Xiao Linye gave Kang Xuan an icy stare.
Feeling a chill down his spine, Kang Xuan stammered, "Is-is something wrong?"
"Go check the working hours of the Finance Department."
The Design Department was on the same floor as the Finance Office, Xiao Linye mused. Other than the Finance Office working overtime, it couldn’t be anything else. After all, she just joined the company; she’s unlikely to wander into other departments.
When the Finance Office was mentioned, Kang Xuan said, "The Finance Office often works overtime."
"Often?" Xiao Linye’s voice was devoid of warmth.
Kang Xuan nodded. "Yes. After all, Xiao Corporation has many branches, and each submits its accounts at different times of the month, making reconciliation quite troublesome!"
"Is that the reason for working overtime?" Xiao Linye asked.
Kang Xuan hesitated. Isn’t that just how it is? Although there’s a powerful system in place, Xiao Corporation has a particularly large number of branches. And this is the headquarters, which also implements various forms of supervision over them. Every month, the Finance Office conducts checks on certain branches, and if anything doesn’t add up, it causes utter chaos.
Meeting Xiao Linye’s cold gaze, Kang Xuan felt even more uneasy. They’re also working for the company; there’s nothing wrong with that, right? After all, isn’t working hard at one’s job what every boss likes to see? But the Master is different! What he wants is efficiency—completing one’s duties within working hours...!
Xiao Linye lit a cigarette and said faintly, "There’s nothing wrong with working overtime. But it’s wrong to demand uninvolved individuals do so as well!"
Kang Xuan remained silent. Uninvolved individuals... he was referring to the Madam, right? He knew it...!
Xiao Linye continued, "Was this reported by Manager Zhang?"
Kang Xuan was momentarily perplexed, but he quickly realized Xiao Linye was talking about the Madam.
"Does the HR Department often work overtime?" Xiao Linye inquired.
"Not really," Kang Xuan replied.
"Heh! They don’t work overtime themselves but demand others to?" Xiao Linye scoffed.
Kang Xuan was silent again. So, it all came down to the Madam. Thinking about Manager Zhang’s attitude on the phone, he was undoubtedly dissatisfied with the Madam’s decision not to work overtime. These people...! Hadn’t they been told she was personally recruited by the Master? Why didn’t they have the slightest bit of discernment? ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⚫𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
At this thought, Kang Xuan began to feel dissatisfied with Manager Zhang’s handling of the situation.
"Go and fire the gossipmongers," Xiao Linye ordered.
This direct command sent a jolt through Kang Xuan, his thoughts racing. Indeed, a protective man was not to be trifled with! The Finance Office had really gone too far, daring to gossip about someone personally looked after by the Master. And the Finance Director hadn’t managed it properly at all.
Kang Xuan nodded. "Yes."
"Also," Xiao Linye added, "she doesn’t like to work overtime."
Kang Xuan swallowed. There it was, that protectiveness...! Now Kang Xuan basically understood: from now on, he had to be extremely careful about anything concerning the Madam. Otherwise, many people would undoubtedly suffer the consequences.
Kang Xuan left the office.
Xiao Linye then picked up the phone and dialed Ye Qingli.
The call was quickly answered, and Ye Yuning’s dejected voice came through, "Aye."
The sound of "Aye" instantly softened the sternness in Xiao Linye’s eyes.
He asked softly, "Did you take the afternoon off? Is your face bothering you?"
"Yes, I went to the hospital by myself."
Ye Yuning had been worrying about how to deflect his questions if Xiao Linye asked, but he had just handed her an excuse.
"Why didn’t you call me? I could have accompanied you," Xiao Linye said, his tone becoming even gentler upon hearing she was going to the hospital.
Ye Yuning replied, "No need, I can manage by myself. You should focus on work. General Manager is such a pervert; since you brought me in, if we both take time off, he might hold it against you."
Xiao Linye was speechless. That perverted General Manager again! What on earth had he done to this girl? Why did she dislike him so much? Never before had Xiao Linye wanted so badly to rush to this girl, tell her he was the Xiao Qiye everyone talked about. He wanted her to open her eyes wide and see for herself if he was truly a pervert or not!
"Oh, I’m at the hospital now. I can’t talk anymore. Bye!" Ye Yuning said quickly.
"Be careful, and don’t be reckless," he advised.
With that, she hung up.
Xiao Linye listened to the dial tone, his expression unhappy. He simply couldn’t understand why this girl had such a strong aversion to his identity as ’Xiao Qiye’. Could it be because of Manlang’s owner? That shrew must have constantly badmouthed him. Otherwise, why would the little thing have such a terrible impression of him?