Chapter 138 No Courtesy

The bald-headed old man took out a tobacco pipe and put it in his mouth. He lit it and began smoking and said casually, “So please tell me, what you will do.”

Obviously, this old man did not care much about Yezi’s opinion. Li Huiyong took a glimpse at Xiao Bing and found him leaning on his chair with his eyes closed. He acted like he did not see Mr. Zhong’s provoking behavior at all. According to what she knew about him, she had expected that he would lose his temper.

Li Huiyong was extremely impressed by his ability to couple hardness with softness. She found this man to be not as reckless as she had thought.

The reason Xiao Bing chose to be silent was that he wanted Yezi to deal with the present situation. Only when Yezi could not handle the problem would Xiao Bing give her a helping hand. He also wanted to know what these men really wanted. He assumed that there were other reasons that made them want to leave right when Xiao Bing seated himself. If he lost his temper now, then obviously Yezi had to be on his side and confront these men. That was not something Xiao Bing wanted to see. So he chose to be silent.

Yezi was not influenced by the derision of the board members. She collected her thoughts and said, “I assume you all know the tragedy that happened to my family. My brother emotionally broke down and jumped from the roof… I’m sure that we all share the same grief. But since I’m a daughter of the Ye family, I have to be responsible for the thousands of employees in this company.

“They have been walking on an emotional tightrope since my family’s misfortune. And many of them had thought about leaving. I’m afraid that more of them will have the same idea if we don’t choose a new director of the board members. So I decided that we will elect a new director here and now. And after the election, I’ll arrange the funeral of my father, brother, and sister.”

The bald-headed old man replied perfunctorily while smoking, “Little Missy, you sound like a rational woman. I’m truly sorry for the things that happened to your family. Yet, the living are more important than the dead. I agree with the election. Although one board member didn’t come, most of us are here. We should choose someone who is not only qualified for this job, but also respected by us all so that we can work without worry.”

Beside him, a board member raised his hand. He seemed to be gentle and in his 40s. “I choose Mr.Zhong.”

“Me too.”

“Mr. Zhong is the most respected man in this company. I believe no one will deny that. I choose him as well.”

The several board members expressed their opinions and chose Mr. Zhong in the blink of the eye. It seemed that they had already discussed this matter.

The bald-headed man dropped the pipe and sighed. “I had been at his service for over 30 years. I started from the bottom and now I’m here because of his trust and patronization. I take no interest in that chair. But I have received so many favors from him and I should return them. I guess that I have to sit on that chair since you all put your trust in me.”

“What a shameless man,” Xiao Bing and Yezi both thought the same.

Xiao Bing took a glimpse at the old man and closed his eyes. “Damn. He really doesn’t know what modesty is. It seems that he needs a lesson.”

What was important was that all the board members were on the same side. They all did not want to see her sitting on that chair. What was Yezi supposed to do?

Yezi pondered for a moment and put on a smile. “Mr. Zhong, I respect you and all of the rest of the board members. Maybe you don’t think I’m qualified to be your leader because of my age and lack of knowledge. But I’m a daughter of the Ye family. I cannot disappoint my dead parents, brother, and sister. I have no interest in sitting on that chair. But as a daughter of the Ye family, I cannot just give it to others like this.”

As the tobacco ran out, Zhong Hanchen knocked the pipe gently on the table and spoke in a casual tone. “So, Miss Ye wants to be the director of the board members. Actually, I don’t have a problem with it. But I’m not sure if others think the same.”

“It’s ridiculous if we let an innocent girl sit on that chair,” said a stout man provocatively. “I don’t know what others might think, but I’m sure that if little Missy insists on being the chairwoman, I’ll withdraw.”

“I’ll withdraw as well.”

“Me too.”

After the others had stated their opinions, Zhong Hanchen feigned a sigh. “Little Missy. I believe that you have realized that it is not me who stands in your way. It’s just too risky for you to decide the future of the thousands of employees in this company. I don’t care if I can sit on that chair or not. Actually, I’m not very willing to take this position. If you still insist on being our leader, no one can stop you. After all, you have more than a 60 percent share of the company. But we will withdraw ours.”

Seeming gloomy, Yezi still tried to negotiate. “You all have fought by my father’s side. Now my father is gone and none of you are willing to give me your support?”

Zhong Hanchen smiled and shook his head. “Little Missy, I do not only work for your family. I work for the company and every employee in it. I have to withdraw my shares if you still want it your way. How about I give you two days to think it over? In two days, we’ll discuss the details in this same meeting room.”

Zhong Hanchen smirked. “Many people in this company are waiting for your decision. I don’t think the company can still hold it together if they know their little Missy put her own interests in front of the company’s… Okay. I don’t think any more words will be of help. Let’s go.”

Seeming triumphant, Zhong Hancheng stood up and headed toward the door, so did the other board members, as if they had already discussed it. But before they could step out, Xiao Bing opened his eyes and said calmly, “There’s something I need to remind you of. Life is the most precious thing a man can have. We need to learn to treasure our lives. Perhaps when you walk out of that door, there will be no coming back. You all might need to be serious about it…”

Zhong Hanchen wheeled around and looked back at Xiao Bing. He then snorted, “You were still sucking milk from your mother’s breast when we built this empire. Who the hell are you to threaten me!”

Zhong Hanchen opened the door of the room and left without hesitation. The others looked back at Xiao Bing and Yezi as well, mocking, then they left.

The room soon became empty. There were only Xiao Bing, Yezi, Lil Bei, and the grateful secretary left. Seeming worried, Yezi spoke. “I didn’t expect that the situation would be like this. What am I supposed to do? I have zero experience in running a company. It’s reasonable for them to go against me. Maybe Mr. Zhong is now the best person for the position.”

Li Huiyong did not say a word. She fixed her eyes on Xiao Bing, wondering what he was going to do.

Though she had only known him for a short time, she could tell that Xiao Bing was Yezi’s emotional anchor and Yezi always took advice from this man. Li Huiyong deemed him to be no ordinary man.

Grinning, Xiao Bing said, “Yezi, you really think everything will be okay after you give up out that chair? You’re very naive then if you really think so.”

Ye Xiaoxi was a clever girl. She had not seen through it because this time she was involved. She was suddenly enlightened by what Xiao Bing just said.

Smirking, Xiao Bing continued, “It’s so obvious that they have discussed being against you. No matter how many years they have been in the company, they are still the employees of the Ye family. Don’t you think that it’s so strange that they dare to behave like this when they know you hold the greatest share of the company? How could they have the guts to disrespect you without having a person backing them up? And there’s one who even didn’t show up!”

Ye Xiaoxi suddenly realized it. “You made a point. So there is another person backing them up?”

“Yes. You still want to hand over the company your father built from dozens of years of hard work? God knows what they will do when they have the power. Maybe it will belong to another family soon.”

There was a hint of light in Li Huiyong’s eyes when she heard those words. She found wisdom in this man because Xiao Bing easily saw through the matter, which never occurred to her. She could not help admiring him inwardly.

“If that’s the case, then by no means will I let another person sit on that chair. I hold the greatest share of the company. They can’t do anything to me even if there are more of them. I must take the position!” said Yexiao Xi sternly.

Yet, Li Huiyong was not as optimistic as Ye Xiaoxi. “Little Missy, these board members have been in this company for many years, and many heads of the departments of the company are their confidants. If they truly withdraw their shares and ask their confidants to resign, I’m afraid that the Ye Group will face a crisis that is far more disturbing than the one we’re dealing with now. We’ll fall apart from the inside before the enemy even starts striking,” said Li Huiyong worriedly.

Ye Xiaoxi sighed. “No wonder they paid such little respect to me. They think I’m destined to be defeated.”

Li Huiyong turned to Xiao Bing and asked, “Mr. Xiao, what should we do with the present situation?”

“It takes evil means to kill evil men…” There was a hint of sharp light flashing in Xiao Bing eyes.