Chen Lishu also smiled, "It's your fault, definitely your fault. As for apologizing, that's unnecessary, because I don't plan to forgive you."
Her tone held no anger, but her refusal was quite clear.
Yang Lili hadn't expected her to refuse so directly, without even making a pretense of politeness.
Her face flushed, then paled, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes.
Chen Lishu, however, paid her no mind.
Since Yang Lili had decided to be unpleasant first, Chen Lishu saw no reason to offer a pleasant demeanor. She really thought of herself as a pushover.
Her gaze fell on Jiang Yuwei, standing beside Yang Lili. Jiang Yuwei's appearance was as striking as ever. Perhaps due to two years of entering society and interacting with more people, she didn't seem as aloof as she did during their school days.
"You joined Xinxin Company? I heard you were already a minor leader at the bank. Why would you leave a stable 'iron rice bowl' to work for someone else here? Unless you did something unsavory in the provincial capital that made you come here?"
Jiang Yuwei's expression changed, and she frowned, looking at Chen Lishu. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Is that so? If you don't understand, then forget it. But I'm someone who believes in reciprocity. Whoever 'gives me a gift,' I will certainly return the favor tenfold."
Chen Lishu finished speaking coldly and turned to leave directly.
Watching her receding back, Yang Lili thought about their conversation and began to ponder.
No wonder she had managed to invite Jiang Yuwei with so little effort. It seemed there was more to Jiang Yuwei's resignation from the bank and her move to Kyoto.
Yang Lili suddenly recalled a news report she had seen when she returned to the provincial capital before the New Year.
She glanced sideways at Jiang Yuwei, a smile forming in her heart.
It was indeed the person she knew so well.
Back then, to secure a study abroad quota, she had used Sun Ling to sabotage Chen Lishu's chances. Now, out of jealousy, she was willing to gamble with her own future.
It was laughable that she had once envied such a person.
But it didn't matter. Although Jiang Yuwei was not in the same department as her, they were in the same company. Just thinking that she was still firmly ahead of Jiang Yuwei made Yang Lili feel that her years of effort had not been in vain.
"I didn't expect Chen Lishu to still have the same temper after all this time. Back in school, she always had to be one step ahead of us. Now that she's a big boss, how could she possibly pay attention to us who are just employees?"
Yang Lili sighed helplessly, acting with great understanding by not probing into the meaning of their recent exchange.
Jiang Yuwei also came out of her thoughts. "Some people are always like this, putting on a different face depending on who they're with. You haven't been in the country for the past two years, and her methods for achieving her goals have been utterly unsightly."
Yang Lili said, half to herself, half joking, "Now it's just the two of us old classmates relying on each other. Let's go, there's a Western restaurant not far ahead. Let's grab something to eat together."
Jiang Yuwei nodded, and the two walked towards the Western restaurant at the street corner.
After dinner, they returned to the company.
Jiang Yuwei went back to the finance department, while Yang Lili gathered her department employees.
"Go and help me investigate Shu Se Clothing Store. Their factory's general manager has suddenly come to Kyoto, likely for some big move. Make sure to find out everything and report back to me as soon as possible."
After giving instructions to her subordinate, she had them start working on it immediately.
Meanwhile, Chen Lishu also had people inquire about Yang Lili and Jiang Yuwei.
Logically, their relationship hadn't been good during school. If Sun Ling was the main culprit in bullying Yang Lili, then Jiang Yuwei was not entirely blameless.
Now, Yang Lili's unusual behavior, even recruiting Jiang Yuwei into her company, made Chen Lishu suspicious. Had Yang Lili been involved in the incident targeting the Shu Se garment factory at the beginning of the year?
Several days passed unknowingly. The office building was almost completely renovated.
Chen Lishu visited the site once, coinciding with Zhao Xingwang's delivery of ordered office supplies.
Zhao Xingwang directed the workers to place all the desks and chairs in their designated positions.
Once everything was done and confirmed to be in order, he paid the remaining amount to the workers.
Chen Lishu looked at the newly renovated office and said with a smile, "Inquire about employee salaries from the surrounding companies, then we can begin the formal recruitment and interviews."
Zhao Xingwang acknowledged this and then reported on the matter of Chen Lishu asking him to inquire about Yang Lili and Jiang Yuwei.
"The person surnamed Jiang just joined not too long ago and works in finance. I haven't been able to find out anything else yet, but I did discover something."
Chen Lishu: "Go on."
Zhao Xingwang: "Xinxin Clothing Company has rented two storefronts in the past couple of days. Both locations are right next to the two stores we just rented."
Chen Lishu frowned. "Are you sure?"
Zhao Xingwang nodded with certainty. "No mistake. They're renovating like us too. I specifically chatted with their workers, and they confirmed they're opening clothing stores."
What was Yang Lili planning? If she opened a store, and Yang Lili opened one next to hers, was she intending to openly oppose her?
"Alright, I understand. Keep a close eye on it. This afternoon, I'll go to the print shop to print more recruitment advertisements. The sooner we get people hired, the easier it will be for you."
...
Meanwhile, Yang Lili was reporting her recent work arrangements in President Zhang's office.
"Currently, we only have cooperation with a few department stores in Kyoto. I believe this limits our business development. Although direct sales stores require more initial investment, the long-term returns are higher. And I chose these two locations after detailed market research to be the most advantageous for establishing our direct sales stores."
As Yang Lili spoke, she pointed out the coordinates of the two locations to Zhang Zhihui.
Seeing Zhang Zhihui take the information and study it carefully, Yang Lili's back began to sweat nervously.
The reason she had chosen these two locations was entirely because Chen Lishu had chosen them.
Based on her understanding of Chen Lishu, she wouldn't have chosen these places without a reason. After the Spring Festival Gala incident where she had made her stumble so badly, she was determined to suppress Chen Lishu this time.
Some people wouldn't be lucky forever. Only the rewards earned through relentless effort were the most genuine.
Her abilities were definitely not inferior to Chen Lishu's.
After reviewing the documents, Zhang Zhihui returned them to Yang Lili. "The two locations you chose are quite good."
Hearing Zhang Zhihui say this, the anxiety that had been building in Yang Lili's heart finally subsided.
"Kyoto's business will only grow in the future. I'll be flying abroad in a couple of days. It might be too much for you to handle alone here. I've already called Xiao Zhou and asked her to come assist you with your work."
A flicker of surprise crossed Yang Lili's eyes. "President Zhang, if Manager Zhou is transferred over, then what about the garment factory..."
Zhang Zhihui: "There are other people at the factory. You don't need to worry about that."