Chapter 165

　　”It’s a matter between our companies,” Manager Guo asked, feigning surprise. “What’s going on between our two companies?”

　　Miss Huo smiled and said, “It’s like this…”

　　She parted her lips slightly and slowly recounted the whole story, then smiled and said, “This must be a misunderstanding, Manager Guo, what do you think?”

　　Manager Guo frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then slowly said, “This could obviously be a misunderstanding, but we can’t rule out the possibility that there’s some conflict between our employees and the colleague from Lightspeed. Our colleague actually assaulted a colleague from Lightspeed. We’ll investigate this thoroughly when we get back. What do you think, Brother Tang?”

　　”Manager Guo, Ms. Huo, I also think there might be some misunderstanding. But our colleague said it was just an accidental touch on your employee’s hand, and there was no other physical contact.” I smiled. “I think whatever the problem is, we can clarify it between ourselves. But escalating it to a fight has also had a significant impact on us. What do you two think?”

　　In this matter, regardless of the circumstances, if Tang Yuan did indeed encounter the girl and she mistook it for indecent assault or something, then we should apologize, and we will naturally do so.

　　But if they want to smear our company, this matter won’t be handled so simply.

　　I don’t know what Chen Hui was thinking, but now that I’m handling this, I have to seek justice for my employees.

　　”good.”

　　Manager Guo nodded. “Brother Tang is right. Even if there’s something wrong, let’s clarify things, apologize where necessary, and deal with the situation properly. If word gets out that this fight is going to affect our company.”

　　Ms. Huo smiled and said, “I don’t know the specifics of what happened, but according to our colleagues, your employee tried to hug you while taking the order, which is why our male colleague hit her.”

　　I think I understand now. One of these people is playing the good cop, and the other is playing the bad cop.

　　”Ms. Huo, Manager Guo, as for what happened, I think your company must have surveillance footage. Why don’t we find the footage and let everyone see it clearly? We will apologize for everything that is owed to us. However, during the time our colleague was hospitalized, there will be corresponding medical expenses and lost wages. I think we need to calculate that clearly.”

　　”Just as you two trust your colleagues, I also trust my subordinates. Until I see the truth of the matter, I will believe that he did not do anything indecent.”

　　”Perhaps what I’m saying is unpleasant to hear, but when you’re out in the world, it’s all about making money through harmony. And of course, we don’t want to lose such a big client as Lanmei. But for the sake of our colleague’s reputation, I think it’s better if we clarify this matter.”

　　I said this neither humbly nor arrogantly, while picking up the teapot and pouring them a cup of tea, then smiled and said, “Miss Huo, Manager Guo, please.”

　　Miss Huo smiled, then stared intently at me. “Manager Tang, are you saying that our employees deliberately framed you?”

　　”Ms. Huo, I wouldn’t dare say that.” I laughed. “As for the specifics, I think we should first rely on your company’s surveillance video. Also, to ensure the safety of Lanmei’s cargo transportation, our Manager Chen specifically asked our colleagues to bring surveillance equipment to record the counting and loading process at any time. Manager Guo, if your company’s office doesn’t have surveillance video, I can provide that.”

　　Actually, I made this up. I’ve been with the company for so long and I’ve never heard of it before, but that doesn’t stop me from making things up.

　　If they can actually produce the surveillance video, that would be ideal.

　　“This…” Miss Huo was taken aback, then said, “Manager Tang, how about this, I have a suggestion.”

　　”Miss Huo, please speak.”

　　”Both of us feel that our employee has done nothing wrong, but since this has happened, we need to get to the bottom of it. We’ll go back and see if we can find out. You should also check to see if there really was any physical contact, since this colleague might feel ashamed or embarrassed to say it.”

　　Miss Huo said slowly.

　　I always felt that what she was implying was that the mistake was on our side, and she said it with a rather certain tone.

　　Just then, the waiter brought the food over, and I said with a smile, “Manager Guo, Ms. Huo, let’s eat and chat.”

　　As he spoke, he opened another bottle of red wine and poured it for the two of them.

　　Chen Hui isn’t here tonight, so no matter what, I have to keep things under control and not let them find any fault with me to attack me.

　　We ate and chatted, but our conversation naturally had nothing to do with what we had just discussed; it was all about romance and nature.

　　When it was almost over, Manager Guo said to me, “Tang Zheng, as you said, we should go back and investigate this thoroughly to find out exactly what happened. No matter where the mistake is, it shouldn’t affect the cooperation between our companies, right?”

　　”Then I’ll have to trouble Manager Guo and Miss Huo,” I said with a smile.

　　Ms. Huo stated seriously, “No matter what, just as Manager Guo said, we must give the parties involved a fair and just resolution. We cannot tolerate mistakes, let alone slander.”

　　”Then I’ll have to trouble you two.”

　　…

　　This meal cost nearly two thousand yuan. Actually, the food and drinks tasted pretty good, but it was quite expensive. Luckily, my company paid for it. If I had to pay for it, I would have been heartbroken.

　　After seeing them off, I wanted to call Chen Hui, but I was afraid of disturbing her, so I called Chen Yao instead, because I knew that girl was definitely still awake.

　　Sure enough, Chen Yao answered the phone after it had only rung once. “Ah Zheng, is everything done?”

　　”Okay, it’s all done. Where are you now?” I said with a smile. “It’s still early, let’s go for a walk.”

　　”Then come find us at the North Gate Pedestrian Street. My cousin and I are shopping here right now,” Chen Yao said with a grin. “We’re waiting for you, or I’ll get angry.”

　　”Alright, alright, you silly girl…” My cousin’s voice came through the phone. “Be careful on the road, don’t drive too fast. By the way, you haven’t been drinking, have you? If you have, we’ll come pick you up.”

　　My cousin was so concerned about me, which warmed my heart. I smiled and said, “I didn’t drink anything, it’s okay. I’ll come find you right away.”

　　”Then be careful,” Chen Yao added. “I was just joking with you, don’t be too hasty.”

　　After hanging up the phone, I started the car and headed towards the North Gate Pedestrian Street. This is the largest pedestrian street in our area, stretching for several hundred meters. It’s also located near a commercial center, so it becomes a paradise for women at night.

　　About half an hour later, I met my cousin and Chen Yao at the entrance of the commercial center.

　　Tonight, my cousin changed into a white tracksuit, her ponytail tied back, making her look extremely clean and neat, quite like a sports goddess.

　　Chen Yao, on the other hand, was wearing a low-cut, tight-fitting white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing her fair forearms. The top two buttons of the shirt were undone, revealing a hint of cleavage and a touch of fair skin, making her look absolutely flawless.

　　I suddenly realized that my cousin and Chen Yao are actually just as good as those movie stars. If they were to enter the entertainment industry…

　　I think I’ll pass. That circle is too chaotic; it’s not suitable for them.

　　”Sis, Yao Yao.” I smiled and walked towards them. “Have you eaten yet?”

　　”Of course I’ve eaten.” Chen Yao came up and hugged my arm tightly, then took a deep sniff next to me.

　　I was stunned. “Yaoyao, what are you doing?”

　　”Of course, it’s to smell your scent.”

　　Chen Yao pouted and said, “My sister is really something. She took you on this business trip for so long, and now I can’t even see you. I can’t even have you go shopping with me. Every time we come back, it’s just me and my cousin shopping. A lot of stinky men come up to me and shout, ‘Miss, can I add you on WeChat? Miss, can I flirt with you? Miss, can we be friends?’ I’m so annoyed by it.”

　　I laughed and said, “That just means our Yao Yao is pretty. It’s just that there’s a lot of work to do at work. You can’t blame your sister, or she’ll scold me again.”

　　”She dares!”

　　Chen Yao pouted, “If she insults you, just tell me, and I’ll stand up for you!”

　　I thought to myself, Chen Hui not only scolded me, but also slapped me several times.

　　But I deserved it, so I can’t blame her.

　　My cousin laughed and said, “Alright, alright, there’s still a single guy here. Can you guys stop showing off your love in front of me? If you keep doing this, I won’t come out with you next time.”

　　”Sis, I’m sorry, it was my fault.” Chen Yao immediately smiled and took her cousin’s arm, while linking her other arm with mine. “Let’s go shopping. We haven’t been out for so long, I feel like I’ve become completely out of touch with society.”

　　Smelling Chen Yao’s fragrance, I suddenly remembered what she had told me this afternoon, and for a moment I couldn’t help but feel a little distracted. Could it be that she really wanted to do something with me tonight?

　　But should I refuse or reluctantly get on the bus?

　　This shopping center is quite large. The first floor sells cosmetics, watches, bags, digital products, etc., the second floor sells clothing, and the third floor sells laptops, TVs, etc. I had only been here with other people a long time ago, and this is the first time I’ve gone shopping with a girl.

　　After walking for a while, I saw the Yves Saint Laurent counter, so I said to the two girls, “Yaoyao, sis, why don’t you try out the cosmetics here?”

　　Chen Yao shook her head. “Forget it, it’s much cheaper to buy it at duty-free shops abroad. It’s a bit expensive here, so let’s not spend this unnecessary money, sis, what do you think?”

　　“Yaoyao is right, we shouldn’t waste this money,” my cousin added. “The airport duty-free shops are cheaper, and they sell genuine products.”

　　I couldn’t help but think to myself, although my cousin and Chen Yao think that way, I should find out about things like color codes and then buy them for them when I have time. They’re always the ones buying me gifts, and I’ve hardly ever bought them anything, which is a bit irresponsible of me.

　　”Yaoyao, Lin Yuan, what a coincidence!”

　　I was just thinking about how to find out what shades my cousin and Chen Yao liked when I suddenly heard a man’s voice from in front of me.

　　Looking up, I realized it was Bai Yixuan.

　　”It’s a bit of a coincidence.” Chen Yao smiled mischievously. “Bai Yixuan, last time I saw a girl sitting in the passenger seat of your car, was that your girlfriend? Why didn’t you bring her out tonight?”

　　“Uh…” Bai Yixuan’s lips twitched. “That’s my cousin. You must have mistaken her.”

　　”cousin”

　　Chen Yao chuckled, “I saw you put your hand on her thigh…”