Tomorrow as Bright as Day – Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Harsh words are unpleasant to hear, so they must be spoken first—only then can the sincere ones follow.
Liang Jiancheng suddenly said, “I remember asking you before why you fell in love with my mother, and you said your whole soul was drawn to her.”
Yang Minwen’s handsome face flushed red: That was how many years ago already!
Indeed, many years ago. Like his mother, Gu Shuangyang, Liang Jiancheng’s memory was also astonishingly good. He continued with his own elaboration: “That feeling must’ve been wonderful, right?”
Yang Minwen: …
Up ahead, Gu Shuangyang had already parked the car—a sedan in front, and behind it the business vehicle. The driver stepped out as well.
A gust of night wind suddenly swept through, triggering a sharp coughing fit from Yang Minwen. Liang Jiancheng reached out and patted him twice on the back, but Yang Minwen waved him off, looking handsome yet utterly disheveled.
“How did you two end up in the same gathering?” Wearing an overcoat, Gu Shuangyang stepped out of the car and walked toward them. She cast a casual glance their way—yet even with such a calm gaze, it felt as though she could pierce through the layers of spring fog at night and see straight through every secret.
Liang Jiancheng remained composed and replied, “The Yicheng Hometown Association.”
Gu Shuangyang asked, “Are you from Yicheng too?”
“Xiaoge took me to meet people,” Liang Jiancheng said, then glanced at Yang Minwen.
Yang Minwen deliberately avoided his gaze. With a sigh and a steady tone, he said, “I have a young relative in the clothing business who really wanted to meet a foreign trade boss. I helped introduce them.”
Yang Minwen rarely intervened on behalf of his relatives, especially using Liang Jiancheng’s connections. Saying this explanation aloud made the handsome, gentle contours of his face grow faintly red, as though he felt ashamed.
Sometimes even Gu Shuangyang couldn’t understand Yang Minwen’s concerns. In a society built on relationships, mutual help was normal—as long as one kept to proper limits and principles. She let out two amused chuckles, her expression relaxed and pleased.
But when she looked at Liang Jiancheng, she tossed him a questioning remark: “I thought you were already on the plane.”
Although Gu Shuangyang’s daily affairs were endless and she was older now, her memory was frighteningly sharp. Anything or anyone she learned about remained perfectly organized in her mind.
Liang Jiancheng’s expression remained calm. He didn’t explain why he had delayed his flight, but simply smiled and said, “Isn’t it rare for Xiaoge to ask me for a favor?”
It was indeed a reasonable excuse.
Standing beside him, Yang Minwen offered an apologetic smile.
Pleased, Gu Shuangyang tightened her coat and said to Liang Jiancheng, “I have a few boxes of wine in my car. Take them and put them in yours.”
“No need. I’ve started imported wine business this year—there’ll be plenty of good wine from now on. If you two ever need anything, just let me know.”
After saying that, Liang Jiancheng raised his long, clean hand and placed it on Yang Minwen’s shoulder, leaving him with a final message: “Your relative is indeed a capable and thoughtful young man. Textile exports are also a hot business in foreign trade now, thank you for introducing me to a business partner. We’re all family. We should look out for one another.”
The phrase “We’re all family. We should look out for one another” highlighted the theme of tonight’s dinner.
Then Liang Jiancheng had Gu Shuangyang’s driver take his luggage from his car and load it into the business vehicle, sending him straight to the airport.
It was a red-eye flight—yes, he was leaving early. But Liang Jiancheng was used to business trips; a travel suitcase was always kept in his car all year round.
The two cars left the Minghuai Hotel one after the other—one heading north, the other turning east.
…
Meanwhile, Dezi and Han Junjun were near the hotel front desk checking the bill. The manager called to say the bill for Room 234 had already been settled earlier. A Mr. Liang had signed it under Xinghai Foreign Trade.
Dezi’s heart skipped a beat; he felt a mix of unease and caution.
After tonight’s dinner, he deeply realized that wealthy people spoke and acted differently from ordinary people. Not to the level of heaven and earth, but there was indeed a gap.
“Why would Brother Liang pay our bill?” Han Junjun asked.
“Because of my third brother, of course,” Dezhi said deliberately.
Han Junjun also thought that must be the reason. Feeling sincerely embarrassed, he murmured, “Brother Liang and Brother Minwen are really good people.”
Dezi nodded again and again in agreement—while thinking to himself: Yeah, right.
—
After leaving the hotel, Dezi and Han Junjun found Ming Xi and Cai Ni at the riverside viewing terrace along the Minghuai River. The two men bounded up the steps in a few strides. Cai Ni stretched her legs and mumbled, “I feel like I didn’t even get full…”
It seemed the hotel’s feast tonight really didn’t suit Miss Cai Ni’s taste.
Just as Dezi was about to make a joke, Ming Xi added, “The dishes at the hotel are pretty, but definitely not filling.”
Sorry, it’s because he and Junjun didn’t know how to order.
Hearing their comments, Han Junjun turned around and walked off immediately. With his long legs, he stepped right across the road’s median greenery and stopped at a street vendor selling late-night flatbreads.
“See? See? Brother Junjun is still the best,” Cai Ni praised him as she watched him buy food for them.
Dezi plopped down next to her and shamelessly said, “Brother Junjun is my business partner. If he buys food, it’s no different from me buying it.” Then he looked at Ming Xi, eyes full of apology. “Ming Xi, I’m really sorry… Earlier, I even thought you and Brother Liang…”
Before he could finish, Cai Ni punched Dezi’s thigh hard: “You still have the nerve to bring that up!”
One punch wasn’t enough; Cai Ni then stomped on Dezi’s shoe, scolded, “Don’t think I won’t know you just because you’re acting all proper today. You even used Ming Xi’s name to trick Mr. Liang into coming, you treacherous little man! Go away, go away—don’t rub your over-dyed hair on me. You’ve dirtied my new clothes!”
Dezi ruffled his short hair, trying to show her. “Are we even friends? My hair has always been this black, I’ve never dyed it.”
Cai Ni shoved him disdainfully, and Dezi nimbly jumped back two steps.
Seeing the two of them, Ming Xi finally smiled.
Dezi breathed a sigh of relief.
Ming Xi wasn’t one to dwell on negative emotions. She had seen Dezi’s apologetic and ingratiating attitude at the dinner tonight. She wouldn’t hold a pointless grudge, but from now on, she would be clearer about her stance: Ming Xi would stand up for friends, as long as they truly treated her as one.
Ming Xi met Dezi’s gaze and made a gesture towards him.
Dezi instantly understood the meaning of the gesture: three strikes and there wouldn’t be a next time.
Not far away, Han Junjun returned with four large flatbreads. Suddenly inspired, Dezi joked to Cai Ni, “Why don’t the four of us form a group?” ”
Cai Ni asked in confusion, “What group?”
“Haigang Money-Making Group.”
“I’m in!” Han Junjun responded the fastest, taking a few steps up the stairs to Ming Xi and handing her the warmest flatbread. Then, with undisguised affection in his eyes, he looked at Ming Xi and asked, “Xi’er, what name should we use for our group?”
The word “Xi’er” nearly made Ming Xi tipsy—it felt like the alcohol was kicking in again.
Dezi and Cai Ni were just joking around, but Han Junjun really took it seriously.
Cai Ni grew anxious on his behalf and quickly distanced herself. “Han Junjun, don’t try to take advantage!”
Han Junjun’s face flushed bright red as he hurried to explain, “I meant a money-making group—not a boy-girl duo.”
“You can think about it only after you guys actually make money. Then Ming Xi and I will consider joining.”
“Fine, then Junjun and I won’t include you two. You two make a group yourselves.” Dezi raised an eyebrow, glanced at Ming Xi, then at Cai Ni, and cleverly suggested, “If it’s the two of you, I’ll give you a name—‘Colorful Tomorrow’ (cǎisè míngtiān)!”
“Colorful Tomorrow? What am I, a rainbow butterfly?” Cai Ni shot back.
Since Dezi had already come up with a name, Han Junjun wasn’t going to be outdone, suggesting a simple and easy-to-remember one: “How about ‘Tomorrow Will Be Better’?”
Cai Ni rolled her eyes, then started humming dramatically, “…”
Dezi played along, opening his arms and continuing the lyrics for Cai Ni: “The spring breeze doesn’t understand affection, stirring the heart of youth…!” Then he clenched his fists, stomped twice, and held the flatbread between his teeth as he struck a pose.
“Idiot!” Cai Ni grumbled, but she was clearly amused by his shameless bravado.
Ming Xi couldn’t help but smile too.
Han Junjun smiled faintly. He was more image-conscious than Dezi, and could never be as cheeky as Dezi in front of a girl he liked. But seeing Ming Xi happy made him happy too.
In truth, Ming Xi had already been in good spirits ever since leaving the hotel. Facing the evening breeze, she stood, took a bite of her flatbread, chewed carefully, swallowed, then looked at her friends and followed the flow of their joke. “Why don’t we call it the ‘Common Prosperity Group’?”
“Okay!” Han Junjun immediately agreed without hesitation.
This time, Cai Ni didn’t side with Ming Xi: “Isn’t that too straightforward?”
“Straightforward is good!” Dezi put a hand on Cai Ni’s shoulder and said, “Brother Junjun and I will carve out a path to fortune first, then leading the way for the rich to help the less rich!”
He said it so beautifully that Cai Ni nodded enthusiastically… Anyway, it didn’t matter who got rich first—as long as they took her with them.
—
On Saturday, Ming Xi took half a day off to take the National Foreign Trade Sales Representative Qualification Exam. Time was tight—she rushed to the exam room and rushed out again. Because she was cutting it close, she was still wearing the Longmao sales associate uniform.
She quickly answered the questions, submitted her paper, and immediately took a taxi back to Longmao for work.
For three consecutive months, Ming Xi had held the top sales position, her monthly commission far exceeding that of other salespeople. Even though she behaved modestly, she still became the target of gossip.
During this time, vulgar rumors about her were rampant.
Some said she had ambiguous relationships with several male foreign trade employees at the Zhongjin Tower, and that those men were vying to come to Longmao to help her boost her sales. Others said she was having affairs with multiple men, even spreading such offensive rumors: “Normally, a woman can’t juggle two men at once, but a capable female salesperson can have affairs with multiple men without any problem. Since she’s already ‘wet,’ what’s there to fear about capsizing?”
The phrase “wet” carried a filthy double meaning—implying “loss of innocence.”
When Ming Xi returned to the office after her exam that afternoon, she happened to overhear Ding Xiao furiously scolding several saleswomen she was familiar with: “You narrow-minded, jealous cowards—no ability of your own, can’t compete with Ming Xi in actual sales, and all you can do is gossip behind her back! I can’t control the other sales sections, but if I hear any more of this garbage in the import division, I, Ding Xiao, will tear your mouths apart!”
It was good to have someone defend her—but Ding Xiao’s fiery righteousness might only put an even bigger target on her back.
Things soon escalated—
The latest Longmao personnel promotion list came out: Ming Xi was nominated as team leader of the entire import section. The former leader was being transferred to Beijing Longmao as a sales manager.
Then, Ming Xi was reported—someone accused her of taking leave during work hours to take the foreign trade exam.
Ordinary salespeople had flexible hours, but team leaders were considered management. Being newly promoted and already showing “divided priorities” looked very bad.
Ming Xi was called in for a talk by Manager Li.
Manager Li called Ming Xi in for a meeting.
He told her he would protect her—but only if she signed a three-year employment contract with Longmao.
Manager Li had always treated his staff fairly. He didn’t care about the rumors, but as management, his priority was the company’s interests.
Ming Xi didn’t immediately respond. Li Jian got up, opened the blinds, and pushed open the window.
Instantly, a flood of sunlight rushed in, accompanied by the warm and sweet fragrance of locust blossoms, filling the room.
“Ming Xi, you’re a smart person, you definitely understand what I mean. If I’m going to invest in you in the future, I can’t let my efforts become a wedding dress for someone else.” Li Jian turned back to her.
In the bright third-floor office, the leaves outside were lush and green. Unnoticed, May had quietly arrived, and the locust trees were topped with clusters of snow-white blossoms.
Ming Xi’s face remained calm. Her gaze drifted past Li Jian to the sudden burst of white outside the window. The nausea brought on by the recent rumors vanished at once—replaced by a warm, indescribable feeling.
Her job was indeed excellent; as the top salesperson in Longmao’s import section, her monthly income almost rivaled that of a foreign trade employee at Zhongjin Tower. But in her daily rush at the sales counters, she hadn’t even noticed that the locust trees on the street had already bloomed.
Anyone who strives hard will have regrets—only time moves too quickly for one to linger in them.
“Manager Li, I’d like to resign.” Ming Xi stated her decision. It was sudden, yet utterly firm.
Li Jian was both shrewd and warm—a genuinely good leader. If she wanted a stable, ordinary life, following someone like him for the long term would be an excellent and safe choice.
But Li Jian’s biggest limitation was that he also relied on Longmao’s platform, limiting his personal development potential.
Li Jian didn’t try to retain her, knowing he couldn’t keep someone whose mind was made up. If she was going to leave eventually, better to let her go openly and cleanly. Since she had been brought in through connections, he would repay that favor properly—
He granted her every benefit owed for resignation.
The mountains are high and the rivers are long. Who knows when they might need each other’s help again.
“All right. When you moved from the office to sales, I already expected that one day you’d come to me with a resignation. Ming Xi, I won’t stop you. And I wish you well.”
Full of gratitude, Ming Xi sincerely returned the blessing: “I also wish Manager Li success step by step, and may everything go your way.”
…
Since she had already decided to leave, Ming Xi didn’t drag things out. She quickly completed all her resignation procedures.
Even faster than her resignation… was her new employment.
Everyone at Longmao was curious—which company had she chosen in the end?
After circling around, she still ended up at Haiou Foreign Trade. But unlike last time, she didn’t have to start from an assistant position—this time, she went straight into handling business operations.
Seeing how quickly she found a new job, her colleagues at Longmao’s import section guessed she might have planned her departure in advance.
Ming Xi no longer cared about their gossip.
Recalling her first interview with Haiou, she could only passively accept whatever terms they offered. This time, after He Yuan’s repeated invitations, she had negotiated the terms properly before joining.
She and He Yuan from Haiou met at the coffee shop downstairs in Longmao.
From the briefcase on the sofa, He Yuan took out a very sincere-looking employment contract and handed it to her.
Haiou offered two types of labor contracts: Category A and Category B.
The one he handed over now was the best—Category A.
If Ming Xi had stayed with Haiou last year, she could only have signed a Category B contract at most. To be promoted from Category B to Category A, an employee needs at least three years of service and achieve consistently good performance.
Today, He Yuan willingly offered a Category A employment contract because he believed she had tremendous potential for growth.
Of course, besides ability, compatibility was also crucial for cultivating capable and approachable employees—
And Ming Xi happened to be a good fit for him.
The contract was a standardized template, which Ming Xi carefully reviewed. Overall, there were no major issues. Only one clause was phrased vaguely: daily conduct must comply with company regulations.
“Mr. He, what are Haiou’s specific regulations?” Ming Xi asked cautiously.
He Yuan smiled lightly and explained, “They’re all normal rules—things in line with public decency, such as maintaining a good personal image. One point needs special attention, Ming Xi. I know you’re acquainted with Mr. Liang from Xinghai, and I hope you’ll maintain an appropriate distance from him.”
“Could you be more specific about what ‘appropriate distance’ means?” Ming Xi raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression clear.
“Well…” He Yuan pondered for a moment, hesitating, then smiled. “Just don’t let anything harm Haiou’s interests. If you two have personal contact, try not to discuss work-related matters. And… ideally, your private interactions shouldn’t be too frequent.”
Ming Xi thought for a moment and told He Yuan, “Mr. He, I know Mr. Liang from Xinghai because I’m his father’s student. We don’t interact much in private. Once I sign with Haiou, I’ll be part of Haiou—I understand the boundaries.”
“That’s naturally the best case.” He Yuan broke into a broad smile, very satisfied. “The contract is renewed every three years. As long as you don’t resign on your own, Haiou will never unilaterally terminate it.” It was a firm promise.
“Thank you, Mr. He.”
Since she understood the contract clearly, Ming Xi signed it without hesitation and handed one copy back to He Yuan.
Now that the deal was settled, He Yuan stood up to pay the bill.
The temperature had suddenly risen two degrees today, and He Yuan was only wearing a white shirt tucked into his suit trousers, the metal logo on his belt particularly eye-catching. Fortunately, He Yuan had a good physique, so the outfit didn’t look too bad.
Ming Xi had already paid for the two cups of coffee.
“After joining the company, I’ll be relying on Mr. He’s guidance. Since I haven’t started yet, let me treat you this once,” she said.
He Yuan didn’t refuse and readily accepted. He had seen too many overly cautious newcomers—youthful and full of potential, yet shackled by timidity. Then, when they grew older and more seasoned, they’d lose that youthful spark. After meeting countless people, he found girls like Ming Xi extremely rare.
“Lamia, I believe you won’t disappoint me.”
“Thank you for your high regard, Mr. He. I’ll do my best.”
—
Meanwhile, Liang Jiancheng had flown to the United States to quickly resolve business issues and rush back. After just one week away, he returned to the company—only to unexpectedly learn that Ming Xi had become an employee of Haiou, the company right downstairs.
He was upstairs, she was downstairs. Xinghai and Haiou weren’t exactly fierce rivals, but they weren’t entirely without competition either.
Rumors were already circulating downstairs: there was a new, beautiful sales representative at Haiou, surnamed Ming, with the English name Lamia. She was known for her bright and beautiful smile. When Liang Jiancheng returned to the company, not only was the floor below buzzing about her, even his own company had caught wind of it.
They said Lamia’s looks were on par with Maggie, and she was the kind of person who appealed to all ages and genders, making her very likable. Several male employees at Xinghai were even jokingly hinting at pursuing her, wondering if their boss would be angry if they pursued a female employee from a rival company.
Then, in front of all of them, Liang Jiancheng walked into his office and told Mark to close the door behind him.
The male employees silently returned to their desks… it felt like the boss might indeed be angry.
The new staff at Xinghai had never encountered Miss Ming in the elevator yet. After hearing about her at the year-end banquet, they were even more curious.
…They just didn’t know when they’d run into her.
Ming Xi had been at Haiou for almost a week.
During rush-hour, the elevators at Zhongjin Tower were always jam-packed. Those who arrived right at the clock-in time usually crossed paths every day.
Ming Xi had a sharp memory—she could practically recall every employee who rushed to work in the building. Likewise, they remembered her.
Liang Jiancheng didn’t need to rush in by clock time, so Ming Xi hadn’t yet run into him in the elevator.
But eventually, they would meet.
Encounters between people were sometimes commonplace, sometimes unexpected. Recently, Ming Xi had felt she and Liang Jiancheng were very fated to meet—they’d crossed paths so often she’d nearly grown used to it. But ever since joining the company below his, she hadn’t bumped into him once.
Oh. Right—he’d gone to the U.S.
But he should be back by now.
That afternoon, when the elevators were the least crowded, Ming Xi returned from studying the prototype at the factory.
Now that she was a sales representative, she needed a clear and thorough understanding of Haiou’s main products, not just the descriptions and information in the product brochures. So, for the past few days, Ming Xi had been going to the factory every day to observe the sample assembly and study the motor types.
Under her mentor’s guidance, she even assembled a brand-new prototype herself.
Ming Xi loved learning and enjoyed the confidence and joy that learning brought her. Coming back from the factory to the office tower, she felt refreshed—her whole demeanor relaxed and glowing.
She had transitioned from a salesperson to a foreign trade sales representative, and lately, many people, from Haiou to Xinghai, had been gossiping about her behind her back.
She didn’t fear gossip—but she feared she wouldn’t be able to withstand it. So she had to study harder and improve herself from every angle.
Ahead, the elevator doors were closing. Ming Xi’s eyes followed the narrowing gap. She made a sudden dash forward and pressed the upward button.
Just in time, the elevator doors, which were about to close, slowly opened again.
Inside stood only one person: Liang Jiancheng.
At the same time, the man inside had lifted his hand slightly, his finger resting on the “open door” button, preventing the elevator from rising.
Ming Xi hesitated for a brief moment.
“Come in,”
Liang Jiancheng spoke first. His fine, distinct eyelashes fluttering slightly. His dark, focused eyes fixed steadily on the person outside the elevator who hadn’t yet stepped in.
The elevator was a square space, with overhead lights shining directly down. Inside, Liang Jiancheng exuded composure and an air of elite professional, almost as if radiating light.
Today, Ming Xi wore a pale goose-yellow blouse with blue jeans. Her hair was clean, soft, and smooth against her scalp. Her oval face was slightly thin, and the elegant line of her brow bone blocked the descending light.
Oh.
She entered silently into the elevator, and Ming Xi naturally and cleverly turned around, not greeting him directly.
Only after a long moment did a greeting, spoken completely with her back turned toward him, float softly from her lips—
“…Hello, Mr. Liang.”
Liang Jiancheng: “…”