The weather was gradually getting hotter. This year’s summer in S City seemed to come unusually early. By the end of April, the weather was getting hotter and hotter. People on the streets were wearing summer clothes. Girls were wearing cool dresses, linking arms with their companions, leaving behind a trail of laughter and joy as they walked.
In the early morning, the “Linshe” office building was particularly quiet. People coming and going slowed down their pace and dared not speak loudly. Today, the entire office building was filled with a heavy atmosphere. Those who were well-informed might have already received the news. After brewing for a long time, today was the time for the storm to finally come.
Assistant Xu Lei dealt with the company’s affairs as usual. When he returned to the top floor office, he was stopped by someone: “Assistant Xu, Vice President Li wants to see you.”
“Please lead the way.” A dark light flashed in Assistant Xu’s eyes hidden behind the glasses, but he quickly lowered his eyes, and no one noticed.
They happened to be in a corridor outside a certain office in the office area. The office area and the corridor were separated by glass, and everything happening outside could be clearly seen from inside. The two figures disappeared from the sight of the employees in the office. Those who were working quietly exchanged glances with the colleagues they were close to. Noise was allowed during office hours, but the employees had their own ways of communicating. They opened the small chat windows one by one and started to speak.
–Do you think our president is really sick and dying? Those people have been getting more and more active recently.
–Yes. With so much turnover in the company recently, I guess there’s going to be a big move from the top.
–It’s been so long, why hasn’t our president shown up yet?”
–Didn’t they say he’s very sick?
–That’s not necessarily the case. I think our president is holding back a big move.
–Do you think this is a TV drama? Holding back a big move? The company is almost becoming his one-man show. I think there’s really going to be a change of power.
–Exactly, did you guys not see what just happened? That was Assistant Su, who used to listen to only President Li. Now, as soon as Vice President Li calls, he obediently goes up.
…
The discussion in the group was lively, but these words would never be spoken in reality. Upper-level changes were something they as small employees couldn’t participate in or influence. If they said something they shouldn’t, they might bring trouble upon themselves.
Assistant Xu followed the person who came to call him to the thirty-second floor, where Li Song’s office was located. Now, the whole floor was quiet.
The leather shoes stepped on the shiny floor, making a “clack, clack, clack” sound. Knowing the current situation, the person walking in front tried to keep his attitude steady as much as possible, but he couldn’t help feeling disdainful. Soon, he wouldn’t need to care about this person’s attitude anymore.
They obviously entered the company at the same time, but because he had gained Li Shu’s favor earlier, he was promoted faster. Although he had also gradually climbed to the top, he was one level lower and always had to bow his head to this person. He didn’t think he was worse than this person in his work. Wasn’t it just because this person followed the head of the Li family?
Why?
But now, it was different. Before long, this person would fall from a high place, never to have a chance to rise again. It was said that Li Shu was both the cause of success and the cause of failure. I wonder what he would think when he knew about these things.
Even if he regretted it, it would be useless. When that time comes, he would take good care of him and never give him a chance to regret it.
He knocked on the office door gently and listened for a response from inside before pushing the door open. “President Li, Assistant Xu is here.”
During this period, Li Song had already regarded “Linshe” as his own possession. Privately, people in his faction would directly call him “President Li,” and the word “vice” had long been deliberately forgotten.
“Assistant Xu is really hard to invite. Please, have a seat.” The office chair turned, and the man also turned around. He was a middle-aged man with a steady demeanor, with a face that was somewhat similar to Li Shu’s, gentle and elegant. If judged solely by appearance, he didn’t look like a businessman at all.
But this person was indeed a businessman, and a ruthless one at that. He was a businessman who could abandon his conscience for profit.
Assistant Xu didn’t bother with pleasantries and sat down on the sofa next to him, asking, “I wonder what Vice President Li wants to see me for?”
As soon as the words “Vice President Li” were spoken, Li Song’s expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, not showing too much abnormality. “Assistant Xu, what are you saying? We’re both people of the company. I’m just asking you about company matters. Is that too much?”
“Of course, I will tell you everything that Vice President Li wants to know.” Assistant Xu’s attitude was impeccable, but he kept calling him “Vice President Li”, which made Li Song feel very uncomfortable.
Li Song had a purpose in looking for Assistant Xu this time, so he naturally wouldn’t embarrass him just because of a title. “Actually, the reason I’m looking for Assistant Xu this time is not because of the company’s business, but because I have a personal matter that I want to discuss with him. I wonder if he’s willing?”
“Well, if it’s not about business, then I’ll leave first. Private matters shouldn’t be discussed during work hours.” Assistant Xu’s refusal was straightforward, not giving Li Song any face.
The man who brought Xu Assistant over stood aside, feeling very uncomfortable hearing this. He thought he could easily push Assistant Xu into the dust, but now it seems…
“Wait a moment, Assistant Xu. We’ve all seen the hard work you’ve put in to get to where you are today. I feel that the position of mere assistant doesn’t do justice to your contributions to the company. What do you think about the position of vice president?”
“What Vice President Li means is….” Assistant Xu stopped at the right time.
Li Song thought he was tempted and a smug smile appeared on his face, “Of course, I will help Assistant Xu rise to the position of vice president. What do you think?”
‘Li Shu, you never thought that the person who has always been loyal to you, will one day abandon you for profit. I wonder what you will think when you know about these things.’
‘It turned out to be the position of vice president.’ The man clenched his teeth. Why? He had done so much, only to be promised the position of branch manager, while this person, who hadn’t done anything, was directly promoted to vice president of the headquarters!!!
But at this moment, no matter how unwilling the man was, he couldn’t show anything. He couldn’t even show his true emotions. If Li Song saw it, the position he had worked so hard to achieve would be given up without a fight.
After many years, he once again felt such strong unwillingness.
Li Song was feeling proud, thinking that Xu Assistant couldn’t resist the temptation. Well, that was the position of vice president of the head office. With Assistant Xu’s current age, even if he worked hard for another ten years, he wouldn’t be able to get this position. Now that such a big piece of pie had fallen on his head, any smart person would know how to choose.
But Assistant Xu’s answer was bound to disappoint him. He saw Assistant Xu slowly stand up, pat the wrinkles off his clothes, and calmly say, “I appreciate Vice President Li’s kindness. However, it seems that Vice President Li alone cannot decide the appointment and removal of such a position. Personally, I think my current position is fine. The salary is high, and there are fewer worries. The position of vice president promised by Vice President Li should be left to someone who really needs it. Assistant Wen seems to be a good choice.”
Assistant Xu glanced to the side and as expected, he saw the look of surprise on the man’s face. “Well, I’ll take my leave then.”
After straightening his clothes, Assistant Xu strode away, as if he hadn’t heard the sound of someone angrily smashing a cup behind him.
Li Shu was eating the strawberry mousse made by Li Heyuan, when he received a message from Assistant Xu. He took the last bite of mousse and replied with one hand: [You can start closing the net now.]
This net had been spread out for too long, so long that the fish in the net had become accustomed to it, relaxed their vigilance, and made bold moves. They had given them enough time to enjoy themselves. Now, it was time to close the net.
It seemed that many big and small fish had found a home in the net. This time, the harvest would certainly be huge.
“Sir, is it delicious?” The boy took off his apron and walked over. When he saw the bare plate, his smile deepened.
“It’s delicious. Xiao Yuan’s cooking skills are good enough to become a chef. It’s really a waste to only cook for me.” Li Shu made a little joke out of habit.
However, what he said wasn’t just to please the boy. The male protagonist of this world seemed to have ignited his cooking skills and easily conquered Li Shu’s stomach with his culinary skills. During this period, the new medicine began to take effect. Under Li Heyuan’s feeding, Li Shu gained several pounds and had some meat on his body. He was finally not as skinny as before.
“I only want to cook for you, sir.” Li Heyuan squatted in front of the sofa and covered the person on the sofa with a blanket. This was his innermost thought. He learned cooking just to cook for Li Shu. He wasn’t interested in cooking itself, but the thought of Li Shu eating what he cooked made him very satisfied.
So, he not only learned simple dishes, but also some snacks that Li Shu liked, and they turned out to be very much to Li Shu’s taste.
This undoubtedly gave Li Heyuan great encouragement. Nothing made him happier than knowing that the person he wanted to feed enjoyed the food he made.
“That’s not right,” Li Shu reached out and touched the boy’s head, rubbing his soft and fluffy hair, “In the future, you will meet someone you want to cook for.”
“No,” Li Heyuan rested his head on Li Shu’s leg, “There won’t be such a person. I will only cook for you, sir.”
“Okay, only cook for me.” Having raised him for so long, Li Shu knew how stubborn Li Hetuan could be at certain times. He wouldn’t argue with him at such times; it was just a waste of effort. If this child was determined to believe in a certain principle, he couldn’t be reasoned with. When he meets that person in the future, he would naturally understand what he said today.
He changed the subject: “How are your recent studies with the teacher?”
Li Shu was not asking about his academics, but about the new course Li Heyuan had added after the New Year, which was related to business. Li Heyuan was indeed the son of destiny in this world, and his sensitivity to business was outrageous. This impressed the teacher who taught him so much, and he had sighed in front of Li Shu more than once.
The teacher was hired by Li Shu from a well-known foreign university at a high salary. Originally, one class per week was scheduled, but after teaching Li Heyuan a few times, he was very satisfied with him and often took the initiative to give him extra classes.
“The teacher said we can start practical classes.” Li Heyuan replied softly.
“Practical classes, huh? Did your teacher tell you what kind of practical classes they are?” Li Shu rubbed his chin, “Let’s do this. I’ll tell your teacher that future practical classes will be conducted at ‘Linshe’.
Li Heyuan was stunned.
