Chapter Fifty-Three: The Tomboy

After the two women left, Mengyan tugged at Chen Hao’s sleeve. “Hey! Chen Hao, didn’t you notice that the way that person looked at you just now was a bit odd?”

“Hm? Was it?” Chen Hao hadn’t noticed anything. “What was odd about it?”

Mengyan pondered for a moment. “I can’t quite describe it, but I just felt her gaze was strange, almost as if she already knew you—and maybe even held a grudge against you.”

Chen Hao shook his head. “I don’t know, I didn’t pay attention! Besides, isn’t it normal for someone to know me? She’s the new department head, after all. It makes sense for her to look up information about each employee ahead of time, right? She probably saw my photo. Who can blame me for being so handsome? Every woman who sees me is bound to remember me!”

“Ugh! Shameless!” Mengyan retorted. “Besides me, only Yirou treats you like a treasure!”

Chen Hao laughed. “As long as you two think I’m a treasure, that’s enough! Let’s go! Forget about that crazy woman. We’re resigning anyway, so why bother with her?”

With that, the two arrived at the HR department, knocked, and walked right in.

The resignation process went smoothly, without any obstacles or difficulties. Normally, at a large and reputable company like Virtuality, even if an employee wants to quit, they’re expected to give notice, submit an application, and await managerial approval.

During the approval process, employees are still required to work until management signs off and arranges a replacement for the departing employee. Of course, if you don’t care about that month’s salary, you could simply walk away. Chen Hao and Mengyan didn’t care much about the money and were prepared for that possibility. Yet, the HR staff made things easy for them, approving their resignations on the spot and promising their final month’s salary would be paid in full.

In addition, to thank them for their years of service, Virtuality offered them three months’ extra salary as a reward.

Chen Hao and Mengyan were both surprised by HR’s generosity. Were they mistaken? Weren’t the two of them resigning, not being dismissed?

But neither dwelled on the matter. Since the company was being generous, they accepted it graciously, thanked the staff, and politely took their leave.

No sooner had they stepped out the front door than someone called out to them. It was Chen Hao’s friend, Bill Andre, the fair-skinned, yellow-hearted foreigner.

“Chen Hao! Mengyan! You actually resigned?!” Bill Andre called out, getting straight to the point.

“Huh?” Chen Hao looked at Bill in surprise. “Word travels fast! Who told you?”

Bill shrugged and pursed his lips. “Who else? Of course it was that newly appointed tomboy!”

“Ha! She’s so unpopular you all have nicknames for her now?” Chen Hao asked, surprised. “What did she do to offend you?”

Bill waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, don’t even mention it! She’s just like that rich kid parachuted in last time—came in and started lecturing everyone, saying this wasn’t good, that was too slow! You know how it is: these young, inexperienced managers think they know everything just because they spent a few years in school, and now they can boss everyone around! I spit…

I was hoping you’d come and put that arrogant tomboy in her place, but I didn’t expect you and Mengyan would be resigning today! Why are you two leaving when everything’s going so well?”

Bill finally returned to the main topic.

“It’s not for any particularly special reason. You know my background—I never relied on this job to support myself. I worked here purely for interest. Honestly, I’d long considered resigning because, after all this time, I haven’t uncovered what I wanted to know.

If it weren’t for you and Mengyan, I might have quit ages ago. Recently, certain events convinced me it’s time, so Mengyan and I talked it over and decided to leave together and start a small business.”

Bill nodded in understanding. “Yeah, I get it. You’re a rich young master, and even if you don’t have those spoiled airs, you still grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth. You’ve worked under others for so long, which is impressive, especially since this job, while well-paid, is exhausting. If I were you, I’d have quit long ago.”

Chen Hao smiled at Bill’s praise without comment.

“So, what kind of business are you planning?” Bill continued.

Chen Hao was completely open, sharing his plans and ideas with Bill Andre. However, he didn’t suggest Bill join him.

Bill, after all, was different from Mengyan and himself. Both he and Mengyan were children of wealthy families—their fortunes were enough to last a lifetime of indulgence. Though Mengyan wasn’t his biological sister, their bond was just as strong. As long as Chen Hao had food, Mengyan would never go hungry.

After resigning, they’d be starting their own business, and given the Chen and Fan family connections, plus Chen Hao’s abilities, even if they didn’t make a fortune, they’d do better than working for someone else.

Yet even so, there were risks. If the business succeeded, great; if not, losses would follow. Because of these risks, Chen Hao couldn’t simply invite Bill Andre to join. They weren’t brothers, just good friends.

If Chen Hao asked Bill to join him, Bill surely wouldn’t refuse, given their friendship. But if he did, Chen Hao would be responsible for Bill’s future. After all, a small business isn’t as stable as a technician’s job at a multinational like Virtuality.

Moreover, Bill was a father of two. He had to think about his family. If Chen Hao’s venture failed and Bill lost his stable, well-paid job, Chen Hao would be forever guilty.

Therefore, Chen Hao not only wouldn’t invite Bill to join but would refuse him if Bill asked.

And, knowing Bill Andre as he did, Chen Hao expected him to raise the question soon. Sure enough, Bill started, “Since you two have resigned and the illustrious Chen Hao is going to start his own business, as your close friend, I’d like to…”

Before he could finish, Chen Hao interrupted, “Stop right there! I know what you want to say, but I won’t agree to it!”

“Why?” Bill asked.

Chen Hao explained his thoughts to Bill and concluded, “If my business picks up in the future and I need extra hands, I’ll invite you myself. But right now, when I don’t even know how things will turn out, I can’t drag you into this.”

Bill wanted to protest, but Chen Hao’s next point left him speechless.

Chen Hao said, “Besides, even if I agreed to let you join me, would your wife allow it? With the way you’re always under her thumb, if she found out you quit Virtuality to follow me, the wealthy playboy, she’d skin you alive—and then come after me!”

Bill had nothing to say to that.

“All right, Bill, let’s leave it at that for today. Mengyan and I have other things to attend to, so we’ll chat some other time. You’d better get back to work, too, or that tomboy will use this as an excuse to hassle you!” Chen Hao laughed, patting Bill on the shoulder, and strode off with Mengyan.

Bill watched their figures recede into the distance, shaking his head and sighing helplessly.

Just as they rode off and disappeared from sight, the tomboy Bill had mentioned came out from the main entrance. She shouted angrily at Bill, “Bill Andre! You said you were going to the bathroom, but you ran out to see Chen Hao and that brat instead? Really? You dare lie to me? Do you even want to keep your job?”

Everyone outside the door was startled by her lion’s roar. Bill quickly turned, plastering on a smile. “Minister Dong! Don’t be angry, I’ll get back to work right away, right away…”

With that, he scurried back inside without even raising his head.

Meanwhile, in Chen Hao’s car, he was chatting with Mengyan. “Mengyan, about that new supervisor today…”

“What? Interested in her? Even that tomboy catches your eye? Your tastes are… unique!” Mengyan teased.

“Ugh!” Chen Hao scoffed. “Who’s interested in her? I just feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before…”

“Hmph!” Mengyan was unimpressed. “Somewhere before, huh? I think you just can’t resist pretty girls. You looked fierce facing her today, but that was just your ploy, wasn’t it? As a woman, I know how women think.

If a man fawns over her, she ignores him. But if someone confronts her like you did, she’ll pay attention. Chen Hao, you’re getting clever!”

All Chen Hao could do was shake his head and smile wryly; he never won these banters with Mengyan.

“Forget it, I’m done arguing with you. She’s irrelevant anyway—we’ll never see her again. Let’s go pick up Yirou and head to the supermarket for some travel supplies.” With that, Chen Hao drove home. But would today’s tomboy truly never cross paths with him again?