Chapter 18: Compensation

What kind of attitude does Jiang Hui have...?

What else could her attitude be? She simply didn’t know how to respond or react to the other party.

Because the true victim of this incident could no longer speak up; she might never have the chance to express her stance again.

Jiang Hui’s feelings were complex, and she found herself at a loss for words.

However, the person opposite clearly did not understand what she was thinking. Seeing that she neither moved nor spoke, he assumed the connection was frozen or there was some other technical issue. His tone involuntarily took on a hint of urgency: “Ms. Jiang… Ms. Jiang! Are you still listening? If it’s inconvenient, I can—”

“Hello, I am listening. If you have something to say, you can say it right here. There’s no need to visit in person. I’ve been feeling unwell recently, so it might not be appropriate for me to receive guests,” Jiang Hui composed herself and chose a more polite way to respond.

Looking around, she noticed there was no one nearby and the surroundings were quiet, so she stopped moving forward. She found a pavilion meant for passersby to rest and sat down, intending to have a proper conversation with this employee who claimed to be from Helios Group.

However, her polite tone was perceived by the other party as a sharp refusal.

They had already received word from the hospital that Jiang Hui had been discharged alone and was recovering well. Her refusal to receive a visit, plus mentioning her poor health, was essentially a reminder that she was entirely the victim in this matter.

The problem was, the other side had only this one card to play, and with it, they had no argument. This was a responsibility Helios Group could not evade no matter what. Regardless of how the negotiations ended, they would have to offer this client sufficient compensation.

This client was clearly very angry. No wonder the senior after-sales staff avoided the case and sent this young junior instead—probably to test the waters.

He seemed to have anticipated the process: a harsh scolding, communication cut off, being kicked out after a visit, and grudgingly accepting compensation after several rounds. Eventually, the client would likely be coaxed into a settlement with the company’s sweet talk... and perhaps he would be the only one who got hurt in the end.

Thinking this, Andy, the newbie who had just joined Helios Group, felt somewhat disheartened.

But he still wanted to struggle; he couldn’t just give up here—his career was still long ahead.

The other party might still be angry; a face-to-face visit could make them lose control of their emotions. It would be better to try persuading her through the neural interface first.

So the young man mustered his courage and said to the girl on the other side of the screen, “Ms. Jiang, we sincerely apologize that our product caused you a negative experience. We truly regret this. Although nothing can undo the harm you’ve suffered, we earnestly want to make amends. We have even established a special team to follow up and provide you with a comprehensive compensation plan…”

“A negative experience?” Jiang Hui internally scoffed. It was more than just negative—if the current speculation was correct, the poor original owner had been sent off like this.

Moreover, according to Mr. Carles and Pharmacist Xu Jia, this was not the first time their product quality had issues. This time, it directly endangered her life. She had every right to hold them accountable.

For all these reasons, she could not have any favorable impression or attitude toward Helios Group. She did not treat Andy poorly because she understood he was just an employee, and venting anger at him would be pointless. The real profiteer, the corporate giant, would continue to thrive regardless.

She refused to make herself uncomfortable while the other side remained untouched. Jiang Hui had always been pragmatic and action-oriented, refusing to dwell on meaningless past grievances.

Since compensation was inevitable, she was very clear about what she wanted. Beyond material and physical health restitution for the original owner, she also sought justice. Although it might no longer hold practical meaning for the original owner, it was still necessary.

So for now, she would listen to their so-called compensation plan and see if they truly had enough sincerity.

The compensation plans were already prepared. Although the top after-sales staff were reluctant to handle this case, Helios Group valued calming Jiang Hui and was determined to succeed. Before coming, the after-sales team had prepared several escalating proposals for Andy to negotiate with.

They would start with the lowest offer and gradually increase it, with the final one being the best option. Of course, the after-sales team didn’t have high hopes, so these three proposals were only preliminary drafts. The higher-ups said they were open to further negotiation, as long as they could secure her forgiveness and avoid trouble.

Helios Group had plenty of money, but the interstellar Consumer Protection Law was strict—they dared not break the law.

Of course, they were sincere; after all, business was about serving customers.

Seeing that Jiang Hui had not cut off communication, Andy relaxed slightly, knowing she was willing to listen. Feeling encouraged, he pressed on, speaking loudly and clearly to ensure she understood.

Just as he was getting into the flow, the girl furrowed her brows slightly. Her expression wasn’t unfriendly, but it was subtle and carried a slight pressure that made him feel a bit hesitant.

It was hard to believe: despite his shortcomings, he had no decision-making power over his superiors at work. Even as a rookie, he was a recent graduate who had gotten into Helios Group on his own and had already awakened. Yet he experienced a kind of timid feeling toward a teenage unawakened individual.

At this moment, Andy really felt like a failure.

Then he guessed that her mental strength must be quite high. People like her, even if not fully awakened, would possess greater power than ordinary people—on all fronts.

By comparison, he was just a regular C-level individual working in a low-risk sales and service role; nothing to be ashamed of.

That he was recruited straight into the after-sales department, known as a place for veterans, right after graduation showed his capability. While he wasn’t outstanding due to his youth, he was certainly flexible and adaptable.

He didn’t have the embarrassment of a newcomer being bullied. With a natural, concerned expression, he asked, “Ms. Jiang, may I ask if you are satisfied with this compensation plan? We sincerely want to work with you…”

“Forgive me for speaking bluntly, but do you think I’m a fool? Or do you believe that since I’m a minor without a guardian present, you can just brush me off?” Ms. Jiang, who had remained silent since he began speaking, now furrowed her brows deeply.