Chapter 596 - 385: Journey to Tokyo (14)
"Alright, stop shouting," the woman at the desk said, clearly exasperated after being pestered for so long. "You think you’re the only one who hasn’t been paid? We haven’t either. It’s been the same for everyone since the New Year. If you don’t believe me, ask my colleague here. She hasn’t been paid either."
"But my mortgage is about to be overdue! Where am I supposed to find the money? If I’m late on the payment, is the company going to take responsibility?"
"They won’t."
"Are you trying to kill me?! My wife is going to tear into me when I get home! I get yelled at by my superiors at the company, and I’ve done every single bit of work I’m supposed to do! So where’s my salary???"
Just moments ago, Wang had come to ask for his salary. Even though it wasn’t payday, the concept of a "payday" didn’t really exist at the company anymore. Even when the day came, no one got paid.
After pleading and pestering for half an hour, he asked if he could get an advance, which would be deducted from his salary once it was paid out.
At first, the finance department refused, saying it was against company policy. After he’d talked himself hoarse, they finally relented. But when they got out the IOU form, they claimed there was no money in the account.
Wang was so furious he could have died. He had no idea how he was going to face his wife, leaving here without a single cent. They couldn’t even pay their utility bills anymore. His wife had to borrow twenty thousand from her parents a while back, otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to make the mortgage payments for the past few months.
The thought of his wife’s disappointed face made Wang’s stomach turn. ’I could just die right here and now,’ he thought.
"Wang! I finally found you."
Suddenly, Tan Xiaoying burst in, her high heels clicking on the floor. The two women from the finance department quickly stood up.
"Director," they said in unison.
"Did you get your salary?"
"No, Director, I’m begging you, please help me. I’ve been sitting here all afternoon without even eating lunch, and I still have work to do. But if I can’t get my pay, I don’t even know how I can go home... Can’t I just take it as a loan?"
"Stop asking. It’s no use pressuring these two. I’ve seen how things are," Tan Xiaoying said, pulling Wang to his feet. "This company is rotten to the core. Come with me."
Wang was confused, but he let her pull him up, his face etched with anxiety.
She spoke as they walked.
"I’ll lend you ten thousand. I’ll transfer it to you in a bit. The company can’t even afford to pay salaries right now, let alone what it owes the manufacturers. Worrying yourself to death here won’t do any good."
"That’s wonderful, Director! I... I don’t know how to thank you!"
"Don’t thank me. We’ve worked together for over half a year, so I know what kind of person you are. I’m planning to resign."
"Huh?"
While Wang was still stunned, Tan Xiaoying pulled a set of keys from her pocket, placed them in his hand, and said with a frown:
"There are two keys here. One is for my office, the other is for the safe inside. The execution files for the new project and everything else I’m responsible for are in the office. The safe contains this quarter’s ledgers, project proposals, and other things. I’m going to resign right now. I refuse to be Jiangg Ruxue’s scapegoat."
"Director, are you really resigning?"
"Of course. For now, you hold onto these keys. When the company asks for them, hand them over. Make sure you keep them safe."
"I..."
"Say no more. I’ll drive you home."
Wang followed the director out. In the hallway, they passed many of their colleagues. He stared at Tan Xiaoying’s back, wanting to say something, but he didn’t know what. He could only remain silent.
...
「Far away in Tokyo.」
Jiangg Yao was oblivious to the situation back in Mingzhu City. She had no interest in her family’s company anyway; Jiangg Ruxue never let the two sisters get involved. In fact, since the Meiruxue Company was founded, Jiangg Yao had never once set foot in it. Jiangg Ning had been a few times, but not often.
Neither of the sisters was aware of Jiangg Ruxue’s troubles or the crisis currently unfolding.
「After lunch.」
Immersed in their sweet Tokyo trip, Yaoyao was wholeheartedly enjoying Chen Yuan’s company. A smile hadn’t left her lips since morning.
She loved sticking close to Chen Yuan, every second of every minute. It completely contradicted her original reason for coming to Tokyo. Any thoughts of leaving him to become strong and independent were now impossible. This trip had only brought them closer together.
This only went to show that if Jiangg Yao hadn’t been consciously holding herself back before, she probably would have clung to Chen Yuan until he got completely annoyed with her.
In the afternoon, since it was too sunny outside, after talking it over with Chen Yuan, Jiangg Yao decided to postpone their plan to visit the Meiji Shrine until the next morning. Instead, after lunch, they went shopping in Ginza—which was, for Chen Yuan, an excruciatingly painful task.
"Just ignore them. Did headquarters call to apply pressure too? I won’t make things difficult for you. From now on, transfer all calls to my secretary, Jiangg Ning. I’ll coordinate with her later... Postponing the appointment plan was my personal decision; it has nothing to do with you... Yes, I’ll be back as soon as possible."
Inside a well-known international skincare boutique, Chen Yuan sat on a sofa, speaking on the phone with a serious expression.
Countless shopping bags were lined up at his feet, stretching from his outstretched left foot all the way to his right. That wasn’t even the most exaggerated part—the two men in suits standing beside him also had their hands completely full.
This just went to show Jiangg Yao’s incredible shopping stamina.
In Ginza, she had only one thing on her mind: buy!
They had been here for two hours already, but Jiangg Yao’s enthusiasm hadn’t waned in the slightest. Perhaps in her eyes, the two "guides" were a huge help. ’Aren’t they just free labor?’
For a woman, the best part of shopping is having someone else carry everything.
"Young Master, this is such a great deal! I saw this brand’s set online a long time ago but never had the chance to buy it. My wish has finally been granted! And they even have a discount if you buy three! Isn’t this just tailor-made for my sister and Wan?"
Jiangg Yao walked over, her eyes shining as she cradled three large boxes of skincare sets.
"Shhh—" Chen Yuan put a finger to his lips, signaling that he was on the phone.
The two men in suits hurried over to take the boxes. Jiangg Yao didn’t want to tire them out too much, so she kept one and placed it by Chen Yuan’s feet.
"Okay, that’s all for now. I’m hanging up."
"Dealing with company stuff again?" Jiangg Yao asked.
"It’s nothing, it’s all taken care of. I’m just going to call your sister and have her handle it."
"Then come with me. You can make the call while we shop," Jiangg Yao said, starting to pull Chen Yuan up.
"We’re still not done shopping?" His eyes went wide.
"We were, but then I saw a discount section."
"I’m exhausted, Miss Jiangg. Have you rested for even a second since we got to Ginza? Aren’t you tired at all?"
"Nope! You’ve been resting for over twenty minutes, that’s long enough. Come on! We’ll leave as soon as we’re done here and head to the next store."
"There’s another store?" Chen Yuan felt like he was going to faint.
It wasn’t just that carrying so many things was tiring; just getting everything back would be a major operation. They would definitely need to buy two more suitcases to fit everything and then haul it all back to Lanjing.
Chen Yuan shivered just thinking about it.
Utterly dejected, he followed Jiangg Yao, his legs already starting to ache. If he had known it would be like this, he would have just stayed in Lanjing. He’d simply come here to suffer.
Seeing his expression, Jiangg Yao came over, took his hand, and coaxed him in a low voice.
"Young Master, do you have to look so glum? You’re a big, strong man, after all."
"And big, strong men usually hate shopping the most."
"Tsk. I’m telling you, this is the last store. And let me tell you a secret, I saw it on our way here. Do you know what they sell?"
"What?"
"Gamers. It’s a specialty store that sells all sorts of weird PC games, manga, magazines, novels, and videos. And of course, prizes, collectibles, and anime girl figurines. In a little bit, send those two attendants away. Have them take our things to the car first. Otherwise, it’ll be too embarrassing."
"You’re really going to buy adult games? I thought you were joking," Chen Yuan said, shocked.
"What’s wrong with that! Be good~ We can play them together when we get back... Just think how exciting that would be."