Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.\n
Fumaokaisiâs product exhibition went on for three days. After Wang Guangning and Zhang Lingyiâs scandal exploded on the first day, so did the number of attendees.\n
Although everyone had differing opinions on Wang Guangning and Zhang Lingyi coming out of the closet so publicly, those who wished them well were in the majority.\n
And the direct advantage of having so many more attendees was that the number of orders also increased. When the three-day exhibition was over, Fumaokaisi actually received twice as many orders as expected at the beginning.\n
The status of the whole marketing department rose accordingly, and it was basically guaranteed that every person would be up for a raise in the next round of budgeting.\n
Not long after came news from the industry â Xu Guohui had resigned from DM China and joined a small private enterprise as its marketing head. His title was higher by a level, but his salary was a little lower. The specific details of what happened werenât clear, but those familiar with the workings of the industry could make a good guess. On the face of it, Xu Guohui left DM on his own initiative, but the truth was most definitely that DM had fired him. After causing such a ruckus at Fumaokaisiâs product exhibition, his trustworthiness and character fell under great suspicion. DM China was already deeply troubled by the intrusion of Fumaokaisi into the market, so leaving in place a marketing manager with such a poor name would have called their own reputation into question. Moreover, Xu Guohui had gone against regulations by approving salaries way past the companyâs principles of fairness, so the head office naturally couldnât allow him to continue with them. Business worked like this â when a company wanted to fire someone, especially someone in a high position like Xu Guohui, they would do their best to negotiate and have the other party resign, rather than pay out a large sum as compensation. The marketing staff member who had originally moved to Fumaokaisi, then was lured back by Xu Guohui with the promise of twice his salary, also resigned not long after. The southern China branch of DM China restructured its marketing department.\n
DM Chinaâs central marketing department approached Wang Guangning a few times, hoping that he would join them and take over Xu Guohuiâs position. But even the title of senior manager and a raise of 30 percent were both rejected by Wang Guangning.\n
Afterwards, it was heard that the small enterprise Xu Guohui joined only did ordinarily, with not much of a pickup in business. Xu Guohui had the title of marketing head, but didnât have much career development. But all this was what happened later on.\n
<hr class="wp-block-separator">\nWang Guangning was finally done with the exhibition. Old Zhou knew he had indeed suffered for his work, so now that the company operations were running smoothly in the right direction, he readily granted him a few days of leave.\n
Since Wang Guangning was able to relax into a regular rhythm of getting to and off work on time, he had a talk with Zhang Lingyi about heading home, now that he could get some days off.\n
Zhang Lingyi was preparing pork-rib soup when he heard this, and after giving it some thought, he said: âLetâs wait for two more days then. When Iâm done handing over my work, weâll go back together.â\n
Wang Guangning didnât quite understand: âHanding over?â\n
Zhang Lingyi felt guilty. He hesitated a moment before answering: âUh, I resigned from my company. Itâs been approved by the head office. Been doing the handover these few days. Last day is the end of this week.â\n
âWhy didnât you tell me!â Wang Guangning raged as he sprung over to Zhang Lingyi, and shook his shoulders wildly. âWhy resign suddenly?â\n
Zhang Lingyi pressed on Wang Guangningâs shoulders, trying to get him to calm down: âDonât get too upset âŚâŚâ\n
âHow can I not be upset?â Wang Guangning cut him off, fuming. âYou resigned just like that. Did you consider what I would think? Do you want me to support the family by myself? Dream on!â\n
Though Zhang Lingyi didnât give the reason, Wang Guangning didnât have to guess it was because of their relationship. Huidi International and Fumaokaisi were direct competitors. When Wang Guangning had chosen to work with DM Chinaâs distributors rather than Huidi Internationalâs distributors, it was more or less because he didnât want to clash head-on with Huidi International. Zhang Lingyi leaving Huidi was definitely because he didnât want their relationship to put him in a difficult position with Old Zhou.\n
They were too close. Even if Old Zhou wouldnât suspect him of betraying the company, he could imagine the possibility of him inadvertently revealing some company secret to Zhang Lingyi. If some kind of sensitivity was to arise later in competition with Huidi, Wang Guangning wouldnât be able to escape suspicion.\n
After their relationship had been revealed, Wang Guangning was weighing how to manage this issue. Heâd actually also considered leaving Fumaokaisi himself.\n
But he hadnât expected Zhang Lingyi to take that step ahead of him.\n
To say he wasnât moved would be a lie. But more than that, he was angry!\n
Dmned Zhang Lingyi, doing this, wasnât he trapping himself for a lifetime?\n
Zhang Lingyi laughed, and easily caught the ruffled Wang Guangning in his arms: âIf Iâd told you earlier, you would definitely have opposed âŚâŚâ\n
âKnowing I would oppose, you still did this?â Wang Guangningâs arms were held tight by Wang Guangning and couldnât move, so he could only pretend to bite his neck.\n
âItâs better that I leave than you leave.â Zhang Lingyi looked into his eyes with the gentlest of expressions. âHR isnât limited by industry. I have many more options, but youâre in the marketing department, so even if you leave Fumaokaisi, youâd have to remain in the same industry âŚâŚ whatâs more, you just established a foothold in the market. Now that itâs time to reap the harvest, itâs too much of a pity to leave.â\n
Wang Guangning was speechless.\n
Fumaokaisiâs southern China market could be said to have been singlehandedly pioneered by him. To hand it over to someone else on a silver platter, of course he wouldnât be willing. But âŚâŚ\n
âI will clarify first â Iâm not going to feed you.â said Wang Guangning huffily, turning his head to the side.\n
A full-grown man, how could he not have his own career.\n
Donât think that just by insisting youâre doing this for me, I canât suss out youâre secretly hoping to shamefully mooch off me.\n
âOh dear, you caught me.â Zhang Lingyi smiled as he kissed him on the ear. âWhatâs wrong with feeding me. Iâll cook for you in the day and warm your bed at night. Wouldnât it be good to be a full-time house husband?â\n
âNot good.â Wang Guangning harrumphed. âAfter we see my parents, you quickly go and find work.â\n
âOK, donât worry about this.â Zhang Lingyi kissed his cheek. âActually, Iâve been in discussions with a few companies. Their terms are all quite good. When we return from our break, it should be all sorted out. So, letâs use this time well and date properly!â\n
Only then did Wang Guangning stop worrying.\n
âAll right then, my dear, you go watch TV first. When Iâm done with the pork-rib soup, we can have dinner.â Zhang Lingyi let go of Wang Guangning, took up a ladle, and turned round to stir the pork ribs and kudzu roots in the electric pot.\n
Wang Guangning didnât go to the living room as requested, but hugged him from behind, his hands moving all over Zhang Lingyiâs body.\n
Zhang Lingyi was wearing a thin T-shirt and a pair of jeans. One hand of Wang Guangning was feeling up his chest, rubbing the protrusion covered by the T-shirt.\n
Zhang Lingyi took a deep breath: âGuangning, not right now âŚâŚ let me finish stewing the pork ribs.â\n
Wang Guangning ignored him. His other hand wandered south, pulled down the zipper on Zhang Lingyiâs jeans, and reached inside.\n
Sure enough, a certain part had become rather beastly.\n
Wang Guangning played with the part, lightly then heavily, touching till Zhang Lingyi was breathing unevenly and couldnât bear it any longer. He threw down the ladle and turned around: âCourting death?â\n
Wang Guangning quirked an eyebrow and smiled.\n
For Xiao Shou to have been teasing to this point, if he didnât respond, could he still pass as a gong?\n
Zhang Lingyi embraced Wang Guangning and pressed forward, pushing him against the edge of the kitchen counter. With one hand, he loosened the cord on Wang Guangningâs casual-wear trousers, and felt his way in.\n
*cough* Cooking river crab [homonym of euphemism for love-making] in the kitchen was a most delicious affair.\n
<hr class="wp-block-separator">\nWhen Zhang Lingyi was done with the handover at work, Wang Guangningâs leave was officially approved. The two of them packed simply and set off for Wang Guangningâs family home in S City.\n
It was the first time that Zhang Lingyi would meet his parents-in-law, so he was terribly nervous. He bought quite a few expensive presents and wore the clothes Wang Guangning had bought for him. Only after fiddling about for half a day was he satisfied with his appearance.\n
Wang Guangning, seeing how nervous he was, couldnât help mocking him: âAre you preparing to dress up as a woman to go home with me?â\n
Zhang Lingyi couldnât be bothered with Wang Guangningâs mockery and adjusted his fringe once more: âFirst time meeting Yuefu and Yuemu, of course I have to leave a good impression.â\n
Wang Guangning stamped his foot: âItâs Gonggong and Popo.â [Recall thereâs a difference in how parents-in-law are addressed, depending on whether theyâre the husbandâs or wifeâs parents.]\n
Zhang Lingyi wasnât in the mood to argue over whose was the husbandâs family and whose was the wifeâs family, so he simply raised the presents that had been prepared and announced: âOK, darling, letâs go!â\n
G City was about two hours by car from S City. The two of them drove and soon arrived at the centre of S City.\n
Zhang Lingyi followed Wang Guangningâs navigation and drove to a reputable area of S Cityâs centre. After parking, he and Wang Guangning carried their things and took the lift to the 17th floor.\n
They were silent on the way up. Even when they arrived before the main door of Wang Guangningâs family home, Zhang Lingyi didnât utter a sound.\n
âItâs OK. Iâm here, right?â Wang Guangning smiled as he saw how Zhang Lingyi was so nervous that his usual talkativeness was gone, though he himself wasnât any calmer.\n
âThat should be my line.â Zhang Lingyi leaned over to kiss Wang Guangning on the corner of his lips. âI wonât let you be wronged.â\n
Wang Guangning pressed the doorbell.\n
The door was quickly opened by a kindly, middle-aged woman.\n
âMa, Iâm back,â said Wang Guangning.\n
Zhang Lingyi felt his scalp go numb and intoned mechanically: âAuntie, how are you.â\n
Mama Wang was delighted when she saw Wang Guangning, but when she caught sight of Zhang Lingyi standing beside him, it looked as though she just thought of something. The joy on her face disappeared and she said stiffly, âCome in first.â\n
As it was the weekend, Papa Wang was watching TV in the living room. When he caught sight of Wang Guangning, with a man next to him, he turned gloomy in an instant: âWhat are you doing coming back?â\n
Wang Guangning placed the things in his hands on the cabinet next to the door. He looked at Papa Wang and Mama Wang, and said seriously: âPa, Ma, this time Iâve brought my partner home to meet you.â\n
Zhang Lingyi hurriedly said: âUncle, Auntie, how are you. My name is Zhang Lingyi. Iâm Guangningâs âŚâŚ boyfriend.â\n
Papa Wang suddenly stood up, his temper as frayed as a ragged cloth, looking as though he was about to explode. But he held back in the end. Without another word, he turned and waved them off, before returning to his room and slamming the door with all his might to make a loud bang.\n
Wang Guangning and Zhang Lingyi were shocked. But to not have been thrown out on the spot was already much better than what Wang Guangning had expected.\n
Mama Wang sighed: âCome over and sit.â\n
Once they were seated, Mama Wang gave Zhang Lingyi a look over. Seeing that Zhang Lingyi was tall and elegant, as well as extraordinarily handsome and poised, she was filled with mixed emotions.\n
Naturally, she didnât hope for her son to be gay. But seeing that her sonâs partner was so outstanding, she was a little relieved. This kind of feeling â she couldnât tell if it was happiness or sadness.\n
Wang Guangning held his motherâs hand: âMa, Iâm sorry. Iâve made you and Pa upset.â\n
When Mama Wang first heard that Wang Guangning liked men, she was so sad that she couldnât sleep for a few days. Now that a long while had passed, though she hadnât accepted the situation completely, she had at least calmed down considerably. She sighed again: âLook at you two grown men, why did you have to get into this âŚâŚâ\n
Wang Guangning said, âMa, this isnât a disease. I truly want to live well with Lingyi. You donât have to worry.â\n
Zhang Lingyi also added in a hurry: âAuntie, trust me. I will take good care of Guangning.â\n
Mama Wang looked at Zhang Lingyi, her face full of worry: âHow would two men live well together âŚâŚâ\n
Wang Guangning said, âMa, living well just means living together with the one I love, and itâs not only when itâs a man and a woman. Iâm living very happily with Lingyi now. Please have confidence in us.â\n
Mama Wang didnât continue with this topic. She asked about the latest updates from Wang Guangning, then seeing that it was dinner time, said: âSit back for now. Iâll go cook.â\n
Zhang Lingyi shot up immediately: âAuntie, you chat with Guangning. Itâs fine if I do the cooking.â\n
Mama Wang looked at Zhang Lingyi, clearly in doubt: âNo need, Iâll go.â\n
Wang Guangning leapt at the opportunity: âThe two of you go cook. Iâll watch TV on my own.â\n
Mama Wang could only head into the kitchen uneasily with Zhang Lingyi.\n
She had planned to just let Zhang Lingyi assist her. After all, she was the clearest about the ability of her own son to ruin a kitchen. This young man in front of her now didnât appear to be much better than her son.\n
She didnât imagine that Zhang Lingyiâs performance would far surpass her expectations. He was a deft hand at choosing and washing vegetables, and slicing and dicing on the chopping board. He even had the air of a chef as he started frying up a storm.\n
In the end, it was Mama Wang who was the assistant.\n
If it wasnât because his bearing didnât show a trace of him being a chef, Mama Wang would have suspected her son had found one as a partner.\n
When Zhang Lingyi had prepared all the dishes, Mama Wang stood at the dinner table laden with a full set of fragrant dishes, speechless.\n
Son, youâre both men â why is there such a big difference between your partner and you?\n
Mama Wang went to call Papa Wang out of the room for dinner.\n
The four of them were seated at the table. Papa Wang still looked terrible.\n
Zhang Lingyi served up the soup. When he placed a bowl of soup in front of Papa Wang, Papa Wang suddenly said: âI donât approve of the two of you being together.â\n
Zhang Lingyi went still. He set down the bowl, and said seriously: âUncle, I know that youâre so angry because you want whatâs good for Guangning. Iâm the same as you, Iâll also be very good to him. Please donât oppose so quickly. Give us a bit of time, and weâll prove it to you âŚâŚâ\n
Mama Wang listened halfway before she turned away, silently shedding tears.\n
Papa Wang coldly snorted: âBe good to him? How will you be good to him? Do his laundry? Cook for him? Bear children for him? Can you do all this?â\n
Wang Guangning couldnât help but interrupt: âPa, youâre describing a nanny, not a partner.â\n
âYou shut up.â Papa Wang hollered.\n
Zhang Lingyi patted Wang Guangning on the arm, and tried again with Papa Wang: âUncle, Auntie, what you hope that a wife can do for Guangning, apart from bearing children, Iâm willing to do it all for him. Please give us your approval.â\n
It was all so much for Papa Wang that he couldnât say a word.\n
It had been quite a while since Wang Guangning had made that call home. After the initial shock, Papa Wang and Mama Wang could only feel helpless.\n
It was a different era from before, with information streaming in from all corners. Papa Wang had gone to try and understand some of it, which held that homosexuality wasnât a disease but an orientation. And the possibility of adjusting the orientation was very low.\n
If this had happened to someone else, he might even have breezily helped to persuade their parents. But for this to happen in his own household, though he wasnât someone who was thoroughly thickheaded, it wasnât easy for him to accept this wholeheartedly.\n
He looked at Zhang Lingyi. Because of his initial outburst, he hadnât taken a close look. Now that Zhang Lingyi was speaking so sincerely, he couldnât help but give him a second look.\n
He saw before him a young man of top-class looks and bearing, with an expression in his eyes that was clear and upright, revealing genuine love and concern.\n
If he wasnât a man, he would undoubtedly be the ideal choice, one you couldnât take your eyes off.\n
Papa Wang silently sighed once more: âAfter finishing this meal, you two leave. I donât want to see you for now.â\n
âOld Wang, whatâs the point for you to âŚâŚâ Mama Wang wanted to say a few words in persuasion, but stopped at a look from Papa Wang.\n
Wang Guangningâs heart sank. He ate silently alongside Zhang Lingyi.\n
In any case, as long as Father wasnât so angry that he wanted to disown him, it wasnât considered too bad.\n
<hr class="wp-block-separator">\n<h5 class="wp-block-heading">The author has something to say</h5>\n<ol>Before a company fires someone, theyâd first negotiate with the worker and try to persuade them to resign. This is because firing someone requires compensation, thatâs to say, n + one monthâs salary. If itâs a high-level or long-serving worker, the compensation amount would be huge (a manager at [the author] Ah Zhiâs former company had been fired and was paid 30,000 in compensation). The usual way of persuasion was like this: resigning sounds better than getting fired, and before the worker heads to the next company, there would usually be a background check, so the present company will make an effort to say a few good words on their behalf. This is why a lot of people end up choosing to resign.The story has Zhang Lingyi resigning because HR is usually not circumscribed by industry. Along with finance and administration, HR is roughly the same everywhere, so Zhang Lingyi can go to any other industry. But as for marketing and sales, thereâs a lot thatâs curtailed by the type of industry, so itâs harder to develop across industries.</ol>