Chapter 68 My teammates, I know
Xingtan had many meetings this Tuesday, as both bosses were back from business trips. Yang Chengkai came straight to the office from the airport this morning, while Shi Zhenglin arrived home around 2 a.m. last night and returned to work early this morning. In the past, Yang Chengkai wouldn't attend these IPO-related meetings; Shi Zhenglin would simply consult with him directly on any issues. Since Shi Zhenglin's resignation, Yang Chengkai has been attending in person. To avoid suspicion, he explained that this was a critical period before the IPO, and he needed to monitor everyone's work progress. He would attend more meetings when he had time. Shi Zhenglin still presided over the meeting, and the decision-making process still depended on him. He sat in on the meeting, at most reinforcing Shi Zhenglin's decisions. It was normal for the boss to intervene personally at this time, and his explanation was also normal. Shi Zhenglin and he worked well together during the meeting. While most people wouldn't be perceptive enough to notice anything unusual, there was one person who was highly perceptive and could detect something. This person was the one Lin Yao and Li Xuan called Shi Zhenglin's "lackey." After the meeting, Fang Siyu followed Shi Zhenglin into the office. He had been with him since graduation. Shi Zhenglin was impressed by his intelligence and integrity, his quick thinking, and his ability to keep up with him, so he taught him how to behave and work without reservation. His current approach and approach mirrored Shi Zhenglin's, like a second Shi Zhenglin. He had noticed Shi Zhenglin's recent changes in decision-making, and his thinking had changed. He sensed something was amiss with him. Sitting across from him, after reporting a few things, he tried to test his judgment while remaining cautious. How could Shi Zhenglin not see through his thoughts? He trusted him and could confidently answer his questions. Furthermore, as the secretary of the board of directors, he knew in advance that his changes would benefit Xingtan's operations. "What's the question? Ask it." Seeing that he hesitated to speak, Shi Zhenglin put away his phone, sat up straight, and looked at him. "Nothing's wrong, I just feel like the boss hasn't been acting right lately." The boy asked in a roundabout way, but Shi Zhenglin answered bluntly, "He's reacting normally. Something's happened on my end. For family reasons, I've tendered my resignation." Fang Siyu was stunned. "Mr. Shi, then..." He felt mixed emotions. He wanted to say that he'd come to Xingtan entirely to follow him, and if he quit, his job would be meaningless. But he also knew he couldn't say such things casually. If he, the secretary to the board, left at this moment, the chain reaction would cause serious problems for Xingtan. "Do your best. Take Xingtan public. You'll be an excellent secretary to the board of directors of a listed company. Before you leave, I'll talk to Yang Chengkai. You'll also serve as vice president of finance, and there will be some adjustments to your equity distribution. It should be a great opportunity for your career." He had already made appropriate arrangements for everyone who joined him...
Xingtan had a busy Tuesday, as the two bosses were back from business trips. Yang Chengkai came straight into the office from the airport this morning, while Shi Zhenglin arrived home around 2:00 AM last night and returned to work early in the morning.
In the past, Yang Chengkai had avoided these IPO-related meetings; Shi Zhenglin would simply consult with him directly on any issues. However, since Shi Zhenglin's resignation, Yang Chengkai has attended personally. To avoid any suspicion, he explained that during this critical period before the IPO, he needed to monitor everyone's progress and that he would attend more meetings when he had time.
Shi Zhenglin was still in charge and decision-making was still up to him. He would just sit in and at most consolidate Shi Zhenglin's decision.
It was normal for the boss to intervene personally at this time, and his statement was also normal. Shi Zhenglin and he cooperated very well in the meeting. Most people did not have the sensitivity to feel anything unusual, but there was one person who was highly sensitive and could perceive something.
This person is the one who was called Shi Zhenglin's "lackey" by Lin Yao and Li Xuan.
After the meeting, Fang Siyu followed Shi Zhenglin into the office.
He followed him after graduation. Shi Zhenglin was impressed by his intelligence and integrity, his quick thinking, and his ability to keep up with him, teaching him how to behave and work without reservation. His current personality and approach to life mirror Shi Zhenglin's, making him seem like a second Shi Zhenglin.
He had seen all of Shi Zhenglin's recent changes in decision-making, and his thinking was different from before. He sensed something was amiss with him.
Sitting opposite him and reporting a few things, he wanted to test the waters but also to be careful about what he did.
How could Shi Zhenglin not see what he was thinking?
He trusted him and could answer his questions without any worries. Moreover, as the secretary of the board of directors, he knew in advance that his changes would be beneficial to Xingtan's operations.
"What's the problem? Ask it." Seeing that he was hesitant to speak, Shi Zhenglin put away his phone, sat up straight and looked at him.
"Nothing's wrong, I just feel like the boss hasn't been normal lately."
The boy asked in a roundabout way, and Shi Zhenglin answered directly, "He was reacting normally. Something had changed on my side. For family reasons, I resigned."
Fang Siyu was stunned, "Mr. Shi, then I..."
He felt complicated. He wanted to say that he had followed him to Xingtan completely, and if he quit, it would be meaningless for him to work there. But he also knew that he couldn't say such things casually. If he, the secretary of the board, left at this time, it would cause a chain reaction and Xingtan would really be in big trouble.
"Do your best. Take Xingtan public. You'll be an outstanding secretary to the board of directors of a listed company. Before you leave, I'll talk to Yang Chengkai. You'll also serve as the vice president of finance, and there will be some adjustments to your equity distribution. This should be a great opportunity for your career."
He had already made proper arrangements for everyone who came to him, and would help anyone he could.
Fang Siyu stared at the boss in front of him who was making things look easy. He had been promoted to a higher position by him at a young age, and working with him was a pursuit and an achievement for him. At this moment, what filled his mind was not the joy of fame and fortune, but loss and regret.
"Is it necessary?" he wondered.
"I'll be away from work for a while to attend to some personal matters. You don't have to worry about your stability. Just assist Boss Yang. You understand all the details of this company, so there's no problem with its long-term development."
"I've put so much effort into Xingtan, and now it's almost accomplished. It's such a pity that you're not here."
Others may not know, but Fang Siyu knows all the details of what he did.
"We still have some way to go in terms of achievement. It's up to you to smoothly navigate the listing inquiry period. This matter is sensitive, and you're well aware of it. I'll also need you to make some preparations for my departure in advance to ensure continuity of the company's affairs during the transition. Thank you for your hard work."
Fang Siyu was speechless. The man in front of him, who was once so sharp, was now more amiable than ever before.
"There will be no problem with the successor. He will be a good person in all aspects. You will have better growth if you work with him."
He knew that Fang Siyu was concerned about the successor but was embarrassed to ask about it, so he took the initiative to bring it up.
There was a silence.
"Mr. Shi, are there any other options you can consider instead of leaving?"
Fang Si was trapped in loss and returned to this question.
He smiled faintly, "The decision made is final."
People in another office are also talking about this.
While out on business, Yang Chengkai met with two of his own replacements, and compared them to Shi Zhenglin, he was completely dissatisfied. Although he believed he could control Shi Zhenglin's departure, he had to resolve this issue, which had been lingering for a long time. He wanted to ask the headhunter how the search for Ping Mei was going, so he contacted Jiang Lingli.
After returning from Yunnan, Long Weihe did not tell Jiang Lingli the details. He simply said that Yunnan had already discussed it and the other party needed to consider it.
This was already great news for Jiang Lingli. Now, she exaggerated the situation in front of Yang Chengkai, saying, "They're really working on this. Pingmei is in Yunnan, and she's been working on it for you. She's been in Yunnan to find someone, and we've already spoken. Pingmei is interested and will consider coming to talk to you. We're currently awaiting her response. Boss, there's hope."
Ping Mei didn't refuse, and Yang Chengkai instantly became excited. "This headhunter can do something. Ask him to come over and meet me. I'll ask about the situation."
He thought about asking about the details of the conversation with Heping Mei and teaching the headhunter how to talk with Heping Mei next time.
"When?" Jiang Lingli asked.
"The sooner the better. Any time is fine."
It was already past four in the afternoon, and Jiang Lingli hurriedly called Long Weihe.
Long Weihe had originally planned to talk to Yang Chengkai about someone else if she couldn't reach an agreement with Ping Mei. When he took the initiative to contact her, she didn't intend to miss the opportunity. She came right away when he asked her to, and said she would arrive around 6:30. She also told Jiang Lingli that she had played basketball with Yang Chengkai before, so they knew each other.
Shi Zhenglin called her last night after returning home. He told her he had an appointment with Pingmei tonight and wanted to meet her for dinner tomorrow night. He asked if she could leave Duoduo with Aunt Xu, as they wanted to be alone. She told him to get busy and spend more time with Shi Shi since he had just returned, and that they could talk about dinner over the weekend.
Before leaving for Xingtan, she sent him a message saying that Boss Yang wanted to see her.
He saw the message only after he finished talking to Fang Siyu and called her.
"Coming?"
"Um."
"Why didn't you refuse?"
"ah?"
"It's okay, I'm here now. He's difficult to deal with, and I'm worried he'll put pressure on you or cause trouble. How are you going to talk?"
Earlier in Yunnan, she had told him she wanted to come back and see Yang Chengkai, but he had disapproved. The circumstances that day were special, and he didn't want to deny her idea directly. He had thought he'd discuss it with her after returning. Some things need to be handled with care, not haste. He hadn't expected Yang Chengkai to find her before she did.
"Depending on how he asks me, I'm going to mention it and find him other options."
“Not recommended.”
"What's wrong?"
"I told you, as long as Pingmei takes the initiative to find me, the chances of success are very high, so don't rush the backup options."
"But it's also very difficult for Pingmei to leave her job. She can't just leave whenever she wants. There's a lot of uncertainty. If you don't have a backup plan in advance, she'll hold you back for even longer."
"Believe me, you and Yang Chengkai, don't even think about looking for anyone else. Just talk to Pingmei. He's not the type to settle for second best."
She paused for a moment and said, "Okay."
"What time will you arrive?"
“Almost.”
"I have an appointment with Pingmei at 7:30. You're almost leaving when I arrive, why don't you come to my office first? I haven't seen you in a few days, and I wanted to see you before I leave."
"Don't cause trouble. There are so many acquaintances watching."
She knew so many people. At the end of the workday, Jiang Lingli met her at the front desk and walked her to her boss's office. There, she ran into two people she'd recommended before, and also ran into Li Xuan. Li Xuan exchanged a glance with her, then stared at her outfit for a long moment.
She places great importance on her client appearance and is adept at choosing the right outfit for the right person. She wears a black, wide-shouldered, deep-V, sleeveless dress in a linen and rayon blend, paired with a long, straight black skirt with ankle-length triangle pleats at the front. A mid-length, dark brown leather belt cinches the waist. Her slender figure exudes a quiet, elegant elegance, a formal yet distinct departure from the stuffy office attire that makes her very appealing.
As soon as he entered the office, Yang Chengkai recognized the person, and after Jiang Lingli introduced him, his enthusiasm instantly increased.
"So it's you, Xiaolong."
"Hello, Chairman!"
Jiang Lingli went out, and Yang Chengkai asked her to sit on the sofa in the negotiation area and made tea for her.
"Why didn't you tell me about the last game? I heard you found a lot of people for Xingtan."
"It's my honor to serve Xingtan. I'm afraid it will affect your mood for playing that day."
"I think you were looking for someone for Chen Yuantuo last time? How was the search going?"
He questioned her ability to serve Chen Yuantuo.
"His problem has been resolved. A hospital director has been found for him and he has already started working."
"Okay, okay." He poured her tea.
There was a knock on the door, and the two of them looked over there.
Yang Chengkai shouted, "Come in."
Shi Zhenglin pushed the door open, and when their eyes met, her face instantly felt hot.
He pretended not to see her, and stood at the door and said to Yang Chengkai, "Boss, I have an appointment tonight and I'm leaving first. I came to say hello. Call me if you need anything."
Yang Chengkai was confused by the sudden greeting, but then he realized they had met before and called him, "Mr. Shi, come here. It's just right. See if you recognize this person."
He came over and she stood up politely.
"You still recognize him, Xiaolong? He played ball with Chen Yuantuo last time." Yang Chengkai reminded him.
He looked at her intently, "My teammate, I know him."
"Hello, Mr. Shi." She greeted politely with a professional smile on her face.
Yang Chengkai still remembers that game as a very pleasant one. "I'll ask Chen Yuantuo to play another game sometime, maybe this Saturday."
It is difficult for Shi Zhenglin to respond, so let's see how she answers.
He said on the phone that he was afraid that she would get into trouble if she met Yang Chengkai, and he was afraid of getting into trouble in this regard.
She pretended to be happy and replied with a smile, "Okay."
That was all she could do.
"I won't disturb you guys chatting. I have something to do, so I'll leave first." He looked at her again and left.
We were in a hurry to leave, as we had an appointment with Pingmei at the White Swan Hotel, which was quite a distance away.
About half an hour after they set off, he texted her asking if things were over. She said Yang Chengkai had invited her to dinner that evening and they wanted to chat. He glanced out the window, his thumb pressing against his pursed lips, feeling worried. She didn't seem to be very good at saying no, and she was in trouble again.
Before getting off the bus, he sent another message, asking if they could meet after dinner that evening. He'd booked a place and was determined to see her tonight. She said her money was still with Lin Yao, and she had to go home to be with the kids. He also had to wait until Shi Shi fell asleep before leaving. At that moment, they both realized how difficult it was to be alone together; they couldn't just see each other whenever they wanted.
Arriving at the White Swan Hotel, he went directly to Yutang Chunnuan, which had the familiar Lingnan garden style, and he hadn't been there for a long time.
He gave Pingmei three places to choose from, and Pingmei chose this one.
During his junior high school years, he often followed Pingmei and his brother around during the winter and summer holidays. Pingmei loved this restaurant the most, serving traditional Cantonese cuisine, and she often brought him there.
Ping Mei came as soon as he entered the room.
The last time we met was at the end of last year when he had just returned to Guangzhou. We met once and chatted for a few minutes.
The call of "Sister Pingmei" was still as friendly as before, but she was no longer the same person she used to be. The first time he met her, he was twelve and she was twenty-five or twenty-six, a bright and lively young lady. Once she entered his house, his brother pulled her into his room. The two of them had probably had enough of each other, so they came out to supervise his studies. His parents were busy with work, so it was common for them to take him out to play.
His brother had betrayed her and gone abroad without returning. He had despised his brother at that time, and he was the only one in the family who spoke up for Pingmei. Pingmei should have known this.
"It's still very prosperous here." Ping Mei said as she sat down.
Seeing that she was wearing thin sleeveless clothes and coughing slightly, and was afraid of the cold, he adjusted the air conditioner and asked the waiter to get her a shawl.
When ordering, Pingmei pushed the food to him, "You do it."
The waiter asked him, "Would you like the Michelin set menu for two?"
"A la carte." He took the menu and looked at it.
"Two eight-treasure winter melon soups, braised pork wings appetizer, barbecued pork, crispy pomelo peel with nuts, white-cut sunflower chicken, and then baked squab with lemongrass. For dessert, egg white almond tea and melt-in-your-skin egg tarts..."
"Enough, enough. You still remember what a waste it is." Ping Mei smiled.
Some of the dishes had already been innovated, and they were all the things he remembered she often ordered.
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