Free Web NovelChapter 1148: Chapter 342: Hai Fu’s Dilemma
Chapter 342 Hai Fu’s Dilemma
Hai Fu was very confused today.
Initially, when Wen Qianyi asked her about Li Yan, and she heard that something might have happened to him, she was a bit worried. But after all, he wasn’t a child, he was a grown man, even if he didn’t come home for a night, it didn’t necessarily mean anything was wrong, he might just be out on a date with some girl, having too much fun to think of anything else.
However, after receiving a text message notification, she tried to call him again but no one answered. It didn’t affect her much though, she just tried calling him during breaks at work.
It wasn’t until the afternoon when Li Yan’s phone called back, and the most shocking thing happened.
She might mistake others’ voices, but she wouldn’t mistake Zhang Yurong’s voice. From Zhang Yurong’s tone, it was clear she was Li Yan’s woman. All along, she thought Li Yan’s girlfriend was Yue Yao, and besides Yue Yao, he also liked Wen Qianyi. But she never thought he would be with Zhang Yurong!
Her relationship with Li Yan had always been underground. She had only thought of developing it long-term but knew it was impossible, so she was a bit expectant but without extravagant hopes. So, even when meeting Yue Yao, she could remain calm. Even when directly caught by Wen Qianyi on Carefree Island, she was only embarrassed and awkward, nothing she couldn’t face.
But if it’s Zhang Yurong, she couldn’t remain calm.
In fact, the three bouquets of flowers on Valentine’s Day already made her somewhat suspicious. But since Li Yan had proactively called to explain, looking like he wasn’t hiding or guilty at all, she was reassured.
Now, realizing it after the fact, she thought that he proactively brought it up because he had already known about it from Zhang Yurong! This further confirmed she didn’t hear it wrong.
After finishing the call, she couldn’t focus on work all afternoon. Hai Fu also knew early on that Zhang Yurong didn’t come to work today, which was rare unless Zhang Tianyi’s health was very unstable. After the call, she understood that Zhang Yurong certainly didn’t come to work because of Li Yan’s issue!
To make someone like Zhang Yurong who prioritizes work, not go to work, Li Yan’s situation was definitely not normal, even if found, it might be quite serious! This is what worried Hai Fu, and even more contradictory was how to face Zhang Yurong...
Hai Fu’s feelings for the Zhang Family were different from ordinary feelings for a company or a boss. Because she wasn’t an elite from a prestigious university or a returned master or Ph.D. Instead, she was from the grassroots. If it weren’t for Zhang Tianyi’s exceptional promotion and great nurturing, even with double the effort, she wouldn’t have achieved what she did today without facing many more difficulties. So, she was very grateful to Zhang Tianyi.
Other executives in Paradise might work because of good pay or to showcase their talents, but she worked with gratitude. As long as Paradise Group needed her, she wouldn’t leave on her own or be poached by others. Generally, talents nurtured internally are offered lower than those poached from outside due to calculated cultivation costs. So many, after growing, having ability and qualifications, would seek higher positions elsewhere. Hai Fu was the same, but she never left because of this, nor did she compare herself to others.
Because of Zhang Tianyi, she was always very friendly with Zhang Yurong and had long known her. When Zhang Yurong let go of her own company to join Paradise Group, some were jealous and disdainful of this parachuted princess, feeling that without Zhang Tianyi’s connections, how could she manage major affairs at such a young age like them? Only Hai Fu assisted and helped Zhang Yurong understand and integrate into the company from the very beginning.
With Zhang Tianyi’s semi-retirement, Hai Fu shifted her gratitude and loyalty to Zhang Yurong. In the company, she acted as Yurong’s trusted assistant. It’s no exaggeration to say that Zhang Yurong being able to stabilize as president and conducting numerous personnel changes and internal reforms in a short time, apart from her personal abilities and Zhang Tianyi’s influence, had a critical contribution from the cold and iron-willed Hai Fu. Many offensive reforms were executed by Hai Fu. This is why Hai Fu’s nickname as "Master Extinction" grew, while Zhang Yurong was seen by everyone as an ethereal ice queen untouched by worldly matters.
During work, Hai Fu managed to concentrate on her work as much as possible. Even if she couldn’t focus, at least there were matters to distract her. But after work, she had to face this issue.
Why was Zhang Yurong with Li Yan?
But this "why" was no longer as important; the fact was that they were already together. Now what needed to be addressed was: Zhang Yurong being with Li Yan, what should be done!
Hai Fu didn’t know anything about them, she guessed Zhang Yurong also didn’t know about her and Li Yan, but now that they had talked on the phone, they knew about each other. In the call, nobody voiced it out, but it was clear between them. Can they work together like before?
She had no mood for dinner, wanted to call Zhang Yurong again, but hesitated to dial. After dragging on for a long time, she thought it was better to face it early. Otherwise, it would keep everyone hung up on it, affecting their mood and work. To leave herself no retreat, she drove out, heading towards the Zhang family direction. On the way, she finally called Zhang Yurong.
...
To the Zhang family, Hai Fu had been many times, but it was the first time she knew the address Zhang Yurong gave her. After looking for it and arriving, Zhang Yurong was already waiting for her at the door.
When the two met, it was awkward silence, neither knowing what to say.
Entering the room and seeing Yue Yao and Liu Xiaodi, Hai Fu was stunned. She wasn’t familiar with Yue Yao, but she had met Liu Xiaodi and knew she was Li Yan’s girlfriend. Was tonight the time for a joint resolution?
"I came... because..." Hai Fu was still dressed in her work clothes. At home and on the way here, she had thought countless times about how to start the conversation. But facing Zhang Yurong and others, she simply couldn’t speak.
Zhang Yurong similarly didn’t know how to face her. She had specifically called Yue Yao and Liu Xiaodi to join her because she didn’t want to face Hai Fu alone, as she didn’t know what to say.
If, after her call back, Hai Fu could calmly call more times to inquire about Li Yan, that would indicate there was no romantic involvement between them. Now, since she wanted to meet Zhang Yurong for a detailed discussion at night, hearing this call, Zhang Yurong was certain that her relationship with Li Yan was indeed not so simple.
But what could Yurong do?
Their marriage had never been made public. Besides her cousin Xueyin, no one in the company knew about their relationship. Even if Hai Fu had some flirtation with Li Yan, ignorance is not a crime, and it wasn’t her concern. If blame was to be given, it was on Li Yan!
The frustrating part was that Li Yan was still in a coma; otherwise, the situation wouldn’t be so passive.
"Sister Fu, it’s your first time here. Let’s take a look around first, and we can discuss things later," Zhang Yurong forced a smile and led her upstairs.
The downstairs wasn’t suitable for conversation. If Aunt Liu overheard and reported back to the parents, it would create more chaos.
Yue Yao and Liu Xiaodi also went upstairs. In the second-floor living room, Zhang Yurong formally introduced them to one another, and then they each took a seat.
At this moment, nobody was in the mood for tea or pleasantries; they all just sat quietly.
"You’re... here to see Li Yan, aren’t you? He hasn’t woken up yet," Yurong said with a bitter smile.
Hai Fu felt a bit guilty and didn’t dare look her in the eye. After a moment of silence, she asked in a low voice, "Yurong, you and Li Yan..."
"What is my relationship with Li Yan?" Yurong was initially hesitant to speak, but since Hai Fu asked, she no longer concealed it. "Actually, after the New Year last year... he and I got married. Due to various considerations, we didn’t make it public. It was after that he started working at Paradise."
Hai Fu opened her mouth wide in shock. During her time coming here in the afternoon, she had considered many things. She guessed Li Yan got involved with Yurong after engaging with Shinohara from Beihai Country, thinking they met after she did, so she could concede to Zhang Yurong without feeling guilty.
The current truth left her completely dumbfounded. They were actually married even before Li Yan joined Paradise Group!
Yurong gave a bitter smile. "I don’t know when or to what extent things started between you and him, but I don’t blame you. After all, you didn’t know, and if anyone is to blame, it’s that guy for flirting around..."
Originally, she was very angry, but now it has gone beyond her emotional threshold. Who knows what kind of relationship he has with others besides Hai Fu and Liu Xiaodi?
Liu Xiaodi felt a bit envious. After all, Hai Fu was more familiar with her. How could Yurong say she doesn’t blame Hai Fu when at first she was very upset with her. But on second thought, Liu Xiaodi felt balanced because Li Yan indeed told her he was married, and she had even called Zhang Yurong once, though she didn’t expect he was telling the truth.
"I..." Hai Fu hesitated and looked at Liu Xiaodi and Yue Yao.
Zhang Yurong understood her thoughts and explained, "Yue Yao lives here and knows all about our situation. You’ve met Xiaodi, who you know is connected to Li Yan."
Hai Fu forced a wry smile, realizing that Liu Xiaodi had already been ’judged.’ She sighed, "Actually, my relationship with him was never as deep as your emotional bond. We were just..."
She wanted to say they were just fulfilling each other’s needs as casual partners but found it hard to say. In the end, she recounted her entire process of interaction with Li Yan.
Once she decided to come, she resolved to set aside her pride and face the embarrassment. Whether she confessed to Zhang Yurong alone or to the three of them together didn’t matter. Having Liu Xiaodi, who was known as Li Yan’s girlfriend, also undergoing ’judgment’, provided some comfort. (To be continued. For the continuation, please log in to www.qidian.com for more Chapters and support the author by reading genuine content!)
