Knock, knock, knock!
Zhuang Xiaoyue knocked and entered the office.
Yu Huaiqing put on a facade of a gentleman, hiding his true thoughts. But Zhuang Xiaoyue was a woman who had seen much and immediately spotted the greed in Yu Huaiqing's eyes.
She thought to herself, "Another hypocrite."
Yu Huaiqing offered Zhuang Xiaoyue pleasantries, even humbly asking for her advice and cooperation on his work, implying that he couldn't possibly manage without her.
His intention was to make Zhuang Xiaoyue feel flattered and important.
Then he could seize the opportunity to win her over. However, Yu Huaiqing had underestimated Zhuang Xiaoyue.
After listening, Zhuang Xiaoyue said, "Mr. Yu, I'm here to inform you of something. A large number of employees are staging a strike, and I will be joining them."
Yu Huaiqing: "???"
"What did you say? I didn't quite catch that..."
Zhuang Xiaoyue smiled sweetly, projecting an image of harmlessness. "Everyone learned of President Yu Mengzhi's dismissal and is expressing their dissatisfaction in this way. Do you understand now?"
Yu Huaiqing's head buzzed.
Initially, he had been deceived by Zhuang Xiaoyue's sweet demeanor, expecting good news, only to be told something so troublesome.
He immediately lost his pleasant tone, barking sternly, "What is this all about? The dismissal of Yu Mengzhi was a decision by the board of directors. It's not your place as employees to interfere. Don't think so highly of yourselves! Inform them immediately to return to their posts. Anyone who dares to disobey will be fired."
Zhuang Xiaoyue spread her hands, saying helplessly, "Then you'll have to notify them individually. All departments are on strike now, and the entire group is paralyzed."
"Oh, and one more thing."
"The factory has also stopped production, waiting for President Yu Mengzhi's return."
Yu Huaiqing's blood surged, nearly clouding his judgment.
"Rebellion! Rebellion!"
"Do you have any regard for the law? This is illegal!" He tried to push Zhuang Xiaoyue away, but she was agile and dodged his shove, nearly causing him to fall.
Yu Huaiqing made a fool of himself but had no time to deal with Zhuang Xiaoyue, rushing to the employee area to see the situation.
A full-scale strike was no laughing matter!
Zhuang Xiaoyue watched Yu Huaiqing's hasty retreating back, her smile gradually fading. She let out a soft sigh.
When she was found by Master Gou, she realized her past misdeeds had been discovered. It was no wonder Chen Jin Chao had been teasing her intentionally or unintentionally that day. Recalling that moment, her cheeks still flushed.
"Sigh..."
"I've messed up the task my master gave me. How will I report this to him?"
Thinking of this.
Zhuang Xiaoyue's head ached.
Her master had intended to become the hidden power controlling Gou Chen Group through this method. Unexpectedly, Liu Wenyao had recorded everything, rendering some of the evidence Zhuang Xiaoyue had left useless.
"Liu Wenyao, I hope you die a horrible death!" Zhuang Xiaoyue gritted her teeth.
At that moment.
Yu Huaiqing hurriedly convened a meeting with the managers of various departments.
These managers were resolute. Unless Yu Mengzhi could return to Gou Chen Group, they would not return to their posts.
"I'll give you a raise! Within acceptable limits, I'll agree to anything!" Yu Huaiqing gritted his teeth, unwilling to let the matter escalate. On his first day, such a major incident had occurred. What would the old master think of him?
It was truly infuriating!
The HR manager said calmly, "Mr. Yu, you misunderstand. It's not about money. We value President Yu Mengzhi's qualities and talent. Our stance remains firm."
These were seasoned veterans of the business world, firmly in control of their respective departments. Within their departments, the president's word might not carry as much weight as theirs.
Yu Huaiqing was driven to a furious rage.
But it was merely his impotent fury. The old timers paid him no heed, finding it even somewhat amusing.
The strike continued.
The situation at the factory was particularly severe.
Yu Huaiqing received several calls from downstream merchants, warning him of claims for compensation if he failed to deliver on time.
In the president's office, Yu Huaiqing smashed everything he could get his hands on, venting his anger!
"Yu Mengzhi, you damned woman, playing such a trick on me!"
"You think a strike can affect me? I'll tell Grandpa right away. If Grandpa knows you're playing these little games, he'll fire all the leaders involved in the strike!"
Divide and conquer, suppress some, promote others...
Yu Huaiqing's eyes revealed a ruthless glint. Gou Chen Group was destined to join the hundred-billion club in the future, and it needed to be firmly controlled by the Yu family. Discovering problems early might not be a bad thing.
After much hesitation, Yu Huaiqing finally mustered the courage to call the old master.
Ring, ring!
The phone on the desk rang.
Yu Huaiqing frowned, then picked up the phone.
"Hello."
"This is the President's Office of Gou Chen Group."
"What did you say?!"
"I believe there must be some misunderstanding. How about we arrange a time to meet and discuss the possibility of cooperation?"
"Hello? Hello?"
Beep—
Yu Huaiqing was stunned.
The person who had just called him was Wen Fulai's assistant, who had solemnly informed him that there would be no further cooperation with Gou Chen Group in the future, unless Yu Mengzhi could lead Gou Chen Group again.
The other party's attitude was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
Yu Huaiqing slumped into his chair, his lips utterly bloodless, his face as pale as a sheet of A4 paper.
This move was like pulling the rug out from under him!
All his confidence and reliance vanished in an instant.
For the first time, Yu Huaiqing felt fear and confusion. Had Yu Mengzhi's influence in Gou Chen Group reached this extent without him realizing it? Even if the old master took over as acting president, it might be too late to turn the tide.
Recovering himself.
He dared not delay another moment. As long as the factory didn't resume production, he couldn't rest easy.
Yu Huaiqing immediately called Yu Lingxiao.
Upon hearing the report, Yu Lingxiao was stunned. That granddaughter he had considered insignificant actually possessed such capability? In that moment, Yu Lingxiao felt both anger and powerlessness.
This was a dead end. What could he do?
"Alright, I understand. Stabilize the situation for now, and I'll think of a solution." Yu Lingxiao's hands trembled with extreme anger. How could that unfilial granddaughter do such a heinous thing, openly instructing subordinates to strike and threaten Yu Lingxiao?
He hung up the phone.
Yu Lingxiao roared furiously, "Do you think this can make me yield?"
"That's impossible!"
No one had ever forced Yu Lingxiao to bow his head, and he absolutely would not bow to a junior. If he set such a precedent, his years of accumulated authority would be lost.
Ring, ring!
A call came in, making Yu Lingxiao impatient. What now?
He answered the phone. A stranger's, middle-aged male voice, spoke with a gentle smile, "Elder Yu Lingxiao, is that correct? I am the one who bought 49% of Gou Chen's shares from the Su family a few days ago. I strongly disagree with your decision to arbitrarily dismiss President Yu Mengzhi."
"I hope you will recognize your mistake and invite Yu Mengzhi back to take charge."