Chapter 78

 

No matter what kind of relationship she and Liang Jiancheng might become in the future, at this moment, they were already very good friends.

On Monday, Ming Xi returned to Haiou as usual and went about her work as normal.

Not only was she nonchalant, but she was also completely at ease.

Since she had decided to part on decent terms, she and He Yuan completed the resignation procedures according to standard process. She couldn’t just walk away. Even if she didn’t want to interact with certain people at Haiou anymore, she still had to properly wrap up and hand over the unfinished work on her desk.

All the clients she was currently responsible for and the follow-up orders would be transferred to Sister CC without holding anything back.

She would also adhere to professional ethics. She wouldn’t take away any clients or orders developed during her time at Haiou. Instead, she would explain things properly to her clients—that due to personal career planning, she could no longer continue serving them.

In this industry, long-term reputation was more important than short-term profits. Regardless of how others viewed her, doing things properly had always been Ming Xi’s work ethic.

Not stabbing her former company in the back was also a matter of personal integrity.

When she left Longmao back then, Li Jian had treated her with dignity—because mountains remain and rivers keep flowing; paths cross again. But this time, things between her and He Yuan had turned so ugly that there was no chance of reconciliation, much less a graceful farewell.

Even so—

She still chose to finish everything perfectly. Not for He Yuan, not for appearances, but simply because she didn’t want to let down those clients who had trusted her and entrusted their business to her.

Originally…

He Yuan was worried that Ming Xi would simply walk away, but he didn’t expect this girl from the small town of Yicheng to show him such magnanimity and composure.

A week passed. The awkwardness and anger from Saturday gradually faded. He Yuan no longer deliberately avoided Ming Xi. When they needed signatures or process approvals, their communication remained formal and orderly.

As for the incident last Saturday, even Sister CC—who usually loved gossip—knew nothing about it.

Perhaps it was better that she knew nothing.

That group of male middle managers was unusually united. As long as she and Mr. He didn’t mention it themselves, maybe no one would ever know the truth.

But who says Wu Jingjing didn’t know…

Ever since Monday, when she heard Ming Xi was resigning, she had guessed the reason. At over forty years old, she had still been naïve enough to believe Ming Xi would become the youngest female department head in Haiou Foreign Trade’s history. In the end, she was still leaving.

After so many years at Haiou, even Sister CC had begun to feel disheartened.

…

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was May.

Ming Xi had worked at Haiou for exactly one year. At last, she finished all the remaining handover work.

That morning, after completing the final tasks, Ming Xi picked up the printed handover list and walked into the CEO’s office to get He Yuan’s signature.

Over the past month, the office door had almost always been closed. Most colleagues avoided eye contact when they saw her, deliberately minimizing interaction. On ordinary days, only Sister CC would still chat with her.

Ming Xi didn’t care about this; she’s had a very relaxed time.

She no longer needed to rack her brain developing new clients. Sending emails to old clients to explain her resignation, and following up on unfinished orders, didn’t take much energy either.

So she clocked in on time, left on time, never worked overtime, and finally had plenty of time to plan her future career.

Since she couldn’t take clients developed at Haiou with her, she needed even more to activate her existing resources and open up new channels.

Haiou might not have been an ideal platform for growth—but it had indeed given her valuable work experience.

For that, she was still grateful.

If before that Saturday incident, He Yuan had only seen Ming Xi’s work ability and looks, then after everything happened—seeing her calmly, professionally, and emotionally composed while completing all handovers—forced him, as a man and as a boss, to acknowledge, even unwillingly, that Ming Xi was a rare and valuable talent.

He had once deeply suspected that Ming Xi would take clients with her. He never imagined she possessed such integrity.

After He Yuan signed the documents, was it still possible to regret it?

At this moment, He Yuan’s gaze towards Ming Xi was filled with awkwardness and regret. His feelings for Ming Xi were complicated, a mixture of resentment and reluctance. Finally, putting on the facade of a considerate boss, he spoke his true thoughts: “Ming Xi, have you really thought this through? If you leave like this, I only lose a well-trained employee. But you won’t be able to take a single client with you. You worked so hard to build up clients and performance. You’re in a stable growth phase now—leaving at this time is truly a waste.”

So even now, he was still trying to manipulate her. How hypocritical. Hypocritical to the point of deceiving himself.

Ming Xi slightly lifted her chin, raised her eyes to look at He Yuan, and the corner of her lips curved into a faint, helpless smile she didn’t bother to explain.

He Yuan spread his hands and said generously: “Even after what you did back then, didn’t I treat it as if nothing happened? That’s my attitude. Ming Xi, if you’re willing, you can stay at Haiou. The work conditions will be exactly as I promised before, according to the agreement we signed. I’ll still promote you to supervisor—none of that is a problem. As for my feelings for you, let’s completely move on.”

Ming Xi remained unmoved, only offering a polite smile, raising her head to look directly at He Yuan, and saying only one sentence: “Please remind the finance department to transfer my due salary and bonus into my account on time, thank you.”

“…”

“Goodbye, Mr. He.”

She didn’t even want to say “farewell.” “Goodbye” was enough.

Did he think she had to stay at Haiou just because she couldn’t take the clients with her? Even now, he was still trying to mislead her, still underestimating her.

The world was vast. The market was enormous. A few clients meant nothing. If she could develop new clients at Haiou, she could do the same anywhere else.

Ming Xi left He Yuan’s office without a trace of reluctance, her posture relaxed and unrestrained. The once noisy office area instantly fell silent, as if frozen in time.

She returned to her desk and began packing.

Her movements were orderly, quiet, and focused. She carefully packed away her personal belongings.

During this time, Sister CC kept casting concerned glances her way. Finally, she couldn’t help standing up and walking over to help.

“No need. I can handle it myself,” Ming Xi said gently, not wanting to put Sister CC in an awkward position.

Several male colleagues nearby raised their heads and secretly stared at her.

“What are you all looking at?” Wu Jingjing finally exploded, shouting angrily. “A bunch of useless cowards! Why don’t you worry about your own performance instead of waiting until your clients get stolen!”

Alright. Ming Xi lightly patted Sister CC’s arm. She would remember this kindness.

When most of her things were packed, nearly a full box held the results of one year’s work. Before leaving, Ming Xi tilted her head and stood by the window, looking outside.

Who would have thought that the person with the best performance since joining Haiou—not only failed to receive the promotion she deserved, but would also become the first to leave.

Since she had performed beautifully while at Haiou, she would leave beautifully too.

Ming Xi shrugged lightly, picked up the box, and was just about to leave her workstation when Haiou Foreign Trade’s doorbell suddenly rang.

Outside the glass door stood a tall, slender figure.

This person suddenly appeared at Haiou’s entrance…

Even though Ming Xi wasn’t completely surprised, she was still startled. Not just the employees at Haiou—Sister CC and the receptionist Nina were so shocked their mouths practically fell open.

The person who had just rung the doorbell wasn’t a client or a supplier, but Liang Jiancheng from the rival company upstairs.

It was common knowledge that Boss He of Haiou disliked Liang Jiancheng, their biggest competitor upstairs. As a result, Haiou’s employees had always held a complicated attitude toward Liang Jiancheng—subtle, yet mixed with a trace of admiration.

So, what was Liang Jiancheng doing here so openly?

Nina, the receptionist, was full of questions but dutifully opened the company door.

The automatic glass doors slid open slowly. Liang Jiancheng stepped inside with ease, politely nodding to Nina in thanks. Then, under everyone’s stunned gaze, he walked straight toward Ming Xi’s desk—the very person who was about to resign today.

Ming Xi, holding her box, had originally planned to leave gracefully on her own, but Liang Jiancheng’s sudden appearance made her freeze, her eyes wide.

Having worked in the same building for so long, this was Liang Jiancheng’s first visit to Haiou, and presumably the last. He glanced at Ming Xi’s empty workstation and, without hesitation, reached out to take the box from her.

Behind her, Wu Jingjing gasped.

“Miss Ming, do you have time now to come upstairs and discuss cooperation with Xinghai?” Liang Jiancheng asked.

Ming Xi licked her lower lip and replied, “Sure.”

Behind her, Sister CC raised her hand, patted her head, and then lowered it again with a sigh.

Just when everyone thought Ming Xi would leave quietly, Liang Jiancheng, the boss of Xinghai Company upstairs, actually came down to snatch her away.

…What a thrilling scene!

It was practically a seamless, direct poaching!

Sister CC felt like she was about to faint.

Well, to be fair, Liang Jiancheng wasn’t here to “snatch” anyone today. He was here to pick people up. Whether out of personal feelings or future partnership considerations, he believed he should come downstairs to welcome his “brilliant lady” in person and escort her upstairs to discuss cooperation.

Liang Jiancheng showed no restraint, his expression clear and open. He simply gave Ming Xi a subtle look—Let’s go.

If they didn’t leave soon, the boss of this rival company might be kicked out.

Ming Xi’s lips curved slightly. Liang Jiancheng walked ahead carrying her box, and she followed behind him.

Just as she was about to walk out of Haiou, the door to the CEO’s office opened, and He Yuan came out.

Ming Xi stopped and turned around. Her face was gentle yet faintly proud, her gaze light and upright. She let her eyes pass calmly over He Yuan, then across the open office area and the colleagues seated at their desks, scanning them one by one.

The emotions in her heart drifted away like wind across open land. Regardless of the circumstances, she had no regrets about the past year.

For the sake of a final dignity, before turning away, Ming Xi gave her former coworkers a slight nod of thanks.

Goodbye.

Haiou.

Ahead, Liang Jiancheng stood tall and straight, holding her box steadily in both hands. He turned his handsome profile toward her, waiting patiently and attentively for her to walk over.

Ming Xi planned to go solo, but right now she didn’t have the conditions to establish her own foreign trade company, so she could only register as a foreign trade agency service company. That meant she needed to affiliate with a licensed import-export company to complete customs clearance and tax rebate procedures.

Fortunately, Boss Ming chose Xinghai Foreign Trade as her affiliated import-export partner.

—

They went upstairs together to Xinghai Foreign Trade’s director’s office.

Liang Jiancheng handed Ming Xi the agency contract prepared by the legal department for review, then instructed Mark to make coffee.

By the time Mark pushed the door open with the coffee tray, Ming Xi had already finished reading the entire contract. Only one thought remained in her mind.

“Mr. Liang, isn’t Xinghai’s agency commission… a bit too high?” Without being polite, Ming Xi asked about the high agency price, but she phrased it rather tactfully, using a question.

In fact, she wouldn’t have been so tactful if she hadn’t been certain that Liang Jiancheng wouldn’t rip her off.

“…High?” In business mode, Liang Jiancheng looked at Ming Xi calmly and gently.

He sat across from her, hands loosely folded.

Mark handed the coffee to his boss. Liang Jiancheng took it, then deliberately bent down and personally placed it on the table in front of Ming Xi before explaining: “Indeed, this commission rate is higher than what you’d find at other foreign trade companies, but I believe Xinghai’s service is absolutely worth it.”

What service? The boss’s service?

Ming Xi felt annoyed and amused at the same time. She turned her head slightly, thinking about how to negotiate sincerity into this cooperation. Sure, she had felt a bit pleased earlier when Xinghai’s boss personally came downstairs to pick her up. But that didn’t mean she could accept such a high commission for no reason.

Normally, foreign trade companies charged agency fees between 1% and 3%, and most could be negotiated down to 1%. Xinghai went straight for 3%.

That was literally quoting the top price! What kind of “friendship price” was this?!

This was straight-up plucking feathers from a passing goose—taking advantage of the situation!

Tsk tsk tsk…

Mark, who witnessed his boss treating Miss Ming with complete business impartiality, couldn’t help tilting his head in disbelief.

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have known his boss could be this “fair and equal.”

Mark finally understood why his boss hadn’t been able to win Miss Ming’s heart…

Earlier, when the boss personally went downstairs to escort Miss Ming up, Mark had thought the pursuit was successful, but it turned out—

He was just chasing her upstairs to sign a contract.

This capitalist kind of love—competitive, calculating down to the last decimal—was truly beyond the understanding of ordinary employees.

“Miss Ming, please take a seat first. Xinghai really is outstanding in agency services,” Mark smiled, trying to smooth things over.

Outstanding service or not, she couldn’t accept this commission.

“…I’ll go ask another company instead.” Ming Xi pushed the contract back toward Liang Jiancheng, rejecting it without hesitation.

They hadn’t even had a proper in-depth discussion yet! Liang Jiancheng pushed the contract forward again, his long, clean-cut hand gently resting on it, a pleasant smile naturally appearing on his face: “Miss Ming, don’t rush, everything can be discussed.”

How so?

Since this was contract negotiation, it couldn’t be just about price. Right?

Liang Jiancheng blinked lightly, his demeanor relaxed yet earnest.

Since Xinghai’s founding, Liang Jiancheng had personally negotiated many business collaborations, but this deal was definitely the least profitable one he had handled, yet the one he was most interested in, and the one he most wanted to discuss in detail.

So he hoped the Miss Ming sitting across from him would give him a little patience and allow him to explain his strengths.

Ehm… Xinghai’s strengths.

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