Chapter 17: Was he protecting Jiang Yan?

Manager Yu trembled in pain, his screams echoing through the room. He thudded to his knees, “CEO… spare me…”

Li Yancheng’s voice was icy, filled with rage, “Who did you just call a bitch?”

“I… I…” Manager Yu stammered, “I’m a bitch…” His voice trembled with pain. He slapped himself repeatedly, “I’m a bitch, I’m a beast!”

Li Yancheng released his grip on Manager Yu’s wound, disdainfully grabbing a wet wipe from the table to wipe his hands. Without another glance at Manager Yu, he coldly said, “Tell me what happened.”

Manager Yu knelt, his gaze falling on Jiang Yan. Li Yancheng couldn’t have arrived by chance; this was a trap set by Jiang Yan. A mere team leader in the design department, yet she managed to get Li Yancheng to the hotel personally. Their relationship was clearly significant.

Manager Yu dared not offend Jiang Yan further; his life might be at stake. He took full responsibility. If Jiang Yan was satisfied, she might intercede on his behalf.

“It was me… I’m worse than a beast. Over a month ago, Jiang Yan resigned. She had a newly designed outfit I was very interested in. I thought it would be a waste to let it go to waste since she’s left, so I gave it to another colleague.”

“Jiang Yan wanted her design credit back, so I used this as an excuse to invite her to the hotel today. I’m sorry, President. I know I’m wrong, I won’t do it again.”

Manager Yu kowtowed again. Seeing Li Yancheng ignore him, he crawled to Jiang Yan and kowtowed, “I’m sorry, Jiang Yan. I was blinded by lust. Thankfully, nothing serious happened. Please forgive me.”

Jiang Yan remained silent, looking at Li Yancheng, awaiting his response. Li Yancheng was shocked to find such abuse of power and workplace misconduct in his own company.

“It seems the company needs a thorough overhaul.”

Li Yancheng called his assistant Xiang: “Notify all departments for a complete investigation. Start with the design department, you personally oversee it.”

Manager Yu collapsed to the ground, knowing he was finished.

Li Yancheng turned to leave. Passing Jiang Yan, he sarcastically said, “Still not leaving? Want to stay and keep him company?”

Jiang Yan quickly followed, letting out a long breath, “I was scared to death. Thank you, CEO. You came just in time.”

“Scared to death?” Li Yancheng scoffed. “You’re quite brave. A man invites you to a hotel at night, and you go? What were you afraid of?”

“He’s our department head. I couldn’t refuse,” Jiang Yan replied with a wronged expression. “I thought it might be about work. After all, what he did was irregular, and he wouldn’t dare discuss it in the company.”

“What kind of thinking is that?!” Li Yancheng’s tone sharpened. He stopped, looked into Jiang Yan’s eyes, about to scold her, but seeing her wronged expression, he sighed.

“I don’t know whether to call you naive or stupid,” Li Yancheng said through gritted teeth.

“I’m sorry,” Jiang Yan whispered, biting her lip. “I’ll try to be smarter next time.”

Whenever Li Yancheng wanted to get angry, she always looked so obedient and wronged, making him unable to unleash his anger. He felt like he was going to have an internal injury from the frustration.

“That Manager Yu seriously violated company regulations. You can report him directly to the audit department,” Li Yancheng said.

“I dare not,” Jiang Yan shook her head. “Manager Yu not only gave my design to another colleague but also illegally promoted her to team leader. I heard that colleague got promoted through improper means. Other colleagues complained to Manager Yu, but within three days, that colleague was fired. I’m afraid if I report it, I’ll suffer the same fate.”

“Are you the same as them? Who dares fire you?” Li Yancheng said sharply.

“I’m not much different…” Jiang Yan whispered. “You don’t allow me to tell others about our relationship; I’m just a small employee in the design department…”

Li Yancheng found that Jiang Yan, a soft and gentle woman, could drive him to speechless frustration.

Seeing Li Yancheng silent, Jiang Yan followed him home. At home, she saw Yu Lan sitting on the sofa, seemingly waiting for them. Jiang Yan knew Yu Lan was concerned about her going to the hotel.

“Good evening, Madam,” Jiang Yan greeted politely.

“I think you have some explaining to do,” Yu Lan glanced at Jiang Yan and Li Yancheng.

“I…” Jiang Yan bit her lip, but Li Yancheng stepped in front of her, “I’ve handled it, Mom. You don’t need to worry.”

Yu Lan’s eyes flickered with doubt. Was he protecting Jiang Yan?

“I’m hungry. Make me something to eat,” Li Yancheng told Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan knew he was deliberately sending her away and readily agreed. A faint smile touched her lips. She seemed to have gained some importance in Li Yancheng’s heart.

Jiang Yan made Li Yancheng a bowl of beef noodles. After he finished, she gently massaged his shoulders. Li Yancheng’s frown visibly softened, his eyes closed in enjoyment. He clearly enjoyed this.

The next day, Jiang Yan made desserts for the old master before going to the company. The entire design department was in an uproar.

“What happened? Manager Yu was fired?”

“Not only fired, the company will sue him for abuse of power, misappropriation of others’ works, and workplace misconduct.”

“Not only Manager Yu, but also Dong Jia, Qu Anan, Lv Jiang…”

“What happened overnight?”

“The company is investigating all departments, and any employees with violations will be dealt with according to the law.”

“I heard Assistant Xiang investigated the design department all night. Will we be okay?”

“If you didn’t violate any rules, you’ll be fine. The list of those punished in the design department is out; those who should be punished are already punished.”

…