I Revealed My True Identity After Confessing My Love - Chapter 49

People gradually took their seats in the conference room.

Ye Nanning, who had been encouraged by Du Xiran, felt her newly ignited ambition instantly extinguished the moment she saw Ye Yiyun’s silhouette.

With just an accidental glance at the door, she locked eyes with Ye Yiyun’s stern and sharp gaze. Her heart hammered against her chest, and she nearly lost the strength to keep walking.

Oh no, Ye Yiyun wouldn’t expose our relationship right here, would he!

“The last person to enter, please close the door,” Lisa said from her seat.

Ye Nanning looked back and saw no one else behind her. She had no choice but to turn around and close the door, using the moment to steady her breathing. Then, with her head lowered, she sat in the seat closest to the door.

“President Ye, this row of people is our current batch of interns,” Lisa introduced them to each other. “This is our Chairman, President Ye Yiyun. He is here specifically today to check on your work. You all can start by briefly introducing yourselves.”

The interns were all somewhat anxious and nervous. In truth, they had received the news yesterday to avoid being caught off guard. But when actually facing a giant of the industry and the big boss, they couldn’t help but feel constrained, though they tried to remain calm on the surface.

“Hello, President Ye. My name is Hu Jiaxu, a graduating student from A University, currently interning in Group Two.” Hu Jiaxu sat closest and gave a formal introduction before looking toward the next person.

The people behind her almost followed her template. This was the safest way, no one could fathom the boss’s temperament, and they didn’t dare speak recklessly.

However, this was also a rare opportunity. Usually, they might not see someone of this rank for an entire year. With luck today, perhaps they could make President Ye look at them in a new light?

There is always someone bold enough to seize the chance. Unlike the first few interns who sat obediently while answering, Hu Hanqiao was the first to stand up. She bowed and gave a calm, composed smile: “Hello, President Ye. My name is Hu Hanqiao, from C University, currently interning in Group Six. It is an honor to join Zhenghe Company for me, this is the greatest experience of my life.”

Hu Jiaxu exchanged a look with the boy next to her. She looked down on this petty cleverness but also worried that President Ye might like it, which would make those who went before her seem lacking in etiquette.

They both peeked at President Ye simultaneously, only to see him sitting as steady as a mountain with an unreadable expression. It was impossible to tell if he was satisfied with Hu Hanqiao’s introduction.

Next was Ye Nanning.

Sitting across from her, Du Xiran subconsciously tilted her chin up with a hint of pride, her eyes fixed intently on Ye Nanning. If nothing went wrong, Ye Nanning would be the calmest person among all the interns, the type who remained unfazed even if Mount Tai collapsed before her. She would surely leave a good impression on President Ye and prove to him that the weeping little intern from years ago had matured enough to lead an excellent intern herself.

Everyone’s gaze fell upon Ye Nanning. Despite Hu Hanqiao having stood up to introduce herself, Ye Nanning remained in her seat, staring at the tabletop. Her voice was tiny and tepid: “I… Ye Nanning… female, twenty-two years old.”

Everyone: “…”

Du Xiran looked at her in confusion, her brows knitting slightly. This was unlike her usual performance. Was she nervous because she had suddenly met the big boss?

From that perspective, it seemed that not telling Ye Nanning about this in the morning was truly her mistake.

“That’s it?” Lisa asked incredulously. She glanced sideways at President Ye’s expression and then quietly gave the intern a chance to try again. “You were too far away, I didn’t hear clearly. Can you introduce yourself one more time?”

Ye Nanning pursed her lips, but Ye Yiyun spoke up: “There’s no need to waste time. Proceed directly to the next step.”

Hu Jiaxu looked at Ye Nanning in surprise, feeling pity for her, and then accidentally caught the slightly smug look on Hu Hanqiao’s face, which made her feel frustrated.

Lisa began describing the performance of each intern to Ye Yiyun.

Uneasy, Ye Nanning slowly raised her eyes and looked worriedly at Du Xiran, knowing that her performance just now must have disappointed her.

Unexpectedly, Du Xiran seemed to have been waiting for her gaze. She gave her a small smile and a gentle nod, signaling that it was okay.

Ye Nanning breathed a sigh of relief, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.

After listening to the general summary, Ye Yiyun asked them each to elaborate on their work, saying they could talk about anything.

Again, Hu Jiaxu started. She described the major project she was following and stated the key points of her work and daily planning. Ye Yiyun nodded.

The subsequent interns, perhaps influenced by Hu Hanqiao, no longer followed Hu Jiaxu’s template. Instead, they used their best eloquence to praise their work to the skies, slipping in a few mentions of their own hard work.

Hu Hanqiao had already practiced various responses the night before and answered the question with ease.

The other interns couldn’t help but look at her a few more times. She only focused on smiling at Yan Zhenghao.

Ye Yiyun nodded after each person finished.

When it was Ye Nanning’s turn, she first looked at Du Xiran. Then, treating everyone else like inanimate objects, she ignored their presence and elaborated on her work. Not only did she describe her daily tasks in minute detail, but she was also crystal clear on the key contents of the various project clients she had followed. She had a complete grasp of the progress of every project.

Hu Jiaxu felt like applauding after hearing it. She looked smugly at Hu Hanqiao, thinking to herself: What’s the point of all that flashy stuff? Do you even know what ‘crushing power’ means?

The people present were shocked by her work report. Because Ye Nanning rarely interacted with them, they didn’t know what she actually did. Most entry-level interns like them were still helping print drafts or learning modeling, yet Ye Nanning had already started going on business trips with the VP and organizing presentation PPTs. Not to mention she was following several projects, how did she manage it? Did she not sleep?!

The VPs sitting opposite also looked at each other and then at Du Xiran with expressions of admiration.

Manager Li, sitting next to her, teased in a low voice: “You’re really something, daring to let an intern follow so many deals. Aren’t you afraid of something going wrong?”

Du Xiran’s chin tilted up slightly. Her gaze centered on Ye Nanning, her eyes full of warmth: “I wouldn’t trust anyone else, but Ye Nanning…she can do it.”

Hu Hanqiao glanced at her with a sour mood and then turned to check President Ye’s expression, only to find that he didn’t nod this time. He was frowning again. Was he dissatisfied with Ye Nanning?

Hu Hanqiao couldn’t help but feel another spark of hope.

“Continue,” Ye Yiyun said to Lisa.

Lisa replied: “We have drafted the list for elimination. However, after our meeting discussion, we would like to appeal to you to let them all stay. This batch of interns is very outstanding, and it would be a pity to eliminate any of them.”

Ye Yiyun’s gaze swept across each intern before looking at her: “No exceptions have been made in the past.”

Lisa: “As you just saw, these young people are very excellent and worth further cultivation.”

Ye Yiyun pondered for a moment, then picked up the stack of intern files and flipped through them.

For a moment, only the sound of pages turning filled the room. The interns listened to the ticking of the clock, growing more and more nervous.

At this time, a group of supervisors also began speaking up for the interns. Only Du Xiran simply nodded in agreement without saying much, because she had confidence in Ye Nanning, and she didn’t know the other interns well enough to interfere.

Lisa suggested: “Your time is tight. How about we select the Outstanding Intern first, and you give us an answer on the elimination later?”

“Fine, let’s do it that way,” Ye Yiyun said.

“This candidate was selected by everyone; the supervisors have no objections,” Lisa said as she handed him the list.

Ye Yiyun opened it and read: “Ye Nanning.”

Ye Nanning looked up at him.

“Congratulations,” Ye Yiyun said. “Best Intern.”

Ye Nanning stared at him blankly until Du Xiran cleared her throat. Only then did she regain her senses and said submissively: “Thank you… President Ye.”

Ye Yiyun stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly turned to Lisa: “Why did you give this award to her? How much do you know about her?”

Only Ye Nanning understood the subtext. He was testing if everyone knew her true identity, fearing that the HR department had fixed the result because of who she was.

Thinking of this, Ye Nanning felt a bit more at ease. It seemed Ye Yiyun currently had no intention of exposing their relationship either.

Lisa replied: “She was chosen according to the criteria. Furthermore, Du Xiran, who leads her, highly recognizes her work ability and attitude.”

“Du Xiran?” Ye Yiyun looked sideways and immediately saw the capable and beautiful supervisor. “You are the one leading her?”

“It is me, President Ye.” Du Xiran looked at him openly. “In my opinion, Ye Nanning’s knowledge of our industry far exceeds that of her peers. Moreover, she is meticulous, cautious, and smart. She is very sensitive to data and has made no mistakes in the projects she has followed. She currently only lacks experience. In time, she will surely be the brightest new star of Zhenghe.”

Ye Yiyun said: “Your evaluation of her seems very high.”

Du Xiran smiled: “The facts speak for themselves. You might as well observe her more, President Ye; she certainly won’t disappoint you.”

Ye Yiyun raised an eyebrow, his expression somewhat complex: “Good. Then this award will…”

“Wait, President Ye, I have an objection.” Hu Hanqiao suddenly stood up, interrupting Ye Yiyun.

Everyone turned to look at her, their faces filled with confusion.

Ye Yiyun asked curiously: “What is your objection? Let’s hear it.”

Hu Hanqiao looked around and then glanced back and forth between Ye Nanning and Du Xiran. She spoke startling words: “I am reporting under my real name that Ye Nanning bribed Manager Du.”

The office went into an uproar. People began whispering to one another, and many expressions changed as they looked at the two women at the center of the topic in shock.

Ye Nanning’s pupils trembled. She instinctively looked at Hu Hanqiao and opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say.

This person is beyond help.

Hu Jiaxu was also extremely shocked, even forgetting her nervousness: “Hu Hanqiao, you need evidence for what you say.”

“Of course I have evidence,” Hu Hanqiao said. “Everyone knows Ye Nanning, her clothes and appearance are usually very cheap. Not long ago, she couldn’t even come up with 200 yuan for a food delivery and delayed returning it until the evening. Hu Jiaxu, isn’t that right?”

Hu Jiaxu said: “I already said, she didn’t owe me money.”

“But was it returned to you in the evening?”

“…Yes.”

“Clearly, she really couldn’t even produce 200 yuan.”

Ye Yiyun looked at Ye Nanning: “Is this true?”

Ye Nanning nodded awkwardly.

“This shows that Ye Nanning doesn’t have much money.” Hu Hanqiao opened her phone to show everyone the photos she had taken. “However, a few days ago, Manager Du received a designer bag at the office with an official price of 33,000 yuan. After I checked the information on the delivery slip, I confirmed the buyer’s phone number, it was Ye Nanning who placed the order.”

They all remembered this. When Du Xiran received the bag in the office, her colleagues thought it was from a suitor. At the time, Du Xiran was vague and didn’t reveal who sent it.

If everyone was full of doubts before, the way they looked at Ye Nanning now truly changed.

“Also, every morning, Ye Nanning drives Manager Du’s luxury car to work, doing her best to curry favor.” Hu Hanqiao pulled out another photo from the parking lot. In the photo, Ye Nanning was in the driver’s seat, smiling at Du Xiran beside her.

The others opened their mouths in surprise.

“Pfft.” Du Xiran, however, let out a laugh, then covered her mouth and chuckled. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it. I didn’t realize my car was considered a ‘luxury car.’ Thank you for the compliment.”

Hu Hanqiao’s expression stiffened, but she continued: “Not only that, these things happened recently. And during these two days of the assessment, Ye Nanning seems to have found a new channel and started making bentos for Manager Du.”

“What? Those bentos were made by Ye Nanning?” Manager Li couldn’t help asking.

Hu Hanqiao: “That’s right. I’ve observed that the food in both their bentos is the same. It can be said that Ye Nanning has pandered to Manager Du in every aspect from gifts to commuting to meals. No wonder Manager Du indulges her, praises her, and protects her every time.”

The atmosphere in the office suddenly grew heavy. Everyone had their own thoughts, eyes darting around, finally settling on Ye Yiyun, waiting for him to decide.

Ye Yiyun nodded thoughtfully: “So, what do you think is Ye Nanning’s purpose for bribing Du Xiran?”

Hu Hanqiao said forcefully: “In my opinion, she wants to pass this assessment, get the honor and bonus of the best intern, and then stay at Zhenghe. I don’t deny she has ability, but if we let this kind of opportunist engage in bureaucracy within the company and eliminate the rest of us through these unfair methods, I won’t stand for it. Are we of ordinary backgrounds supposed to lose our chance to stand in this company just because we are unwilling to buy bags as gifts?”

This speech stirred the emotions of the other interns. Condemning gazes swept toward Ye Nanning and Du Xiran.

Hu Jiaxu said anxiously: “Xiao Ye, hurry and explain. I believe you’re not that kind of person.”

Ye Nanning gave her a grateful look, then looked at Ye Yiyun. Just as she opened her mouth, she heard Ye Yiyun say emotionlessly: “Du Xiran, where is your office? Take me there to see. Everyone else, the meeting is adjourned. I will investigate this matter thoroughly.”

It seemed there would be a private questioning. Everyone rose slowly, curious about the outcome.

Ye Yiyun was the first to walk out of the conference room. As he passed Ye Nanning, he looked down at her. Ye Nanning looked up at him and shook her head slightly.

Ye Yiyun turned and left. Lisa followed closely behind, looking back at the two of them with a frown, sighing with disappointment: “You guys… sigh, really…”

Du Xiran stood up amidst the scrutinizing gazes of others and walked toward the door. Just as she reached it, Ye Nanning suddenly grabbed her wrist from behind.

She turned back to see Ye Nanning’s expressionless face, though her eyes held a hint of worry. Du Xiran gave an enchanting smile: “It’s fine. I’ll just explain it clearly to President Ye; he will believe me. Go back now and re-organize the PPT I need for the client tomorrow. Don’t overthink things.”

Even at a time like this, she didn’t forget to assign work to distract her. Ye Nanning steadied her mind and suddenly smiled: “Okay. Don’t worry, Manager Du, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Touched by her tone, Du Xiran smiled and returned to her office.

Ye Yiyun was already standing inside. Seeing her enter, he said, “Close the door.”

Du Xiran shut the door and said, “President Ye, regarding the bribery, I…”

Ye Yiyun raised a hand to interrupt her. He turned to look her over. For a long time, Du Xiran felt so scrutinized she was becoming numb. Just as she was about to explain again, she heard him ask: “Ye Nanning even made bentos for you?”

“Yes, but that’s because I usually don’t know how to cook, she was just doing a good deed. And I would pay her…” Du Xiran was halfway through when she was interrupted again.

“What kind of bentos did she make?” Ye Yiyun asked.

Du Xiran: ?

Though she didn’t understand the significance of the question, Du Xiran still showed him a photo she had taken at noon: “She made panda rice balls today. I forgot to photograph yesterday’s.”

Ye Yiyun looked at the cute and delicious bento in the photo and fell into a long silence.

Du Xiran spoke up: “President Ye, we did not engage in bribery. I also pay her for the bentos…”

“Was the bento delicious?” Ye Yiyun looked at her sideways.

Du Xiran: ???

Du Xiran: “…It was very delicious.”

She wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but she felt that after she said that, a glimmer of expectation and disappointment flickered across President Ye’s face. But in an instant, that face returned to its stern expression, devoid of any emotion.