If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 49
Chapter 49: The Eighteenth Day
In the meeting room, the atmosphere seemed amicable. Director Wu, the executive director of Mingtai, said with a friendly smile, “I’m glad you understand, CEO Cheng. Give us a week, and we’ll have this sorted out.”
“A week is too long,” Cheng Liu said, shifting in her seat, her elbow resting on the armrest, a faint smile playing on her lips. “How about this, Director Wu? You could release a notice informing your customers that there’s a serious flaw in the system. I’m sure they’ll switch back immediately.”
Director Wu’s smile faltered, then he said apologetically, “That wouldn’t be easy to do. It would create a negative impression among our customers. Besides, those who have used the new system haven’t reported any problems. Releasing such a notice would likely have adverse effects on Mingtai’s image.”
“Is that so? Director Wu, the system developed by Shenyin Technology still has flaws. Even with your company’s unauthorized modifications, the technology is far from mature,” Cheng Liu said, sitting up straight, her expression serious. “If something were to happen, it would be devastating for our customers. I hope Mingtai prioritizes their safety. Our customers are our foundation.”
Director Wu maintained his smile, deflecting the issue: “I understand your dissatisfaction, CEO Cheng. Our company has been undergoing some internal restructuring, which has led to these oversights. But rest assured, we’ll handle this matter as quickly as possible.”
Before Cheng Liu could respond, he continued, “I’ve always wanted to continue our collaboration with Shenyin Technology, but some of our shareholders believe the annual R&D costs, combined with the high fees we would have to pay Shenyin once the technology is mature, are too high. If Shenyin were willing to lower its fees, I would definitely convince them to continue our partnership.”
Cheng Liu looked at Director Wu and suddenly smiled: “Mingtai’s calculations are quite clever.”
“CEO Cheng, what do you mean?” Director Wu asked, feigning surprise. “I’m sincere about wanting to collaborate with Shenyin Technology.”
“You want to acquire the technology yourselves and lower the collaboration fees at the same time,” Cheng Liu said, brushing a speck of dust from her knee. “Is Mingtai sure it can handle both?”
Even after being exposed, Director Wu remained calm, leaning back in his chair, his legs spread out: “It was just a suggestion. Mingtai has acquired some technical expertise. Perhaps by investing the collaboration fees into our own R&D department, we could even surpass Shenyin Technology one day.”
Cheng Liu stood up: “Then Shenyin Technology eagerly awaits that day.”
She took two steps towards the door, then turned back: “For the safety of your customers, Mingtai should notify them to revert their systems tomorrow. Shenyin Technology will also be holding a press conference tomorrow evening to address this issue.”
Cheng Liu walked out of the meeting room, He Bai silently following behind her.
As soon as they left, Director Wu’s face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the table: “Who does she think she is?!”
Two people entered through a side door. One of the shareholders asked, “How did Cheng Liu find out about our new system? We’ve practically dismantled the department that was collaborating with her. It’s only been online for a few days!”
From Mingtai’s perspective, Shenyin Technology, despite having developed the system, had been deliberately delaying its release, trying to extort higher fees.
They had started their plan six months ago, keeping it secret, even from most of their own employees. They had released the update early to gain a competitive edge, believing the technology was safe enough.
They had assumed that by the time Shenyin Technology found out, it would be too late.
“We’ll remove the new system before their press conference,” Director Wu said with a sneer. “Just like Cheng Liu suggested, we’ll notify our customers that there’s a serious flaw in the system.”
“But…that will create a negative impression,” one of the shareholders said, puzzled.
Director Wu looked at him: “The system was developed by Shenyin Technology. What does a serious flaw have to do with Mingtai? Fortunately, we discovered it early and notified our customers in time.”
The three men exchanged glances, then smiled knowingly.
…
Cheng Liu didn’t speak again until they were back in the car: “Did you record it?”
He Bai nodded, sending her the audio recording: “Are we preparing for a press conference tomorrow night?”
“No, tomorrow afternoon,” Cheng Liu said, looking at the audio file. “An emergency press conference.”
“Alright, I’ll contact the media,” He Bai said, driving out of the parking lot. He turned to Cheng Liu: “When are we returning to S City today?”
“I have to meet someone first,” Cheng Liu said, giving him an address.
An hour later, they arrived at a villa in the suburbs.
The villa was surrounded by a low fence and a rose garden. Cheng Liu walked up to the gate and, looking through the fence, saw a middle-aged man watering the flowers. He was slightly overweight and seemed unfamiliar with gardening, his body swaying as he bent down.
“Director Wang,” Cheng Liu called out.
Wang Kunxiao looked up, startled: “CEO Cheng?”
He was the liaison Cheng Liu had been working with.
“It’s been a while. I’d like to invite you to lunch,” Cheng Liu said, leaning against the fence.
Wang Kunxiao studied her expression. She seemed no different than usual. He put down his watering can and said with a hearty laugh, “CEO Cheng, you’re in G City now. This is my territory. Lunch is on me.”
“Alright, I won’t stand on ceremony,” Cheng Liu said, raising an eyebrow.
Wang Kunxiao washed his hands and, walking out, noticed He Bai standing behind Cheng Liu. He gave him a curious glance: “Is this Assistant He?”
He Bai nodded, extending his hand: “Director Wang.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Assistant He, but we’ve never met,” Wang Kunxiao said smoothly. He was a man who knew how to navigate social situations.
He Bai instinctively looked at Cheng Liu, assuming she had mentioned him.
“I didn’t,” Cheng Liu said, preemptively dispelling any misunderstandings, seemingly reading his mind.
He Bai: “…”
Wang Kunxiao laughed heartily: “Everyone’s heard of Assistant He’s capabilities.” Being by Cheng Liu's side, it was hard not to be noticed.
The three of them found a local restaurant and sat down.
Wang Kunxiao enthusiastically introduced the local specialties: “CEO Cheng, you’re always in such a hurry when you come to G City. I’m glad I finally have a chance to treat you to a meal.”
“It’s really good,” Cheng Liu said, trying a dish and offering a compliment.
“But…what brings you to G City, CEO Cheng?” Wang Kunxiao asked casually.
Cheng Liu picked up some food with her chopsticks and replied nonchalantly, “Don’t you know, Director Wang? I thought you wanted me to come.”
The smile on Wang Kunxiao’s face faded, and He Bai turned to look at Cheng Liu. He still didn’t understand how she had discovered the issue with Mingtai.
Only Cheng Liu continued eating, the other two men silent.
After a while, Wang Kunxiao picked up his chopsticks again, taking a large bite and chewing loudly.
He swallowed the food and forced a laugh, a hint of bitterness in his voice: “I only found out about the new system after they released it.”
“So you deliberately reposted that article from the company website for me to see,” Cheng Liu said, pouring Wang Kunxiao a glass of wine, then filling her own. She raised her glass and gently touched his. “I should thank you, Director Wang.”
Wang Kunxiao drained his glass in one gulp and slammed it down: “Only CEO Cheng would notice something like that.”
His job required him to frequently repost articles from the company website. That particular article had seemed ordinary; most people wouldn't have connected it to the project.
Wang Kunxiao, having worked closely with Cheng Liu, knew she wasn't an ordinary person. Now, it seemed his suspicions were confirmed.
“I found out too late,” Cheng Liu said, pouring him another glass of wine. “But what are you planning to do now, Director Wang?”
“I resigned two days ago,” Wang Kunxiao said, finishing his wine. “It’s time for me to retire.”
“You’re only in your forties, still in your prime. It’s too early to retire,” Cheng Liu said, swirling her wine.
“I can’t stay at Mingtai anymore,” Wang Kunxiao said with a bitter smile. “Not after what they’ve done, and not after I leaked the information.”
Cheng Liu finally revealed her true motive: “Director Wang, would you be willing to come to Shenyin?”
“What?” Wang Kunxiao asked, wondering if he was hearing things.
“Come to Shenyin,” Cheng Liu said seriously. “Director Wang, would you be willing?”
Wang Kunxiao slapped himself, trying to wake up: “Go to Shenyin Technology? But I know nothing about technology.”
He only had a basic understanding of automobiles. Shenyin was a renowned technology company.
“Shenyin Technology is growing. We need more than just technical staff,” Cheng Liu said with a smile. “I need people like you, Director Wang.”
He Bai frowned subtly. Cheng Liu’s offer was unexpected.
Shenyin Technology was different from other companies. Cheng Liu held absolute authority, having given away very little equity, the total amount insignificant and unable to threaten her control.
She had built Shenyin Technology from the ground up, using the money she had earned from selling her other technologies, not from seeking investments.
He Bai, having worked with Cheng Liu for years, knew she had an innate sense of control, a reluctance to relinquish power, a common trait among self-made individuals, a difficulty in delegating authority.
But so far, Cheng Liu had handled every project flawlessly, without any issues.
“Could…could I really work there?” Wang Kunxiao stammered, his mind racing. Who wouldn't want to work at Shenyin Technology? Its future was bright.
“Yes,” Cheng Liu said, taking out two contracts from her bag. “If you’re willing, you can sign right now.”
He Bai turned to look at the contracts, surprised. When had she prepared them? He had no idea.
Wang Kunxiao immediately took the contracts and started reading, increasingly feeling like he was dreaming. He looked up: “CEO Cheng, are you serious?”
Cheng Liu nodded, taking out a black pen: “It depends on whether you’re willing, Director Wang.”
She admired Wang Kunxiao's abilities, but he had always seemed overly dedicated to Mingtai.
It seemed Mingtai had truly broken his heart this time.
“I’ll sign,” Wang Kunxiao said, taking a deep breath and quickly signing his name.
Cheng Liu took out an inkpad and handed it to him.
“You can start working once the Mingtai issue is resolved,” Cheng Liu said, putting away the contracts.
“Alright,” Wang Kunxiao said, a smile spreading across his face. “I’ll be waiting!”
…
After dropping Wang Kunxiao off, they headed to the airport. On the way, He Bai asked Cheng Liu, “When did you prepare those contracts? Why didn’t you let me help?”
“It was a last-minute decision last night,” Cheng Liu said, casually, looking at her phone, rereading the unanswered message. “It was too late, so I just printed them myself.”
She was finally returning to S City. After dealing with all this mess, she could finally see her beloved.
Comments
Post a Comment