"No password, just use this card. Everyone go get a physical. If you're sick, get treated. If you're healthy, go to a hotel, rest for a few days, and return to work when the weather improves."
"The only reason I'm here today is by chance. You won't have this kind of luck in the future, so you must take care of yourselves during your time off. Workplace injuries damage the company's reputation, and I don't want to see anyone get hurt."
The crowd: "…Oh."
She hadn't expected Zhan Beijue to be out for so long, nor had she imagined he would return in such a disheveled state.
When the door opened and he appeared, drenched, with mud and water covering his legs and feet, his face etched with fatigue, A Zhong was stunned.
"Mr. Zhan, you…"
Zhan Beijue's expression was grim, and he raised a hand to interrupt him, "Tomorrow morning, find a place to wash the car and disinfect it. We're returning to Ganshi."
"Returning? What about the desert…"
"We're not going anymore. We'll discuss it later."
"...Alright. Have you eaten? Do you want…"
"No. Close the door. Leave."
After she recovered, the project continued to move forward.
With the previous experience, the power supply to the subsequent dozen townships in Wangquan County proceeded smoothly. Within half a month, Jiang Nanfang had finalized the specific work arrangements.
She then withdrew from frontline work and began cooperating with Vice President Gao, who had invited television and media personnel to film corporate promotional videos, promote corporate culture, and build momentum for new product launches.
Another week passed. The promotional video was featured in a special report on television, and the company's official Weibo account posted a special promotional video and images of the Northwest project. The preliminary work was completely finished, and she returned to Nancheng.
Although it was a few days later than initially estimated, the entire process took just over a month. Returning to Nancheng, she felt a sense of familiar comfort, perhaps due to the presence of her child.
Because of her success in promoting the new product, Vice President Gao wanted to secure Jiang Nanfang's commitment to work for the electrical company in Nancheng permanently. He arranged a new residence for her.
Upon arriving at the airport, Jiang Nanfang was directly taken to the new apartment.
Vice President Gao even called personally: "You've worked hard for over a month in the Northwest. Tonight, Qianjiang Fish is hosting a banquet, and I'm treating everyone to welcome you back. You must attend; refusing would be a slap in my face, Old Gao." m..oΓg
Having not seen her child for a long time, and with prior arrangements, she could take her child away from Nancheng after sorting out the new product promotion.
Jiang Nanfang was eager and had intended to go to Zhan Beijue today to ask for her child.
However, since Vice President Gao had extended the invitation, and considering she had worked with her colleagues for over a month and they had been quite considerate, she felt obligated to postpone asking for her child until tomorrow out of respect.
The apartment was luxurious, fully furnished with appliances and amenities, ready for immediate occupancy.
Jiang Nanfang went inside, took a refreshing bath, changed her clothes, and rested for an hour before heading out when the driver sent to pick her up for dinner arrived downstairs.
Qianjiang Fish was a century-old, time-honored restaurant in Nancheng, renowned for its high-end cuisine and exquisite flavors, making reservations in affluent circles extremely difficult due to its no-takeout policy.
At that moment, not only was Jiang Nanfang heading to Qianjiang Fish for a meal, but Zhan Beijue, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, was also en route.
Since returning from Ganshi, his mother had arranged several blind dates for him.
Zhan Beijue was in a bad mood and rejected them all outright. It wasn't until two days ago that his mother informed him that Uncle Gong's family had returned from Northern Europe and that he was required to attend a dinner with them that evening, which finally prompted him to go out.
Uncle Gong's real name was Gong Donghai, and he was one of his father's few close friends from university until his passing.
During Zhan Beijue's primary and secondary school years, the Gong family lived in Nancheng. It wasn't until his high school years that Uncle Gong, due to his exceptional medical skills, was recruited elsewhere, and the entire family relocated.
When his father was critically ill, Uncle Gong had personally treated him for a period. He had thought they would settle abroad permanently, but he hadn't expected them to return at this time.
Qianjiang Fish was designed in the style of traditional Chinese gardens. After parking the car in the lot, the driver waited while Zhan Beijue followed the signs and walked alone towards the archway.
As he passed through another archway, his destination was just ahead. Unexpectedly, he encountered an acquaintance at this moment.
Jiang Nanfang was chatting with Vice President Gao and her colleagues about their amusing experiences in the Northwest, all while searching for the room they had booked. They paused, erupting into laughter, recalling the incident where she contracted malaria.
Then, unintentionally, her gaze shifted, and Engineer Li spotted Zhan Beijue behind them.
"You didn't see it at the time, President Zhan was completely soaked, with mud on his legs and feet, looking exactly like someone transplanting rice seedlings… Wait, President Zhan, why are you here too?"
The group quickly stifled their laughter and turned around to see Zhan Beijue had appeared at some point.
However, the Zhan Beijue now present was impeccably dressed, tall with long legs, his face stern, exuding an imposing aura, completely unlike the drenched and unkempt figure he had been that day.
Amidst a group of engineers in checkered shirts, there stood a professional woman in a white shirt and a black A-line skirt. It was hard for Zhan Beijue not to notice Jiang Nanfang.
She had recovered from her illness, and her complexion was not sallow but instead rosy and delicate. Her hair was neatly tied back in a bun.
With a touch of makeup and this outfit, she appeared refreshed, elegant, and visually appealing.
*Hmph, I didn't expect her to look so good after a month of roughing it in the desert. She must be living a pampered life, doted on by a group of men.*
Seeing her thriving brought a sharp pang of pain to his heart, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of irony.
*She claims to love her child and wants custody. But what's the reality?*
*She hasn't called the child once in the month since we last met.*
*Her first action after returning from a business trip isn't to see her child but to come out and socialize with the men.*
"No one is allowed to gossip about the leadership behind their backs. Anyone who dares mention the Wangquan County incident again will be immediately fired."
"…"
After speaking, he cast a dismissive glance at Jiang Nanfang and walked straight past the group.
The atmosphere became awkward. Watching him stride away with his dignified presence, Vice President Gao could only try to lighten the mood.
"Oh well, that's just President Zhan's temper. Let's go in and eat, eat."
After Jiang Nanfang woke up in the hospital after falling ill, she heard that Zhan Beijue had personally taken her to the hospital in the rain. She had initially thought that as her leader, he was someone who cared for his employees and planned to be somewhat polite when negotiating with him upon her return, precisely for that reason.
To her surprise, that notion was quickly disproven.
It now seemed that his rescuing her at that time was merely a matter of convenience for him.
It was about conveniently avoiding potential workplace injuries and maintaining Zhan Corporation's reputation.
He wasn't doing it for anyone else's benefit; it was entirely for himself.
To think that everyone considered him a good person.
To think that she had felt so touched.
*Tch.*
Within one archway lay a courtyard, and within that courtyard were two private dining rooms. Zhan Beijue entered the western room, the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, while the group went to the eastern room, the Wutong Courtyard.
Once the doors were closed, separated by the vast courtyard, they would not disturb each other.
As Zhan Beijue reached the entrance, a server opened the door for him.
Just as he reached the doorway, he heard melodious laughter emanating from inside: "Auntie Zhou, you're as jovial as always. You have such a positive outlook; no wonder time spares you, a beauty."
"Beibei always knows what to say, always picking words that Auntie likes to hear. Come, I enjoy hearing it, say a few more words."
Zhan Beijue walked in and saw two dignified beauties seated behind an antique dining table, leaning their heads together and giggling.