My Life with Narration-Chapter 257 - 256: Shen Yi’s Decisiveness

"Why does Xu Feng know about our company’s order sales from last month? And you all keep telling me about a new channel. Where is it, Manager Wu? Is this your explanation to me?

Sure, I won’t stop you from making money, but are you going to do it this way? You’ve been with the company for a long time. Don’t you know that relying on a single project channel can get your neck caught by someone?"

In the company meeting room, Shen Yi slammed the document in her hand onto the table. Before her were the leaders of various departments, including Cui Bo from the planning department.

Shen Yi’s face was frosty, her presence overwhelming. None of the leaders stood opposite her and dared to sit; they all stood trembling with their heads lowered.

As Shen Yi’s secretary and assistant, Deng Jie stood behind Shen Yi. This was an accountability session targeting the company’s leadership.

Since the company’s problems were known, someone had to bear the responsibility. Don’t be fooled by Shen Yi’s easygoing nature with familiar people like Su Qing or her occasional playful tantrums. A boss is a boss, and she’s never careless regarding work issues.

"President Shen... this is a mistake on my part. I didn’t expect things to turn out this way, and also... expanding new channels is indeed somewhat difficult," said Wu Hao, the manager of the business department, dressed in a formal suit and wearing glasses. He hurriedly explained.

"Difficult? You know full well the price of Xu Feng’s company’s goods. However, what you reported to me was a bit above the market price, yet the channels don’t match. You think I don’t understand?" Shen Yi said sharply.

Xu Feng kept the business of her company by supplying goods at a price lower than the usual market rate, a typical strategy to ensure long-term transactions with both parties.

But she had sensed something a month ago and initiated a correction. She didn’t expect her subordinates to deceive her.

"President Shen, I..." Manager Wu wanted to explain further, but Shen Yi waved her hand, saying softly:

"I never stop anyone from making money, but if someone can’t control themselves, don’t blame me for being rude. You can settle your salary with the finance department."

Upon these words, Manager Wu’s face turned ashen. He knew it was all over: years of hard work down the drain.

Although he still had skills and connections, restarting would take years, if not longer. Most importantly, the industry was small; after this incident, few companies of this scale would hire him.

Kickbacks and cover-ups were common practices among the leadership with corresponding authority. What boss isn’t aware? But it’s rarely addressed openly, as it’s an unspoken rule.

As long as you don’t harm the company’s interests and earn enough money, nearly all bosses won’t mind their subordinates skimming some benefits.

A person who works diligently but only brings in a thousand in monthly revenue versus someone who utilizes their authority to gain personal interest but brings in hundreds of thousands from the company’s perspective, the choice of whom to employ is clear.

But Manager Wu made a fatal mistake: once the leadership issued explicit instructions, temporary gain could not blind you. Kickbacks are tempting, sure—who doesn’t like free money? But because of your decision, the company ended up in a very passive situation subsequently. Whom else should they hold accountable but you?

"I understand," Manager Wu sighed, then left the office dispiritedly.

He had followed Shen Yi from the headquarters, but in the capital, he wasn’t a manager, only an acting position. This time, he came with the intention of taking a gamble, which ultimately cost him everything.

"Deng Jie!" Shen Yi said.

Deng Jie, standing behind, promptly responded, "President Shen."

"Organize the list of all personnel involved in this matter for me, and also pack your things and move to the business department! It’s beneath your abilities to stay by my side," Shen Yi said softly.

Startled at first, Deng Jie quickly felt elated and stammered, "President Shen... I..."

Though she was nominally Shen Yi’s secretary and assistant, she was in fact her confidante, and most importantly, she was highly capable, often representing Shen Yi to handle matters out of town.

Though many managers were very polite to her within the company, she had no actual authority, so she couldn’t implement any thoughts she might have. She never expected such a great opportunity would now come her way, hence her surprise and delight.

"No worries. You’ve been handling business department affairs recently quite well. I have confidence in you. This department is crucial, and I believe you can manage it well with your capabilities!" Shen Yi said calmly without even looking up.

"Thank you, President Shen!"

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, the meeting is adjourned. Let this be a lesson to the managers of all departments. Present solutions to the problems our company is facing immediately. Coordinate and minimize the impact. Understood?" Shen Yi raised her head and looked at the remaining department managers lightly.

Though her tone didn’t fluctuate much, it imposed immense pressure.

Everyone remained silent; nobody spoke. They were all veteran subordinates Shen Yi brought from the capital, all aware that the boss was ill-tempered, nobody dared to provoke her.

Not until Shen Yi waved, everyone sighed with relief and exited the meeting room.

Once Deng Jie and the others came out, department leaders rushed up to congratulate her on her promotion.

"Manager Deng, congratulations!"

"Sister Deng, after so many years, finally, a result!"

"Right, I always thought Deng Jie deserved a promotion long ago." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

But Deng Jie smiled and nodded, "I wouldn’t say that. It’s mainly President Shen’s trust, and also due to staff shortages here, I just got lucky. In the future, I’ll rely on everyone’s care. Once I sort out the tasks on hand, I’ll treat everyone to a meal!"

Having traveled with Shen Yi extensively across the country, she was used to all sorts of situations and understood people’s reactions well.

Now not only was she the manager of the business department, but she also held more weight in front of President Shen than others, with an effect of mutual restriction.

Could it be only Wu Hao involved in this case? Of course not. At least several department leaders knew something, even provided convenience, but nobody told Shen Yi, the boss.

By appointing Deng Jie to the business department, firstly, she could better control the company’s internal information, and secondly, monitor them.

How could a company boss allow subordinates to keep them in the dark? Do the department leaders wish to marginalize the boss?

After exchanging greetings, some chose to leave, while others hesitated.

"Sister Deng, how will President Shen handle this?" a woman from the finance department asked quietly.

"Right, Deng Jie... oops, Manager Deng now, being close with President Shen, can you give us a hint so we can have a sense of direction?" In bright, flashy attire, Cui Bo asked with an exaggerated gesture, making everyone uncomfortable.

Hearing this, Deng Jie, who had anticipated it, laughed and said, "I don’t know; President Shen hasn’t clearly stated."

Hearing this, a few people seemed helpless, but felt more at ease. Within this group were some who were privy to information, worried they might get implicated.

"However..." Seeing this, Deng Jie smiled slightly and continued, "Since President Shen didn’t state anything clearly, there’s room... Properly managing this affair... it shouldn’t be as bad as Wu Hao, don’t you all think?"

Upon hearing this, those who hadn’t left felt slightly relieved. Although not explicitly stated, they understood that if they handled the issue correctly, President Shen wouldn’t hold their previous minor misdeeds too seriously. Even if there were punishments, they wouldn’t be severe. If she intended to punish, she would have done so earlier, not waiting until now.

These subtleties were clear to all, the group relaxed considerably.

After everyone left, Shen Yi sighed heavily and started to reflect on herself. Ultimately, she had been too hasty.

Traveling to an unfamiliar city to establish a branch company, despite experience and financial support, required steady progress. She couldn’t take too big of a step, as there were few reliable people she could depend on, causing inevitable mishaps.

After tearing down barriers last night, she had already received feedback from some of her company’s departments. Even Xu Feng’s company started whispering to her clients, applying pressure.

She had already prepared for the worst; if Su Qing’s plan failed, she would accept defeat. Even so, she wouldn’t let Xu Feng get off easily. They would all rely on their own means.

She thought of Su Qing, wondering what he was doing.

At the same time, across from a middle-class neighborhood near West City Normal University, Su Qing sat in a milk tea shop sipping a cold drink with a sweaty Wang Xing across from him.

"Damn, Qingzi, why call me out in the scorching midday? Where are those two curvy beauties you had last time?"

Su Qing replied, "Don’t pry into societal matters too much!"

"Pfft, you being societal? Okay, cut the nonsense and tell me why I’m here?"

"I have a sacred and significant task for you."

Wang Xing:...

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