Chapter 14: Special Project Assistant to the CEO | Access Level: A+

He Jingyue’s expression remained unchanged, his tone still calm and commanding, as if in full control of the situation. “No matter, equipment debugging can have unexpected issues. Engineer Xie, have someone check it.”

The “Intelligent Speech” project was the strategic core of the He Corporation for the coming years, making this launch event critically important.

During the demonstration, He Jingyue raised several precise and incisive technical questions. His high-level analysis of the market prospects, combined with his professional depth and commanding leadership presence, deeply impressed both the staff and the media present.

Everyone had initially expected this young CEO to be overly harsh and cold, but seeing how composed and magnanimous he was in handling the mishap earned him even greater respect and allowed everyone to relax completely.

Yang Shan privately felt a surge of pride, convinced that He Jingyue’s remark of “No matter” was a form of leniency towards her, reinforcing her belief in her own charm. As she passed by Lu Qiuyi, she subtly cast a glance full of resentment and warning.

The launch event concluded smoothly, followed by an internal celebratory luncheon.

Xie Mingxiao and several senior executives had reserved seats in the rooftop garden restaurant, inviting He Jingyue to join them.

After standing for several hours, Lu Qiuyi, wearing flat shoes, felt her legs ache.

She handed over some conference materials and He Jingyue’s spare suit jacket to the staff for temporary storage and prepared to head toward the restaurant.

Judging from the specially prepared iced coffee she had just had, the restaurant’s offerings would surely be excellent. After all, it was the venue He Corporation used to entertain important partners and core team members, with first-rate ingredients and chefs.

Just as Lu Qiuyi reached the restaurant entrance, Yang Shan suddenly blocked her way. “Assistant Lu, thank you for your hard work. However, this is a celebration for CEO He and a few core executives and key partners, so seating is limited.”

“Don’t worry, Assistant Lu,” Yang Shan said with a deeper smile tinged with superiority, “I’ve arranged a sumptuous buffet in the employee dining area and reserved a seat for you there. I’ll have Xiao Wang from the administration department escort you shortly.”

An assistant, of all people, sitting at the same table as the CEO?

Lu Qiuyi was speechless.

She realized this was just another case of workplace bullying.

Yang Shan rambled on, but Lu Qiuyi responded with a single word: “Fine.”

Yang Shan’s proud smile instantly froze and turned to anger. “What kind of attitude is that?”

Lu Qiuyi replied even more bluntly, “I said move aside. Don’t you understand human language?”

Yang Shan, clearly unaccustomed to such defiance, snapped, “Ridiculous! You’re just a lowly assistant, and you think—”

Lu Qiuyi had no patience for further nonsense. She still needed to keep up with He Jingyue, lest she become the target of his biting sarcasm again.

She lowered her head, pulled a card from her document bag, and casually flicked it between her fingers, holding it up before Yang Shan’s eyes. “Look closely.”

The card clearly displayed Lu Qiuyi’s name, photo, and a striking gold title line:

Special Assistant to the CEO for Special Projects | Clearance Level: A+

This clearance level meant she had free access to most areas within He Corporation, including the core R&D zones, could attend high-level meetings, and even had temporary acting authority in certain situations—far above Yang Shan’s position as a product manager.

Yang Shan’s face instantly drained of color, panic surging through her. “Assistant Lu, I—I was just... it was a misunderstanding. I didn’t expect you to...” she stammered, desperate to explain.

But Lu Qiuyi gave her no chance.

While Yang Shan babbled incoherently, Lu Qiuyi retracted the card without a glance and pushed open the heavy doors to the VIP restaurant, walking in without hesitation.

There was an undeniable thrill in wielding power over the arrogant.

After the meal, accompanied by Xie Mingxiao, He Jingyue proceeded to the core office area of the “Intelligent Speech” project team for a deeper technical review.

Xie respectfully placed the compiled post-launch data feedback and preliminary summary reports from each module leader on He Jingyue’s temporary desk.

Once the review concluded, He Jingyue took the dedicated elevator down; his driver had the car waiting steadily at the entrance.

Lu Qiuyi stepped ahead and dutifully opened the car door.

“CEO He, please wait a moment,” came a soft yet urgent voice from Yang Shan.

He Jingyue halted, his gaze cool and indifferent. “What is it?”

Yang Shan forced a polite smile, her cheeks faintly flushed. “CEO He, you should understand what I mean.” Climbing the ladder by attaching herself to the CEO was worth offending Lu Qiuyi, in her mind.

He Jingyue raised an eyebrow, a faint, nearly imperceptible sneer curling his lips. “Understand what?”

Thinking she had gained some traction, Yang Shan lowered her voice to hint, “I truly admire you, CEO He. I’m willing to do anything you ask.”

He Jingyue scoffed. “As the product manager of ‘Intelligent Speech,’ you failed to adequately prepare a backup plan for the pre-set demo. Taking thirty seconds to debug on the spot is already negligence. He Corporation doesn’t need employees who seek shortcuts instead of improving their professional skills.”

His gaze swept over Yang Shan’s suddenly ashen face, his tone growing colder and more merciless. “Furthermore, your professional competence is worth less than the smallest viable model recorded in my assistant’s debugging logs. Who gave you the confidence to waste my time here?”

Lu Qiuyi, standing by the car, was puzzled.

How did she end up caught in this drama?

“Assistant Lu,” He Jingyue said calmly, “immediately notify HR to process Ms. Yang’s termination.”

He had initially intended for Xie Mingxiao to handle internal team issues, but it seemed some people required a more direct lesson.

Yang Shan was completely unprepared for such a result.

“CEO He, please listen to my explanation! It’s not like that. The mishap at the launch was because...” She flailed to defend herself, her eyes darting to Lu Qiuyi, as if clutching at a final straw. Suddenly, she pointed sharply at her, her voice sharp:

“She forced me! She privately threatened me, telling me to create an accident at the launch to get close to you. She promised that if I helped her make a good impression in front of you, she would recommend me. CEO He, you must see through this!”

Yang Shan was miserable herself but would not let Lu Qiuyi have it easy.

Lu Qiuyi’s mouth twitched sharply.

Why was she being dragged into this?

Previously, she had only stopped Yang Shan from falling by accident—she had no intention to harm her.

It was Yang Shan’s own inflated ambition and reckless desperation that led her to attempt to seduce He Jingyue. Failing, she now hated Lu Qiuyi and was slandering her.

He Jingyue didn’t even give Lu Qiuyi a chance to defend herself.

After hearing Yang Shan’s hysterical accusations, he snorted. “It seems your foolishness extends beyond your professional skills—your imagination is equally lacking and despicable.”

This statement shattered Yang Shan’s last hope completely. He then turned to Lu Qiuyi, as if the earlier farce had never occurred.

“Assistant Lu, please notify security to escort this woman out of the He Corporation building immediately. I do not want to see her anywhere related to He Corporation again.”

With that, He Jingyue made no further delay and bent down to sit in the back seat of the Rolls-Royce.