"After Becoming the Protagonist's Scumbag Alpha Ex-Wife" (ABO) - Chapter 27

“Alright. From now on, this project will be handed over to Chief Specialist Wen Qingyun. 

Dr. Su, I hope you can maintain your professionalism—don’t ruin your own career.” Qin Ran spoke coldly, looking at Su Yuecha, who had dropped her fake innocent persona and could no longer maintain her sweet image.

This woman really had a talent for manipulating people. Over a dozen staff had followed her lead and submitted their resignation letters!

No matter whether they truly wanted to resign or were just using their positions as leverage to negotiate terms, none of them could be kept.

Did they really think she wouldn’t approve their resignations? Did they truly believe she would concede?

Did they expect her to cave in, only to allow them to continue causing financial damage to the company?

Wen Qingyun was capable of creating such an effective high-strength inhibitor patch. She clearly had solid research in the field of suppressants.

Besides, Qin Ran had already spoken to Wen Qingyun, who agreed to improve her inhibitor formula.

With so much money already invested in the new suppressant project, it couldn’t be abandoned. They’d see if Wen Qingyun could take it over—and even if she couldn’t, was she supposed to believe there wasn’t a single other talent in the entire company?

Hiring new people at high salaries from outside would still be better than wasting money keeping these backstabbers.

“What did you say? Have you lost your mind? Su Yuecha, still thinking about Wen Qingyun smashing things in the lab, was shocked to hear what Qin Ran had just said.

“Do you need me to repeat it? Please get all the transfer documents ready and hand the project over to Miss Wen Qingyun. You and the twelve researchers from the new suppressant project team who submitted resignation letters will all be subject to the strictest security checks. No medication is allowed to be taken out, no data cables, and no electronic storage devices. All current electronic equipment will be thoroughly inspected and fitted with security software. If any company or project secrets are leaked, you’ll be held legally responsible,” Qin Ran said coldly.

“You’d rather give up the project and lose that much money than keep me? Fine! Go ahead and pledge your loyalty to that lunatic and spend the rest of your life with her!” Su Yuecha’s composure finally cracked, her anger boiling over.

She knew how much Qin Ran valued money. After what had happened with Su’s mother, Qin Ran’s attitude toward her had completely shifted. That was why she had returned all that stuff today and stirred up such a scene—wasn’t it to make Qin Ran reconsider? Even if not for her, then for the money that was about to be lost?

And yet, Qin Ran hadn’t compromised.

She really held firm!

Qin Ran had not acted according to her expectations even once recently—it was downright eerie!

“Dr. Su, watch your words. If you talk like that, I’ll make sure to add a note about your insubordination during your background check at the next company,” Qin Ran said.

“You—!” Su Yuecha choked, unable to breathe for a moment.

Wasn’t Qin Ran the very person who used to call Wen Qingyun a lunatic all the time?

What a two-faced, vicious woman!

“Remember to prepare the handover materials. I’m leaving now.” Without glancing at Su Yuecha, Qin Ran picked up her bag and walked away.

Behind her, Su Yuecha clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. A handover? Sure, she could do that. Let’s see how that lunatic handles it!

Outside, Qin Ran headed back toward her office and ran into Assistant Wang, who looked panicked.

“What’s wrong? Is the sky falling?” Qin Ran joked when she saw his expression.

“President Qin, this situation is worse than the sky falling! I have urgent news. Please come with me,” Assistant Wang said as he led her into a nearby lounge.

“The entire new suppressant team is about to riot. More than ten people submitted resignations! Did you see it? How did your talk with Dr. Su go? She’s influential—if we stabilize her, that’s already half the battle won,” Wang said anxiously.

“I approved her resignation and told her to get started on the handover. I was just about to look for you. Get HR to start processing her exit. At the same time, initiate the highest-level security checks. We can’t let any project data leak.

Regarding Dr. Su, please monitor her closely. I saw her carrying a small blue vial today—it had an inhibitor inside. During the inspection, make sure to find it and send it to me. Also, collect all the sample inhibitors from the project and revoke all Dr. Su’s access privileges.

“The twelve others—approve their resignations as well. I’ll reply to the emails shortly. No need to schedule a meeting with them; I’m not talking to any of them. Just tell them I’m too heartbroken.”

“Start processing their exits. Restrict their access cards. Since they’re part of the project team, their resignations must strictly follow the terms of their contracts, with different offboarding procedures based on their clearance levels. Let the Legal team know and have them ready to sue for any breaches,” Qin Ran instructed.

Assistant Wang felt like he might faint—his heart had just taken a critical hit.

“President Qin, if you approve all their resignations, this entire project is doomed! This is bad—if this project collapses, we could lose over a hundred million! The board will tear you apart, and you might even lose your position as president. Please, don’t act out of emotion,” he pleaded.

As someone personally promoted by “Qin Ran,” Assistant Wang cared even more about her title than she did herself.

“It’s fine. If the sky falls, someone taller will hold it up. Stop looking like we’re at a funeral. We won’t go easy on people trying to threaten the company—they need to be made an example of.

What’s the point of keeping them? I’d like to see which company dares to hire them.

Tell HR to start recruiting new talent in suppressant research. Offering 50% higher than the market salary is acceptable,” Qin Ran said coldly, glancing at Assistant Wang’s genuinely distressed face.

“Uh…” Assistant Wang looked at Qin Ran, who showed not even a hint of panic, and suddenly felt that she really did have the aura of a true president—calm under pressure, composed, and clearly in control.

“People like that aren’t easy to find. Do you have a plan? Is the project still salvageable?” he asked.

“With Chief Wen Qingyun on board, it’ll be fine,” Qin Ran said.

Hearing that, Assistant Wang’s face turned pale. It would’ve been better if she hadn’t said that—now that she had, he was sure Qin Ran had gone mad.

“Alright, pull yourself together. There’s still a lot to do. I’ve already made my position clear. Don’t go kneeling in front of everyone the second you meet them,” Qin Ran said sternly.

“Absolutely not. I’ll get to work right away,” Assistant Wang said, snapping to attention.

After sending him off, Qin Ran returned to her office.

Meanwhile, back in the lounge, Su Yuecha was still trying to compose herself after Qin Ran left. Just then, Dr. Zhao—the deputy leader of the suppressant research project and one of her admirers—walked in.

“Dr. Su, did she do anything to you?” he asked with concern.

“No, she just hinted at a few things. I didn’t agree to anything. She approved my resignation and gave me a month to hand over everything to the new chief specialist. Sigh… you shouldn’t have acted on impulse and submitted your resignation,” Su Yuecha said, clearly blaming herself. Her eyes were red, glistening with tears.

“What? That’s absolutely ridiculous! I don’t regret my decision at all—this is the best choice I’ve ever made.

This research institute is fundamentally flawed. Sooner or later, it’s going to lose its license under the hands of someone like that.

I’ve been wanting to leave anyway. I’m planning to go to QYZ—it has much better prospects than this place. I’ve looked into it. They have a major gap in their suppressant research, and they’re in urgent need of experts like us,” Dr. Zhao said.

Su Yuecha paused for a moment as she listened. It was true that the head of QYZ had once extended an offer to her—but only to her, and only on the condition that she bring the core technology of the project with her. Yet Zhao spoke as if just following her guaranteed him ga spot at QYZ. The others had likely been misled by that same assumption, believing they could ride her coattails if they resigned too. Many of them were also gambling—if the company offered better conditions, they’d stay; if not, they’d follow her to QYZ.

Sigh, why did everyone think it would work out so perfectly?

Whether they could get into QYZ after quitting—well, that had nothing to do with her.

She never said she’d take them with her.

She merely wanted to use them to stir things up, build pressure, and gain leverage. But Qin Ran didn’t care at all—so that leverage was worthless now.

The only thing they were good for now was causing as much damage to Qin Ran as possible.

“President Qin said she’ll be strictly enforcing the terms of my contract. I’m not allowed to engage in any suppressant-related work for a whole year. QYZ won’t wait that long,” Su Yuecha said with a bitter laugh, looking truly troubled.

“That’s outrageous. How could she do that?” Dr. Zhao was furious when he heard that, though he knew such clauses were standard for key personnel handling proprietary technology.

“I won’t be working on suppressant research this year. I may switch to something else—I haven’t decided yet. I’m not even sure if QYZ will still take me. You’re not the lead, so you should be fine. Don’t worry,” Su Yuecha said vaguely, trying to reassure him.

But hearing that tone made Zhao feel uneasy. Still, he thought about it—if Su Yuecha’s resignation had been approved, and she was the team lead, then as the deputy, he’d now be the highest-ranking person on the team. There were still so many staff left—it wasn’t possible that they’d all be let go. Qin Ran had just spoken to Su Yuecha; now it was probably his turn. Maybe he’d be able to negotiate better terms, get a raise or even a promotion, and end up staying.

After a few more words with Su Yuecha, Dr. Zhao returned to the lab to wait for Qin Ran to call him in for a meeting.

—

Back in her office, Qin Ran first set aside the large envelope Su Yuecha had given her. She glanced toward Wen Qingyun, who was seated inside the room, staring blankly at the screen of her tablet. She didn’t seem the least bit curious about what Qin Ran had brought.

If Wen Qingyun asked, it might actually be a little awkward.

Just then, Wen Qingyun’s tablet lit up. A new message had arrived from Guan Jingyi.

“Qingyun, I need to tell you something. Many people from the new suppressant project have submitted their resignations, including the team leader.

These changes could be a good thing for you. The project had a lot of investment behind it—if it falls through, the losses will be huge. The board might move to impeach Qin Ran.  She could lose her position as company president.”

Wen Qingyun stared at the message in surprise. She hadn’t expected Guan Jingyi to understand this much.

Before her father’s illness, Qin Ran had only been a vice president and oversaw just one department. It was only after her father fell into a coma that she took over, shedding her fake pleasantness in the process.

Even though they had made some deals, Wen Qingyun still didn’t trust Qin Ran. She didn’t want her controlling the Wen Corp—the company her father had built from nothing.

If Qin Ran lost her position as president, she would only be a minor shareholder, with fewer shares than Wen Qingyun herself.

But then—if not Qin Ran, who else would lead?

Who could manage the company properly while her father remained unconscious?

Among the senior executives, she remembered two of her father’s old friends…

“Miss Wen Qingyun? Chief Wen?” Qin Ran noticed her zoning out and called her name.

Wen Qingyun looked up at her.

“I have some news to share with you…” Qin Ran began by informing her about the wave of resignations.

“They all wanted to quit, and I approved every single one of them! They all thought they were irreplaceable. But you alone are worth more than all thirteen of them combined.

I plan to make you the project lead for the suppressant research. I’ve instructed them to prepare all the handover documents, and everything will be given to you. If you have any questions, just ask.

Don’t worry—I’ve already asked the HR to start recruiting new talents. You won’t be handling the project alone. Does that sound alright? If this project collapses, we’re looking at losses in the hundreds of millions—that’s your money too,” Qin Ran said.

Wen Qingyun looked at her. Qin Ran spoke with such energy and confidence, as if she truly believed in her. Was she really capable of replacing thirteen researchers on her own? Was she that exceptional?

Still—this was Wen Corp, a company her father had poured his heart into. She couldn’t let it suffer huge losses. She had to do her part.

Whether or not Qin Ran’s talk about leaving with nothing was true—Wen Qingyun would make sure it became true.

“Is it okay? Anything you’re unsure about?” Qin Ran asked.

“It’s fine. But—I don’t want to see those people,” Wen Qingyun typed on her tablet.

“If you don’t want to see them, then don’t. Just go through the data. If you have any questions, email me and I’ll get someone to assist you. We’ll record the answers and send them to you. As long as you’re willing, we’ll make it work,” Qin Ran said.

“My time is limited. Please arrange this quickly. I want to spend more time on the nerve growth factor research. Once the precision equipment I requested arrives, I’ll be even more focused on that.” Wen Qingyun typed another line.

“I’ll take care of it right away. The equipment has already been ordered. I’ll notify you the moment it arrives.” Qin Ran knew what mattered most to Wen Qingyun—treating Wen Zhenheng was just as important.

With everything settled, Qin Ran began replying to emails, approving each resignation letter with bold, oversized text that read: APPROVED.