Chapter 47: Can You Have a Little Shame?

"Alright!" Hua Tianyu agreed, rising leisurely from the sofa. With absolute certainty in his tone, he said, "You look much better when you smile than when you cry."

"Scoundrel! When have I ever cried?" Wei Xueying grabbed a pen from the table and threw it at him.

Being told she didn't look good was something no girl could tolerate.

Hua Tianyu pulled out a pack of tissues, placed it on her desk, and then turned to leave the office. As he walked out, he called back, "Wipe the tears from the corners of your eyes. If anyone else sees them, you'll lose your title as the Goddess of Shangjiang!"

With those words, he vanished from sight, leaving only a cool silhouette behind.

Wei Xueying’s cheeks flushed slightly—he actually noticed! But how dare he say I don't look good when I cry? Hua Tianyu, just wait until you fall into my hands. I’ll show you what good looks really are!

Wait, does having tears really make me look bad, as that scoundrel claimed?

Wei Xueying quickly pulled out a tissue from the pack Hua Tianyu had given her and gently wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes. Her lips curled up as she drew out another pen from the holder and resumed her work.

After a while, something suddenly occurred to her. She hurriedly picked up the phone and called Liang Hui...

Cheng Feng hadn’t expected that after taking a few days off to rest at home, his first day back at work would be met with such fierce wind and rain.

But once he entered Swan International Tower, the security guard at the entrance greeted him immediately, "Good morning, Manager Cheng!"

That single "Manager Cheng" quickly dispelled the discomfort he’d felt on the road.

Ever since that day at the Jiang family martial arts school, Hua Tianyu had become a nonentity in his eyes. What chauffeur for the president, what security expert—he was almost someone unable to take care of himself, let alone serve as a chauffeur or an expert. Ridiculous!

Now, seated comfortably in the security office, he received greetings from each guard as they entered. He nodded back with an air of pride.

The feeling of being addressed as Manager Cheng again and again was quite delightful, even addictive. Once you have something, you quickly become accustomed to it and reluctant to let it go.

Perhaps this was what people meant by "easy to go from frugal to extravagant," Cheng Feng mused.

"Good morning, Manager Cheng!" came another familiar greeting. Cheng Feng looked up—it was Cui Quan.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he remembered. During Hua Tianyu’s time in the security department, Cui Quan had been closest to him. Yet Cui Quan neither brought him gifts nor lost money to him at mahjong, and had always looked at him with displeasure.

"Cui Quan." Seeing Cui Quan in his security uniform, about to head out on patrol, Cheng Feng called him back.

"Manager Cheng, what is it?" Cui Quan paused.

"Oh, it’s like this. I’ve always felt your work is the most diligent and responsible among everyone here. The entire security department can’t compare to you." With a casual remark, Cheng Feng set Cui Quan against the rest of the department. Manipulating people like this was second nature to him.

Sure enough, as soon as he said that, the other guards in the office looked at Cui Quan differently.

Seeing his objective achieved, Cheng Feng continued, "Hard work deserves reward. While I was resting at home, I kept thinking about how to reward you in our daily work and make you a role model for the security department."

Cui Quan was stunned, first awkward from Cheng Feng’s inexplicable praise, now hopeful at the thought of a reward. A raise, perhaps? If so, that would be the best news.

He looked at Cheng Feng, eager for what would come next.

"Later, I figured it out. Guard duty at the main entrance represents the image of the security department and the entire Swan International Group. Such an important position needs someone as dedicated as you."

"From today, you won’t have to patrol and stand guard alternately. I know patrolling is hard on you all. I’ve decided that good steel should be used where it matters most. Someone like you must be placed in the most crucial position."

"From now on, you’ll stand guard at the main entrance full-time."

Cheng Feng finished his so-called "reward" in one breath, then looked at Cui Quan with a half-smile.

Guard duty at the main entrance did indeed represent the group’s image, so regardless of freezing cold, scorching heat, wind, or rain, unless there were exceptional circumstances, the guard must stay put. Eyes must remain alert, watching everyone entering and leaving the building, and suspicious persons must be stopped immediately.

It was the hardest job. Normally, guards rotated every hour, so those assigned to patrol and guard duty took turns.

Of course, people like Cheng Feng’s brother-in-law, Shi Yi, and a few fixed mahjong partners never participated in this rotation.

Now, Cheng Feng had first elevated Cui Quan, arousing resentment from the entire security department, then saddled him with a grand-sounding responsibility, and finally, demoted him under the guise of a promotion, sending him alone to the toughest post.

It was the kind of ruthless skill Cheng Feng had honed over years in the workplace!

Cui Quan’s face changed as Cheng Feng spoke. This was no reward—it was clearly a set-up! Standing at the entrance for eight hours, no one could bear it.

Especially today, with fierce wind and rain. Even with a raincoat, he’d soon be soaked through. Usually, on a day like this, an hour’s shift was all anyone could endure, then they’d come in for ginger tea and recover quickly.

But now, Cheng Feng wanted him outside in this weather for eight hours—how could he manage?

Cheng Feng was being utterly unreasonable!

Cui Quan’s eyes widened, his breathing grew heavy, and his face reddened with anger.

He shouted, "Cheng Feng, what’s the meaning of this? Just because I don’t flatter you doesn’t mean you can treat me like this!"

Not flattering him? Cheng Feng snorted softly, his hatred for Cui Quan growing.

He looked around the security office. "Treat you? Where? Ask everyone—I’m giving you important responsibility, isn’t that right?"

"Of course, Manager Cheng has made it clear. The post representing the whole group’s image needs talent like you. We’re not worthy."

"Cui Quan, the boss is looking out for you. Who knows, you might even be named Outstanding Employee at the end of the year!"

"Exactly, Manager Cheng recognizes talent. If you’re not grateful, fine, but how can you talk to him like that?"