Chapter 63: Voluntary Resignation (Part 2)

Nanrong Wanqing looked at him in astonishment: "You want to resign?"

When Ling Chen initially stayed on, she had never thought that he would take the initiative to resign. So when the resignation report was placed in front of her, even her normally tranquil heart couldn’t help but ripple with surprise.

"Chairwoman, in our line of work, trust is paramount. It is the foundation of all collaboration. Since you cannot trust me, there is no point in me staying. Your safety should be left to those whom you deem trustworthy. Your grandfather once said that no one could fire me unless I chose to resign myself. I know you and Miss Su don’t like me and want me gone. I’m not someone who can’t take a hint; why should I stay and make myself miserable? Chairwoman, here’s a piece of advice – don’t be too self-centered. Not everyone has to mollycoddle you."

Having said that, Ling Chen walked out without looking back.

Just as he said, he wasn’t someone who couldn’t take a hint. He shamelessly stayed back then only to earn a living for Tang Shiyun, and there was no need for that now. He wasn’t someone without a temper; he just suppressed it, trying to get along with the two women as much as possible. Unfortunately, all his efforts were in vain, and he couldn’t even gain a shred of trust.

"Ling Chen, you..."

Nanrong Wanqing wanted to stand up and call Ling Chen back, but she quickly realized that her legs wouldn’t move. Moreover, Ling Chen ignored her call, and she could only watch helplessly as he left.

This damn guy!

For the first time in her life, Nanrong Wanqing felt both anger and distress. She knew that it was her careless remark that had hurt Ling Chen and prompted him to make such a decision.

But as she watched Ling Chen disappear through the doorway, her lips parted slightly, not knowing what to say or how to make amends. Should she apologize first? From a young age, she’d never admitted wrongdoing to anyone because everyone revolved around her and held her in the palm of their hands. In the world she lived in, she was the center. So often, she reveled in that superior feeling. Nobody ever criticized her; not even her grandfather had ever spoken to her harshly, with the exception of Ling Chen.

Just go... It’s better this way. In the beginning, she was determined to fire Ling Chen, and now the resignation report in front of her was exactly the outcome she wanted, wasn’t it?

Yet, for some reason, when she thought about what Ling Chen had just said, she felt uncomfortable at heart and even lost interest in the work in front of her.

"What? You resigned?"

In the security department’s office, Zhong Wei and Wei Jun looked at Ling Chen with faces full of surprise, somewhat incredulous.

"No way, how could the chairwoman make such a foolish decision? I’m going to talk to her about it."

Zhong Wei acted as if he would go out, but Ling Chen quickly held him back. "Captain Zhong, don’t bother. This has nothing to do with the chairwoman. It was my own decision to resign." "Why?"

"Don’t ask anymore; it’s already done, and talking won’t change anything. We’ve been colleagues for some time; I’ll treat tonight. Let’s go out for a meal together."

"Ling Chen, the chairwoman is in a dangerous situation now. Assassins could strike at any time. Isn’t it irresponsible for you to leave at this time?"

"You all are here, aren’t you? You have so many ex-military buddies; just bring a few more on board, and you’ll be able to keep her safe."

"You this..."

Ling Chen waved his hand, cutting off Zhong Wei’s words.

"Alright, Captain Zhong, I get what you mean. There’s no use talking about it now. Take more care in the future. That’s it then; I’m going to go back and pack up. Tang Yuan, let’s go."

Leaving the company, Tang Yuan looked at the silent Ling Chen and apologized: "Bro, I’m sorry; this is on me."

Ling Chen gave a wry smile: "It’s not about you; it’s my own issue. Don’t worry about it. It’s alright now. I originally planned to find you a job, but now we’re both unemployed. Hey, by the way, where do you live?"

"Hotel."

"Then you head back to the hotel, give me the address, and I’ll come stay with you tonight. We’ll look for a house to rent tomorrow."

"Alright, see you tonight."

After bidding Ling Chen farewell, Tang Yuan took out his phone and dialed a number that he knew by heart.

The call connected, and a cheerful voice came from the other end: "How’s the mission progressing?"

"Target nearing failure."

"Oh? Why? Didn’t you meet with Ling Chen?"

"I did; Ling Chen just quit his job. That path is closed to him now."

"That kid... Never mind. He didn’t notice anything, did he?"

"No, I told him I was discharged from the army, and he believed me. He had no suspicions."

"I know you two are close; that’s why I assigned this mission to you. Whatever happens, try your best to get close to the target; there can be no slip-ups."

"Yes, Captain."

...

Returning home to the Nanrong family, the little girl Su Lin wasn’t there. Ling Chen packed up his belongings, and, taking advantage of nobody noticing, he slipped out quietly and parked the Santana outside. He wasn’t afraid of much, but he was most afraid of running into Liu Kun. If Nanrong Yong found out that he resigned, who knows, he might say some nice words hoping to make him stay. He's too soft-hearted, so it’s best to avoid seeing anyone.

Moreover, having initiated the resignation, if he were to go back now, where would he put his face? Wouldn’t that just be a joke?

The night fell, and the lamps lit up.

After work, Nanrong Wanqing returned home under the escort of Zhong Wei and the others. Upon entering the house, Nanrong Wanqing’s gaze involuntarily drifted towards the bedroom adjacent to the living room. Hesitating for a moment, she pushed her wheelchair to the bedroom door, gently knocked, and then pushed it open.

As expected, the room had been cleared out, and there was nobody there.

"Cousin."

Just at that moment, Su Lin walked in from outside. Seeing Nanrong Wanqing lingering at Ling Chen’s door, she curiously asked, "Wanqing, are you looking for Ling Chen?" With that, she approached the door.

"Hey, where is he?"

Looking at the empty room, Su Lin was puzzled. "Where did that bastard Ling Chen run off to? It’s so late and he’s still not back. Hmph, Wanqing, look at this; what kind of employee is he? Aren’t you going to do something about it? If it were up to me, I’d fire him on the spot."

"He resigned."

"Resigned?" Su Lin was taken aback; her previous words were just a moment of anger, but hearing that Ling Chen really packed up and left, she couldn’t quite believe it. "He... why would he resign all of a sudden?"

"Why ask so many questions? Haven’t you always wanted him to leave?"

Yes! It would be great if that bastard left; she should be happy. But the thought of Ling Chen actually leaving gave Su Lin an indescribable feeling. She used to try every possible way to drive Ling Chen away, but later on, Ling Chen helped her out several times without holding grudges. Even though they often bickered, her opinion of Ling Chen gradually changed. Now, for some reason, knowing that Ling Chen was gone, she felt an emptiness inside, unable to muster any joy.