Endless Fall

126 Work Crisis
“It’s all in the past.”

Pei Zhen could not stand him sighing.

They had been acquainted for so many years and knew each other well.

He poured some wine into Lin Kanglu’s glass. “Drink this glass and we’ll forget about you not keeping in touch with us for so long.”

“Cheers?”

Lin Kanglu smiled and finished his glass of wine.

He grabbed a handful of peanuts and ate it to suppress the spiciness in his throat. “Do you two want to eat something else?”

“I can’t eat anymore.”

“I think another bag of peanuts will come in handy.”

Seeing him put the peanuts on the plate, Pei Zhen exchanged glances with Chu Kui. “When do you plan to meet Hongyuan?”

“I don’t plan to.”

“Are you still angry with him?”

Lin Kanglu said nothing.

He thought of Lin Hongyuan, whom he had given a cold shoulder time and time again, and his heart did not soften at all.

“Old Lin, he’s your son after all!” Chu Kui saw through his emotions and quickly said, “No grudge between a father and a son is too big to be resolved.”

Pei Zhen chimed in, “We can understand how you feel, but who hasn’t made mistakes when they were young? You’re already so old. Do you still want to hide in this village for the rest of your life?”

“Hongyuan has been married for so long, but you haven’t even seen his wife. If word gets out, how do you expect people to think about her?”

“That’s right, you’re being unreasonable!”

If not for Lin Kanglu waving his hand to interrupt them, they would have continued.

“Alright.” He wiped the corner of his mouth. “I’ll think about it. Give me some time.”

Feeling that there was a chance, Pei Zhen and Chu Kui sensibly changed the topic to talk about his birthday instead.

The laughter they let out was accompanied by a breeze that brushed past the ears of the three people in the courtyard.

Chu Yuzhou, who was leaning against the chair, had a blade of foxtail grass in his mouth. “What are they talking about?”

“Do you want to go in and listen?”

“Forget it. I don’t want to move.”

Lin Jiao looked at his flushed face. “Do you want some hangover soup? I’ll cook it for you.”

“No need.” He folded his hands behind his head. “I just get flushed easily, but I’m actually not drunk.”

“Is your heart beating fast?”

“Not at all.”

“That’s good.” Lin Jiao was relieved.

She yawned and leaned into Pei Zhi’s arms, the pleasant afternoon sun shining on her face through the leaves. “Uncle, I’ll sleep for a while.”

“You’ll catch a cold if you sleep here.”

“But I want to bask in the sun.”

Pei Zhi went into the bedroom to find two blankets.

He first threw one to Chu Yuzhou before carrying her to lie on the other recliner. “When should I call you?”

“In forty minutes.”

“Then I’ll set an alarm.”

“Yes.” Lin Jiao leaned against his chest.

She listened to his heartbeat and closed her eyes, slowly drifting into an undisturbed slumber.

The sound of insects and birds chirping lingered in her ears. The birds resting on the branches flapped their wings, casting a shadow over the sleeping face.

The golden egg hanging in the sky gradually fell from the west as time passed, leaving only some afterglow to illuminate the mountains.

The Mercedes-Benz parked by the field drove along the mountain path towards the bustling city as night fell.

#

Monday’s bustle began with the morning meeting.

The employees sitting around the conference room listened to Pan Jun in front of the projector and pointed out a series of questions.

He looked at the employees and then at Lin Jiao. “There’s a big problem with the proposal you handed in last week.”

“In what way?”

“Your writing is too ponderous and easy to get tired of. There isn’t enough content for the clients to see.”

“I don’t think I have the problem you’re talking about.” Lin Jiao put down her fountain pen and retorted humbly.

She met Pan Jun’s gaze. “The clients we’re dealing with this time are different. All the important details must be included.”

Pan Jun caught the gazes that others threw at him, and for the first time, he felt challenged.

He said calmly, “It’s indeed necessary, but you included way beyond that is needed.”

“Have you really seen my proposal?”

“I’ve seen every single one of the proposals you guys submitted seriously. There’s no need to doubt that.”

Lin Jiao wanted to laugh.

She said calmly, “According to the procedure, the proposal I submitted will only be handed to you after Manager Wu approves it, right?”

Pan Jun understood what she meant.

He glanced at Wu Xiuwen beside him. “Your proposal this time will not be used.”

“But there’s nothing wrong with it at all.”

“It’s good for young people to be confident, but from a professional point of view, you still need to improve and learn.”

Lin Jiao frowned.

She sensed a deep meaning to his words and had a bad feeling. “What do you mean?”

“From now on, learn from your colleagues for a period of time. You don’t have to write anything for the time being.”

Pan Jun’s words made the meeting room fall silent.

The surrounding employees felt that it was unfair, but most of them had no intention of standing up for Lin Jiao.

Only Wu Xiuwen and Zheng Yi stood up.

The former said in an impartial manner, “Lin has always been outstanding at her job. I don’t think she needs to learn.”

The latter said likewise, “I’ve seen her proposal too. I really didn’t find anything wrong with it.”

Pan Jun’s expression turned even uglier.

He put down the documents in his hand impatiently and placed his hands on the table. “I asked her to learn for her own good, not to harm her!”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept your good intentions.”

“You…”

“Pan Jun!” A sharp female voice sounded.

A plump middle-aged woman pushed open the door of the conference room and glared at him angrily.

She took out a stack of photos from her bag and threw them on the conference table for all the employees to see. “Is this why you insist on divorcing me?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?!”

“The evidence is here, but you still refuse to admit it?”

Pan Jun hurriedly grabbed the photos, his eyes filled with panic. “Don’t frame me with PSed photos.”

“Isn’t she in your company? Ask her to come out and confront me! Do you dare?!”

“Get out of here!”

“That says it all.” She crossed her arms. “Let me tell you, Pan Jun, just wait and see how I ruin your life.”

Pan Jun was afraid that the matter would blow up, so he dragged her to the office next door and slammed the door.

After they left, the remaining employees picked up the photos. When they saw who the home-wrecker was, they couldn’t help but exclaim.

“It’s actually Zhao Lan?”

“Oh my gosh!”

“How did these two get together? I never saw them talk with each other.”

“They hid it well.”

“I’m afraid he’s finished this time.”

After watching the good show, Wu Xiuwen put away the photos and ended the morning meeting early.

He called out to Lin Jiao, “Lin Jiao, everyone knows how good you are at your job. Don’t take what he said to heart.”

“I know.” Lin Jiao’s anger dissipated when his wife appeared.

She guessed what would happen to Pan Jun and said with a smile, “You’re more suitable to manage the planning department than him.”