Chapter 1: Madam Shen
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Sheng Ning, I heard you’ve been to jail before. We’re a five-star hotel, and we cater to guests from the upper class. We can’t hire people with criminal backgrounds.” The HR manager was a fashionable woman with exquisite makeup. Although she tried hard to act kind, the disdain in her eyes gave away her true intentions.
Sheng Ning was a cleaner at the hotel. She worked diligently every day to make a living. She knew it was now time for her to leave. Countless times in the past, whenever her bosses found out she had been in jail, they would fire her mercilessly no matter how well she performed at her job.
The HR manager said scornfully, “Although we are discharging you, since you were the one who concealed your history, we are unable to give you any compensation.”
Sheng Ning gripped the wet rag in her hand. Her hands were covered in countless tiny cuts from years of labor, and they hurt when they came into contact with the water.
“Manager, I understand. Thank you for all your help during this time.” Sheng Ning smiled very humbly. Her once upright back was now somewhat hunched. She smiled at the HR manager and turned to get ready to leave.
The woman was surprised by her smile. She couldn’t help shouting, “I can tell that you must have been a real beauty when you were younger. No wonder there were such rumors about you.”
Sheng Ning’s hand froze on the doorknob. Before she could even turn it, the door that was left ajar swung open on its own.
Many of her colleagues were gathered outside. Seeing a crowd, the HR manager became even more excited. She triumphantly told them about everything she learned in her investigation.
“I heard that you were in the General Union Song and Dance Ensemble when you were younger. You acted flamboyantly because you were pretty and got pregnant before you were married, then aborted the child. After this scandal, you were kicked out of the General Union Song and Dance Ensemble. Then, you went to jail for ten years for injuring someone. Isn’t that right?”
Sheng Ning’s body shook uncontrollably. A tear rolled out of her muddy eyes. She wanted to scream that it wasn’t true, but who would believe her?
“Am I correct?”
It was true that she had gone to jail. Sheng Ning couldn’t deny that. If she could be reborn again, she certainly wouldn’t be so foolish.
“Yes!”
When the colleagues around her heard her answer, their expressions all changed. Sheng Ning didn’t have to look to know how they were staring at her.
Exiting from the logistics department of the hotel, she arrived at the parking lot. Sheng Ning carried her simple luggage and walked in a trance. She nearly got hit by a car when she turned a corner. The jarring sound of the car braking woke her from her trance.
It was a coach from the Research Institute. Anyone who could ride in such a car must be of high status.
She got up from the ground in fear. The assistant driving the car got out to check on her. “Are you all right? Did I hit you?”
Sheng Ning shook her head. It wasn’t their fault she hadn’t been cautious. “I’m fine!”
“You don’t look too well. Do you need a ride to the hospital?” the assistant asked worriedly.
Sheng Ning shook her head. The backseat window rolled down, and a well-maintained face peeked out of it. The elegant and poised woman shouted to the assistant, “Cao, if she says she doesn’t need it, then she doesn’t need it. We’re in a rush here!”
“All right, madam. I’ll be right there.” Cao smiled apologetically at Sheng Ning. “I’m sorry. Our madam is upset. I must get going.”
Of all that Cao said, Sheng Ning only remembered the word “madam.” She stared at the woman in the car in a daze. A boundless hatred crept out of her eyes.
It was Qin Cuifen, who used to be her best friend. All the mistakes Sheng Ning made had to do with her.
She became a researcher’s wife?