Soft-centered strawberry cake

Chapter 36 What else can I expect from you?

At the office door, Du Lian knocked lightly. Knowing that Pei Ming was waiting for him to return and report, he opened the office door and went inside.

"President Pei, as you instructed, I have already conveyed the message to the planning department."

Following Du Lian's gaze, Pei Ming was sitting at his desk, staring intently at the computer screen.

Seeing that Pei Ming did not react, Du Lian spoke again: "President Pei, don't you have anything you want to ask me?"

Du Lian's second question brought Pei Ming's thoughts back from the computer screen. "Huh? I was looking at the central control design drawings that the engineer sent me. What were you saying? Say it again."

“I said, I have completed the task you assigned me, don’t you have any questions for me?” Du Lian asked his question again.

Pei Ming placed his hands on the desk, "You know what questions I'm going to ask you, so why don't you just tell me?"

"After informing the planning department of your decision, I secretly observed the young lady's expression, and it was clear that she was very unhappy." Du Lian's eyes revealed a hint of amusement.

"What kind of unhappiness is it? Is it the unhappiness that her proposed solution wasn't adopted, or the unhappiness that I didn't choose her?"

Pei Ming's absurd question left Du Lian speechless. "President Pei, I'm not a mind reader. How could I possibly analyze what kind of unhappiness she has? I suggest you go home tonight and ask her yourself."

Upon hearing Du Lian tell him to go home and ask Ming Weiyi himself, Pei Ming complained to Du Lian, "Tell me, what can I possibly expect from you?"

"Then I'll leave?" Du Lian knew Pei Ming was joking with him, so he spoke casually.

Pei Ming wouldn't let Du Lian off the hook. He looked at Du Lian and instructed him, "Go to the construction site this afternoon and check on how the new energy project is progressing."

"Yes, Mr. Pei." Upon receiving Pei Ming's instructions, Du Lian immediately became serious.

A day passed in the blink of an eye. As the one who was not selected, the people in the Planning Department 1 shut down their work computers and left their workstations on time.

In the underground parking lot, Mingwei opened the driver's side door and got in. Thinking that her mother had specially asked Aunt Wu to go to her and Pei Ming's address to cook dinner for them, she took out her phone from her bag.

Although Ming Wei was in a state of unease all day, she knew she had to maintain appearances with Pei Ming, and she couldn't bring herself to eat alone at home without inviting him over.

"Yesterday we all said that Aunt Wu's cooking is the best. Today my mom specially invited Aunt Wu to our place. Let's have dinner together later."

After sending this message to Pei Ming, Ming Wei stared at the chat window with him for a while. She wondered why she felt so disappointed when she learned that Pei Ming had not chosen her option, a disappointment that surpassed even the disappointment of having her option rejected.

In the office, Pei Ming was worried about how to bring up Ming Weiyi first tonight, but unexpectedly, Ming Weiyi contacted him first.

"Okay, I'll be home right away."

After replying to Ming Wei's WeChat message, Pei Ming closed all the folders and web pages on his computer without saying a word, and then shut down the computer.

At the end of the workday, people who are in a hurry to get home will find the journey particularly congested, with every red light becoming an obstacle on their way home.

The door to the house was opened again in less than five minutes, and this time Pei Ming entered.

He walked through the entryway into the living room, where he saw Ming Weiyi lying on the sofa playing on her phone, and the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen throughout the house. Out of the corner of her eye, Ming Weiyi saw Pei Ming's figure getting closer and closer to her. She got up from the sofa and sat down, politely leaving Pei Ming a place to sit.

"You're back pretty early today." Pei Ming sat down next to Ming Weiyi, and his first words were an awkward attempt at small talk.

“Our proposal wasn’t selected, so we’re off work on time since there’s nothing else to do.” Ming Wei put down her phone, which she was playing with.

Since Ming Weiyi got straight to the point in her first sentence, Pei Ming didn't beat around the bush either. "I heard from Du Lian that he was very unhappy to see you today."

"Of course I'm unhappy that my proposal wasn't adopted," Ming Wei said truthfully, though she didn't look at Pei Ming.

"So, have you looked at the second department's proposal today?" Pei Ming tilted his head slightly, looking at Ming Weiyi.

Mingwei nodded, "I've seen it. Manager Su's plan is indeed excellent. In the early stages, all proceeds from the auction of Chengze's paintings will be donated to charity. Later, for every bag of new product sold, one cent will be donated to support education in impoverished mountainous areas. We are truly ashamed of our own shortcomings."

"Susie's proposal can make the Ming Group's image more in line with that of a conscientious entrepreneur, and it also has lower operating costs, which is suitable for the Ming Group's current situation."

“So Fu Baiqing said that Su Qian understands you better.” Upon hearing Pei Ming praise Su Qian, Ming Wei blurted out this sour remark.

Whether it was because Pei Ming was too straightforward, or because he was eager for Ming Weiyi to understand his choice, he didn't notice the sour tone in Ming Weiyi's words at all.

"It's not that she understands me better; Fu Baiqing also pointed out the flaws in one of your project proposals." Since Fu Baiqing has been mentioned, I can only feel embarrassed.

Seeing that Ming Wei also remained silent, Pei Ming continued to explain: "Fu Baiqing and I both believe that Chengze is about to go abroad, and your plan needs Chengze's personal presence to achieve the greatest effect. Moreover, the Ming Group cannot rely on Chengze's popularity to develop indefinitely."

"So, you chose public welfare for the sake of the steady development of the Ming Group. I can understand your choice." Finally, Ming Wei raised her eyes and looked at Pei Ming.

“I know that even if you understand, you will still feel disappointed if you are not chosen. But this is the first lesson I’m teaching you as a manager.” Pei Ming looked at Ming Weiyi with sincere eyes.

"What?" Mingwei asked, puzzled.

"As a manager, in addition to controlling costs, the most important thing is to be fair and just, while ensuring the maximization of profits."

The words "fairness and justice" struck a chord with Ming Weiyi. Indeed, her unhappiness today stemmed mainly from her selfish motives; she hoped Pei Ming would side with her.

"I understand. As a manager, I must treat everyone fairly and never let the company become unbalanced." Having said that, Ming Weiyi felt much better.

"However, I still want to apologize to you. Personally, given our relationship, I didn't choose your option. I hope you're not upset."

Unexpectedly, Pei Ming apologized to her, and Ming Wei could also see the sincerity in Pei Ming's eyes. She smiled and said, "I was a little unhappy at first, but after hearing what you said today, I feel like I've learned something, and now I'm happy again."

Pei Ming smiled faintly, "Really?"

"Okay, let's eat. After we eat, I'll arrange for Chengze to come over and talk about the auction."

Bathed in the brilliant colors of the setting sun, Ming Weiyi's radiant smile looked exceptionally beautiful. In Pei Ming's eyes, Ming Weiyi's smile deserved all the praise in the world.

(End of this chapter)