novelraw Chapter 280: A Promising Future
Chapter 280: A Promising Future
Xingyun International Group, Headquarters Tower.
Wen Ruan stood at the base of the skyscraper, looking up.
The glass curtain walls sparkled under the sunlight, like a massive mirror reflecting the city’s vibrance and prosperity.
The building’s exterior boasted a sleek and elegant design, a masterful combination of streamlined curves and geometric shapes.
The tower was as majestic as ever, seemingly unchanged since the day she had left.
Walking through the grand entrance, Wen Ruan was greeted by a spacious and well-lit interior.
High ceilings, immense artistic sculptures, and a modern minimalist aesthetic decorated the space.
On one side of the lobby, a massive electronic display continuously showcased the company’s latest updates, market trends, and corporate values.
The familiar scene immediately tugged Wen Ruan’s thoughts back eight years.
At that time, fresh out of college, she had stepped into this place full of hope, envisioning a remarkable future ahead.As time passed, returning to this very spot stirred an inexplicable pang in her heart, overwhelming her with a rush of emotions.
Tears began to well up in her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, she quickly composed herself.
After registering at the reception desk, Wen Ruan smoothly ascended to the 11th floor via a high-speed elevator.
This floor housed the core workspace for the Media Operations Division.
Her return to the company was made possible through an internal referral by Zhao Mingying, who had forwarded her resume to Ji Qiuyu, the Vice President of Media Operations.
Today’s meeting was simply an informal chat with HR to discuss her needs. If everything went well, Ji Qiuyu would personally handle negotiations about her salary and position.
Dialing HR’s number, she didn’t have to wait long before a somewhat familiar figure emerged.
It took her a moment to place them—someone she’d seen in passing over three years ago.
“Good afternoon, Wen Ruan!” HR greeted her warmly. “I’ll take you to the meeting room!”
“Thank you.” Wen Ruan adjusted the strap of her bag, following the HR representative into the workspace.
The familiar layout of the office made her a bit uneasy; after all, her departure years ago hadn’t been entirely smooth.
“Wen Ruan!?”
A voice filled with surprise rang out. “What are you…”
Turning her head, Wen Ruan found herself face-to-face with a familiar former colleague—Li Mingshuai.
Quickly, more exclamations of surprise followed.
“It’s her!”
“Who? She’s stunning!”
“Oh, that’s Wen Ruan from the Marketing and Promotions Division! Wait, you joined late, so you wouldn’t know her.”
“She was one of the company’s famous beauties back then!”
“Wow, three years gone, and she’s even more captivating now!”
Although it had been over three years since she left, Wen Ruan’s five years at the company had left a lasting impression.
Her striking looks, optimistic personality, and remarkable skills had made her well-known among her colleagues.
Gripping the strap of her bag, Wen Ruan maintained a faint, composed smile.
As she walked through the office, she could hear the whispers behind her growing louder.
Among the hushed conversations, she even caught the name “Zhang Zihang.”
This former Digital Marketing Director hadn’t faded into obscurity after that incident.
With a father who was a member of the company’s board of directors and previous experience at a Fortune 500 company abroad, Zhang Zihang had since climbed to the role of General Manager for the International Cooperation Division.
He now manages collaborations with overseas art and media organizations, promoting international cultural projects.
With his composed demeanor, handsome appearance, and solid background, the 35-year-old was widely regarded as one of the company’s potential successors and highly admired by employees.
These details had all come from Sun Simin, her best friend.
Back then, Simin had tried to persuade her to stay, arguing that with Zhang Zihang’s connections and character, he would eventually make amends.
But at the time, Wen Ruan had been on the verge of collapse and only wanted to escape the city immediately.
“Bang!” The meeting room door closed behind her.
Wen Ruan took her resume out of her bag and placed it on the table.
The HR representative glanced at it, smiled, and shook her head. “No need for that. Just tell me your requirements directly. President Ji specifically called me earlier and said she’s set on you—you’re irreplaceable!”
Hearing this, Wen Ruan’s eyes fluttered with disbelief. “What do you mean? No interview required?”
Though confident in her abilities, she had never imagined being hired without an interview.
Xingyun International Group’s recruitment process was famously rigorous and formal.
Even internal referrals had to go through three full interview rounds. For management positions at branch offices, even President Li Mohai’s review was often required.
“That’s exactly what I mean,” the HR representative confirmed, opening a blue folder in her hands. She continued, “President Ji is still in a meeting upstairs. There’s a major decision regarding the Yan City branch, and both the company president and board members are present, so she genuinely couldn’t make it down here.
Her idea is to keep your employment records under the Beijing office, and your salary and benefits will also follow Beijing standards.
Of course, your workplace will still be in Yan City. This arrangement will include an additional monthly travel allowance and an expense account…”
The HR representative flipped through the documents, softly reiterating President Ji Qiuyu’s plans.
The more Wen Ruan listened, the more alarmed she became.
She couldn’t have imagined being so highly valued by the group’s vice president.
Once the HR representative finished explaining, Wen Ruan asked a few questions about her responsibilities and the branch office’s business scope.
The HR representative gave brief responses, adding at the end, “The specific position hasn’t been finalized yet. Once the Yan City branch matters are sorted, President Ji will meet with you personally. Everything will be tailored to your preferences.”
Hearing this, Wen Ruan’s heart skipped a beat as she realized something was off.
If this were purely based on her past performance and abilities, Ji Qiuyu wouldn’t go to such lengths—this was over the top. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novel{f}ire.net
That left only one plausible explanation: someone had intervened on her behalf.
Zhao Mingying was just a mid-level manager with limited influence, likely only capable of facilitating a referral. She wouldn’t have the clout to secure such preferential treatment.
The most likely candidate was… Zhang Zihang.
With a board member father, even Ji Qiuyu would likely owe him some courtesy.
Of everyone she knew, he seemed the only one capable of pulling this off.
Recalling the things Zhang Zihang had said before, Wen Ruan stood up, her expression tightening. “Let me think it over. I’ll speak with President Ji directly later.”
She didn’t want to owe Zhang Zihang a favor, especially not one this substantial.
It was imperative to negotiate face-to-face with Ji Qiuyu. Even if she had to start as a team lead in the planning department, she’d feel more at ease than taking advantage of a favor she hadn’t earned.
“Well…” The HR representative hesitated. “Why don’t you wait a bit longer? I’m not sure when President Ji’s meeting will end.”
Wen Ruan glanced at her watch. “Alright, I’ll wait until 5 PM. If it’s not convenient, I’ll come back next week. I don’t want to disrupt her rest.”
Tomorrow was Sun Simin’s wedding.
Tonight, classmates from out of town would be arriving, and Sun Simin had booked rooms for everyone at the Orange Hotel near Yizhuang Bridge.
Some of her former dormmates were also planning to gather for dinner.
“Okay, then. I’ll head up to the 15th floor in the meantime.” The HR representative quickly got up and walked out briskly.
As the meeting room door closed again, Wen Ruan let out a long sigh.
Her mind swirled with thoughts, her gaze complex.
After a while, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Wen Ruan called out, quickly masking her emotions and standing up.
Just as Wen Ruan assumed it might be HR or Ji Qiuyu coming in, the person who entered turned out to be an “old friend.”
“Hello, Sister Ruan Ruan! Long time no see!” Li Jiaxuan greeted her with a sweet smile and a voice as gentle as ever.
The familiar voice and address made Wen Ruan’s gaze flicker slightly. “It’s been a while, Jiaxuan.”
Li Jiaxuan had joined the company a year after Wen Ruan and became acquainted with her after Wen Ruan transferred to the Digital Marketing Division.
Initially, Wen Ruan had seen her as a delicate and demure girl.
She was from the south—soft-spoken, slender, with a fresh and elegant appearance that exuded simplicity and kindness.
At work, she always spoke in a low, gentle tone and carried herself with an introverted and dependent demeanor, which perhaps explained her popularity among male colleagues.
Her rapport with Zhang Zihang, the then-director of Digital Marketing, was particularly good.
The two worked on the social media operations team, each overseeing different media fields.
Wen Ruan had always thought highly of her, and they’d been good friends—until “that incident” occurred.
Wen Ruan, who should have been promoted to “Social Media Operations Manager,” was replaced by Li Jiaxuan.
After Wen Ruan left the company, Li Jiaxuan reportedly grew closer to Zhang Zihang and even mended fences with several colleagues who had clashed with Wen Ruan.
She had since thrived in the department.
Wen Ruan wasn’t naive; the signs were clear enough.
This “delicate flower” likely played a significant role in what had happened.
But with no concrete evidence, Wen Ruan had no choice but to cut ties with her deliberately.
For her part, Li Jiaxuan had also been tactful enough never to reach out.
“I had dinner with Director Zihang a couple of days ago and heard from him that you were coming back,” Li Jiaxuan said with a harmless smile. “Honestly, I’m really happy for you, Sister Ruan Ruan. Welcome back to the Xingyun International family.”
With that, she opened her arms and gently embraced Wen Ruan.
“Thank you, Jiaxuan.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the atmosphere seemed to rewind to their earlier camaraderie.
Playfully sticking out her tongue, Li Jiaxuan smiled brightly. “Sister Ruan Ruan, it’s Friday today. Zihang and I are planning to have seafood tonight. Want to join us?”
At the underlying suggestion in her tone, Wen Ruan calmly replied, “No, I wouldn’t want to intrude. Besides, I’m not familiar with Director Zhang anymore.”
“Oh, alright then,” Li Jiaxuan said, feigning regret before continuing, “By the way, Sister Ruan Ruan, Director Zihang mentioned wanting you to return to headquarters.
But given your… less-than-pleasant history, I think staying in the Yan City branch is better. It’ll save you from any unnecessary rumors. Don’t you agree?
Besides, he just got promoted to General Manager of the International Cooperation Division, and everyone’s watching him closely.”
The thinly veiled implications in her words sharpened Wen Ruan’s gaze.
Taking a step closer, she loomed over the “delicate flower” with a calm yet icy tone: “Jiaxuan, you don’t need to use these things to scare me. Whatever happens to Zhang Zihang has nothing to do with me. My decisions are my own, so spare yourself the effort and focus on your own business.”
“Ah!” Li Jiaxuan exclaimed, her expression morphing into one of wounded innocence. “Sister Ruan Ruan, did you misunderstand me? We’re such good friends—I’m only thinking of your well-being. I don’t want to see you suffer.”
“That was in the past.” Wen Ruan patted her on the shoulder, her tone cutting. “Jiaxuan, it’s better to be genuine as a person. Watching you put on this act all the time makes me want to curse at you. Did you know that?”
Li Jiaxuan’s eyes flickered, her flat chest heaving slightly. “Wen Ruan, I thought of you as a friend. I can’t believe you’d treat me like this. Aren’t you just using Director Zihang’s influence to get back in?”
Before she could finish, Wen Ruan cut her off with a frosty expression. “You brain-dead drama queen! Just looking at you irritates me. Rest assured, I’m not interested in Zhang Zihang, and I’m certainly not here to compete with you.”
With that, Wen Ruan picked up her bag, pushed past Li Jiaxuan blocking the doorway, and strode out.
Li Jiaxuan muttered a few curses under her breath before a triumphant smile crept onto her face.
“Not interested in Zhang Zihang? Do you even believe that yourself?
You couldn’t cut it out there, couldn’t find a decent job, and now you want to crawl back here?
Well, I won’t let you return to the Digital Marketing Division, and I definitely won’t let you steal my man!”
Tomorrow was Sun Simin’s wedding, and she planned to attend with Zhang Zihang.
She’d make sure their former colleagues got a good look at Wen Ruan now.
How bold was she, thinking she could come back to their department?
Since Wen Ruan’s resignation, Li Jiaxuan had pursued Zhang Zihang for quite some time.
Their relationship had been ambiguous, with a few impulsive nights fueled by alcohol.
Li Jiaxuan still hoped to leverage her connection with Zhang Zihang to secure the position of Digital Marketing Director, officially stepping into the company’s mid-management tier.
Naturally, she wouldn’t allow Wen Ruan to derail her plans.
After leaving the meeting room, Li Jiaxuan casually chatted with a few colleagues across the hall, as if nothing had happened.
Just as Wen Ruan was heading toward the exit, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
From around the corner emerged a sharp and commanding figure.
A woman in her mid-to-late thirties, she had striking, refined features and a tall, slim build that exuded authority.
Li Jiaxuan and the nearby colleagues quickly bowed in greeting. “President Ji!”
Ji Qiuyu, Vice President of Xingyun International Group, was in charge of the critical Media Operations Division, a role of immense importance within the company.
Rumor had it that she was highly regarded by Mo Xiangwan and might even be transferred to Tang Zong Entertainment in the future.
“Creak—” The door to the small meeting room was pushed open.
“Where’s Wen Ruan?” Ji Qiuyu asked with a hint of surprise.
The HR representative behind her quickly replied, “She mentioned waiting until 5 PM. Maybe she stepped out to the restroom.”
Li Jiaxuan’s gaze flickered as she put on a helpless expression. “President Ji, I just ran into her. Wen Ruan said she had something urgent to handle and already left.”
“Oh? What kind of urgent matter?” Ji Qiuyu’s sharp eyes landed on her.
Li Jiaxuan pursed her lips lightly. “Tomorrow, Sun Simin from the Marketing and Planning Department is getting married. Wen Ruan is one of her close friends and classmates, so I assume she left to help with the preparations. But I’m not entirely sure.”
“A wedding? Sun Simin’s?”
“Yes, that’s right,” Li Jiaxuan quickly nodded.
Ji Qiuyu gave a slight nod, showing no hint of displeasure. She turned and began walking away with purpose.
Since the missed meeting was due to her own delay, it would be best to focus on settling the branch office matters first.
She decided she would make a point to attend the wedding tomorrow, both to show goodwill and to strengthen her connection with this highly promising colleague.