Chapter 17: If You Can't Stand Me, Just Get Rid of Me

The matriarch of the Shen family sought out Qin Miao.

In truth, Qin Miao was not busy at all; her public appearances were few and far between. Yet she had to feign a hectic schedule, all in order to avoid being dismissed as unimportant. The revelation that Yao Yao was the owner of San Y had shaken her deeply.

Qin Miao felt she must secure her position as the young mistress of the Shen family as soon as possible; otherwise, who knew what troubles might arise with the passage of time.

Fortunately, the Shen family matriarch still favored her.

“Grandmother, I happened to discover a new bakery with delicious pastries. Would you like to try one?” Qin Miao, smiling warmly, offered the cakes in her hand.

But the old lady refused to accept her gesture, even snorting coldly.

Qin Miao was startled.

“You still have the appetite for sweets? Do you know how much A Yan cares about that woman now?”

The matriarch’s anger surged as she recalled Shen Yan’s threatening tone over the phone. “If only you had managed to win him over back then, would we be facing all these troubles now?”

At her age, she was still forced to meddle in the affairs of the younger generation.

It was truly exhausting.

Qin Miao kept her head down, not daring to speak. Previously, A Yan had never spared a thought for Yao Yao, but now his attitude had changed so drastically—what could have happened?

Could it be that A Yan had learned about Yao Yao being the store manager?

That must be it. Such a transformation surely wasn’t born of affection.

“Grandmother, it’s not that I haven’t tried, but that Yao Yao is far too cunning.”

Qin Miao, aggrieved, crouched beside the old lady. “Right after she parted ways with A Yan, she immediately started seeing the young master of the Ye family. She even had him help slander me.”

“What? She’s involved with the Ye family’s heir as well?”

The matriarch’s loathing for Yao Yao deepened. “She’s making a mockery of Shen Yan!”

The old lady shook with anger, pounding her armrest, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

After a long moment, she managed to steady herself. “This won’t do. A woman so unscrupulous must not be allowed near A Yan again.”

“I’ll handle this. You follow my instructions.”

Hearing this, Qin Miao’s eyes lit up. This was exactly what she’d been waiting for. If the matriarch took action, she could keep her own hands clean. Even if A Yan investigated later, he’d find nothing linking her.

…

Word spread throughout the company that Yao Yao had flawlessly completed her project.

Ye Shen, who used to keep everyone at a distance, now walked with his chin held high, pride written on his face.

Look at his sister—so capable, accomplishing such a major feat as soon as she arrived.

Yao Yao urged him to keep a low profile. After all, as general manager, serving the company was her duty.

Opinions about her project varied. Those who knew some of the inside story whispered that Yao Yao was burning through her past relationship with Shen Yan. Once that goodwill was spent, she’d have nothing left to boast about.

Not long ago, two people gossiping in the break room had been of the same mind.

Their distaste for Yao Yao spilled over into their work, and the documents they submitted were subpar.

Yao Yao called one of them into her office. The woman entered with a sullen, reluctant expression.

“Ruan Ruoshui, isn’t it? You’ve been with the company for a month, but look at the quality of your reports.”

Yao Yao lifted her chin, gesturing toward the documents. “I don’t expect you to transform overnight, but surely you should show some improvement. What exactly have you been doing?”

“Instead of focusing on your work during office hours, you’re gossiping about your supervisor in the break room. How can you expect to do your job well when you’re so distracted?”

Yao Yao genuinely hoped that Ruan Ruoshui would devote herself to her tasks. There were plenty of people who talked behind her back—she didn’t care about these two in particular.

Unexpectedly, Ruan Ruoshui refused to recognize the good intentions behind Yao Yao’s words.

“Director Ye, aren’t you just fixated on what happened in the break room that day?”

Yao Yao raised her brows, incredulous. Had her main points really gone unheard?

“I’ve always submitted my documents this way, and there were no issues before. Why are there problems now?”

Ruan Ruoshui snatched back her report. “Fine, I’ll redo it.”

With that, she turned and left, slamming the door behind her.

For a moment, Yao Yao couldn’t tell who was the boss between them.

Yao Yao didn’t want to make a fuss, but as a leader, being shown such disrespect made it difficult to manage her team.

Considering this, Yao Yao left her office, approaching Ruan Ruoshui’s desk.

Upon seeing her, Ruan Ruoshui first froze, then grew embarrassed, finally adopting a defiant expression.

“Ruan Ruoshui, is this how you treat your supervisor? Was there anything wrong with what I said earlier? Your report was poorly done, yet instead of fixing it, you throw a tantrum?”

Yao Yao laughed in exasperation. “Did I hire you to play princess?”

“Director Ye, I ask you to distinguish between personal and professional matters. Are you criticizing my work, or are you getting back at me for what happened in the break room? Let’s be honest, we both know the truth.” Ruan Ruoshui turned the tables.

Hearing this, Yao Yao couldn’t help but cry out internally—this was the art of rhetoric. In just a few words, Ruan Ruoshui had painted her as petty and vindictive.

Did she really think Yao Yao was easy to push around? That she would let herself be manipulated?

Since they were so fond of accusing her, she might as well give them reason.

“Very well. You’re fired.” Yao Yao smiled faintly.

Ruan Ruoshui clearly hadn’t anticipated this outcome. She only wanted to use the crowd to embarrass Yao Yao so the matter would blow over. Who could have predicted that Yao Yao would dismiss her in front of everyone?

Was she really unafraid of the scrutiny from those around her?

“Director Ye, you can fire me, but shouldn’t you at least give me a reason?”

“You lack the ability to fulfill your current role. Isn’t that reason enough?”

Yao Yao looked straight at her. “Your supervisor offers you guidance out of goodwill, yet you ignore it and even lash out. Any excuse would suffice for your dismissal, wouldn’t it?”

“Yao Yao, you’re taking revenge for personal grievances.”

In her desperation, Ruan Ruoshui forgot all propriety and called Yao Yao by name.

Afterward, her gaze wandered, though she felt she hadn’t done anything truly wrong.

“Taking revenge for personal grievances?”

Yao Yao smiled meaningfully. “So what if I am? If you can’t stand me, then try to get rid of me. Otherwise, swallow your resentment.”

She knew many shared Ruan Ruoshui’s views.

It didn’t matter. The same message applied to everyone—if you can’t stand her, find a way to oust her. If not, endure it in silence.

“I’ll notify HR to process your departure.”

With those words, Yao Yao turned and left.

The scene left everyone stunned.

Yao Yao was usually polite, but when she lost her temper, she was formidable—and, in a way, dazzlingly impressive!

Was this the confidence that came from having someone powerful backing her?

How enviable!

By comparison, Ruan Ruoshui seemed a mere clown, and those around her couldn’t help but look at her with pity.

Ruan Ruoshui, humiliated and angry, snapped, “What are you staring at? Not one of you spoke up for me just now!”