Back at the company, it was long past working hours.
The entire technical department, however, was in a state of disarray. Some were eating breakfast, others were drinking coffee, and some were chatting.
Normally, seeing such a scene would have infuriated Vice President Gao.
But today, he walked in with a benevolent smile and clapped his hands.
"You have five minutes to finish whatever you're eating or drinking."
"If there's any work that needs to be handed over, keep your phones on and stay reachable via WeChat."
"Then, grab your laptops and follow me."
Everyone was bewildered.
Why was he so happy today?
Take their laptops and follow him collectively? Where to?
"To find Engineer Jiang," Vice President Gao said, looking at their confused faces with a hint of sarcasm.
"She just took on a new project for the State Grid, and she needs you right now. I'm going along to help her out."
The team was even more dumbfounded.
They couldn't figure out where Vice President Gao had heard this news or why he was saying such a thing.
Yet, not a single person dared to step forward and ask what was going on.
With trepidation, they followed him to Huatai.
Upon smoothly entering Jiang Nan Fang's office, seeing Vice President Gao leading a group of people, she initially thought he was there to settle scores.
Jiang Nan Fang had already prepared her response to Vice President Gao in her mind.
However, as soon as he saw her, Vice President Gao extended his hand with a smile.
"Engineer Jiang, why didn't you tell me you needed people for your new project?"
"With our friendship, what can't we discuss and resolve amicably? Why go to such lengths to secretly contact them?"
"President Zhan has already agreed to let us all come and help you. Quickly, arrange seats for everyone."
"Whatever needs to be done, we'll take your instructions!"
They were here to help?
And it was Zhan Bei Jue who sent them?
Jiang Nan Fang looked at Vice President Gao in disbelief. "What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said."
Vice President Gao, at this moment, acted like a disingenuous "green tea" man, each word dripping with affectation.
"President Zhan really sent us. If you don't believe me, call him and ask."
"President Zhan said he knows you've just taken on a new project and are short-handed, so he asked us to help until your project is finished. Isn't that thoughtful?"
It was indeed quite thoughtful.
So thoughtful that it made Jiang Nan Fang feel disgusted.
This was clearly his attempt to atone for Ke Teng's matter.
Now that he knew he wasn't a good person and had wronged Ke Jing Yu, he wanted peace of mind?
Too late.
With such small favors, he expected her gratitude? Impossible.
"I never asked any of you to help," Jiang Nan Fang said coldly.
"What I need is a united and stable technical department, not temporary workers."
"Since President Zhan is so considerate of me, sign your employment contracts now and become Huatai's people. Stay with us."
Vice President Gao's smile vanished instantly.
"We already said we'd help you until the project ends. Why sign contracts?"
"It's not just you who needs us; Gray does too. Engineer Jiang, President Zhan has already gone to great lengths for you. You shouldn't push your luck."
"Just because you don't want to be Huatai's people doesn't mean others don't."
Jiang Nan Fang didn't mince words with him.
"I've already arranged for them to sign long-term agreements to stay."
"If you're willing, then don't leave today. I'll applaud your welcome."
"If not, you can leave now. Go back and tell Zhan Bei Jue that I recruited everyone on my own merit."
"It's consensual, not his favor, and has nothing to do with him. Don't think you can make me grateful to him."
Vice President Gao truly couldn't understand what had happened between the two of them.
Zhan Bei Jue was constantly yielding, yet Jiang Nan Fang was being aggressive.
He could only awkwardly call Zhan Bei Jue to ask for instructions.
Zhan Bei Jue hadn't expected Jiang Nan Fang's heart to have hardened so much.
She refused to give him any chance to show his goodwill, determined to confront him.
Since she liked the technical department's people so much, and there wasn't much he could do for her right now, he agreed to the contract signing.
Vice President Gao exploded on the spot.
"I've worked at Zhan's for over half my life. How can I betray them at the end? What kind of person would that make me?"
"I will never sign this contract! I, Gao, would rather die than be a traitor!"
Zhan Bei Jue: "Then you come back, and let them stay."
After hanging up, Vice President Gao felt a pang of distress.
He quietly asked Jiang Nan Fang, "How did you become like this?"
"We got along so well as colleagues before. I never offended you, so why are you so ungrateful?"
Jiang Nan Fang's expression remained impassive, refusing to engage in a heart-to-heart.
"Vice President Gao didn't know me deeply before. I've always been like this."
Zhou Jin Bei was probably the most pathetic bride in the world.
There was no second.
On her wedding night, Jiang Si Cheng took his boyfriend to sleep in the bridal chamber, while she slept alone in the guest room.
Not only did she have to listen to the two of them laughing and making noise next door all night,
but in the morning, she had to pretend nothing happened and walk downstairs with Jiang Si Cheng arm in arm for breakfast.
At the dining table, Mrs. Jiang looked at her young and beautiful daughter-in-law and enthusiastically called for a bowl of bird's nest to be served to her.
"Cheng is not young anymore. Your father and I are eager to have grandchildren. Since you two are married, start taking care of yourselves and have a baby."
"I've asked someone to specially prepare a nourishing soup for you. You'll drink it every day from now on."
"Here, darling, drink it while it's hot."
Jiang Si Cheng and Kai Ge were pretending to discuss work nearby, but were actually exchanging flirtatious glances.
She had no appetite to take care of herself, nor the mood.
Just as she was about to refuse, Jiang Si Cheng left Kai Ge and came to her side, pretending to be affectionate as he scooped a spoonful and offered it to her lips.
"Aren't you going to thank Mom for thinking of us? Drink up."
She could only listlessly say thank you and drank the bird's nest that made her feel sick.
Jiang Si Cheng then pretended to be affectionate again, wiping her lips.
"I knew my wife was the most obedient."
"Mom, I'll take Bei Bei out later, and we won't be eating at home for lunch. Don't wait for us."
After breakfast, the three of them went upstairs to change.
Zhou Jin Bei asked Jiang Si Cheng where he was taking her.
"The hospital."
"It's only the second day of our marriage, why go to the hospital?"
Jiang Si Cheng brazenly replied, "To get a check-up."
"Mom said she wants you to get pregnant quickly, right? Our situation is more complicated than usual, so we need to prepare in advance."
"I don't know what your physical condition is like, so we have to get it checked beforehand, don't we?"
Having accepted their money, she had to be at their beck and call.
Zhou Jin Bei had no choice but to go to the hospital with him.
Jiang Si Cheng had already made an appointment, and they went to different departments separately.
After a series of examinations, they sat down to listen to the doctor's analysis of the results.
The doctor looked at the physical examination reports and then at their ages, pushing up his glasses in confusion.
"Why do you insist on IVF? You are both so young and healthy, you are capable of natural conception. Why take the difficult route when the easy one is available?"