[Quick Transmigration] The Pretty Little Cannon Fodder Who Doesn’t Speak - Chapter 25

Qi Han signed the final document, closed the file, and looked up at his secretary. 

“Where’s the employee who assaulted someone?”

“The employee… is currently at the hospital. But this person just joined the company and hasn’t completed the probationary period yet. Should we consider dismissing them?” The secretary glanced at Qi Han cautiously.

There was no choice. Even knowing the fault didn’t lie with their own staff, they couldn’t risk offending the management of a partner company over a junior employee. It was a matter of practicality. The most common resolution in such situations was to dismiss the employee and then apologise to President Chen.

Fortunately, this employee hadn’t completed their probationary period and hadn’t signed an official employment contract, so the matter would be much easier to handle.

“Let’s go to the hospital first and see what’s going on,” Qi Han said.

The secretary froze, staring at Qi Han in surprise. 

“You’re going to the hospital yourself?”

“I have high expectations for the ‘Dawn project.’ If we fire someone without even inquiring about the details, the project team will certainly have their opinions. Let’s take a look first.” 

Qi Han capped his pen, placed it on the desk, and stood up. 

“Let’s go.”

“But President Qi, didn’t Young Master Shi Jin invite you to lunch today?” The secretary hesitated before reminding him.

Qi Han paused at that, his brow furrowing slightly. He’d completely forgotten about it.

Though everyone called Shi Jin his saviour, and he’d tried hard to suppress his dislike for him, the truth was he genuinely didn’t care for Shi Jin. The aversion came from deep within—an instinctive rejection.

He believed his heart wouldn’t deceive him.

He hadn’t wanted to go in the first place, and now he had a perfect excuse. Besides, if he didn’t show up, Gu Jingming would surely be happy to comfort Shi Jin in his absence.

“Tell him I have business to attend to first. I believe he’ll understand,” Qi Han instructed.

The secretary nodded. “Understood.”

At the Hospital—

Yuan Bao, “Baby, don’t be sad. Even if you get fired, we still have other ways to see Qi Han. Don’t cry, alright? Be good—”

Xia Zhixu blinked rapidly, large tears splattering onto his hands and the white blanket.

“What are you crying for? You caused such a huge mess, and you still have the nerve to cry? We were just about to close the deal! Couldn’t you have endured a little? A grown man getting touched a couple of times won’t kill you. Now look—Manager Chen says he’ll pursue this to the end. Can you take responsibility for that? If we lose the deal, how are you going to explain it? I should’ve never brought you along…”

Manager Wang Xian stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at Xia Zhixu in irritation. Every newcomer had gone through the same thing—but this was the first one who dared to hit the client.

He had been about to get promoted. He’d only brought Xia Zhixu along because he was good-looking and quiet. He’d assumed Xia Zhixu would be like the other introverted and unlikely to complain even if taken advantage of.

If the company found out about his actions, forget promotion—he’d be facing disciplinary action.

But no matter how much he yelled—for over half an hour now—Xia Zhixu didn’t utter a single word. That made Wang Xian feel as though all his anger had nowhere to go, which only made him angrier.

“If it weren’t for your sharp wit, I never would’ve brought you along. You’re nothing but ajinx,” he snapped.

Xia Zhixu’s forehead was bandaged—the result of smashing a bottle over Manager Chen’s head and then getting into a brawl with him. His face was pale, and tears kept silently streaming down. Yet his crying wasn’t loud or messy; it was restrained, pitiful—the kind that easily softened others’ hearts.

Wang Xian suddenly felt a pang of guilt. But guilt was worthless—if he were a good person, he wouldn’t be doing this in the first place.

Xia Zhixu clenched his fists, pressed his lips together, and held back for a long time. Finally, unable to contain himself, he gathered all his courage and sobbed, “What you’re doing is wrong. I’m going to report you to the company.”

Wang Xian, “?!!”

Yuan Bao, !!!∑(ﾟДﾟノ)ノ “Baby, you really didn’t have to say that out loud!!”

Xia Zhixu, “But… what he’s doing is wrong.”

“You—what did you say?” Wang Xian stared at Xia Zhixu in disbelief for a moment. 

Did he just say he was going to report him? Had he heard correctly? In nearly twenty years of working, this was the first time he’d ever met someone like Xia Zhixu… a complete moron.

After uttering that first sentence, Xia Zhixu felt braver. He told himself not to be afraid.

‘He’s human too. What’s there to fear? Worst case, I die!’

Clenching his fists and lifting his chin defiantly, Xia Zhixu stared at Wang Xian and declared earnestly, “Yuandeng Technology Company is owned by the Qi Group. A big company like Qi Group wouldn’t tolerate employees doing such things. I told you I don’t drink, yet you insisted on taking me out and forcing me to drink. Was that really for my own good? I don’t believe it! I’m going to report this to the company and demand justice.”

Yuan Bao, “…Baby, you don’t have to say that to his face. You can just do it after you’re discharged.”

Saying that out loud now, Wang Xian will definitely cause trouble for Xia Zhixu.

“Heh… You think I’m afraid of you? I’ve been in this company for nearly ten years. Who do you think they’ll believe—you or me?” Wang Xian sneered at Xia Zhixu. 

Truthfully, he felt a bit uneasy inside, but as a seasoned veteran, the old fox didn’t show it on his face.

As long as he intimidated Xia Zhixu enough, the boy wouldn’t dare cause trouble.

“I don’t believe you!” Xia Zhixu said, righteously.

Wang Xian, “??”

Yuan Bao, “Baby, you’re as straightforward as ever.”

Wang Xian, “Xia Zhixu, don’t push your luck!!”

“Who are you telling not to push their luck?” 

A voice, cold and authoritative without raising its tone, cut through the air.

Wang Xian whipped around to find Qi Han and his secretary Zhou Zhe standing at the ward door.

His heart leapt into his throat. Not knowing how much Qi Han had overheard, he immediately plastered on a fawning expression and stepped forward. 

“President Qi! What brings you here? You could’ve just called, no need to come all this way!”

Xia Zhixu abruptly sat up straight, staring blankly at Qi Han.

He’d imagined countless scenarios for their reunion—but never like this.

His tears poured out even more. His vision blurred, and he frantically wiped them away, only for new tears to quickly fill his eyes.

“…President Qi, this Xia Zhixu is a newcomer with quite a temper. I thought his skills were promising and brought him to a business dinner. Never imagined he’d be so reckless and cause trouble for the company…” Wang Xian rattled on, painting himself as a caring supervisor and pushing all blame onto Xia Zhixu.

Qi Han’s gaze, however, was fixed on the young man crying uncontrollably on the hospital bed.

Seeing that pitiful, tear-streaked face, Qi Han felt as though someone had clenched his heart in a tight fist, then plunged a knife into it—again and again.

‘He shouldn’t be crying. He should be smiling instead.’

That thought stunned Qi Han.

The sudden pang of heartache and that strange sense of familiarity made him wonder if they had known each other before he lost his memories.

Suppressing the strange turmoil in his chest, Qi Han shot Wang Xian a cold stare. Wang Xian’s words instantly fell silent. 

Qi Han asked icily, “Are you done talking?”

Wang Xian’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Though Qi Han was young, his gaze was growing increasingly like Qi Mingjing’s—the kind that chilled one’s heart, as if he could pronounce a death sentence at any moment.

“I… I’m d-done,” Wang Xian stammered, shrinking back.

Yuan Bao, “Ha! Now you’re scared? You only bully the weak. Scum like you deserve a good beating!”

“This matter will be investigated thoroughly. You better not have been dragging company employees into indecent dealings behind our back—remember, you were told to negotiate deals, not play pimp—then pack your things and get out.” Qi Han said coldly.

Wang Xian froze instantly, his mind going blank. It seemed Qi Han had heard their entire conversation.

Thinking of the employees he’d threatened back then, his knees almost gave out.

If upper management launched a full investigation…

He was done for!

Zhou Zhe understood Qi Han’s intent to get a thorough investigation. Seeing Wang Xian’s reaction, it was practically confirmed. This guy really had done it. Looks like he’d have his hands full.

Qi Han strode toward the hospital bed. Zhou Zhe glanced at Wang Xian, whose eyes darted nervously. Zhou Zhe jerked his chin, signalling him to leave. Wang Xian nodded shakily and slipped out, his steps unsteady.

Qi Han pulled out the chair beside the bed. Zhou Zhe followed, but Qi Han clenched his hands tightly, forcing himself to suppress the urge to pull the trembling person before him into his arms.

The doctor had said that the head injury had caused his memory loss. Most patients recover their memories in such cases, though a rare few never do. Reuniting with people or objects from before the amnesia could help restore memory.

He firmly believed amnesia didn’t mean stupidity.

His complete unfamiliarity with Qi Mingjing and his complete lack of recognition of the Qi family—could amnesia truly make someone feel utterly alienated from the environment they once lived in? Without even a flicker of familiarity?

Yet this overwhelming urge to protect the person before him, this intense sense of familiarity, couldn’t be a coincidence.

This person must be tied to his past.

Zhou Ze finally got a clear look at Xia Zhixu’s features, a flicker of astonishment crossing his eyes. 

‘So beautiful,’ like a delicate porcelain doll.

“You too, get out.” Qi Han turned his cold gaze toward Zhou Zhe. The latter felt a chill run down his spine, nodded quickly, and exited the ward.

Zhou Zhe closed the ward door behind him—and immediately came face-to-face with Wang Xian, who hadn’t left. Wang Xian had been lurking in the hallway, trying to eavesdrop and figure out a countermeasure.

To his dismay, Zhou Ze came out instead. Wang Xian forced a flattering smile, but Zhou Zhe ignored him, sat down on a chair by the wall, and crossed his arms.

The smile froze on Wang Xian’s face. It was one thing to be looked down upon by Qi Han—but even the secretary now looked down on him.

Ten minutes later—

Qihan had intended to wait until Xia Zhixu finished crying before speaking. But even after all this time, the person before him showed no sign of stopping. He kept wiping his tears with his sleeve until his eyes were red and visibly swollen. 

Unable to bear it anymore, Qi Han finally reached out and caught Xia Zhixu’s hand—stopping him from wiping away the tears again.