Chapter 18: Yuan the Divine, Humiliating Dong
Miss Yuan, who had quite a fiery temper, did not behave as shamelessly as Liang Kun after all, since this was a public place, but Lin Mo did end up serving as the so-called fire extinguisher.
“Ah~~”
Yuan Meng took a sip of tea, shaking her head back and forth as she enjoyed it greatly.
As for the tea-making tools, they were in the black toolbox Yuan Meng had brought along—yes, she had brought her own tea set here.
“It was still your tea that tasted the best. These past two days I made some myself at home, but it was unbearably bitter.”
Ever since she had drunk the tea brewed by Lin Mo at the teahouse that day, Yuan Meng had suddenly decided to try brewing a few times herself, but none had the same taste.
At first, she thought it was because of the tea leaves, and even went home to steal some of her father’s treasured leaves to brew, only to discover it was not the tea—it was her.
Even her mother, Mrs. Jiang, said it was not as good as what young Lin brewed, which made Comrade Old Yuan curious and demand to know who this “little Lin” was.
Until Mrs. Jiang said that their daughter should be dating that young man called “Little Lin,” which nearly made Comrade Old Yuan choke to death out of anger.
What on earth was this?
His own daughter used his card to treat some yellow-haired boy to meals, even stole the tea leaves he himself could not bear to drink, and now his wife was praising the boy’s tea—then what was he supposed to be? A fool?
As for Yuan Meng, she had long since explained that she and Lin Mo were just friends, but clearly Mrs. Jiang did not completely believe her.
After all, she knew her daughter was just as lustful as herself; otherwise, why would she be looking at pictures of handsome men with eight-pack abs on her phone every day?
Hearing this, Lin Mo chuckled softly. With Mingqian Dongting Biluochun, how could it not taste good? Indeed, having money really was wonderful.
“This kind of fine tea does require a certain technique in brewing. Today I was lucky enough to benefit from your generosity, Sister Yuan,” Lin Mo said with a smile.
“Of course, my dad can’t even bear to drink this tea, I stole it. But it’s fine, if you like it, I’ll give you a whole pound!”
Lin Mo: …
He silently mourned for Comrade Old Yuan.
“By the way, Sister Yuan, what have you been up to these past few days? Haven’t seen you at the company. And about this money—couldn’t you just transfer it? Carrying cash like this is far too flashy!”
He truly could not understand Yuan Meng’s habit of carrying cash around.
“WeChat hit the limit today, otherwise I would’ve transferred it. Since I was afraid you’d be anxious, I brought cash, especially since I just swindled a hundred grand off my mom, I had to spend it, right?” Yuan Meng said righteously.
At that, Lin Mo couldn’t help but sigh.
The old saying was true: dragons birth dragons, phoenixes birth phoenixes, and the children of rats know how to dig holes.
Children of wealthy families just had a way of making money.
Even if it meant making money off their own mothers, that was still a kind of ability. At the very least, they dared to ask.
If it were him, he wouldn’t even dare think about it.
So it really was true:
Poor children took charge of the household early, managing rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea.
Rich children spent their days playing, and from play learned the ways of society and etiquette.
For him, two hundred thousand might be an enormous sum, but for someone like Yuan Meng, it might vanish just by dining out or buying a handbag.
Yuan Meng then continued, “As for why I haven’t been at the company these days, hmph, that bastard Fatty Dong gave me trouble, and I won’t let him off.”
“Fatty Dong? What’s he done now?” Lin Mo was taken aback and asked curiously.
The reason was nothing more than the several public disputes between the two previously.
And since Fatty Dong was not a magnanimous man, naturally, given the chance, he would seek revenge.
Lin Mo never thought Fatty Dong could do much to Yuan Meng, but this time it seemed something new had happened.
“Him? Just a petty villain. He used his position to secretly contact several of my big clients, wanting to poach them. He thinks that if he steals my big clients, he can control me. Screw him! The big orders I brought in all relied on my family’s connections—what kind of trash does he think he is? Although he couldn’t steal them, I still had to go visit them in person. After all, they were giving face to my family, so I couldn’t let them feel slighted, could I?”
Yuan Meng did not truly understand business, but having grown up in such an environment, she naturally understood the ways of social relations.
Hearing this, Lin Mo suddenly realized—so people could truly be shameless to this extent. He had learned something new.
“Then, Sister Yuan, you’re just going to let this matter go?”
“Let it go? Hmph, dream on! Fatty Dong is finished,” Yuan Meng said firmly.
Lin Mo had thought Yuan Meng would bide her time to find a chance for revenge, but he had not expected the opportunity to come so quickly.
That afternoon, at 4:40, Fatty Dong, who had been absent for several days, suddenly appeared at the company and gathered everyone for a meeting.
Soon, the crowd arrived at the company hall, each finding a place to stand, while Fatty Dong stood at the front.
“Everyone’s here, good. Recently, the company has been plagued by some rumors. I won’t pursue who spread them, but what’s most important now is company business. Next, I’ll announce a few matters.
First, starting today, everyone must work overtime until 8 p.m. Especially those groups who haven’t finished their projects—you must complete them by next Monday.
Second, the company’s performance has been poor lately. Following the principle of reducing expenditures, employee salaries will be cut to a certain extent. The specifics will be communicated by each department.
Third, departmental bonuses will also be reduced, especially sales commissions, starting this month.
Finally, all positions with two days off per week will now only have one.”
At these words, the crowd wailed in misery.
Overtime was one thing—ordinary workers were used to it.
But cutting wages while also not paying overtime? What kind of nonsense was this?
Dong Dawei had expected their reaction, and he continued, “Now, go back to work. If you’re dissatisfied with the company’s decision, you are free to resign.”
In other words, if you didn’t want to do it, plenty of others would.
Just as everyone was at a loss, Yuan Meng stepped forward, pushing past the crowd until she stood face to face with Fatty Dong.
Lin Mo and Zhang Wei, watching from the side, almost felt as though they were seeing the shadow of an ancient figure.
Yuan Meng took a deep breath and spoke slowly:
“Now, General Manager Liu has just arrived, inspecting the work to help develop the company, and yet you want to exploit the employees—what exactly are your intentions?”
(Back then, when the court had just been established, summoning you into the capital to assist the Emperor in stabilizing the people, yet you repeatedly schemed to depose the heir and establish another—was this not deliberate rebellion?)
Hearing this, Fatty Dong’s old face turned crimson with rage, and he shouted, “I am the manager! This is the company’s decision! You dare to go against company rules?”
(All matters under Heaven are decided by me. Now that I decree it, who dares disobey?)
Yuan Meng sneered coldly: “Hmph, company matters are for General Manager Liu to decide. You? Nothing more than a boot-licking piece of trash, who are you pretending for?”
(Matters of the realm are decided by the Emperor and loyal ministers. You are nothing but a treacherous usurper—what else do you intend?)
Fatty Dong completely lost it, pointing at Yuan Meng and shouting, “Do you still want to work here? Do you want to be fired?”
(Do you wish to test the sharpness of my blade?)
“Fuck it, come on then! If you’ve got the guts, fire me! I’ll ask General Manager Liu myself if this is her decision!”
(My blade is indeed sharp!)
All at once, Fatty Dong wilted, shaking all over with rage, as if he might collapse any second.
The two stood in confrontation, and at that moment, everyone around looked at Yuan Meng with new eyes—how could anyone have such guts?
Lin Mo and Zhang Wei felt the same. This was practically the version of themselves all men dreamed of becoming.
The two exchanged a glance, and Lin Mo said, “I just thought of a saying.”
Zhang Wei replied, “So did I. Shall we say it together?”
Lin Mo nodded, and the two spoke in unison:
“Yuan the Divine, Humiliating Dong.” *2
……