Chapter 34
Yes, it was Zhao Han. The reason she had left in such a hurry that day at the forest park was because she had been with Zhao Han.
I stood there frozen. I didn't want to believe this deduction, but aside from this deduction, I couldn't find any other explanation.
A buzzing filled my ears, as if surrounded by countless bees. The manager's voice came from far away, but I could no longer make out what he was saying.
Why? This was just a test. Although the manager had mentioned termination, that only applied to me. For them, it would only be a loss of bonuses. At worst, they'd get a lecture. So why would they copy?
And what I couldn't understand most was why Yang Xin would do this. I could accept it if she had accidentally revealed my ideas, but why did she keep proposing her own ideas afterward, constantly asking me to incorporate and merge them?
If it hadn't been for her demands, perhaps I wouldn't have delayed submitting the proposal until the last moment. Perhaps I could have been faster than Zhao Han's group...
Once the floodgates opened, all sorts of doubts and suspicions came rushing out—the sudden increase in various documents, Yang Xin's endless demands...
My thoughts grew more and more extreme. In the end, I even began to suspect this was a conspiracy by the entire office to drive me out. Old Chen, Yang Xin, Zhao Han—everyone wanted me gone secretly.
I shook my head sharply, pushing these thoughts aside. Opening my mouth, I realized I had nothing to say. In the end, I could only say weakly, "I didn't plagiarize."
A shadow of something flickered across the manager's face. He stared at me. "Evidence?"
I looked at Yang Xin, hoping she could testify on my behalf. Though it probably wouldn't help, I wanted her to say something. But she said nothing, only looking at me with that pleading, guilty gaze, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears, her lips trembling slightly, like a small flower struggling in a storm.
This posture confused and shocked me. In my impression, Yang Xin had always been straightforward and strong—a new modern woman, capable and shrewd and confident, like a warrior in armor. Although she often leveraged her feminine charm to get men to do things for her, that didn't mean her abilities were inferior to men. She simply had better tactics. But now, she looked like a lamb about to be slaughtered—innocent and pitiful.
Don't be fooled. This is just her tactics. She just wants you to take the fall for her. A voice in my heart screamed.
"Can you find anyone to testify for you?" The manager's voice was cold, yet carried a hint of prompting and hope.
I turned my head, examining my boss selfishly for the first time. Fairly dark skin, narrow eyes, around thirty years old, not tall but well-proportioned, not handsome but neatly featured. Although he often had it out for me, I had to admit he was a decent boss. He had ability—otherwise he wouldn't have reached this position.
He squinted, as if furious, but his eyes carried inquiry.
I lowered my head, looking at my right hand. My fingernails had grown long—they needed trimming. Shangguan used to take care of things like that for me before, grumbling the whole time. This time, it seemed he had forgotten too. Something stirred in my heart, and suddenly the anger, grievance, and confusion all vanished at once.
I raised my head, smiled faintly, and spoke. "I resign."
A sharp intake of breath came from Yang Xin beside me. The manager stared at me in shock. I spoke again. "I'm sorry. I'll submit my resignation letter tomorrow." With that, without waiting for the manager's response, I turned and walked out.
Outside the manager's office, Old Chen immediately came up with an inquisitive look. "How did it go? Are you okay?"
I shook my head, went to my desk, shut down the computer, picked up my bag, and walked out under the astonished gazes of my colleagues. Tomorrow, the story of my plagiarism would spread throughout the entire company. But that didn't matter—it was no longer my concern.
Walking out of the company, the sun was shining brightly outside. Though the air was cold, the brilliant sunlight created an illusion of warmth. I narrowed my eyes and smiled again. Suddenly I felt an immense sense of relief, as if a heavy burden I had carried for years had finally been set down.