Nyoi-Bo Studio

  Nyoi-Bo Studio

  How could a mere receptionist refute or disobey her superior, let alone the President? Immediately, she bowed 90 degrees and offered Ye Xue an apology. “I’m sorry, Miss Ye. I shouldn’t have stopped you from seeing the President. It was my mistake. I’m sorry.”


  “It’s alright, I understand.” Ye Xue had heard the conversation between the two. She knew the receptionist had only been following Lin Wan’s instructions, so she did not wish to pursue the matter any further.

  The receptionist bowed once again, thanking her. “Thank you, Miss Ye.”


  Jiang Yu looked at Ye Xue. She truly was a soft-hearted person. Despite being bullied and wronged, she still had the capacity to forgive.

  “Xinyue has no need for an employee who doesn’t even know the scope of her work. Collect your salary from the finance department. There’s no need for you to report to work tomorrow.”


  Jiang Yu led Ye Xue by the hand towards the special elevator. He pressed the elevator button, entering as soon as the doors slid open.

  All the while, Jiang Yu did not let go of Ye Xue. She was forced to follow him.

  Ding!

  The elevator doors closed behind them. The two were the only ones in the enclosed space, and it became a little awkward.

  She clasped her shoulder strap tightly and looked up at Jiang Yu. “What are you trying to do?”


  “want them to apologise to you.” Jiang Yu stared at her with an unwavering gaze and said, “I always protect those who are dear to me. Who gave them the courage to bully you?”


  Ye Xue had heard similar words earlier. Though they carried the same meaning, the intent behind each was different. It caused her heart to flutter and her face to flush.

  Jiang Yu had never said such words before.

  ‘When they were still dating, they met a couple who quarrelled fiercely. That was during their college days.

  ‘The young man even hit his girlfriend! All of it took place in front of the young man’s female friend, who sneered and ridiculed her counterpart.

  Soon after, the young couple broke up, and the man hooked up with his female friend instead.

  At that time, Jiang Yu had the following words: “I won’t let my woman suffer, and I won’t let others bully her.”


  ‘When she heard those words, Ye Xue was especially touched. It was as if a young man had fought his way through a host of hooligans to save her.

  Jiang Yu pulled out his phone and dialled his personal assistant’s number. “Get the people on the list I’ve sent you to see me in my office.”


  Afterwards, he hung up.

  ‘When they arrived at his office, Ye Xue realised what Jiang Yu was planning to do.

  The epiphany arrived as she sat on the sofa, watching Jiang Yu prepare a cup of tea for her.

  It was not long before a knock sounded at the door.

  The door opened, and Special Assistant He entered with those he was tasked to escort to the President’s office.

  Special Assistant He greeted Jiang Yu. “President, I’ve brought the people on the list.”


  Jiang Yu placed the cup of Pu’er tea in front of Ye Xue. “This is Pu’er. Try It.”


  After which, he sat down next to Ye Xue.

  Special Assistant He studied the scene with a critical eye and could not help but wonder if the President he knew, and the man before him, was the one he had come to know.

  Those who followed Special Assistant He wore expressions of shock and disbelief.

  Had the President not asked Ye Xue for her resignation?

  Then why was the President personally brewing tea for Ye Xue? It did not make sense!

  What kind of relationship did Ye Xue share with the President? Why would the President treat her so well? These were questions buzzing at the forefront of their minds.

  Jiang Yu eyed the group coldly. “All of you have been spreading rumours and slander behind Ye Xue’s, bullying and taking advantage of her. I expect every one of you to apologise and compensate her for the mental trauma you’ve inflicted.”


  No sooner had Jiang Yu finished speaking than an incredulous outcry erupted from the gathered crowd.

  “president, didn’t you ask Ye Xue for her resignation? Why are you still…”


  Jiang Yu interrupted the woman before she could continue, “Do you lot not understand what it is I’m saying? I know you all are the perpetrators spreading lies and misinformation about Ye Xue! Don’t take me for a fool.”


  The pack of hyenas were so scared they did not even dare to breathe loudly.

  Jiang Yu suddenly shot to his feet, gritting out word after word through clenched teeth, “Ye Xue and I were classmates in high school and then again in university. I’m courting her. I know her better than all of you combined the kind of person she is. Malicious slander is a crime punishable by the law.

  Moreover, you lot ought to be held responsible for the shadow cast over her heart. That, too, is a form of mental trauma.”


  He took a breath and continued, “If any of you have objections, you may speak with my lawyers. I’m sure they would be more than happy to discuss the amounts each of you should compensate Ye Xue for her suffering.”


  Jiang Yu’s words echoed in the silence. It was no longer as simple as demanding an apology.

  Ye Xue was about to taste her tea when Jiang Yu had his outburst. His words made her feel embarrassed.

  She did not know whether she should sample the tea or hold off for the moment.

  She had not known Jiang Yu would flaunt their history so openly.

  She also did not expect an announcement proclaiming his pursuit of her once again.

  If she felt restless before, it was now as if she was sitting on pins and needles. It was an unbearable sensation.

  No one was surprised by Jiang Yu’s declaration. No. To be more accurate, they were numb to the surprise, having been battered and rammed so many times in one sitting.

  The President and Ye Xue were classmates?

  Since when did the President begin courting Ye Xue?

  Two seconds of silence elapsed. What followed in its wake was a desperate outpouring of apologies.

  Not one of those assembled failed to apologise to Ye Xue.

  “Ye Xue, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ordered you to make coffee and run errands for me. I shouldn’t have said bad things about you behind your back.”


  “I didn’t know you were the President’s classmate! Ye Xue, you’re a good person. Please forgive me.”


  “Ye Xue, I didn’t spread those horrible lies! It was Lin Wan! She told me to spread the word around. It wasn’t me! It’s not my fault. Lin Wan orchestrated everything! I just did the things she told me to do. It’s Lin Wan who is in the wrong. Ye Xue, please forgive me.”


  Ye Xue looked at the people who ordered her around, forcing her to complete menial tasks whilst staining her good name behind her back. Now, every one of them was apologising to her profusely.

  It made her recall the words Qin Shu once said. These… these were not people worthy of forgiveness.

  “Not one of you deserves forgiveness. Not one of you knows what it’s like to be bullied, to be the running joke in the office, surrounded by rumours. So no. I can’t forgive you all.”


  The people who were still begging for forgiveness were all stunned. They could not believe that Ye Xue, that girl they easily pushed around and who had a heart of gold, would refuse to overlook their actions.

  A satisfied smile lit up Jiang Yu’s expression. Ye Xue was finally learning. One should act with mercy but not to the extent that it harms oneself.

  “Special Assistant He, please direct them to my lawyers. I’m sure they’ll manage an agreement with these rumourmongers for the harm they have caused Ye Xue,” Jiang Yu instructed.

  “Yes, President.” Special Assistant He shepherded them out of the office.

  Jiang Yu and Ye Xue were left in the huge office.

  “You can continue working here, so report to work, as usual, tomorrow, okay?” Jiang Yu said.

  “Tl think about it. Thank you for all you’ve done. Please, excuse me.”


  Ye Xue’s thoughts were in a mess. She needed some time to herself, somewhere quiet, where she could clear her mind.

  She walked straight out the door. As she left, she heard Jiang Yu say, “Xiao Xue, did you hear what I said just now? I’m courting you.”


  Ye Xue stopped in her tracks. She nervously tightened her shoulder strap and strode out.

  Jiang Yu watched Ye Xue’s departing form. He slumped on the sofa and phoned Xiao Qi.

  “Xiao Qi, I think I scared her.”


  “What did you say?” Fu Tingyan was on his way back to Bright Garden. He looked out of the car’s window and caught sight of the person on the billboard, just above the traffic lights. Wasn’t that Xiao Jiu?

  “The office is a battlefield, but who would have known enemies abounded, and in my territory to boot. Did you know? Xiao Xue was being bullied, and she didn’t tell me! I made all those who bullied her apologise. I even publicised that I’m pursuing her.”


  Fu Tingyan stared at the figures plastered on the billboard for a long time.

  “Did she refuse?”