Volume 1, Chapter 23: Tang Yumei, Court is in Session

Tang Jianye’s words were blunt and sharp, leaving Liu Yan with absolutely no face. Of course, the man was a corporate executive; while Liu Yan might be the top salesperson in the EPS department, in Tang’s eyes, he was nothing more than a minor salesman. If he didn’t like you, he could scold you directly, and what he had just said was actually quite restrained.

Zhou Yang, however, was someone favored by the chairman, and he had recently helped Sanxing out; otherwise, with the issues currently surrounding the new drug, Sanxing would have been caught up in the fallout to some extent. Naturally, Tang Jianye wanted to speak up for Zhou Yang.

"Zhou Yang doesn't play games or rely on cheap tricks. He genuinely considers things from the client's perspective. I truly admire his character. If there were a collaborative project, both the chairman and I would feel very secure putting it in Zhou Yang’s hands," Tang Jianye said. "So, if Zhou Yang has time, please have him come to our company tomorrow afternoon to meet."

"Understood, Mr. Tang. Thank you for your sharp critique of our sales approach; I will pay much more attention to professional conduct in the future," Su Jing replied sincerely.

After hanging up, Liu Yan’s expression was extremely ugly. "Manager Su, that Tang Jianye was so rude. What did I ever do to offend him?" Liu Yan tried to explain.

"Do not touch this account again," Su Jing interrupted him. Then, looking at Zhou Yang with a solemn expression, she said, "You will go to meet the chairman of Sanxing tomorrow afternoon, and Chen Xue will accompany you."

She then turned to Chen Xue: "You will act as Zhou Yang’s assistant. Do not speak out of turn during the meeting; let Zhou Yang take the lead."

"Huh? Me? His assistant?" Chen Xue was stunned. In this department, apart from Su Jing, she held the most authority—even more than the various managers. Now, she was being demoted to a sidekick for Zhou Yang.

Su Jing explained, "This is a major client, and Zhou Yang is unfamiliar with many of the business details. He needs your support." Chen Xue mused to herself that Zhou Yang’s standing in Su Jing’s heart was truly rising rapidly.

"Understood, Manager Su," Chen Xue replied. "I will assist Zhou Yang in completing the task."

Su Jing nodded, her beautiful eyes scanning Liu Yan coldly. "Why are you still standing there? Get out and get back to work!"

Liu Yan felt deeply resentful. This was the first time Su Jing had been so cold toward him. As the top salesperson, he had always enjoyed her gentle treatment, and he had even dared to openly contradict her views in the past. But now, it seemed he had fallen out of favor. He shot a hateful glare at Zhou Yang before turning and stomping out of the room.

That evening, when Zhou Yang returned to the villa, he found Tang Yumei waiting for him on the sofa. "Sister Mei? Didn't you go to the office?" Zhou Yang asked.

"The company matters are mostly handled; I’ve left them for my subordinates to manage," Tang Yumei said. "Currently, the company is looking to expand into the North American market, so I’m studying things over there." Zhou Yang noticed that the coffee table in front of her was littered with North American advertising magazines.

"You’ve got a big operation going, Sister Mei! Going global already?" Zhou Yang remarked.

"You must be exhausted after your long day," Tang Yumei said, coming over to gently take his backpack. "Xiao Feng came by this morning with a friend—looked like a technician—to help me fix the wiring in the villa."

"Oh?" Zhou Yang became alert.

"Zhou Yang, that matter I discussed with you—is that still okay?" Tang Yumei asked.

"Of course, no problem," Zhou Yang replied. "What, are we executing it now?"

"It’s not convenient right now," Tang Yumei said. "Tonight. Come to my room tonight."

"Alright," Zhou Yang agreed. He understood exactly what she meant, so he didn't press for details.

"By the way," Tang Yumei added, "as a thank you, I’m taking you out to dinner tonight."

"That’s too much trouble; I don't want you to spend the money," Zhou Yang said.

"You’ve helped me a lot, too," she said with a gentle smile. "It’s only right."

That night, they had a romantic dinner at a Western restaurant. Tang Yumei drank until she was tipsy, and Zhou Yang had to support her on the way home. Back at the villa, she took a shower and returned to her bedroom dressed in light, revealing attire. After nine o'clock, once Zhou Yang had finished his work, he went to her bedroom.

Closing the door, Tang Yumei looked at him with seductive eyes. "Let's begin."

...

One week later, a subpoena was delivered to Tang Yumei’s home. Xie Yong had filed for divorce, demanding that Tang Yumei leave with nothing and pay him a certain amount in compensation for mental distress.

The grounds for the suit were Tang Yumei’s infidelity, alleging that she had been involved with a younger man during the marriage, which had severely damaged Xie Yong’s feelings. The court summoned Tang Yumei for a hearing in half a month.

On the day the subpoena arrived, Xie Feng came to the house to talk to her. "Mom, you won’t win this lawsuit," Xie Feng said. "Listen to my advice: kick Zhou Yang out and stop being involved with him. If you do that, I might still be able to plead on your behalf in court..."

"Xiao Feng, your father is attacking me, and now you’re here to threaten me too?" Tang Yumei felt a deep ache in her heart. She knew that Xie Feng had always stood on Xie Yong’s side, even helping him collect evidence behind her back.

When Xie Feng brought that "friend" over, the man had claimed the wiring was aging. Tang Yumei was far too sharp to believe that—the villa was new. She knew they were up to something, but she hadn't stopped them; she was waiting for this exact moment. She had let them install the bugs and pinhole cameras, pretending to be oblivious. Seeing Xie Feng still playing the part of the "good son" now made her heart heavy. She had given this son everything he ever asked for, only to raise a white-eyed wolf.

"Mom, why are you talking like that? You’re my mother, and I’m doing this for the sake of both you and Dad!" Xie Feng insisted. "If you didn't have these behavioral issues, Dad wouldn't be suing you, and you wouldn't have to..."

"Get out!" Tang Yumei’s eyes flashed with fury as she pointed toward the door. "Get out!"

Xie Feng was startled. Angry, he retorted, "It was Dad who went to the court, not me! Why are you taking it out on me?" He muttered indignantly as he walked out.

Half a month later, the court session began. Tang Yumei appeared as the defendant, with Zhou Yang attending alongside her. Xie Yong arrived with his legal team and Xie Feng, sweeping into the hall in a grand procession. He took his seat at the plaintiff’s table, casting a furious glare at Tang Yumei and Zhou Yang. He carried himself with high spirits, as if standing on the moral high ground.

In contrast, Tang Yumei hadn't even hired a lawyer. To the outside observer, it looked as though she had given up on defending herself.

"Plaintiff Mr. Xie Yong, accusing Ms. Tang Yumei of infidelity during the marriage. This case is now in session," the judge declared in a resonant voice.