The next morning, the management team leader, Team Leader Yan, calls for Hao Ming Yu and tells him there have been some changes. Hao Ming Yu was slightly surprised at how fast the team leader changed his mind. Before this, no matter how much the group members disagreed with his idea, he wouldn't listen. But now, just a few words from the Executive Director, he has already changed his mind overnight.
From his grumpy face, Hao Ming Yu noticed he is totally pissed off with the changes that were made. After listening to the new compensation that will be given to those residents, Hao Ming Yu instantly knew why the team leader seemed dissatisfied.
Those residents will be moved to the new apartment built under Jin Corporation. It is quite a big apartment with four rooms. The apartment is also near the school, supermarket, and train station. Besides, 1.7 million RMB will still be given to them. Getting a free apartment along with the money, those residents surely won't say no.
However, for a stingy person like the team leader, giving them the apartment was a waste. If possible, he wanted to save the money and use it for other things. But now his plan has failed, and it irks him.
The team leader stared at Hao Ming Yu and squinted, "Did you say anything to Executive Director Jin?"
"S- say... say what?" Hao Ming Yu swallows his saliva.
"About those residents. If you didn't tell him anything how would he know? I could chase away those commoners, whether they want to move or not. There is no need to trouble ourselves with them."
Hao Ming Yu fiddled with his finger behind his back. "I- I didn't...Team Leader. But I guess... Mr. Jin Liwei accidentally saw it. Y- yesterday, I stayed back late. After I returned from the toilet, I bumped into him and he was walking out from here. So...maybe... he saw the paperwork on my desk." Hao Ming Yu was amazed at himself, lying without batting an eye.
The team leader keeps looking at Hao Ming Yu while tapping his desk. He huffs. He waves his hand, asking Hao Ming Yu to leave his cubicle. Hao Ming Yu bows, then turns to leave. H
Hao Ming Yu was in a daze and was jerked out of his thoughts when Mu Shilin slapped his back. "Hey, you! It's lunchtime. Why are you still here? Let's go."
Mu Shilin keeps staring at his best friend. Even though he looks the same as usual, Mu Shilin knows his mind wanders elsewhere. "Sunshine, what's wrong? What else is bothering you? Did you still think about our Executive Director?"
"Well...it does have something to do with him..."
"What else? Did he say something to you?"
Hao Ming Yu shakes his head. "Actually...last night, Mr. Jin saw me staying back late. He asked me what I was doing so I had no choice but to tell him about the residents' matter. You know right, that Team Leader Yan tried to save the budget on that matter so he could spend it on other stuff. But this morning, he suddenly called me and said the residents will be given an apartment and also compensation money. He looked so irritated. Team Leader Yan even asked me if I said anything to our Executive Director but... I lied to him."
"You...lied?" Hao Ming Yu hums.
"I told him maybe Mr. Jin Liwei accidentally saw the papers on my table when I went to the toilet. He looked in disbelief but luckily he didn't ask further. I'm just afraid. What if Mr. Jin Liwei mentioned my name? Didn't that mean I just lied right on Team Leader Yan's face?" Hao Ming Yu became nervous.
Mu Shilin gently pats the back of Hao Ming Yu's hand, "Relax. I don't think Mr. Jin Liwei mentioned your name. I'm sure Team Leader Yan already vented his frustration on you if he did. Based on his temper, do you think he would let you be if you told him to Mr. Jin Liwei?"
Hao Ming Yu scrunched his nose and puffed his cheeks. "Yeah. You are right. Maybe the Team Leader is just making his guesses." Hao Ming Yu heaves a sigh of relief.
Mu Shilin suddenly chuckles. "No wonder the Team Leader was in a bad mood this morning. He was all smiling when he came but then suddenly he was called to the Executive Director's room. His face totally changed when he returned. I thought it was a big matter."
"For a person like him, this is a big matter," Hao Ming Yu said.
Mu Shilin looks around, then leans forward and says in a low voice, "But thank God you told this to Mr. Jin Liwei. Don't you know, any extra expenses that were not used will enter his own pocket, or he used it to make his own connection with some VVIPs."
"Really? How did you know that? I thought he would still use the money for the project but for different purposes."
"Most of the staff in our department knew about this but no one dares to say anything because we have no solid proof. Team Leader Yan also got a friend in the financial department that's why all his deeds were untraceable. Plus, you know the annual staff performance evaluation all depends on him so they didn't want to get on his bad side."
Hao Ming Yu lowers his head. He plays with the kale in his lunch box using his chopsticks and is lost in his thoughts. Mu Shilin notices the sudden drop in his mood and instantly grabs Hao Ming Yu's hand, "Hey, are you okay?"
"Until now, the power of money is still in control. The one who got the money and power always gets the upper hand over anyone else."
Mu Shilin could feel the hand in his grip slightly tremble. He tightens the grip on the pale hand. Mu Shilin truly understood what Hao Ming Yu meant. Using his thumb, Mu Shilin caresses Hao Ming Yu's hand, "It's okay. Let's not care about them. We just don't have to involve ourselves with them."
Although Hao Ming Yu tried not to get involved in Team Leader Yan's matter, somehow, the other person thought otherwise. Since that incident, Hao Ming Yu's workload has been doubled.
Instead of telling him all the parts he should correct or redo, Team Leader Yan will tell him one thing at a time. This only wastes and drags the time. Due to this, some of Hao Ming Yu's works also had to be put off.
Hao Ming Yu is sure that Team Leader Yan didn't know he told the Executive Director about the compensation matter, but he still couldn't guess why the Team Leader was treating him like this.
During the next meeting for the project, the paperwork that was done by Hao Ming Yu was presented by Team Leader Yan. He explained it as if he was the one who did all the work. Hao Ming Yu didn't mind it. As Mu Shilin told him, 'let's not care about them', and that's what he will do. If Team Leader Yan tried to sow what he reaped, he couldn't care less about it as long as he would be paid at the end of the month. Hao Ming Yu also doesn't want to get unnecessary attention for doing 'a good job'.
However, the person who tried to leech off on his subordinate's work was a bit unlucky this time as the Executive Director started to interrogate him.
Jin Liwei flipped the paperwork upside down and turned to the standing guy, "Team Leader Yan, what about those residents that refused to move? Have you talked to them?"
"N- no... Not yet, Director Jin."
"When are you going to tell them? We are going to start to clean up the area soon. If those residents are still there, how can we do our work?"
"I'll inform them as soon as possible, Director."
"Soon? How soon? Right after this?"
"......"
"Just so you know, I don't want you to just send them letters asking them to evacuate their house. It's rude. I want you to go meet them and tell them personally. Can you do that?"
"....y- yes, Director. I'll try my best."
Jin Liwei picks up the paperwork and waves it, "As for this paperwork, I don't think I need to ask anything. It was very well done, and also... it wasn't done by you." The meeting room falls into silence. Only the sound of the wind blowing from the air conditioner fills the room.
Team Leader Yan turned stiff. His eyelids tremble and he keeps stealing a glance at Hao Ming Yu. Even Hao Ming Yu froze in his spot and didn't dare to lift his head.
"Di- director... I- It's not..." Team Leader Yan's words were cut off.
"Just because I'm new HERE doesn't mean I didn't know about this company. I have checked your previous proposals and paperwork. It wasn't bad but also not that great. But the paperwork you just presented is detailed and neat, so not your style."
Veins start to pop out on Team Leader Yan's forehead and jaw. Behind his back, he was clenching his fist tightly. "A- Actually... I..."
Jin Liwei raises his palm, signalling him to stop talking. "It's okay. I don't need excuses. But I don't want this to happen for the second time. This is your job, so do it properly. It's okay if it was not perfect but do it on your own. At least you are aware of what you are presenting."
Jin Liwei turns to scan everyone in the room. "Everyone, please remember, NEVER take credit for other people's hard work. If I find out anyone abuses your power or bullies your colleagues, action will be taken against you. Team Leader Yan, I'll let it go this once. Understand?"
Team Leader Yan nods twice. Jin Liwei dismissed the meeting and left the meeting room right after. Jin Zihao strutted behind him, following his cousin. As soon as they were alone in Jin Liwei's room, Jin Zihao asked instantly, "Hey! Why are you saying like that just now?"
"Like what?"
"I mean... why would you ask such a question in front of everyone? You could ask him to meet you in your room after the meeting. You're kinda... humiliating him."
Jin Liwei slumps on his chair and scoffs. "Why would I care about that? He, himself, didn't feel any shame claiming credit for someone else's work as his. Plus, he would remember this for a long time and won't dare to do it again."
Jin Zihao pulls the chair and sits in front of his cousin. He sighs, "How do you know it wasn't him who did it? Did you really read his previous paperwork?"
Jin Liwei raises his left eyebrow and gives a 'you don't believe me?' look. "Wasn't it you who said I need to know my own employees? So, I check their work to get to know them."
Jin Zihao stared at Jin Liwei in disbelief. "Is that how you tried to get to know your subordinates?"
"What's wrong with it? It is better than talking with them over a glass of beer where they would try hard to butter me up and overpraise themselves."
Jin Zihao stares at the man in front of him and the corner of his lip raises. "Now I know why uncle insisted on you taking over this company so soon. He fully trusts your ability and knows you can handle Jin Corporation."
"And you also got the leadership in you, just like your dad," thought Jin Zihao.
Jin Liwei huffs. "It's not like he trusts me or whatnot. That old man is just too lazy to work anymore. Now he is having fun with my mom while I'm stuck here doing his job."
Jin Zihao just laughs out loud. "Give him a chance. He has been working hard for years. Now is the time to spend sweet time with his wife. If you are jealous then you also should find your own baobei."
"Busy. No time for that."
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