Love Me Harder, Mr. Fu - Chapter 67

“We are gathered here for the discussion on our next anticipated collection, the Nova collection. Firstly, I would like to hear from you about the work process and what you think is wrong or whatever you think should be done. I want to hear your ideas, each one of you” says she pointing to each one present in that room. “Let me tell you this ahead, I am planning to launch the collection on the 4th of April which is next month. According to what I know so far, the work is nearly done. I want it by next week. If it passes everyone’s opinion then ell and good, if not, we have to start it all again.” The staff gulps hearing her speech. She is something else whenever she leads, like a strong bold tigress who is approachable but within your reach. Her gaze is as cold as ice and the look on her is scary enough. Everyone nods in agreement. “Let’s begin.”

“I think the PR department should hype the launch of our collection to grab the attention of the audience. Also, if somehow ours were similar to other company, just in case, we should be able to defend ourselves because we notified them earlier than the opposite company” a woman dressed in a maroon blouse and white skinny jeans suggests. Everyone’s eyes are on her, including Shi Lian who is listening to her intently.

“You do have some point…..we have to look into it,” Shi Lian says, giving her an agreeable nod. She then continues, “Please, write the ideas so that it will be easier when we work.”

The staff starts writing in their notepads, Ruxi and JJ as well because they need to give their input as well. Shi Lain gestures to the other sitting to her side.

“The designs are complex…..it’s not ready yet,” a woman from the design department says hesitantly. Shi Lian cocks her eyebrow at her, her finger stays on the cold glass table as she stares at her.

“Do you know the problem why the work is not in time?” Shi Lian asks, demanding. The woman says nothing and looks down on her notepad.

“Because we fight half the time” another worker joins in. Shi Lian nods agreeing with him. He went on, “We fight on small, minor issues…..Kexin and Luoyan are always on each other. Due to them, we lose time because we have to stop them first.”

“That’s not true!” a woman named Kexin protests as she shot up from her seat.

“We sometimes argue but that’s not the reason for the due!” Luoyan chimes in, defending herself, scowling at the guy.

“Sit” Shi Lian orders sternly. Looking at both of them, she sighs, “Look, there’s no benefit in knowing who caused it or not. We need to make this work or else we are doomed. You people are not taking this seriously! If we failed to do it on time, then you may start looking for another job.”

Silence hangs in the air like solid rock. No one dares to say anything or look up. The atmosphere is getting intense and nobody knows what will happen next. Shi Lian’s mood is already ruined so there’s no faking any smile or anything. These people are taking it lightly without caring that the company’s life is at stake. If she failed to launch the collection, the shareholders are there to eat her up and throw her from the position. She needs to think of something and quick. “Miss Ruxi, how much has done so far?”

“Not enough to show you next week” Ruxi answers with a down look.

“You, the design department, you will be working late today. You can’t leave the company until and unless you finish your job. Is that clear?” Shi Lian orders more as she threatens. The staff darts their eyes to each other, looking for a sign of an answer. They are hesitant, unsure what to do. “Alright then, it’s final then. I’ll stay with you as well” she says without hearing their opinion. They remain silent and nod because they are bound to follow her.

Shi Lian then turns her attention to the finance group and JJ, “How’s it going?”

“We are trying. The route was somehow misused and due to which the company has drained so many resources. I heard about the plagiarism part, I guess it may be the reason. But I can’t round up how and where the money went?” JJ says in frustration. He has been trying to solve this issue for the past few days but there’s no luck till now.

For the past six months or maybe for a long time, someone is sucking up the money without anyone’s knowing. This work is of someone familiar with the company’s pattern, this person may be inside the company. he says nothing about this because he has clues regarding it.

“It’s not about the plagiarism part that led to the drowning of resources. Someone has been working for a long time sucking away everything from the company and to think nobody noticed it. even if someone did, they must have been threatened or joined hands with this unknown. Anyway, we have to focus on our collection first. Keep trying and don’t lose hope.”

“I was thinking the same” JJ replies, his long fingers tapping on the glass table.

Shi Lian asks some more questions and the staff answer with honesty. They try to tell their thoughts and what can be done to solve this. The meeting goes for another hour.

“Alright, let’s end our meeting here,” Shi Lian says, rising from her seat and organizing her files. Everyone rises as well and starts to leave.

When everyone went and only Shi Lian is left, Ruxi approaches, “Shi, You handled the situation well! You will be working late with them then?”

Shi Lian nods giving her a small smile as she holds her laptop and files in her hands. They exit from the meeting room and Shi Lian goes straight to her office and Ruxi to hers.

She startles, seeing her Uncle sitting on the couch as he exhales out the smoke of his cigarette. “What are you doing here?” she asks narrowing her eyes at him.

“Doesn’t matter” he says as he sucks in the cigarette making the tip of the stick glow. “Come, sit. Let’s talk” he says, sneering the same way he always does. Shi Lian hesitates at first but she is curious to know what motive he has this time. Keeping the things on the desk, she sits on the couch opposite him.

“Talk” she demands, crossing her legs, her left feet dangle to the ground as she waits for him to answer. After the meeting, he hasn’t done anything which she is glad but it is unusual of him. What tricks does he have up his sleeves?

“Give up the Chairman position” he states as he gives her a threatening look.

Shi Lian scoffs, “Uncle, I already told you I won’t. I am the official Chairman now and no one dares to remove me. So please, stop wasting your time.”

He laughs like she said some kind of joke. He shakes his head, still laughing as he dumps the carcass in the small case. “You think if you are the chairman, you are now invincible? Is that what you think, my dear Shi Lian?”

Shi Lian’s jaw flexes but she says nothing. ‘What else can he do? He won’t go that far to make me kill, will he?’, she ponders.

“We share the same blood and because of that, I am telling you this very sweetly. If you keep being stubborn like this, I might need to toughen up,” he threatens as he sneers at her.

“We share the same blood and that’s why I am kind enough to talk to you. I am not the same Shi Lian who used to get manipulated by you. I won’t step away from it no matter what ugly tricks you pull” she fires back. She knew her uncle is a vile person and she also is aware that he can anything for the greed of power but how much, she still needs to see.

“What can you do anyway? Your little shitty project…do you think you can save this company? you? Dream less Shi Lian. The shareholders aren’t in favor of you. When this project of yours fails, sooner or later everyone will turn their backs on you. You can do nothing. NOTHING” he scorns, mindfucking her.

“I’ll show you. Wait until this collection drops and then we will see who is going to laugh” she challenges calmly and confidently without any hint of wrath in her face. “Now” she rises from the couch, “please leave.” She crosses her arm before her chest and gestures at the sight of the door.

He gets from the couch, straightening his suit jacket he walks to the door. He turns back saying his words before he leaves, “I won’t show any mercy.”