The Long Road Ahead: C05

That can't be true, can it?

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

Xiao Ning always had a limit on the amount of food and drink in his diet, so after stuffing himself vigorously, to the point of bursting, he found himself on the following Saturday feeling a bit sick and had to take a day to rest the Sunday proceeding it. Because of this situation, he was also unable to go visit Wang Hua and see for himself how his sister-in-law was doing.

Xiao Ning did not stay for long with them at the hospital, since it wasn't long before Yating woke up and began crying. "Let's go, your niece has to eat." Wang Hua stood up and said.

Early the following Monday morning, he made his way to the company he worked at and had an early morning group meeting as usual. Then after returning to his seat, he drank two mouthfuls of hot water, right as his manager came to find him.

So even though there were a lot of things happening to him, more than anyone, Xiao Ning understood that to others, only a few things could be told.

The author has something to say:~[] To the roast chicken who threw me a mine, thank you =3=)

"Yes, it's exactly that 'can't be true'." Wang Hua's eyes sharpened as they watched him, adding, "Shan Haiming is the Shan family's second son."

This was always how it was for Xiao Ning, he would give the other a call and there would be a fifty-fifty chance of him getting an answer. It was either due to Lu Yan always being busy with something personal, or him being caught up at work. Plus, even if he did notice the missed call from Xiao Ning, there was no incentive on his part to call Xiao Ning back, knowing Xiao Ning would most likely call him again.

The good never happens, and the bad always comes true. This situation... the way this looks doesn't seem to good either, right?

"It's beautiful." Xiao Ning honestly replied. Maybe it was because he knew he, himself, would never have a child in this lifetime, that caused him to unconsciously grow fond of children whenever they are seen. This special kind of otherworldly pureness and tranquillity, now infected Xiao Ning, coaxing the corners of his lips in an upwards curve as he praised, "When she grows up, she'll be a beautiful woman."

"Did something happen?" As they walked, Wang Hua asked.

"Xiao Ning, we're heading over to the director's office."

To the rest of the customer service specialists, this matter was relayed by Xiao Ning, and all of them panicked when they heard. But Xiao Ning had nothing more to say to them, and simply went to pack up his own things, after doing so, just made his way back home.

Zhao Chao then added, "You guys are the customer service department. You all contact the clients in our distribution chain, and all of you had signed a confidentiality agreement when you were hired. So I hope you properly understand the gravity of this matter."

The author has something to say:~[] To the roast chicken who threw me a mine, thank you =3=)

"You're Xiao Ning, yes?" Director Zhao Chao stared at Xiao Ning in the eye, while pointing towards a stack of A4 papers on his desk. "Come take a look at these."

That can't be true, can it?

The conclusion was in his heart, but it was too much of a coincidence... how could there be such a thing be true? The thought made Xiao Ning's mouth fall open in shock, speechless: ""

Hearing this command, Xiao Ning couldn't make heads or tails of it. The Branch Manager's boss was the Regional Manager, and above them both was the Director. So usually such a person was not directly responsible for a low-level supervisor like himself. So why would they suddenly single him out and call him to the office? Was there something going on?

At the annual company meeting, both the general manager and the vice-general manager were present. But, Xiao Ning had no lasting impression of the General Manager, so how could he be expected to remember the vice-general manager? But on several notices throughout the company building, both the general manager and vice-general manager's names had been signed. So using this, he tried his best to recall them, saying, "It looks like their name is Shan..."

"You're Xiao Ning, yes?" Director Zhao Chao stared at Xiao Ning in the eye, while pointing towards a stack of A4 papers on his desk. "Come take a look at these."

After such a scene on his way out of the office, Xiao Ning's mood was as low as it could be. On his way back home, his urge to call Lu Yan couldn't be helped, but to his amazement and expectation, that other man did not answer.

How could it be, that after twenty years of resigning myself to working hard, and conducting myself in an upstanding manner, I still ended up being screwed over like this?

Xiao Ning replied imply, "Rihua."

His manager didn't say much about the matter, but the man's expression made Xiao Ning feel ill at ease. Prompting him to dare not ask the reason, as soon he had entered the director's office with him.

Zhao Chao and Xiao Ning's manager did not say anything more. But because Rihua had very strict regulations, Xiao Ning, along with his entire group, were all suspended. The handling of the incident was to be reported to the authorities and left up to the higher-ups to discuss.

"You're Xiao Ning, yes?" Director Zhao Chao stared at Xiao Ning in the eye, while pointing towards a stack of A4 papers on his desk. "Come take a look at these."

Xiao Ning did not stay for long with them at the hospital, since it wasn't long before Yating woke up and began crying. "Let's go, your niece has to eat." Wang Hua stood up and said.

How could it be, that after twenty years of resigning myself to working hard, and conducting myself in an upstanding manner, I still ended up being screwed over like this?

"Listen, Xiao Ning, I know you're not someone who likes going around and spreading gossip with others, so I have to ask you this first." Saying this, Wang Hua stared at him with an expression which was impossible to describe. Then with a click of his tongue, he continued, "Do you know who the vice-general manager of Rihua is?"

A smile, one which could only be described as brilliant, at the mention of his daughter, spread across Wang Hua's face, "Yes, her name is Ya'ting. The 雅:Ya for elegance, and the 婷:Ting for grace."

But in the time of these shortened days, he felt a bit exhausted. At this time, Wang Hua, who he regarded as an elder, showed him concern. So once, he simply couldn't help himself.

Zhao Chao then said seriously, "Six thousand yuan. It's really easy for the people on your team to make some extra money, isn't it?"

The good never happens, and the bad always comes true. This situation... the way this looks doesn't seem to good either, right?

"Did something happen?" As they walked, Wang Hua asked.

The Rihua Group was a large listed enterprise, so it was not that strange for someone working as long as Wang Hua to have heard of their name. But the expression he was currently wearing seemed much more complex than one which would say: Turns out it was Rihua. This reaction gave Xiao Ning a strange feeling, making him ask, "What's wrong?"

Hearing no one pick up on the other end of the line, Xiao Ning hung up, feeling the depression in his heart congeal into a cold blob of emptiness. The frigid thing entwined around all the organs inside him, leaving his entire body crawling with a chill, one which refused to leave him.

Xiao Ning's face tightened. Something like this could regarded as corporate espionage at the very worst. Plus, even though he had no idea it happened, they would think he was involved in it too.

Xiao Ning did not stay for long with them at the hospital, since it wasn't long before Yating woke up and began crying. "Let's go, your niece has to eat." Wang Hua stood up and said.

But no matter how hard he tried, Xiao Ning honestly couldn't think of what the problem could've been, and could only obediently listen to his superior as he began flipping through the papers, which were filled with lists of names and phone numbers.

Wang Hua, more or less, knew him. And if Xiao Ning was the type that could mingle with those at the upper echelons of the company, he would've gone into marketing a long time ago, instead of being bullied in customer service.

Xiao Ning replied imply, "Rihua."

And after freezing for a second, Xiao Ning replied, "No. It's nothing."

Zhao Chao then said seriously, "Six thousand yuan. It's really easy for the people on your team to make some extra money, isn't it?"

The smile Sun Rouyan now wore was especially gentle, possessing a kind of gentleness borne from the purest form of content, and whether the reason for this expression was on account of her newfound motherhood, was something left unknown. "The birth was natural, so my recovery is going along quite fast."

Xiao Ning stopped at once, his expression now turning somewhat dazed.

"Did something happen?" As they walked, Wang Hua asked.

Xiao Ning's heart lurched, and he now knew what was going on.

He was one who preferred to not commit to anything completely, leaving room for him to advance or retreat, in everything he did. He depended on his reliability and experience to get himself promoted to his current supervisory position, and as a supervisor, he wasn't that strict. So even if it was the greed of another that had brought about this mistake, he, as the supervisor, could not shirk his responsibility regarding it. Whether he lost his job or not because it, was something yet to be known. Another worry because of this, was him having to pay a significant amount of compensation.

Xiao Ning did not want to tell his problems to Wang Hua, only because it was something he was unaccustomed to, that is, passing on negative things to others.

Xiao Ning stopped at once, his expression now turning somewhat dazed.

It was clear what he meant was that Sun Rouyan had to nurse, so understanding this, Xiao Ning quickly rose and left with him.

That can't be true, can it?

To him, except for one's parents, he believed no one should have a limitless store of patience, or obligation, to listen to one's troubles; and parents were something he never had.

Xiao Ning's face tightened. Something like this could regarded as corporate espionage at the very worst. Plus, even though he had no idea it happened, they would think he was involved in it too.

"You're Xiao Ning, yes?" Director Zhao Chao stared at Xiao Ning in the eye, while pointing towards a stack of A4 papers on his desk. "Come take a look at these."

Beckoning Wang Hua's proud response, "That's right."

"He is..." Xiao Ning hesitantly shut his mouth, thinking: Why is there only one character different between his name and Shan Haiming's?

How could it be, that after twenty years of resigning myself to working hard, and conducting myself in an upstanding manner, I still ended up being screwed over like this?

"...Please accept my apologies. This was a dereliction of duty on my part." Xiao Ning kept his cool as he said this, before adding as calmly as he could, "As per the losses the company has incurred because of this, I am deeply sorry."

It was clear what he meant was that Sun Rouyan had to nurse, so understanding this, Xiao Ning quickly rose and left with him.

The conclusion was in his heart, but it was too much of a coincidence... how could there be such a thing be true? The thought made Xiao Ning's mouth fall open in shock, speechless: ""

Beckoning Wang Hua's proud response, "That's right."

Xiao Ning did not want to tell his problems to Wang Hua, only because it was something he was unaccustomed to, that is, passing on negative things to others.

"Yes, it's exactly that 'can't be true'." Wang Hua's eyes sharpened as they watched him, adding, "Shan Haiming is the Shan family's second son."

With a shrug of his shoulders, Wang Hua helped him complete it, saying, "Shan Haihong."

Wang Hua then asked, "Do you know who the chairman of your company is?"

Xiao Ning's heart lurched, and he now knew what was going on.

But seeing Xiao Ning's completely unknowing expression, Wang Hua responded himself, adding, "Shan Yisong."

Xiao Ning did not stay for long with them at the hospital, since it wasn't long before Yating woke up and began crying. "Let's go, your niece has to eat." Wang Hua stood up and said.

He was one who preferred to not commit to anything completely, leaving room for him to advance or retreat, in everything he did^[1]. He depended on his reliability and experience to get himself promoted to his current supervisory position, and as a supervisor, he wasn't that strict. So even if it was the greed of another that had brought about this mistake, he, as the supervisor, could not shirk his responsibility regarding it. Whether he lost his job or not because it, was something yet to be known. Another worry because of this, was him having to pay a significant amount of compensation.

The conclusion was in his heart, but it was too much of a coincidence... how could there be such a thing be true? The thought made Xiao Ning's mouth fall open in shock, speechless: ""

And after freezing for a second, Xiao Ning replied, "No. It's nothing."

How could it be, that after twenty years of resigning myself to working hard, and conducting myself in an upstanding manner, I still ended up being screwed over like this?

Xiao Ning did not stay for long with them at the hospital, since it wasn't long before Yating woke up and began crying. "Let's go, your niece has to eat." Wang Hua stood up and said.

Wang Hua then asked, "Do you know who the chairman of your company is?"

Beckoning Wang Hua's proud response, "That's right."

It was clear what he meant was that Sun Rouyan had to nurse, so understanding this, Xiao Ning quickly rose and left with him.

"You're Xiao Ning, yes?" Director Zhao Chao stared at Xiao Ning in the eye, while pointing towards a stack of A4 papers on his desk. "Come take a look at these."

Now standing on the street, the stream of people moving to and fro flooded past him, all of them having their own direction, with only him not knowing where he should go. This feeling currently overwhelming him, was one reminiscent of a time back in his youth. A time when he was also in this state while looking on at a bustling crowd darkly.

"Goodness, you're just stopping by, so why did you bring us so many gifts." Upon seeing Xiao Ning arrive, Wang Hua promptly got up from his seat at his wife's bedside, taking the gifts and placing them to the side. "Come, get over here. This right here is your sister-in-law. And, honey, this guy here is Xiao Ning. He's the one I've been telling you about."

How could it be, that after twenty years of resigning myself to working hard, and conducting myself in an upstanding manner, I still ended up being screwed over like this?

Xiao Ning's face tightened. Something like this could regarded as corporate espionage at the very worst. Plus, even though he had no idea it happened, they would think he was involved in it too.

"Oh, sorry. My bad." After a passer-by knocked into him accidentally, Xiao Ning regained his senses. Pursing his lips, he thought for a little while then pulled out pocketed phone to call Wang Hua. "Wang-ge? You're still at the hospital, right? Oh, okay. Well, I don't have anything to do right now, so is now a good time for me to come over and see Sister-in-law?"

Wang Hua's reply was beaming with enthusiasm, and Xiao Ning seemed as though he released a weighted breath. He now made his way to the supermarket, buying two huge bags worth of gifts, afterwards hailing a cab to hurry over to the maternity hospital.

Xiao Ning stopped at once, his expression now turning somewhat dazed.

Beckoning Wang Hua's proud response, "That's right."

The good never happens, and the bad always comes true. This situation... the way this looks doesn't seem to good either, right?

So even though there were a lot of things happening to him, more than anyone, Xiao Ning understood that to others, only a few things could be told.

Xiao Ning did not want to tell his problems to Wang Hua, only because it was something he was unaccustomed to, that is, passing on negative things to others.

After hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on Xiao Ning's face.

And after freezing for a second, Xiao Ning replied, "No. It's nothing."

"It's very nice to meet you, sister-in-law." Xiao Ning then carefully sat down at her bedside, saying, "You've worked really hard. So how are you feeling now?"

Sun Rouyan sat on the hospital bed, her face a bit drowsy as she gently held a child in her bosom, "So you're Xiao Ning, huh? I swear, I hear Wang-ge talk about you all the time."

That can't be true, can it?

"It's very nice to meet you, sister-in-law." Xiao Ning then carefully sat down at her bedside, saying, "You've worked really hard. So how are you feeling now?"

He gave Wang Hua the basic picture of what went down at his company. The man muttered to himself for a while before he said, "Hey, don't worry yourself too much, alright? Whether this matter will be a big deal or a small one is completely up to the higher-ups at your job to decide. For you, this matter is about your dereliction of duty. So are there any higher-ups you can talk to? If you can get them to say a few words in your favour, then perhaps you'll just be made to submit a self-criticism and be docked a month's pay as punishment."

As a result, Wang Hua changed the topic, "Which company are you working at now? I can check around to see if there is anyone there that I know."

Xiao Ning did not want to tell his problems to Wang Hua, only because it was something he was unaccustomed to, that is, passing on negative things to others.

Xiao Ning no longer had any idea what he should say, so after nodding, he turned his gaze to the child, asking, "Wang-ge, has she been given a name?"

Xiao Ning did not stay for long with them at the hospital, since it wasn't long before Yating woke up and began crying. "Let's go, your niece has to eat." Wang Hua stood up and said.

The good never happens, and the bad always comes true. This situation... the way this looks doesn't seem to good either, right?

His answer prompted a queer look to flash across Wang Hua's face.

"Hey, don't look down on your Wang-ge's eyesight. Because if I was unable to notice this much, how could I be the assistant of Director Shan?" Wang Hua moved to pat Xiao Ning's shoulder, then asked once more, "So tell me, what's going on? Is it something at your company? Or is it something at home? Why didn't you go to work?"

Xiao Ning no longer had any idea what he should say, so after nodding, he turned his gaze to the child, asking, "Wang-ge, has she been given a name?"

Xiao Ning did not want to tell his problems to Wang Hua, only because it was something he was unaccustomed to, that is, passing on negative things to others.

Beckoning Wang Hua's proud response, "That's right."

Xiao Ning did not stay for long with them at the hospital, since it wasn't long before Yating woke up and began crying. "Let's go, your niece has to eat." Wang Hua stood up and said.

"You're Xiao Ning, yes?" Director Zhao Chao stared at Xiao Ning in the eye, while pointing towards a stack of A4 papers on his desk. "Come take a look at these."

Zhao Chao then said seriously, "Six thousand yuan. It's really easy for the people on your team to make some extra money, isn't it?"

It was clear what he meant was that Sun Rouyan had to nurse, so understanding this, Xiao Ning quickly rose and left with him.

After hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on Xiao Ning's face.

Beckoning Wang Hua's proud response, "That's right."

The conclusion was in his heart, but it was too much of a coincidence... how could there be such a thing be true? The thought made Xiao Ning's mouth fall open in shock, speechless: ""

Zhao Chao then said seriously, "Six thousand yuan. It's really easy for the people on your team to make some extra money, isn't it?"

"Did something happen?" As they walked, Wang Hua asked.

After hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on Xiao Ning's face.

And after freezing for a second, Xiao Ning replied, "No. It's nothing."

But in the time of these shortened days, he felt a bit exhausted. At this time, Wang Hua, who he regarded as an elder, showed him concern. So once, he simply couldn't help himself.

"Xiao Ning, we're heading over to the director's office."

So even though there were a lot of things happening to him, more than anyone, Xiao Ning understood that to others, only a few things could be told.

Xiao Ning was still in a state of not really understanding, as he was a low-level supervisor with who knows how many levels there were between the vice general manager and himself. He usually had most of his dealings with his direct manager, and the first time he ever spoke to the managing director was, in fact, today. Plus, having always been focused on his own work, he was not good at schmoozing with the higher-ups, and his interpersonal skills were a bust. Because, if none of these things were true, he would not currently be left to act passively in his current mess.

But seeing Xiao Ning's completely unknowing expression, Wang Hua responded himself, adding, "Shan Yisong."

Wang Hua then asked, "Do you know who the chairman of your company is?"

Xiao Ning did not want to tell his problems to Wang Hua, only because it was something he was unaccustomed to, that is, passing on negative things to others.

To him, except for one's parents, he believed no one should have a limitless store of patience, or obligation, to listen to one's troubles; and parents were something he never had.

Wang Hua then asked, "Do you know who the chairman of your company is?"

Xiao Ning replied imply, "Rihua."

So even though there were a lot of things happening to him, more than anyone, Xiao Ning understood that to others, only a few things could be told.

Xiao Ning did not want to tell his problems to Wang Hua, only because it was something he was unaccustomed to, that is, passing on negative things to others.

But in the time of these shortened days, he felt a bit exhausted. At this time, Wang Hua, who he regarded as an elder, showed him concern. So once, he simply couldn't help himself.

留余地: in basic terms, it means to allow for some leeway. But in broad terms, it's being used here to further highlight Xiao Ning's non-committal and tepid nature. His unwillingness to step forward unless he can step back and how that results in him being unmoving. []iana: One of the reasons I like this story is that Xiao Ning reminds me of a certain character from one of the first BL I ever read, but he ended up with his Lu Yan in the end which I don't accept to this day.