"I know it's impossible not to affect your mood, but listen to me, there's no need, really. Those trash, they don't deserve you to be angry or upset over them."
Lu Jiaying knew that she had helped her with the previous leave request, and she felt grateful towards her, so what she said was sincere.
At a time like this, someone offering her words of comfort, she should be happy.
However, as she listened, Lu Jiaying's ears only caught one key point.
"What if the photos are real?"
Zhang Xiaoyu was stunned.
She had never considered the possibility that the photos were real.
Everyone would suspect Lu Jiaying's relationship with Jiang Jingyu, but she wouldn't.
Because in her eyes, Lu Jiaying was a mature, far-sighted, and successful woman with vision.
Jiang Jingyu was just an ignorant little brat. How could the two of them be together?
"Then, even if it is true, it has nothing to do with your character or work ability. The company has no rule against colleagues dating. To put it bluntly, this is your private matter. No one has the right to comment."
"I've already agreed with them this afternoon that it won't be spread outside, and everyone will pretend this never happened..."
"Sister Zhang."
Lu Jiaying usually called her colleagues like this, and it was the first time she called Zhang Xiaoyu this way, her voice very gentle.
"Thank you, thank you so much for your comfort, but it's impossible not to spread."
"If she can send it to every employee's email, she can send it elsewhere too. This is no longer just about my personal honor or disgrace, but about the group..."
"Don't worry about me. I need your help now, can you?"
Sister Zhang didn't know what she could do to help her at this moment.
It seemed like being able to truly do something for her would make her feel better, so she quickly agreed.
"Please stay late tonight and prepare all the documents I need for resignation tomorrow. The work progress that needs to be handed over, financial matters, administrative matters..."
"Anyone who needs to know will find it with Jiang Jingyu. Just ask him if you need anything. Also, please write the resignation letter for Director Hu for me."
Hearing that she was being asked to do these things, Zhang Xiaoyu was startled.
"Director Lu, why are you so foolish? After working so hard for so many years, you want to resign because of this?"
Seeing her tears welling up in distress, Lu Jiaying smiled faintly, bent down, and wiped her eyes for her.
"Don't cry, it's not because of this."
"You've been in the company for so many years, and you've known me for more than a day. You know what I'm like when I work."
"For four full years, I haven't taken a single day off, nor have I gone on a trip. I get tired too."
"Consider it that finally something has made me decide to rest for a while. The world is so big. I want to see it too."
"But I really don't have the mood to deal with all this messy stuff. I'll trouble you, okay? Send me a message when you're done. I'll have someone come to pick it up."
Zhang Xiaoyu couldn't help but burst into tears.
Lu Jiaying was young and driven, with a stable temper and humane management. She could be considered a rare and ideal leader.
With such a good person leaving, who knew what kind of monsters and ghosts would replace her?
"Director Lu, I really can't bear to see you go!"
"Silly. What's there to cry about? You work diligently and your abilities are outstanding. As long as you work hard, no matter who the leader is, they won't treat you unfairly. I'm just taking a temporary break, not dying. What's there to cry about? Have all the people outside left?"
Zhang Xiaoyu thought about it and realized she had a point.
Leaving the company at this time and lying low until everything calmed down might be the best course of action for her.
"I don't know. I'll go out and check for you."
She wiped her tears, quickly stood up, and ran out.
She ran to the entrance of the marketing department and peeked towards the elevator. A tall figure walked out of the elevator, it was Hu Jiasheng.
After agreeing to Jiang Jingyu's request, Hu Jiasheng had his assistant quietly observe twice. Lu Jiaying had not left the company.
It made sense, being such a smart person, how could she be late or leave early under the scrutiny of everyone's gossip at this time?
Hu Jiasheng guessed that she would leave after everyone else had dispersed, so he waited until now to come down and look for her.
Their eyes met, and Zhang Xiaoyu nodded at him, "Director Hu."
"Mm. Is Director Lu in?"
"Yes, she's in her office."
Hu Jiasheng wanted to go in directly to find her, but then he stopped.
After all, this matter was different from others; the leaked photos were of her and Jiang Jingyu.
If he went to find her, it would be equivalent to admitting that he had seen these photos of them.
If she and Jiang Jingyu were currently in a romantic relationship, then he would also be Lu Jiaying's future uncle-in-law.
An uncle and his nephew's wife communicating about such a matter...
He stopped awkwardly, turned to look at Zhang Xiaoyu, "Everyone else has left, why are you still here?"
Zhang Xiaoyu was already upset about Lu Jiaying's resignation. Now that she saw Hu Jiasheng, it was as if she had found a righteous official to appeal to.
Her nose felt sore, and she couldn't help but cry again.
"Director Hu, Director Lu is in such a big mess and her state is so bad, I can't bear to leave her alone."
"You must have seen how hard she works and how outstanding her abilities are. Even if this incident wasn't someone trying to harm her, but true, it's still her private matter. You leaders wouldn't do anything to her because of private matters, would you?"
At this sensitive time, someone speaking up for Lu Jiaying naturally earned Hu Jiasheng's favor.
He said gently, "Say what you want to say directly."
Zhang Xiaoyu then boldly began to plead for her.
"Director Lu just told me she wants to resign and take a trip, but I can't bear to see her go."
"Director Hu, she is truly a very, very good leader, and she is also a victim in this matter. To ruin her future because of a private matter, I, for one, cannot accept it."
"Director Hu. What are your thoughts? How does the company plan to handle this? Can you tell me?"
"Her emotions are already very broken, you guys..."
Hu Jiasheng patted Zhang Xiaoyu's shoulder.
"Don't worry, the company will not let a bad person go unpunished, nor will it wrong a good person. Once the matter is investigated clearly, a reasonable explanation will be given to everyone. No need to worry."
"As long as your leader has done nothing wrong, they will absolutely not be punished."
"So, Director Hu, what do you mean?"
"You go back first. As I said, once the matter is investigated, a clear explanation will definitely be given. I won't do anything until it's clarified."
Zhang Xiaoyu finally felt relieved and ran off to pick up her child from school.
Hu Jiasheng stood in the marketing department for several minutes and then called Zhan Beijue.
Although the photos were removed within half an hour of being posted, they still caused a huge stir within the group.
Such a major incident, especially involving Jiang Jingyu, Zhan Beijue might not know, but Ah Zhong certainly would.