Jiang Nan Fang had no intention of keeping it from him.
Since he asked, she told him truthfully about Zhang Gong's invitation today.
Zhan Bei Jue was somewhat surprised.
"How come I never noticed you were so indecisive on major principles before?"
"You want me to go easy on Ke Teng to repay him. To repay their favors, you're willing to sacrifice company interests."
"Jiang Nan Fang, from my impression, you're not someone this muddled. What's wrong with you now?"
Jiang Nan Fang sighed and shook his hand, saying,
"It's not that I've changed, but that you're too out of touch with reality and don't understand the hardships of others."
"In front of someone like you, I can certainly stick to all principles, but people's situations are different."
"You've never come from the bottom, so you don't know that one rank higher can crush someone."
"Because of me, they were ostracized in the company. Now I'm taking their business away, won't they have an even harder time holding their heads up?"
"If they're picked on for this and lose their jobs, what about their mortgages? What about their car loans?"
"What if they can't afford money when their family member is sick or on a date with their girlfriend? Have you thought about these issues?"
Zhan Bei Jue admitted that what she said did have some merit, which he hadn't considered.
But this was not a fundamental solution.
"Since they are unhappy there, let them return to Ge Rui."
"Otherwise, if you keep sacrificing Ge Rui's interests to help them, it's unfair to Ge Rui's technology."
"Besides, I'm not a philanthropist. If you keep making concessions, all the business will go to Hua Tai. What about me?"
"Let them come back, no need to worry about resignation. If Ke Teng doesn't approve, they can resign automatically."
"The breach of contract will be handled by Zhan's legal department. You don't need to inform Vice President Gao, just mention it to him."
"Let them return to their original positions and be paid their previous salaries."
Jiang Nan Fang hadn't dared to think that far.
Collective resignation from Ge Rui, and now collective return…
"Aren't you afraid industry insiders will mock you for having no bottom line in staffing?"
Her tone clearly brightened.
Zhan Bei Jue took her hand and kissed it again.
"I don't take to heart what every Tom, Dick, and Harry says. Let them say whatever they want, as long as you're happy."
"Please answer me truthfully, are you happy now?"
To be honest, Jiang Nan Fang felt a mix of joy and worry.
It was indeed good for Zhang Gong and the others to return to Ge Rui.
But collective resignation of technical staff was a major event for any company.
She was afraid it would deepen the resentment with Ke Teng.
But in life, not everything can go as planned.
Since there would be trade-offs no matter what, she would prioritize one thing for now.
———
Since Lu Ming Zhe mentioned proposing to the Chen family, Lu's parents immediately hired a consultant to choose a date.
Two days later, Father Lu personally called Father Chen.
The number was found through someone else.
Although they were all influential figures, and their children had this relationship, they should have had plenty of opportunities to meet.
But in reality, they had never been in touch.
Officials and businessmen did not walk the same path.
Before becoming formal in-laws, the Lu family did not want to get too close.
Therefore, to suddenly receive his call, and about their daughter's marriage, Chen's father was overjoyed.
The Lu family was so prominent in Nan Cheng. If they truly became related, there would be no shortage of business opportunities in Nan Cheng in the future.
The parents of both families happily settled the time and place for their meeting, and then informed their respective children.
Lu Ming Zhe naturally had no objections.
He even wished for this day to come sooner.
It wasn't that he was in a hurry to marry Chen Jiao Jiao, but rather he looked forward to her yielding and admitting defeat to him.
Breaking up a couple should be a very satisfying thing.
Anyone who has been wronged should want to try it.
Chen Jiao Jiao was not as fortunate as him. Upon hearing her father call and tell her to prepare for her engagement with Lu Ming Zhe, she almost vomited blood from anger.
She never expected Lu Ming Zhe, who seemed like a gentleman, to be so cunning.
Knowing she liked someone else, wasn't he intentionally trying to upset her?
However, Chen Jiao Jiao was not afraid of him.
Let them come. It would be better to clarify things in front of both families.
In this day and age, she didn't believe in arranged marriages.
But she worried that her father wouldn't be mentally prepared and wouldn't be able to handle her refusal.
So Chen Jiao Jiao gave him a heads-up beforehand.
"They can come to play, visit, make friends, and I can accompany them, I don't care. But marriage is out of the question."
"To be clear with you in advance, Dad, I don't like Lu Ming Zhe, and I won't marry him."
Chen's father was very surprised by her immediate refusal.
"You don't like Lu Ming Zhe? Then who do you like? You brat, you didn't tell me you had someone you fancied around, did you? Don't tell me you have someone you like!"
Chen Jiao Jiao said,
"I did complain to you then, but who can predict these things?"
"Maybe the moment I finished talking to you, I met someone I liked."
"So you do have someone? Who? This is outrageous! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I was thinking of waiting until our relationship was more stable and my career was more successful before discussing marriage. I didn't expect Lu Ming Zhe to be so eager and just show up."
"I've already told him I don't like him, and the thick-skinned fellow even brought his parents along. Is he trying to force me into marriage?"
"I'm telling you, Dad, don't think that just because their family has some power and a bit of money, I'll give in."
"Our family isn't short of money. You wouldn't sell your daughter for such things, would you?"
"Sell your daughter for money?"
Chen's father gritted his teeth.
"I pampered you too much in the past, spoiled you rotten, and made you lawless!"
"Alright, alright, it's not clear over the phone. Come back immediately and explain yourself."
"They're arriving soon. If you disregard everything and embarrass me, Chen Jiao Jiao, don't think I'll let you off."
After finishing work that evening, Chen Jiao Jiao returned home on time.
Both father and daughter had displeased expressions. They sat on the sofa and got straight to the point.
"Who is that person you're fooling around with outside? Tell me clearly!"
"What do you mean fooling around? I'm serious."
"Answer my question first! Who is it!"
Chen Jiao Jiao didn't want to answer him, it felt like an interrogation.
"He won't disgrace you. His status and power are no less than Lu Ming Zhe's, and his ability is stronger than Lu Ming Zhe's. Are you satisfied with that?"
Chen's father didn't believe it.
"Are there such capable young talents in our Jin Cheng?"
"Not in Jin Cheng, but there must be in Nan Cheng."
"Nan Cheng? You're saying the person you found outside is from Nan Cheng? Then you're even more confused! No, no! Chen Jiao Jiao, listen to me, break it off with him quickly!"
Chen Jiao Jiao didn't understand why she had to break it off so quickly.
"What's wrong? Why is it not okay as soon as you hear he's from Nan Cheng? Isn't Lu Ming Zhe also from Nan Cheng?"
"It's precisely because Lu Ming Zhe is from Nan Cheng that you can't find another person from Nan Cheng."