Chapter 17

“Director Jiang, good morning!”

“Director Jiang, this steamed cake is really delicious. I specially brought it for you. Don’t forget to eat it.”

“Director Jiang…”

As soon as Jiang Manwen entered the company, many employees greeted her, and she responded to each of them.

Her assistant, Zhu Yan, quickly ran over to her side, took her bag, and asked, “How’s the design coming along? Are you confident about winning?”

“It’s already done.” Jiang Manwen smiled confidently. “Once I make my move, it’s a sure thing.”

The assistant nodded. “That’s great.”

She grumbled, “You didn’t see Huang Shan’s ugly face just now. She still thinks she can win. Doesn’t she know who her opponent is?”

“Why get angry?” Jiang Manwen pinched her cheek and whispered in her ear, “From now on, this company will be ours. How could we not handle a small fry like Huang Shan? When the time comes, whatever you want her to do, she’ll have to do. Are you happy now?”

The assistant nodded vigorously. “Happy!”

As they entered, they ran into Huang Shan, who was just leaving. Both sides saw each other but didn’t greet one another kindly.

The assistant even sneered, “Tsk, who didn’t look in the mirror this morning? Don’t know their place, trying to compete with others. Just wait for defeat, haha.”

Huang Shan furrowed her brows, realizing that the words had a hidden meaning—they were mocking her.

Her assistant, Lin Ling, was furious and was about to retaliate. “You…”

Huang Shan raised a brow and asked, “Lin Ling, did you just hear a barking sound? My ears aren’t great, and I was afraid I misheard.”

Lin Ling nodded enthusiastically. “Director Huang, you didn’t hear wrong! I heard it too! It was so loud, as if they were trying to make sure everyone could hear it!”

Jiang Manwen and her assistant overheard everything clearly. “Who are you insulting? Do you know who my… director is?”

“I don’t care who you are, in this company, we speak according to rank,” Huang Shan said, her gaze fixed on the assistant. “Someone like you would have been fired long ago if you worked under me. Oh, but I don’t keep idle people or useless ones, especially ones with no basic manners.”

“Lin Ling, let’s go.”

Lin Ling was now satisfied. “Alright, Director.”

The two angry women were left behind, and the assistant stomped her feet. “Did you see how arrogant they were? They just insulted me, and you didn’t even defend me. Do you not care about me anymore?!”

“Shh, lower your voice. Do you want the whole company to hear?” Jiang Manwen said, “Let them be proud for now. It’ll only last a day. Why are you so upset?”

Back in the office, Huang Shan and Lin Ling were talking.

Huang Shan reflected on the way Jiang Manwen used to be. They had both entered the company at the same time, in the same positions, and had been promoted similarly.

Because their work abilities were on par, they had always seen each other as competitors and had constantly compared their performance at work.

Huang Shan asked, “Have you noticed how Jiang Manwen has changed recently? She’s completely different from before.”

“Yes, yes! I’ve noticed!” Lin Ling nodded. “Although she and we weren’t on the best terms before, at least she used to maintain appearances. But now, she and her new assistant have such terrible attitudes. It’s like… it’s like she’s treating the company as her own home!”

Her description hit the mark, and Huang Shan didn’t refute it. She thought to herself, This is strange, really strange. What could have happened to Jiang Manwen for her to change like this?

“No matter how proud she is, as long as the Director secures the General Manager position, all problems will be solved,” Lin Ling imagined. “I really want to see their sad and crying faces.”

Huang Shan said, “Don’t say that again.”

In reality, Huang Shan’s true identity was the director of Jiang Manwen’s father’s company. She had been working abroad for a long time, so few people in the country knew her.

This year, her mother fell ill and didn’t want to go abroad, so she applied to return to the country to take care of her. Shortly after, she was assigned a task by Director Jiang—she was sent to improve his daughter Jiang Manwen’s work skills, ensuring that she could successfully secure the position of General Manager.

So this competition was just a stepping stone for Jiang Manwen’s promotion, and her mission would end here.

As expected, in this design competition, Jiang Manwen easily outperformed Huang Shan. Although Huang Shan already knew the outcome, she still felt a bit upset because her own skills were much better than Jiang Manwen’s.

Jiang Manwen walked up to Huang Shan with a provocative smile, “Thank you, Director Huang. From now on, I’ll be your superior. I’ll take good care of you.”

After they left, Lin Ling was furious. “Director, she’s so arrogant! It’s infuriating!”

“Just focus on your work,” Huang Shan patted her shoulder. “Don’t think too much.”

—

Jiang Manwen didn’t return home until around nine o’clock at night, and she wasn’t alone. She brought her new assistant along.

Both were reeking of alcohol, clearly having had quite a bit to drink, but neither of them appeared drunk.

Tong Zhichen had been waiting for her in the living room and heard the noise. He went out to meet them. “You’re finally back. I’ve been waiting for you all day. Did you drink?”

“I was happy today, so I had a little,” Jiang Manwen said. “What? Do you have a problem with it?”

“No, I’m just worried about your health,” Tong Zhichen said. “You seem so happy. Did you get promoted?”

“Of course. I’m such an amazing person. A small promotion is nothing for me. I can do so much more than that, things you can’t even imagine,” Jiang Manwen said, flopping down on the sofa. “Huang Shan thought she could compete with me, but she’s just like an egg hitting a rock, overestimating herself.”

“Exactly. Huang Shan thinks she can compete with our… director,” the assistant, Du Lan, sat down next to Jiang Manwen and stared at Tong Zhichen. “Brother-in-law, you’re so handsome. No wonder you’re the national heartthrob. Sister has such great taste.”

There was more than just admiration in her gaze—there was greed.

Tong Zhichen felt very uncomfortable being treated like a piece of meat by them. He was quite displeased.

Jiang Manwen smiled smugly. “Of course. Do you know who I am?”

Tong Zhichen watched as they grew close in front of him. If he didn’t know the truth, he wouldn’t have noticed anything wrong. But now, seeing them act like this, he felt physically uncomfortable.

It disgusted him.

“Congratulations, wife. You’re really amazing,” Tong Zhichen smiled. “I’d like to throw a promotion party for you and invite a few friends to celebrate. What do you think?”

“My friends?” Jiang Manwen blinked. “Which circle are they from?”

“Some are from the entertainment industry, some from wealthy circles. Don’t you know the wives of a few of my good friends?” Tong Zhichen replied. “I’ve also met some new friends recently and wanted to introduce them to you. Is that okay?”

Jiang Manwen thought for a moment. Du Lan secretly nudged her and gave her a look. She then said, “Sure, I won’t refuse my husband’s good intentions.”

Tong Zhichen smiled. “Great, I’ll arrange everything and let you know the time.”

—

“Miss Qiao Chuchu, do you have time tomorrow to attend my wife’s promotion party?”

Early the next morning, Qiao Chuchu saw a private message from Tong Zhichen on WeChat. They had added each other as friends during the first episode of their variety show to make contacting each other easier. Every guest had added each other at that time.

She didn’t reply immediately. How could Tong Zhichen invite her to attend his “fake wife’s” party? Their relationship wasn’t that good, was it? But then again, it could be interesting to go and see the gossip.

I wonder if Brother Qiao is going?

Knock knock knock!

“Sis, what are you doing? Can you come out for a minute? I need to talk to you.”

Outside the door, Qiao Cen was knocking.

Qiao Chuchu picked up her phone and went to open the door. “What’s up?”

Qiao Cen excitedly asked, “Tong Zhichen invited me to his wife’s party. Sis, did he invite you too?”

“He did,” Qiao Chuchu nodded. “I was just about to ask you if you’re going.”

“Of course!” Qiao Cen grinned. “I came over for this very reason.”

Qiao Chuchu said, “Alright, then let’s go and see.”

—

The promotion party for Jiang Manwen was held at Tong Zhichen’s villa, in the back area surrounded by lush green grass, with beautiful roses blooming nearby.

All the guests from their variety show were present, except for Si Xiang, who was in prison.

Other than that, there was no one else.

Tong Zhichen didn’t want his scandal exposed, nor did he want more people to know.

When Bai Yun saw Qiao Chuchu, she personally greeted her with a smile. “Chuchu, you’ve come! You look beautiful today, come, sit down.”

Qiao Chuchu smiled and walked over with her.

Qiao Cen was surprised, watching the two walk away. When did their relationship become so good? How come he didn’t know?

He quickly followed them. This was his sister—no one could steal her from him!

Bai Yun smiled and asked, “Chuchu, we have freshly made desserts. Would you like some?”

“Sure, thank you,” Qiao Chuchu replied, delighted by the desserts. “You should have some too.”

Bai Yun nodded. “Mm, don’t worry about me.”

As they were talking, other guests came over to greet Qiao Chuchu, and soon they all sat around her, not leaving.

Everyone had the same idea—they were here to watch the excitement, especially curious about the aftermath of Tong Zhichen’s “fake wife.”

Lin Lin wanted to ask a few times but held back. He decided to stay quiet and wait for what would come next.

Just then, Tong Zhichen arrived with Jiang Manwen and her assistant.

Tong Zhichen took the initiative and greeted them. “You’ve arrived. Hope the journey wasn’t too tiring.”

Then he said, “This is my wife, Jiang Manwen. Manwen, these are some of my new friends.”