Yan Xin was quite surprised. He knew how much Pei Shaoze valued this partnership, yet she had actually managed to lose the contract!
"I didn't mean to. I clearly remember putting it at home, but I just can't find it."
Su Banxia was very worried. Without the contract, how could the collaboration proceed? Judging from Pei Shaoze's reaction alone, she knew this was serious.
Yan Xin couldn't bear to see Su Banxia looking so distressed and comforted her, "Don't worry too much. I'll talk to President Pei later."
This matter was too big. If Pei Shaoze could resolve it, fine, but if he couldn't, Su Banxia would likely bear a heavy burden of responsibility.
Su Banxia was very grateful. Having Yan Xin speak up for her was far better than being scolded alone like an idiot. "Thank you, President Yan."
They waited outside for about an hour. When the conference room door opened, Su Banxia quickly stepped forward. Everyone was walking and chatting as they left, making the outcome unclear.
Su Banxia didn't see Pei Shaoze, so she headed toward the conference room. Yan Xin followed suit.
"Shaoze, how did the negotiation go?"
Seeing Pei Shaoze sitting with a grim expression, Yan Xin spoke first.
Pei Shaoze turned to look at Yan Xin behind him and noticed Su Banxia still by his side. A sour feeling rose in his chest—could this woman have gone to Yan Xin again to ask him to put in a good word?
"What do you think? My secretary is really something. First, she costs me thirteen million in losses, and now this time, what you've cost Dingsheng is something you couldn't pay back even with more time!"
Pei Shaoze sat in his chair and spoke flatly, his tone extremely light.
Su Banxia's heart tightened at his words. She sensed trouble—this likely meant the contract might have...
"President Pei, I really didn't mean to! I didn't want this either!"
She explained again, having learned her lesson this time. From now on, she would keep her documents properly stored!
Pei Shaoze ignored her explanation and instead laughed coldly. "Ha, Su Banxia, isn't your move this time a bit too obvious? Lin Tongze put you up to this, didn't he?"
Su Banxia's head was spinning. Just because she accidentally lost a document, he had to drag Lin Tongze into it. If Lin Tongze had really told her to do it, she wouldn't have made such a huge mistake that made her the prime suspect.
"No, President Pei. If he really told me to do this, I would admit it if you asked. But this is truly a misunderstanding."
She frowned anxiously, worried that Pei Shaoze wouldn't believe her.
"A misunderstanding? What a coincidence? My secretary makes repeated work errors?"
Even though Pei Shaoze had his doubts, his words were relentless.
Seeing Su Banxia so frightened, Yan Xin couldn't stand it anymore. "Shaoze, maybe it really is a misunderstanding."
He didn't know Su Banxia inside out, but at least he trusted her character. He absolutely didn't believe losing the document was one of her tricks.
Pei Shaoze showed no respect for Yan Xin and said coldly, "This isn't your place to speak, President Yan. You'd better go approve the documents for these past few days."
If Su Banxia hadn't gone to Yan Xin for help, he might not have been so furious.
"Shaoze!"
Yan Xin was reluctant. If he left, what if Pei Shaoze bullied Su Banxia?
Seeing Yan Xin still there, Pei Shaoze added, "Or is President Yan not up to this job?"
His tone remained icy, devoid of any warmth.
Outside the conference room, a crowd had gathered. It was rare to witness Pei Shaoze berating his own brother and secretary—who would miss such a show?
Usually, everyone only saw Pei Shaoze standing up for his secretary and keeping her close, so this scene was uncommon.
Fang Shiqing, who had come to copy documents, also noticed the crowd and grew curious. She stepped forward and asked, "What's going on?"
"It seems Secretary Su lost the contract for today's negotiation and is being scolded by President Pei!"
One person in the crowd answered.
Fang Shiqing panicked at the news. She knew Pei Shaoze wouldn't believe that Su Banxia had left the contract at home and couldn't find it. Just as she was about to push through the crowd to help Su Banxia explain, someone grabbed her.
Turning around, it was Zhang Shanshan.
"Shiqing, what's wrong?"
Zhang Shanshan feigned confusion.
She already knew what was happening inside but hadn't bothered to join the fun. However, seeing Fang Shiqing about to go in and speak up for Su Banxia, she quickly approached.
"Banxia lost the contract. I'm going in to explain to President Pei for her."
Fang Shiqing looked worried, afraid Su Banxia would be wronged.
Zhang Shanshan stopped her. "President Pei is furious right now. Going in now probably won't help and might even get you caught in the crossfire."
It was rare to see Su Banxia being reprimanded—she couldn't let her off that easily. Even if Yan Xin was inadvertently dragged into it, as long as Su Banxia suffered, that was enough.
Fang Shiqing was still uneasy, her eyes fixed on the scene inside. "But look at Banxia, she..."
"Shiqing, you have to trust Banxia. President Pei has always treated her well. Maybe this time he's just using her as an example to warn everyone."
Zhang Shanshan found excuses to persuade her. Everyone knew Pei Shaoze was good to Su Banxia, and Fang Shiqing, living with her, would surely know it even better.
Thinking about how Pei Shaoze usually took good care of Su Banxia, Fang Shiqing relaxed a little.
"Alright, I have things to do, so I'll go now. Keep an eye on this for me, and if anything happens, be sure to tell me. Shanshan, Banxia means a lot to me too. I can't let her suffer alone."
She said seriously. Even though there were still some minor conflicts between her and Su Banxia, she knew deep down how important Su Banxia was to her.
Su Banxia had long noticed the onlookers outside the door and Fang Shiqing chatting with Zhang Shanshan on the side. She had been a little hopeful, thinking Fang Shiqing had come to explain things to Pei Shaoze for her, but it turned out she was just there to see Zhang Shanshan.
Yan Xin glanced at Su Banxia, feeling conflicted. He had promised to speak up for her to Pei Shaoze, but Pei Shaoze had shown him no face and only made things harder for her.
"Banxia, I'm sorry."
He turned and whispered in her ear before walking out.
Su Banxia understood his helplessness and naturally didn't blame him. As Yan Xin left, she finally felt the silence outside the door.
"President Pei, I told you, the document was accidentally lost, not given to anyone else!"
She looked at Pei Shaoze's gloomy face and explained again.
If Pei Shaoze forcibly pinned the crime of selling the contract on her, the blame she'd have to bear would be enormous.
"What's wrong? Losing a document makes you right? Do you think Dingsheng is too prosperous and want to cause me some trouble?"
He didn't know why, but he was in a foul mood today. From the moment he saw Su Banxia and Yan Xin walk in together, he couldn't contain his anger.
Su Banxia felt she couldn't make herself clear no matter what. She was utterly helpless, not knowing how to explain, and could only fall silent.
"Don't forget how much you still owe me. At this rate, you might never pay it back in your lifetime!"
His words were full of sarcasm. Su Banxia clenched her fists, her whole body trembling.
She almost hated herself for not installing a camera in her room.