—money from selling a lamb he'd raised less than two months, plus two egg-laying hens.

On that dark, rainy night, grandfather was like a light illuminating Liu Jie's entire gray life. She took that fifty-eight yuan, five jiao, six fen, and with his help, secretly left home to study in the capital.

For four years, she dared not return home, fearing she'd never be able to leave again. Yet every month, she received money sent by her grandfather—though small, she knew it was his all. And she worked hard, because she wanted to succeed, stand firm in the capital, and bring her grandfather over to enjoy blessings."

The short-haired girl knows Liu Jie's personal history well—clearly, their bond is extremely deep.

"Last year Liu Jie graduated and had a chance to join the Foreign Ministry, but she refused." The short-haired girl hugged Liu Jie, eyes full of pity: "She said, as a recent graduate, wanting to stand out in the Foreign Ministry would take who knows how long. She wants to earn money—lots of it—quickly, so she can bring grandfather over to enjoy blessings..."

Jiang Yuyue couldn't help but redden her eyes: now I understand—no wonder Liu Jie has worked so hard since joining Future Culture. Though her salary is fixed, she gets the highest bonus every month. She even privately chatted with Ma Xiaotong—they feel lucky to have recruited such a driven woman.

Because of Liu Jie's outstanding work performance and abilities, plus her excellent English, the plan is to transfer her to the Public Relations Department as manager next quarter.

Mainly responsible for reviewing and issuing company press releases, promotional materials, and related content, coordinating media relations, and maintaining the company's brand image and reputation.

If Liu Jie can perfectly handle the PR department's work, pass subsequent strict evaluations, she will be appointed deputy head of the PR department as a key talent to cultivate. After all, as the company grows and business expands, demand for excellent talent naturally increases. So besides external hiring, internal talent cultivation is also a top priority.

"Liu Jie, mourn well." Jiang Yuyue took a deep breath and said to the short-haired girl: "Feng Old Man Man, I'll give you half a month off to accompany Liu Jie home for the funeral."

Zhou Andong continued: "The company approves five thousand yuan for you—represent the company in offering condolences, and help her arrange a splendid funeral for her grandfather."