With Fu Jinghan's assurance, a relentless stream of flattery poured out. "Director, don't worry, we've always supported you!" "Yes, yes, Director, you've always been so kind to us. We're not ungrateful people." "If you need anything, just give the word, we'll go through fire and water for you!" "The vote's been cast!"
In the 2,000-member group, some still wrestled with inner guilt and secretly voted for Su Wanwan. Before long, the votes for No. 1 and No. 2 had swung dramatically to 2100:1900. Fu Jinghan, in high spirits, threw out a few more red envelopes. "Everyone, keep it up! If anyone can bring me another vote, come privately, and I'll send you a red envelope!"
In no time, the votes surged at a visible pace. Fu Jinghan, determined to handle the matter, stayed up all night. The next morning, Su Wanwan was awakened by Fu Liangmu. She felt utterly drained, fatigued and lacking sleep.
"You don't look well," Fu Liangmu remarked, kneeling by her bed, his cold hand brushing her forehead. "No fever, but is something bothering you?" Su Wanwan sluggishly shook her head, clearly out of sorts. "It's like this every month..." Fu Liangmu immediately understood, and before leaving, draped a coat over her shoulders. "Let's go, to the office."
"The results must be out by now," Su Wanwan said, taking the sandwich that had been packed for her and eating it slowly. Fu Liangmu sat beside her, glancing at his phone. In just one night, Fu Jinghan's votes had surged past Su Wanwan's by 300. He remained calm, unhurried.
The car stopped at the headquarters. The entire company was abuzz with whispers, discussing the event.
"Have you seen the vote counts?" "I woke up this morning and found that No. 1's votes were lower than No. 2's!" "How could No. 2's design be so poor? Did someone really vote for that?" "I saw a serious problem last night when I was handling the reports—at midnight, No. 2's votes were still less than half of No. 1's."
"But after midnight, the votes were skyrocketing." "What's going on? Isn't No. 2 Su Wanwan's design? Did she cheat?" "Some people will do anything to win!" "If it's really Su Wanwan, then it's disgusting!" "Poor Director, heartbroken for him." "Su Wanwan and Fu Liangmu must be together, he must have been covering for her."
"Are the board members turning a blind eye too?" "Exactly!" "If someone who resorts to such shady tactics becomes our Director, how will we live in the future?"
With the whole company anxiously watching, the clock struck twelve. In the final moments, No. 2, who had been underestimated by many, surpassed No. 1 by a single vote. This sent shockwaves through the crowd.
"Cheating!" "Su Wanwan cheated!" "This is so unfair, it's a clear case of dishonesty!" "Does she think we're blind?" "I can't swallow this, what about you guys?" "She may be pretty, but her character leaves much to be desired..."
"Should we go to the Chairman? If so many of us support the Director, Su Wanwan wouldn't dare claim the position!" "Let's go!"
In the meeting room, Old Master Fu looked at the voting results, his gaze lingering on Fu Jinghan. Fu Jinghan tilted his chin slightly, his eyes gleaming with triumph. He struggled to keep a smile from breaking out, every fiber of his being electrified with excitement.
Yan Wenhua slapped the table twice, visibly displeased. "Fu Jinghan, what is going on here?" Last night, when he had quietly voted for Su Wanwan, the numbers didn't look like this!
Fu Jinghan looked up in confusion, feigning innocence. "What do you mean, what's going on?"
"Stop playing dumb with me! With your terrible design, who in their right mind would vote for you?" Yan Wenhua's words were sharp, his attitude toward Fu Jinghan shifting. He had never disliked Fu Jinghan, but the situation now made him feel that Fu Jinghan was someone who couldn't accept defeat.
"Mr. Yan," Fu Jinghan shot him a cold, venomous look. "You've disrespected me. Just because you don't like my design doesn't mean others don't."
"Must Su Wanwan always be placed above me for you to be satisfied?"
Yan Wenhua didn't expect Fu Jinghan to be so eloquent. His lips twitched, and he pointed at him, sighing after a long pause. "With that kind of mentality, you'll never go far. A man who can't handle losing will never confront his flaws."
Fu Jinghan straightened his back, brimming with confidence. "Whether I succeed or not is for me to decide."
"Chairman, now that the time is up and the results are in, it's time for you to announce the winner of the first round of the Director competition."
Old Master Fu hesitated, glancing at Fu Liangmu.
Su Wanwan, sitting beside him, slowly spoke. "How much did it cost?"
Fu Jinghan's expression shifted slightly. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"The easiest way to get so many people to vote for you is with money," Su Wanwan replied nonchalantly.
Though Fu Jinghan was anxious, he was certain Su Wanwan had no proof. "Su Wanwan, if you can't handle losing, just leave."
"What, seeing me win has made you unhappy, so you come here to slander me?"
Su Wanwan shrugged lightly.
Old Master Fu saw that Fu Liangmu didn't react, cleared his throat, and took a deep breath. "As Chairman, I hereby announce the winner of the first round of the Director competition is—"
"Wait!"
Bang! The locked door was violently slammed open, and an employee at the front tumbled in, face flushed with righteousness.
"Chairman! This is blatant favoritism!"
"Clearly, No. 1's design is superior, No. 2 is just a cheat!"
"Yes! It's unfair! We demand No. 1 to win!"
The deafening voices echoed at the door, the crowd packed tight, black as night, as if half the building could hear it.
Fu Jinghan, seeing the commotion, grew anxious. He snapped with a cold face. "What are you all doing? Get back to your posts!"
"This competition is fair and just, and you have no right to interfere!"
Seeing Fu Jinghan like this, they were more convinced than ever that he had been 'threatened.' So, they shouted even louder.
"No. 1! We want No. 1 as our Design Director!"