Chapter 58: Refusal

Hypocrite.

Throughout my life, I’ve been called many things, but this is the first time anyone has ever accused me of being a hypocrite.

Yet, as Hua Jingjing called me out, I felt my face flush, my ears burn; shame washed over me, leaving me at a loss for words. I couldn’t even muster a halfhearted retort. Deep down, I had to admit she was right—Tang Qian, you really are a hypocrite. How could I say such things, speaking contrary to my heart? Had I ever truly considered her feelings? All the reasons I’d given her were feeble excuses, nothing more.

Gazing into her sorrowful, despairing eyes, for the first time, I felt the weight of what I was about to do—inevitably, I would hurt her.

Part of me couldn’t believe how things had changed. Just days ago, this heiress, my company’s boss, had been plotting endlessly to make my life hell, dragging me into a battle that nearly cost lives. And now, here she was, telling me she was willing to change her spoiled ways for my sake—in other words, that she liked me.

I couldn’t believe it. What could a rich young woman like Hua Jingjing possibly see in a nobody like me? What virtue or merit did I possess to deserve her affection?

In that instant, I felt deeply moved. After all, here stood a woman who loved me. Refusing her would already hurt her—how could I heap on more pain with pretty lies? That would be too cruel, too unfair. I thought back to our first meeting, to all our fierce clashes since, and it all felt like another lifetime.

I sighed quietly. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I really can’t accept your feelings. You were right just now—I am a hypocrite. I’m simply not worthy of your affection. There are many reasons I want to resign, but yes, part of it is to avoid you. I… I already have a girlfriend who loves me. I owed her far too much in the past, and now I just want to make it up to her, to treat her right. That’s why I can’t be with you—do you understand?”

Her eyes reddened, but she fought back tears, turning her head aside and biting hard on her finger. After a long pause, she finally managed to say, “Tang Qian! You’re cruel! I’d rather you lied to me—you saying this hurts far more.”

I understood how she felt. Years ago, Qiu Jieqin had heard these very words from me, and her reaction was much the same—pain, resentment, tears, sobs, heartbreak. I had hurt her then, and now I was about to hurt Hua Jingjing.

It pained me too. I didn’t want to cause such harm, but sometimes life leaves us no choice. Some things are unavoidable. I had chosen Qiu Jieqin, and I had to take responsibility for my words and actions, even if it meant hurting others.

Knock, knock, knock. The oppressive silence was broken by a rap on the office door, startling both of us. Hua Jingjing wiped her eyes and whispered, “Wait a moment—let me sit back at my desk. You go answer the door.”

We both stood. I walked over and, seeing she was back behind her desk, opened the door.

Standing outside was Fan Yunting, the deputy manager of the Planning Department. She held a folder, glanced briefly at me, then strode straight to Hua Jingjing. “President Hua, these figures still need your final approval. My team and I have checked them thoroughly—there shouldn’t be any major issues, but please have a look.”

Hua Jingjing forced a smile, took the file, leafed through it, then closed it and handed it back. “If you’ve all checked it, I’m sure there’s no problem. Go ahead and send it out as is.”

Fan Yunting noticed the sorrow lingering on Hua Jingjing’s face, her lack of spirit. A woman’s intuition made her eyes flick toward me.

I quickly averted my gaze, pretending nothing had happened.

It was Hua Jingjing who spoke first. “Manager Fan, Tang Qian has just handed in his resignation. Here’s his letter. Since you’re his supervisor too, have a look.”

Fan Yunting looked surprised, taking the envelope. “You’re resigning? Why?”

“It’s all in the letter,” I replied.

Fan Yunting opened the envelope, glanced at the short letter—it took all of three seconds to read—and seemed amused. “You want to strike out on your own? Not bad! Ambitious, aren’t you?”

I couldn’t tell if she was praising me or mocking me, so I stayed silent. Hua Jingjing asked, “Do you approve his resignation?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I? Everyone has their own path. Who knows, maybe you’ll achieve even greater things after you leave.” She tossed the letter back onto the desk. “I’ll go send out these documents.”

Hua Jingjing nodded. As Fan Yunting left, she gave me a look I couldn’t quite decipher, as though she understood everything.

After Fan Yunting left, Hua Jingjing stared blankly at the resignation letter for a long time. Finally, I had to remind her, “President Hua.” Her eyes flickered back to life. She sighed, “So there’s nothing I can do to stop you from leaving?”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

She forced a bitter smile, picked up a pen, scribbled her approval on the letter, and slowly folded it. “I’ve signed it. Take it to HR—they’ll handle the rest.”

Relieved, I thanked her and reached for the letter, but she pulled it back. “Wait. My agreeing to your resignation doesn’t mean this is over. There are still things between us, and the office isn’t the place. After work, wait in my car. Tonight, we’re going to settle this properly.”

My heart sank. I’d just rejected her confession—now, with her pride wounded, her notorious temper would surely flare. I could only imagine what she had in store for me. Thinking of her usual ruthlessness, cold sweat broke out on my back. “Tonight? Is that really necessary?”

She sneered. “Well, do you want your resignation letter signed or not? Otherwise, I’ll just tear it up.” She made a show of ripping it.

In the end, I knew I had to face her, whatever she wanted to say or do. After all, it was my fault. She had done nothing wrong in loving me.

“Fine,” I said. “We’ll talk tonight. But let me make it clear—no hitting! Just words, not fists.”

She nearly laughed but couldn’t, so she threw the letter at me. “Go get your paperwork done. When you’re finished, come get the car keys from me.”

Afraid she’d change her mind, I quickly left. Behind me, I heard her tearing up papers in frustration, muttering, “All talk, no fists? Fine! Then I’ll talk your ear off—I’ll bite you if I have to…”

By the time I finished my resignation formalities, the workday was nearly over. With my personnel file in hand, I found a big box and returned to my secretary’s desk to pack my things. The atmosphere here was entirely different from the Business Department—no one came up to ask what was going on.

I was glad for the peace. I didn’t have much to pack anyway, so it didn’t take long. I returned to Hua Jingjing’s office. “President Hua, I’m done.”

She looked up, a bitter smile on her lips. “All set? Here, take the car keys and wait for me in the car. I’ll be down shortly.”

I thanked her, took the keys, and left. Balancing the box at the elevator, I struggled to free a hand to press the button—when someone hurried up behind and pressed it for me.

I turned—it was Cheng Jia. She smiled. “I saw you packing up. So, you’ve really decided to quit?”

As the elevator opened, I nodded. “Yeah. It wasn’t an easy choice. I’ve no idea what I’ll do next.”

She said, “I support you. A man should have the courage to pursue his own path. You weren’t happy here anyway—maybe it’s for the best. I’ll miss having someone to talk to, though.”

I sighed. “Cheng Jia, I’ll never forget you—the care and help you gave me. Thank you, truly.”

As the elevator doors started to close behind me, Cheng Jia laughed, quickly holding the door. “Come on, don’t get sentimental. Get in already.”

I stepped in. “Goodbye, then.”

She mimed making a phone call. “Stay in touch…” The doors closed.

Inside the elevator, I hesitated, then pressed the button for the second floor. I thought of all my days and nights working in the Business Department, of the colleagues who had shared my struggles, and of Manager Gu Ruoyan, who had gone to great lengths to help me transfer and had always looked out for me. Now I was leaving without a word—it didn’t feel right.

No matter what, I had to say goodbye. Even knowing she’d be disappointed, I couldn’t just walk away in silence.

The elevator stopped. I carried my box into the familiar office. Most people were gone; the rest were packing up to leave. As I walked in, a few old colleagues glanced at me, confused by the sight of me with a box.

Xiao Zhai greeted me. “Hey, Tang—what’s going on? Did Planning kick you back to Sales already? You weren’t there long!”

Someone else chimed in, “What’s up, Tang? What are you doing?”

I forced a smile, putting my things on my old desk. “Ah, it’s a long story. I’m here to say goodbye—I’m leaving.”

They all came over to ask why. I only mentioned my resignation, nothing more.

Li Xiaoling came out of the statistics room, worried. “What happened? Things were going well—why quit?”

But how could I tell the truth? I just smiled. “Personal reasons, that’s all. I want to try something new—working for myself sounds better than working for someone else, right?”

With that, I walked to Gu Ruoyan’s door and knocked.

Her cool voice came from inside. “Come in.” I entered, finding her busy at the computer.

She looked thinner and more worn than just a few days ago. Her hair was a bit messy, and her eyes behind her glasses looked tired and shadowed.

I felt a pang of sadness. “Manager,” I said.

She peered over her monitor, saw me, and a faint smile broke through her usual chill. “So that’s what the commotion outside was about. You’re here! What’s up?”