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When Hao Shuai placed his resignation letter on Manager Yin's desk, he felt much more relaxed.

The main problem is that Manager Yin is too shameless. He's always trying to exploit Hao Shuai, as if Hao Shuai is just a free laborer.

Meanwhile, Manager Yin was looking at emails, though everyone knew he was slacking off.

After all, the work was pushed onto Hao Shuai, and then he shamelessly told President Su that he did it himself.

Manager Yin looked up and saw the letter, then paused, "Commander Hao, what...does this mean?"

"Manager Yin, I'm resigning," Hao Shuai said directly.

Manager Yin picked up the letter, glanced at it, and his expression changed: "Resign? Why? Our team has been doing quite well lately, hasn't it? Your new retail project just started, and we need you to oversee it!"

"I think I should hand the project over to someone else," Hao Shuai said. "I'm planning to change my environment."

"Change of environment?" Manager Yin stood up and walked to Hao Shuai's side. "Hao Shuai! Are you dissatisfied with your recent work? Or do you feel that the treatment is not good enough? These can be discussed! Don't be impulsive, let's have a good talk."

Then he pulled Hao Shuai down to sit, his tone particularly sincere, "Look, you've performed very well in our team these past few months. President Su has praised you several times, saying you have great potential. I'm just about to apply for a salary increase for you, and it should be approved next month. It would be such a pity if you left now."

In the past, Hao Shuai might have been moved.

But now, he had long since seen through Manager Yin's character...

They act one way in public and another in private, taking credit for everything while leaving the blame to their subordinates.

"Manager Yin, it's not about the salary," Hao Shuai said. "I just want to go out and explore, to do something I really want to do."

"Try your luck? What are you trying to do?" Manager Yin pressed. "Have you found another job? Which company? What kind of terms did they offer you? Tell me, our team can match that, or even better!"

"It's not a problem with the next buyer."

"Why is that?" Manager Yin asked anxiously. "Hao Shuai, don't make a mistake. The economy isn't doing well right now, and it's not easy to find a job. Jin Chen is a well-known company in the industry. If you work hard here, you'll have a bright future. Go out and start your own business? The risk is too great!"

Hao Shuai looked at Manager Yin's "thinking of you" attitude and sneered inwardly.

He recalled how Manager Yin used to take photos of him everywhere during team building activities, treating him like a free photographer; he recalled how Manager Yin would push all the dirty and tiring work onto him at work, while taking all the credit for himself; he recalled how Manager Yin would go to a KTV alone, only to trick him into paying the bill; and he recalled how Manager Yin would immediately push him out to take the blame when problems arose with the project.

This kind of person is not worth his lingering affection.

"Manager Yin, my mind is made up." Hao Shuai stood up. "I've submitted my resignation letter. According to company regulations, I'll leave after completing this week's handover. Please process my paperwork as soon as possible."

"Hao Shuai! Think about it again!" Manager Yin also stood up, her tone a bit harsh. "Do you know how much your sudden resignation will affect the team? What about the project you're working on? How are you going to explain this to the client? This is irresponsible!"

That's a rather harsh way to put it.

Hao Shuai originally wanted to part ways amicably, but now he's become famous.

"Manager Yin, I've prepared all the project materials and am ready to hand them over at any time. I can explain things clearly to the clients." He said coldly, "As for responsibility... I feel I've taken on all the responsibilities I should, after all, I'm just an investment analyst. But you, when that project ran into problems last time and you pushed me to take the fall, did you think about the responsibility?"

Manager Yin's expression changed: "You... what nonsense are you talking about!"

"Whether I'm lying or not, Manager Yin, you know perfectly well." Hao Shuai didn't want to argue any further. "Please process the formalities as soon as possible. I'm leaving."

He turned to leave, but Manager Yin called after him, "Hao Shuai! Don't even think about coming back if you leave! Let me tell you, in investment banking, I have a hundred ways to make you unable to work!"

This is a blatant threat.

Hao Shuai turned around and smiled: "Manager Yin, the way you're saying that... makes it sound like I'm being protected by you at Jin Chen. But it's okay, I wasn't planning on coming back anyway."

Even after leaving the office, I could still hear Manager Yin's low, furious roars of impotence.

Back at his workstation, Hao Shuai began packing his things.

His colleagues around him were all secretly watching him and whispering among themselves.

"Hao Shuai really resigned?"

"I heard he's going to Ningyuan Capital to work with Suning."

"Ningyuan Capital? Is that the company that invested in Zhiying Technology?"

"Yes, it's a new fund, and it's gaining momentum."

"Hao Shuai is really bold, daring to even go for a startup fund..."

As I was tidying up, Su Xinnian, the investment director of the consumer goods group, walked over.

"Hao Shuai, I heard you're leaving?" President Su asked.

"Yes, Mr. Su." Hao Shuai nodded.

"What a pity," President Su sighed. "You have good abilities, and I originally wanted to focus on cultivating you. But everyone has their own ambitions, and I won't force you to stay. If you encounter any difficulties outside in the future, come back anytime. Jin Chen's doors will always be open for you."

That's a much better way to put it than Manager Yin.

But Hao Shuai knew that General Manager Su and Manager Yin were birds of a feather...

One plays the good cop, the other the bad cop; neither of them are actually good people.

Hao Shuai even suspected that Manager Yin learned his tricks from President Su, and that he had most likely been exploited by President Su in the same way, which is why Manager Yin kept finding ways to bully newcomers.

"Thank you, Mr. Su," he said politely.

"By the way, you're going to Ningyuan Capital?" President Su asked.

"Correct."

"That kid Suning is quite capable," said President Su. "He made a brilliant investment in Zhiying Technology. But venture capital funds are risky, so you should be prepared."

"I see."

President Su patted him on the shoulder: "Okay, go ahead. Do a good job and don't embarrass Jin Chen."

Hao Shuai nodded, but in his heart he thought: What does it have to do with Jin Chen whether I do well or not in the future?
In the afternoon, Hao Shuai called his father.

"Dad, I quit my job."

"Quitted? Good!" Hao's father's voice boomed on the other end of the phone. "They should have quit long ago! That Manager Yin and that President Su are no good! You won't learn any real skills working with them!"

Hao Shuai smiled. His father had been in business for many years and was quite good at judging people.

Previously, Hao's father simply did not support his son, but now that he has heard about Suning's true background, he has naturally changed his attitude.

"I'll be reporting to Ningyuan Capital next week," he said.

“Jianguo Group also cooperates with our family’s garment factory. In the past, we should avoid conflicts and learn to turn a blind eye.”

"Understood! My relationship with Suning is quite good."

After hanging up the phone, Hao Shuai felt relieved.

With family support and new opportunities, he had nothing to fear.

Manager Yin's threats? President Su's feigned concern? Let them be!
He just wants to finish the formalities as soon as possible and start his new job at Ningyuan Capital.

There you'll find Suning, Lan Qianyi, and like-minded entrepreneurs.

That's a place where you can really get things done.

……

That day, Gao Yue came to Tomson Riviera again.

After all, they have officially decided to join Ningyuan Capital, so naturally they need to get closer to Suning, the head of the company.

This time, Suning opened a bottle of his treasured red wine, and the two sat in the living room drinking and chatting.

"Suning, this wine is really good." Gao Yue took a sip. "It's been aged, isn't it?"

“It’s a 98 Lafite, from my dad’s collection,” Su Ning said. “I stole a bottle.”

Gao Yue laughed: "Wouldn't your dad be heartbroken?"

"He drinks a lot; you won't notice if he's missing a bottle."

The two clinked glasses, and after a few drinks, they started talking.

Gao Yue talked about her six years at Jinchen, saying, "I joined Jinchen six years ago, starting as a human resources specialist. Back then, the company wasn't this big, and President Qu wasn't this powerful. I was the first to arrive at the company every day and the last to leave, and I thoroughly understood all the processes in the human resources department."

She swirled her wine glass, her eyes slightly unfocused: "Three years later, I was promoted to manager. Three years after that, I was promoted to director. It seems like everything went smoothly, but actually... every step was difficult."

"How difficult is it?" Su Ning asked. "You're a man, so you might not understand," Gao Yue said. "In the workplace, women have to work much harder than men to climb the corporate ladder. You have to prove that you're not just relying on your looks or connections, but that you're truly capable. And you can't be too assertive, otherwise people will say you're a 'career woman' or 'difficult to get along with'; nor can you be too weak, otherwise you'll be bullied."

She took a sip of her drink and continued, "The year I was promoted to director, a male colleague competed with me. He wasn't as capable as me, but he had a good relationship with Director Qu. In the end, I won, but do you know what people were saying? They said I got the position by... by sleeping with people."

Suning frowned: "These kinds of rumors are really disgusting."

Gao Yue smiled bitterly, “Many voices can melt metal; if too many people say it, some will believe it. During that time, I was under a lot of pressure and cried every day when I got home. But my parents didn’t understand. They thought I was a director at a big company, glamorous and successful, so what was there to cry about?”

"Does your family not support you?"

“It’s more than just not supporting it.” Gao Yue shook her head. “My parents are university professors. They think girls should get married and have children early and live a stable life. I’m over thirty and still not married, so in their eyes there’s ‘something wrong with me.’ Every time I go home, they urge me to get married and try to introduce me to potential partners. It’s so annoying.”

As she spoke, her eyes reddened: "Sometimes I wonder, what am I working so hard for? Money? I earn quite a bit now. Status? I'm just a director, above me are vice presidents and general managers. Relationships? I've had two relationships, both ended. Now that I think about it, it seems like I haven't gained anything, but instead lost a lot."

Su Ning listened quietly without interrupting; he knew Gao Yue needed to confide in someone.

“Su Ning, tell me, what is the point of living?” Gao Yue looked at him, her eyes filled with confusion. “I’ve worked hard for six years and climbed to the position of director, but I’m still unhappy. There’s serious infighting at Jin Chen. President Qu is holding things back, and now President Li is here. I’m caught in the middle, walking on thin ice every day. When will this end?”

"So you need to step back and start over," Su Ning said.

"Starting over..." Gao Yue murmured repeatedly, "I'm thirty-three years old, can I still start over?"

“Why not?” Su Ning poured her a glass of wine. “Thirty-three is the prime of your life. You have experience, resources, and judgment. Besides, Ningyuan Capital is just starting out. You have plenty of opportunities to prove yourself and achieve results.”

Gao Yue looked at him, her eyes gradually brightening: "You're right... I can't keep wasting my time like this."

The two drank a few more glasses. Gao Yue had a high alcohol tolerance, but he gradually became a little drunk.

It's like the saying goes, "It's not the wine that intoxicates, it's the person who gets drunk." After all, there are some things you understand too well to pretend you don't.

"Su Ning," she changed her address, "Can I ask you a question?"

"You said."

"Why... are you so good to me?" Gao Yue's eyes held a hint of ambiguity. "You gave me a partner position, gave me shares, and you're so patient in listening to my complaints. Is it because... there's something special about me?"

The question was direct, and Su Ning looked at her...

Gao Yue is indeed beautiful; in her thirties, she is at the peak of her charm.

Her skin was very fair, and her slightly tipsy appearance gave her a languid beauty.

"You are very capable and experienced; you are the kind of talent Ningyuan needs," Su Ning said in a very official tone.

"Just...talented people?" Gao Yue leaned closer, her perfume mixed with the smell of alcohol, exuding an alluring aura.

Suning is neither a saint nor a novice; he can see Gao Yue's meaning...

Alcohol, emotions, the ambiguous atmosphere, and the urge to "start over" led her to make this move.

Gao Yue is indeed a charming woman.

"Gao Yue, you've had too much to drink," he said.

“I’m not drunk.” Gao Yue looked at him, her eyes growing bolder. “Su Ning, I haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time. With you, I don’t have to pretend, I don’t have to put on airs, I can speak my mind. This feeling… is wonderful.”

She reached out and touched the back of Su Ning's hand: "Don't you... think so?"

Su Ning didn't dodge. He looked at Gao Yue in front of him and knew what was going to happen next.

We're all adults; it's a matter of mutual consent, there's no need to be dramatic.

Moreover, he doesn't reject women like Gao Yue who are charming and sophisticated.

If Gao Yue is old in age, then her mental age is that of a thousand-year-old monster.

“I think…” Su Ning grasped her hand in return, “You really have had too much to drink. But… it’s okay.”

He got up and helped Gao Yue up.

Gao Yue leaned against him, her breath warm.

What happens next is a matter of course.

From the living room to the bedroom, the two were very proactive and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Gao Yue perfectly embodies the beauty of a thirty-year-old woman—passionate and unrestrained, without a trace of affectation.

Suning didn't hold back either, after all, there's really no need to be reserved in this kind of situation.

After an unknown amount of time, when everything returned to calm, Gao Yue leaned against Su Ning, her face full of contentment.

"I didn't expect...this to happen," she said softly.

"Regret it?" Su Ning asked.

“I don’t regret it,” Gao Yue said. “It’s just that I think…it’s pretty absurd. I actually went with the boss…”

“It’s not too late to back out now,” Su Ning said. “Once you’re out this door, you can pretend nothing ever happened.”

Gao Yue was silent for a moment, then laughed: "Why pretend it never happened? I'm not a little girl anymore. As an adult, it's a matter of mutual consent, there's no need to be coy. Besides, this is like an old cow eating young grass."

"However, Suning, I must make it clear that I did not intend to rise to the top through this. I went to Ningyuan Capital based on my abilities, not my physical attributes."

“I know.” Su Ning nodded. “If you wanted to rely on your body, you wouldn’t have waited until today.”

"That's good." Gao Yue breathed a sigh of relief. "Then... in the future..."

“You are Ningyuan’s partner, and I am the founder,” Su Ning stated clearly. “Work-wise, we’ll cooperate as needed. Privately… it depends on the situation.”

This answer is realistic and fair.

"Aren't you afraid Lan Qianyi will find out?"

"I believe you won't be jealous! And I believe you can handle this kind of thing."

"You're very confident! Do you have more than one girlfriend, Lan Qianyi?"

"None of that matters! What matters is that I can give you everything you want."

Gao Yue nodded: "Okay, I accept your conditions."

"Besides, I'm a rather stingy person and I don't like my woman being two-timing."

"Don't worry! I know what I'm doing."

Then Gao Yue got up to put on her clothes, her movements were very natural, without the slightest hesitation.

However, Su Ning stopped her, saying, "Don't leave today! I haven't had enough fun yet."

Gao Yue turned to look at Su Ning with some surprise, "Really?"

"You'll know if you try it."

Gao Yue then went back to bed, and another hour or two passed.

The cycle repeats itself endlessly, and the specifics remain unknown.

Finally, Gao Yue fell into a deep sleep, while Su Ning leaned against the headboard and lit a cigarette to stay awake.

Tonight's events were somewhat unexpected, but not entirely unexpected.

It's understandable that a woman like Gao Yue is under a lot of pressure and needs to release it.

He himself does not reject this kind of game between adults.

As long as it doesn't affect your work or cross any boundaries, it's not a big deal.

Moreover, Gao Yue is mature enough that she won't say anything reckless or cause trouble.

We are all smart people; we know what we should and shouldn't do.

Thinking of this, Su Ning stubbed out his cigarette, lay down, and hugged Gao Yue as they fell asleep.

Perhaps feeling the warmth of Suning's embrace, Gao Yue unconsciously smiled in her sleep.

...(End of chapter)