26 Never Regret Decisions Made (2/2)
Xue Mingtao looked at her, surprised. ”You don't know yet? I figured Mr. Li had told you since he asked you to go check out the office as well.” He smiled, lowering his voice. ”Very soon Mr. Li will separate the hot-selling Vinda out to form a new subsidiary company. The relationship between Vinda and Aida will become investor and debtor. As for the rest, you can witness it yourself.”
Lin Qian was dumbfounded.
So, that was how it was.
In the morning she had still been worried that Vinda would be dragged down by the mess of Aida Group. She'd been worried about how Li Zhicheng would be able to control the company. However, looking at the new office today, it seemed like Li Zhicheng was not only focused on the marketing war with other companies, but he was preparing to rectify the situation in the company as well.
Now that they had seized victory outside, he had started to take drastic measures to control the inside. Step by step, each step interconnected, carefully planned with every conceivable possibility taken into account.
Exactly how shrewd is this man?
When Lin Qian returned to the office again, it was already past 7:00 pm.
She first went to the IT department to inquire about today's sales. After receiving a surprising result, her mood brightened. Even the trace of gloominess caused by her incident with Li Zhicheng had gone with the wind.
But the aura of her boss was impeccable. When she stepped out of the elevator and set foot on the top floor, it only took her a glance at his half-closed office door from afar to get anxious again.
They were both adults. There wasn't anything embarrassing about working together now, right?
He would not stare at her again with that rattling gaze, right?
When she moved closer, she saw someone in her seat. It was a familiar face, Yang Xiru, her subordinate from the CEO office.
Lin Qian walked towards her, smiling. ”What's up? Looking for me?”
Yang Xiru immediately stood up; the smile on her face was lovely and compliant. ”Miss Lin, I am here to familiarize myself first. If you have any orders, feel free to assign them to me first.”
Lin Qian was puzzled. ”What are you familiarizing yourself with?”
Yang Xiru was surprised too. She replied, ”CEO assistant's duties.”
She was a smart girl; seeing that Lin Qian's expression didn't look right, she immediately lowered her voice, answering truthfully, ”Miss Lin, I received a call from Mr. Li an hour ago saying that you'll be transferred to another department soon. He asked me to get ready to be the CEO's assistant.”
Before Lin Qian could speak, a familiar bass voice called from inside the room. ”Lin Qian, come in.”
Yang Xiru made a face at her, but Lin Qian couldn't smile. She pushed the door open, walked in, and locked the door.
When she raised her head and saw Li Zhicheng sitting on the sofa, calm and collected, a thought flashed through her mind.
Because of the incident this morning he's transferring me away?
Indeed, as superior and subordinate, this method was the best solution for them. Hadn't she thought of applying for a transfer in the morning as well?
But her resigning was one matter. Him transferring her away was another.
His feelings for her, as it turned out, could only last for a day. Once he'd been rejected, he was going to immediately send her away?
”Sit.” He calmly looked at her, his demeanor cold and handsome as usual. But his gaze was not as sharp and deep as it had been in the morning; it was peaceful like it normally was.
Lin Qian sat down quietly.
Li Zhicheng pushed a document on the table towards her. Lin Qian glanced at the cover page: ”Dismissal Agreement.”
This came way too suddenly. Lin Qian tried to settle her nerves. She couldn't believe it, but the paper was right in front of her.
She didn't even bother flipping through the dismissal agreement. Pride rushed through her. She stared at him across the table, glaring at him. ”Is it because of what happened this morning?”
Her tone was harsh. Li Zhicheng's eyes darkened, staring at her slightly reddened cheeks.
After a moment, his pair of unfathomable eyes flickered with amusement. He looked down, reached out, and opened the dismissal agreement for her.
”What are you thinking?” he asked lightly. ”Do you think I would let you go?”
Lin Qian's heart quivered. She couldn't care to figure out whether his words had a hidden meaning. Instead she bent her head to read the content of the dismissal agreement. It was written on the first page: ”Due to Lin Qian voluntarily offering to work at Vinda company, this agreement has been made between her and Aida Group, and the contract of employment shall be terminated…”
Lin Qian blinked. Vinda company? The new subsidiary company mentioned by Xue Mingtao? The new office visited by them today? So soon? Her anger vanished, replaced with confusion and curiosity.
”Look at the back.” Li Zhicheng's words were succinct.
Lin Qian flipped to the back; it turned out there was a copy of the new employment contract attached. She opened it and she was shocked again.
”Lin Qian… Assistant CEO...”
CEO's assistant, Assistant CEO. The titles merely differed in sequence, but the ranking varied tremendously. Assistant CEO was genuinely a high-ranking position, usually managing a few departments.
Lin Qian stared at this title, her heart beating fast. A phrase popped up in her head: a meteoric rise to fame.
No wonder he had brought her along to see the office today. No wonder they had asked for her opinion of the office.
That office… could it have possibly been prepared for her?
She was speechless for a while.
Apparently noticing the hesitation in her heart, Li Zhicheng said calmly, ”This delegation has nothing to do with love. From now on, you take charge.”
His concise words, as usual, caused Lin Qian to feel a sudden gush of blood pulsing through her veins.
Yes—if it were for love he would keep her close, not let her go. He was not someone who would let a relationship impair his judgment and career.
Since this was unrelated to love, then it was due to her ability and outstanding achievement. Lin Qian's ability was indeed strong; furthermore, she had contributed greatly in this battle.
So, he really wanted to let her go out and take charge?
Lin Qian stood up, holding the contract of employment; her expression was more serious than it had ever been. ”Mr. Li, I will definitely do my best. I will not disappoint you.”
Li Zhicheng sat on the sofa, both hands on his knees, staring at her. ”I will never be disappointed in you.”
That night for Lin Qian was a sleepless night. Her thoughts roamed.
As for Li Zhicheng, he spent the night sitting in the quiet office, setting up a Go game, and inviting someone over for a match.
He'd grown up with his grandfather and had long been trained to play Go. He was the one behind intentionally releasing the antique Go manual into the market for Chen Zheng. Other than to lure him in, he had also gained Mr. Kang as his Go-mate. The effort had been worth it.
But looking at Aida, only Liu Tong, deputy CEO and veteran, was worthy of playing against him.
Liu Tong gladly accepted his invitation. The two of them sat facing the lonely moon outside the window, playing Go in silence.
After they ended a round, Liu Tong chuckled, ”Zicheng, I've had five matches with you so far, and I've lost all five of them. However, today is rare because, for once, I see a chance of winning.” He glanced at Li Zhicheng. ”Today you are a little impatient and distracted. Isn't the online flagship store a success?”
Li Zhicheng paused for a moment, replying slowly, ”An unrequited pursuit results in impatience and distraction. One should resist the temptation, toughen his nature, and slowly lay out the scheme.”
Liu Tong was stunned. He took a stone and set it down gently, saying flatly, ”Never regret decisions made.”
...
A month later.
...
Tomorrow was the Lunar New Year's eve. The office had a joyous atmosphere. Lin Qian, in a business suit and high heels, first went to inspect the customer service department. After ensuring that everything was normal and the sales were increasing steadily, she motivated the workers and then left feeling pleased.
After that she went to the IT department. This was not a department she managed, but it was one of the core departments in the company who worked closely with her. After chatting and exchanging New Year's pleasantries with the IT department manager, she then turned around and returned to her office on the third floor.
It was almost time to leave work. After tomorrow they would start their long holiday. The hallways were packed with workers hastily walking around; when they saw Lin Qian, they would smile and nod. ”Manager Lin!””Hello, Manager Lin!””Manager Lin, happy new year!”
Lin Qian would nod in acknowledgment to each and every one of them.
It feels good to be a leader. She was like a fish in water; the person who chose her for this position had chosen the right person for the right job.
Outside the window, the tree branches had started budding; the chilly air was no longer as frigid and bitter as it was during winter. Lin Qian stared at the spring scenery and her heart sighed with emotion.
Since the day she had received the employment contract, her work focus had shifted to preparing the new ”Vinda” subsidiary company. She had slowly gotten to know more insider's news as well. For example, before taking over Aida, Li Zhicheng had negotiated with his father that he would exchange the ten percent of Aida's share in his hand with the ownership of the brand ”Vinda.” At the time, since Vinda had been selling terribly overseas, all the shareholders had agreed without giving a second thought.