This must be the unluckiest day in Su Yan's life.
"Su Yan, the director wants you to come to his office," Qin Yue said to Su Yan with a smug look as she knocked on Su Yan's desk.
Su Yan ignored her. Every time Qin Yue showed up, it was never for something good. Su Yan had no clue why she had offended this so-called "big shot". She had been giving Su Yan trouble for the past few days.
Qin Yue was a relative of Su Yan's boss, allegedly some distant cousin. She claimed to everyone that she was the boss's relative, but the exact nature of their relationship became a questionable topic.
A month ago, Qin Yue joined the company. This girl was particularly strange and arrogant, ignoring everyone. That would still be fine since she probably had given up her youth for her career. Having a do-nothing in such a big company would not be a big issue. The key issue was that she might be a bit crazy, thinking herself as highly capable and excellent at her job. She believed that she did everything better than anyone else, hence she often bossed around in the company. Given her status, everyone tolerated her, simply turning a blind eye to her actions whenever possible, just putting up with it.
Life is tough, this is reality.
However, Su Yan was different from others. She didn't care if you were the boss's relative or not. She simply focused on her work and had no intention of sucking up to Qin Yue. Probably, that's why Qin Yue bore a grudge against Su Yan, feeling that she was ignored and disrespected. People like Qin Yue are typical snobs; they flatter those in power and step on those who are beneath them.
Such people, in fact, are quite pitiful; they need others' flattery to boost their fragile self-esteem and to hide their inferiority. But this aligns with an old saying, there's something despicable about every pitiful person.
Last time a big contract came in. For such a big case, the company naturally wouldn't let Qin Yue mess around and ultimately used Su Yan's project proposal. This incident was like a spark igniting Qin Yue's resentment towards Su Yan. Qin Yue always preferred to deliberately create trouble and set traps for Su Yan.
In reality, it had little to do with Su Yan since the client specifically requested her to take up the project. But Qin Yue was clueless about it. All she knew was that something that should have been her own glory was snatched away by Su Yan.
What the hell is going on? Su Yan thought to herself.
"I advise you to best go home. Otherwise, you might find it hard to save face," Qin Yue taunted.
Su Yan simply ignored her and walked past into the director's office. With such people, the best method is to ignore them because they can't jump around by themselves for too long.
"Su Yan!"
Su Yan stared in puzzlement at Li Mingde, who was banging on the table as soon as he entered.
"Do you know where you went wrong?"
Su Yan shook her head in confusion.
"I don't know. How would I know what you mean when you bang the table the moment you come in?" Su Yan muttered to herself.
Li Mingde just stared at her silently, passing her a file. He motioned her to open it and take a look.
Su Yan took out the paper from the file and found a plan that was identical to her own.
"I did not betray the company."
"I know you wouldn't, but the evidence is right here in front of us. What good is it if only I trust you? So, what are you going to do next?" Li Mingde carried on talking as Su Yan kept her silence.
Su Yan had been a long-term employee of the company, and Li Mingde was well aware of her character. So, he was not worried at all that Su Yan would betray the company.
"I will resign. Once I resign, this incident will have nothing to do with the company. I will take all the responsibility myself.”
Having worked with Li Mingde for so long, Su Yan had an inkling of what he was thinking. He simply wanted to use this opportunity to thoroughly crush their opponent, catching them unawares. The so-called mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. While Su Yan had been through a lot in business, she had no interest in using such means. It was the reason why she, despite her strong capabilities, still remained a low-level employee.
"What if I tell you there's another way out?" Director Li looked at her somewhat exasperatedly.
"I did not copy, and I will not admit to copying. I will not apologize to some people with ulterior motives." Su Yan didn't need to guess how Director Li would resolve this. He would pretend to appease others by acting as if she plagiarized the proposal, aplogize to them privately and then turn the tables when they let down their guard.
"You..."
"This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for me. So, I will bear all the responsibility."
Su Yan spoke and prepared to leave. "By the way, Director Li. You better think about who leaked this plan. If something happens again, our company won't have someone as nice as me. Don't let one rotten apple spoil the whole barrel."
Being framed in her company was something she could have resolved by just coordinating with Director Li. But Su Yan was stubborn. If it was not her fault, she would never admit it. No one would tolerate her audacious challenge to authority.
And so, she was fired.
Su Yan aimlessly walked on the street, carrying a cardboard box. She didn't know where to go. Her lease had just expired the day before. She was planning to use this month's salary to pay for the rent, now it seemed she might end up homeless again.
Should she go home? Since Su Yi An married that woman, home was not 'home' anymore.
Her good friend An Hao was preparing for her wedding, surely she couldn't disturb her at this moment.
Just then, two excited girls walked past Su Yan, discussing something fervently.
"Do you know? Ji Feng just announced his relationship."
"What? My darling husband, just like that, flew away with someone else?"
Su Yan didn't quite catch what they were saying afterwards. But upon hearing that Ji Feng announced his relationship, her world began to spin. It felt as if the world was no longer beautiful. Her heart ached. So, you too found your happiness? That's really nice.
With melancholy, Su Yan stood on the street and wept.
She hadn't cried when she was framed by others. She hadn't cried when she was unceremoniously kicked out of her job. But, when she heard about Ji Feng's relationship, Su Yan completely collapsed.
Many people might not understand the obsession of fans. Why would they adore someone they can never touch? Buying all magazines he is featured in, even if it's just a mere mention of his name. Searching all around for his merchandise, joining every single fan club related to him, endeavoring to attend every one of his concerts, smiling like a fool at just a glimpse of his photo. Wholeheartedly loving him even though he has no idea that a girl like her exists in this world. Simply loving him in this stubborn way. When she had once predicted how she would feel at the announcement of his relationship, she had not expected the reality to be so harsh. The more she loved, the more her heart ached. Maybe for Su Yan, it was more than just idol admiration, it was like a maiden's secret crush on her senior.
To Su Yan, he was a faith. Had she not fallen for his warm smile, she may have left with her mom when her dad remarried.
Su Yan's mother died in a car accident. It was at this dark time when she needed company, her father, Su Yi An, brought home a woman and introduced her as Su Yan's mom. Her real mom had barely been dead a month. During that time, Su Yan hoped that it was just a dream, that everything would return to normal when she wakes up. So she hovered between life and death, even contemplating suicide. That's when Ji Feng came into her life.
Standing on stage singing songs, facing a sea of crowd below. Even when eliminated, he continued to smile. That young boy looked remarkably tenacious. His final smile and deep bow entered Su Yan's heart and since then, she continued to follow him. Over the past few years, Su Yan observed him growing and becoming better. More people began to like him, and he excelled more and more. He was now a sought-after star in the entertainment industry.
Being lost in thought, Su Yan didn't notice a van coming towards her from the opposite direction.
The pain engulfed her in a moment, which surprisingly gave Su Yan some relief. Whatever, this was sort of good. Anyway, she had lost her fondness for this world. Su Yi An wouldn't shed a single tear for her, that woman had just bore him a son after all. Whenever she went home, Su Yan always felt like a stranger. As for Ji Feng, he had a girlfriend looking after him now, he should be happy. Only, her promise to serve as An Hao's bridesmaid could not be fulfilled. Thinking of An Hao in her white wedding gown, Su Yan closed her eyes.
Goodbye, world.
