C23 Disappointment

Qin Danfeng instructed Sunn Jinbo to return to his post, noting that he hadn't completed a full month of attendance, resulting in a penalty of 10,000 yuan.

"Cao Jiang, fetch me an iced Americano and bring it to my office," Qin Danfeng commanded before departing.

Caught off guard, Cao Jiang emerged, oblivious to the fact that Sunn Jinbo had already labeled him unfavorably.

Shortly after, Cao Jiang prepared the iced Americano and knocked on the office door with a polite rhythm. Qin Danfeng, seated in her chair, exuded the aura of a top executive. "Come in," she beckoned.

Cao Jiang entered, placed the iced Americano on the desk, and remained standing in silence. His demeanor was stiff, but it was precisely his uniqueness that Qin Danfeng found admirable.

Qin Danfeng took a hearty sip of her drink and encouraged, "Sit down, Jiang. There's no need to be so formal with me."

Respecting her wishes, Cao Jiang took a seat on the plush chair beside her, finding it unexpectedly soft and luxurious.

With a smile, Cao Jiang inquired, "Elder Qin, are you feeling better now?" Qin Danfeng looked up sharply, "Much better, no need for concern."

Despite her hospital stay, Qin Danfeng kept close tabs on the company's revenue. During her absence, Cao Jiang had adeptly managed numerous significant clients, providing much relief.

He had not only increased profits but also successfully promoted the store's jewelry. "Cao Jiang, you're the most talented and youngest appraiser I've encountered. I'm considering offering you a promotion, though it hardly seems a match for your skills."

Upon hearing about a potential promotion, Cao Jiang couldn't contain his excitement, knowing that a higher salary would boost his Luck Value.

Radiating enthusiasm, he knew treasure hunting would be a breeze. "Thank you, Uncle Qin."

Whenever Cao Jiang was in high spirits, he would affectionately refer to Qin Danfeng as "Uncle Qin." Qin Danfeng, accustomed to this, would simply smile in response.

She made a call to the manager, "Manager Wang, please assist Jiang with his promotion this afternoon. From now on, only the gems he selects are to be appraised."

Qin Danfeng's word was law, and everyone had no choice but to heed her directives.

Manager Wang was well aware of Cao Jiang's standing with Qin Danfeng and his exceptional performance. He was more than willing to facilitate the promotion that Qin Danfeng had recommended for Cao Jiang, promptly processing the necessary paperwork.

The news of the promotion spread like wildfire throughout the office building. Cao Jiang himself was the last to know his new assignment, as colleagues whispered and pointed in his direction.

Fortunately, Cao Jiang was indifferent to the chatter, always preferring his own company.

Manager Wang simply called Cao Jiang to inform him that Team Leader Lee would provide him with a work card, instructing him to report to the Expert Group on the 32nd floor at 2 PM.

The term "Expert Group" rang in Cao Jiang's ears over the phone, leaving him in disbelief. Overjoyed, he embraced his grandfather, both of them brimming with happiness.

Meanwhile, Sunn Jinbo learned of Cao Jiang's latest promotion and that his new office was on the very top floor of the building. Recognizing Cao Jiang's new expert status, Sunn Jinbo concocted a plan and didn't head home to rest. Instead, he lingered at the elevator entrance, clutching a document bag as if awaiting someone's arrival.

After a lengthy wait without a sign of Manager Wang, the elevator doors suddenly opened. Manager Wang and Sunn Jinbo, both veterans of the company, recognized each other. Noticing Sunn Jinbo nearly dozing off at the elevator entrance, Manager Wang inquired, "Sunn Jinbo, why aren't you heading home? What are you doing hanging around here?"

While adjusting his glasses, he added, "I heard our appraiser has joined the expert panel on the 32nd floor. Surely that can't be true, can it?"

"Isn't it obvious? Of course, it's true. Sunn Jinbo is acting just like a clown," someone remarked.

Manager Wang was swamped with work, skipping lunch to stay on top of things, while Sunn Jinbo incessantly babbled behind him.

Annoyed, Manager Wang confronted him, "Sunn Jinbo, you're usually not so chatty. What's gotten into you today? How does someone else's promotion affect you, anyway?"

Feeling slighted once more, Sunn Jinbo was about to retort when Manager Wang interjected, "It's no secret you're envious because he's more capable than you. We're all here to earn our keep; don't spoil the work environment."

With that, Manager Wang boarded the elevator and departed, leaving Sunn Jinbo seething with jealousy.

As long as Cao Jiang remained at the company, Sunn Jinbo would never find peace.

It was well-known that the Jewelry Group led by Qin Danfeng and the one helmed by Dung Mingshun were fierce competitors.

They had been evenly matched until Qin Danfeng discovered Cao Jiang's extraordinary talent for gemstone appraisal.

With Cao Jiang on board, her company soared, leaving Dung Mingshun's in the dust.

Even if he tried to catch up, it wouldn't be quick work. Fame does indeed attract scrutiny and envy.

Perhaps Sunn Jinbo was just a stumbling block on Cao Jiang's rise to success. Sunn Jinbo hadn't even realized that his grip on the tweezers had turned his hand red.

He was so consumed by his vendetta against Cao Jiang that he didn't notice his own fingernails digging into his flesh, drawing blood.

That afternoon, Cao Jiang arrived at the company for his first day of work since his promotion, determined not to make any mistakes.

He arrived early at the entrance but didn't go in right away, pausing as if deep in thought. Just then, Sunn Jinbo burst out, looking utterly panicked.

To the uninformed observer, it might seem as though Sunn Jinbo had stolen some jewelry and was making a desperate getaway.

Little did they know, he had been outmaneuvered, driven by personal greed to betray his own company in a futile attempt to undermine Cao Jiang.

Sunn Jinbo was indeed a despicable character, as Cao Jiang's puzzled gaze fell upon him. Unbeknownst to Sunn Jinbo, Cao Jiang was observing him from the doorway.

Glancing at his watch and noting it was nearly two o'clock, Cao Jiang didn't dwell on the time and proceeded to enter.

Thus, their paths diverged. Before long, Sunn Jinbo reached Dung Mingshun's company, which boasted an ancient, opulent decor. It seemed Dung Mingshun, a man known for flaunting his wealth, had spared no expense in outfitting his company.

Despite the usual requirement to schedule an appointment with Dung Mingshun, Sunn Jinbo was undeterred. He approached the service desk and demanded, "Get your boss on the phone. Tell him I need to see him."

The receptionists exchanged uncertain glances. Dung Mingshun, always engrossed in his work, had little time for such trivial matters. He assumed Sunn Jinbo sought him out for something significant, only to find out it was a matter of being outperformed by others.

Dung Mingshun, a shrewd businessman, had no interest in retaining employees with wandering loyalties. He was on the verge of summoning security to deal with Sunn Jinbo's unwelcome presence.

But the chilling words that Sunn Jinbo uttered next stopped everyone in their tracks: "If you help me take down Cao Jiang and prevent him from joining Phoenix Jewelry Group, I'll help you topple Phoenix Jewelry."

Dung Mingshun had been brooding over the formidable challenge posed by Phoenix Jewelry. Sunn Jinbo's offer was a lifeline thrown at just the right moment, and Dung Mingshun readily agreed.

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