Hidden Moth-Chapter 480 - 270: Lust Breeds Trouble and Anger

This statement is really true. From the scope of authority, President Wei couldn’t fire Mei Guyu or He Kao because matters of the Qi Yuan Branch don’t fall under his jurisdiction.

Qian Guran’s way of speaking completely disregarded him, practically tearing off the facade.

But under Qian Guran’s oppressive aura, Wei Digao was a bit confused and tried to stabilize himself, attempting to ease the tension by saying, "President Qian, my emotions weren’t quite right earlier. Let’s discuss the real business..."

Qian Guran pushed his hands on the table edge and leaned back in his chair, "I’ve already finished my work for the day and won’t join you for dinner tonight. If President Wei has any business to discuss, let’s chat tomorrow during work hours."

President Wei couldn’t remember how he left the office, didn’t eat dinner, and once out of Qian Guran’s sight, that unsettling feeling gradually disappeared, replaced by growing anger and shame.

He wasn’t alone in Qi Yuan either; upon returning to the hotel, he summoned his assistant and then informed several subordinates far away at the group headquarters, organizing a temporary online meeting with them.

President Wei described today’s ordeal, partly concealing, partly exaggerating, leaving his assistant and several subordinates indignant. They then began discussing how to deal with relevant people at Qi Yuan Branch...

The plan was nothing more than finding issues, picking faults, creating public opinion, writing reports, arranging people to denounce externally to relevant departments, and internally lobbying group leaders.

President Wei’s hotel was actually across the street from the company’s office building, within the range of He Kao’s Divine Sense.

Their online meeting ended around 9:30 PM. He Kao was tidying up to prepare to go off duty but received an internal email from Mei Guyu, which, unexpectedly, wasn’t work-related, but a dinner invitation.

He Kao replied, "It’s so late, the market’s closed, can’t cook." He had been fasting for ten days, genuinely emptying out his fridge.

Mei Guyu then messaged, "I’m inviting you, let’s eat out."

He Kao asked, "Why invite me?"

Mei Guyu replied, "To show gratitude."

The commotion in President Qian’s office must not have escaped Mei Guyu’s notice; she was probably thanking him for that. After considering it, He Kao finally replied, "Alright then, choose a place first, I’ll head over directly later."

At this hour, many restaurants are closed, with mostly hot pot, barbecue, and taverns still open. Mei Guyu chose a reasonably high-class tavern, securing a small booth mainly for easy conversation.

He Kao didn’t come with her and arrived a bit late, having first returned to Sesame Apartment briefly. Entering the booth, he first greeted her, apologizing for being late, as he casually placed several items.

While placing, he explained, "These are borrowed from President Qian, using them temporarily."

Mei Guyu remained calm, "Ah, the Array given by the Ancestral Hall."

He Kao sat down, "You didn’t really have to invite me. Today’s affair was just a coincidence. I also heard the words of that skinny pig head and President Qian, who wouldn’t want to scold him!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Mei Guyu curiously asked, "What’s the skinny pig head supposed to mean?"

He Kao explained the nickname ’skinny pig head.’ If it were another girl, she might have giggled at the joke, but Mei Guyu didn’t laugh, merely nodding seriously to show she understood.

Then she said, "I’m not only thanking you for this matter but also for your help. Several colleagues have said I should find a chance to thank you personally, mentioning that not even past factory mentors took pupils as seriously and responsibly as you have..."

Even though they’re neighboring departments, He Kao hadn’t met Mei Guyu during this period; work matters were handed over through internal emails because Mei Guyu’s position was meant to interface with him.

He Kao tried his best to avoid her, thereby making his work emails to her detailed, considering too many issues to prevent her from sticking around.

If it were another colleague, sending a flow document would suffice, but He Kao added many notes, advising Mei Guyu on what to do. This inadvertently made him the best guide for this career newcomer.

In today’s workplace, who else provides such patient and meticulous guidance to newcomers, allowing an intern like Mei Guyu to seamlessly transition into her work?

Naturally, colleagues also noticed this. Perhaps due to Mei Guyu being President Qian’s relative, Qian might have specifically mentioned it, so there could be another reason for He Kao’s devoted concern, maybe he had an interest in Mei Guyu?

There are always people who like to fan the flames, so some colleagues suggested to Mei Guyu to properly thank He Kao, maybe by inviting him for a personal meal or something similar.

Something similar actually happened a year ago, though the roles seemed reversed at that time.

Yang Lingxi had worked on the Cloud Housekeeper project. She sought proximity to He Kao to flush out the Hidden Moth, deliberately showing interest in him.

Many colleagues intentionally played matchmaker, arranging their seats together at gatherings.

Recalling past events, He Kao suddenly realized his recent reluctance toward Mei Guyu somewhat had ties to Yang Lingxi. Mei Guyu’s role was identical to Yang Lingxi’s back then, even the desk was the same.

Later, He Kao saved Yang Lingxi’s mother and daughter. Knowing these weren’t Yang Lingxi’s true intentions, as she was merely coerced, he no longer pursued the matter.

He recently heard news about Yang Lingxi, who was accepted as a disciple by Ancestral Hall Sect’s Steward Yu Shangzhen, becoming a Tier Two Sorcerer recently; evidently, she was quite talented.

After realizing this, He Kao sighed inwardly. Mei Guyu is Mei Guyu, and Yang Lingxi is Yang Lingxi. He shouldn’t have held this mindset, but he was simply tired of being manipulated!

Mei Guyu didn’t drink alcohol, but she ordered a pot of wine for He Kao while having tea herself.

Though Mei Guyu wasn’t much of a talker and He Kao didn’t want to awkwardly halt the conversation, perhaps to ease the atmosphere, he shared some stories about Yang Lingxi, omitting her Hidden Moth experience.

Mei Guyu nodded after hearing the story, "I know this person, and I’ve heard about this incident. It was the Huiming Shi Family who coerced her; they indeed drew out Hidden Moth while getting themselves in trouble..."

As she spoke, she voluntarily picked up the pot and poured He Kao a cup of wine, "I’m inviting you today not just for thanks but for guidance. Some colleagues said I should address you as mentor..."

He Kao nearly spilled the wine; the word ’mentor’ was too much to accept. He quickly caught on, realizing it was meant in the context of past factory apprentices and mentors; newcomers were usually led by mentors.

Mei Guyu continued, "I’ve never worked before, not even at Magic Sect enterprises, lacking work experience. So, I wanted to ask you how best to handle situations like today’s; it can’t directly involve confrontation, right?"

He Kao didn’t answer, instead, he pondered, "Actually, I feel something’s off. Though the skinny pig head isn’t a good person, in his position, even if he harbors ulterior motives, he wouldn’t be so blunt.

You rejected him publicly, and a slight displeasure from him is one thing. But President Qian doesn’t know him well, let alone being amiable, yet he dared to ask President Qian to arrange such things. Something isn’t right."

Mei Guyu asked, "What have you thought of?"

He Kao queried, "What have you seen?"

Mei Guyu replied, "Greed and anger, lust clouded with rage."

He Kao noted, "That’s the problem. Even if he has thoughts, he wouldn’t reveal them so evidently and be so eager. There’s a possibility it’s due to Spirit Awakening Skill’s effect—he’s been manipulated."

Mei Guyu asked, "You suspect an expert skilled in Spirit Awakening Skill secretly cast a spell on him?"

He Kao asked back, "Can you discern it?"

Mei Guyu replied, "It’s possible, but hard to confirm, as I wasn’t familiar with the person before and didn’t notice any caster today."

**