When the Ye Corporation invited Tang Yu to work, they had paid a price.
Given Tang Yu's experience and capabilities, his annual salary of one million was hardly excessive.
Tang Xiaomin's calculations were truly shrewd.
Even Zhang Meiyu felt that Tang Xiaomin was acting like a vulture, consuming without remorse.
With her entire family alive and well, Zhang Meiyu had no further desires. Whether to suffer a loss or not was Tang Yu's own affair. As his mother, she couldn't force Tang Yu to do anything.
Tang Yu felt a mix of amusement and despair.
"Providing food and lodging, you're truly good to me."
Tang Xiaomin paid no mind to his willingness or unwillingness.
"If you feel you're at a disadvantage, you can refuse. You can pack your things and leave right now, and I won't stop you."
Tang Yu shook his head helplessly. When you're under someone else's roof, you dare not look down.
"Food and lodging are fine too. As long as you're happy."
She always said they were heartless, but now it seemed she herself was a black-hearted boss, with little to no conscience.
"I'm not forcing you; this is voluntary. If you don't perform well, I'll still kick you out, so don't think about slacking off. There's no free lunch in this world."
Tang Yu smiled and nodded, not repelled by this version of Tang Xiaomin or her methods.
The next day, Tang Yu dressed neatly and accompanied Tang Xiaomin to Tang Corporation.
Tang Yu sat in the passenger seat, feeling as if it were all a dream.
He had once driven Tang Xiaomin through a car accident, and Tang Xiaomin had stabbed him six times. Yet now, they could sit in the same car, going to work at Tang Corporation, in such amicable peace.
They had both let go of their hatred, and life continued to be full of sunshine.
"Mom said you often don't come home and live at the company. You and that President Yan aren't married yet, and living together like this, without proper legitimacy. Outsiders will gossip."
Tang Xiaomin heard Tang Yu's words clearly, but she didn't respond. Her affairs were none of his business.
However, Tang Yu wasn't entirely wrong.
People labeled her a decorative vase, a vain woman who slept her way up...
Tang Xiaomin didn't care, because those people had no bearing on her life, and there was no need to cater to irrelevant individuals.
But over time, it would still bother her.
A diamond ring adorned her left ring finger. Although Yan Jue's proposal was somewhat hasty, she had indeed agreed.
Now everyone knew Yan Jue had proposed, and she had accepted.
Was it time to get married?
...
Upon arriving at Tang Corporation, Tang Xiaomin handed over the work to Tang Yu.
"Wait."
Tang Yu hesitated.
"Do you really intend to let me manage this company?"
Tang Corporation was still the same brand, and the office was still the same one.
Since he had sold Tang Corporation to Tang Xiaomin, he had never imagined he would return one day, and in such an open and aboveboard manner.
Tang Yu couldn't help but be moved.
From a young age, his parents had instilled in him the responsibility of inheriting the family business and managing the company.
Tang Corporation had been lost under his watch, and he felt immense self-reproach.
He had even harbored resentment towards Tang Xiaomin for losing Tang Corporation, doing many excessive things that almost led to his entire family being killed.
Tang Xiaomin was still willing to trust him and hand over Tang Corporation for him to manage.
Tang Xiaomin said sternly, "I never cared about Tang Corporation; however, it belongs to me now. You are merely an assistant I've hired. I'm not returning Tang Corporation to you, so don't overthink it."
Tang Xiaomin handed a pile of documents to Tang Yu, entrusting him with Tang Corporation.
His hands felt heavy as the burden of Tang Corporation once again pressed upon Tang Yu's shoulders.
He hadn't cried when Tang Xiaomin stabbed him six times.
But at this moment, his eyes couldn't help but turn red.
"Xiaomin, thank you, brother."
Seeing Tang Yu's reddened eyes and hearing his gratitude, Tang Xiaomin smiled calmly, refraining from any further harsh words.
"Do a good job. I'm leaving now."
Watching Tang Xiaomin's receding back, the tears in Tang Yu's eyes could no longer be held back.
Having faced death, he had a clear understanding of himself.
He truly regretted his past actions.
Now, all he could do was manage Tang Corporation well for Tang Xiaomin and do his utmost to atone for his mistakes.
Tang Yu wiped away his tears and sat at the desk, diligently reviewing the work Tang Xiaomin had given him.
...
Tang Xiaomin returned to Xianfu Group to busy herself with the IPO. Preparations were now complete.
Even Yan Jue, usually casual, had been unusually serious lately.
"Yan Jue, you've been different lately."
"How so?"
"You've gotten even handsomer."
Yan Jue walked over to Tang Xiaomin. She was seated, and he stood.
He gently caressed her face. Her delicate features were no bigger than his palm, easily within his grasp.
He could hardly bear the way she looked at him recently and averted his gaze.
If this continued, he would truly lose control.
Tang Xiaomin pulled Yan Jue and, without a word, began to lift his shirt.
This action startled Yan Jue, who quickly stopped her playful mischief.
"Minmin, stop fooling around. I'm not exactly a saint."
Tang Xiaomin blinked.
"What are you thinking? I just wanted to see how your rib removal site is healing."
So that was it. Yan Jue had thought she…
Tang Xiaomin slowly lifted Yan Jue's shirt, revealing his strong waist and well-defined abdominal muscles.
There was a healed scar on his left chest.
Tang Xiaomin's finger lightly traced the scar. A rib was missing from within.
"Who does things like you? What's the point of that?"
Removing a rib to make a ring and propose, it was so crazy; Tang Xiaomin couldn't understand.
Yan Jue remained silent and attempted to remove the diamond ring from Tang Xiaomin's index finger.
Tang Xiaomin's expression immediately changed, and she quickly pulled her hand back, stopping him.
"This is mine now. What are you doing?"
She acted as if she were protecting her most precious possession, not allowing anyone to touch it.
Yan Jue smiled knowingly.
"It's so precious to you, you won't even let me touch it?"
"If you take it off and lose it, what then? Better not to take it off."
Tang Xiaomin said, holding up her hand to admire it. The more she looked, the more she liked it.
After all, the material was special.
Tang Xiaomin had never paid much attention to jewelry before, often misplacing it.
Yan Jue had gone to such lengths, removing a rib to make a ring, simply to make her cherish it.
Seeing how she treasured it now, she wouldn't even let him touch it.
Yan Jue felt that a rib was well worth it.
"Minmin, I want you to promise me that you'll never take it off, no matter what," Yan Jue said earnestly.
"Why... why?"
Because he felt too insecure.
She was young and beautiful, attracting covetous glances, and there were always men who desired her.
He was truly happy that she had accepted his proposal.