Debunk

Walking a few steps to the long table, the atmosphere was heavy. Just as Liu Changjiang was about to force a smile to ease the tension, the team leader gestured for him to sit down.

Liu Changjiang instinctively chose to sit on the right side next to Old Dai, away from Shen Yi.

After sitting down, Liu Changjiang immediately smiled at Old Dai, "Team leader, you wanted to see me."

Dai Tiefeng didn't respond, but tapped his finger on the table and asked, "Did you really ask Shen Yi to write for you? Are you sure he agreed?"

Liu Changjiang responded with extreme confidence, "Yes, I was in a rush to leave this morning, so I asked Brother Shen for a small favor. You can check the security cameras if you don't believe me, it was around 9:40 yesterday."

His words were logical and confident, and that "Brother Shen" was said with such warmth, as if they were close friends.

Shen Yi merely responded with a cold smile, hearing this form of address for the first time himself, finding it quite novel.

Dai Tiefeng's expression remained unchanged. Liu Changjiang had said the same thing earlier, just not in such detail. Now thinking about it, there were quite a few holes in his story. He said in a low voice:

"Company policy requires written or message confirmation for work handovers. Did you communicate with Shen Yi about this in the work group chat or team chat?"

Liu Changjiang's face changed at these words, but he managed to maintain his composure, responding:

"I was in a hurry at the time, so I just gave verbal instructions. I'll be more careful next time."

Suddenly, Shen Yi spoke up, asking Dai Tiefeng: "Team leader, I'd like to know why Liu Changjiang took leave yesterday?"

Both Old Dai and Liu Changjiang were startled, not understanding why the topic had suddenly shifted.

"Um... Liu Changjiang's grandmother sprained her ankle at home, and he rushed back to take her to the hospital."

Though the question was sudden, Dai Tiefeng answered immediately, keeping track of everyone's time off and leave requests, just like how Shen Yi had taken time off two days ago for moving.

"Alright, may I ask which hospital you took your grandmother to?"

Shen Yi suddenly turned and urgently asked Liu Changjiang.

"Ah? Oh, it's... it's..." Liu Changjiang was caught off guard by the sudden question, stammering before finally reacting.

"That's none of your business!"

While Shen Yi indeed had no right to ask this, his demeanor caught everyone's attention, and this flustered response made people suspicious.

The central air conditioning was blowing cold air, yet Liu Changjiang's forehead was beginning to sweat.

He felt that Shen Yi seemed different today, not only more aggressive in his demeanor but also speaking with complete confidence. From the moment he entered the company, his entire bearing and movements showed a newfound boldness.

Compared to his previously quiet nature, he seemed like a completely different person. Liu Changjiang couldn't figure out where this overwhelming confidence came from.

After just a few exchanges, he was already starting to struggle.

But Shen Yi had no intention of letting him off, continuing softly: "I know where you went." Though his voice was gentle, it carried absolute certainty, as if he could see through to Liu Changjiang's thoughts.

Liu Changjiang felt increasingly cornered, his heart tightening as he became more defensive.

"I saw you having lunch with a lady at that barbecue restaurant on Huimin Road..."

While Shen Yi had been speaking rapidly before, he now slowed his pace, each word striking Liu Changjiang's heart like a sharp knife.

As he spoke, Shen Yi stood up and took out his phone, saying: "Here's the photo I took at the time. Nice fashion choice, by the way - coffee brown suits you."

Every word hit Liu Changjiang's weak spots, making him anxious. Shen Yi had accurately described where he ate, what he ate, and what he wore yesterday.

Seeing that he claimed to have photos, Liu Changjiang panicked and instinctively rose to grab the phone.

But as soon as he grabbed Shen Yi's wrist, he saw that the phone was turned over - the screen was black.

Liu Changjiang froze in place. While he hadn't said anything explicitly, he had said everything - after all, who would instinctively try to stop someone if they hadn't been caught red-handed?

"I took legitimate leave, not violating any company policies. Why are you interfering?" At this point, Liu Changjiang could only stubbornly stand his ground.

Unfortunately, no one cared whether his stubborn denial held up - they only wanted to hear what they were interested in.

This rapid turn of events clearly met everyone's expectations, making it all the more satisfying as they lowered their heads and eagerly dug into their meals with renewed appetite.

Liu Changjiang's impassioned speech at the morning meeting had earned him quite a bit of sympathy, but now it all came back like a fierce boomerang.

Understanding everything now, Dai Tiefeng silently stood up, pointed his index finger at Liu Changjiang, and left with a wave of his hand.

He despised people who destroyed team unity more than anything. Though as team leader he didn't have the authority to fire Liu Changjiang, he had plenty of ways to make his position untenable.

With the matter fully resolved, Shen Yi ignored the stunned Liu Changjiang and walked back to his desk feeling completely relaxed. As he left, his colleagues let out satisfied sighs and began discussing in hushed tones.

By tomorrow, this incident would be circulating through the department in more than ten different versions, though there would be only one clear villain.

Passing by Zhuo Huijun's workstation, where the young woman was bent over a bowl of Chongqing noodles, Shen Yi suddenly whispered a thank you.

The unexpected gratitude startled her. Zhuo Huijun looked up at Shen Yi in confusion, her red oil-stained lips looking quite adorable. Shen Yi smiled knowingly and returned to his desk.

While his dramatic turnaround was thanks to the simulator, Zhuo Huijun's contribution couldn't be ignored.

Yesterday had been Zhuo Huijun's day off, and she had happened to run into Liu Changjiang during his date.

In the simulation, being timid and somewhat insecure, she hadn't dared to speak up when Liu Changjiang slandered Shen Yi, planning to tell him quietly when he returned.

But Shen Yi had taken leave, and when he returned to work, the argument broke out immediately, leaving her no chance to intervene.

As the situation spiraled out of control, she blamed herself entirely, crying as she finally revealed the truth to Shen Yi.

So while the information was anticipated and the photos didn't exist, Shen Yi's gratitude was genuine.

Work was light today, and everyone was happy to take it easy. Having just enjoyed the juicy drama, they were all now lounging at their workstations like lazy cats.

Shen Yi was tempted to take out his phone and play an exciting round of the dating simulator, but mindful of appearances and aware that many eyes were on him after his recent performance, he couldn't openly slack off.

In his boredom, Shen Yi suddenly had an idea and decided to gather some information about Fu Nanzhi.

Having previously guessed that she might be someone from the group, finding out her location could at least save him some detours during simulations.

Thinking it and doing it, Shen Yi turned to his neighbor Su Xun and asked, "Brother, are there any great beauties in our company?"

Shen Yi dared not mention Fu Nanzhi's name directly - this was reality, and if he met someone loose-lipped, the whole group would know he was looking for someone by tomorrow.

Fu Nanzhi wasn't just an ordinary person, and the celebrity effect was too scary. If it reached her ears, he'd really be in trouble.

Hearing this, Su Xun chuckled and gave Shen Yi a thumbs up, his meaning clear - he had never liked Liu Changjiang either, and Shen Yi had indirectly helped settle the score.

Then he said, "Brother, if you're blind, I'll pay for your treatment. Lin Ruoyu from Team One is such a beauty she's already stolen the souls of half our department."

Hearing Su Xun's teasing, Shen Yi couldn't help but give him the middle finger, "That doesn't count."