“Manager Zhao took over? Why?” The team leader blurted out in shock.
Their department head just rubbed her temples, exasperated. “She took over, end of story. No ‘why’ needed. Ye Shaohua, the general manager wants to see you in his office.”
With that, she marched back to her own workspace.
The team leader, still fresh and naive to corporate ruthlessness, stared at Ye Shaohua with watery eyes. “Shaohua, this case was ours from the start. We did all the groundwork, negotiated with Fenghua Group—and now, at the signing stage, Manager Zhao swoops in?”
Losing this chance for a full-time position meant who-knew-how-long before the next opportunity. For the team leader, it was a crushing blow.
Ye Shaohua gave her shoulder a reassuring pat before heading to the GM’s office under her worried gaze.
On her way in, she crossed paths with Zhao Yijun exiting with a file in hand.
Spotting Ye Shaohua, Zhao paused, lips curling into a smirk. The necklace dangling from her neck—an identical match to Liu Yizhou’s—gleamed conspicuously.
Ye Shaohua ignored her and stepped inside.
General Manager Ding, a middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses, exuded shrewdness. The kind of man who’d built a small studio into what it was today—a wolf in a suit.
“Ye Shaohua, right? Sit.” He gestured to a chair.
“I’ve handed the Fenghua Group transition work to Manager Zhao. Any objections?” His tone brooked no argument.
Truthfully, Zhao Yijun had already taken over. This wasn’t a discussion—it was a notification. To these executives, even informing an intern was a courtesy.
What could interns do if he strong-armed the case to Zhao? Nothing.
Ding had clawed his way up the corporate ladder. Snagging Zhao Yijun from rival firms proved his prowess. The interns? A favor to S University.
The top graduates had been poached by Fenghua Group or Yongteng Corp. The leftovers? Mediocre students with no standout skills—or influential family ties.
Unremarkable. Unimportant.
Little did he know, the woman before him now housed a soul that had once stood far taller in the business world than he ever would.
“No objections.” Ye Shaohua’s response was calm, almost indifferent.
Ding nodded, satisfied. “Dismissed.”
As she left, his expression never wavered—cool as a breeze.
…
Outside, the team leader was on the verge of tears.
The planning department staff had caught wind of the situation, but their faces remained impassive. Such was the world.
Outrage? Grievances? Pointless.
“Hey, fetch us coffee.” A colleague from the next team tossed the order at Ye Shaohua.
Treating interns like errand dogs? Commonplace. Everyone here had endured it.
Ye Shaohua had played the meek intern role flawlessly—until now.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard. Minutes later, she printed a document.
When the coworker flung cash onto her desk, Ye Shaohua stood, holding up the freshly printed page.
“I said go get—”
“Sorry.” Ye Shaohua cut in smoothly. “I quit.”
Interns rarely resigned—especially not from a top-tier firm like this. Most fought tooth and nail just to get in. Yet here she was, walking away without hesitation.
“Resigning? You’ll forfeit two months’ salary,” HR warned, eyeing her file. “Sure about this?”
Ye Shaohua smiled. “Positive.”
No explanations. She packed her desk, left without a backward glance.
The other interns watched, envy flickering—but none had her nerve.
…
Meanwhile, Zhao Yijun arrived to sign the contract in Ye Shaohua’s stead.
Hearing about the resignation, she almost pitied the girl. “Couldn’t handle the pressure. Youth these days.”
Her assistant kept silent, noting the smug twist of Zhao’s lips.
“Fenghua Group…” Zhao murmured, impressed despite herself. She’d tried and failed to partner with them after returning from abroad. Yet these interns had stumbled into success. “How ironic—they paved my way.”
Fenghua’s reputation spanned continents. Zhao’s own mentor in the U.S. had turned down global giants to join them.
If mere interns could secure this deal, surely she—far more accomplished—would breeze through.
Chin high, Zhao entered the meeting room.
Blissfully unaware of the storm awaiting her.
