Chapter 144: Regret

A bitter yet sweet smile touched my lips. "Of course," I said. "No power on earth can separate Jingjing and me. Once she finishes her studies in the United States and returns, we will be married."

"Is that so?" Cheng Jia lowered her head, her voice faint. "I still don't understand how you and President Hua... how did things get so good between you two? Weren't you and her... bitter rivals?"

I laughed. "There are things in this world that no one can foresee, such as feelings. I don't know what Jingjing saw in me, either; I only know that she is the woman I love most in this world."

Cheng Jia gave a strained smile, and I vaguely sensed a touch of sorrow beneath it. "Then... I must wish you both well."

I nodded, downed the water in my glass, and said, "It's very late. I should head back. It wouldn't be good if I woke up your family."

Cheng Jia didn't ask me to stay, nor did she offer to walk me out. I set down the glass, said my goodbyes, and stepped out into the night. On the way, I thought to myself: although the Ye-Jian-Xiang tea beverage had been successfully developed, this was only the first step of a grueling journey. The days ahead would be long.

In the following days, the company immediately put the new product into mass production. Due to technical requirements, we added a vacuum packaging system to the production line. This cost quite a bit, and the company's funds were immediately stretched thin.

Furthermore, the plan to vigorously promote the company's product was imminent. That afternoon, Fan Yunting gathered the company's senior management and the planning department staff for a meeting to discuss how to conduct a comprehensive and aggressive promotional campaign for the Ye-Jian-Xiang tea beverage.

On the conference table, a bottle of the newly produced tea sat in front of everyone, and the room was filled with its rich aroma. Fan Yunting sat at the head of the table, frowning as she leafed through the promotional plan just drafted by the department. The people below were whispering to one another, unsure if the President was satisfied or not.

Planning was not my strength, so I had no input. Yet, as the company's Vice President, I had to attend such meetings. I sipped my own product bit by bit, watching everyone silently without offering an opinion.

After a while, Fan Yunting sighed and tossed the proposal onto the table. "I can find a way to handle the funding; if not, we can apply for a bank loan. But without television media exposure and the drawing power of a celebrity, how will our product be known and accepted by the vast majority of consumers? Relying on the plan you've drawn up, I don't think it will work."

"President Fan," a head of the planning department said, "if we were to shoot a television commercial, to say nothing of production costs, just hiring a celebrity with enough status and fame to be our spokesperson would be a massive expense. Everyone knows the going rates for stars nowadays; even third-rate celebrities charge hundreds of thousands, not to mention the A-listers. I'm afraid the company can't afford such exorbitant advertising fees."

Another added, "That's right. The most we could get from a bank loan is one or two million. After all, our company is still a startup with no business history yet. We should spend our money where it counts."

"Even if we hired those third-rate stars, I don't think the promotional effect would be significant. If things go poorly, we'll have wasted our money just to make a tiny splash, which wouldn't be worth the cost."

For a time, everyone was voicing different opinions, all pointing to the fact that the company's financial situation was not suited for a massive television advertising campaign.

Fan Yunting's brows were almost knitted together. She interrupted them and said, "There will always be a way to deal with the money, but the promotional plan can no longer wait. I want you to immediately launch the first wave of product promotion through print media and various portals. The plans in the proposal must be implemented immediately. As for the TV commercial, prepare a preliminary proposal for me first. Let me consider it carefully."

Everyone began packing up, waiting for President Fan to declare the meeting over so they could get back to work. Just then, the financial controller, Qian Xiaolei, joked, "Sigh! If we had the money, we could hire the superstar Xu Shu to be our spokesperson. Wouldn't our product immediately become a nationwide hit? She's on a roll right now; breaking into the international market isn't impossible."

Everyone laughed at this. Someone said, "The idea is nice, but you have to be realistic. The asking price for a big star like Xu Shu is astronomical. How many domestic companies can afford that?"

Fan Yunting laughed as well. "Qian Xiaolei, you really have a vivid imagination! You'll be coming with me to the bank later, so please, keep your comments to yourself!"

Qian Xiaolei pouted and said sulkily, "I was just saying it, can't I even make a joke?"

I froze in my seat. Given my past relationship with Xu Shu, I was confident I could persuade her to lower her fees and work with us. If the company's finances allowed, it would be a good, perhaps even the best, choice. With Xu Shu's immense popularity and reputation, it would be difficult for the company's product not to catch fire. However... for one, I didn't want to beg her, and for another, I had driven her away that day; I didn't know if she was still angry with me. If she didn't give me the time of day, it would be humiliating.

After thinking for a long time, I suppressed the urge to speak and decided to remain silent for now.

***

Fan Yunting announced the end of the meeting, and everyone returned to their work. She took Qian Xiaolei to the bank, while I went to the production floor to check on my product.

For the next two days, Qian Xiaolei told me the bank only agreed to a loan of 500,000, far short of what President Fan had expected. She was everywhere looking for investors, determined to get her promotional plan off the ground.

One night, past ten o'clock, I was at home getting ready for bed when I suddenly received a call from Fan Yunting: "Tang Qian, I... I..."

I heard her stuttering for a long time without saying anything, so I asked, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Her voice came through the phone, crying: "I... I regret it. Can you come and save me?"

I immediately felt that something was wrong. "What happened? Where are you?"

"I'm at the Hilton Hotel. I... I really regret it. Please, hurry and save me!"

I put my shoes back on and headed out the door, saying, "I'm coming. Don't panic, tell me what happened?"

"A man... promised to invest a million in me, on the condition that I... sleep with him. I... I was confused for a moment and agreed. But... I regret it now. I'm hiding in the bathroom, and I can't hold out much longer. Please hurry!"

I shouted in anger, "What? How could you be so foolish! Call the police!"

"I can't! How would the police dare to interfere in his business? I only have you to turn to. Tang Qian... I'm so scared!"

I ran to the street, hailed an empty taxi, and told the driver, "The Hilton Hotel, please hurry." Then I said into the phone, "Who is this bastard that even the police can't touch? What room are you in?"

"Room 1808. I can't talk anymore, please come quickly. I really... can't hold on much longer."

"Try your best to hold on! I'll be there soon!"

Ten minutes later, I rushed into the Hilton Hotel, took the elevator to the eighteenth floor, and found room 1808. Without a second thought, I raised my fist and pounded on the door. "Open up! Open the door!"

After a long time, the door finally opened. A middle-aged, overweight man in a bathrobe appeared, glaring at me angrily. "Who are you? What are you yelling about?"

I recognized him the moment I saw him. Wasn't this fat man a government official who was always on TV talking about anti-corruption and clean governance?

I didn't pay him any mind, pushed past him, and shouted, "President Fan!"

The bathroom door opened, and Fan Yunting rushed into my arms, sobbing, "Tang Qian, you're here!"

The fat man seemed to understand what was happening. He walked over and said, "President Fan, what is the meaning of this? Wasn't this your own wish? Don't you want the million anymore?"

I turned around and sneered, "What's so great about having a little dirty money? Your money comes from corruption and breaking the law anyway. Using this filthy money to force a woman into bed—what kind of public servant are you?"

The fat man laughed instead. "Who the hell do you think you are? Do I need to be lectured by you? This kind of thing is between consenting adults; it's a transaction. I didn't force her. Ask her yourself, is that not the case?"

***

Fan Yunting hid behind me, shivering, only saying, "Tang Qian, take me away, quick!"

I looked at the fat man with contempt and said, "Move aside. A good dog doesn't block the path!"

The fat man snorted. "You've got guts, kid! Tang Qian, is it? Fine! I'll remember you! I can have as many women like her as I want; I don't care!" He stepped aside.

I took Fan Yunting's hand and led her away, not backing down as I retorted, "I'll remember you too! You scum!" As I left, I heard the fat man let out a sinister laugh.

As soon as we exited the Hilton, I let go of her hand, angry. "President Fan! I know the company needs money, but you can't rely on selling your body to get it! How is what you did any different from a prostitute? Fortunately, you were able to regret it, otherwise, I wouldn't stay at this company. Using that kind of money makes me feel dirty!"

Fan Yunting burst into tears. She covered her face and crouched on the ground, crying, "I'm sorry... wuwu... I'm sorry... I... I had no choice!"

After venting my temper, seeing Fan Yunting crying so miserably, my heart softened. She was just my superior, and I couldn't control her personal life. I sighed and said, "Alright, alright! What are you crying for? Why didn't you think of that earlier? We'll find another way for the funding later. Go home for now."

I turned to leave, but stopped, turned back, and crouched down. "President Fan! I have always respected you. I know you've sacrificed a lot for the company. But! A person must have a bottom line, they must have dignity! If you lose those, what use is it even if the company grows? You'll just be looked down upon by others! Our employees will feel ashamed to hold their heads up. Is this what you wanted?"

Fan Yunting looked up, her face streaked with tears. She sobbed, "That's... that's why I regretted it! Tang Qian... what you said... it hurts so much!"

I was speechless. Although Fan Yunting had been foolish, fortunately, she had pulled back from the brink in time and realized her mistake. Furthermore, her motives were for the sake of the company. My words had indeed been too cruel.

I patted her shoulder. "It's alright now. Go home, get some sleep, and we'll think of other ways tomorrow." Just as I stood up, Fan Yunting grabbed my sleeve, her eyes filled with pleading. "Tang Qian... I'm afraid... he might send someone to retaliate against me. I've heard of such things before."

I said, "You knew that and you still agreed to him? Do you have a brain?"

Fan Yunting's face turned beet red, but she didn't let go. She whispered, "I... I was wrong! Tang Qian, please take me home. I'm really scared!"

I thought about it and realized it made sense. Someone as scummy as that fat man was capable of anything; I couldn't be too careful. I sighed again. "Fine. Where is your car? I'll take you home."

After driving away, I noticed her face getting redder and redder, and she seemed restless. At first, I thought it was from fear, and since she also smelled of alcohol, I didn't pay it much mind. But when we arrived at her door and got out of the car, Fan Yunting could barely walk.

I asked with concern, "President Fan, what's wrong with you?"

Fan Yunting shook her head. "I... I don't know. Just help me inside."

I supported her as she went limp, struggling to open her door and get her inside. I turned on the lights and realized her face was so red it looked like it was bleeding. It wasn't just her face; her neck, her hands, everywhere her skin was exposed, it was all crimson.

Her body was trembling slightly, her breathing ragged. Her eyes, usually bright, were now bloodshot. Thinking she had a sudden illness, I said, "President Fan, something is wrong. I should take you to the hospital."

As I moved to help her back out, Fan Yunting grabbed my hand, her expression one of utter despair. "No! It's useless... that scum is so despicable... he drugged my drink!"