The Possessive Villain Is Too Clingy [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 31

The video of Old Master Chu being besieged by reporters became the headline of the financial section, and of course, it was no accident—certain parties had deliberately stirred the pot.

Chu Ning turned on the TV at home, and even the morning news was broadcasting the clip.

Anxious, she paced back and forth in the living room. After much hesitation, she finally couldn’t resist pulling out her phone and dialing her grandfather’s number.

“Grandpa, how should we counter all those rumors out there? We can’t let them keep slandering the Chu Corporation!” Chu Ning said urgently.

Yet, Old Master Chu’s cheerful voice came through the phone: “Ningning, I’m touched that you care about the company’s affairs, but don’t worry. The business world is like a battlefield, it’s all about riding the momentum and turning situations to your advantage. These petty tricks of our enemies can easily be manipulated to become an asset for our Chu Corporation.”

His calm and composed tone eased Chu Ning’s tension. Curious, she pressed further: “Grandpa, can’t you just tell me how we’ll solve this?”

But Old Master Chu suddenly became coy: “Be patient and wait for the news. Consider this your first lesson from me. I still have some matters to attend to, so let’s talk later.”

With no other choice, Chu Ning bid her grandfather farewell and hung up.

Just as she was about to lock her phone, a QQ message popped up at the top of her screen.

She had muted most of her noisy group chats, so she squinted in confusion—it turned out to be a group she had joined several years ago.

Chu Ning had been fascinated with programming since childhood, and her family had even hired tutors for her.

Back in middle school, when her coursework wasn’t too heavy, she often lurked in various programmer forums. Once, when she casually posted, a kind-hearted netizen invited her into a group for programming enthusiasts.

At the time, most members were students around 18 or 19 years old. Four or five years later, they had all graduated, found new social circles, and moved on with their lives.

The once-bustling group had grown quiet over the past two years, with hardly anyone sending messages.

Chu Ning opened the chat to check—the message was from the group admin:

-BinaryOnly: Any bosses here still hiring? Unemployed youth seeking opportunities.

Chu Ning tried to recall. The admin was a legendary figure in the forums, and the group had been created for members to exchange knowledge. He often shared professional resources—though most of the advanced programming concepts were beyond Chu Ning’s level, she could still laugh along with the programmers’ inside jokes.

Two minutes later, a user with a chubby cat avatar was the first to reply:

-CodeDisaster: What kind of insane company would fire the admin? Do they hate productivity or something?

The teasing from “CodeDisaster” immediately sparked the group’s energy.

-codelove: With the admin’s skills, he could land a job anywhere, right?

The admin quickly responded:

-BinaryOnly: Social anxiety hates interviews! If any bosses have connections, please throw me a lifeline!

Chu Ning’s heart raced. She had originally planned to establish her own venture after graduating, using her passion and skills to compete with Chu Xiao.

But now that Chu Xiao had been expelled from the family, her plans had taken on a purer purpose. With a programming genius suddenly unemployed, recruiting him could significantly boost her chances of success.

The group was still discussing the admin’s situation.

<input> -codelove: Which company did the group owner leave from? I’ll go ask if my company is still hiring.

The group owner replied immediately:

-OnlyBinary: Qinbao Technology Co., Ltd.

As soon as the message was sent, the group exploded:

-JustRun: Isn’t that the ridiculous company in today’s news with the parachuted CEO?

-JavaMechanic: I thought I was the only one who found it absurd. A tech company bringing in a CEO who only has three years of experience from an entertainment company—thought they were pivoting to virtual idols or something.

-JustRun: Even building virtual idols would require us coders to hammer away at keyboards, right? Did they think the big shots were too expensive and decided to cut costs by burning bridges?

-OnlyBinary: Let them burn. I’ve been practicing defensive programming for a while now.

The chat was then flooded with clapping emojis, everyone praising the group owner for being proactive and a role model for workers.

Chu Ning lurked through the conversation before opening a private chat with the group owner.

-00: Sister Xie Shuyu, it’s Chu Ning. Do you remember me?

The reply came quickly:

-OnlyBinary: Oh, the little one? Did you finish your high school entrance exams?

Chu Ning’s face darkened. She remembered, but not very clearly, it seemed.

-00: …I just finished my college entrance exams.

This time, Xie Shuyu replied almost instantly:

-OnlyBinary: Huh? Did you skip a grade?

Chu Ning rubbed her forehead, realizing she couldn’t keep bantering like this.

-00: I’ve been in this group for five years—from middle school to now, just graduating high school. Sister Xie, I have a startup idea. Would you be interested?

But Xie Shuyu clearly misunderstood, her tone dripping with lecturing:

-OnlyBinary: Little one, failing the college entrance exams doesn’t mean life is over. But I still suggest you retake them next year.

Reading Xie Shuyu’s earnest advice, Chu Ning clarified again:

-00: Sister Xie, I didn’t drop out. I just have some spare cash now and want to chase my dreams. If you’re willing, I can promise you maximum freedom and the highest decision-making power in the company!

Xie Shuyu seemed to be thinking it over, taking a while before replying:

-OnlyBinary: Starting a company isn’t as simple as you think, and the costs are much higher than you imagine.

Chu Ning knew serious matters couldn’t be settled over text, so she made a suggestion.

-00: This isn’t something we can hash out in a few messages. Let’s meet in person—3 p.m. at the café on the first floor of the Chu Corporation headquarters.

Xie Shuyu didn’t reply for a long time. Just as Chu Ning thought she’d be rejected, a message finally came through.

-OnlyBinary: Alright, see you this afternoon.

During the silence, Xie Shuyu wasn’t hesitating—she was just thinking: The café on the first floor of Chu Corporation headquarters… isn’t that just a Luckin Coffee? Is she planning to treat me with her allowance? This kid’s really something.

Since she was unemployed and free anyway, meeting an online friend for a chat and some fresh air sounded nice. So she happily agreed to Chu Ning’s request.

Right then, the optimization group notified her that she was next in line for the exit formalities. Xie Shuyu put down her phone and headed to the HR office. </input>

This morning, she received the layoff list. In a company like Qinbao, which was small in scale but had a complex network of relationships, it was truly difficult for a purely technical employee like her to stay on.

Xie Shuyu waited until the previous laid-off employee stormed out with a livid expression before cautiously pushing the door open and entering. She had always been polite to HR—after all, the terms of her departure still needed to be negotiated with them.

Given her years of service, she should at least be entitled to an N+1 severance package.

That compensation would allow her to survive two or three months of unemployment and ensure she could keep up with her mortgage payments for the next six months.

Inside the office sat the male HR manager and one of his female subordinates.

The manager raised his eyes slightly with disdain, snorted contemptuously, and muttered, “What a freak.”

The female employee looked embarrassed and quickly intervened, “Ms. Xie, please have a seat.”

The office was only about twenty square meters, and the manager’s words reached Xie Shuyu’s ears loud and clear.

But Xie Shuyu merely clenched her fists, making no other reaction.

Only after the female employee spoke did she force a faint smile and take a seat across from them.

“Xie Shuyu… Ms. Xie, right?” The manager continued, emphasizing the word “Ms.” with a mocking tone.

Xie Shuyu, barely maintaining her smile, took a deep breath before letting her expression drop. She replied coldly, “Yes.”

“Take a look at the termination agreement. Sign it if there are no issues.” The manager shot a glance at his subordinate, and the female employee handed the document to Xie Shuyu with both hands.

About five minutes later, Xie Shuyu stood up abruptly, furious. “Half a month’s salary as severance? Are you treating me like a beggar?”

The female employee hurriedly tried to calm her. “Ms. Xie, don’t get worked up—we can discuss this.”

Only because of the female employee’s relatively polite attitude did Xie Shuyu suppress her anger and sit back down.

The manager pushed his chair back, crossing one leg over the other. “Your salary isn’t low—half a month’s compensation is already generous. Go ask around and see how much others are getting.”

Xie Shuyu raised her voice. “This is illegal. I’ll just take it to arbitration.”

“Arbitration? Go ahead.” The manager sneered. “Let’s see who can afford to drag it out longer—you or the company? And when you apply for your next job, we’ll be sure to put in a good word for you during the background check. Hahaha…”

As his mocking laughter faded, the manager grinned even wider at the sight of Xie Shuyu, red-faced and speechless with rage. “Let me be honest with you—the HR departments in Haicheng’s internet industry already have a shared group. What do you think will happen if I drop your name in there? Still think you’ll find another job?”

Xie Shuyu felt a chill run down her spine. Years ago, she had co-founded a company with friends, only to lose all the savings from her previous jobs. If she were blacklisted in the industry and couldn’t find work, she wouldn’t be able to pay her mortgage—let alone continue living in Haicheng.

“Quit dawdling. Sign today, and you get half a month’s pay. Wait till tomorrow, and you get nothing.” The manager smirked, urging her impatiently.

After weighing her options, Xie Shuyu could only sign the termination agreement in defeat, her head hanging low.

She stood up dejectedly, her steps heavy as she walked out of the office. Just as the door was about to close, she heard the female employee inside mutter, “F*cking freak. Made such a scene, but in the end, she still signed and got the hell out.”

Carrying her cardboard box out of the office building where Qinbao Company was located, Xie Shuyu felt the sunlight today was particularly harsh…

–

Chu Ning arrived half an hour early at the café on the left side of the Chu Corporation’s internal dining area.

The headquarters of Chu Corporation was situated in the most bustling CBD of Haicheng. The main building, shaped like a sailboat, was a landmark structure.

All the buildings of the corporation formed a circle, with a lively pedestrian street outside and a tranquil little garden adorned with ponds and rockeries inside.

Chu Ning ordered a latte and waited patiently in the café.

It wasn’t until five past three that she took out her phone to message Xie Shuyu:

-00: Sister Xie, I’m here, waiting for you in the café.

Unexpectedly, the other party replied immediately:

-Binary Only: I’ve been waiting in the café for twenty minutes. How come I don’t see you?

Chu Ning stood up in confusion, scanning the room, then sat back down to send another message:

-00: But right now, I’m the only one in the café.

A chill ran down Xie Shuyu’s spine—was this some kind of supernatural time-warping event?

After glancing around at the bustling crowd, she tentatively asked:

-Binary Only: Is it Luckin Coffee?

She sent the message, then took a sip of her iced mocha while observing the people around her.

Her phone vibrated. Xie Shuyu glanced at the screen:

-00: Sister Xie, wait for me at Luckin. I’ll come find you right away.

Her tense muscles relaxed at once. Propping her chin on her hand, she gazed out the window at the passing crowd.

When Chu Ning spotted the Luckin Coffee sign, she realized it was her fault for not being clear.

Luckin Coffee was located right beneath the main building of Chu Corporation, facing the bustling pedestrian street. The corporation’s own café, though open to the public, had a small entrance on the pedestrian side and a very modest sign, so few outsiders ever visited.

Anyone would assume the café at Chu Corporation’s headquarters referred to Luckin.

Through the glass, Xie Shuyu spotted Chu Ning, who seemed to be searching for someone. Noticing that she matched the age of the “little one” from online, Xie Shuyu stood up and waved when Chu Ning pushed open the door to Luckin.

However, Chu Ning only gave her a cold glance before looking elsewhere.

Ignored, Xie Shuyu stood frozen for three seconds before grabbing the two cups of coffee beside her and hurrying after Chu Ning. “Little one! Why pretend you didn’t see me?”

Chu Ning looked up at Xie Shuyu, who stood a head taller than her, sporting a stylish wolf-cut hairstyle, exuding both handsomeness and warmth. “You’re Sister Xie?”

She had actually noticed Xie Shuyu earlier—her striking figure and looks made her stand out in any crowd. No one could miss someone so attractive.

But Chu Ning had mistaken her for a man.

Xie Shuyu nodded, her voice softening. “It’s me.”

Chu Ning struggled to adjust her thoughts internally, until the slogan “The world is diverse; respect others’ gender identity” echoed in her mind.

After all, she was only recruiting a work partner—she shouldn’t pry into personal matters.

Switching to a sincere and polite expression, Chu Ning said, “It’s too noisy here. Let’s go to Chu Corporation’s café instead.”

Xie Shuyu handed Chu Ning the coffee she had ordered for her, then followed her to the corporation’s café.

The atmosphere at Chu Corporation’s café was serene, clean, and orderly.

Chu Ning and Xie Shuyu sat down at a corner table.

Chu Ning got straight to the point: “Sister Xie, I’m Chu Ning, granddaughter of Chu Zhenhua, the president of the Chu Group.”

Yang Shuyu’s expression was complicated, her mind filled with unspoken thoughts.

Seeing Xie Shuyu hesitate, Chu Ning smiled and said, “If you have any doubts, Sister Xie, I can take you to meet my grandfather later.”

Then she pulled a paper document from her bag—a business plan she had meticulously drafted over the years.

Xie Shuyu took the proposal and studied it carefully.

Though the plan wasn’t exceptionally sophisticated, it was clearly crafted with great care, and some of the details demonstrated remarkable shrewdness.

Closing the file, Xie Shuyu said solemnly, “The plan is well done, but starting a business isn’t just about theory.”

“Your goal is also my dream. Years ago, I, too, was full of hope when I co-founded a company with a friend. Back then, I thought having the right technology guaranteed success. But the internet industry burns through money too fast, and our cash flow dried up quickly. I lost my savings and pulled out in time, but my friend is still buried in debt and often relies on me to get by.”

Chu Ning straightened up, exuding a negotiator’s presence: “What you’re seeing is just a preliminary draft. The real professional planning—like funding arrangements and risk assessments—will be handled by specialized departments within the Chu Group.”

“Sister Xie, let’s give it one more shot.”

Xie Shuyu took a deep breath, torn with hesitation.

This truly was her dream. Otherwise, why would she have forgotten to question the authenticity of Chu Ning’s identity while reading the proposal?

“Don’t worry, Sister Xie. Even if we don’t succeed, the Chu Group has plenty of positions to offer you.”

Hearing this, Xie Shuyu grew even more tempted, a spark of hope igniting in her eyes.

Just as she was about to discuss specifics with Chu Ning, the café staff turned on the large TV in the center of the room.

Departments across the Chu Group had been instructed to tune in to the press conference where the president himself would speak, and the café was no exception.

Chu Ning’s attention was immediately drawn to the screen overhead.

She raised a palm toward Xie Shuyu, signaling for silence.

Xie Shuyu followed Chu Ning’s gaze to the screen, where the camera focused on Old Man Chu at the center of the conference table.

The elder frequently appeared in headlines, and while Xie Shuyu hadn’t recognized Chu Ning, she was very familiar with the president of the Chu Group.

She also knew a bit about the recent upheavals in the company. After all, the executive who had parachuted into Qinbao Corporation, slashed jobs, and “optimized” her out of a position was none other than Chu Xiao, who had left Tianxing Entertainment.

Xie Shuyu and Chu Ning fell silent, intently watching the press conference on TV.

In the massive conference room on the top floor of the Chu Group’s headquarters, a news anchor with a polished broadcasting voice announced calmly, “Good afternoon, members of the press. Given the recent public interest in the Chu Group’s personnel changes, the company has decided to hold this conference to address your concerns.”

Scattered applause followed as the camera panned to the audience, where reporters clutching notepads and microphones bearing news network logos had gathered.

“Now, we invite the journalists to ask their questions freely.”

With that, the battle between the company and the media began.

First, a female journalist gracefully rose to her feet and posed a question in an intelligent yet gentle tone: “Hello, I’m Yao Ling from First Economic Daily. Both Chu Tianheng, Deputy General Manager of the Operations Department at Chu Corporation, and Chu Xiao, CEO of Tianxing Entertainment, have resigned simultaneously. Could you share some details about this?”

Old Master Chu picked up the microphone on the table, wearing a kindly smile: “This is merely a routine personnel adjustment.”

Skeptical glances were exchanged among the audience. How could there not be more to the story when both a son-in-law and an adopted son left the corporation on the same day?

Old Master Chu calmly addressed the media: “As everyone knows, Chu Corporation is a company that values conscience and loyalty. Most positions at the headquarters are held by those who contributed during the financial crisis. Tianheng has served as Deputy General Manager of the Operations Department for many years without further promotion. He wishes to take a break for now and explore opportunities beyond our walls.”

“As for Tianxing Entertainment, it has never been Chu Corporation’s core business. Keeping Chu Xiao there would have been a waste of his talents. He privately discussed with me his desire to venture into the internet industry. Coincidentally, Chu Corporation participated in the Series A funding of Qinbao Technology Co., Ltd., holding 30% of its shares. Qinbao is in urgent need of talent familiar with modern business models, so we facilitated this transfer.”

Reporter Yao smiled and said, “Thank you,” before sitting back down and jotting notes on her pad.

The next question came from a male journalist: “Hello, Mr. Chu, I’m Cheng Xiangxiang from Pengbo News. According to insider sources, CEO Chu Xiao was attacked by assailants at the company before leaving Tianxing Entertainment. Is this incident related to the personnel changes? And does it have any connection to power struggles within Chu Corporation?”

His pointed question directly implied foul play behind Chu Xiao’s injury.

At the mention of “attack,” Old Master Chu’s expression darkened. Leaning on the table with both hands, he listened intently, brows furrowed.

He picked up the microphone again: “The attack did indeed happen.”

The room erupted into murmurs and whispers.

No one had expected Old Master Chu to openly acknowledge the incident.

His voice turned grave: “Such a heinous act occurring at Tianxing Entertainment prompted us to immediately report it to the police. We have fully cooperated with the investigation, providing all surveillance footage and eyewitness testimonies. I cannot overstep my authority by disclosing specific investigative details, so I ask everyone to await official police updates.”

“We have also enhanced security measures across all subsidiaries to prevent such incidents from recurring. We hope the police will soon deliver justice for our Chu family.”

This statement framed Chu Xiao’s injury as an injustice suffered by the Chu family, leaving little room for further skepticism.

Reporter Cheng, who had expected Old Master Chu to deny the incident, was prepared with evidence to force an admission during the press conference. But Old Master Chu’s unexpected candor left him with no choice but to thank him and sit down.

Old Master Chu’s responses were diplomatic and methodical, yet they failed to convince those inclined toward conspiracy theories.

They had already concluded that Chu Tianheng and Chu Xiao were sacrificial pawns in Chu Corporation’s power struggles.

Without further elaboration, Old Master Chu fielded a few more inconsequential questions, skillfully deflecting like a tai chi master, before clearing his throat to reveal the true purpose of today’s press conference.

“Next, I’d like to introduce to everyone the newly appointed Deputy General Manager of Operations at Chu Corporation: Mr. Chen Jianhua!”

This announcement was like throwing a grenade into a calm pond. The journalists in the audience immediately rose to their feet, turning their gaze toward the waiting area. Camera operators swung their lenses toward the side entrance in anticipation.

Yet no figure appeared from the direction they were looking. Instead, the door behind them swung open.

A blinding light streamed through the door into the conference room as Chen Jianhua, the newly appointed Deputy General Manager of Operations, entered with his secretary. Walking down the central aisle, he accepted Old Man Chu’s invitation and took the vacant seat to his right.

Chen Jianhua had created numerous business miracles in Country A over the past two years, making him a highly sought-after strategist in the international business arena.

“Mr. Chen, why did you give up your high-paying position overseas to join the Chu Corporation?” A reporter’s clear voice rang out from the audience, seizing the opportunity to ask the first question.

Chen Jianhua smiled without answering, waiting for the reporters to settle down on their own before gesturing with both hands for everyone to take their seats. The previously excited reporters quickly returned to their places, holding their breath as they awaited his response.

Like Old Man Chu before him, Chen Jianhua picked up the microphone in front of him and began speaking calmly: “I remember during my school years, the cafeteria only served set meals. This afternoon, I visited my alma mater and found that the students’ meals today are worlds apart from what we had back then.”

The entire room fell silent.

Chen Jianhua’s expression remained composed, as if lost in recollection. “Back then, I dreamed that one day, I could ensure the next generation of children would eat better than I did. Today, I realized that during my time abroad, someone else had already fulfilled that wish for me.”

“But how can I let others take charge of my dreams? By returning, I can still bring some benefits to the children—better meals, more knowledge to learn.”

At this point, the audience understood Chen Jianhua’s meaning, though opinions among the reporters varied.

Cheng, a journalist from Pengbo News, quickly followed up: “Why did you choose the Chu Corporation, Mr. Chen?”

This time, Chen Jianhua cleared his throat and answered earnestly: “Because, in my judgment, the Chu Corporation has managed to balance profit-driven capitalism with a human touch. This demonstrates their immeasurable commercial scale and advanced management philosophy, with limitless potential for future growth.”

“I must also thank Chu Tianheng, President Chu, for pursuing his vision while giving me the opportunity to join the group.”

The focus of the press conference had shifted entirely to interviewing the new deputy general manager.

–

Watching the live broadcast from the Chu Corporation’s café, Chu Ning was filled with questions.

As soon as the press conference ended, she picked up the coffee Xie Shuyu had bought for her and gestured for him to follow. Xie Shuyu understood and stood up, trailing behind her as they headed toward the Chu Corporation building.

Along the way, Chu Ning moved with practiced ease, occasionally receiving nods and smiles from passersby. Xie Shuyu grew more convinced of her identity—after all, bribing employees to stage an act within the Chu Corporation would be far too risky.

Unaware of Xie Shuyu’s silent skepticism, Chu Ning hurriedly took the elevator up to her grandfather’s office.

When the elevator doors opened on Old Man Chu’s floor, the office secretary recognized Chu Ning and greeted her warmly. “Ningning, what perfect timing! President Chu just returned to his office. And who is this?” She gestured toward Xie Shuyu.

Chu Ning replied respectfully and gently, “Auntie Wang, this is my friend. I’ll just head in to see Grandpa now.”

Secretary Wang motioned for them to enter. After all, as the president’s most beloved granddaughter, there was no way to keep her waiting outside—even if Old Man Chu was currently in a meeting with the new Deputy General Manager of Operations.

Xie Shuyu tactfully offered to wait outside, while Secretary Wang quickly showed her to a seat and poured her a cup of tea.

Chu Ning pushed open the door and entered, calling out, “Grandpa, today’s event didn’t properly explain the situation with Chu Xiao at all!”

When she noticed another elder in the office, she hurriedly apologized, “I—I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your meeting, Grandpa.”

Seeing that it was his beloved granddaughter who had entered, the old Mr. Chu immediately brightened and said warmly, “Ningning, come here quickly and greet Uncle Chen.”

Obediently, Chu Ning greeted Chen Jianhua politely and then took a seat opposite her grandfather and beside Chen Jianhua.

Chen Jianhua smiled as he looked at the elder Chu. “Ningning has grown so much—just as poised as her mother.”

Old Mr. Chu nodded with a smile. “It seems Ningning has some questions. Since you’re a highly educated returnee, why don’t you give my granddaughter a proper lesson?”

Chen Jianhua replied modestly, “Then I’ll embarrass myself in front of President Chu.”

“Ningning, what doubts do you have about today’s press conference?”

Seeing her grandfather’s trust in this new employee, Chu Ning felt reassured and asked, “The media is all focused on Chu Xiao and Chu Tianheng. Since Grandpa didn’t clarify those issues, they’ll surely keep attacking the Chu Group. Doesn’t that make the press conference pointless?”

The more she spoke, the more anxious she became, her voice growing hoarse.

–

The interview playback was turned off. Sitting in the dressing room, Ye Zhixia opened a stock market app to check the Chu Group’s stock trends.

With many people waiting around backstage, Xiao Mi could only voice her curiosity telepathically:

[Wasn’t the main goal to address the rumors Chu Xiao spread? Why introduce unrelated people instead?]

Ye Zhixia rested her right arm across her chest, propping her left elbow on it, while her left hand cupped her cheek as if dozing off.

In reality, she was responding to Xiao Mi in her mind: [This new deputy is the real focus.]

[But the Chu Group’s opponent this time likely has significant backing. I wonder if Old Mr. Chu realizes that this time, they’ve already gotten their hands on quite a few things they wanted…]

Xiao Mi perched on the dressing table, lips puckered in thought, silently asking: [Why is the new deputy the focus? And what exactly did the opponent manage to get?]