Unexpected Second Chance at Love

All was silent inside Ah Qing's conference room. The fourteen board members and Yi Sheng and Tong Biao could not say a word, let alone breathe.

Yue Ling's words were nothing but the truth.

When An Qing was first built, every person hired in the company was an individual with great potential in the fashion industry. Whether one was poor or from a prominent family, it didn't matter as long as one was capable.

However, that was when Chen Yifeng was still the CEO.

Once Chen Limei became the new CEO, everyone's actual color came to light. An Qing was able to maintain its glorious standing, but some people became greedy.

Employees who poured their hearts into their hard work were demoted because of their background, while the ones who did nothing were promoted based on their wealthy families.

Yue Ling's eyes scan the people in the room without the need to move her head.

She could have taken care of these people when she got rid of the corrupted managers. However, she wanted to save this group for last.

They were the ones she thought would never betray her trust in them.

"It's truly a shame that you lost to greed."

Her eyes slowly blink, and she pushes her chair back to stand up. With a glance at the faces of those who lost her trust, she sighs.

"For the sake of your past efforts, you are given the option to turn in your resignation letters by the end of the day."

"My purpose here is done. Secretary Jiang will answer any remaining questions."

Her hand reaches for the door handle, but she suddenly stops. Her head turns to look at Yi Sheng and Tong Biao.

"Miss Yi Sheng."

Yi Sheng's shoulders jumped at the sound of her name. She is the Human Resource Manager and manages all the functions within An Qing.

When Yue Ling pointed out her mistake, she thought she was caught failing to maintain a good workforce.

However, considering the situation, there's a possible chance that she can still keep her position.

She swallows a hard gulp and lifts her head. She pushes back all her fear and smiles at the woman who called her name.

"Yes, CEO Han?"

Yue Ling smiles a small scoff. Her expression made others unable to read what she was thinking.

"You're also fired."

"..."

Yi Sheng was dumbfounded as Yue Ling's words entered her ears. The smile on her face became stiff, making her unable to remove it.

She could only stare at the woman who just fired her walk away, and disappear from the room.

As she remains frozen in place, Liu Shan walks over to her. Upon seeing him, she was able to return to her senses. Maybe Yue Ling misunderstood her reasons for doing what she did.

After all, if it weren't for her management, An Qing wouldn't be as luxurious as it is to this very day.

She quickly discards all thoughts and takes a step towards Liu Shan.

"Excuse me, Sir. I think there's been a misunderstanding. I am Yi Sheng from the Human Resources department. I don't think CEO Han meant to fire me. She was probably referring to the old man here."

Her words finished with her left hand pointing to Tong Biao. They were standing together, and considering her position in An Qing, Yue Ling must have mistaken them.

"Why does everyone keep saying it's all a misunderstanding?"

He murmurs the question before looking at Yi Sheng then at Tong Biao. He noticed that the moment the man entered the room, he never once lifted his head, nor did he speak.

The corners of his lip curl upward into a smile, but the smile doesn't reach his eyes.

"Miss Yi, you are correct. There does seem to be a misunderstanding here."

Yi Sheng's eyes lit up at Liu Shan's agreement with her. She doesn't know what his position is to Yue Ling, but seeing that he stood by her side during the meeting, he must be someone important.

Her smile grew more comprehensive, and she straightens her posture.

"Yes, yes. That's it. If I can explain to CEO Han why-"

"You're the one who is misunderstanding the situation."

Before Yi Sheng could finish her words, Liu Shan's voice suddenly cuts her off. His move dumbfounded the woman to the core, but he kept his smile in place.

"I know that this is quite a shock for you, but please understand that you are permanently removed from your position as the HR manager."

His smile widens until it reached his eyes.

"Now, if you'll excuse me. I have another matter to take care of."

He looks away from the woman who had turned to a statue. However, he couldn't help but sigh again at the sight of the silent man.

"Mr. Tong, if you would please follow Mr. Qi out, CEO Han would like to discuss with you in private."

His voice was polite, but it made Tong Biao, whose head remained lowered, wanted to cry.

He has been working for An Qing since its founding days when Chen Yifeng was still alive. Others would ridicule him for being old and still a cleaning manager, but he ignored them all. As long as he can put food on the table for his family, he didn't care if he had to clean toilets every day.

However, considering the purpose of this meeting, is he going to be fire too? What about his family?

"Mr. Tong? Did you hear me, Sir?"

Liu Shan asks with slight worry as he didn't get a response or reaction. He lifts one hand to wake the man but having moved only an inch; he hears Tong Biao inhale a deep breath and raises his head.

"I will go meet CEO Han."

Tong Biao's appearance no longer looked like a frail man in his fifties, but a strong man like he was still in his youth. It was as if the man who only knew how to lower his head never existed.

"I am prepared to accept any punishment given to me."

This sudden change took Liu Shan by surprise. However, it only lasted for a second.

He smiles inside at how brave the man suddenly became.

Compare to the others, Tong Biao was willing to face reality and accept his fate without question.

He turns his head to the side and makes eye contact with Qi Li.

"Bring Mr. Tong to meet CEO Han."

Qi Li doesn't utter a word but nods his head. He walks towards the door his boss had gone with Tong Biao following in pursuit.

Seeing that the older man was leaving, Wang Zhan finally returned to his consciousness. He had been in a daze because of Yue Ling's reasoning, but he cannot let Tong Biao leave.

He curses inside and abruptly stood from his seat. He rushes over to stop Tong Biao from leaving the room.

"Wait! let me have a few words with him first!"

Just as he stretched his arm out, Jiang Shengyi's figure blocks his way. He glares at her with daggers that could stab her to death.

"Move. I only wish to speak to him for a quick second."

Jiang Shengyi's expression remained unchanging despite the man's murderous glare. She doesn't know why Wang Zhan wants to speak to Tong Biao, but she will prevent it from happening.

She smiles at him in return and parts her lips.

"One."

"..."

Wang Zhan was confused by the word. However, Jiang Shengyi's following terms struck him speechless and made him beyond dumbfounded.

"You asked for a quick second. I gave you one second. Your time is up."

She looks past him to the people seated at the long table.

"If anyone here has any question to ask, please feel free to ask. However, if you do not, those who are not on the removal list may leave."

Multiple heads turn to look at one another before the people who were not removed stood up from their seats. Without giving the removed board members another glance, each person makes their way out the door.

Wang Zhan watched everything unfold like a nightmare come true. He stumbles a step back, then another before falling onto his chair.

All the colors on his face drained of life like his soul had left his body.

"H-How... How can this be? What went wrong?"

Jiang Shengyi scoffs at his questions. She walks over to the main seat Yue Ling had sat. However, she doesn't sit down but stands behind it.

"Everyone remaining in this room is aware of their crimes, and that is the reason why you are no longer a part of An Qing."

Her eyes scan the room then she looks down at the opened folders in front of each person.

"Your crimes are beyond excuse able, but CEO Han has taken into consideration of your hard work in the past. If it were not for the dedication you once had for An Qing, this meeting wouldn't have taken place."

She looks up from the folders and sees a slight look of relief on each person's face. It was like there was some hope that they would be able to keep their position.

However, her following words will hit them where they least expected it.

"CEO Han is compassionate enough to let you turn in your resignation letter by the end of the day."

Her eyes slightly dimmed before continuing her words.

"However, if you wish to make a scene, there will be consequences."

One corner of her mouth arcs up into a side smirk, giving her a sinister aura.

"One phone call and all your crimes will be revealed to the public."