Ironically, it was Lin Weiping who volunteered to take on the heavy responsibility, which even Shang Kun, a seasoned veteran, found hard to believe. If this were a period drama, Shang Kun would likely have a monologue at this point: "Her face is so sincere, is she loyal or treacherous? But what she says makes perfect sense, and it seems to be true." However, Shang Kun, with his factory background, surely understood this subtlety. The problems caused by novice and experienced workers in work arrangements couldn't be dismissed with a few words. Skilled workers are practically an essential element of any manufacturing company. He glanced at the half-empty saline bottle and said, "You don't need to force yourself. Let me think of another way."
Lin Weiping smiled without speaking, her declaration of loyalty remaining subtle. Too much, and a shrewd man like Shang Kun would become suspicious, hindering her future career development outside the Great Firewall. Shang Kun knew she must have other intentions, but given her discomfort today, he didn't want to press her for answers. He simply waited for her to speak. However, Lin Weiping just tilted her head and remained silent. Even after leaving the hospital and being driven home, she looked extremely tired with her eyes slightly closed, making it impossible for Shang Kun to speak. He could only casually play her the song she liked.
From the moment she regained consciousness in the hospital, Lin Weiping resolved not to tell Shang Kun the details of the fundraising in Tianjin. When she flew to Tianjin again on Monday, she carried several thick bundles of RMB in her bag, withdrawn from her own savings account. Few people knew that those once-invincible large state-owned companies, due to the impact of market system reforms, were struggling to conduct business, losing money on every transaction, and were better off not doing anything at all, preferring to live comfortably by depositing their money in the bank and earning interest. However, with so much money on hand, it wouldn't be right not to make some deals to report to their superiors. After learning the details from a classmate, Lin Weiping casually mentioned her idea. At that time, she was still working at her original company and didn't have any ulterior motives. Unexpectedly, her classmate, who was looking for promotion, was very interested in her idea. After spending several months refining and polishing it into a written report, she presented it to their boss, who immediately took notice, saying he wanted to hear how to operate in interaction with enterprises. Lin Weiping's classmate panicked and made several phone calls to her, explaining the pros and cons in detail, especially how it would affect his housing and financial status. Lin Weiping initially dismissed it as a joke, but during dinner, thinking about the difficulty of obtaining bank loans, she remembered her classmate's words and took it seriously. After discussing all the details with her classmate, she packed her bags and set off.
However, the last time he went there, things didn't go well. Something happened in their boss's hometown, and he was called back home as soon as he got to work. He only had time to meet and shake hands with Lin Weiping. After that, Lin Weiping could only sit in his classmate's office and discuss things with his classmate. After all, face-to-face communication is much more detailed than talking on the phone, and they each gained a deeper understanding of each other.
Lin Weiping was truly thankful that their boss hadn't been there that day, preventing the details from being finalized in his mind. Last night, she had a one-hour phone call with her classmate, the receiver getting hot from the call, and they tentatively finalized the arrangement for Lin Weiping to register his own company and receive investment from North China XX Company. Her classmate would play a significant role in facilitating this process, and she couldn't afford to be unaware of his favor. When others help, one must remember the favor, even with classmates; one shouldn't abuse that bond. By prioritizing favors upfront, being proactive, and maintaining a respectable appearance, one can secure even more proactive help and support in the future. Who isn't driven by self-interest?
Inside the company, Lin Weiping specifically assigned Xiao Liang, who knew the law, to sign labor contracts with each employee individually, detailing their rights, obligations, rewards, penalties, and work periods. She also arranged for the HR department to begin recruitment for the second phase of the project. Since it was a charade, she wanted to be professional and convincing, so Yu Fengmian wouldn't suspect anything after meeting her. The contracts, drafted under Lin Weiping's instructions, clearly stipulated that anyone leaving the company before the contract's termination date would have to compensate for breach of contract losses. Lin Weiping had a two-pronged approach: firstly, to recoup some of the breach of contract fees and make up for some losses; but more importantly, to vent her anger. However, the amount was carefully chosen—enough for the workers or Yu Fengmian to afford and commit to paying, while also balancing her own feelings. She believed many would risk breaching the contract fees and secretly join Yu Fengmian's company. No problem; Lin Weiping was putting Xiao Liang's skills to good use, keeping him busy with lawsuits against the workers and preventing him from dealing with her side of the business. Later, she would focus on developing her own career; how could she let Xiao Liang have time to monitor her every day? We'll also take this opportunity to mess with Yu Fengmian's mind.
The negotiations in Tianjin went exceptionally well. With substantial funds paving the way and all parties benefiting, the final outcome was that Lin Weiping handled the entire process. The North China XX Company would receive a monthly profit based on the number of units sold, plus a certain amount per unit. For the North China Company, their job was simply to provide the funds and monitor Lin Weiping. Monthly sales figures on the company's books not only satisfied their superiors but also ensured a steady profit, far exceeding bank interest rates. For Lin Weiping, this was a crucial time for market expansion. Having a large financial backer like the North China Company significantly raised her starting point. Coupled with her own dock for free storage and the Triumph Company's ability to purchase large quantities of goods, the foundation for success was already in place.
Back at the company, however, she was met with a written report from Lao Jin in the finance department requesting retirement. Although she knew Lao Jin was sent by Shang Kun, after working with him for over six months, she found him to be reliable, proactive, and strict in his work, which had saved Lin Weiping a lot of trouble. Now, a large amount of the company's raw material procurement would be handled through her business, and it was better to have one less person know. Lin Weiping had considered that someone as meticulous as Lao Jin might discover some clues and report to Shang Kun, thus ruining her plans. But when Lao Jin suddenly announced his retirement, Lin Weiping felt reluctant to let him go. Where could she find such a responsible accountant? Even if he had to report, he could cover it up. With him gone, she truly felt like she had lost her left and right hands.
After a moment's thought, Lin Weiping called Lao Jin over to talk. When he entered, he smiled and said, "Lao Jin, did Xiao Liang scare you by talking like he was signing a contract of servitude when he signed the contract? This is the most complicated time at the end of the year, and you pull this trick on me. I wasn't prepared at all. No way, I'm not letting you leave."
Old Jin carefully knocked on the door, locked it from the inside, and then sat down in front of Lin Weiping. In his usual low but steady voice, he said, "Mr. Lin, I'm not young anymore. This year is my retirement age. I know that accountants can't just walk away all at once, so I came to say hello to you first, so you can be prepared. Don't worry, I will definitely finish preparing and submitting the annual report before I leave."
Lin Weiping laughed and said, "Old Jin, you're just trying to get rid of me. I know that accountants are more sought after as they get older, and since it's not physically demanding, many accountants continue to contribute even after retirement. Old Jin, you're in such good health, why retire? It's better to stick to what you know. You should continue working here. With you here, I don't have any worries when I go on business trips."
Old Jin listened and pondered for a moment before saying, "To be honest, I'm an old-fashioned person. When I first met you, I didn't believe you could manage such a large operation. But after seeing how dedicated you are, and how much better you're doing than Liao Hui, I'm convinced. To be frank, I know you also realized I was sent by President Shang. Initially, I did intend to keep a close eye on you, because we all know that young people are eager for quick success and instant benefits, and it's not uncommon for them to do some frivolous things. But now, seeing how devoted you are to the company, even when I was starting out with President Shang, I never saw him like this..." "I've never suffered much hardship, and the preparatory period was the most lucrative. I estimate you only received small favors at most; you certainly didn't accept anything substantial. Otherwise, your tone during payment and acceptance wouldn't have been so assertive. A person should have a conscience. I feel guilty continuing to keep an eye on you for Mr. Shang. But if I don't keep an eye on you for Mr. Shang, I feel I'm letting him down. So, after much consideration, I've decided I'm getting old and don't have the energy to handle such complicated relationships. I'll retire. Mr. Lin, I believe you wouldn't want to keep me here, would you?"
Hearing his honest words, Lin Weiping realized why he had closed the door so carefully upon entering—he was afraid of being overheard. Since he said so, it was indeed the truth, and trying to persuade him to stay would be impolite. She had to understand the conflicted feelings of a rather upright old man, and she was also gratified by Lao Jin's trust in her. Reluctantly, she could only discuss the aftermath with Lao Jin with a worried expression, finally reminding him, "Lao Jin, I won't tell President Shang about this yet. You should talk to him first and see if he plans to bring someone in. If not, I'll go to the job market to recruit. That's all we'll say today; no one else will know." Although she didn't know who Lao Jin had spoken to about retirement first, Lin Weiping felt that Lao Jin should have told Shang Kun first. At this crucial juncture, it was important to prioritize, lest Shang Kun suspect that she had manipulated Lao Jin's situation. "Commissioning" Lao Jin was just a facade; if things went any deeper, Shang Kun, as the boss, would definitely ask: "Why did she want to 'commission' you?" You're already so devoted to her after only six months; her motives must be more than just pure. There's bound to be a lot of trouble coming your way.
Old Jin nodded and replied, "I know what I'm doing and won't cause any trouble for General Manager Lin. I'll make sure the new accountant is properly vetted. The workload for cost accounting will be huge in the future, so we must find a suitable person."
Lin Weiping laughed and said, "Old Jin, I've always called you Old Jin. From now on, you can call me Xiao Lin. In two or three months, we won't be working for the same company anymore. If you value me, like me as a person, and consider me a junior you've watched grow up, then you can still call me Xiao Lin. From now on, you'll be a respected elder of mine, with no working relationship between us. If you continue to call yourself President Lin, I won't dare to come see you."
Old Jin was moved and sighed before leaving. If it weren't for this complicated relationship, he would have been happy to stay in such a vibrant company, where he felt much younger.
Chapter
eighteen
To avoid meeting Shang Kun and hearing his inquiries about the Tianjin financing issue, Lin Weiping excused himself from the opening of Lao Wang's hotel on Christmas Day, citing poor health. Yu Fengmian, however, arrived uninvited and immediately searched for Shang Kun, grabbing him and saying, "Mr. Shang, it's so hard to get in touch! I called your office, and your secretary kept saying you weren't there, and that she would pass on the message, but I've been waiting for days and you haven't called. Have you already forgotten about your ex-wife's cousin so quickly?"
When Shang Kun turned around and saw it was her, he quickly put on a smile and said, "My secretary left me a message saying that a Miss Yu called. I thought and thought but I don't seem to know any young lady with the surname Yu. I was afraid of getting into trouble, so I didn't dare to call back. Oh, it's you, Miss Yu. I'm so sorry. I hope I didn't bother you in any way?"
Yu Fengmian could easily detect the sarcasm in his words, but she understood his feelings. He was determined to acquire Pan Yingchun's factory, but she had snatched it away like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Needless to say, he couldn't save face in front of his friends, so it was obvious that he had deliberately ignored the call. However, victors are always magnanimous and easy to talk to, so Yu Fengmian smiled without hesitation: "If it weren't for something important, how would I dare to barge into President Wang's party? I know that if President Wang saw me, he'd want to have his chef slice me up and eat me raw. President Shang, we used to be relatives, so you have to protect me from this guy's bad mouth."
Shang Kun found a chair and sat down, coldly saying, "You never come here unless you have a reason. So, tell me, is it about that winning bid contract I have? This contract is with the factory, and I was listed as the legal representative. I recently contacted the bidding party and discussed this matter. You're asking me to help you with this contract, right? Well, it's true, converting this industrial land to residential land will take at least half a year. The factory is just sitting idle anyway, and this contract can help you make some profit. I've calculated that this one contract will bring you a net profit of seven or eight million after tax, which is quite good for a factory in half a year. But I also put in a lot of effort to secure this contract. I'll have to calculate how much I actually spent." Shang Kun deliberately avoided mentioning that she could use the factory as collateral for a loan, afraid of arousing her suspicion.
Hearing Shang Kun's words, Yu Fengmian knew he was trying to extort money from her and recoup some of his losses. She poured him a glass of wine and toasted him, saying, "Mr. Shang, I was so busy talking that I forgot to wish you a Merry Christmas. I've consulted about this contract, and they said that as long as it's the original team, equipment, and management, they can still process it for us. I want to be careful, so I asked them to make a copy to see the details. Of course, having the original would be best. Mr. Shang wouldn't hold back the original, would he?"
Shang Kun saw that she had talked for so long without offering any compensation, and instead, her words implied that she had secretly made connections with the major project. It seemed she wasn't planning on getting the contract for free. Shang Kun was dissatisfied. This woman was too ruthless; she had already swallowed a large chunk of the prize, why wasn't she satisfied? Wouldn't she even give him a small scrap? Although he didn't care about her benefits, Yu Fengmian's arrogant manner was unbearable; no wonder Old Wang disliked her so much. Shang Kun didn't pick up the wine; instead, he pushed it aside with the back of his hand and said coldly, "This is easy. I'll give you the contract when you've paid Pan Yingchun in full. Considering your payment schedule, it won't delay you. Besides, you already have a copy; you can see the copy if you want. However, if you haven't paid in full before the contract is executed, as the legal representative who signed it, don't doubt my ability to change the contract and give it to another factory as a favor. Pan Yingchun is supporting my son; the money in her hands is the same as the money in my son's hands. Don't blame me for not thinking of my son's best interests." After saying that, he turned and left.
Yu Fengmian sneered inwardly. This kind of man, now he's thinking of his wife and son. He must know he won't get anything out of her, so he's creating a problem for her. But it's hard to say. With his capital and connections, it's not impossible for him to change the contract, since the actual situation at the factory is indeed different from what's stipulated in the contract. But wait, she had something else to say. She stepped forward and stopped Shang Kun, saying, "President Shang, I have another question. I heard that most of the original staff at the factory have gone back to your team. President Shang is considerate of his old subordinates and is assigning them jobs, but you haven't started any new equipment yet. How can you absorb so many people? I'd better take them back to avoid causing you trouble."
Shang Kun, recalling Lin Weiping's listless and sickly appearance under the saline bottle that day, couldn't bear to throw her out to be schemed against by Yu Fengmian. He said indifferently, "How could I possibly handle so many people? It was only thanks to the help of my friends. Go find them yourself." He then walked straight away, ignoring Yu Fengmian blocking his way. Yu Fengmian, being a woman, was unwilling to have physical contact with someone truly difficult and had to avoid them. She had obtained the answer; although she didn't know who those friends were, she had at least a clue. Satisfied, she left the party with a cold smile, not even bothering to greet Old Wang.
Old Wang didn't come over until Yu Fengmian left. He said to Shang Kun, "You're surrounded by women now. You're quite the ladies' man."
Shang Kun rolled his eyes at him: "It's a pity that these women are all ruthless towards me, none of them are easy to deal with. Old Wang, Yu Fengmian means she's definitely going to keep this factory going. Let's prepare our next plan."
Old Wang nodded and said, "Yes, we can begin. But you said Yu Fengmian is a pretty woman, yet she insists on acting like a bully, all prickly. Wouldn't it be better if everyone just got along? Forget it, let's ignore her. Ah Kun, you owe me today. You said you'd bring your Xiao Lin, but you came all alone. I have enough single women here, but not a young girl like Xiao Lin. Aren't you disrespecting me? What, keeping a mistress hidden away?"
Shang Kun laughed and said, "What do you mean by 'my Xiao Lin'? Don't make unfounded accusations. This girl is just as sharp-tongued as Yu Fengmian, and I wouldn't dare to force her to stay. Besides, she was sent to the hospital a few days ago due to overwork, and I was there when she was there. How could I possibly disturb her rest? Let's give her a chance. She's just starting out and has a lot on her plate. Let's not add to her troubles."
Old Wang shouted in protest, but Shang Kun smiled and ignored him. He had no choice but to say that he valued women more than friends and then went to greet the other guests.
On Christmas Eve, Lin Weiping had nothing to do, so she stayed at the company late into the night. Then she drove to the docks to check things out. Because large trucks were prohibited from entering the city during the day, many deliveries were delayed until the evening. When she entered, the docks were brightly lit, and several limousines were waiting to be loaded; business seemed good. Lin Weiping felt satisfied. Just as she parked her car, her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. Who could it be? She answered and only managed a "hello" before a woman's voice interrupted, "Miss Lin? This is Yu Fengmian. Where are you? I need to talk to you about something." Lin Weiping thought of Gong Chao when she thought of Yu Fengmian, and the thought of Gong Chao during the holidays made her feel particularly melancholic. But this was quickly replaced by a question in her mind: Why was Yu Fengmian in such a hurry to see her? Was it because Gong Chao was calling again today, and she wanted to come and "share" it? No way. Then it must be about the workers. Since she had come to her door, there was no way to avoid her. If she didn't see her today, there would be tomorrow; making a scene at the company would only undermine morale. He replied, "I'm taking care of some business at the old grain wharf. The road is hard to find. If you come over, I'll wait for you here."
After putting down his phone, Lin Weiping went to his office to check the accounts as usual. He found no other problems, except for one company whose goods hadn't been picked up and hadn't paid the storage fees. Lin Weiping asked the clerk to find out which company it was. He recognized the company; he'd met them before at his previous workplace. Old Diao, the boss, specialized in dealing in low-quality materials. Curious about what kind of goods he was dealing this time, he went out to the storage yard to find them. Unexpectedly, Yu Fengmian had just arrived and quickly parked her car to catch up. Seeing her, Lin Weiping hurriedly said, "I'm dealing with some things here. Wait a few minutes." Yu Fengmian knew Lin Weiping harbored resentment towards her and feared he would avoid her like Shang Kun, so she rushed over. Now that they met, she couldn't let her get away, so she pretended to be interested and followed closely behind.
Lin Weiping found the pile of goods; it turned out to be a batch of steel bars. Based on her understanding of Lao Diao, this batch was either made of substandard steel or recycled material from a small steel mill. Upon closer inspection, it was not only rusty but also had many small, barely noticeable bubbles that wouldn't escape Lin Weiping's expert eye. Using this kind of material to build houses would be disastrous. She took out her phone, found a number, and called: "You old geezer, why aren't you taking your goods from the grain dock?... Yeah, I'm the contractor now, are you trying to mess with me?... What, your company closed down? What's the reason? It must be that your goods can't be sold, right?... Oh, things are a bit tense now, but you old geezer can't just leave your stuff to rot in my yard, can you? No way, I'm getting a lot of goods next month, if you don't take them, I'll pay for them myself." "Throw it away... What? You want me to help you get rid of it? Nonsense! With your stuff, even when things weren't strictly controlled, I knew some contractors were mixing your inferior steel bars with the good ones. Now, all you have is scrap metal. Who would dare take it? Besides, your company's gone bankrupt; you can't even issue invoices anymore, so nobody wants it... Whatever, you old codger, listen to me. I'm giving you three days. If you don't take it away, I'll do it." He couldn't help but kick the steel bars and stormed off. Partly it was to vent his frustration; he really didn't want to see Yu Fengmian.
Seeing Yu Fengmian peering at the pile of steel bars, Lin Weiping said irritably, "What do you want from me? What call do you need me to answer?"
In front of Lin Weiping, Yu Fengmian had an absolute psychological advantage, both in terms of experience and their current relationship. She smiled at Lin Weiping and said, "It's nothing. I was just thinking about Christmas, a holiday for young people, and suddenly wanted to talk to someone young, so I thought of you. Others are no match for me." With one sentence, she both expressed her meaning and subtly flattered Lin Weiping, effortlessly putting aside their conflict.
Lin Weiping scoffed inwardly, thinking, "It can't be that simple. They must have come to get those workers back from me, and are trying to get on my good side to avoid a confrontation." He glanced up at the sky and said, "Oh dear, the sky is full of clouds today. I don't know if the sun or the moon is behind them. How strange. Sister Yu, it's a holiday for young people, why are we joining in? It's crowded everywhere. If you don't mind, come up to the office and sit for a while. I'll turn on the electric heater for you."
Yu Fengmian smiled and said, "Miss Lin, if you're busy, I can wait for you. You can come to my house for a short visit; I'll serve you some snacks and fruit." Lin Weiping sneered upon hearing this. Was it Gong Chao who called her house today? Fine, then she'd go to her house. She didn't want to get the tiger's cub, but what was wrong with testing the tiger's den?
Yu Fengmian's home was located in a so-called luxury mansion, with a bright first-floor foyer and neatly dressed security guards. Shiny security cameras were visible around every corner. Even the elevator was surrounded by warm wood, exuding wealth and luxury. Entering her twenty-fifth-floor apartment, one felt a warm, comforting warmth—not the kind of warmth a two- or three-horsepower air conditioner could create, but rather central air conditioning. In such an environment, what need was there for a coat? Lin Weiping took off his coat, revealing his usual black sweater underneath. Yu Fengmian took a bottle of blackcurrant and mixed two alluring cocktails with tonic water, one for each of them.
Yu Fengmian took a sip first, looked at Lin Weiping and sighed, "Youth is wonderful. People say you should become famous early, and that's true. With your youthful success, what colorful clothes can't you buy and wear? When I was your age, I was still wearing bulky hand-knitted sweaters, with no figure and no comfort. Now that I have fame and fortune, the first thing I want to buy is tight-fitting clothes. I can't match your dashing style when you take off your coat."
Lin Weiping was bewildered. This wasn't her usual style. Was tonight just a simple evening of drinking and merrymaking? Not knowing what she was up to, he could only play it by ear, smiling subtly and agreeing with her: "It's getting late. I was thinking of wearing my chunky knit sweater and jeans with frayed knees, but if I wore that to the factory, the workers would stare at me, and I'd be finished tomorrow. The thought is devastating, but how can I give up? I haven't had enough of those clams, haven't slept on those mattresses. A whole lot of good days are waiting for me, so I have to keep doing my job. Sister Yu's status and wealth are the dream of so many people."
Yu Fengmian chuckled, "It's always the case that everyone has their own ideal. Xiao Lin, I won't pretend to call you Miss Lin anymore. I know you hold a grudge against me, but I won't go into why. However, when you reach my age, you'll understand my actions. You might not understand me now. Looking around, you're the one most likely to follow in my footsteps in the future, so I couldn't help but call you here today. There's nothing else to it but to talk to you about women, especially so-called successful women. Neither of us has had it easy. To carve out such a bloody path in a man's world, you can't do it with just your own hands, but..." Yu Fengmian frowned slightly at this point. Although she was in her late thirties, her well-maintained face still had the radiance of a young woman. "What I'm about to say might seem sudden to you. Let's drink and talk slowly."
Lin Weiping was increasingly dumbfounded. What? She wanted to have a private chat like a close friend? Was she not here to ask her for someone back? Or to stab her in the back after being gentle? Unbelievable. Hearing her urging to drink, she picked up the glass and took a sip, then honestly said, "I haven't been feeling well these past few days, and I might not be able to handle drinking. I'd rather have some water."
Yu Fengmian was no ordinary person; how could she not see the confusion in Lin Weiping's eyes? Thinking about it, she realized she had indeed been too abrupt. How could someone who had previously treated her like a stranger suddenly become all smiles and pleasantries after sitting down? While pouring water, she concealed her embarrassment, returning with her expression unchanged. "Women are most afraid of childbirth. After having a child, their figure is ruined, and they won't look good in any clothes. I got married young, when I was just a junior employee at the housing management office. After getting married, I didn't think twice and naturally got pregnant and had a child. Like all newlywed women, I was overjoyed that my first child was a son. I thought that would be my life. My biggest hope at the time was to move closer to the central primary school so that my son could get a head start and smoothly enter the best primary school in the city. But, unexpectedly, our housing management office was reformed and became a real estate company in name only. The old director became the general manager, but this kind old man barely managed to support the company until it used up its last savings before retiring. This heavy burden was handed to me, a little woman who only thought about her son and a house, like a hot potato. Because everyone in the company with some skills and connections was scrambling to transfer, who would want to stick with that broken shell?"
Lin Weiping sipped lukewarm water, finally getting into the flow. Was it really just a simple chat? After listening to her talk so much, he couldn't help but chime in with a few words: "So that's how Sister Yu started out? Back then, she had no money, no connections, and no help. The hardships she endured must be beyond what most people can understand."
Yu Fengmian took a sip of wine and smiled, "I told you you'd understand me. Look, you hit the nail on the head regarding my three biggest problems back then—no, there should be more. I was a mother of a very young child then. My child, who was always with me, eating and sleeping, was suddenly unable to see his mother. I heard he woke up crying from his dreams several times, but what could I do? Every night when I came home, he was already in bed, and when I left, he was still asleep. I could only see him when he was asleep, but he could never see me. Being unable to leave my young child was one of my biggest weaknesses. My husband at the time was initially supportive. When I first took on this business, he encouraged me, saying it was a rare opportunity." At least he had a two-story office building, much better than those shell companies, even if he didn't have cash on hand. But less than a year later, faced with endless housework, a wife who came home drunk and sexually uninterested, and the sarcastic remarks of those around him, he couldn't take it anymore. He took his child and moved back to his in-laws' house. Not long after, rumors spread that a beautiful and gentle woman had entered his life. "What could I do? His looks, his job, his education—didn't I marry him because I loved him? We divorced. I returned the house to him, gave him our son, and moved into the office myself. From then on, I was truly bound to the company for life."
Lin Weiping replied, "The story that follows will definitely be very cliché: you endured hardship and persevered, and finally amassed such a large fortune. No, I don't think that's what you want to tell me. Since you want to talk to me about women today, you will definitely tell me about your journey over the past few years, your feelings, your thoughts, and a lot of advice from those who have been through it all. That's the angle you're going to use."
Yu Fengmian raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "You're quite direct. You want me to tell you the story after I've already told you? Fine, I guess I brought this on myself. I'll just go along with it." She then poured herself another drink; it seemed she had a good capacity for alcohol, something she'd honed through years of hardship and perseverance. Hearing her words, Lin Weiping felt a surge of amusement, his previously tense nerves easing considerably. Yu Fengmian's path in life might very well be her own. Although she started from a higher point, and while everyone has their own path, they all share a common goal: to become successful women. That alone is worth exploring in detail. "That's right. Today is a holiday, and with New Year's Day just around the corner, I've counted all the invitations, and not a single one is from a man I have any personal connection with. Actually, it's pointless for me to do this. I've been to a few blind dates since my divorce, but what was the result? Those who were interested in me, I wasn't interested in, and those I was interested in weren't interested in me now. If I were a few years younger, things would definitely be different. But today, I didn't think much about it. I just came from a party, looking at all the men and women, but I had no interest in participating. However, seeing Shang Kun reminded me of you. Everyone says you have a special relationship with him, but I didn't see you with him today, so I was curious to know what you were doing. Well, hehe, you've aged even earlier than me."
Seeing that Yu Fengmian hadn't forgotten to mock her at this moment, Lin Weiping felt a sense of relief. He sneered, "I'm different from you. At least if I wanted to, I could still be a pretty face by President Shang's side. You can't; you'd have to offer some benefits to get that position. But a few years from now, if I'm still single, my situation won't be much better than yours now. Right now, I still have some power to choose."
Yu Fengmian nodded and said, "You're reasonable enough, you're right. But Shang Kun? What's so great about him? I have everything he has, including my belly, though it's smaller than his. He also doesn't have what I don't, including being divorced and having his youth. And look how good he is to you, why don't you try talking to him about marriage? He'll either scare you away or at least think about it for months before signing a long agreement with you. It's not that we value money more than life itself, it's just that people have changed. They've become suspicious, they think things over and over again, they weigh every emotion in front of you, they no longer have the impulsive urge to get married and have children, all that's left is a union of interests and a carnal compromise. You, I think, are going down the same old path as me, but it's not up to you, it's up to you whether you want family or career."
Lin Weiping replied abruptly, "So you've got your eye on Gong Chao?"
Yu Fengmian nodded slightly, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. "It's clear you do value Gong Chao. But what gives you the right to possess him now? Do you have the time, energy, money, love, and care to give him? To be honest, you've only taken from Gong Chao, never given anything in return. Gong Chao is yours; no one can take him away. The only problem is that you might push him away before you even have a chance. In your heart, which is more important, Gong Chao or your future, your interests, your ambitions? You don't need to answer; I already know the answer in your heart. Gong Chao is nothing more than a flower on the brocade of your life. With him, it's the icing on the cake; without him, it's just a loss of color. Even without the misunderstanding between you, this ending was inevitable. Others are merely catalysts."
Lin Weiping was alarmed. Others might feel sorry for her, but Yu Fengmian, who had also gone through that period, knew her perfectly well. In judging people, she was far inferior to Yu Fengmian and could only defend herself. As for Shang Kun, wasn't she just a flower on his brocade? But wait, wait, wait! How could she just follow Yu Fengmian's train of thought like this? All that rambling talk—was it really for Gong Chao? Did she really have feelings for Gong Chao? Lin Weiping bluntly said, "You're not just lonely, are you? You talk to Gong Chao about love, and then you talk to me about your past. Have you considered the gap between you and Gong Chao? And what about me? Are you trying to persuade me to back down? Do you think you'll have a chance if I just stay out of it? I think you're delusional."
Yu Fengmian sneered, "Don't think too highly of yourself. I know all your tricks and can handle them all. I just don't want to cause trouble for Xiao Gong. He's not like you or me. You can't use the same methods you use on your opponents on him; that's irresponsible. In this respect, I value him much more than you do. I'm not stupid enough to ask you to give up Xiao Gong. Who do you think you are? You've already given up on Xiao Gong. You'll only realize his worth when you reach my age, but you don't need him now. He's not right for you right now. Alright, it's Christmas and New Year's, they're on holiday. I was originally planning to visit him, but your hurtful phone call last time forced me to change my strategy. Otherwise, being too hasty would annoy Xiao Gong. I can only talk to you about him as compensation for this loss."
Lin Weiping grew increasingly astonished as he listened. He hadn't been calm all evening; Yu Fengmian's words and actions were utterly unbelievable. It turned out she truly loved Gong Chao, and was willing to ingratiate herself with her rival just to talk about him and feel closer to him. Seeing the blush creeping onto Yu Fengmian's cheeks, he realized she'd had a bit too much to drink. What else was there to say? Should he continue praising Gong Chao? With that thought, Lin Weiping stood up and said, "It's getting late, I'm going home. You shouldn't drink anymore either. Even after we leave this room, we'll still be on opposite sides of the chasm, but from tonight onwards, we've begun to feel a little more sympathetic. I wish you all the best in the new year."
Yu Fengmian rose to see him off, not trying to stop him. Both were smart enough to know when to stop. Wasn't the purpose of today to neutralize Lin Weiping's influence over Gong Chao? Her words of "May everything go smoothly" weren't unfounded. As long as Lin Weiping maintained a strong defense, Yu Fengmian's chances of winning would increase significantly. However, before parting, she added, "We're both women, it's not easy for either of us. I wish you success in your career in the new year." Based on her experience, Lin Weiping must have suffered greatly at the hands of men in the workplace. This one sentence would surely shorten the distance between them considerably. This person was now considered part of Shang Kun's circle, and had a close relationship with Lin Weiping; even Shang Kun had to give her some face. She couldn't be unaware of how unwilling Shang Kun was to accept what had happened recently; at today's banquet, he wasn't even willing to put on a show of politeness. She had to be on guard.
What I really wanted was Lin Weiping's mutual appreciation. Once he took it to heart, everything would be easier. It's just that I'm really putting on a brave face today. It's been years since I've spoken to someone so cautiously and respectfully. Ever since I made my fortune, I've always spoken loudly. Today, for my future and for Gong Chao, I have to swallow my pride again. Luckily, I have the alcohol to cover it up.
On his drive home, Lin Weiping received a call from Shang Kun: "Aren't you asleep yet? Where are you?"
Lin Weiping replied without hesitation, "I was about to go to sleep and was just about to turn off my phone." She could vaguely hear a very familiar song coming from the other end of the phone. Yes, it was the song that Shang Kun played when he picked her up at the airport, so he was probably in the car right now.
Unexpectedly, someone on the other end said, "Nonsense, I'm clearly in the car, where am I?"
Lin Weiping could only laugh and say, "He's in the car."
Shang Kun paused for a moment before speaking in a very low voice: "I want to see you."
Lin Weiping was startled, almost dropping her phone. What was going on today? A Western holiday, and it had brought up the feelings between two elderly people. She was shocked, and Shang Kun remained silent, seemingly waiting for her reply. Lin Weiping nearly ran a red light. Remembering Yu Fengmian's comments about Shang Kun, she felt uneasy. But soon she heard the phone hang up, and Lin Weiping breathed a sigh of relief, heading home. She simply turned off her phone.
But when she arrived at the entrance of the residential area, she saw a car blatantly parked in front of the gate, which was only slightly ajar. It was none other than Shang Kun's Mercedes! No wonder he hung up the phone; he'd come straight to her doorstep to wait for her. What was he doing today? Yu Fengmian was already surprised enough; was Shang Kun going to pull another stunt? How did she handle things in front of her boss? A flat refusal wouldn't be polite, but if she refused, was she just going to let him take advantage of her? After the two cars stood facing each other for a while, Lin Weiping finally got out. It seemed Shang Kun had been closely monitoring her movements; seeing her get out, he immediately reached in and opened the passenger door from the inside.
Lin Weiping didn't want to get in, so he leaned over the car door and said, "If you keep blocking the door, the security guards will come out. Is there anything you need, Mr. Shang?"
Shang Kun glanced at the security booth over there, took out a flat gift box from his bag and handed it to Lin Weiping, saying with a smile, "Here's a little gift for you, Merry Christmas."
Lin Weiping accepted it and hurriedly said, "I can't accept this. Thank you, President Shang."
Shang Kun smiled at her: "It's getting late, go back and rest. You said you weren't going out to play, but you didn't get up earlier than me."
Lin Weiping didn't want to clarify, so he smiled, closed the car door for him, and watched the car slowly glide away.
What could this little gift be? As soon as she entered the house and turned on the light, Lin Weiping eagerly opened it. She initially thought it might be a necklace, but upon opening it, she found it was a box—a gift from Chen Sheng. Why would Shang Kun send a box of songs? With this question in mind, she immediately put the music on, changing and washing her face while still harboring doubts, until that familiar melody appeared. Yes, it was the one she had just heard on her phone. A quick check of the numbers revealed the song was called "One Night in Beijing." She wasn't some young fangirl; finding that song and that box must have taken some effort from Shang Kun, right? Thinking about how he had been searching for this song she liked for the past few days, while she herself had been doing things behind his back in Tianjin and after returning home, Lin Weiping felt a pang of guilt.
Chapter
nineteen
Sitting on the plane back from Beijing, Lin Weiping felt as if his bones had been ripped away. Next to him sat a drunk man who had fallen asleep as soon as the plane boarded. Lin Weiping initially kept his eyes open, disgusted by the smell of alcohol, watching the planes line up outside the window turn, take off, and disappear into the horizon. Then, tired, he closed his eyes and thought listlessly: There are still five days until the Spring Festival. If there's still time in those five days, I must transfer the last payment the company received to the supplier to secure a deal. This winter has been particularly cold, and the market is bleak. The prices I'm paying now are already at rock-bottom levels. I estimate the market will pick up immediately in the spring. If I can just resell it like this, the company can make a net profit of one or two million. However, how could these amounts compare to the deal she signed with Tianjin Huabei Company? The head of Huabei Company had enjoyed two months of cooperation immensely, and now, having received a pure gold Chow Tai Fook zodiac animal from Lin Weiping, he readily allocated over 30 million yuan. Lin Weiping directly transferred this sum to the raw material manufacturers, who immediately transported their stockpiled raw materials by train to their long-term supplier for processing, preparing to pick up the goods immediately after the Spring Festival. Because of the large volume and the current poor market conditions, the supplier allowed her to engage in the "material exchange" business. Lin Weiping knew that this transfer would at least increase her pre-tax income by two million yuan. Add to that the huge price difference before and after the Spring Festival, and wow! When the plane took off, Lin Weiping, who should have felt pressured, felt lightheaded. All the night sweats, dry cough, and IV drips she'd been getting recently had worthwhile. Why hadn't she figured this out back in her old workplace? Otherwise, she would have been a multi-millionaire by now, on par with Shang Kun and Yu Fengmian, instead of having to endure the sullenness of the second wife.
As for the arrangements for the next five days, it's simple. Shang Kun will have dinner one night, and Lao Zhou, Lao Wang, and Shang Kun will have dinner together another night. This dinner was suggested by Lao Zhou, but for some reason, he spoke haltingly, as if he lacked energy. Yu Fengmian has also been trying to contact her, saying she needs to talk to her about something, but she's so busy, how can she have so much time for Yu Fengmian? Let's have lunch together on the third day. There are also people from the bank and clients... Good heavens, how many meals will there be? She needs to find some time to buy some New Year's goods for her parents. The fifth night is New Year's Eve, she has to go home for dinner. Good heavens, so tiring. Thinking about the social engagements to come, Lin Weiping immediately deflated and slumped onto the plane, falling asleep. When she got off the plane, the flight attendant woke her up, and she found that only she and the drunk man were left in the cabin. But it wasn't over yet. The dream she had just had suddenly come to mind, and as she was going down the stairs, she slapped the railing and remembered, "That's right, I'll do another big deal next year, using this huge amount to negotiate the issue of becoming the provincial general agent with my supplier." A general agent is essentially a monopoly, even if it's only one party. Based on the political economy we learned as children, we can easily imagine that it's an extraordinary means of obtaining huge profits.
Lin Xiaoxiao, whose wife had once fallen into the water, had originally applied to work as a bulldozer operator at the company. Lin Weiping discovered her during a workshop inspection and immediately hired her as a driver, maintaining all three of the company's vehicles. So, from the moment Lin Weiping got off the plane, he always had someone to pick him up. His wife was the dormitory manager, and surprisingly, she was extremely strict; everyone secretly called her "Granny Rong." Lin Weiping knew they were repaying her kindness, and it was rare to find such honest people; the thought warmed his heart.
Lin Xiaoxiao, who drives a dump truck, is overqualified to drive an automatic car, so it's naturally fast and stable. Lin Weiping, sitting in the back, doesn't have to worry at all. After getting in the car, he calls Shang Kun to arrange dinner that evening. Then he listens to Lin Xiaoxiao's rambling "bragging." Lin Xiaoxiao thinks it's just bragging and idle chatter, but Lin Weiping doesn't take it lightly at all. People below often have a clearer perspective on things.
“Xiao Liang’s boyfriend is really something, he drives a better car than this one. We always say that pretty young girls have more opportunities, but when my wife hears this, she just sighs and says she married the wrong person. What’s wrong with me?”
“But when I went to pick up Xiao Liang from the court that day, she was so angry that her face turned red. She kept saying that she was quitting and that she was exhausted. But in the end, she still worked overtime at the company until midnight. I couldn’t bear to see her like that, so I took her home. Everyone said that Xiao Liang was trying to be like Boss Lin.”
"Manager Jin from the finance department asked me to take a young bald man to the station last time. I heard that guy will be replacing Old Jin, right? He looks terrible. He's only in his forties, but his back is already hunched."
"The factory next door is said to officially start operations tomorrow. Their boss is treating everyone to lunch and dinner, and people from our company can go too. It'll be a fun time for everyone."
...
Lin Weiping listened attentively, trying to match his words to Lin Xiaoxiao's, and occasionally chiming in to keep her engaged. Time flew by, and they arrived at the company in the blink of an eye. Lin Weiping smiled at Lin Xiaoxiao and said, "That box of instant noodles in the back contains a gift for you and your wife. It's just a small token of my appreciation. Happy New Year!" Lin Xiaoxiao was naturally grateful. He just couldn't understand why his previous bosses hadn't treated him so politely.
Before Lin Weiping could even settle into his office, the HR manager knocked and entered with a beaming smile. People in the back office always had an unpredictable smile; he'd been through that before, but never had this manager's easygoing nature. The HR manager's words surprised Lin Weiping: "Xiao Liang has successfully prevented the workers from leaving. She's been staying at the company for several days, talking to the workers every evening after dinner, so many workers agree with her and aren't leaving anymore. Since that's the case, I don't think the staffing for the second phase of the project is that critical yet, so I've only contacted a few interested people and told them to wait for news. Mr. Lin, is this a good idea? Otherwise, I'd have to rush to register for the first job fair after the Spring Festival today."
Isn't Xiao Liang one of Shang Kun's people? Logically, she should be following Shang Kun's instructions, making things difficult for the workers and sending them to Yu Fengmian to complete Shang Kun's plan. Why is she going against Shang Kun's wishes? Has Shang Kun changed his mind after just a few days? He then instructed the HR manager: "In that case, let's postpone the Spring Festival recruitment. Go find Xiao Liang and bring her to see me immediately."
Xiao Liang arrived quickly, and Lin Weiping laughed as soon as he saw her, "I was wondering why some of the tiles in the corridor were broken. Turns out it was your big boots that cracked them." He lightened the mood before getting back to the main topic. "Come on, Xiao Liang, sit down. Tell me how you managed to stop the workers."
Xiao Liang, her big eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, happily said, "I was right this time! When Boss Lin asked me to sign contracts with the workers, I knew it. Why go through all that trouble, having to talk to each one individually? Then I heard their original factory was offering huge sums to poach their workers, and I realized Boss Lin must have heard the news beforehand, which is why he did this. I talked to one of the workers from that factory and asked a few outsiders, finally figuring out the situation. I thought, how can I let them succeed? No, I have to find a way to stop them. So I discussed it with some friends and came up with a plan: we told the workers about the current situation at that factory and analyzed the factory..." Regarding the future, I pointed out directly that the factory's resumption of production was only temporary; it would definitely switch to real estate within a year, and then the factory would close down. Rather than earning a high income in less than a year at that factory, it's better to stay here and have a steady income, especially since our income here isn't bad either. Besides, if a factory unusually offers high salaries to recruit people, there must be a hidden reason; otherwise, it wouldn't ignore labor costs. I advised the workers not to be used as sacrificial lambs. It took several nights of persuasion before it worked; those who had already skipped work to go there asked to come back. Only three people left the company, none of them were serious matters. "That's all I have to say," I said, sticking out my tongue and making a small face.
Lin Weiping smiled and said, "I'm very curious to know what you mean by 'outsiders' and 'friends.' Is it related to Lao Zhou?"
Xiao Liang paused for a moment before saying, "I did ask President Zhou; he's the one who told me the whole story of this factory. But the idea wasn't his; it was discussed by a group of us on a forum called S, which requires a password to access. Those netizens are all more experienced than me. [Q] If it weren't for my work journal entry, they wouldn't have accepted me. Now that they know I'm in trouble, they're all very helpful, offering all sorts of ideas, but they're all very practical. I ended up doing what they suggested, and it really worked well." What Xiao Liang didn't say was that her journal entry featured Lin Weiping as the main character, and it was very popular on the predominantly female S forum, where Lin Weiping had become a kind of unseen idol. In the replies to Xiao Liang's request for help, besides offering suggestions, everyone added a request for Xiao Liang to truthfully report Lin Weiping's reaction to the matter. So Xiao Liang is now focusing on capturing the dynamics of Lin Weiping's words and actions.
Lin Weiping was unaware of this detail. He was intrigued by S's words, but considering they accessed a password-protected website, it seemed inappropriate for him, as a superior, to ask Xiao Liang about this secret. As for her mention of asking Lao Zhou, it was likely more than just Lao Zhou, so he didn't press her further. He simply smiled and said, "Yes, this matter was handled exceptionally well. The biggest headache for me during my business trip these past few days was this staff turnover issue, but thankfully you resolved it for me. Well done. Thank you. However, even for the most secretive website, I still feel it's necessary to remind you: feel free to write your work logs, but absolutely do not allow anyone to draw conclusions. Your current friends may become your future adversaries. The more secrets you reveal, the more leverage you'll have for others in the future, and the same applies to the company. You'll understand the implications yourself."
Hearing this, Xiao Liang knew it was time to get up and take her leave. Once outside, she naturally pondered Lin Weiping's advice repeatedly. Lin Weiping, however, felt that Xiao Liang was hiding something. She didn't conceal the help she received from her online friends, but glossed over the information she obtained from Lao Zhou. Considering her usual hardworking and ambitious nature, and the fact that she might be someone sent by Shang Kun, was it all a facade? If so, it was too perfect. Was he being overly suspicious this time? It wasn't impossible, but caution was always better than no fault. It was best to be wary of her. Regardless of how she and Lao Zhou met, it could potentially become a trigger for conflict with Shang Kun, in Lin Weiping's eyes.
So, was Yu Fengmian calling her several times a day just for this? It seems I need to reconsider my plans to have dinner with her. After handling some matters, I need to head to my dinner appointment with Shang Kun. The restaurant is particularly busy with the approaching Spring Festival; even with reservations, we could only get seats in the noisy main hall. Lin Weiping arrived first, and without any hesitation, ordered the dishes. Seeing that the appointment time had passed, she instructed the waitress to bring the food. Only after the cold dishes were served did Shang Kun rush in.
As soon as Lin Weiping saw him sit down and wipe his hands with a small towel, he didn't wait for formalities and said directly, "I messed up the matter of handing over the workers to Yu Fengmian." So he didn't hide anything and told Shang Kun everything that Xiao Liang had said today. "I originally thought that Xiao Liang would know President Shang's intentions, but I didn't expect him to be so careless. Although I am very happy to see this situation."
Shang Kun frowned, tossed the small towel into the bamboo basket, and said seriously, "Do you suspect that Xiao Liang was sent by me? Yes, Lao Jin was indeed sent by me. This is my first time working with you, and I don't know you well, so I need a reliable old subordinate to help me closely monitor the flow of funds. Now Lao Jin says he wants to retire, and I understand his difficulties, but if I asked him to stay, I believe he would continue. However, I think after this period of contact, we should have a good understanding of each other's character. Whether Lao Jin is here or not, there shouldn't be any change between us, so I didn't try to keep Lao Jin. And you actually think I'm using Xiao Liang to keep an eye on you? I have more than one or two companies under me. If I were to manage even trivial matters like office personnel, would I still have any dignity? I think you're being too idealistic, actually suspecting such a thing. A simple logical deduction would show that it's impossible."
Lin Weiping was somewhat embarrassed after being reprimanded by Shang Kun, but she couldn't show it, because Shang Kun's words seemed reasonable, and she seemed to have really wronged him. However, seeing Shang Kun's familiarity with Xiao Liang, it wasn't the typical relationship between a head office boss and a subordinate employee, or was it an act Shang Kun was putting on for her? So she didn't delve any deeper. The boss has his reasons, and she just needed to do her job well. Who cares who he is or how he tries to find fault with her? She smiled and said, "Why is President Shang in such a bad mood today? It's almost New Year's, you're not thinking of yelling at me to vent your anger, are you?"