Chapter 128: President Su, Please Conduct Yourself with Dignity!
Because the documents Jin Cheng had produced already confirmed Lin Mu’s identity, no one now dared to doubt that he was the company president. Still, most people were inwardly quite displeased. After all, as soon as Lin Mu arrived, he immediately dismissed the managers of both the Sales and the Research and Development departments.
This was a huge loss for the entire company. Most importantly, no one knew who this new president would make an example of next. Regardless, by offending the company’s management, Lin Mu had established his authority, but he hadn’t won their true respect.
Tang Feng of the Human Resources Department.
Zhou Ziming of the Risk Control Department.
Yuan Shan of the Public Relations Department.
Zhao Zhuowen, the Office Director.
...
TAP, TAP.
Lin Mu’s fingers tapped lightly on the documents on the table. Everyone immediately sat up straight, as if facing a formidable enemy. After all, no matter how annoyed they were with Lin Mu’s actions, the file in his hands could very well determine the professional fate of certain people present.
"President Lin... President Lin, now that the company is without managers for the Sales and R&D departments, what should we do about our current projects?" Shen Lian, the manager of the Finance Department, asked hesitantly.
Lin Mu shot him a cool glance. "And why is that a problem? Are you saying the company can’t function without them? If that’s the case, I have serious doubts about the capabilities of everyone seated here."
Hearing this, a collective sigh of relief filled the room.
Was this new president implying that he wouldn’t pursue the matter any further?
"I will arrange for someone to take over the Sales Department. As for Research and Development..."
Lin Mu glanced at the file in his hands, his gaze falling upon a young, bespectacled man in the crowd. "Manager Chen, from now on, I’m afraid the R&D Department will require more of your attention."
The man was Chen Cheng, the Deputy Manager of the R&D Department. He had a bookish, almost frail appearance. A graduate of Medical University, his background in pharmaceutical development made him well-suited for the position. However, the department was usually under Yang Ye’s thumb, leaving Chen Cheng with virtually no say. At times, his challenges to Yang Ye’s decisions were ignored or even met with a harsh rebuke.
Lin Mu’s words were clearly a direct promotion to head of the R&D department.
"I... I’m afraid I won’t do a good job," Chen Cheng said. Though only in his early thirties, he was a reticent man who already carried a world-weary air about him.
Lin Mu’s tone turned serious. "You will do it, whether you think you can do a good job or not!"
Chen Cheng stared at Lin Mu in shock. Just as he was about to speak, Office Director Zhao Zhuowen interjected, "I think Manager Chen is perfectly capable of handling this position."
"That’s right. Manager Chen’s expertise is a perfect fit for R&D. Besides, he has been with the company for many years, and his loyalty is plain for all to see," Yuan Shan added in support.
"What is your opinion, President Su?" Lin Mu asked, turning to Su Ke’er.
"I think he’s a fine choice," Su Ke’er replied. She had a good impression of Chen Cheng; he was a diligent worker with an almost fanatical obsession with pharmaceutical research.
"It seems everyone recognizes Manager Chen’s capabilities. That settles it, then," Lin Mu announced, his decision final.
"This... Thank you, President Lin!" Chen Cheng exclaimed, rising to his feet. "Thank you all for your support. I promise I will work hard for the company."
His earnest reaction brought a few knowing smiles to the faces in the room, and the tense atmosphere began to relax.
"Rest assured, as long as you work diligently for the company, you will be well-rewarded. But if any of you dare to feign compliance while undermining me, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"
Lin Mu stood up. "As for what comes next, you can all figure that out on your own."
He then turned to Su Ke’er. "President Su, as the Vice President, I’ll have to trouble you to manage things when I’m not around."
These words were, of course, directed at her.
"Oh, okay."
Su Ke’er only managed a hurried reply after Yuan Shan nudged her.
Without another word, Lin Mu turned and left.
The others watched his retreating figure, their expressions complex. The young man’s methods were incredibly shrewd. With just a few simple moves, he had ousted Liu Hong and Yang Ye while promoting Chen Cheng. He had even given them some reassurance by confirming that the company’s daily affairs would still largely be managed by Su Ke’er.
Compared to a stranger like Lin Mu, Su Ke’er was a company veteran from the Su Family, possessing both capability and experience. Moreover, her position was perfectly justified.
「The President’s Office」
After dealing with some related matters, Lin Mu tossed his pen aside, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest. Mi Xiaotao brought him a cup of coffee, her eyes filled with admiration and respect for the new president as she offered a knowing smile.
"President Lin, please have some coffee."
Lin Mu opened his eyes. "Thank you."
Mi Xiaotao blushed instantly and waved her hands, insisting it was just part of her job.
Lin Mu suddenly raised an eyebrow. "Secretary Tao, please prepare another cup of coffee."
"President Lin, is the coffee not to your liking? I’ll get you another one," Mi Xiaotao blurted out, alarmed. She had witnessed firsthand how imperiously the new president had commanded the meeting room. If he was dissatisfied with her, her job would be on the line.
"Why so nervous?" Lin Mu said with a wry laugh. "We’re about to have a guest."
"Oh, oh, of course."
Just as Mi Xiaotao finished preparing the second cup, the office door was pushed open forcefully. The visitor was none other than Su Ke’er.
"Secretary Tao, you can get back to your work now," Lin Mu said.
Before leaving, Mi Xiaotao gently closed the office door behind her, then stuck her tongue out slightly.
The tension between President Lin and President Su is terrifying.
Su Ke’er watched Lin Mu silently, her gaze unfriendly.
"President Su, have some coffee," Lin Mu offered.
Su Ke’er walked over, planted her hands on the desk, and leaned forward to look directly into Lin Mu’s eyes.
"Who are you, really?"
Her tone was laden with complexity, but deep within her eyes was a hint of scrutiny.
Su Ke’er was exceptionally beautiful with a tall, slender build. Today she wore a gray business suit that showcased her magnificent figure perfectly. As she leaned forward, her posture created an impressive view. Because she was so close, Lin Mu could not only see a flash of wildness in her eyes but also catch a faint, alluring scent. Her natural fragrance was intoxicating.
Lin Mu quickly averted his gaze and took a sip of his coffee.
PFFT!
The coffee was scalding. His arm trembled, and he spilled some on himself.
Watching Lin Mu fumbling to wipe his clothes, Su Ke’er let out a chuckle. Just moments ago, this man had dominated the meeting room, dismissing two managers with an air of absolute authority. Yet here he was, fumbling in front of her over such a silly mistake. She found it unexpectedly amusing.
However, Su Ke’er quickly remembered why she had come. Her smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression, though the hardness in her eyes had softened.
Only then did Lin Mu, feigning composure, say, "President Su, please have some decorum."
"What?" Su Ke’er asked, confused.
Lin Mu gestured toward her chest.
She glanced down and saw the deep cleavage her posture revealed.
"Ah!"
Su Ke’er instantly clutched her chest, her pretty face flushing a deep crimson.
"You pervert!"
Just as Mi Xiaotao was debating whether to check on them, she saw Su Ke’er rush out of the office, straightening her clothes with a flushed face. Meanwhile, the president was inside, wiping his shirt.
That... As she put two and two together, Mi Xiaotao’s face turned beet red, the blush spreading all the way to her earlobes.
"President, I... I’ll be going now," she stammered.
Watching Mi Xiaotao beat a hasty retreat, Lin Mu was left stunned for a long moment.
Damn it. This is a huge misunderstanding...