Chapter Fifty-Eight: Madam Chen’s Utter Frustration

"Uh... are you... are you a person or a ghost?!"

As Chen Wenli spoke, her hand trembled, and the entire plate slipped from her grasp, crashing to the floor and spilling soup and food everywhere.

“Damn it! We just told you—bring out a dish and we’ll waive ten thousand in fines. Now you’ve spilled it all, so you’re definitely getting penalized!” one of the men who had come with Shen Qingqiang and the others barked angrily.

But then someone beside him tugged at his sleeve, signaling that Su Zheng and Chen Muxue, the main parties involved, had arrived.

Shen Qingqiang and Wei Lao’er quickly stood with their group, warmly inviting Su Zheng and Chen Muxue to take their seats.

“Muxue! Why are you back so late? Do you even care about this company anymore? Is this how you do your job?!”

Old Madam Chen, upon seeing Chen Muxue, was so incensed that she stood up from the chair at the neighboring table, her voice sharp and scolding.

“Grandmother, I’m afraid you’re mistaken about something. I’m no longer the general manager of this company. As a kitchen staff member, I actually arrived ten minutes ahead of my shift. Even so, you still feel the need to reprimand me—why?” Chen Muxue asked, doing her best to suppress her grievances and remain calm.

For a moment, Old Madam Chen was speechless. Ever since Chen Muxue had taken over Haoyuan Trading, she had barely set foot in the company and was completely unaware of the various departments’ work schedules. More importantly, she had simply forgotten that she herself had reassigned Chen Muxue to another position.

“Hmph! Even if you’re no longer the general manager, as an employee you should still put the company first!” Old Madam Chen found a way to save face, then quickly resumed her stern demeanor. “Since you’re here, I want to ask you about these contracts with the bosses. Remember, you must tell the truth, or don’t blame me for being harsh!”

She barely had time to continue her interrogation before Chen Wenli nearly threw herself at her.

“Grandmother! Please, let me handle this! Trust me!” Chen Wenli interjected, her face a mask of panic.

She was utterly terrified—she hadn’t expected Chen Muxue to appear here safe and sound. She cursed Chen Peng’s incompetence and desperately searched for a way to escape responsibility. But after blinking several times, her expression turned desolate. This time… there was truly no way out.

“Very well, Wenli, you handle it. Of course I trust you. Anything you do puts my mind at ease,” Old Madam Chen replied gently to Chen Wenli, but then shot a resentful, scornful glare at Chen Muxue.

“Heh! You trust her to handle things? She’s nearly brought your whole Chen family to ruin and you still don’t see it. It’s true what they say—old age brings confusion!”

“I’m curious to see what tricks this woman can come up with!”

“Let me make this clear: as long as she remains at Haoyuan Trading, I won’t reduce a single cent of my compensation claim!”

“What’s the rush? Let’s drink and watch her put on a show. Hey, you in the kitchen! Whip up another ‘Shrimp and Eggs’ to go with your daughter’s performance, ha ha…”

“Man, you’re cultured—‘shrimp and eggs’ for her nonsense, that’s perfect!”

The men who had come with Shen Qingqiang and Wei Lao’er scoffed at the old lady’s words, mocking and jeering one after another.

Even Su Zheng’s expression twitched slightly—these men were truly insufferable.

Yet, the dish ‘Shrimp and Eggs’ did fit perfectly with Wenli’s nonsensical blather—a mess of nonsense indeed!

Chen Wenli was mortified, burning with shame. She had never been so publicly ridiculed and wished the earth would swallow her whole. Yet even if there were a hole to escape into, she might not dare crawl in—so many troubles awaited her still.

Su Zheng and Chen Muxue, now seated at the table, both fixed icy gazes on Chen Wenli, waiting to see what she would say.

“Muxue, dear sister, you’ve suffered so much during this time!” After a moment’s silence, Chen Wenli abruptly adopted a different expression, stunning everyone present.

Even Old Madam Chen and Chen Xiong in the kitchen hadn’t anticipated this turn.

“Muxue, dear, I was wrong before. My father and I are simply incapable of running this company. Please, for the sake of the family, come back as general manager! I promise, from now on, I won’t meddle in Haoyuan Trading’s affairs!”

“If you won’t agree, Muxue, I… I’m willing to kneel and beg you!” Chen Wenli made as if to kneel, convinced that Chen Muxue would be immediately moved.

“You…” Chen Muxue truly hadn’t expected this tactic, and her eyes grew complicated.

“Wenli, child, what are you doing?!” Old Madam Chen couldn’t sit still, her tone a mixture of chiding and concern.

Shen Qingqiang and the others all fell silent, glancing at Su Zheng for guidance. They knew Wenli had made this concession because she realized she could no longer control Haoyuan Trading.

To preserve her image before the old matriarch and resolve the matter of compensation, she was willing to set aside her pride and even kneel to Chen Muxue.

A subtle, meaningful smile appeared on Su Zheng’s face as he looked at Chen Muxue.

She calmed herself and, exchanging a glance with him, understood his intention.

Chen Muxue was sharp-witted—her previous forbearance in the family had been for her parents’ sake, but in terms of true ability, she was easily a match for Wenli, if not superior.

Since Wenli wanted to use kneeling to manipulate her, she’d simply let her do as she wished.

“Sorry, I haven’t seen any sincerity from you yet,” Chen Muxue replied coldly, regarding Wenli’s bent posture with indifference.

“You… Muxue, can’t you forgive your sister? If you keep this up, I’ll have no choice but to kneel!” Wenli nearly lost her composure, but forced herself to bend even lower, feigning humility.

“Go on then—kneel! I’m exhausted just watching. Tell you what, if you kneel, kowtow, and apologize, I, Shen Qingqiang, promise not to pursue you for anything further!”

“Great idea! I, Wei Lao’er, agree!”

“So do I!”

Chen Wenli had only meant to use the gesture of kneeling to pressure Chen Muxue. She never imagined Muxue would remain unmoved, so unlike the meek girl she was in the family before. It was as if Muxue saw right through her ploy, waiting coldly for her to truly kneel.

Wenli grew more flustered. When Shen Qingqiang and the others began to egg her on, she felt as if she were being roasted alive—caught in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat.

“What’s the matter, you won’t kneel? Or is your word worth nothing?”

“Hey! We’re all waiting here—hurry up and kneel. Just kowtow and it’s all over for you. If you think about it, you’re really getting off easy!”

Two of Shen Qingqiang’s companions shouted encouragement, their voices loud in the room.