Over the past month, the Cheng Group had been hit with one incident after another. Cheng Yuan had visibly lost a lot of weight, and the atmosphere at the old mansion grew darker by the day. The servants kept their heads down and did their work without daring to speak carelessly.
The same was true at the company.
No one from top to bottom at the Cheng Group dared to say an extra word, afraid of saying something wrong and provoking the boss's anger.
After all, they were really scared of dying.
This wasn't an exaggeration—it was real. The boss's temper had gotten so bad lately that you could get burned just by walking past him. One glance from him could kill.
Those with weaker nerves avoided him whenever possible. When they couldn't, they had no choice but to brace themselves and face him.
Another bid document had been leaked. The president's office erupted with a roar, "What the hell are you people doing? Making such childish mistakes one after another! If you don't want to work, then get the hell out!"
The head of the planning department didn't even dare to breathe. He stood with his head down, listening, wanting to explain but not knowing how. Vice President Zhang had instructed her own people to take charge of the project, and as a mere department manager, he couldn't very well say no.
The consequence of not daring to refuse was becoming cannon fodder for the mother and son. One day scolded by this one, the next day by that one.
He really was unjustly treated.
Cheng Yuan picked up a folder and threw it at the man, his voice harsh. "Last time! If it happens again, go to HR and hand in your resignation!"
The planning department head wiped the sweat from his forehead and said tremblingly, "President Cheng, there might be other circumstances behind this leak. If you give me time to investigate thoroughly, I will definitely find the mastermind."
"You said the same thing last time. And then? Did you find them? Huh?"
"..." It wasn't that he didn't want to find them, but, sigh.
The planning department head explained, "Last time and this time are different. Last time it was Vice President Zhang..."
He hesitated before continuing, "Last time, Vice President Zhang wouldn't let me get involved. This time I can definitely find out."
"Enough. You don't need to investigate this time either," Cheng Yuan said coldly. "Do your job and don't meddle in anything else."
The planning department head nodded. "Yes, understood."
After being scolded, he came out of the president's office and happened to run into Jiang Yu. He tugged Jiang Yu's sleeve, and they went to the break area. The planning department head asked, "Assistant Jiang, what's been going on with President Cheng lately? He's been losing his temper all the time. He wasn't like this before."
"Could you please let us know so we can steer clear?"
Jiang Yu smoothed his sleeve and said indifferently, "Manager Liu, have you forgotten the Cheng Group's regulations? Employees are not allowed to inquire about the boss's personal affairs. Just do your job and don't ask too many questions."
A person who could become a general manager wasn't stupid. Manager Liu caught the hint from Jiang Yu's few words and nodded. "Got it. Don't worry, I won't ask again from now on."
Before leaving, he even gave Jiang Yu two movie tickets and told him to take someone to watch.
Jiang Yu casually tossed the tickets into the trash bin. Only then did he turn and head to the president's office.
Cheng Yuan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette while slowly smoking. The white smoke obscured his expression, but from his lonely silhouette, it wasn't hard to tell he was in a bad mood.
Hearing footsteps, he didn't turn around. He asked, "Found her?"
Jiang Yu stepped forward and bowed. "No."
"What about the address from the Jiang family?"
"I went there. They've already moved."
"What about nearby cities?"
"No luck either."
Following Cheng Yuan's orders, Jiang Yu had conducted a thorough search but still found no trace.
"Madam should not be in Milan," he said. "I've already sent people to look farther away. I'll inform you as soon as there's any news."
Cheng Yuan exhaled a puff of smoke. "She couldn't have escaped on her own. Apart from the Jiang family, there must be someone else helping her."
Jiang Yu's Adam's apple bobbed slowly. "The person helping Madam should be Madam Zhang. Or perhaps the two of them have struck some kind of deal."
Otherwise, the Jiang Group wouldn't have interfered with Zhang Rong's entry into the board.
"President Cheng, what are your orders going forward?"
"Keep looking," Cheng Yuan said, his eyes narrowing as they focused on a certain spot where shadows flickered like human eyes. "I want to see her alive or see her dead."
He was determined to have Jiang Xiao.
"If necessary, I'll go search myself." That was the last thing Cheng Yuan said to Jiang Yu before he left that day.
But in reality, Cheng Yuan had no time to go out. Problems kept cropping up at the company, and as the group president, he had to stay and resolve them in person.
By the time things were more or less settled, three months had passed since Jiang Xiao left.
He rushed off to look for her, but every lead turned up bad news.
Nothing. Nothing. Nowhere.
It was as if Jiang Xiao had vanished into thin air. No trace could be found.
Cheng Yuan returned in disappointment and hid himself in the club, drinking. One bottle after another.
When Xu Cong got the news, he rushed to Jiesè. Seeing Cheng Yuan dead drunk, he patted his face. "A Yuan, isn't she just a woman? Is it worth it? If you like her, I'll find you another one. Definitely better than Jiang Xiao."
He pulled out his phone. "Look, here's one—a popular female influencer. Fair skin, beautiful face, long legs, slender waist. Like her? I'll contact her for you."
"Oh, and this one—a rising starlet. Very innocent. Any of them is better than Jiang Xiao."
Cheng Yuan shoved Xu Cong away. His eyes bloodshot, he said, "I only want Jiang Xiao. Only Jiang Xiao. Bring Jiang Xiao to me."