wavenovel Chapter 41 The Old Boss is Coming
Chapter 41 The Old Boss is Coming
After completing all the formalities for buying the house, Lin Chen left the sales office.
Tang Yuwei skipped and hopped along behind her, clutching the gift the saleswoman had given her. Her face beamed with undisguised joy; one might have thought she had just bought a house.
Just as I was about to go get my motorcycle for lunch, I looked up and saw Chen Ya standing alone in the shadows under a tree.
His face appeared calm, but in reality, he was churning with complex emotions.
"Sister Chen Ya? Why haven't you left yet? Where's Senior Brother Wang Yang?" Tang Yuwei, a carefree girl, didn't realize the awkward atmosphere and gently shook Chen Ya's arm.
Chen Ya acted as if she hadn't heard her, her gaze fixed intently on Lin Chen.
Chen Ya had just made an excuse to part ways with Wang Yang and then deliberately turned back to wait for Lin Chen.
There are some things she needs to get to the bottom of today.
Even if the answer might pierce one's dignity.
"Lin Chen, I want to talk to you." Her voice trembled slightly.
Lin Chen's tone was so calm it was almost distant: "Just say what you have to say, we're in a hurry to eat." The past is the past, and he really didn't want to dwell on it anymore.
"Where did you get so much money? You actually bought a villa outright. Did you hook up with a rich woman?" Chen Ya took a step forward, getting closer to Lin Chen, and then glanced at Tang Yuwei beside her.
Although the people in the company didn't know Tang Yuwei's background, they all knew she was rich because when she reported to the company, a driver personally brought her over in a Land Rover.
"This is none of your business," Lin Chen said calmly, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.
Chen Ya's eyes gradually reddened as she stared intently at him: "You specifically chose to buy a house here, and right in front of me. Were you deliberately trying to embarrass me?"
"You're overthinking it," Lin Chen said calmly. "Meeting you all today is purely coincidental. My choice of this place has absolutely nothing to do with you."
Standing to the side, Tang Yuwei's gaze shifted between the two. A woman's innate intuition made her keenly aware of something. She gently bit her lower lip and watched the scene silently.
"Do you still remember what you told me, that you would make a home for me here?" Chen Ya's voice began to tremble, and her hands clenched tightly.
"I don't remember. You're being too naive to believe me, are you?" Lin Chen answered crisply. So what if he remembered? What's done is done. You looked down on me before, but you can't reach me now.
Chen Ya was suddenly overwhelmed with sadness. Her gaze lingered between Lin Chen and Tang Yuwei before she finally spoke bitterly, "Are you two... together?"
Perhaps it was Chen Ya's irritation that made Lin Chen feel a surge of impulse, and he reached out and pulled Tang Yuwei into his arms: "That's right." Tang Yuwei stiffened slightly at first, then obediently leaned into his arms, but her heart was beating abnormally, and she felt that she might be a little superfluous.
At that moment, Chen Ya felt as if something was blocking her chest. She forced herself not to cry and turned to leave quickly, but after only a few steps, tears still fell like beads off a broken string, unceremoniously dripping onto the cold cement ground.
"I'm sorry." Lin Chen only slowly released Tang Yuwei after the figure completely disappeared around the street corner, his tone apologetic. Hearing this, Tang Yuwei felt a ripple of emotion.
"Class monitor, what exactly happened between you and Sister Chen Ya?" Tang Yuwei's eyes were wide open, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible bitterness.
Lin Chen's gaze was complicated. The adult world doesn't need explanations: "Let's go eat. It's the most expensive sea yellow crab in Suicheng. Today, your class monitor has arranged a lavish meal for you."
Tang Yuwei felt no joy upon hearing this.
New Year's Day is just around the corner, and today the office received some important news: Zeng Huihuang, the second-in-command of the city company, will be coming to Suicheng for inspection and greetings on New Year's Day. Suddenly, it seems that everyone in the company is a little restless.
(Just to clarify, the leaders of the county company are called bureau chiefs, the leaders of the city company are called general managers, and the leaders of the provincial company are called chairmen. Those who know, know.)
During holidays, it is routine for higher-level leaders to visit and extend greetings to grassroots units. However, Zeng Huihuang was no ordinary leader.
Zeng Huihuang, male, 52 years old, has been in Suicheng for 30 years and served as the top leader for 12 years and four terms. When Lin Chen came, he was the top leader in Suicheng. He was promoted to the second-in-command of the city company at the beginning of last year.
I heard that he is still very popular in the city company. General Manager Fan of the city company will be out of office next year. Some people say that he was once very successful and is very likely to take over as the head of the city company.
Zeng Huihuang has deep roots in Suicheng and has an intricate relationship with the Suicheng Company. To put it simply, almost half of the middle-level leaders in the Suicheng Company were promoted by him.
Tan Huasheng, the current second-in-command of the company, was Zeng Huihuang's number one lackey back then. From an ordinary repairman, he was promoted all the way to deputy director. Tan Huasheng's official position, house, and car were almost all "gifted" by Zeng Huihuang.
When Zeng Huihuang was transferred to the municipal company, he specifically recommended Tan Huasheng to take over as the top leader. They had already reached the stage of democratic evaluation, and everyone thought it was a done deal.
However, for reasons unknown, the winds suddenly shifted, and Director Song Jiehui was parachuted in, shattering Tan Huasheng's dream of becoming the top leader.
This is why the relationship between Director Song and Director Tan has never been very good, although they still appear to be on good terms on the surface.
When Song Jiehui first arrived in Suicheng, he was full of ambition and wanted to carry out sweeping reforms and achieve results. However, he gradually discovered that the company was full of the shadows of Zeng Huihuang. He couldn't get anything done because he wasn't one of his own.
He tried to dismiss two middle managers who were disobedient, but not long after, Zeng Huihuang gave him a "subtle" warning. He heard that in a video conference, Zeng criticized "some county company leaders who, as soon as they took office, were eager to negate the work of their predecessors and undermine the stability of the team."
This single sentence put Song Jiehui in a very passive position, so he dared not make any rash moves that year.
Today, the company leaders held an emergency meeting to discuss the reception of Zeng Huihuang. Song Jiehui was quite polite: "Director Tan, Mr. Zeng is your old boss, and you are quite familiar with him. You will be in full charge of the reception. I suggest that we follow the highest protocol in our company. What do you think?"
Tan Huasheng felt a chill run down his spine, unable to see through Song Jiehui's true intentions.
Tan Huasheng had followed Zeng Huihuang for over a decade, and he knew his old leader's preferences better than anyone else. No matter when or where, he needed women, and he was extremely concerned with appearances, always wanting to make a grand entrance, otherwise he would be very sullen.
Zeng Huihuang once told him: "Reception work is of paramount importance. If reception is not done well, no matter how well you do other work, it will be in vain, and you will definitely not do it well either."
If you, Song Jiehui, the top leader, don't personally receive him, Zeng Huihuang may not say anything on the surface, but he will definitely be unhappy inside. As a result, the old leader might vent his anger on him.
Tan Huasheng suppressed his inner impulse and put on a humble demeanor: "Director Song, isn't this inappropriate? You are the top leader, and I am not qualified enough. It would be more appropriate for you to take the lead personally."
Song Jiehui looked very regretful and sighed softly, "There's nothing I can do, Director Tan. I have to go back to the provincial capital for New Year's Day. My elderly relative is sick, and the situation is quite serious. I really can't get away. Please explain to President Zeng that I'll try my best to get back in the afternoon to apologize to him in person. Please make sure he stays for dinner and waits for me to come back to keep him company."
"I see... Alright then, Director Song, don't worry, I will definitely handle the reception well and keep you informed." Tan Huasheng agreed verbally, but inwardly he was overjoyed. He couldn't have been happier if Song Jiehui hadn't shown up.
Zeng Huihuang now wields immense power. General Manager Fan's term at the city company expires next year, and it's already widely rumored within the industry that Zeng Huihuang is highly likely to succeed him. At this time, treating the old leader well is more effective than doing a hundred practical things.
You, Song Jiehui, are so foolish. You're missing such a good opportunity to curry favor; that's just stupid of you.
At that time, he will not only be able to perform well in front of his old leader, but also take the opportunity to say a few sarcastic remarks about Song Jiehui. Perhaps the old leader will go out and do some work with the provincial authorities to "invite" Song Jiehui, this parachuted-in general, to leave.
Then his dream of becoming the top leader might come true. Only those who have become deputies can understand that getting rid of the "deputy" position is not a pursuit, but a redemption for oneself, a way to break free from the shackles of life.