Chapter 38: Unexpected Circumstances

When Sun Zhaoxing arrived at the company to see Yang Changfeng, Yang was in the main conference room meeting with several dozen members of the security department.

“Brothers, my surname is Yang. Minister Wang says I’m arrogant, and the security department used to be under someone surnamed Wang, but it just so happens I’m surnamed Yang.” Yang Changfeng spoke without using a microphone, standing on the dais with his hands behind his back, not dressed in a security uniform. He recited his words like a doggerel and then got to the point. “The reason for today’s meeting is simple—we’re just here to meet one another.”

But what kind of meet-and-greet is this?

A security guard has been beaten nearly to death and left outside in the sun, with no one even bothering to check on him. This is sheer authoritarianism; no one will submit to such force.

“I don’t expect anyone to submit. Once you spend two days with me, you’ll see I’m a simple man. In life and work, it’s straightforward: either do as I say, or get out. That’s all.” Yang Changfeng waved his hand. “Alright, that’s all for today. Minister Wang, anything you’d like to add?”

Wang Hu lounged in his chair at the back table. At these words, he replied coldly, “What could I possibly say? But let me correct something: the security department belongs neither to Wang nor to Yang. It’s an indispensable part of the company.”

“Oh really?” Yang Changfeng said coolly. “I don’t believe that. If we lose this whole group, we’ll just get another. In fact, with so many veterans recently discharged, I’ll be meeting with the Armed Forces Department tonight. I’m sure we can place an entire company of veterans here, and at the very least, the company will earn a plaque for supporting the military.”

This was an open threat to tear everything down to the roots and rebuild the force from scratch.

Wang Hu, stunned and furious, spat out, “I disagree!” and stormed off to complain to Chen Aijia.

The rest of the men looked at each other in confusion. They were fence-sitters themselves; loyalty to Wang Hu was a joke—they were just here to make a living.

“Remember this face. For those who don’t listen, I might try to change your mindset. But for those who can’t understand at all, I have no other skills—except these fists, which never show mercy. I hope you all understand. Also, whoever carried that man to the gym, go stand there yourselves right now. Don’t make me do it myself. That’s all—meeting adjourned.” Yang Changfeng switched off the microphone, hands clasped behind him, humming an opera tune as he strolled out of the conference room, before returning to the study room to peruse regulations.

When Wang Hu arrived, Sun Zhaoxing had just entered. Seeing each other, Sun called out, “Old classmate, you sure are impressive! No mercy at all in punishing your subordinates. That kid looks half dead, almost dried out in the sun.”

Chen Aijia quickly asked Anya to make coffee and complained, “Young Master Sun, why didn’t you call ahead so I could meet you downstairs? That guy outside was punished by Yang Changfeng for a mistake—he’s straightening out the security department.”

What? Security? The security department?

That kid, so brazen, is actually just a security guard?

“Just promoted to deputy captain,” Chen Aijia said, unwilling to discuss internal company matters with Sun Zhaoxing. She also didn’t want these privileged children, who seemed unaware of the hardships of business, to think the guard was being abused, so she changed the subject: “By the way, Young Master Sun, are you really in such a rush to send him to that underground racing event?”

Wang Hu burst in, shouting angrily, “President Chen, I can’t work like this—oh, we have a guest.”

Sun Zhaoxing glanced at Wang Hu and sneered, “Well, old classmate, your subordinates clearly don’t respect you. No wonder that kid took action. You might as well let these people go. If you can’t get the job done, then leave.”

Wang Hu snapped back, “Who are you? What gives you the right to meddle in our company’s affairs?!”

Chen Aijia shook her head mildly. “You’d better not know who he is. Since you say you can’t do your job, you can resign. I’ll approve it. No need to attend the general manager’s meeting—no need to bother everyone over such a small matter.”

Wang Hu, feeling wronged, embellished the story of Yang Changfeng’s forcibly convening the security department meeting and announcing his plan to recruit a new team. He ended with a warning: “President Chen, at this rate, the company might as well cease to operate. Putting someone clueless in charge at the middle-management level—few will accept it. Of course, my saying I can’t work is just out of frustration. I’m deeply attached to the company. No matter how it treats me, I’ll endure humiliation and hardship, and never betray the chairman’s trust, always working diligently.”

Chen Aijia frowned slightly. This man was outrageous—how could he already be plotting to replace the team after just becoming deputy captain? Did he not fear causing an uproar?

Noticing her displeasure and that she didn’t immediately support Yang’s plan, Wang Hu was delighted. He seized the chance: “President Chen, am I just making trouble? Look at what Yang’s doing—how are people supposed to live? Dozens will lose their jobs. That’s a disaster. These are hot-blooded young men with bad tempers—if they seek revenge, no one will be spared.”

But Chen Aijia was no longer so easily angered. She could hear the threat in Wang Hu’s words—he was using the security department’s numbers to intimidate her, implying that if she dared to replace them, they’d keep causing trouble for the company.

“That’s all the more reason to hire new people. Anyone who, after being dismissed for personal reasons, seeks revenge on the company, isn’t worth keeping.” What Wang Hu didn’t expect was that Chen Aijia now had confidence. She knew she had money, and Yang Changfeng had strength—together, they would soon purge Wang Hu’s influence from the company.

With a cool, decisive smile, Chen Aijia said, “Go back and tell the security staff that the company’s benefits are among the best for this type of work in Jiangzhou. If even that can’t keep people, then the problem is with the people themselves.”

Wang Hu was left speechless.

Was she really unafraid of dozens of men causing trouble?

Of course—she had connections at the provincial department.

Wang Hu knew all too well what kind of people staffed the security department—a bunch of cowards who only bullied the weak and would never dare challenge a company of such influence.

Chen Aijia’s firmness was precisely why none of them would dare act out.

He had to act—now!

Wang Hu’s eyes flashed with menace. Meanwhile, Sun Zhaoxing, legs crossed as he waited for coffee, laughed, “Hey, this guy wants to kill you. Now that he’s in charge, you’d better watch out. Want a bodyguard? I can introduce you to a few—women, all top professionals straight from the imperial guard!”

Who on earth was this guy? His tone was even loftier than Yang Changfeng’s.

Wang Hu shuddered inwardly. He seemed to glimpse his own impending fate.