A steady rain fell without end, seemingly with no intention of stopping anytime soon.
Xia Qingtian stood in Xia Honglang’s office, staring out at the curtain of rain beyond the floor-to-ceiling window.
“Qingtian, the meeting is about to begin,” Xia Honglang said, glancing at his watch. “Shall we go?”
“Okay, Dad,” Xia Qingtian replied, looking at Xia Honglang and nodding.
Father and daughter left the office and headed for the conference room upstairs.
Both of them knew clearly that today’s meeting was the first real battle for this project.
Despite being mentally prepared, Xia Qingtian couldn’t help but frown upon arriving at the conference room.
The meeting was scheduled for precisely 10:00 AM.
It was now 9:50 AM, and only two young people, a man and a woman, were present in the room.
Upon seeing Xia Qingtian and Xia Honglang enter, they stood up and greeted them.
After a nod of acknowledgment, Xia Qingtian and Xia Honglang took their seats.
Five minutes later, two more people arrived, one of whom was a board member.
At this point, Xia Honglang’s expression had soured.
He wasn’t a newcomer to the corporate world. Having been in his position for so many years, he had weathered many storms. He was well aware of the games these board members played.
It was a show of force.
They were simply trying to remind Xia Qingtian that even though she was Xia Honglang’s daughter, and even though she was the person in charge of this project, she couldn't simply dictate terms to the board members or those they recommended.
What Xia Honglang understood clearly, Xia Qingtian also grasped.
She showed no outward reaction, merely tapping the edge of the table rhythmically with her fingertips.
At exactly 10:00 AM, a few more board members and their accompanying young people arrived. The younger individuals wore neutral expressions, while the board members chatted and complained about the heavy rain, seemingly to justify their tardiness.
“It’s time. Close the door and let’s start the meeting,” Xia Qingtian said to the secretary standing by the door.
“Oh? A few board members and their recommendees haven't arrived yet. It might not be good to close the door now…” a board member immediately interjected.
“Yes, our company isn’t that strict or rigid. There’s no need to fuss over a minute or two, right?” another board member added.
“Perhaps we should wait a little longer, Chairman Xia?” Seeing that Xia Qingtian seemed unlikely to yield, a third board member directly directed the question to Xia Honglang.
“I am merely here to observe the meeting today. The project lead is Director Xia, so it’s not for me to say,” Xia Honglang immediately clarified his stance.
Were these people out of their minds?
Had he been too accommodating in the past, leading them to believe he had no bottom line?
Today, he would clearly demonstrate his bottom line. His family was his bottom line!
While they could discuss and negotiate on other matters, Xia Honglang had zero tolerance for any behavior that overtly targeted his daughter.
Seeing Xia Honglang’s reaction, the other board members turned their attention to Xia Qingtian, preparing to lecture her with the authority of experienced "elders" in the workplace.
Xia Qingtian did not respond. She simply tapped her fingers on the table. After everyone had finished speaking, Xia Qingtian finally opened her mouth and said, “If you all feel my actions are biased, or perhaps lacking in human touch and not smooth enough, it’s not too late to withdraw now.”
Hearing Xia Qingtian’s words, the peacemakers immediately fell silent.
What a joke! Who would be foolish enough to withdraw from a project that promised such solid profits and reputation?
“You’re not withdrawing? Since you’re not withdrawing, then we’ll proceed according to my rules.” Xia Qingtian looked at the secretary by the door and said, “Close the door!”
“Youth is truly wonderful. We… we are truly past our impetuous youth, no longer capable…” One board member stood up with a chuckle and walked towards the door, leaning against it as if to say he wouldn't move and daring anyone to push him.
“Director Lin and his recommended guest are already waiting for the elevator. Waiting for a minute is no big deal, right?”
“We won’t wait, not even a second,” Xia Qingtian stated. She knew that if she conceded now, there would be endless trouble later.
Hearing Xia Qingtian’s words, the board member narrowed his eyes, his expression displeased by her disrespect.
After all, he had dedicated decades of service to the Xia Corporation. How could this Xia Qingtian dare?
Just then, a man in a smart suit appeared at the conference room door. “The meeting has already begun?”
Startled by the voice behind him, the board member blocking the door spun around abruptly and exclaimed in surprise, “Mr. Gu?”
“Mm,” Mr. Gu responded, then looked into the conference room. “I’m late.”
“Mr. Gu, please take a seat first,” Xia Honglang said, rising and gesturing.
Mr. Gu then walked into the conference room and took his seat. He looked at Xia Qingtian, but her gaze shifted away immediately after meeting his.
“Close the door, let’s begin the meeting,” Xia Qingtian said to the board member blocking the door. “Director Han, since you have something else to attend to, please feel free to leave. Have a good day.”
“I!” Director Han’s gaze fell on Mr. Gu, and the words he was about to utter were swallowed back down, leaving him with a decidedly unpleasant expression.
In the end, he could only leave with a dark look, turning on his heel. Xia Qingtian! He would remember today’s events!
The young man recommended by Director Han felt increasingly uneasy in his seat, silently hoping Xia Qingtian would be fair and not hold a grudge.
After Director Han left, the conference room door was officially closed.
“Currently present, besides the recommending board members, are the Xia Corporation representatives who will be involved in this project. Everyone is here. Let’s exchange contact information and create a group to get acquainted,” Xia Qingtian said, surveying the room. “Before the meeting begins, I’d like to state my expectations. Putting aside abilities for now, I hope everyone can adhere to basic codes of conduct. Punctuality is fundamental.”
“Mr. Gu, I hope this incident does not happen again,” Xia Qingtian said, her gaze settling on Mr. Gu. “Since this is a collaboration, please demonstrate the most basic sincerity.”
Hearing Xia Qingtian’s words, everyone took a sharp breath.
Mr. Gu nodded. “Alright, I’ve noted it.”
“Then, let the meeting commence as scheduled,” Xia Qingtian announced, finally declaring the first project meeting open.
First, the Gu Corporation side was invited to present details about the project and the direction of collaboration.
Following that, the young participants from the Xia Corporation would present their areas of expertise and what they hoped to contribute.
During the meeting, there were some late-arriving board members causing a disturbance at the door, but they were persuaded to leave by Xia Honglang’s staff.
Overall, the meeting proceeded very smoothly and concluded within an hour.
“We can adjourn now,” Xia Qingtian said, standing up. “Thank you all for your cooperation. I hope everyone maintains today’s enthusiasm and energy when we officially begin work.”
Hearing Xia Qingtian’s words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing Xia Qingtian preparing to leave, Mr. Gu stood up and called out, “Director Xia… Director Xia.”
“Just call me Xia Qingtian,” Xia Qingtian replied gracefully, extending her hand with a professional demeanor. “Mr. Gu, I look forward to our future collaboration.”
“I look forward to it as well,” Mr. Gu said, looking at Xia Qingtian’s outstretched hand and shaking it. “Regarding the collaborative procurement of raw materials and the extraction plan, I’d like to discuss it with you privately. Is that convenient?”
Xia Qingtian was about to refuse, but Xia Honglang, with an expression that clearly stated, "Don't get in my daughter's way of making money," immediately ushered everyone out and thoughtfully closed the door for the two of them.
“…” Xia Qingtian’s lips twitched. She had something she wanted to say but hesitated.