He said coldly.
Tao Xinrou was stunned. What did that mean?
He looked at her for two seconds, then repeated, "Go home first."
Zhao Sili seemed to understand. She said anxiously, "What do you mean 'go home first'? Doesn't that mean Xinrou is suspended? Cousin, what's going on? Didn't you go to speak up for Xinrou? Why is it still this result?"
"What do you know? I said go home first."
"No, if you don't make this result clear, nobody leaves. Xinrou can't go home today either!" She grabbed Tao Xinrou's arm tightly, not letting her go.
Ying Jingsheng sighed, feeling that Zhao Sili was too naive. But he had already made it very clear, so he said no more and turned to leave again.
"Ying Jingsheng! What do you mean? Why should Xinrou leave but not me? I was there too! I didn't ask either! If you suspend her, suspend me too!"
"Sili, don't be like this." Tao Xinrou quickly grabbed her.
"No!" Zhao Sili's voice was sharp. "That's unfair! That old lady didn't fill in the information herself, so why blame you? And the look her husband gave you, as if you deliberately harmed her! You didn't do anything wrong!"
Zhao Sili's nose tingled, and she blinked hard, as if she had shouted out all her pent-up anger.
But Ying Jingsheng had already turned back. He said nothing, just looked at the two of them.
Tao Xinrou went over to comfort Zhao Sili: "Sili, go back first. This matter will definitely have a good outcome, and... President Ying has already given his answer."
"What kind of result is this? You've been suspended!" Zhao Sili couldn't hold it in anymore. She ran to Ying Jingsheng. "Brother, can you go beg Grandpa again? Don't let Xinrou be suspended. If anyone should be suspended, it's me. The internal test idea was mine. I should share the responsibility too."
Ying Jingsheng watched Zhao Sili tugging at his sleeve, just like when they were kids and she would only turn to him when in trouble.
He sighed and said, "Sili, this isn't that simple. I'll handle it, but for now, what we need to do is stay calm."
Tao Xinrou came up behind them, understanding Ying Jingsheng's meaning completely.
Even in his position, he couldn't go against the group's decision.
"But I can't stay calm." Zhao Sili was like a spoiled child, tears streaming down her face.
Tao Xinrou quickly went over to comfort her: "Sili, don't worry. As long as the hotel needs me, I'll definitely come back. Go to work now, and I'll call you when I get home, okay?"
Zhao Sili wiped her tears and nodded reluctantly after a long moment.
"But... okay. You have to call me."
Tao Xinrou nodded: "Mm."
"You must call."
"Mm."
"If there's any bad news, you have to tell me immediately. I can't let you just leave the hotel like this."
Tao Xinrou paused for a moment and instinctively glanced at Ying Jingsheng.
He stood nearby, expressionless.
Zhao Sili left, looking back every few steps, and even waved from a distance.
The entrance fell quiet again.
The wind was colder than before, blowing Tao Xinrou's hair wildly.
Ying Jingsheng stood before her, tall and slender, like a silent tree in the night.
She didn't know what to say or where to go.
"It's late. It's not safe for you to go back alone. I'll have the driver take you." Ying Jingsheng looked at Wang Anran, signaling him to have the driver wait.
Tao Xinrou shook her head: "I can just take a taxi."
"The driver is still at the door. It's not too late to get in now."
It was a statement that brooked no argument.
Tao Xinrou didn't refuse. She nodded.
"Tell me when you get home."
"Okay."
Tao Xinrou walked over, opened the car door, and looked back.
Ying Jingsheng was still standing there, his posture straight, his eyes on her.
The streetlight cast a long shadow behind him. She waved and said, "Goodbye."
The car drove far away. From the rearview mirror, she saw him still standing there motionless, like a silent guardian.
Tao Xinrou sat in the car, restless. She watched the scenery speeding backward, replaying the day's events in her mind.
Suddenly, she wondered if there had been any suspicious figures.
She remembered a middle-aged man who came alone. He didn't speak or interact with anyone, and during the experience, he just went through the motions.
Could it be...
Was this person here to watch the show?
Or was he here to make sure the show went according to script?