In Mu Qingrong's office, she was holding the phone, furrowing her brows tightly as she listened to someone's incessant chatter on the other end.
"Qingrong, you are just a girl, can you bear all these responsibilities? Why must you carry so many burdens on your own; can you handle them?"
"At your age, you should be considering marriage. But, I heard from Aunt Xia that you haven't even been in a relationship. How long are you going to delay your marriage?"
"I know I'm getting older and I can be long-winded. But, I am saying these things for your own good. Alright, I know you are busy, I won't keep you. Just think about it. When you have time, you should really take care of your personal life!"
After hanging up, Mu Qingrong had an indescribable tiredness on her face. Torn between the company and family, she truly felt exhausted both mentally and physically. But she was not one to give up easily. Since she took on the responsibilities, she was not going to put them down that easily!
The phone on the desk rang again, and Mu Qingrong picked up the call, recognizing the familiar voice on the other end.
"Qingrong, when are you free to come down to the factory?"
"What's the matter?" Mu Qingrong asked, surprised. The caller was Ms. Xia, who managed the factory's operations. A call from there was certainly not a sign of good news.
"Ah!" Aunt Xia sighed and said, "The factory has been shut down for more than a month now, and these girls come out to work to earn money. The money they've made so far is not even enough to cover living expenses, and many are clamoring to leave."
Mu Qingrong frowned. There were indeed problems with the factory's operations; there had been no work for quite some time. She had been trying to secure projects from Feiyun Group, to ensure the factory could continue to have work. However, the business deal with Feiyun Group was still uncertain, leaving her in a situation that was a risky, lone gamble.
"Aunt Xia, try to calm them down for now, I'll be over soon!" Mu Qingrong said as she hung up the phone, sat silently at her desk for a moment, then stood up to leave. Just then, the door opened, and Wang Xuan entered with a faint smile.
"Director Mu, it's almost time to leave. Where are you going?" Wang Xuan asked with a smile.
"To the factory." Mu Qingrong replied.
"Oh," Wang Xuan nodded, pausing before saying, "Director Wang, what exactly was Ye Qing doing today? Why was he out of the office the whole day?"
Mu Qingrong frowned slightly. Wang Xuan was always fixated on Ye Qing, always looking for opportunities to nitpick.
"I sent him to Das Group to cancel a contract," Mu Qingrong said.
"It took him a whole day just to cancel a contract?" Wang Xuan frowned and said, "His work attitude won't do. The company hired him to create value, but instead, he takes the company's money and wanders around all day. Is that the right attitude to work?"
Mu Qingrong felt anger rising within her. For subordinates to speak ill of others in front of their superiors was a major taboo, with the impression of sowing discord. However, Wang Xuan had never paid attention to this aspect, and owing to his competencies in the company, he had become arrogant and often sowed discord in front of Mu Qingrong.
Mu Qingrong didn't know how to deal with him. Wang Xuan had control over most of the company's business dealings, essentially holding the company's lifeline in his hands.
Of course, Mu Qingrong was also puzzled. Ye Qing went simply to cancel a contract, yet it had taken him all day and he still hadn't returned, even as the workday was ending. What exactly was going on?
Seeing Mu Qingrong remain silent, Wang Xuan spoke earnestly, "Director Mu, I feel that Ye Qing is a bit too irresponsible. His behavior is detrimental to our company's growth. Moreover, he resists management. I have given him several businesses to handle, and not only does he not take care of them, he lazes around all day.
Keeping such an employee, will only spoil the atmosphere of the entire company!"
Mu Qingrong replied, "He has only been working here for a few days and is still unfamiliar with many things. You are his superior; when there is a chance, help him out more instead of harboring these complaints over trivial matters!"
Wang Xuan's words carried a hint of sarcasm, "I can't help him. If I could manage him, I wouldn't have come to discuss this matter with you, Director Mu."
Mu Qingrong frowned, just about to respond, when there was a sudden knock on the door.
"Come in!" Mu Qingrong called out.
Ye Qing pushed the door open, walked up to the two of them, and said, "Director Mu, Manager Wang."
Wang Xuan's expression turned chilly as he turned his head away, ignoring Ye Qing.
Mu Qingrong furrowed her brow slightly and asked, "Ye Qing, why did it take you so long to cancel a contract?"
"I discussed a few more businesses with Das Group," Ye Qing replied, not wanting to bring up the issue of bidding.
Wang Xuan angrily exclaimed, "Didn't we agree not to take on new businesses? We are focusing all our efforts on the Feiyun Group project now; how can we have the capacity to take on other businesses?"
Mu Qingrong was also astonished as she looked at Ye Qing and said, "I asked you to withdraw the contract, why are you taking on new business? Our company's current situation is not suitable for new business."
"Das Group has agreed to pay us eighty percent of the amount as a prepayment," Ye Qing said. "I think this condition should not affect Feiyun Group's operations, so I negotiated with them."
"What?" Mu Qingrong and Wang Xuan exclaimed in surprise at the same time. An eighty percent prepayment was unheard of in all their years of experience—it was an incredibly high advance payment.
"Eighty percent prepayment?" Wang Xuan stared at Ye Qing incredulously and said, "Are you joking? Do you think Das Group is owned by your family or something?"
"I'm not joking!" Ye Qing shook his head, took out a file bag, and said, "This is the previous contract we had. Manager Liu from Das Group has already made the amendments, adding the eighty percent prepayment into it. Also, here are several new businesses they offered today, all willing to make an eighty percent prepayment.
Manager Liu said if Director Mu thinks it's feasible, we can draft a contract on our end, and everything would be fine on their side!"
Mu Qingrong immediately took the file bag and went through everything. Just as Ye Qing had said, the contract had been amended, and the eighty percent prepayment was included. The additional projects, when combined, amounted to more than two hundred thousand. For Chiyun Company, this was a significant chunk of business!
"It's... it's actually true!" Mu Qingrong's voice trembled slightly—these businesses were incredibly important for her current situation. With these deals and the eighty percent prepayment, the factory could start production immediately.
"Impossible! This... this can't be true!" Wang Xuan, with wide eyes, said, "Director Mu, there must be something wrong here, the contract must have issues. Think about it, which company would offer an eighty percent prepayment?"
"I have checked, the contract is fine," Mu Qingrong said.
"Then... then there must be something wrong with Das Group, I can't believe there would be such a thing!" Wang Xuan urged anxiously, "Call Das Group and confirm, I don't believe it!"
Mu Qingrong glanced at Ye Qing who remained calm, not showing any dissatisfaction with Wang Xuan's words.
Wang Xuan picked up the phone and dialed Liu Yuan's number, also switching to speakerphone so Mu Qingrong could hear.
"Hello, this is Liu Yuan, the Business Manager of Das Group."
Liu Yuan's voice came through the phone, with a hint of excitement. He had just reported back to his boss, who had rewarded him handsomely—his spirits were soaring.
"Hi, this is Chiyun Company. Um, our salesman, Ye Qing, has brought back a contract and several business deals claiming that your company will provide an eighty percent prepayment. I'd like to confirm this matter," Wang Xuan said, casting a doubtful glance at Ye Qing. He was convinced that no one would offer an eighty percent prepayment, so surely Ye Qing must be lying.
This call would expose Ye Qing for what he really was.
"Oh, are you talking about the business deals from Brother Ye?" Liu Yuan laughed, "That's right, an eighty percent prepayment. I personally added that. Rest assured, as soon as the contract is signed, the prepayment will immediately enter your account, you don't have to worry about the balance."
"What?" Wang Xuan's eyes nearly popped out of his head; he hadn't expected this to be true.
But Mu Qingrong was overjoyed. She picked up the phone and said, "Manager Liu, thank you in advance. I'll draft the contract right away and have Ye Qing deliver it to you tomorrow to review."
"Oh, no need to be so formal. Everything's fine on my end as long as there are no issues on yours," Liu Yuan laughed, "With Brother Ye mediating, I trust him completely!"
Mu Qingrong glanced at Ye Qing, unable to fathom how this blockhead managed to earn such trust from an old fox in the business world. Regardless, it had become reality, and she was delighted. The business from Das Group would help the company weather its current difficulties!
"Thanks again, Manager Liu. I'll treat you to a meal when I get the chance," Mu Qingrong said with a laugh.
Liu Yuan laughed, "That won't be necessary. I've just taken on a few deals, so I might be quite busy. However, when you get a chance, give Brother Ye a day off to join me for a drink—that would be great!"
"No problem, no problem at all," Mu Qingrong said with a laugh, putting down the phone and turning to Ye Qing, "Ye Qing, you've done a great job with these deals. Take this contract to the finance department and have them draft a new contract based on the previous one from Das Group."
"Understood." Ye Qing took the file bag, his expression remaining calm.
Mu Qingrong, however, was extremely pleased and glanced at Wang Xuan, "Manager Wang, we need to step up our game with Feiyun Group's matter!"
Wang Xuan, still in a daze, managed a couple of noncommittal grunts, his mind fixated on Liu Yuan addressing Ye Qing with familiarity. Brothers Ye? What was their relationship?
"Ye Qing, do you have time after work?" Mu Qingrong turned to Ye Qing, "I need to go to the factory. Could you accompany me?"
(A reader group for this book has been created: Group ID: 310323423, friends are welcome to join the group chat. Additionally, I recommend a friend's new book "Underworld Civil Servant," just search "Underworld Civil Servant" to find it.)