Chapter Thirty-Six: The Spoiled Heir

Before leaving the sales office, Bian Xiaoqi said to Dong Minglou, "Director Dong, I'd like to buy two bottles of authentic Feitian Moutai. Do you happen to know any official channels?"

Dong Minglou replied, "Is Director Bian looking to buy these gifts for personal use or official business? If it's personal, I do know a few distributors who can guarantee genuine products. If it's for official business, you should speak with Director Feng Gaocheng in the group's administrative office. The company maintains a year-round reserve of high-end tobacco and liquor specifically for public relations personnel. With President Gu's approval, any department can use them, but the cost will be charged to the user's department."

"Thank you for the information, Director Dong. I'll go see Director Feng right now. I'll have to leave things here in your capable hands."

"You're too kind, Director Bian. Go ahead and take care of your business; I'll keep an eye on things here."

Bian Xiaoqi immediately returned to the company, where her secretary, Li Hua, led her into Gu Zhengyang's office.

She went straight to the point. "President Gu, I need to visit Director Tian Changhe of the Ministry of Education this evening, and I require two bottles of Feitian Moutai. May I have your approval, please?"

"Xiaoqi, we really should assign you an assistant so you don't have to handle these minor errands yourself in the future," Gu Zhengyang said as he wrote out the authorization slip.

"President Gu, the company's current top priority is meeting the staffing needs on the sales front line. I am young and perfectly capable of handling these things myself; it's no trouble at all. I don't need an assistant for now—we can talk about that later," Bian Xiaoqi replied.

"Just go ahead and do whatever you set your mind to, and don't shoulder all the pressure by yourself. If you need me to do anything, just say the word," Gu Zhengyang said.

"Thank you for your concern, President Gu. When I need you, I'll ask you to step in personally," Bian Xiaoqi said with a smile.

She looked down at Gu Zhengyang's slip, which read: *Feng Gaocheng, immediately issue two bottles of 53-degree Feitian Moutai to Director Bian Xiaoqi. From this day forward, you are to fulfill her requests at any time without needing my written authorization.* Below was the sweeping, cursive signature "Gu Zhengyang," dated today.

Happily, Bian Xiaoqi said, "President Gu, just wait for my good news."

Holding the slip, Bian Xiaoqi called Feng Gaocheng. "Director Feng, hello, this is Bian Xiaoqi from the sales department. Are you in your office right now?"

"Director Bian, I am in my office," Feng Gaocheng answered.

"I need to see you about something. I'm heading over now," Bian Xiaoqi said.

At that moment, Feng Gaocheng was in his office smoking, drinking tea, and chatting idly with Gu Weiliang.

Ever since Gu Zhengyang relieved him of his duties, Gu Weiliang had been wandering around with nothing to do. Today, he had parked himself in Feng Gaocheng's office and hadn't stepped outside once. Although Feng Gaocheng was a distant cousin, he felt compelled to humor him out of deference to his identity, sitting patiently through his rambling discourses.

Hearing that the call was from Bian Xiaoqi, Gu Weiliang asked Feng Gaocheng with a hostile tone, "Is that Bian Xiaoqi? What does she want?"

"Young Master Gu, how would I know what she's coming for? You'll find out once she gets here, won't you? What is it? Do you have a history with her?" Feng Gaocheng asked with a smile.

"Old Feng, I just can't stand her arrogant attitude. I'm going to take her down a peg or two later," Gu Weiliang said, suddenly puffing up like a fighting cock.

As soon as Bian Xiaoqi walked into Feng Gaocheng's office, she was forced to cough by the thick haze of smoke filling the room. She saw Gu Weiliang slouching lazily on the sofa, chatting with a short, stout man, both of them spewing clouds of smoke.

Seeing Bian Xiaoqi enter, the two men stopped talking and stared at her in unison.

She detested smokers and instinctively frowned. Her impression of Gu Weiliang plummeted even further. Ignoring him entirely, she walked straight up to the stout Feng Gaocheng, remaining silent and expressionless as she handed him the authorization slip.

Feng Gaocheng glanced at the slip and casually passed it over to Gu Weiliang.

"The company's recent reserves of tobacco and liquor are all used up. We need to restock, so it'll have to wait a few days. Right, Director Feng?" Gu Weiliang glanced sideways at Bian Xiaoqi while addressing Feng Gaocheng.

"Yes, yes. I'm sorry, Director Bian, but you'll just have to wait a few more days," Feng Gaocheng chimed in hastily.

Watching the two of them play into each other's hands, the sharp-witted Bian Xiaoqi could easily see right through their little scheme.

"I strongly dislike people smoking in my presence," she said bluntly. Without waiting for a response, she walked over to the window and pushed it open. The heavy smoke billowed out immediately, replaced by a rush of fresh air.

Once the air in the room had cleared somewhat, she turned around and spoke in a poised, unwavering tone. "Director Feng, if this isn't resolved, my only option will be to report the administration office's dereliction of duty directly to President Gu."

"Don't wave a chicken feather as a token of authority. Who do you think you are? Why should you get whatever you want just because you ask for it?" Gu Weiliang sneered.

"I am the newly appointed Sales Director, personally appointed by Chairman Gu Zhengyang. Could the two of you possibly be unaware of that? It seems Chairman Gu needs to come and remind you in person." Bian Xiaoqi suddenly smiled.

"It looks like Comrade Little Gu has plenty of spare time. Coincidentally, my department is short-handed right now. I should suggest to the Chairman that idle personnel like you be put to work. Even if you can't sell houses, you surely aren't too incompetent to serve tea, pour water, or sweep floors," Bian Xiaoqi fired back.

"You—you—you go too far!" Gu Weiliang's face turned livid as her words choked him with anger.

"Please don't get too angry; it's bad for your health. Instead of sitting here bragging and gossiping, you'd be better off selling a house or two to prove you still have some worth. Otherwise, you're nothing more than an 'A Dou'." Bian Xiaoqi taunted mercilessly.

When it came to a war of words, Gu Weiliang was no match for a talented woman like Bian Xiaoqi. He was left completely speechless.

Feng Gaocheng watched in stunned silence from the side. Everyone in Zhengyang Group treated Gu Weiliang with kid gloves, catering to his every whim; he had never witnessed anyone dare to talk back to him like this.

Bian Xiaoqi looked at Feng Gaocheng and said sternly, "Director Feng, I must have what I need by four o'clock this afternoon. Otherwise, please explain yourself to President Gu."

With that, she ignored the two men and strode out of the office.

***

Feng Gaocheng broke out in a cold sweat of pure terror. As soon as Bian Xiaoqi left, he turned to Gu Weiliang with lingering fear and said, "That girl is terrifying, and her tongue is as sharp as a blade. Young Master Gu, we've poked a hornet's nest. What do we do? She wouldn't actually go and report us, would she?"

Gu Weiliang watched the nervous Feng Gaocheng, blew out a ring of smoke, and said viciously, "I actually hope she *does* go report us. If that's the extent of her abilities, I'll have lost all respect for her."

Just as Gu Weiliang was speaking, his cell phone suddenly rang. Seeing that it was Gu Zhengyang, he didn't dare stall and answered immediately, "Dad, why are you calling? Did someone come to you to complain about me?"

Hearing that it was Gu Zhengyang on the line, the color drained entirely from Feng Gaocheng's face.

"I *wish* someone would come complain about me, at least that would mean someone still thinks you're worth the trouble. What makes you think you're such an important figure? Where are you right now?"

"I'm out meeting a friend," Gu Weiliang lied defensively.

"You listen to me: the sales department is short-handed right now. Go report to the sales department immediately and submit to Director Bian's arrangements. Right now, this instant," Gu Zhengyang commanded firmly.

"I don't want to go," Gu Weiliang grumbled defiantly.

"Fine. If you don't go, don't bother coming home, and don't ever step foot in the company again," Gu Zhengyang snapped, ending the call without another word.

"Young Master Gu, we shouldn't have offended that woman. I can't compare to you—I still depend on this job to put food on my table!" Without waiting for Gu Weiliang's reaction, Feng Gaocheng hurried to the storage room, retrieved two bottles of Moutai, and practically jogged toward Bian Xiaoqi's office.

"Useless trash," Gu Weiliang cursed bitterly as he watched Feng Gaocheng's servile retreat.

Having just left Feng Gaocheng's office and before even reaching her own, Bian Xiaoqi received a call from Gu Zhengyang. "Hello, President Gu. Did you need something?"

"Xiaoqi, after you left, I remembered that Gu Weiliang currently has nothing to do, and since your department is in urgent need of staff, I want him to work under you. He will follow your arrangements in all things."

"President Gu, given who Gu Weiliang is, I'm afraid he won't take my orders seriously."

"You don't need to worry about that, Xiaoqi. In your department, he is merely an ordinary employee with no special status. You must treat him just like any other employee, and no special privileges are to be allowed. He has to start from the very bottom—that is my requirement, and I've already told him so."

"President Gu, with your words, I can rest easy."

Sitting in her office chair and picturing Gu Weiliang's exasperated expression from earlier, Bian Xiaoqi couldn't help but laugh.

Hearing a knock at the door, she looked up to see Feng Gaocheng standing in the doorway holding a gift bag, looking thoroughly apprehensive. She immediately stood up to greet him with a smile. "Director Feng, hello there. Welcome, welcome."

"Director Bian, I went back to the storage room to check again and found some more Moutai tucked away in a corner. Fearing I might delay your business, I rushed right over to bring them to you," Feng Gaocheng said guiltily.

"Thank you for taking my matters so seriously, Director Feng. You could have just called me, and I would have fetched them myself—why go to the trouble of running over personally?" Bian Xiaoqi was well aware of the trick he and Gu Weiliang had pulled earlier, but she chose not to expose them.

"Director Bian, if you ever need anything else, just say the word—a single phone call is all it takes."

"Director Feng, shouldn't I sign for these?"

"No need, Director Bian, I'll just log it when I get back."

"That won't do, Director Feng. What if you end up logging three bottles instead of two? Who would I argue with then?" Bian Xiaoqi teased playfully.

"Director Bian, how could I ever dare?" Feng Gaocheng grew even more awkward under her gaze. "By the way, the company also has a batch of premium cosmetics in stock. Would Director Bian happen to need any?" he added, seizing the chance to ingratiate himself.

"Oh, perfect, Director Feng. I actually thought the company didn't have any cosmetic gifts on hand and was planning to buy some at a store. Why don't you bring me a set?"

Upon returning to Feng Gaocheng's office, Bian Xiaoqi selected an Estée Lauder skincare set and a bottle of Lancôme Miracle perfume, then signed the ledger. She glanced at Gu Weiliang, who was sitting in a daze on the sofa, and said indifferently, "Let's go, Mr. Gu. Welcome to the sales department."

"Did you have to rush to snitch on me so quickly?" Gu Weiliang glared at her furiously.

"Mr. Gu, do you think everyone has as much idle time as you? I have too much of my own work to deal with; I don't have the luxury of time to humor you. Who do you think you are?" Bian Xiaoqi showed no mercy.

"Listen up, Gu Weiliang: President Gu called me just now and insisted that I take you into the sales department. Out of respect for President Gu, I reluctantly agreed. From this moment on, you are an ordinary sales associate in my department, just like everyone else. You will wear the uniform, eat boxed lunches, and clock in and out on time. You will not receive any special treatment, and your luxury sports car is not allowed at the sales office. You must meet your sales targets; if you fail to meet them, then I'm sorry, but you can pack your bags and leave—my department does not harbor idle or useless people. If you've accepted these terms, come with me to the sales office right now." Bian Xiaoqi reeled off a strict list of conditions, leaving Feng Gaocheng listening in absolute terror.

Picking up the gift bag without sparing either of them another glance, Bian Xiaoqi turned and walked out.

Watching the dejected Gu Weiliang—who looked like a frost-bitten eggplant—Feng Gaocheng muttered, "Young Master Gu, she's gone. Are you going or not?"

***

"What if I go? What if I don't?"

"If you don't go, President Gu's family discipline is waiting for you. If you go, you'll have to take orders from her."

"Hmph! I'll go! Am I really supposed to be afraid of some little woman?"

Although he put up a tough front, Gu Weiliang didn't dare procrastinate any further. Listlessly, he shuffled out of Feng Gaocheng's office as well.

Feng Gaocheng let out a heavy sigh. "I've certainly learned my lesson today. What possessed me to go and provoke her for no good reason?"

***

Stepping into the elevator, Gu Weiliang habitually pressed the button for the basement level. Bian Xiaoqi saw him do it, but said nothing. When they reached the ground floor, she stepped out of the elevator and couldn't help smiling faintly when she noticed Gu Weiliang following her out.

The two of them hailed a taxi to the sales office. Han Wenting was standing at the entrance as the greeter; the moment she spotted Bian Xiaoqi and Gu Weiliang, she beamed and said, "Director Bian, welcome."

"Wenting, from now on, Gu Weiliang is simply an ordinary employee in our sales department. The title 'Director Gu' no longer applies to him—just call him Gu Weiliang directly," Bian Xiaoqi said with a smile.

"Ah?" Han Wenting's jaw dropped.

Entering the sales office lobby, Dong Minglou spotted them from afar and hurried over. Before he could speak, Bian Xiaoqi took the initiative. "Director Dong, per Chairman Gu's instructions, Gu Weiliang is now a newly hired employee in the sales department. He receives no special privileges and will be treated identically to every other staff member, earning a base salary plus commission. If anyone reports that he is receiving special treatment, Director Dong, you will be held primarily responsible."

"Ah?" Dong Minglou looked equally astonished.

"Gu Weiliang, we have various roles here at the sales office: sales agents, greeters, child-care attendants, and cleaning staff. You may choose whichever position you prefer, but you must strictly follow company rules and regulations, or you will be asked to leave immediately," she told Gu Weiliang severely.

"Director Dong, if Gu Weiliang chooses sales, assign someone to mentor him. In two days, he must be capable of independently serving customers," she instructed Dong Minglou.

With that, Bian Xiaoqi turned to leave, catching Gu Weiliang as he opened his mouth as if to speak, only to shut it immediately.

"Gu Weiliang," she said, "if you're wondering where I'm going, it's none of your business. Even if you asked, I wouldn't tell you. What you need to be doing right now is focusing entirely on your own duties."

Stunned once more by her sharp wit, Gu Weiliang stared after her receding figure for a long time, unable to snap back to reality.

By the time Bian Xiaoqi boarded a taxi to her aunt's house, it was already four in the afternoon.

Her aunt Jiang Sulan lived in a ministerial residential compound in the Xicheng District, which the driver estimated would take about an hour. While in the car, she used her work phone to call Qin Ke. Qin Ke was still busy with his own tasks, but upon seeing an unfamiliar mobile number, he answered it anyway.

"Qin Ke, I'm currently on my way to my aunt's place, so I won't be able to have dinner with you tonight. This is my work cell number—make sure to save it. How was your work today? Are you tired?" Bian Xiaoqi's sweet voice immediately rang in his ear.

"Xiaoqi, I've saved the number. I've pretty much been going non-stop all day. Have you been busy?"

"I've been very busy too, running back and forth between the company and the sales office to sort out a lot of loose ends."

"What made you decide to visit your aunt?"

"It's a mix of personal and official business. I can't explain it in a couple of words; I'll tell you all about it when I get back tonight."

"Alright, let me come pick you up tonight."

"No need to pick me up, I'll take a taxi back. Just wait for me at home."

"Got it. Let me know before you set off."

"Mhm. What are you going to do for dinner?"

"So far, no colleagues have asked me out. Since you're busy, I'll just have to grab a bite by myself."

"You can't just throw something together haphazardly—eat a proper meal, and don't worry about saving money. It's a good thing we're both keeping busy, but the busier you are, the more you need to take care of yourself. Do you hear me?" Bian Xiaoqi urged him affectionately.

"I hear you, darling. I'll eat well. Talk to you later," Qin Ke said softly with a smile.

"Mhm. Such a good listener. Goodbye, darling," Bian Xiaoqi returned the smile before hanging up.