TNSFC – Chapter 94

When Zhang Shiyu came to pick up Que Yining, she noticed Que Yining was in a very good mood. Thinking her love life must be going very smoothly, she smiled without saying anything and started the car.

Que Yining, sitting in the back seat, sniffed the air.

“Changed your perfume style? Are you in love?”

Que Yining’s casual, teasing question made Zhang Shiyu blush.

“It’s not exactly love yet, he’s just pursuing me. Boss, how did you figure it out?”

Zhang Shiyu was a little surprised, her eyes glancing at Que Yining in the rearview mirror.

“Although you don’t always use the same perfume, the styles are usually very similar. The scent you’re wearing now is a bit sweeter; it’s a popular ‘love fragrance’ from this brand, often given as a gift to women. It seems the person who gave you the perfume did their homework.”

Que Yining explained briefly while flipping through a folder.

Zhang Shiyu’s admiration for her boss rose to a new level, and she focused on driving.

Que Yining arrived at Que Corporation and began her busy day.

Que Linyang hadn’t been idle. Although he hadn’t interfered with the new project, he hadn’t stopped his petty maneuvers.

In just a few short days, rumors and gossip began to circulate in the department.

“Have you heard? It seems the Princess’s relationship with that person isn’t as good as rumored. Before, when the Princess came to the company to see the Manager, they were so affectionate.”

“Of course the relationship isn’t good. How could it be good with the succession battle? Ever since the Princess joined the company, she’s been giving the Manager a hard time. Every time the Manager goes in smiling, he comes out looking troubled.”

“Not only that, she’s always making things difficult for the Manager. The Manager is actually very good, capable, and treats employees well.”

“Exactly, she’s too… you know…”

People were whispering in the break room. The discussions stopped when Zhang Shiyu entered. Zhang Shiyu told Que Yining about this.

So, the next time Que Linyang planned to come discuss work matters, Que Yining deliberately left her door open and then saw Que Linyang out with a smile.

“Big Brother, we’re in business. There’s really no need for so much drama. Otherwise, I’d regret that the entertainment industry is missing a talent like you.”

Que Yining stood with her arms crossed, her voice undisguised. All the employees who were eavesdropping heard her clearly, and some couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Once Que Yining said this, new gossip flew around the company.

Amidst the chirping of cicadas in high summer, several more days passed.

Since Que Yining joined the company, she had been constantly on guard against Que Linyang, leaving him no openings to exploit. Que Linyang tried to gradually bring her down, but perhaps after waiting and waiting without finding an opportunity to strike, he grew impatient.

Que Linyang finally decided to make his move.

Que Linyang had already started his covert actions. Que Yining already knew he planned to trade his shares. Last time, with Gu Shanxue’s backing, she fought that marketing war, exposing some forces to Que Linyang. Que Linyang was a cautious person, so after hearing rumors, Que Yining found some forces that seemed completely unrelated to her and had them discreetly buy up Que Linyang’s shares.

But Que Linyang was very cautious. It took many consecutive days before he finalized selling just a small portion.

Not all of his shares ended up in Que Yining’s hands; she only received four percent. The remaining one percent was with other buyers, which wasn’t a problem.

After doing all this, Que Linyang came to the Que family residence with his usual expression.

“Dad, Mom, Xiaoxiao has been with you for a long time. It’s time for us to take her home.”

Que Linyang looked at Xiaoxiao, who was sitting on the sofa, and beckoned to her.

Xiaoxiao, holding a book, waved back at Que Linyang but didn’t run over enthusiastically.

Previously, Xiaoxiao had been very eager to go home. However, her mother, who often came to see her, take her out, and stay with her elsewhere for a couple of days, gradually made her less insistent on returning home. After all, her mother was by her side.

Que Yining didn’t know what Hou Manni had said to Xiaoxiao. Anyway, Xiaoxiao rarely mentioned the word “dad” anymore and wasn’t very affectionate towards Que Linyang whenever he came to visit.

Although her personality was naturally introverted and not overly affectionate, Que Yining knew that Xiaoxiao must have learned something and was starting to reject Que Linyang. This was a good sign, so she didn’t stop Hou Manni from taking Xiaoxiao out.

“Dad, I don’t want to go home. I’m doing very well here with Grandpa and Grandma. I want to stay a little longer.”

Xiaoxiao said this while sitting on the sofa, her bright eyes blinking. Though young, she possessed a composure beyond her years.

Que Hanyi and You Lanqing felt gratified and looked at her with loving eyes. But when they looked at Que Linyang, the smiles on their faces faded.

“Linyang, you see, the child doesn’t want to leave us. Anyway, we two are idle at home. With Xiaoxiao keeping us company, we’re not so lonely. You’re busy with work, so just focus on that.”

“Mainly, I miss Xiaoxiao too. Xiaoxiao, come to Daddy. Are you really not coming back with Daddy?”

Que Linyang approached. Xiaoxiao shook her head and stood up from the sofa.

“Dad, I’m going to the bathroom first. I want to live with Grandpa and Grandma. I’m not going back, okay?”

Xiaoxiao, as if afraid of being caught by Que Linyang, scurried towards the bathroom on her short legs.

Que Linyang frowned, watching her run away.

“Alright then, I’ll come pick her up next time.”

Que Linyang said this, looked over everyone in the Que family, his gaze finally landing on Que Yining, and gave her a slight, knowing smirk.

A silent horn sounded at this moment; something was unfolding in secret.

The next morning, certain reports were everywhere, dominating the front pages of the newspapers.

“Our family mistreated him? How dare he say such things!”

Que Linyang angrily threw down the newspaper. Looking at the constantly ringing phone, he answered it with a cold face.

“Que family forces out adopted son to give inheritance to youngest daughter? Modern-day bloodsuckers, exposing the ugly face of capitalists?”

Que Yining read out the headline, a sneer hidden on her face.

Just as she expected, Que Linyang was shaping himself into a victim.

All those reports and discussions, big and small, invariably accused the Que family of being immoral, of adopting a child only to exploit his value and then kick him out. They continuously exaggerated and promoted Que Linyang’s good image and his good deeds, angrily pointing fingers at the Que family as villains.

Que Hanyi received many calls. Some were inquiries, but more were to kick them while they’re down and gloat. You Lanqing’s phone also rang incessantly. The old couple trembled with anger.

Que Zixi tried to clarify things in her social circle, but it had no effect; even she received criticism.

Que Yining’s phone rang even more relentlessly, but she only answered the important calls.

Que Linyang even attended a press conference, looking haggard. He announced he was severing ties with the Que family and tearfully stated on site that he had simply imagined things to be too wonderful.

It seemed that in just one morning, the Que family’s reputation had become utterly foul, condemned by everyone. There were even calls to boycott the Que family.

“It’s fine. If he wants to act, we’ll watch him make a fool of himself on stage.”

Que Yining wasn’t anxious or angry. She looked at Que Linyang’s face in the reports and sneered.

“Dad, since he made the first move to sever ties, you should convene a family meeting and remove him from the family register. Don’t rush. We’ll proceed slowly according to plan.”

Que Hanyi had already been using his connections to pave the way for her. During the period Que Linyang lay low, she had been rapidly consolidating power, becoming more than just a project manager.

Que Hanyi took a quick-acting heart-relief pill to keep himself calm. Despite all the mental preparation, when faced with this moment, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.

After all, this was someone they had truly raised as their own child, yet he had viciously stabbed their family in the back like this.

How could there be such a person in the world? Que Hanyi had lived for so long and still couldn’t understand it.

He made a call and gave orders with a cold, stern expression.

Unlike the swift and fierce attacks on the internet last time, Que Yining was not in a hurry this time.

After all, those at the top of the industry weren’t old foxes who would panic at the first sign of trouble.

There were reporters at the Que family’s gate. Zhang Shiyu called Que Yining to say that a group of reporters was also blockading the entrance to Que Corporation, and some, thinking they couldn’t catch Que Yining at Que Corporation, were trying to find an alternative way to corner her at Lingyao.

As soon as Que Yining stepped out, she saw the reporters surrounding the Que family’s gate. Faced with their barrage of questions and cameras, she just shook her head and got into the car.

At the entrance of Que Corporation, many reporters who had caught wind of the news were lying in wait. As soon as Que Yining got out of the car, she was surrounded again. Bodyguards cleared a path for her, and the sound of questions in her ears grew louder and louder.

“Miss Que, is everything Mr. Que Linyang said true? Did you really do such a thing as using someone up and then discarding them?”

“Miss Que, Mr. Que Linyang worked at Que Corporation for over a decade and left the Que family with nothing. What are your thoughts on this?”

“Miss Que, is it true, as the outside world says, that you merely used Mr. Que as a stepping stone to enjoy his achievements?”

“Miss Que, I heard your major in school wasn’t related to this field. If you successfully become the person in charge as you wish, do you think you can handle things independently?”

“Miss Que…”

The scene was chaotic; the reporters’ microphones were practically shoved in Que Yining’s face.

Que Yining stopped, looked at the cameras, and casually picked a microphone.

“I will prove everything with actions. What’s fake will always be fake. Some people use underhanded methods to create falsehoods, but they will be exposed sooner or later. This isn’t a world where ‘I’m weak, so I’m right’ or ‘playing the victim is the ultimate truth.’” Que Yining looked vibrant, her bright red lips curved slightly, her queenly aura pouring out unreservedly. “I will only say this once, so I hope you don’t get it wrong. What he did has disgusted our entire family. From today onwards, his surname is no longer Que.”

“He doesn’t deserve it.”

Que Yining uttered these three words in a light tone, yet it was full of mockery. The people taking photos and recording became even more excited by this statement.

The reporters wanted to ask more, but Que Yining pinned them in place with a sharp glance.

Que Yining walked through the crowd and back into the company. Everyone in the company was somewhat out of sorts due to this incident. When the receptionist saw Que Yining walk in, she immediately greeted her.

Que Yining nodded lightly to her, got into her exclusive elevator, and prepared to deal with the turmoil Que Linyang had created.

Because of this matter, it wasn’t just the Que family’s reputation that was affected. The stock market had already hit its limit-up point and was showing a downward trend, and there were many complaints from people within the company.

An emergency shareholders’ meeting was convened, and everyone was discussing animatedly.

Que Hanyi arrived shortly after Que Yining. He didn’t sit in the main seat but had Que Yining sit there instead.

“Big Brother, what do you mean by this? Are you dead set on letting Yining take charge? Now that things have become like this, isn’t this the result of your decision back then? Linyang has worked hard for our family for so many years, even if without great merit, at least with toil. You just kicked him out like that. It’s truly disheartening!”

Fourth Uncle Que was the first to speak, his expression indignant, clearly very puzzled.

“You shut up!”

Now that they had torn off all pretenses of cordiality, Que Hanyi no longer held back, slamming the table and scolding.

Fourth Uncle Que was also getting on in years. He hadn’t been publicly humiliated like this for many years. Now, being reprimanded in front of so many people, including juniors, his old face flushed red.

“What do you know that makes you follow others in wagging your tongue? For so many years, I can say with a clear conscience that I, Que Hanyi, and our Que family have done nothing to wrong Linyang. Raising an ungrateful, backstabbing wolf in sheep’s clothing was my misjudgment of character. But you, Fourth Brother, what right do you have to say such disheartening words? What heart of yours has been chilled?”

Que Hanyi was usually a cheerful, good-natured old man, but that didn’t mean he had no temper. If outsiders said such things, it would be one thing, but for his own younger brother to say it, Que Hanyi was the one whose heart truly grew cold.

All his grief, indignation, and resentment erupted at this moment, silencing the entire room.

“Big Brother, don’t be angry. Your health is most important.”

Second Aunt-in-law Que advised, glaring at Fourth Uncle Que and scolding him for not understanding the situation.

Second Aunt-in-law Que said: “Fourth Brother, what are you saying? That Que Lin… that Linyang is no longer part of the Que family. The company is in this state because of him. What more do you want? To say nice things and invite him back? Let the whole world laugh at us? This matter is fundamentally his fault, his immorality. Do you even know what’s going on in Big Brother’s family?”

Third Uncle Que continued: “Exactly. Whose side are you on? I’ve never heard of such a thing, not listening to your own family but taking outsiders’ words to heart. We all saw how Big Brother treated that ungrateful wolf; he just couldn’t be tamed. Since Yining took over, she hasn’t squeezed him out, right? No one demoted him either. Why is he putting on such an act?”

“Who can say for sure?”

Fourth Uncle Que snorted coldly with a dark expression, turning his face away, not intending to argue further.

“If you ask me, this whole thing is a mess. Miss Que is very capable in business, and personnel changes are understandable. But kicking him out was indeed a bit much. Of course, I’m not clear on Old Mr. Que’s family matters, so I can’t make a judgment yet. But after all, this company doesn’t belong to just one person, right? His current behavior is truly annoying. I hope this matter can be resolved quickly.”

A shareholder whose interests had been damaged spoke up. They weren’t biased towards anyone; they just disliked public matters turning into private ones. They didn’t care about the Que family’s affairs; they only cared if their losses could be recovered.

“The rumors outside are very ugly now, and the corporate image has been greatly affected. Moreover, with him acting like this, many old employees who followed him have become restless. Several resignation letters came in this morning.”

“Everyone, please don’t be impatient. Calm down. I will definitely resolve this matter. It just needs some time. I hope you can trust me.”

Many voices reached her ears. Que Yining’s expression was calm, showing no panic, as she gave her assurance on this matter.

She had long been waiting for this day. She wasn’t in a hurry to immediately present evidence and fight back to resolve it. She would take this opportunity to deal with some long-standing problems.

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