Xiangfeng Investment Company, President’s Office.
While Li Feng was at the suburban warehouse cutting stones with Liu Shichao and the others, Hu Yuanyuan arrived at the company, ready to start the day’s work.
As the company grew, Hu Yuanyuan had a mountain of tasks to handle daily. However, the incident with Yu Su the previous day had affected her deeply. Sitting in her boss’s chair, she didn’t start work immediately but closed her eyes to rest.
At that moment, Xu Qing walked in, “President Hu, good news. Yu Su’s been arrested.”
“What?” Hu Yuanyuan was stunned.
“Yu Su’s been arrested?” Xu Qing repeated. Though unaware of Yu Su’s coercion of Hu Yuanyuan, she knew he was a greedy opportunist. Otherwise, the company’s smart chip would have passed the Technical Supervision Bureau’s inspection long ago.
Yu Su’s arrest was, in Xu Qing’s view, fantastic news.
“Really?” Hu Yuanyuan grew excited. She had been pondering how to resolve the technical inspection issue, and Yu Su’s arrest gave her hope.
“It’s true,” Xu Qing said, briefly recounting the major online event from the previous night, excitedly adding, “I don’t know who’s so capable, but every computer worldwide is showing evidence of Yu Su’s crimes.”
Hu Yuanyuan was initially thrilled, but as she listened, something felt off. How could there be such a coincidence? Could it be…
Thinking of the timing of the online data, Hu Yuanyuan suspected Li Feng was behind it. In her view, Li Feng had the skills. His work on the smart chip and computer systems showed his exceptional tech expertise.
The more she thought, the more likely it seemed. It was too coincidental not to raise suspicion. At the same time, Hu Yuanyuan felt joy. If Li Feng did this, it showed how much he cared for her.
But she grew cautious. This was a global online incident with serious consequences. People worldwide might be looking for the culprit.
No, she couldn’t let anyone know this was linked to Li Feng. He did it for her, and she wouldn’t betray him and cause trouble.
With that in mind, Hu Yuanyuan said, “Yu Su must have offended someone. Looks like heaven’s helping us.”
“Exactly, President Hu. Now that Yu Su’s arrested, should we reapply for the technical inspection? Our product inventory is piling up. If we can’t pass the inspection, we can’t sell, and it’ll hurt the company,” Xu Qing said.
Hu Yuanyuan nodded, “You’re right. Handle it. With Yu Su as an example, the Technical Supervision Bureau shouldn’t give us trouble.”
Xu Qing agreed and left to prepare the reapplication documents.
After Xu Qing left, Hu Yuanyuan began her work, but a knock came at the door.
“Come in.”
Looking up, she saw Zhao Xin, the head of the investment department.
“Something wrong?” Hu Yuanyuan reverted to her strong, aloof persona.
“President Hu, this is my resignation letter,” Zhao Xin said, avoiding her gaze, cautiously placing the letter on her desk.
“What?” Hu Yuanyuan was caught off guard.
“President Hu, my resignation letter,” Zhao Xin repeated.
“Resignation? You’re quitting?” Hu Yuanyuan was stunned. Zhao Xin was her trusted subordinate, promoted from the bottom. She’d entrusted him with the investment department, yet now he was resigning.
“Why?”
“President Hu, no reason. I just… don’t want to continue,” Zhao Xin stammered.
“Don’t want to? Is something wrong with the company? You can raise any concerns. It hasn’t come to resignation,” Hu Yuanyuan said.
“No, President Hu. The company’s treated me well. I just have personal matters and can’t stay,” Zhao Xin said, shaking his head. “I’ve let the company down.”
“You’re sure?” Hu Yuanyuan asked.
“Yes, please approve it,” Zhao Xin said, lowering his head in shame. He knew the company’s treatment was excellent, and he had no grievances. Resigning now was his betrayal.
“Since you’ve decided, I won’t force you. Settle this month’s salary at the finance department,” Hu Yuanyuan said calmly.
“Thank you, President Hu,” Zhao Xin left the letter and hurried out.
Hu Yuanyuan sighed. Zhao Xin’s resignation would impact the company, but his resolve left her no choice.
Then another knock came.
“Come in.”
“President Hu,” a middle-aged woman entered. “This is my resignation letter.”
“Resignation letter?” Hu Yuanyuan was stunned again. This was the deputy head of the investment department, second only to Zhao Xin. Why was she resigning too?
“Yes, President Hu. My son’s getting married in the U.S. and settling there, so I can’t stay,” the woman said.
“Alright, settle your salary at the finance department,” Hu Yuanyuan didn’t press.
“Thank you, President Hu.”
Losing two key players wasn’t easy for Hu Yuanyuan, but she thought their resignations were coincidental. She soon realised she was wrong. Over the next hour, ten senior executives and traders from the investment department submitted their resignations.
Looking at the stack of resignation letters, Hu Yuanyuan’s frown deepened.
The investment department had only fifteen or sixteen people. Losing two-thirds paralysed it.
Xiangfeng Investment’s name included “investment,” and financial investment was a core part of the company, even as it expanded into smartphones. The department couldn’t afford issues.
A paralysed investment department could disrupt daily operations, managing billions in financial assets. Even a small problem could have a huge impact.
Hu Yuanyuan quickly called a meeting to stabilise the department and plan a response.
“Yu Xiangdong, you’re now in charge of the investment department,” she said, appointing the capable Yu Xiangdong as interim head, as all senior executives had left.
“Yes, President Hu,” Yu Xiangdong said excitedly, knowing this was an opportunity. If he performed well, he’d secure the role permanently.
“Do your best.”
Back in her office, Hu Yuanyuan brewed a strong coffee, reflecting on the day’s events.
She hadn’t noticed earlier, but now she realised the mass resignations weren’t coincidental but planned, likely to cripple the investment department.
Who was behind it?
The business world was a battlefield, and Hu Yuanyuan knew it well from running the company. But a mass resignation like this was a first, catching her off guard.
She racked her brain but couldn’t pinpoint who was targeting the company. The goal was clearly the investment department, likely the company’s financial investments. In the stock and bond markets, investment firms like theirs were numerous across China. It was unlikely a rival would use such tactics, and the company had no major enemies.
“President Hu, something’s wrong,” Yu Xiangdong rushed into the office.
