Hao Jian could clearly discern the worries in Yuan Shanshan's heart and, in that moment, he said with a smile,
"If you are afraid that he will fire you, then you need not worry. Since I've already planned to stand up for you, I certainly won't let him continue to behave arrogantly in the company. What you need to do is just like last time on Akina Mountain, just trust me!"
Yuan Shanshan was taken aback for a moment and then, after pondering for a while, she finally nodded, "I'll take you to him!"
When Yuan Shanshan and Hao Jian returned to the design department, all the colleagues immediately turned their attention to them. They were curious about why Yuan Shanshan was bringing Hao Jian. Could it be that she wanted him to stand up for her?
With this thought, they found it quite laughable. A mere driver, what could he do to their minister? Yuan Shanshan was truly naive.
However, Yuan Shanshan ignored their whispering and directly led Hao Jian into the minister's office.
He Runyu was in his office watching a Japanese film; upon seeing Yuan Shanshan enter, he turned off the film and then looked up at her, scoffing as he said,
"Yuan Shanshan, have you thought it through? Do you still insist that the design book is yours?"
"That design book was indeed mine!" Yuan Shanshan angrily retorted. She had drawn every line of that design herself—what did he mean by 'she thought'?
"That's not for you to decide, now is it? The law speaks of evidence. Do you have any?" He Runyu smugly motioned for Yuan Shanshan to present her evidence.
"All the evidence has been destroyed by you!"
Yuan Shanshan was livid, inwardly cursing He Runyu for his shamelessness. He had destroyed the evidence himself, and now he was demanding that she produce it. How could she possibly have it?
"That too needs evidence. You claim I destroyed the evidence—do you have proof?" He Runyu's smile grew even more smug, even shameless.
He was sure that Yuan Shanshan couldn't touch him, so he spoke without any reservations.
Yuan Shanshan was so angry she almost ground her teeth to dust, but she could only glare at He Runyu, powerless to do anything.
"Minister He, right?"
At this point, Hao Jian knew it was his turn to step up. From the conversation between him and Yuan Shanshan, he was fully convinced he was dealing with a scumbag.
"Oh, so you brought your boyfriend to fight for you? You think that scares me? If you dare touch me, I'll make sure none of you can walk away from here unscathed! Yuan Shanshan, I heard your mother is in the hospital needing a lot of money for medical bills. What if I fire you now, what would happen then?" He Runyu chuckled coldly, clearly confident he had Yuan Shanshan cornered.
At these words, Yuan Shanshan went rigid, hit right at her vulnerable spot.
Seeing Yuan Shanshan's reaction, He Runyu laughed even louder:
"Yuan Shanshan, I'm not afraid to tell you outright—I plagiarized your work, so what? Without evidence, you can only swallow your broken teeth. Dare to trouble me, and I'll immediately kick you out!"
Hearing this, Yuan Shanshan was already thinking of retreating. Indeed, there was nothing they could do to He Runyu.
At this moment, seeing that Yuan Shanshan wasn't speaking, He Runyu became even more brazen, leering as he said,
"Of course, if you want the design book back it's simple, spend one night with me. Just one night, and I'll return the design book to you and even help you become the chief designer. How about that?"
It turned out that He Runyu had harbored inappropriate thoughts toward Yuan Shanshan ever since she joined the company and had always been looking for a chance to get his hands on her.
This plagiarism incident partly happened because Hao Jian genuinely admired Yuan Shanshan's design, and partly because he schemed to use the design book to threaten Yuan Shanshan into compliance.
Hao Jian raised an eyebrow, He Runyu treated him as if he were Yuan Shanshan's boyfriend, yet he still spoke such words in front of him, which was a clear insult and a slap in his face. By this time, Hao Jian was already ready to fight.
"You are shameless! I will absolutely not agree to your demands!" Yuan Shanshan trembled with anger.
"Shanshan, people always look forward. What can this 'loser' boyfriend of yours do for you? I'm different. I have both power and money. If you become my woman, I can use my power to benefit you, ensuring your smooth and rapid promotion within the company. Think about it?"
He Runyu stared intently at Yuan Shanshan, his eyes shimmering with desire, like a hungry wolf.
"No need to think about it, even if I were to accompany someone in bed for free, I wouldn't become a woman to a scumbag like you, because you make me feel disgusted!" Yuan Shanshan scoffed with a fierce response.
He Runyu's expression changed, then a sinister smile appeared on his face, "Good! Very good! It won't be long before you come begging me over today's words. Don't forget, I am the head of the design department. As long as I'm above you, you'll never have a chance to turn things around!"
As soon as the words fell, a slap flew directly toward him, hitting He Runyu's face hard.
Yuan Shanshan was stunned at this moment, not expecting Hao Jian to suddenly strike. Hitting someone was illegal, and if He Runyu called the police, they would be doomed.
"You dare hit me?" He Runyu was stunned, then blood rushed to his head, his eyes filled with ferocity, staring straight at Hao Jian.
"Hit you? That was nothing," Hao Jian shook his head, a cold smile forming at the corner of his mouth:
As the words fell, Hao Jian threw a punch that landed heavily on He Runyu's face, knocking him down with several teeth lost and blood gushing from his mouth.
Hao Jian looked down at him from a height, his face full of disdain: "How does it feel? Is the flower blooming red?"
Yuan Shanshan was petrified on the spot, and now there was no turning back.
"Yuan Shanshan, you dare bring your lover to hit me, just wait to be fired. And you, I'm going to call the police and have you thrown in jail!"
He Runyu's teeth clattered, his face twisted with ferocity, unable to accept that he had been bested by a mere employee, which he absolutely couldn't tolerate.
Dare hit me? I will make you pay!
"Call the police? Great, I just so happen to want the police to hear what I've recorded."
Hao Jian took out his phone, pressed the play button, and started playing the recording. Every word He Runyu had said was captured perfectly.
At that moment, He Runyu's face turned ashen. If this got into the hands of the police, he could end up in prison.
"Minister He, you were able to successfully steal others' work among numerous subordinates without leaving evidence of the crime, which shows you're somewhat clever. Unfortunately, you're still not clever enough," Hao Jian said with a cold laugh.
He Runyu had made a very critical mistake. He had become too arrogant, not taking into account that they might record him, and thus he spoke without restraint.
At this moment, Yuan Shanshan's eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at Hao Jian.
Once again, he had saved her!