PSMD – Chapter 135

The nearby mall had everything. After much thought, Shen Ningruo went into a lingerie store and bought a sleep dress like that one.

But she didn’t buy it for Qiu Yang to sleep with her, even though she did ask about the “bed debt” from before.

Shen Ningruo’s original intention was to have Qiu Yang watch her sleep while wearing it.

Calculating, Qiu Yang’s period was coming soon. If she didn’t sleep with her now, she wouldn’t be able to for several days.

However, the final outcome was, of course, that Qiu Yang took off the sleep dress, but by then Qiu Yang had fully recovered her energy.

This night wasn’t overly wild, but they did stay up a bit later than before, and Qiu Yang slept well.

The matter with Qu Yan was finally resolved. She breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to an overt villain like Tao Sixian, an underhanded person like Qu Yan seemed even more detestable. She didn’t feel sorry for Qu Yan; the only one to be pitied was Qu Yan herself.

She had almost been left with a psychological shadow for life.

The news of Qu Yan being fired from the company was still spreading, but Qiu Yang didn’t want to pay attention to it. Fortunately, her closer colleagues were tacitly avoiding mentioning that name in front of her.

But Qu Yan was a department manager, and her position couldn’t remain vacant. Her dismissal meant there would be personnel changes, but no one knew who would take that position.

Different positions meant different salaries and different benefits. No one didn’t want to climb higher.

Qiu Yang wasn’t concerned about this. She was just busy with her own work every day. She no longer thought Wen Yuan would fire her, because from Wen Yuan’s previous attitude, he was a very shrewd leader.

Since she hadn’t done anything malicious like Qu Yan, nor made any mistakes in her work, Wen Yuan had no reason to fire her.

Even though she knew that if a company leader wanted to fire someone, they could easily fabricate a reason.

Qiu Yang didn’t think Wen Yuan was that kind of person.

Well, that was just her psychological comfort.

She still couldn’t figure out why Wen Yuan had observed her during the meeting.

“Yangyang.” Qi Rong came to gossip quietly again. “I heard someone will be brought in from outside for that position.”

Qiu Yang was a little surprised. “Brought in from outside?”

“Yes.”

“I heard they’re from Beijing.”

Qiu Yang thought the gossip groups Qi Rong and Gu Lan were in were amazing, they had all sorts of inside information.

“As long as they’re capable, it doesn’t matter if they’re brought in from outside,” Qiu Yang’s attitude was clear; she valued talent more. “As long as they don’t cause trouble behind people’s backs.”

As soon as she said that, it was practically calling out Qu Yan by name.

Qi Rong laughed when she heard this. “True.”

She had already deleted Qu Yan. Their relationship used to be quite good, but Qu Yan was so despicable, and they wouldn’t see each other again anyway, so she just deleted her. Now, hearing Qiu Yang say this, she found it amusing.

She rarely saw Qiu Yang like this.

Even in the recording, when Qiu Yang said she was younger and better-looking than Qu Yan, Qi Rong felt secretly pleased.

So, the seemingly well-behaved Qiu Yang could be so sharp? She had truly never seen it.

Qiu Yang also knew that she sounded different in the audio recording compared to how she usually behaved at the company, but this was very normal. The company was just a place for everyone to work, and the main task was to complete the work well; other things weren’t very important. Therefore, she also understood that after the audio was released, there would definitely be a lot of discussion about her.

She didn’t care.

Not having to see Qu Yan the moment she looked up, she felt completely at ease.

But just as everyone in the company expected, there would be significant personnel changes.

After the meeting on Friday morning, Qiu Yang was called aside by Wen Yuan. This time, they talked in the conference room.

“Department Head Qiu.”

“You’ve been at Wanming for four years, right?”

Wen Yuan held a fountain pen again, looking at Qiu Yang seriously.

Qiu Yang nodded. “Yes.”

Because of Wen Yuan’s question, her eyebrow twitched slightly, feeling that things wouldn’t be that simple.

Wen Yuan “hmm”ed. He opened a document in front of him, took out a sheet of paper from it, and placed it on top.

He pushed the paper forward.

Qiu Yang took it and looked. It listed the main projects and tasks she had participated in since joining the company. Having so many in four years already fell into the category of excellent work ability, especially the recent trip to Beijing where the outcome of the negotiation exceeded the company’s expectations significantly.

“President Wen…” Qiu Yang looked at Wen Yuan after reading it.

Wen Yuan pursed his lips before saying, “After company discussion, it has been decided to promote you from Deputy Department Head to Department Head. Department Head Qiu, you don’t have any objections, do you?”

Qiu Yang was a Deputy Department Head, but in the workplace, the “Deputy” part was usually omitted and not used in address. However, the salary and benefits for a full Department Head were definitely different.

“President Wen, I don’t think I can handle this position just yet.” Qiu Yang’s brows furrowed slightly.

She had started as a small employee, and becoming a Deputy Department Head in four years was already something many people envied. Now, being directly promoted to Department Head felt a bit too fast.

Because she hadn’t even been a Deputy Department Head for very long.

She wasn’t afraid of what others might think or say about her; she was solely considering her ability. The outcome of the cooperation negotiation with Youfei Company in Beijing last time was unexpectedly good, but it was also her first time leading a team independently.

She felt she needed more experience.

Wen Yuan didn’t think so. He placed his fountain pen on the table and simply said two words: “You can.”

Qiu Yang pursed her lips.

Before, she was worried about being fired. Now, she wouldn’t be fired, but she was being promoted, and she started worrying again.

Wen Yuan didn’t give her time to hesitate. He adopted a bit of a general manager’s demeanor. “The company has already made this decision. The notice will be issued this afternoon.”

“Okay.” Refusing at this point would seem insincere.

Qiu Yang left the conference room, but her heart rate hadn’t immediately returned to normal. Taking a break, she went to the pantry and made herself a cup of coffee.

She happened to run into Gu Lan, who had also come down from her station. Gu Lan looked a bit surprised. “Xiao Qiu Jie, why are you here? It’s rare.”

Qiu Yang smiled. “I’m tired, having some coffee to wake up.”

“Okay, I’m tired too. Luckily it’s Friday today, the weekend is coming again.” Gu Lan asked while getting water, “Xiao Qiu Jie, the Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon, have you thought about how you’ll spend it?”

“No, just spend it as usual.”

Gu Lan stirred her coffee. “I want to go out and play, but there will be a lot of people during the Dragon Boat Festival, so I think I’ll just forget it.”

“Alright.” Qiu Yang wasn’t in a very talkative mood.

Gu Lan noticed and thought Qiu Yang was still thinking about Qu Yan’s matter, so she simply shut up. Both of them looked out at the scenery. What she didn’t know was that Qiu Yang was still concerned about her promotion.

By noon, Qiu Yang’s brows still hadn’t relaxed.

Shen Ningruo sent her a message. She thought for a moment, went to the dessert shop downstairs from the company, and called Shen Ningruo.

“Xiao Yang, when a company decides on someone’s position, they look at the present, but also the future. You’ve always handled things excellently, and when you reach this position, you’ll do even better. This is the company’s trust in you, and the company is willing to give you space. This is a very good thing. Do you think your company misjudged you?” Shen Ningruo was very patient.

Qiu Yang lowered her gaze. “You’re right.”

“I also used to think I couldn’t be a director because the work would be much harder than before, but I’m still doing well.”

Qiu Yang scooped a spoonful of the dessert in front of her. She chuckled. “Director Shen, please don’t tease me, okay? You actually thought you wouldn’t do well?”

“I don’t believe it.”

“You don’t believe me, but I believe in myself.”

“See, isn’t that the logic?”

“Xiao Yang, you’re rising based on your own ability and skill. You’re worthy of yourself. If this notice comes out and some people are unhappy because you’re young, or don’t believe you can do well, that’s their business. You just need to believe in yourself.”

Shen Ningruo’s voice was soft, yet full of endless strength. This strength entered Qiu Yang’s blood through her ears and spread throughout her body.

“Ruoruo.” Qiu Yang looked out the window. The sun was blazing at the moment, and people on the street were mostly holding umbrellas to avoid getting even slightly tanned.

Shen Ningruo responded, “Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“Sometimes you’re like a confidante, like a radio host taking calls.” Qiu Yang described how she felt just now.

“That’s Yue Chu’s specialty,” Shen Ningruo chuckled softly. “I’m not a radio host. I’m just your confidante, only yours.”

Qiu Yang’s lips curved up. “Yes.”

“Only mine.”

After talking with Shen Ningruo, Qiu Yang’s mood improved significantly. She was no longer anxious or worried.

At three in the afternoon, the personnel notice came down.

The other colleagues in the office were happy for Qiu Yang.

Getting a promotion and a raise is one of the wishes of many working people.

Who doesn’t like money?

But it would be great if you had money without having to work, but only a very small portion of people in the world live like that.

Besides Qiu Yang, the appointment notice for the department manager was also issued. It was indeed someone from Beijing, named Duan Qingzhu, and she was also a female manager.

However, Duan Qingzhu was still handling work handover in Beijing and wouldn’t arrive at Wanming until next Monday.

Everyone was curious about the manager they hadn’t met yet, but curiosity was useless; they couldn’t see her now. It was better to congratulate Qiu Yang a couple more times.

Qiu Yang was a bit overwhelmed by her colleagues’ enthusiasm. After struggling and agonizing for some time, she now felt nothing about her promotion; she was very accepting. She even decided to treat her colleagues to a meal.

It would be a celebration of her promotion and raise, and also of having no further contact with Qu Yan.

Shen Ningruo knew about this and only gave one instruction: “Don’t drink alcohol, your period hasn’t finished yet.”

“Got it, got it.”

Shen Ningruo then asked Qiu Yang to send the address, saying she would pick her up in the evening.

Qiu Yang: “Okay.”

The dinner location was conveniently set at the same Chinese restaurant where she had met Qu Yan last time. Including Qiu Yang, there were eight people, including Gu Lan.

Gu Lan was overjoyed. She raised her glass, controlling the rhythm of the whole table. “Our first toast, to Department Head Qiu, congratulations on getting rid of the villain!”

“Second toast! Congratulations on her promotion!”

“Third toast! Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Even though it’s only early June!”

The dinner, which started at 5:30, ended at 7:00.

Shen Ningruo had asked Qiu Yang for the table number in advance. She arrived early and paid the bill for Qiu Yang’s table, but she came out after paying and waited outside the door.

Qiu Yang hadn’t drunk alcohol, but Gu Lan, taking advantage of not working tomorrow, drank quite a bit. She went to the front desk to pay, but the front desk said someone had already paid.

She was a little surprised, but it only lasted for two seconds. Seeing Shen Ningruo standing outside the door, she understood everything.

Someone was cheering, “Who is it? Paid for us in advance.”

Gu Lan, feeling dizzy, pointed at Shen Ningruo. “Director Shen.”

“Why are you here?”

After asking, she answered herself, “Oh, right, right, my brain is slow. Xiao Qiu Jie is here, it’s normal for you to come.”

Qi Rong watched Shen Ningruo from the group, feeling a bit curious. She hadn’t participated in the project with Qiyao this time, but she had heard of this director’s name.

Moreover, this director was mentioned in the conversation between Qiu Yang and Qu Yan…

Qiu Yang walked up to Shen Ningruo, her eyes curving into a smile. “I didn’t drink.”

“I know.”

“Very well-behaved.”

Shen Ningruo said, looking at Gu Lan, “Do you need me to take her back?”

Qi Rong, who was supporting Gu Lan, shook her head. “No need, Director Shen. Xiao Gu and I are going the same way. I’ll take her back.”

Shen Ningruo showed a faint smile. “Then Xiao Yang and I will take you both back.”

Since she was supporting Gu Lan, it meant this person had a good relationship with Qiu Yang. Shen Ningruo’s suggestion was sincere.

She wasn’t helping Qiu Yang win people over, but rather helping Qiu Yang vet them.

Some people’s character could be known with just a brief interaction.

Qi Rong still wanted to refuse, but Qiu Yang didn’t give her the chance. “Yes, Qiu Jie, I also want to take a walk and clear my head. We’ll take you back together.”

“Alright then, thank you, Director Shen.”

The rest of the colleagues also prepared to take taxis back, but some who didn’t know Shen Ningruo couldn’t help but ask with a smile, “Yangyang, who is this? Why don’t you introduce us?”

Qiu Yang slapped her forehead. “I forgot.”

“This is my partner, Shen Ningruo.”

Not Director Shen, but “my partner”.

Shen Ningruo turned to look at Qiu Yang, her eyes and brows filled with a smile.