“I’m not saying that,” Su Lang shook his head.

“If that’s not what you mean, then shut up and go cook. We’re all hungry,” Yang Tai urged.

“Hurry up!” Li Manli added sharply.

“Go on, we haven’t eaten yet, and we’re all hungry,” Yang Jingwan echoed.

Su Lang had previously endured sarcastic and harsh remarks from Li Manli, which wore him down. He had Ma Hongsheng organize a banquet, intending to reveal a bit of his true identity to earn more respect from Li Manli. However, Ma Hongsheng’s sudden fainting foiled his plan.

Later, Ma Hongsheng tried to use his connections to secure a project, but Yang Tai secured one himself, rendering Su Lang’s efforts futile.

After some thought, Su Lang decided to stick to his original intention and continue interacting with Yang Jingwan’s family as a regular person. If he truly wanted to help them, he felt it was better done discreetly.

“I’ll go cook right away,” Su Lang said, heading to the kitchen swiftly.

[Ding, the host’s behind-the-scenes manipulation caused the protagonist Su Lang to fail in showing off to the female lead Yang Jingwan’s family, earning 300 villain points. Su Lang’s protagonist halo -15, host’s villain halo +15!]

Wang Haoran, who was preoccupied, received a notification from the system and paused. He hadn’t been paying attention to the situation with Yang Jingwan. However, judging from the system’s notification, it seemed to be a chain reaction caused by his poisoning of Ma Hongsheng. Ma Hongsheng was a supportive character in the protagonist’s camp and had aided Su Lang. Now that there was a problem, Su Lang was inevitably affected.

“What’s… what’s wrong?” Fang Xuan, her face flushed, looked up at him and couldn’t help but ask.

“Nothing,” Wang Haoran said, shaking his head before resuming his work. This time, he put on headphones to listen to what was happening on Yang Jingwan’s side.

…

Su Lang was quite skilled in the kitchen and quickly prepared a meal. While Yang Jingwan was eating, the sales manager from her department called. This sales manager was her direct superior, an old woman in her fifties. Colleagues privately referred to her as the “Old Witch” due to her harsh demeanor, frequent scoldings, and suppression of her subordinates.

Promotions in the sales department were primarily performance-based. The Old Witch, with her connections, found ways to eliminate any salesperson who performed well to safeguard her position. Her subordinates were angry but dared not speak out.

Of course, Yang Jingwan’s sales performance was notably poor. The Old Witch calling at this time of day likely meant bad news. Given that the month was nearly over, and her performance was still zero, picking up the phone, Yang Jingwan, with a troubled expression, returned to her room to answer the call.

“Yang Jingwan, what are you doing? Why did it take you so long to answer the phone?” As soon as the call connected, she heard the Old Witch’s roar. Yang Jingwan could almost imagine the Old Witch’s spitting, angry face. She felt somewhat relieved that she wasn’t in front of the Old Witch at that moment; otherwise, she would have been sprayed with saliva.

“Manager Yu, is there… something you need?” Yang Jingwan asked nervously.

The Old Witch’s full name was Yu Yan.

“Don’t you have any idea what’s going on? Look at how many days are left this month, and then look at your pathetic performance!” Yu Yan continued to roar.

“There are still three days left this month. I’ll do my best to meet the performance targets in these three days,” Yang Jingwan quickly said.

“I’ll give you three days. If your performance is zero this month, pack your things and leave!”

“I exceeded my performance targets last month. According to the sales department’s rules, unless my performance is zero again next month, you don’t have the right to fire me,” Yang Jingwan argued.

“My word is the rule. If your performance is zero this month, you’re out!” Yu Yan had a relative who wanted to join the sales department, but the department was full unless someone left. Yu Yan looked at her subordinates’ performance and decided to target Yang Jingwan, who had the worst performance this month.

“Manager Yu, you’re being unreasonable!” Yang Jingwan couldn’t hold back any longer.

“In front of me, it’s all about performance, not reason. You have such good assets; why don’t you learn from Sisi? Look at her; she’s not as pretty or well-built as you, but she uses her feminine charm and sold eight houses this month!” Yu Yan lectured Yang Jingwan. “There are still three days left this month. Loosen up a bit, accompany clients for drinks and karaoke, and the performance will come.”

Yu Yan wanted to eliminate the worst performer. If Yang Jingwan’s performance improved, there would be no need to fire her. Yang Jingwan’s appearance was outstanding and could serve as a front for the sales department, attracting male clients who came specifically for her. Unfortunately, she didn’t leverage her advantages, wasting such good assets.

“Manager Yu, I’m here to sell houses, not to entertain clients!” Yang Jingwan firmly refused. She had her principles and would rather not sell a house than resort to using her looks like her colleague Sisi.

“Then prepare to pack your things and leave!” Manager Yu, frustrated, hung up the call.

Yang Jingwan threw her phone onto the bed and lay down weakly. She had been busy all month without selling a single house. Selling one in the remaining three days seemed almost impossible unless someone helped her. Looking at the people she knew, the only person Yang Jingwan could think of was Wang Haoran. However, he had already helped a lot with the project. She hadn’t even repaid that favor, and now she was going to ask for more help? Yang Jingwan couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Thinking about it, she lamented her unfortunate fate. How wonderful it would be if she had married an outstanding husband who could help her in critical moments. Why did fate play such a cruel joke on her, making her marry someone like Su Lang? Sigh…

Outside the door, Su Lang had heard the entire phone conversation. He admired Yang Jingwan even more. His judgment was indeed correct; Yang Jingwan had strong character, wasn’t swayed by money or benefits, and held onto her principles. Such a woman was worth loving.

“Honey, are you done with the call? Let’s have lunch,” Su Lang entered from outside the door.

“We agreed you wouldn’t come into the room. What are you doing here? Get out!” Yang Jingwan was already extremely annoyed, and seeing Su Lang only made her more irritated.

“I know you’re worried about work, but maybe things will turn around. Don’t worry,” Su Lang quickly retreated, standing at the doorway and speaking to Yang Jingwan, trying to comfort her.

“I just want some peace and quiet right now. Leave,” Yang Jingwan said, not heeding Su Lang’s comforting words.

“I can leave, but you haven’t finished your meal. You should go down and eat; otherwise, you’ll be hungry tonight,” Su Lang gently persuaded.

“You’re so annoying! Can you just go?” Yang Jingwan said, her patience waning, her tone harsher.

“If you go eat, I won’t bother you anymore,” Su Lang maintained his smile.

“Fine, I’ll go!” Yang Jingwan, exasperated, stormed out of the room, giving Su Lang a look of disdain as she passed by.

Su Lang didn’t mind. He believed that his kindness would eventually touch Yang Jingwan’s heart.