This chapter is a supplement to the few plot holes dug earlier.
Time returned to morning, Star River Building, Xinghe Group.
Ji Jun, the Executive President of Xinghe Group, looked at the disconnected call. A moment later, a an email from Gu Liancheng arrived on his phone. It only contained two lines: name, gender, age.
Ji Jun knew this was their current boss. He sighed, looking at the information that was barely better than nothing, then turned and pushed open the conference room door.
Seeing Ji Jun push open the door and enter, the executives who had been conversing in the conference room slowly quieted down and looked at Ji Jun. Ji Jun strode to the head seat, but did not sit down. He scanned the executives in the conference room and spoke:
"Everyone, I just received notice that our new boss—Jiang Chen, Mr. Jiang—will be visiting the Group tomorrow and officially taking over Xinghe!"
As soon as Ji Jun's words fell, the previously somewhat noisy conference room immediately became silent, not a sound to be heard. Half a month ago, Xu Shizhong told them that he had transferred the Group and that someone would take over soon. After saying nothing else, he disappeared without a trace. They didn't even know who was taking over.
The executives looked at each other. Unlike most Groups, Xinghe Group had never been listed and was still a wholly-owned enterprise, an almost incredible existence. This meant that the boss had the power to decide everything; they were merely high-level employees hired to assist the boss in management.
Facing the new boss, they were curious, but more so, they felt apprehensive. After all, they didn't know what kind of person the new boss was, what his background was, or how he treated people and matters. Complex emotions intertwined in their hearts.
"Cough, cough!"
Ji Jun coughed once, tapping the table lightly with his palm.
He paused until everyone quieted down, then he said:
"Everyone, I hope that from now on, you all show your best side. Tomorrow is our first day meeting the new boss, and I hope all of us, from top to bottom, leave a good impression on the boss."
"Now, I hope that all department heads and general managers of branch companies prepare your report materials, making clear and concise briefings or verbal materials, ready to report to the boss at any time!"
He took a sip of tea and emphasized again: "From now on, the moment you leave this conference room, clean the entire building inside and out. Department heads, go back and instruct your departments on hygiene."
"I don't want anyone to make a mistake tomorrow. Mr. Jiang's first impression tomorrow will determine our future, our career plans. To put it bluntly, it even concerns our families behind us!"
"Therefore, after leaving the conference room, I hope that all three thousand-plus employees of the Group are ready and waiting, striving to show their best side!"
Ji Jun's words were deafening, yet every word came from his heart. He didn't know if the great ship of Xinghe, after changing to a young captain, could still lead them to ride the wind and waves like the old captain once did. But right now, they only hoped the new captain would accept them, the crew.
"Now, meeting adjourned!"
The executives acknowledged the order and returned to their respective departments to begin work, relaying Ji Jun's instructions from the conference room. Instantly, the entire Xinghe Group, from top to bottom, became a hive of activity.
The usual relaxed and pleasant atmosphere vanished, replaced by an intense sense of tension. All departments halted non-essential work and began a thorough cleaning.
The security department repeatedly checked for safety hazards inside and out, inspecting all safety and fire measures floor by floor.
The maintenance department even replaced toilet doors that usually made a slight creaking sound. The cleaning department arranged for the exterior glass of the building to be cleaned, with workers resembling Spider-Man.
Inside the Group, rumors flew about the upcoming new boss.
"Have you heard? The new Chairman is coming tomorrow."
"Oh my, who could possibly take over such a massive enterprise as our Xinghe?"
"I don't know. I was slacking off and got caught by the team leader and sent to clean the toilets."
"Thanks for the invite, I just came out of the meeting room. I heard the boss is a Red Boy; everyone who knows, knows."
"If the new Chairman takes a liking to me, that would be great. I want to have his babies."
"Wait, aren't you a man, upstairs?"
"I confess, I'm actually the new Chairman's illegitimate child. Now, if you Venmo me 50, I'll make you directors when I inherit the family business!"
Facing a Group rife with rumors, Ji Jun was pacing back and forth in his office. Beside him sat the Finance Director, Yang Fan, who was smoking. After the meeting adjourned, Ji Jun had called Yang Fan and asked him to bring all the financial statements from recent years, down to the smallest detail.
Also, investment reports and all related documents from the Group over the past few years were brought in, filling the entire table.
Later, he called in the two Vice Presidents under him, deciding to pull an all-nighter to examine whether there were any problems within the Group over these years.
Inside the office, smoke billowed. The air purifier, set to maximum, couldn't clear the smoke. Several executives held cigarettes in one hand and reports in the other, meticulously reviewing line by line, fearing they might overlook something.
Ji Jun and the executives prepared to stay up all night to get ready in advance. If Mr. Jiang were to conduct a spot check and they were completely clueless, they would truly be finished.
Ji Jun, holding a cigarette, put down the report, wearily pinched his brow, and drank some tea from his cup. Staring at the teacup, Ji Jun was lost in thought. He still didn't understand why.
Ji Jun never understood why Xu Shizhong would transfer the Group.
Half a month ago, at the last meeting presided over by Xu Shizhong, when he said he had transferred the Group to someone else, Ji Jun even thought he had gone crazy.
Who could possibly take over the enormous Xinghe? And how could Xu Shizhong transfer the great ship of Xinghe to someone else? He had built Xinghe from nothing to its current size. Ji Jun had followed him for over a decade.
He knew Xu Shizhong had always treated Xinghe like his child, watching it grow into the towering giant it was today. Transfer it? What else could it be but madness?
After the meeting, Xu Shizhong found Ji Jun and told him to assist the person taking over Xinghe well. As long as they had no ulterior motives, he would treat them well.
He then handed him "a letter," telling him to give it to the person taking over Xinghe, saying that after reading it, he would understand and would also treat them well.
Finally, Xu Shizhong smiled and told him that he had completed his mission, and now he was merely returning Xinghe to its rightful owner.
After that, Xu Shizhong disappeared.
Ji Jun thought about the last time he saw Xu Shizhong, and glanced at the letter he had locked in the safe.