"Okay." Shang Yan elegantly adjusted her suit, her beautiful legs encased in black stockings gleaming alluringly in the sunlight. "Since it's your decision, I respect it, but…" She paused, then added, "If that brat dares to act recklessly, I'll make him regret it."
Mom turned her head, meeting Shang Yan's concerned gaze, and a sudden wave of guilt washed over her. She knew this capable subordinate was not only her right-hand woman but also a confidante of many years. Yet now, she had to conceal the truth from her.
"Thank you, Shang Yan," Mom said softly, her voice trembling with a barely perceptible sob.
I hid behind the stairs, watching this scene, my heart churning with complex emotions.
Wang Xiong, that scoundrel who harassed Mom at school, the scoundrel who gradually "trained" her, was now going to be Aunt Shang Yan's assistant? Thinking of his lecherous eyes, I couldn't help but clench my fists.
My father died young, and I didn't receive much fatherly love. Aunt Shang Yan was not only Xia Ling's capable assistant, but also like anotXia Ling to me. But now, I can only hide here, watching helplessly as that despicable man is about to enter her office. I so want to rush out and persuade Xia Ling to reconsider, to stop Wang Xiong from becoming Aunt Shang Yan's assistant, but…
I looked down at my trembling legs, my inner cowardice forcing me to remain hidden in the shadows, like a pathetic bystander.
The afternoon sun shone on the two elegant women, casting an unspoken shadow over this seemingly ordinary afternoon tea time. And I could only silently pray here, hoping that Aunt Shang Yan would never suffer the same fate as Xia Ling.
---
Night fell. Wang Xiong lay on the sofa playing on his phone, while Wang Datao remained sprawled in the leather sofa, smoking silently. The living room was filled with smoke, illuminated only by a dim floor lamp, casting a gloomy glow on the father and son's expressions.
Suddenly, Wang Xiong's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and sat bolt upright.
"Hello?" His voice held a suppressed excitement.
"Wang Xiong," came Shang Yan's cold voice from the other end of the line, "Tomorrow morning at nine, come to the company for the weekly meeting. If you don't know where the meeting room is, have An Rou take you there."
Wang Xiong's heart raced, but he pretended ignorance: "What is it, Director Shang?"
"Hmph," Shang Yan's tone was full of disgust, "I need an assistant, and President Xia recommended you." She paused, her voice suddenly turning dangerous, "But I'm warning you, don't think you can pull any tricks just because you have President Xia backing you up. I hate subordinates who don't follow the rules. If you dare to misbehave, I have plenty of ways to deal with you."
"Understood, understood," Wang Xiong quickly said, "I'll definitely do my best and promise not to disappoint Director Shang."
"That's for the best," Shang Yan said coldly, then hung up the phone.
"What's up?" Wang Datao flicked his cigarette ash, a hint of curiosity flashing across his swollen face.
"Dad, I'm going to be Shang Yan's assistant!" Wang Xiong exclaimed excitedly. "She's the director of Lingya's marketing center, Xia Ling's top lieutenant!"
Wang Datao frowned. "Didn't I tell you to get close to Xia Ling? How did you end up working for her? Who is this Shang Yan?"
Wang Xiong quickly pulled out his phone, showing his father photos of Shang Yan on her WeChat Moments. "Look at this, she's a stunning beauty in stockings, 35 years old, divorced. Her personality is a bit difficult though; she always gave me a hard time when she made me move boxes in the warehouse. But that figure, that aura..."
Wang Datao took the phone, squinting as he examined it closely.
Suddenly, his expression turned strange. "This woman... I feel like I've seen her somewhere before."
"Really? Where have you seen her?" Wang Xiong perked up.
Wang Datao rubbed his temples, his eyes deepening through the swirling smoke. "I can't remember the specifics, I've been getting myself into a mess lately with that bastard Zhang Guoqiang..." He suddenly stopped, looking thoughtfully at the photo. "But this is a pleasant surprise."
"What do you mean?" Wang Xiong asked, puzzled.
Wang Datao stood up, his large frame pacing back and forth in the dimly lit living room. "I recently found some more information about Xia Ling. In the early days of her business, she only had two people with her. One was her deceased husband, and the other..." He looked meaningfully at the photo on his phone, "...this Shang Yan."
"So?"
"You're really stupid!" Wang Datao said irritably. "Shang Yan rose from an ordinary employee to the director of the marketing center, do you really think it was just because of ability?" He sneered. "Lingya's success isn't just due to Xia Ling, Shang Yan..." "It played a significant role in that as well."
Wang Xiong seemed thoughtful: "You mean..."
"I told you to use that evidence to threaten Xia Ling and get close to her," Wang Datao's voice was low, "Now it seems that Shang Yan might be a new breakthrough." He paused, "Think about it, how could one woman work under another woman for so many years, growing Lingya Group from a small workshop to its current size? How many ups and downs have they gone through? The secrets between them might be more numerous than we imagine."
"Then what should I do?"
Wang Da... Tao sat down again, a cunning glint in his eyes: "We need to control both sides. Continue to pressure Xia Ling, but be careful not to overdo it. As for Shang Yan..." He gave a meaningful smile, "Since she's your boss now, behave well and make her think you're an obedient subordinate. Once she lowers her guard, she might find out some interesting things."
"But she seems to hate me..."
"Idiot!" Wang Tao cursed again, "The more someone shows they hate you, the more ulterior motives they often have. Remember this: in front of her, act like a pitiful fool she can manipulate." "Women, they just love to flaunt their superiority over the weak."
"I've already spoken to Da Gang. I'll have him cooperate with Xia Ling's people to provide evidence against Susan. Consider it a favor you're doing Xia Ling a favor." He stubbed out his cigarette and pulled out a new one. "Anyway, this is a pleasant surprise. You're lucky, kid, you've got your hands on two key figures at Lingya right away." He took a deep drag of his cigarette. "Seize this opportunity; maybe it won't be long before Xia Ling's company is ours."
The night outside grew deeper, and through the swirling smoke, the father and son's eyes gleamed with an eerie light.
That night, the conspiracy that could shake the Lingya Group became increasingly clear.