Like every other day, she had left for home alone. Once she reached home, she met the landlord downstairs, who told her that someone was waiting for her.
There were two tall men, a woman dressed very smartly, and a second, shrewd looking woman who seemed to be an assistant to the first one.
All of them were strangers to her. Li Yongxuan was quite sure she had never seen them before.
" Are you Miss Li ?" The secretary looked her up and down, then said briefly, " your tenancy has expired. You have one hour to go upstairs and sort your things and leave."
" But this house is rented by my company. There is a long lease. How would it suddenly expire and how can you ask me to move ?"
She took the fax letter. The writing was blurred, but it was clear that Li Yongxuan's employment had been terminated. She had one hour to move out of her residence.
At this point, she was totally at a loss.
" These men will accompany you upstairs. They will help you pack and move your things." The woman waved her hand towards the men. This meant that they would be keeping an eye on Li Yongxuan. There was no room for consultation.
Was it, that within a day, the ' consequences' the director had warned her about had finally hit her?
" My employer cannot fire me without a warning…"
" That is right", the woman spoke. "You took the initiative" , a cold woman’s voice added.
In front of them was a graceful lady. She was about forty, tall and rich looking, wearing a white Chanel suit and a set of pearl and diamond earrings. Her whole body gave off a cold aura.
Inside was a resignation letter.
" I don’t want to resign…"
" When you went into my husband's room in the middle of the night, you should have thought of the consequences," the lady said, " I am allowing you to resign.Letting you leave voluntarily."
" I am the wife of Liang Wen He. I was just curious..what kind of woman would be daydreaming like this, and what would she look like."
Li Yongxuan was silent.
She could not speak. She hadn’t really spent the night with him.. that night..
Moreover, in the past few years, she had a huge crush on Mr Liang, trying to gain his attention, actively seeking work with him..
It was all so ridiculous and shameful…
" I…I am not.." she took a deep breath and then continued, " I thought you were divorced."
" Is it ?" Mrs Liang smiled, but appeared unbelieving." You say that so easily. If you love him so much, shouldn’t you have investigated properly?"
If she said this, no one would believe her, so it was better to remain silent.
" Mrs Liang is one of the directors, Mr Liang is the chairman of the board. How could they have divorced ? Do you really not know? Or are you pretending to be innocent ?"
(Miumiu : ok I don’t get that, what has being a director and chairman got to do with their marital status ? )
" Ok. Let’s not talk anymore.Please sign this quickly, move it !" Mrs Liang handed the letter towards her and gave her a pen.
Li Yongxuan took the letter. Under several pairs of eyes looking at her, she signed the Li word. Her hands were shaking so badly she almost couldn’t write. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
" You want to talk about conditions ? How shameless are you ? What is left to bargain ?" the secretary interrupted her sharply.
At this time she was thinking of the team. All their efforts to train to become speed skating champions.
" It’s not money", Li Yongxuan shook her head, " its my project proposal about the sponsorship of the skating team. I can’t leave before the final decision on that is taken."
Li Yongxuan stared at her, " Can I have your word on this ?"
Mrs Liang laughed. For the first time, her smile showed clear contempt." You are just a cog in the wheel. Even if I don’t keep my word, what will you do?"
She really couldn’t do anything. She had no parents, no relatives , let alone someone with a strong backing. In this world, she was completely on her own. Even if these people tied her up and threw her off the mountain, no one would find her, no one would come and rescue her.
This kind of lonely and powerless feeling was like a strong acid, creating a burning feeling in her chest. After the acid had corroded her heart, all that was left was one big hole.
For four and a half years of her life, she received a check.
Under the supervision of the two guards, she quietly went upstairs to pack her things. Her face was pale, her hands were trembling. She barely managed to stand, leaving herself with the last shreds of dignity. She wouldn’t collapse in front of strangers.
Her computer, her files, were all company property. The furniture did not belong to her, her toilet supplies were used and too worthless to carry. Finally, she packed just one bag of clothes.
" Miss Li, can you leave now ?" the guard could not help but ask.
" Yes, there is only one thing missing", she opened the kitchen cabinets, the fridge, the drawers, still looking for it.
" What are you looking for? We can help"
Looking at the guard eyeing her suspiciously,she smiled tiredly," Don’t worry, it’s not something Mr Liang gave me. It’s one of my aunt's keepsakes. A very simple silver ring. I have been missing it for several days but have been unable to find it,"
But even with the three turning over the whole house thoroughly, they were unable to find even a trace of the ring.
Perhaps fate really didn’t want her to find it.
" Well, thank you for your help." She took her bag, hesitated for two seconds and then handed over her bunch of keys. She would never need it again.
Looking at her quiet and vulnerable appearance, the two guards also felt bad. They were used to dealing with the mess that the director created. This drama had been staged several times over the years between the director and his wife. But this was the first time they met a girl who was so lonely and simple. A girl who created no trouble, never argued, but silently accepted all the humiliation.
" Is there anything else we can help you with ?"
Li Yongxuan shook her head . Suddenly there was a sound of a knock on the door.
A guard opened the door to see a young man carrying a flower arrangement standing at the door.
The flowers were fresh and fragrant, the arrangement was charming. The pink rose petals had water droplets shining on them.
Just above the card there was a standard computer typed message , " Happy Birthday from the Yang group"
Ah, it was her birthday today, and this was the usual routine followed by the HR. Earlier, she would be delighted with the flowers, and be happy for several days – at least someone remembered her birthday.
But at this moment, she couldn’t even find that humble happiness.
" This isn’t Miss Li's home", she said quietly. Her fingers let go and the card fell to the ground.
Then, she left silently and never looked back.