Chapter 2

Chapter 2

At eight-thirty the next morning, Zhou Yan brought Xu Nianchu into the company.

He must have assumed that after a night to think it over, I would back down.

So he deliberately hadn’t messaged me. When he ran into me at the front desk, he merely gave me a cool, indifferent glance.

Xu Nianchu followed at his side like a frightened little bird.

Her eyes were still red, and there was a pale blue silk scarf around her neck. I had seen that scarf before. In Zhou Yan’s college photo album, she had worn the same style on the day of her graduation ceremony.

The employee group chat had been lively since last night.

Some said I was using my position as director to bully a newcomer. Some said Vice President Zhou had flown into a rage for love. Some said a woman like me was too career-driven, so no wonder I couldn’t keep a man.

I didn’t respond.

At exactly nine o’clock, the big screen in the conference room lit up.

The HR director, legal director, and head of finance from group headquarters all came online at the same time.

I sat in the main seat.

Zhou Yan frowned. “What meeting is this? Why didn’t I know about it?”

I opened the file in front of me. “Xinglan Technology’s asset and personnel handover meeting.”

The conference room instantly fell silent.

The group’s HR director spoke first. “Following the group’s strategic adjustments and asset restructuring decision, Xinglan Technology’s current operating entity will enter dissolution procedures as of today. All employee labor relations will be handled according to statutory standards and the group’s additional compensation plan. Departmental handover will be chaired by Ms. Lin Jianwei.”

Someone’s cup fell to the floor.

Xu Nianchu’s face went white. “Dissolution?”

Zhou Yan shot to his feet. “Impossible! The company just signed two major clients last month. Why would it be dissolved? Who approved this?”

On the screen, the legal director’s tone remained calm. “The board has approved it. The resolution documents will be synchronized shortly.”

Zhou Yan turned to me. “Lin Jianwei, did you know about this in advance?”

I said, “I’m in charge of the handover.”

As if he had finally found an outlet for his anger, he pointed at me. “You’re in charge? Who do you think you are? I’m the vice president. I didn’t sign off on this, so what gives you the right to chair it?”

I pushed the first document in front of him.

“Because your approval authority was frozen last night.”

Zhou Yan opened the file, and his expression darkened bit by bit.

Standing behind him, Xu Nianchu asked softly, “Zhou Yan, what is it?”

Zhou Yan didn’t answer.

The first page of the document stated it clearly: Xinglan Technology’s current office building lease, server room, core trademark authorization, and major receivables would all be uniformly taken over by Hengwei Asset Management Co., Ltd.

Hengwei Asset Management Co., Ltd.

Legal representative: Lin Jianwei.

After Xu Nianchu saw that line, she even forgot to cry.

Zhou Yan looked up, his voice tight. “This legal representative… it’s just someone with the same name, right?”

I looked at him. “No.”

Everyone in the conference room was looking at me.

Including the people who had called me a “she-devil” in the group chat last night.

I stood and opened the second handover list.

“Xinglan’s current cash on hand is insufficient to cover three months of operating costs. The group will no longer continue to cover the shortfall. All employees will complete position confirmation today. Those willing to accept reassignment within the group must sign a letter of intent before three this afternoon. Those unwilling will receive N+2 compensation, with this month’s salary and accrued year-end bonus settled in a single payment.”

Someone sucked in a sharp breath.

This wasn’t a layoff.

It was a way out.

But Zhou Yan only stared at me. “Lin Jianwei, when did you become Hengwei’s legal representative?”

“Before the marriage.”

“Then this building…”

“An asset my mother left me.”

I didn’t look at his increasingly ugly expression and continued, “Starting today, no one is allowed to privately transfer contracts, client information, or financial vouchers. Anyone who violates this will be reported directly to the police.”

Xu Nianchu’s fingers tightened around the strap of her canvas bag.

I saw it.

And pretended I didn’t.