Noticing the tense atmosphere, Fang Shiqing quickly tried to smooth things over: "President Pei, rest assured, Banxia isn't the type to easily default on a debt!"
"Manager Fang, are you offering to be her guarantor? If Su Banxia can't pay up, you'll have to find a way to cover it for me!"
A sinister smile curled at the corner of Pei Shaoze's lips.
"Pei Shaoze, if you have a problem, take it up with me. Don't drag the people around me into this!"
Su Banxia pulled Fang Shiqing aside and met his gaze coldly.
"I'm just looking out for the company's losses, nothing more. Why is Secretary Su so worked up? Could it be that I've hit a nerve? Are you planning to renege on the debt?"
"It's only 13 million, isn't it? Even if it takes me a lifetime, I'll pay it off! Don't worry, I won't default!"
Su Banxia said defiantly.
She must have slaughtered Pei Shaoze's entire family in a past life, which is why he was tormenting her like this in this one!
Sensing the tension, Su Guoguo opened her mouth and burst into tears with a loud "waa."
Su Banxia's heart tightened, and she quickly stepped forward to hold Guoguo, speaking softly: "Guoguo, be good. Mommy's here!"
"The bad uncle is bullying Mommy!"
Su Guoguo's childish voice carried a clear sob.
"No one can bully Mommy. Mommy can take care of herself!"
Su Banxia did her best to comfort Su Guoguo, but her eyes held a hint of anger as she looked at Pei Shaoze.
This man really knew how to pick his timing!
Pei Shaoze was about to say more, but after hearing Su Guoguo's words, his expression shifted. When had he become the "bad uncle" in the child's eyes?
"President Pei, could I have a word in private?"
Fang Shiqing, watching this scene unfold, cautiously stepped behind Pei Shaoze and lowered her voice.
Pei Shaoze's face darkened, but he didn't refuse.
The hallway was quiet. Fang Shiqing looked at the tall man standing before her, cleared her throat, and spoke slowly: "Banxia has been raising her child alone for years. It hasn't been easy."
"That doesn't excuse her from paying compensation."
Pei Shaoze said sternly.
Fang Shiqing couldn't help but laugh at his demeanor: "Is President Pei really concerned about the money? I think what you truly want is to keep Banxia here, isn't it?"
"Manager Fang, you've been in HR for so long, but your skill at reading the room hasn't improved much, has it?"
Pei Shaoze's words carried a clear warning.
"I'm sorry. I overstepped."
Fang Shiqing wisely lowered her head and apologized. This man was not someone she could afford to provoke.
"Have Su Banxia come to the company tomorrow to write an IOU. I won't demand immediate repayment, but she needs to give me a deadline."
With that, Pei Shaoze had no intention of staying any longer and walked off without a backward glance.
Fang Shiqing let out a deep sigh, helplessly rubbed her forehead, and slowly walked back inside.
Su Guoguo still had traces of tears on her face, but a smile was forming.
"Godmother, is that bad guy gone?"
"Banxia, when did your daughter get so clever?"
Fang Shiqing smiled faintly at Su Guoguo. If not for the child's sudden crying, this matter might not have ended so easily.
Su Banxia gave a light smile: "I guess her brother's influence rubbed off on her."
Su Hao kept his head down, eating the whole time, showing no intention of getting involved.
"Mommy, that bad uncle said you owe him money. Is it hard to pay back?"
Su Guoguo lifted her little face and asked seriously.
"It's not hard, but it's going to be a hassle."
Su Banxia sighed inwardly. Knowing Pei Shaoze as she did, her days ahead were probably going to be tough.
"Did you get taken advantage of by bad people again?"
Su Hao put down his chopsticks, looking like a little adult.
Feeling a bit guilty under Su Hao's intense gaze, Su Banxia didn't know what to say.
Seeing this, Su Guoguo couldn't help but worry: "Mommy, are you going to work overtime every day again and not care about me and my brother?"
The children's words were innocent, but they struck a painful chord in Su Banxia's heart. She owed her children so much. She had thought that after finishing this task, she could spend more time with them, but one problem had barely ended when another arose.
"Mommy's busy with work, but you still have Godmother!"
Fang Shiqing said cheerfully.
Su Guoguo poked at the rice in her bowl, looking dejected and unhappy.
"When will you finally have time?"
Su Hao's eyes grew more probing.
Su Banxia looked at her two children, full of apology: "Mommy will do her best to find time for you, but with this debt now, I might be busier from now on."
Su Hao gave her a cold glance and said nothing more.
What was supposed to be a happy dinner ended abruptly because of Pei Shaoze's intrusion.
After cleaning up the dishes, Su Banxia sat on the sofa to rest.
Fang Shiqing took a bottle of water from the fridge and tossed it to her.
"I really don't get you two. You both care about each other to death, yet you insist on acting like you don't give a damn."
"Shiqing."
Su Banxia gave her a silent look.
"Fine, fine, I won't talk about him."
Fang Shiqing sighed quietly and sat down beside her: "But aren't you going to explain to me what really happened with Li Yi?"
At the mention of this topic, Su Banxia's eyes dimmed.
Li Yi and Ye Hengtian—she would make them pay one day!
Sensing the fire in Su Banxia's eyes, Fang Shiqing clicked her tongue: "With a mind as sharp as yours, how did you get set up so easily? Banxia, what's the real story here?"
"That incident with Lin Tongze wasn't my intention, but I still feel guilty toward Pei Shaoze. I thought signing that contract could help Dingcheng Group recover some losses. I never expected to be played."
Su Banxia gave a brief explanation, a faint, elusive smile crossing her lips.
"Do you think Dingcheng Group can't handle that loss on its own?"
Fang Shiqing rolled her eyes at Su Banxia. She really didn't understand her—she clearly wanted to help Pei Shaoze but refused to admit it.
"Don't just talk about me. Let's talk about you. How are things going with Mr. Lin lately?"
Su Banxia narrowed her beautiful eyes and asked with a light smile.
A blush crept across Fang Shiqing's face, and she said awkwardly: "Why bring him up out of the blue?"
"It's been so long. Hasn't your relationship progressed?"
Su Banxia raised an eyebrow.
"These things take time!"
Fang Shiqing looked away evasively.