The fruits of my years of hard work, stolen overnight and claimed as his own.
That feeling, it could make one tremble with rage.
Years of time, thousands of days and nights.
With this one immature design, Tang Yan became a renowned genius designer.
Tang Xiaomin said calmly, "When you stood on the podium, accepting the trophy and enjoying the honor, did you ever think of me?"
Whether or not he thought of Tang Xiaomin, Tang Yan himself knew best.
He hadn't.
At this moment, Tang Yan bowed even lower.
"I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry. I've apologized to you, and you have everything now, so please forgive me."
Forgive, he said it so easily.
"Look up and look at me," Tang Xiaomin said with an authoritative tone.
Tang Yan straightened up, his expression relaxing, tinged with a hint of joy.
"You're willing to forgive me, aren't you?"
They say a true man knows when to bend and when to stand firm. A bow and an apology were just a matter of resolving trouble; he wasn't one to stand on ceremony.
Tang Xiaomin gave Tang Yan a faint smile.
"Do you think that by bowing and apologizing to me, this matter is settled?"
Tang Yan's expression gradually turned grim.
"Xiaomin, you, you asked me to get up, didn't you?"
"Heh heh..."
Tang Xiaomin let out a mocking laugh.
This pretense of repentance, this insincere apology, could not compensate her for any of her losses.
Back then, how miserable were Tang Yu and Tang Ye? Even Tang Xu was still in prison.
Why should a bow be enough for Tang Yan?
Wasn't this looking down on her?
"If you truly regret it, then return what you owe me, piece by piece."
"I am a reasonable person. Whatever you owe me, you return it to me. I will never take advantage."
Tang Yan's heart sank into despair.
"So, you still want revenge, don't you?"
Tang Xiaomin nodded.
"That's right."
"You..."
"I'm telling you, if you push me too far, I'll die for you to see. How will you face Mom then? She has her heart set on you."
...
Who would have thought that Tang Yan would act like a woman, throwing a tantrum, making threats of self-harm to coerce Tang Xiaomin.
A person with shame is like a tree with bark; a person without shame is invincible.
Among the Tang family's sons, Tang Yan was the most shameless.
Was the whole world his mother, indulging him?
It had to be said that Tang Yan was cunning and devious.
First, he tried to appease her, then he showed weakness, and when that didn't work, he resorted to threats.
Seeing Tang Yan's pathetic display, acting as if he would die if she didn't agree, Tang Xiaomin felt a surge of nausea, barely able to contain herself.
"Tang Xiaomin, I'm telling you, I'll do anything. What's so bad about dying? If I die, I'll just become like you. I'm not afraid of death."
Tang Xiaomin helplessly pointed to the window at the end of the corridor.
"See that window? If you want to die, I suggest you jump from there. It's eighteen floors; you'll surely die."
"After you die, I'll have the overseas branch of Xianfu Group in Country M handle your remains. For Zhang Meiyu's sake, I'll have you sent back to the country to be buried with your ancestors."
Under Tang Yan's shocked and unwilling gaze, Tang Xiaomin slammed the door and ran to the restroom to vomit.
Outside the door, Tang Yan's face turned a mottled blue and white from anger.
Tang Xiaomin was too ruthless; she was not swayed by anyone.
What to do?
Tang Yan slunk away from the hotel, his heart restless and uneasy.
Until this matter was resolved, he would not be able to sleep.
The next day.
In the shareholder meeting room of Meihuan Company, Tang Xiaomin was present.
Manager Pan was a shrewd man; the shares he gave Tang Xiaomin were just enough for her to qualify for shareholder meetings.
Furthermore, the shares were not given unconditionally. Tang Xiaomin had to resolve all potential hidden dangers for Meihuan for the next ten years.
This was essentially Tang Xiaomin working for Meihuan, with the shares as her salary.
It was a losing proposition, but sometimes, that's how things were.
Tang Xiaomin was uninterested in any matters discussed at the meeting.
She looked around the room but couldn't find Tang Yan.
Logically, as a designer for Meihuan, he should have been eligible to attend even a shareholder meeting.
It was strange.
Tang Xiaomin silently listened to everything discussed in the meeting.
Only when the meeting concluded did Tang Xiaomin stand up to speak.
"Everyone, I believe you are all curious as to why Meihuan's original designer could not resolve Meihuan's hidden dangers, while I can."
"Today, I want to solemnly tell you the fundamental reason for this, which is..."
Bang!
Suddenly, someone burst into the meeting room, interrupting Tang Xiaomin's speech.
"The reason is, the hidden dangers in Meihuan were deliberately created by you!"
Tang Yan suddenly appeared, making a shocking statement.
The meeting room erupted in an uproar.
Tang Yan shamelessly continued, "My apologies, everyone. This person is Tang Xiaomin, my own sister."
"And as you all know, my sister is very talented and capable. Of course, none of the Tang brothers are ordinary people."
"More than a year ago, my sister was brought back to the Tang family to live with us. At that time, I had no defenses against her, and therefore, Meihuan's designs were actually tampered with by her."
Tang Yan's words painted Tang Xiaomin as a wicked and despicable person.
In an instant, everyone's gaze towards Tang Xiaomin changed.
Tang Yan was adept at seizing opportunities, establishing a prior narrative, and to a certain extent, influencing people's judgment.
Tang Yan's abhorrent behavior had reached a point where Tang Xiaomin could no longer tolerate it.
She did not alter her plan due to Tang Yan's sudden interruption.
"Everyone, please listen carefully. Meihuan is Tang Xiaomin's design; I am familiar with every detail of it."
Tang Yan retorted defiantly, "You're talking nonsense. You claim it's your design, so what proof do you have to support that?"
All talk and no evidence was futile.
Seeing Tang Xiaomin's helpless expression, Tang Yan's face grew increasingly smug and arrogant.
"Tang Xiaomin, without proof, you are slandering. You adamantly claim it's your design; where is your evidence?"
"I want to see what you can possibly show everyone today."
Tang Xiaomin still said nothing.
The shareholders in the meeting room began to whisper amongst themselves, pointing fingers at Tang Xiaomin.
They clearly viewed her as a villain, a clown who brought her own humiliation upon herself.
One shareholder even protested, "How can someone of such low character be a shareholder of Meihuan?"
"I believe the hidden dangers in Meihuan's design were intentionally created by her, and now she comes forward to resolve them, claiming it's her design. This person is truly detestable. Her sole purpose is to steal Tang Yan's designs."