Undercurrent
Changqing Chemical's headquarters building, like a quenched steel blade, pierced the blue sky of the city's new district. Lin Xiaoning stood in the elevator, watching the numbers tick by, beads of sweat forming on her palms. Even on her third day in the CEO's office, she felt like a foreign object intruding into a delicate instrument, taking every step with caution.
"Ding—" As the elevator door opened, Sister Wang's penetrating voice blasted over: "Hey, isn't that Xiaolin? Are you used to being in the CEO's office? This floor has great feng shui, but the air conditioning is like an ice cellar. Remember to bring a jacket!"
Sister Wang came rushing over, clutching a thermos emblazoned with "Advanced Worker." The delicate aroma of goji berries and chrysanthemums wafted from the cup. She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Did the chairman give you any trouble? He loves ordering newcomers around. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me! The administration department is just downstairs; I know everything." She winked. "If Su Qing gives you the cold shoulder, don't put up with it. She's just a paper tiger..."
"Sister Wang, are you here teaching us the art of survival again?" Su Qing appeared at the end of the corridor, arms folded, and sneered. She was wearing a well-tailored champagne-colored suit, and the platinum bracelet on her wrist gleamed with a cold light. "Is the administration department so idle now? You still have time to come visit us?"
"Look at what you're saying! I'm just showing concern for the newcomer!" Sister Wang wasn't intimidated at all, and instead raised her voice an octave. "Xiao Lin was chosen from school by the chairman and me, so we can't let anyone bully him! Besides, the chairman told me to take good care of the newcomer, and I'm just following his instructions!"
Lin Xiaoning stood there awkwardly, feeling like the rope in a tug-of-war. Just then, the door to the chairman's office opened.
Xu Wu glanced down the hallway, his gaze finally landing on Lin Xiaoning. "Are you all free?" His voice was low, but it instantly made the air freeze. "Xiao Lin, take this document to Mr. Zhao in the Finance Department. Also, bring back last quarter's tax analysis."
Sister Wang immediately put on a smile and said, "Chairman, you're busy. I'll get back to work." Before leaving, she gave Lin Xiaoning a "come on" look and mouthed silently, "Be careful of Zhao Qing!"
Lin Xiaoning took the document, her fingertips feeling the thickness of the paper. It was a request for a new R&D budget for the "Green Energy Series" product. The sheer amount of 250 million yuan was a shocking sum. On the way to the Finance Department, she quickly scanned the contents, gasping at the astronomical figures.
In the elevator, she ran into Ye Yidong, a fellow legal professional who had joined the company with her. He looked particularly sharp in a neatly ironed light blue shirt.
"Delivering documents?" Ye Yidong looked at the folder in her hand. "I heard from my colleagues that Sister Wang from the Administration Department and Secretary Su had another argument this morning?"
Lin Xiaoning smiled bitterly: "It's like watching a palace drama. But Sister Wang is kind-hearted."
Ye Yidong chuckled. "You'll get used to it. I heard Sister Wang is a company veteran, in charge of the administration department, and loves to stand up for the weak. Su Qing is the chairman's secretary, but everyone keeps their mouths shut when they talk about her." He paused. "As a newcomer, I'd better watch and learn more."
The CFO's office was at the end of the corridor. Its crimson wooden door was tightly closed, and a sign reading "Secret Financial Area, No Trespassing" stood out prominently. Lin Xiaoning knocked three times, and a cold "Come in" came from inside.
Zhao Qing's office was surprisingly large, with a full-length floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the bustling city skyline. She stared at her computer screen, her gold-rimmed glasses sliding down to the tip of her nose, her fingers clacking rapidly on her calculator. Lin Xiaoning stood at her desk, waiting for a full two minutes before Zhao Qing looked up.
"Did the chairman send you here?" Zhao Qing took the document, his eyes sharp as a knife. "A new assistant?"
"Yes, Mr. Zhao. The chairman needs last quarter's tax analysis report."
Zhao Qing slowly flipped through the budget application and suddenly sneered, "'Green energy' again? They just cut two projects at the beginning of the year, and now they're back. Do you really think the money just blows in?" She raised her eyelids and glanced at Lin Xiaoning. "I heard you're a chemistry major? Then you should know that the cost-benefit ratio is completely mismatched."
Lin Xiaoning didn't know how to respond, so he just stood there in silence.
Zhao Qing picked up a red pen and made a few marks on the document. "Tell the chairman this budget needs to be discussed at the meeting. Those people in the R&D department just spend money and make PowerPoint presentations to fool the bosses. What have they produced?" She suddenly remembered something. "Oh, and bring last month's accounts receivable details too. Let the chairman see how much pressure we're under to collect payments."
Back in the office, Lin Xiaoning faithfully relayed Zhao Qing's words. Xu Wu's face darkened for a moment, but soon returned to normal.
"Got it." His fingers tapped unconsciously on the table. "Find Mr. Wu's production report from last month and compare it with the R&D department's data." His eyes were meaningful. "Report directly to me."
Lin Xiaoning realized that this might be Xu Wu's first test of her.
For the next few days, Lin Xiaoning felt like she was drowning in a sea of data. Production reports, R&D figures, sales figures... all sorts of reports piled up on her desk. She quickly discovered several discrepancies: the raw material inventory surplus and shortage ratio was slightly higher than usual, and the polyvinyl chloride conversion rate fluctuated significantly, but these were all within a reasonable range of error.
At lunch, Sister Wang came over with her tray and gossiped, "I heard you were checking the data? Be careful, Zhao Qing is not someone you can easily mess with. Last time, a young internal auditor kept nitpicking about a minor issue in her department, and the next month she was transferred to the cement factory." She lowered her voice, "The finance department is her independent kingdom, impenetrable."
Ye Yidong frowned: "Sister Wang, don't scare her."
"I'm doing this for her own good!" Sister Wang stuffed a piece of braised pork into her mouth. "The company may appear prosperous on the surface, but there are actually undercurrents. The 'Green Energy Series' is the chairman's favorite, but Zhao Qing constantly contradicts him. And Mr. Wu, on the other hand, spends all day in the workshop, never offending anyone." She suddenly spoke mysteriously, "I heard that Zhao Qing and the chairman had a rather unpleasant conversation in the office yesterday about purchasing new equipment."
That afternoon, while checking data, Lin Xiaoning noticed something strange: "The consumption of the key catalyst (□□) was 0.8% higher than the theoretical value. However, this difference was spread across the batches and would be invisible without careful observation." She noted this observation.
In the evening, Lin Xiaoning was alone in her office, the city lights outside her window beginning to come on. She checked her email to Professor Zhao Xianqi again—still no reply. This was her third email; the first two, seeking practical advice, had gone unanswered.
She couldn't help but think back to her university days, those days analyzing data in the lab, where her professors patiently answered every question. Back then, they argued heatedly over theories and ran through countless experiments to find a single statistic. Especially those days of discussing justice, ideals, and cases replayed in her mind daily. And now...
"Still working overtime?" Ye Yido's voice came from the door, interrupting her thoughts.
He came over with a cup of hot coffee and placed it on her desk. "Your light is still on. What's wrong? Are you having a problem?"
Lin Xiaoning gave a wry smile. "I was just thinking about something. Do you think that if data is falsified within a company, like the data discrepancy issue I'm facing now, could it involve criminal law?"
Ye Yidong leaned against the table, thoughtfully saying, "I haven't really thought about it. After all, it's internal data. But..." He paused, "Do you ever feel that the theory in school and the practice in the enterprise are sometimes like two different worlds?"
Lin Xiaoning nodded. "Yes. On campus, we discuss ideals of justice and truth. But here..." She pointed to the reports on the table. "Everyone is vying for profit. Data can become a weapon, and reports can become a battlefield."
"But don't forget," Ye Yidong said softly, "it's those ideals that make us unique. Remember our sophomore year, when we pulled countless sleepless nights working on those 10 papers?"
A smile played on Lin Xiaoning's lips. "How could I forget? When you were researching until your eyes were red and swollen, I joked that you looked like you'd been punched."
"And you, you almost blew up the lab during your junior year." Ye Yidonggang replied. The two smiled at each other, and the time they spent working together seemed like it was just yesterday.
The laughter died down, and Ye Yidong said seriously, "In fact, ideals grow in the soil of reality. Some roads must be walked by ourselves, and some answers must be found by ourselves. Perhaps the answers we find through practice are our own."
Lin Xiaoning pondered, "Just like when we researched the case ourselves instead of just giving the answer?"
"That's right." Ye Yidong nodded. "Also, I think the data discrepancies you've discovered may be more complex than we imagined. I've also been checking some contracts and financial transactions recently, and I've discovered something... amiss."
Lin Xiaoning looked up alertly: "What did you find?"
Ye Yidong lowered his voice. "It's hard to say right now, but I've noticed some anomalies in the flow of R&D funds. I'll tell you when I have more concrete evidence." He checked his watch. "It's getting late. I'll take you home."
At Friday's monthly management meeting, Lin Xiaoning's report caused a minor stir. Department heads sat at attention, while Xu Wu sat at the head table, twirling a Montblanc fountain pen between his fingers.
"According to data analysis, the coke loss rate is 1.9% higher than the standard value, the limestone consumption rate is 2.6% higher than the standard value, the hydrogen chloride consumption rate is 1.1% higher than the standard value, the electricity consumption is 0.5% higher, and the water consumption... The overall cost consumption rate has increased by 2.3% compared to last year. The polyvinyl chloride output rate is 0.7% lower, and the cement yield rate is 1.7% lower." Lin Xiaoning tried to keep his tone calm. "I suggest that the Production Department and R&D Department re-check the statistical caliber."
Zhao Qing was the first to speak. "Isn't a 2.3% fluctuation within a reasonable range? Newcomers might not understand the characteristics of chemical production, so some fluctuations in data are normal." She pushed her glasses. "Besides, the quality of raw materials isn't as stable as it used to be."
The R&D director immediately retorted, "But if this trend continues for three consecutive months, it's worth noting. I suspect the production process parameters need to be optimized."
Wu Jiaming pushed his glasses up and said calmly, "It might be due to aging equipment. This year's budget is tight, and some equipment hasn't been updated in time." He turned to Xu Wu and said, "I suggest setting up a technical team to specifically research this issue."
Xu Wu tapped his fingers on the table. "Alright, no need to make a big deal out of a minor issue. Xiaolin's observations are very detailed. I'll continue to monitor the data in this area." He then changed the subject. "The most urgent task is to launch the 'Green Energy Series' as soon as possible. The market waits for no one."
After the meeting, Sister Wang stopped Lin Xiaoning in the tea room and said, "Not bad, little girl! You're so bold on your first meeting! But be careful, Zhao Qing looked at you with a bad look just now." She handed Lin Xiaoning a cup of coffee and said, "I heard you were going to meet a client with the chairman? Su Qing was so angry that she didn't even eat lunch."
Before leaving get off work, Xu Wu suddenly announced, "Xiaolin, come with me to meet a client next Monday about the marketing of the 'Green Energy Series'."
The news spread quickly throughout the CEO's office. Su Qing's face turned grim—this was her job. She deliberately shouted to another clerk, "Some people are just good at currying favor. They've only been here a few days and they're already trying to get ahead."
After hearing this, Sister Wang immediately sent a WeChat message to Lin Xiaoning: "Be careful! Su Qing is definitely going to trip you up! Remember to check all the materials in advance, don't let her trick you! Oh, and the client is a famous German chemical company, be prepared and don't miss out!"
Lin Xiaoning worked overtime over the weekend to prepare materials for Monday. Sure enough, she discovered that several pages of key data were missing from the materials Su Qing had given her. She calmly reorganized and printed them, working late into the night.
On Monday morning, she arrived early to review all the documents. Ye Yidong unexpectedly appeared in the office and said, "I heard you're meeting a key client. He's a bit difficult to deal with and likes to get down to business. You should listen more and talk less."
Lin Xiaoning felt warm in her heart: "Thank you, I will pay attention to it."
The client meeting went surprisingly smoothly. Lin Xiaoning's fluent foreign language skills, professional expertise, and meticulous compliance management impressed the client. Although he hadn't conceded any terms of cooperation, Xu Wu's presentation of the government's energy conservation and emission reduction plan and strategic investment intentions alleviated the client's concerns about the future. Lin Xiaoning's detailed data and fluent responses clearly impressed Xu Wu.
On the way back to the company, Xu Wu suddenly asked, "What do you think is the company's biggest problem right now?"
Lin Xiaoning replied cautiously, "Perhaps... collaboration between departments could be smoother. For example, there seems to be a lack of effective communication between the Finance Department and the R&D Department."
Xu Wu smiled. "You're quite articulate. But I know the company's biggest problem right now is that everyone is too clever, and they all have their own agenda." He looked out the window at the traffic. "The road to going public is not easy..."
The next day, Lin Xiaoning found a pot of lush green pothos on his desk, with a card attached: "Anti-radiation, protect your eyes. - Sister Wang"
Ye Yidong smiled and told her, "Sister Wang loves to take care of newcomers. I heard she was also a greenhorn when she was young and was almost ostracized. Later, she met a benefactor—I think it was the wife of the previous factory director—and was able to gain a foothold. So now she is especially protective of newcomers."
During lunch break, Sister Wang strolled over. "How's it going? Do you like the gift I gave you? This pothos is easy to grow. Just water it and it'll keep alive. Just like you." She suddenly lowered her voice. "I heard Zhao Qing went to see the chairman yesterday. It seemed like they were talking about fund allocation. They had a pretty heated argument. The people in the finance department said Zhao Qing slammed the door and left."
At the end of his shift, Lin Xiaoning received a text message from an unfamiliar number: "Data isn't just data; it's a game of power. Be careful not to become a pawn."
She was startled and called back but the number was unavailable.
Standing in front of the French window, I looked at the bustling crowd of people leaving work downstairs. Everyone was in a hurry, with a tired but satisfied expression on their face - this is the typical appearance of employees of a company on the rise.
But she knows that beneath this prosperous scene, undercurrents are surging. Zhao Qing and Xu Wu's ideological differences, Wu Jiaming's reclusive nature, Sister Wang's outspokenness, Su Qing's open and covert strife...all of this is like the tip of the iceberg, with many more secrets hidden beneath.
My phone vibrated. It was a message from Ye Yidong: "It's going to rain heavily tomorrow, remember to bring an umbrella. Also, I might have found some clues about that data discrepancy in the R&D department. Can we talk tomorrow?"
Lin Xiaoning replied with a single "OK," and cast his gaze out the window again. The city lights were just beginning to come on, and the glass curtain walls reflected the setting sun, much like the polished exterior of the Evergreen Chemical headquarters building—bright and dazzling, yet unable to see through to its inner workings.
She had unknowingly been drawn into the center of the vortex. She knew that the discrepancies she had discovered were only the beginning, and that the "clues" Ye Yidong mentioned might reveal even deeper secrets.
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