Chapter 234 - 154: Don’t Get Chummy, Let’s Keep Our Relationships Separate

Chapter 234: Chapter 154: Don’t Get Chummy, Let’s Keep Our Relationships Separate

Following Director Zhang’s gaze, Dong Ming finally noticed that Xiao Ran and Liu Min were also sitting there, a little further in at the tea table!

He was utterly shocked.

’Good lord, how do I end up in the middle of everything?’

’I never would have thought... that guy is actually in Director Zhang’s office!’

’Looks like Xiao Ran is doing really well for himself these days.’

’After all, not just anyone can get into Director Zhang’s office!’

’You can’t just sit and drink tea with a man like that if you don’t have some real clout!’

He licked his lips and looked at Director Zhang nervously, his voice sincere. "I can’t do that. If President Yan finds out, she’ll definitely have my head."

’Before I came, President Yan’s tone made it pretty clear that I’d be fired if I failed.’

’If I screw this up, she’ll really kick me out.’

"Oh, it’s not that serious, really. Take it back. Just tell her I appreciate the thought."

Director Zhang chuckled.

’To be honest, that bag looked pretty heavy.’

’He was, in fact, a little tempted.’

’But no matter how tempted he was, he couldn’t do anything about it. After all, Xiao Ran was right there!’

Seeing Director Zhang’s continued refusal, Dong Ming started to panic. His palms were already beginning to sweat. "Please, just accept it!"

"Really, there’s no need." Director Zhang waved his hand dismissively, as if to show him the door.

Now, Dong Ming was truly panicking.

’He knew that if the gift was rejected again, he might really lose his job.’

’What am I supposed to do now?!’

Just then, Xiao Ran was sipping his tea leisurely. As Dong Ming looked at him, a bold idea suddenly sparked in his mind.

’He would ask Xiao Ran to put in a good word for him.’

’After all, they had met several times at the old year-end parties.’

’Of all the people here, he was on the best terms with Xiao Ran!’

At this thought, Dong Ming turned to Xiao Ran with a helpless look on his face.

"Teacher Xiao, you see the situation... Could you talk to Director Zhang for me? I’ve come all this way, and you know President Yan’s temper..."

He spoke with utter sincerity.

Xiao Ran, who was in the middle of a sip of tea, nearly choked.

He immediately shot Dong Ming an astonished look.

’This guy has some serious nerve!’

It wasn’t just him; even Liu Min couldn’t help but marvel at the man’s bizarre train of thought.

’Yan Li isn’t incompetent, so how did she end up training someone like this?’

’Unbelievable!’

Xiao Ran blinked, a blank look on his face. "This has nothing to do with me."

’What the hell? Is he crazy? Why is he dragging me into this?!’

’Doesn’t everyone know that not only did Yan Li and I get divorced, but it was also a nasty split?!’

Hearing this from Xiao Ran, Dong Ming grew even more frantic.

His voice trembled. "Teacher Xiao, we’re friends, aren’t we? Please, just help me this once. I’ll be sure to thank you properly afterward."

’I really can’t afford to lose this job!’

Xiao Ran: ...

’I’m the one who should be saying thank you!’

’Thank heavens for this eye-opening experience!’

’It really takes all kinds!’

"Ahem, Director Zhang, please don’t let me influence your decision on this. Do whatever you think is right. Yan Li may be my ex-wife, but she is her own person, and I am mine."

It must be said that having a naturally high EQ certainly had its advantages.

With that one sentence, Xiao Ran had killed two birds with one stone. It was meant for Director Zhang, but also for Dong Ming.

The moment the words left Xiao Ran’s mouth, Dong Ming broke out in a cold sweat.

’What’s happening? He was talking about President Yan, but he was really drawing a line between himself and me!’

He subconsciously realized his mistake.

’I was so focused on the fact that I knew Xiao Ran and wanted his help that I completely forgot he and President Yan are divorced now—and that their whole situation blew up into such a huge mess!’

’Asking him to put in a good word for me... wouldn’t that just make things worse?’

Meanwhile, Director Zhang breathed an inward sigh of relief.

’Yan Li already called me today, and now she’s having someone deliver a gift. There’s no way it’s just some simple local specialties.’

’Years of experience told him this bag was definitely full of cash.’

’And to be honest, it wasn’t like he had anything against money.’

’He wanted to back Xiao Ran, but this bag was full of cold, hard cash.’

’And he really wanted it!’

He glanced at Xiao Ran and exclaimed with feigned admiration, "Teacher Xiao, you truly are a magnanimous man!"

"It has nothing to do with being magnanimous," Xiao Ran said. "Our friendship is our friendship. I can’t let that get in the way of your business, can I?"

Since Xiao Ran had said as much, Director Zhang’s mind was finally at ease.

With his worries assuaged, he dropped the act and looked with a beaming smile at Dong Ming, who was still sweating nervously across from him.

"Alright, then. Please thank your President Yan for me."

’It would be impossible to put all of Yunya Company’s web series on Ai Qi.’

’But two of them... that wasn’t out of the question.’

Hearing this, Dong Ming, who had been at a complete loss, felt as if he’d been granted a royal pardon!

’Honestly, he’d thought that after what Xiao Ran said, Director Zhang would be even more resolute in his refusal.’

’He never expected Director Zhang to actually accept it!!!’

’It was like a dream.’

He looked at Director Zhang with immense gratitude and gave a decisive ninety-degree bow.

"Thank you, Director Zhang! I won’t disturb you any longer. Please, carry on."

With that, he hurriedly backed out of Director Zhang’s office.

Director Zhang hefted the bag in his hand. It was pretty heavy.

’Probably seventy or eighty thousand.’

’He hadn’t expected this President Yan to be so generous.’

He quickly placed the gift bag on his desk before returning to his seat.

"Well, look at that," Director Zhang began. "To be honest, everyone knows about the situation between you and President Yan. But I really didn’t expect you to be so magnanimous, Teacher Xiao. To not speak ill of her at a time like this... that’s truly rare."