Chapter 41: Why Would I Laugh If She Doesn’t Pretend?

This woman’s words were sharp and cutting, making it clear at once that she was no decent person. And indeed, her name was Zhu Qing.

She had once been Ouyang Jue’s secretary, clawing her way up to the position of HR manager through her “impressive tactics.” After the fall of the Ouyang family, she’d been merged into the Chu Group.

Even when Ouyang Jue was alive, she’d never liked Shen Miaoyu, thinking her far too arrogant. Now that Shen Miaoyu had been cast out of her family, and they’d crossed paths here, Zhu Qing naturally couldn’t resist a bout of sneering ridicule.

When Shen Miaoyu gave no reply, Zhu Qing only grew more relentless. “I heard you got kicked out of the Shen family over some pretty-boy. So what are you doing here at our company?”

“Don’t tell me you’re here looking for a job? If that’s your plan, I advise you to turn around and get out! Our Chu Group doesn’t welcome you. Of course, if you beg me—the HR manager—maybe I’ll let you be a cleaner and scrub toilets. That’s about the only work you’re suited for!”

Shen Miaoyu hadn’t encountered Zhu Qing during her recent visits to the Chu Group, so Zhu Qing still didn’t know her true identity and assumed she was just a stray dog.

At these words, Shen Miaoyu’s expression soured. “Zhu Qing, have you considered the consequences of humiliating me like this?”

“Oh? I can’t insult you now?” Zhu Qing raised her voice. “Do you still think you’re the precious daughter of the Shen family? You’re nothing but a piece of trash that no one wants.”

“I really don’t understand you. All this for some penniless guy? You turned against your own family. Sure, the Ouyang family is gone, but I still look down on you!”

Watching someone so desperate to be insulted, Chu Fei crossed his arms and sized Zhu Qing up with interest. After a moment, he offered a candid assessment. “Who is this? Not much to look at, but her mouth is certainly vicious.”

“You dare call me ugly?” Zhu Qing glared at him.

“Yeah, at first glance you’re pretty ugly,” Chu Fei said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “But on closer inspection… hell, you’re even uglier!”

“If I may be blunt, your face looks like an unsolved crime!”

Shen Miaoyu struggled to keep from laughing. She was learning—this was how you really cut someone to the quick. Next time, she’d have to praise someone like this!

Zhu Qing was furious. She’d come to mock Shen Miaoyu, only to be mocked herself by some pretty-boy. She turned her wrath on Chu Fei. “So you’re that pretty-boy Shen Miaoyu threw everything away for? You might look decent, but you dress like a hick. Your whole outfit can’t be worth more than a hundred bucks. Just showing up here lowers the tone of our company!”

The implication was clear—Chu Fei wasn’t even fit to be there.

Since Zhu Qing was so eager to be insulted, Chu Fei obliged. “What I wear is none of your business,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “You’re so nosy—do you chase after every manure truck that passes your door, just to get a taste of gossip?”

This time, Shen Miaoyu couldn’t hold back her laughter. He really had a sharp tongue—nothing short of brilliant!

Zhu Qing was about to retort when the elevator doors opened. Chu Fei led Shen Miaoyu inside, with Zhu Qing following and pressing the button for the top floor.

Chu Fei and Shen Miaoyu were headed there for a meeting, so they didn’t move. Zhu Qing noticed they hadn’t pressed any buttons and sneered, “You two lowlifes aren’t thinking of going to the top floor, are you?”

“Is there a problem?” Shen Miaoyu replied blankly.

“Of course there’s a problem! Do you even know what’s on the top floor? Only senior executives of the Chu Group are allowed up there—people like me, the HR manager.”

“You think you’re fit to go up there? Don’t dirty our floors!”

Shen Miaoyu shot back, “Whether we’re fit or not has nothing to do with you. But starting tomorrow, you won’t need to come to work anymore. Our Chu Group doesn’t need idiots like you!”

—Enough pretending. Time to show my hand!

Zhu Qing burst out laughing. “Shen Miaoyu, did getting kicked out of the Shen family drive you mad? You want to fire me? What, is the Chu Group yours now?”

“If you’ve lost your mind, you should see a doctor instead of making me laugh myself to death!”

Shen Miaoyu pointed to Chu Fei. “The Chu Group isn’t mine, but it is his.”

Today, the Chu Group was holding a regular meeting—specifically to welcome Chu Fei as the new chairman. So her words weren’t wrong, but Zhu Qing, blinded by her own arrogance, would never believe it.

She laughed even louder. “Are you crazy? Are you trying to say he’s the chairman of the Chu Group? If you’re going to brag, at least make it believable!”

“He actually is,” Shen Miaoyu replied coldly.

“I can’t take it! You’re going to make me die laughing!” Zhu Qing sneered at Chu Fei. “With that getup, you claim you’re chairman? Go look in a mirror! If he’s the chairman, then I’m the mayor of Dragon City!”

She was convinced Shen Miaoyu had lost her mind. The rumored chairman was supposed to be strikingly handsome and commanding—not some slovenly, scruffy priest like Chu Fei. It was simply not possible.

Shen Miaoyu was about to respond, but Chu Fei shook his head at her. “Let her carry on. If she stops pretending, what would I have to laugh at?”

So Shen Miaoyu ignored Zhu Qing. Zhu Qing pointed at them both. “Once we’re up there, I’ll have security throw you out. Impersonating our chairman? You’re done for!”

Just then, the elevator doors slid open. Secretary Jin was waiting, flanked by the Chu Group’s senior executives.

Before Secretary Jin could greet them, Zhu Qing rushed forward to complain. “Secretary Jin, this idiot is impersonating the chairman! Have them thrown out immediately!”

She turned back to Chu Fei, puffed up with self-importance. “Idiot! Get down on your knees and apologize now, or you won’t know what hit you. Do you have any idea how serious impersonating the chairman is?”

No sooner had she said this than Secretary Jin looked at her as though she were crazy. The other executives stared at her like she was a fool.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?” Zhu Qing asked, still pointing at Chu Fei. “Shouldn’t security be throwing that fraud out right now?”

“Zhu Qing, shut up!” the HR director barked, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Secretary Jin had already notified them to come out and greet the new chairman. Zhu Qing was actually cursing the very man they were supposed to welcome!

Oblivious, Zhu Qing whined, “Director Wang, why are you telling me to shut up? He’s the one—”

Smack!

Director Wang slapped her hard across the face. “Didn’t you hear me? Shut up!”

Zhu Qing clutched her cheek, stunned.

At that moment, Secretary Jin drawled, “Guess what? He really is.”

“What?” Zhu Qing was thunderstruck, rooted to the spot. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she turned to look at Chu Fei.

Chu Fei gave her a round of applause. “Ugly fool, thanks for putting on such a show. It was hilarious—I really enjoyed it.”