MLMD -Chapter 293 A Bit of Trouble

In the modern era, inside an office building on Hengan Street in Dongpu District, Mingzhu City, more than twenty employees of Guangyuan Trading Company were holding their morning meeting.

Standing at the front was Liu Shengnan, dressed in a black-and-white professional suit, her hair neatly coiled into a bun and pinned with a hair stick. Two years of working life had already tempered this once-fresh graduate into a competent white-collar professional.

“Today is December 1st,” Liu Shengnan said coolly. “Our company only completed eighty-three percent of last month’s procurement plan. Thirteen percent is still unfinished. I’d like to know who is responsible for that remaining thirteen percent. Please step forward on your own.”

“It’s me.”

As her words fell, a young man in a gray suit stepped out. He looked fairly decent, about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old.

“Again, it’s you.” Liu Shengnan frowned slightly when she saw him. “Lin Dong, why is it you again? Do you realize that because you failed to complete your work plan, the overall schedule was delayed, and the company was dragged down because of you?”

“Assistant Liu, isn’t that a bit exaggerated?” Lin Dong curled his lips and replied lazily. “As far as I know, the goods the company purchases just pile up in the warehouse anyway—often nobody touches them for a month or two. I only delayed delivery by a few days. What’s the big deal? Besides, what are we even buying? A bunch of junk and trash. No one would want this stuff even if you gave it away for free. Why are you so nervous?”

“What kind of nonsense is that?” Liu Shengnan’s phoenix eyes widened, anger flashing across her beautiful oval face. “Lin Dong, don’t think you can be so sloppy just because you have a master’s degree. The company has its rules. Since you joined, you must follow them. Otherwise, I have the authority to remove you from the company!”

“You dare?” Lin Dong sneered disdainfully. “Take a good look—besides me, the only master’s graduate here, everyone else came from second- or third-rate universities, or some no-name diploma mills. I came here out of respect for you people, and you still dare to fire me?”

Bang!

With a sharp sound, an enraged Liu Shengnan slammed the table and stood up, pointing at him as she shouted, “Lin Dong, don’t go too far! Do you really think I wouldn’t dare fire you?”

As the argument escalated, the other twenty-plus employees began watching the commotion.

Everyone had already seen what Liu Shengnan was capable of. Nearly all of them had been recruited by her and Zhang Xiaoxiao over the past two years. Liu Shengnan was bold and capable, while Zhang Xiaoxiao was gentle and meticulous; together, they managed the company in perfect order. Strangely enough, no one had ever seen the company’s boss.

Moreover, over the past two years the company had done nothing but purchase goods—strange, miscellaneous items that made little sense to the employees. As a result, a rumor gradually spread within the company: the company actually belonged to Liu Shengnan, and she was merely being kept by some wealthy tycoon. The company itself was just an expensive toy for her amusement. Since no one besides these two women had ever seen the real boss, many employees began harboring ulterior thoughts toward the beautiful assistant.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaoxiao stood up as well, her face flushed as she scolded, “Lin Dong, how can you act like this? Don’t forget who recruited you from the talent market in the first place. Treating Shengnan like this—do you have no conscience at all?”

“Conscience?” Lin Dong retorted arrogantly. “I’ve worked like an ox and a horse for the company for over half a year, and for that little pay each month. I’m already doing you a favor by staying here!”

“Bastard, get out!” Liu Shengnan finally exploded, pointing at the door.

Seeing her fury, Lin Dong stood up as well, staring at her fearlessly and saying arrogantly, “Fire me? Go ahead and try. I guarantee that once I leave, this company won’t last a week.”

“You—!” Liu Shengnan trembled with anger, her brows drawn tight, but the word “fired” still did not come out of her mouth.

The meeting room descended into chaos. Some employees watched with interest, others whispered among themselves, while some observed coldly from the sidelines.

Seeing Liu Shengnan and Zhang Xiaoxiao trembling with anger, their eyes red yet still not daring to say the words “you’re fired,” Lin Dong sneered triumphantly. Just as he was about to speak again, a voice suddenly sounded from the side.

“Oh… is that really so?”

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a young man standing at the entrance of the meeting room.

He had delicate features and fair skin, dressed in a dark blue suit. His long hair was casually tied back with a rubber band, like a girl’s ponytail.

Ordinarily, such looks and hairstyle might make someone seem effeminate, but no one could possibly think that about him. His presence exuded a cold, authoritative aura. Every gesture carried an indescribable dignity.

The moment Liu Shengnan and Zhang Xiaoxiao saw him, their eyes immediately reddened. Especially Zhang Xiaoxiao—seeing the boss she hadn’t seen for over half a year, her lips quivered as if she were about to cry.

The young man slowly walked over and gently patted both women on the shoulders. “I saw what just happened. You both did very well. I’m very pleased.”

The man was Yue Yang.

After comforting them, Yue Yang swept his gaze across the room. Anyone whose eyes met his felt as if pricked by an electric current and instinctively looked away.

Finally, his gaze stopped on Lin Dong. Smiling faintly, he asked, “I just heard you say that once you leave, this company won’t last a week. Is that right?”

Facing Yue Yang’s imposing presence, Lin Dong felt a chill in his heart, but he quickly straightened up and shouted, “So what if it is? Who are you? We’re holding a morning meeting. What right do you have to be here? Get out now, or I’ll call security!”

“Heh…”

Yue Yang laughed instead of getting angry. “Sorry, I happen to be the owner of this company and its legal representative. Now, in the name of the company’s general manager, I announce that you are fired. You have thirty minutes to pack your belongings and leave. Otherwise, I’ll have security escort you out. Did you hear me clearly?”

“You’re the boss?” Lin Dong was startled, then sized Yue Yang up. Soon, he sneered again. “Even if you are the boss, you can’t just fire an employee at will. And are you sure you can bear the consequences of firing me?”

“Hahaha…” Yue Yang laughed in anger. “Fine. I’d like to see whether, as the boss, I can’t fire a freeloader like you. Zhang Xiaoxiao!”

“Boss!” Zhang Xiaoxiao hurried over.

“You’re the head of HR,” Yue Yang said, pointing at Lin Dong. “Settle his salary immediately and kick him out of the company. I want to see what kind of consequences he can bring that I supposedly can’t bear.”

“Yes, boss!” Zhang Xiaoxiao straightened her slim waist and said crisply, “Lin Dong, under the boss’s instructions, I’ll take you to settle your salary. Please come with me to the HR department.”

Lin Dong showed little agitation. He merely sneered at Yue Yang. “I hope you won’t regret today’s decision.” With that, he turned and strode out.

Yue Yang waved his hand as if shooing away a fly, then addressed the remaining employees. “You’re all newly hired in the past two years. Let me introduce myself. My name is Yue Yang, the owner and general manager of this company. Let me make this clear: since you’ve joined, you must work hard and follow company rules. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to clear out those who loaf around. Frankly speaking, our work is very easy—anyone who puts in a bit of effort can do it. Even high school students would have no trouble. If you still can’t do it, that’s not a matter of ability but of attitude. To put it bluntly, three-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged people are everywhere. Understood?”

“Yes!” the employees answered in unison.

“Good. Back to work.”

Soon, only Yue Yang and Liu Shengnan remained in the meeting room.

Sitting down on a sofa, Yue Yang leaned back and asked in a low voice, “Tell me what really happened. Why was someone openly challenging you during the morning meeting? What’s with that guy?”

“Boss… I…”

Liu Shengnan hesitated.

“Is there something hard to say?” Yue Yang frowned slightly.

Feeling the pressure radiating from him, Liu Shengnan hurriedly explained, “That man was Lin Dong. He’s been here almost half a year. I was blind back then—since he was an alumnus from the same school as Xiaoxiao and me, and a master’s graduate, I hired him. Who knew he’d reveal his true colors—always late, leaving early, careless at work, and allegedly taking kickbacks from clients…”

“If that’s the case, why didn’t you fire him immediately?” Yue Yang cut in. “Why keep such deadweight?”

“I didn’t want to, either,” Liu Shengnan said, tears welling up. “But I heard his brother-in-law is a section chief at the local Administration for Industry and Commerce. I was afraid that firing him would bring trouble. Our company isn’t famous—if he wanted to mess with us, it would be easy.”

“So that’s how it is…” Yue Yang fell silent for a moment, then softened his tone. “Assistant Liu, my attitude earlier wasn’t good. Don’t take it to heart.”

Liu Shengnan was stunned, then said stiffly, “It’s nothing. You’re the boss.”

Yue Yang chuckled inwardly. “This girl is stubborn.”

After a brief pause, he smiled. “You and Xiaoxiao have worked hard these past two years. How about this—lunch is on me today at Shiweitian Hotel. I’ll also go over our next work plans.”

“Wow, boss, you’re treating us?” Zhang Xiaoxiao’s cheerful voice chimed in.

Liu Shengnan rolled her eyes. “I think the second part is the real point.”

Just then, loud noises came from outside. The meeting room door was pushed open, and seven or eight men in blue uniforms walked in. The leader, a potbellied middle-aged man, flashed his ID and said sternly, “We’re from the Dongpu District Administration for Industry and Commerce. Someone reported that your company is trading illegal goods. We’re here to conduct an inspection. Please cooperate.”

Seeing him, and thinking of Lin Dong, Liu Shengnan and Zhang Xiaoxiao instantly understood what was going on.

Yue Yang sneered. “You’re the one in charge? Sorry, I didn’t see clearly. Please show me your ID again. There are too many scammers these days—even people dare impersonate officials from the State Council.”

The man turned livid but had no choice. Yue Yang examined the ID carefully, then nodded. “Liang Yong, is it? Fine. What exactly do you want from our company?”

Grinding his teeth, Liang Yong said, “You’re suspected of trading unlicensed goods. Hand over your financial and inventory records immediately for inspection.”