C7 Lee's Group

Early the next morning.

Gu Beixue followed her usual routine, leaving home at 7:30 AM to catch a cab to work. At 7:40, she waited outside the breakfast shop for her soy milk. She noticed an elderly woman who seemed to be having a heart attack. Despite others hesitating to help, Gu Beixue, raised with a sense of responsibility, believed in helping those in need. Though she lived for herself, her kindness hadn't faded over time. She took the woman to the hospital, arriving after 9 AM, and it turned out not to be a heart attack. Gu Beixue kindly offered some advice and bought a few boxes of inexpensive medicine due to her limited funds. The elderly woman understood and got a prescription from the doctor, learning the name of the kind young woman who helped her.

Gu Beixue had been under surveillance since she left home that morning. Jee Huiru, aware that Gu Beixue worked at Ansheng, visited the company posing as Mrs. Bai. Just as Gu Beixue was about to explain her tardiness to her manager, she was met with a disappointed look from Jee Huiru. Gu Beixue realized it was another scheme but felt powerless, as she truly needed the job. She humbly explained the situation to her manager, while Jee Huiru seemed to relish the moment. The manager didn't say much, but with the real Mrs. Bai enjoying herself, it wasn't wise to jeopardize the job.

"Nianyu, look at you. I know your father spoiled you and didn't push you to study much, but you shouldn't plagiarize others' work to get a job," Jee Huiru said, feigning disappointment.

Gu Beixue was adamant, "I didn't, manager. I really didn't."

Jee Huiru added fuel to the fire, "Nianyu, did you plagiarize from the Luo company? Luo despises people like that. Nianyu, you should admit your mistake and start over."

"Oh? Ha, is this the grand gift Mrs. Bai has for me?" Gu Beixue retorted sarcastically, looking at her.

"Nianyu, what are you talking about? If you're in financial trouble, I can help you. Please don't do this. Your parents would be upset," Jee Huiru said.

"What right do you have to mention my parents?" Gu Beixue snapped, her anger flaring.

Jee Huiru's eyes said it all, and suddenly, Gu Beixue thought of her precious... Qing'er.

"Enough, Gu Beixue," the department head shouted.

"You're just acting tough because Mrs. Bai is here, right?" Gu Beixue's presence was as commanding as Jee Huiru's.

The department head felt exposed and embarrassed, especially with everyone watching.

"Let me tell you, Gu Beixue, you're fired," he yelled.

Ignoring him, Gu Beixue walked straight up to Jee Huiru. "Is this what you wanted? To take a piece of my family's fortune? To take my daughter away? Bai Luo never liked you. There's always been a gap between you two. Don't forget that. Oh, and I have every right to see Qing'er. No need to spell out what you've done. Talking to you is exhausting, Mrs. Bai."

Jee Huiru's face twisted with rage. "Don't get too cocky."

"Nianyu, do you really have to do this? Why?" Jee Huiru looked at Gu Beixue, feigning victimhood.

"Hahaha, I'm out of here, folks," Gu Beixue said with a carefree wave as she left.

No one noticed the tear that fell onto her hand as she turned away. She was enduring all this for Qing'er.

By the time she left the office, it was already 11:30. She had no income now, just a few dollars left. She looked up at the sky, imagining Qing'er calling out to her, "Mom."

"Director Bai, there's something I'm not sure if I should mention," the secretary said.

"What about Gu Beixue?" Bai Luo asked.

"Miss Gu was fired. Jee Huiru claims she plagiarized our employee's work to interview at another company. What do you think?" Bai Luo frowned, and the secretary spoke nervously.

"Don't worry about it," Bai Luo said calmly.

Bai Luo suddenly remembered the girl who lived without a care in the world. But then, the image of Gu Beixue's determined and ironic departure, along with her somber words, flashed through his mind. Gu Beixue was trying hard.

Bai Luo shook his head.

"Hello, is this Miss Gu?" a woman's voice came through the phone.

"Yes, it is. May I ask who's calling?" Gu Beixue replied, puzzled.

"Were you taking care of an elderly person between 7:40 and 9:00 this morning?" The voice on the other end was still elegant and cheerful.

"How do you know that?" Gu Beixue asked.

"That elderly person is our chairman. How about this: could you come to Lee's Group at 2:00 PM with your documents and resume?" the voice suggested kindly.

"Okay," Gu Beixue said, still in a daze.

The gist was that Gu Beixue could continue working.

1:30 PM.

"Mrs. Bai, the target is on the move, heading to Lee's Group."

"What! When did that woman get close to that old lady?" Jee Huiru said incredulously.

Gu Beixue arrived at Lee's Group right at 1:50 PM, and the elderly lady was upstairs watching her.

Downstairs, Gu Beixue began polishing a pen. It was a gift from her father for her coming of age five years ago. Ever since Gu Beixue went to prison, that pen had been with her.

"Chairman, Miss Gu is outside. Why not let her in?" the assistant asked.

"Let's wait until 2:05. I want to see her reaction. After all, my life's work shouldn't be wasted," the elderly lady said confidently.

"Alright."

2:00 PM.

Gu Beixue checked her watch. It was already 2:01. Why was the elderly lady so unpunctual?

2:05 PM.

Gu Beixue stood up, put away the shiny pen, and took three steps away.

"Miss Gu, wait! Miss Gu, wait!" The assistant hurriedly ran down, not understanding why the chairman insisted on this.

"What's going on?" Beixue asked.

"Why are you leaving, Miss Gu? Our chairman is waiting for you upstairs," the assistant said.

"Forget it, I'm not going up. I appreciate your chairman's kindness, but I can't just ignore my principles. You promised me two o'clock, and I'm sorry, but even five minutes late is not acceptable. It's a matter of principle," Beixue replied calmly.

"Ahem, young lady, that was my mistake," the chairman said as he came down, having overheard Beixue's words and feeling quite impressed.

With the chairman personally coming down and Beixue indeed needing a job, Beixue found herself employed.

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