Chapter Thirty-Five: Xue Qing

"President Liu, the accounts belong to us, and we intend to take them with us."

Before Liu Yiran could respond, the director of the Influencer Department exploded with anger, "That's impossible! The accounts belong to the company. Even if you leave, the accounts stay. What gives you the right to take them?"

He was already furious over their sudden resignation; now they wanted to take away the accounts that the company had painstakingly built up with considerable resources.

"Director Le, calm down," Liu Yiran gestured for Le Xuesong to sit aside. He was too emotional, his words inappropriate, walking right into their trap. What began as a resignation issue was now turning into a dispute over account ownership, which, in effect, conceded their resignation.

They had fallen into the other party's snare.

If they felt the company was unfair in profit distribution, they could have brought it up, and even resigning wouldn't be a problem. But this was clearly an intentional attempt to undermine the group, and it couldn't be handled so simply now.

"President Liu..."

Le Xuesong opened his mouth, then sat down, simmering with frustration.

Ye Qiu patted his shoulder and handed him a stick of gum. Le Xuesong slapped it to the ground, and if not for Liu Yiran's presence, he might have already unleashed a torrent of curses.

If not for that pretty boy, the thriving company wouldn't be in such a predicament: Zhang Jun had just announced the termination of business with the group, the stock had plummeted, and now their nurtured influencers were resigning. All because of that pretty boy.

"How can you be so rude?"

Mary, infuriated, wanted to argue with him.

Ye Qiu shook his head and pulled Mary back.

"I'm sorry, I lost my temper and forgot this is Big Sister's company," Mary said, head hung like a chastened child.

Ye Qiu felt numb.

This wasn't the image of a billionaire CEO—she seemed more like a lovesick young woman, completely out of character for Mary.

How could someone obsessed with romance manage such a massive enterprise?

He decided to question her later.

Ye Qiu looked at Liu Yiran, who had called in the HR manager. "Manager Wei, did Xue Qing and the others submit their resignation applications a month ago?"

Wei Yingxue shook her head, "No, President Liu."

"In that case, go back and write a resignation application, submit it according to procedure, and hand over your work properly. Then you may leave."

"That's all?" Xue Qing eyed Liu Yiran suspiciously.

Le Xuesong's agitation was the normal human reaction; Liu Yiran's composure was unnerving. They were the company's cash cows, yet she seemed to dismiss their departure so lightly.

Xue Qing stared, then snapped, "President Liu, what about the accounts?"

"The accounts?" Liu Yiran replied in surprise, "The accounts are company property and must remain with the company. That was clearly stated in your original contracts."

"Yes, it was, but when we signed, it was with Haotian Entertainment, not Ye Liu Group."

Liu Yiran's gentle face twitched imperceptibly. Haotian Entertainment was a subsidiary, but Ye Liu Group held controlling rights. Although the legal representative was someone from Tong Tie Xing's side, reclaiming control would be effortless. Clearly, their maneuver was far from simple.

"Haotian Entertainment is part of the group. The group exercises all personnel authority. Whether Haotian Entertainment or the group, my word stands."

"And Chairman Tong?"

"That's none of your concern."

"Fine," Xue Qing sensed Liu Yiran had some backing and, before leaving, paused to threaten, "President Liu, we're resigning normally. We'll pay any penalties due, but if you treat us unfairly, don't blame us for retaliating. The combined followers of us here exceed ten million. If we attack you, the group could go bankrupt in seconds. You'd better watch yourself."

"Wait."

This was Big Sister's company; Ye Qiu had refrained from interfering, lounging on the sofa. But resigning was one thing—Xue Qing dared to threaten his Big Sister? That was intolerable.

Frankly.

This fellow was chiseled, with rosy lips and white teeth, large captivating eyes, and a tall, well-proportioned physique—every inch the ideal "little wolfdog" in women's eyes.

Ye Qiu strode up to Xue Qing, standing three centimeters taller and looking down at him, "How exactly do you want to 'attack'?"

Xue Qing felt the space darken, the air thinning. He stepped back, then retorted, "Who are you?"

"Coincidentally, I'm your new Influencer Department manager."

Xue Qing sneered, "So you're the pretty boy beside President Liu. Listen, not even Le Xuesong matters—let alone you. We're the company's star influencers. You're nothing. Your job is to serve us, earn money for the company. Now I find your service lacking, so I'm resigning. What are you going to do about it?"

"I can't stop you from resigning, but if your mouth is foul, I have a duty to purify the air for society."

Smack.

Xue Qing saw a blur, then his mouth stung fiercely. Before he realized what had happened, Ye Qiu landed a second slap. Xue Qing tried to dodge, but the slap seemed to home in on him; even as he thought he'd evaded it, the broad hand landed again on his lips.

Smack.

Smack. Smack.

Each time he thought he'd dodged Ye Qiu's hand, it struck his lips with uncanny precision.

After several slaps, Xue Qing's mouth was swollen like a sausage.

"You... You people have no manners! How dare you hit me? I'll sue you!" Xue Qing shouted angrily, clutching his swollen lips. "Everyone saw it—be my witnesses! I want him to tread a sewing machine until it smokes!"

Ye Qiu shrugged indifferently, "See? You should've considered the consequences when you threatened others. Just because you get hit doesn't mean you're in the right. Besides, a gentleman uses words, not fists. Don't resort to violence so easily."

"You..." Xue Qing wanted to curse, but seeing the coldness beneath Ye Qiu's bright expression, he swallowed his words. "You little bastard, just wait. If I don't deal with you, how can a sixty-million-follower in