Chapter 49: Zhou Chenyan is Backing Her Up Again

"Team Leader?!"

Zhou Zhizi asked in disbelief, still trying to fight for her chance. "I swear to you, I will never develop any relationships with colleagues outside of a professional scope."

Han Qi frowned slightly, lost in thought for a moment, before finally shaking his head. "Our team already has three members. You should go back."

Zhou Zhizi bit her lip, cast a resentful glance at me, and turned to leave.

"Student Zhou..."

Qian Yushu's heartache was written all over his face, and the look he gave me carried a hint of blame.

I couldn't be bothered to deal with him.

After he left, I wanted to leave as well. Hesitating for a moment, I turned back to look at Han Qi.

"Team Leader, may I ask why you ultimately rejected Zhou Zhizi's request to join?"

"I don't trust her promise."

His tone was resolute.

My heart was a swirl of mixed emotions. Zhou Zhizi always possessed a knack for effortlessly charming men, whether it was Zhou Chenyan or his friends. They all pampered her endlessly. Qian Yushu included.

Han Qi, however, was different from the others.

He looked up at me, seemingly puzzled as to why I hadn't left yet. "Any more questions?"

I still wanted to ask him why he was so certain Zhou Zhizi wouldn't keep her word. Even though she indeed wouldn't.

I could already imagine what kind of chaos would ensue the moment she joined our team.

"I've heard about what happened recently."

Ah, I see.

Even though Han Qi hadn't been in the company at the time, he had caught up on those events after returning.

That department gathering, and the excessive intimacy between Zhou Chenyan and Zhou Zhizi, had inevitably sparked speculation.

Still, I felt compelled to give him a compliment.

"Brilliant move, Team Leader."

Han Qi chuckled softly. "Stop flattering me and get back to work."

"Though I think you should be careful. Zhou Zhizi isn't the type to let things go easily. Since you turned her down, she'll probably think of other ways."

Knowing Zhou Zhizi as I did, she would never give up so easily.

Achieving her goals by any means necessary—that was her true nature.

Han Qi's expression grew solemn. "I understand."

I still had confidence in our team leader. Since he said he wouldn't let Zhou Zhizi into the team, she definitely wouldn't get in.

In the evening, our three-member team held a meeting.

Qian Yushu was distracted the entire time. I found it utterly speechless, but I held my tongue until he gave an irrelevant answer yet again.

Han Qi tapped the table.

"What are you thinking about? Is your mind not on your work?"

"I'm sorry, I..."

Han Qi cut off any explanation. "If you don't want to do this job, just say so. I can transfer you to another team."

Qian Yushu's face turned pale instantly.

"No, Team Leader, I didn't mean that!"

"Then focus on your work." Han Qi's expression was sterner than ever. "If I catch you distracted and slacking off again, I won't give you a warning beforehand."

The implication was clear: he would transfer him away directly.

Qian Yushu nodded hurriedly. "I understand."

This warning proved effective. At the very least, he didn't dare let his mind wander for the rest of the session.

Work progressed exceptionally smoothly.

Just as we were packing our things, preparing to leave for the day, uninvited guests arrived.

Zhou Zhizi, followed closely by Zhou Chenyan.

The moment I saw them, I knew we were doomed.

Han Qi greeted Zhou Chenyan politely. "What brings President Zhou over so late? If it's about work matters, a phone call would have sufficed."

"I'm afraid this matter isn't something that can be explained clearly over the phone."

Zhou Chenyan glanced at me.

I ignored him.

Zhou Zhizi tugged at Zhou Chenyan's sleeve. "Forget it, let's just drop it. It doesn't matter if I don't join this team, as long as they can do their job well, I can go to another team just as easily."

The way she phrased it made it sound as though we wouldn't be able to work properly simply because she wasn't here.

I rolled my eyes inwardly.

Han Qi stated, "If this is about joining the team, President Zhou, you needn't say another word. I will not agree to it, and I have already explained the reasons to Ms. Zhou."

Zhou Zhizi lowered her head in humiliation.

Zhou Chenyan calmly replied, "I believe she has the capability to join your team. Besides, with your ability, you are fully capable of guiding her."

"I have already taken on two newcomers."

Han Qi's meaning was crystal clear: he had no intention of taking on an extra person.

Personally, I thought he was being too polite. He wasn't running a charity.

Mentoring newcomers was never an easy task. It wasn't just a matter of having them trail behind you; you had to impart experience, correct their mistakes, and take responsibility for cleaning up their messes and acting as their scapegoat.

It was a thankless job with all the hardship and none of the reward.

Of course, one couldn't rule out scheming individuals who loved stealing credit from newcomers, but Han Qi wasn't that kind of person.

Therefore, he would only suffer the exhaustion without any credit.

"Han Qi, if I recall correctly, you joined the company three years ago."

As soon as Zhou Chenyan opened his mouth, I knew it was over.

He never bothered to learn about someone without a purpose, and those targeted by top executives usually met a grim fate.

I cast a subtle, meaningful glance at Han Qi.

At this point, compromise was necessary. Otherwise, that stubborn jerk would never let it go.

Zhou Chenyan stepped forward, leaned close to Han Qi's ear, and whispered something.

Even with straining my ears, I couldn't catch what he said.

However, Han Qi's expression shifted drastically.

No one spoke. The office fell into a chilling, suffocating silence.

A silent standoff.

Han Qi clenched his teeth. "We will defer entirely to President Zhou's arrangements."

Zhou Chenyan curved his lips into a satisfied smirk. "You're a smart man."

He glanced at me. "Let's go."

At that, everyone's gaze shifted to me. I stiffly twitched the corner of my mouth. "Thank you for your kind offer, President Zhou, but I won't be hitching a ride."

Zhou Chenyan gave me a deep look before Zhou Zhizi grabbed his arm.

"Forget it, A-Yan, let's go."

The two of them finally left, and the air around us seemed to instantly clear. I secretly looked at Han Qi, wondering what on earth Zhou Chenyan had said to him.

His expression remained grim.

It was obvious that Zhou Chenyan had managed to secure some sort of leverage over him.

Han Qi looked at me and said, "I'm sorry..."

"It's fine." I fully understood his frame of mind at that moment. Ordinary people simply couldn't defeat the capitalist class; other than yielding, there was no alternative.

"It's getting late, I'll head out first."

Han Qi nodded.

As I reached the door, I turned back to look at him. He was staring at the floor, looking somewhat lost.

This was the first time I had ever witnessed such an emotion on him. He had always projected an aura of composure and reliability, as though nothing in the world could ever rattle him, let alone make things difficult for him.

"Team Leader."

Han Qi looked up at me.

"Get some good rest tonight."

He offered a faint, weary smile. "Okay."

...

The news of Zhou Zhizi joining our team spread throughout the department by the next morning.

Almost everyone knew about it.

Han Qi and I could only maintain a discreet silence, whereas Qian Yushu was visibly radiant with unconcealed joy.

"Team Leader, Sister Yanyan, I'm here to report for duty."

Zhou Zhizi stood at the office doorway, smiling brightly.

Looking for all the world like a victorious conqueror.