Chapter Forty: Why?

Shangguan Miaomiao had truly underestimated her. This ability to win people’s hearts was something she never expected.

“Let everyone know, I want to hold a meeting.”

“Yes, Miss,” Ye Xin replied promptly.

Soon, the conference room on the fifth floor was filled to capacity. The group formed a circle, and with Shangguan Renran included, there were twenty people in all.

Aside from Shangguan Renran, everyone was dressed in skirt suits or business attire, their name tags pinned to their chests detailing their department, title, and name.

Before arriving at the company, Shangguan Renran had changed her clothes. Now she wore a formal outfit: a black blazer, a white camisole underneath, black trousers, and black strap heels. Her hair was tied back with a black elastic, revealing her full forehead.

The black enhanced her commanding presence, and sitting at the front, she instantly became the focus of all attention.

Ye Zuo and Ye Xin sat on her left and right. One was now a director, the other an assistant.

“I know everyone feels uncertain about this meeting. I have only just heard the news myself, and couldn’t help but share it with you all.”

“What news did you hear, Director?” someone asked during the meeting.

“You might not believe it, and even I was shocked. Someone has been using the company’s products to trade favors, the studio is nearly privatized, and anyone who tries to report to the Secretariat faces fierce obstruction. Truly, my eyes have been opened,” Shangguan Renran recounted, her tone tinged with mockery.

The crowd remained silent; they had all heard rumors of this.

“I don’t know if any of you are involved, but I hope nothing like this happens again. Otherwise, hand in your resignation yourselves,” Shangguan Renran resumed her usual cold, authoritative tone, her words echoing in everyone’s ears.

“Yes.”

“Also, I want each of you to write a report on the industries or products you’re responsible for selling. From now on, I’ll check everyone’s monthly performance.

If the department’s overall performance rises, I’ll consider raising your salaries and fighting for the best benefits for you.

But anyone who is careless in their work or blurs the line between public and private matters, I’ll deal with impartially. Everyone gets only one chance.”

“Yes.”

“Meeting dismissed.”

When evening came, Ye Zuo, Ye Xin, and Shangguan Renran left together.

“Miss, will you need another day off tomorrow?” Ye Zuo asked, aware that Shangguan Renran had taken leave today.

Hearing Ye Xin’s casual question about whether Miss might need to take another day off tomorrow, he was surprised.

He wanted to know what Miss was doing, and if she needed him to accompany her.

“Yes, not just tomorrow. I may need to take leave over the next few days. I want to paint a few works. If anything urgent comes up at the company, just call me right away.”

“Miss, do you need me to accompany you? After all, last time’s incident happened so suddenly.” Ye Zuo adjusted his glasses, a shadow flashing in his eyes.

Last time, it was his negligence. Since returning to the country, his vigilance had diminished.

He and Ye Xin were both natives of Country Z. They were orphaned in childhood due to an accident and eventually adopted by Dark Night—not only because they were the best of their cohort, but also because they were from Country Z. That’s why they could follow Miss.

They were deeply grateful, and it was thanks to Miss that they escaped those endless days of darkness.

“No need, Ye Zuo. If you and Ye Xin handle the company affairs well, that’s the best thing you can do for me.”

“Yes.”

Ye Zuo drove silently.

When they arrived at the villa, Shangguan Renran went straight to her room.

Ye Zuo headed to the underground garage to park the car. After parking, he found Ye Xin waiting for him at the exit.

“Why aren’t you going inside?” Ye Zuo asked.

“Ye Zuo, you know, we shouldn’t meddle in Miss’s affairs. Tonight you crossed the line,” Ye Xin said with concern, worried both for him and herself.

“I just fear Miss might encounter another accident,” Ye Zuo replied softly, his expression unreadable.

“But, Ye Zuo, you must know which things are our responsibility and which are not.”

“Sometimes, I just can’t control myself.”

Ye Zuo’s voice trembled. He wanted to protect Miss, and in his heart...

“Ye Zuo, you like Miss, don’t you?” Ye Xin’s words were phrased as a question, but her tone was certain.

Ye Zuo turned his head away, trying to conceal his emotions.

“But Ye Zuo, you know—how can anyone in Dark Night have someone to love?”

How can anyone in Dark Night have someone to love?

How can anyone have someone to love?

Someone to love...

Ye Xin left, leaving Ye Zuo alone under the moonlit night, the words swirling endlessly in his mind.

The moon hung in the sky, casting a faint glow, yet soon vanished into the shadowed darkness.

Just like Ye Zuo’s unattainable moonlight, it could never face the sun.

How could he ever fall for Miss?

Behind the lenses, his dark eyes shone, but now were veiled by mist.

A glimmer of tears shone, brighter than the stars, yet no match for the sun’s radiance, destined to be eclipsed.

——

“Hello, Miaomiao? Have you heard? The Director announced today that Qingran Studio will never offer us discounts again. I heard from their people you’ll need a VIP card from now on. Also, since you know people in the Secretariat, she seems to know too. Sorry, Miaomiao, I probably won’t be able to call you anymore.”

Shangguan Miaomiao hung up, her gaze growing ever more vicious, the red marks on her face stark, her expression haggard.

“Shangguan Renran—how ruthless you are! It wasn’t enough to kick me out of the company; now you’re targeting my people and canceling my last bit of privilege?”

She’d received news of her dismissal after returning from the banquet, her anger and grievance unable to be vented, burning inside.

And it didn’t end there. When her father returned, he struck her twice without distinguishing right from wrong.

With full force, her lips immediately bled, then he smashed a recording device against her head.

He accused her, a servant, of scheming against her mistress.

Scheming against her mistress?

What kind of mistress was Shangguan Renran? The one who stole her position? The one who humiliated her? The one who showed no mercy?

Wasn’t it just because she had a privileged background? Why did everyone side with her? Even her own father?

Why?