Chapter 12: Defending Things he Considers Trash
Qian Meng was calculating. She was supposed to be civil because that was why she was sent here. Kill them with kindness was her motto and she was eloquent enough to kick someone's ass without having to be crass about it. She was expected to downplay her irritation and smile for the camera. She was supposed to hold back her wrath and pretend like those little quips Mo Qingchen was making were not directed at her.
Whatever she said would reflect on her brand. It would reflect on her father's company.
But Mo Qingchen had lured her out. And she didn't like being played.
"I hope you'll hold your breath until that happens," she said, tilting her head to the side. Mo Qingchen's eyes widened with provocation. "Su Jin, I'll take you back to the matter about inclusivity and women's employment. Did you know Mo Building Solutions has been known to rally for invasive questioning for female employees when they first interview and told that their chances of getting a promotion or pay raise lower if they get married or pregnant. Think about that for a minute." The saccharine smile was back.
Qian Meng wasn't going to hold back the punches. If Mo Qingchen came for her intricately built brand, she was going to ruin everything he stood for. No one and she repeats, no one can touch her baby or her.
"Our company-" Mo Qingchen stopped. He knew the consequence of what he was about to say. He would be slaughtered if he said committed women couldn't make work their priority. "It is untrue that their choices have an adverse reaction in their work life. Instead, it helps the company gauge the kind of insurance and holidays they will have to prepare for." That was better.
"Ah, even if it infringes on your employee's personal freedom?"
'Answer that, Mr. Mo,' Yun Qian Meng didn't need to say this out loud. Mo Qingchen knew what her stare meant.
"How does this infringe on their freedom?" He asked, looking like he knew which way she wanted to take it.
Qian Meng kept the smile on her face. She knew what he was doing, going to use the law, were you? Yes, the government was lax in the rights of women in the workplace, but it was supposed to be the corporate responsibility of corporations to ensure there was no discrimination.
"Might I remind you that if you blindly follow the laws, there would be no room for amendments and changes. Moreover, I don't see the company extending the same questioning to their male employees. That is discrimination."
Somehow the conversation about housing policy had become a battle about their companies and the values they stood for. The hilarious part? They were simply representatives. They didn't have much connection to the companies in question apart from their families.
"How would you know? We take care of our employees, I can guarantee you that our female employees are not treated poorly." Qian Meng wanted to cut him off but she didn't want to be the bitch. She let him finish.
"Unless you're hiding a skeleton in your closet, I don't think you have any idea what it feels like for women both cis and trans women to work in the corporate world. You're a wealthy man working at the top of the ladder, I don't expect you to understand, sadly." Qian Meng's words must have hit home because Mo Qingchen's eyes widened.
Point for Yun Qian Meng. She'd had to remember that reaction when she was feeling down and she knew she would feel like a blessing to mankind.
"I don't have any skeletons in my closet," Mo Qingchen assured her. "What I do have is empathy as many others do and documentation of what our employees think."
"Is the documentation you speak of referring to the employee engagement and satisfaction form that you make them fill up?" Yun Qian Meng pressed. "The form which is not anonymous and your managers can read it?" Yun Qian Meng knew that employees were treated like trash all over the world and it was mindboggling for her. She just happened to use it against this opponent of hers at that moment.
"I don't know where you got that information, but it is untrue," he said with a cunning look in his eyes. "And no, I am not referring to the form you speak of but the numerous external officials who have come to the company and inspected the policies."
All bullshit, Mo Qingchen added in his head. His father had paid them off, of course. He knew that well enough. But he was representing his family's company on-air and it was bad for his reputation if he was associated with people who were dirty.
"Those external officials are not the point," Yun Qian Meng pointed out. She continued to speak despite Su Jin's attempts to interject. "The point remains that this bill will ensure women in the industry, at least one industry, will be treated fairly and generate transparent employment for citizens. In my opinion, that should be the focus of any player in the industry. We shouldn't be fighting over basic human rights, don't you think?"
"Fascinating," Su Jin commented finally. "Unfortunately, we will have to go on a small break for a commercial. Please stay tuned for more with Mr. Mo and Miss Yun." Su Jin stared directly at the camera as she spoke, a bewitching smile on her face.
"And we're out," came a voice from beyond the glaring lights. There was shuffling of feet and whispering as the technicians and employees prepared for the next segment. Three makeup artists came up to them. One was already resetting Su Jin's hair and makeup. The makeup artist assigned to Mo Qingchen clearly felt that he was flawless so they remained on the side, asking him if he needed anything. He had shaken his head and the woman had moved on.