MG CH18

The seed of suspicion, once secretly planted, might remain dormant for a while, but you can never be certain it won’t eventually sprout. After all, it doesn’t need sunlight or rain; it only needs a deceitful tongue.

Yan Zishu was well aware of this and understood Fu Jinchi’s machinations.

Fu Jinchi was simply trying to erode the trust between Fu Weishan and his “capable subordinate” bit by bit, through various daily large and small matters.

Considering his position as the antagonist BOSS, this behavior was logical and even quite cunning.

However, no matter what Fu Jinchi said or what Fu Weishan thought, according to company decision-making procedures, the overall person in charge for the collaboration project between Yinghan Group and Dongyun Bank in the field of art finance still needed to be discussed and decided upon by the general office meeting.

This agenda item was quickly approved. When it came to the meeting, most of the attending executives nominated Yan Zishu.

Firstly, he was indeed a more suitable candidate, capable and familiar with the preliminary preparations for this project.

Secondly, at the wine table that day, the guest relations director and other colleagues were also present and witnessed the conversation. Since the words had already been spoken in front of Qin Maosheng, and he believed them, changing to someone else later would inevitably make their side seem indecisive.

Logically, Fu Weishan knew this was true.

But what should have been a smooth transition, allowing Fu Jinchi to lead him by the nose, simply made him feel inwardly resentful.

Others didn’t know what he was being difficult about; they all assumed he would naturally favor his confidant.

After all, from a normal person’s perspective, a boss would surely arrange a promising career prospect for their right-hand man. Even if it was just a grand promise, they should at least make some gesture, otherwise, they might be perceived as harsh and unfeeling, lacking in human touch.

For the sake of appearances, Fu Weishan could only be magnanimous, and with a poker face, he made the decision: “The cooperation project with Dongyun is of great significance to the company, so Yan Zishu, put aside your other tasks and focus on following up on this. Is there anything else to add?”

The meeting room fell silent for a moment; no one raised any objections.

Yan Zishu, also present at the meeting, stood up and cleverly expressed: “Thank you, CEO Fu and the company, for your trust and cultivation.”

He made it clear that he was acknowledging Fu Weishan’s favor, unrelated to anyone else. This submissive attitude finally made Fu Weishan feel a little relieved.

This also showed his ability to employ talent. Fu Weishan convinced himself, might as well arrange it this way.

After walking out of the conference room, some executives playfully patted Yan Zishu’s shoulder, jokingly suggesting that Assistant Yan’s business cards should be re-printed by the administration department, as he would soon have to add a title like “Project General Manager,” hahaha, and so on.

Only a few individuals, with forced smiles, said: “Although Assistant Yan is young and promising, he might be too young. Suddenly having to lead such a large project, it might not be easy to convince those senior employees.”

This “few individuals” referred to a Vice President named Li Chang’an.

Although Li Chang’an shared the surname Li, in terms of kinship, he was Fu Weishan’s cousin on his mother’s side—his mother was a daughter married out of the Fu family.

Because Yinghan was a family business, no matter how modernized it became, in every intricate part of its structure, aunts, uncles, and cousins could still be counted by the pound. Such nepotism was unavoidable.

Li Chang’an was better at pleasing Third Uncle Fu, so he secured a “Vice President” position, but he was typically someone who drew a salary without doing much work.

Just now at the general office meeting, Li Chang’an had nominated another candidate from his own faction for the Dongyun cooperation project, but he couldn’t compete with Yan Zishu. Now that the meeting was over, he naturally came to make sarcastic remarks and find fault.

Yan Zishu avoided his sharpness, adopting a humble attitude, and responded deferentially: “Director Li is right. My experience is still shallow, and I may not be able to lead the project well. I still need to learn a lot from you regarding work matters.”

Li Chang’an saw that he didn’t argue back. No matter how much he ridiculed him, it was still like singing a solo act, so he curled his lips, finding it boring.

The Vice President who had just congratulated Yan Zishu saw this and said: “Director Li, if you had such great insights, why didn’t you bring them up during the meeting just now?” Without waiting for Li Chang’an’s reply, he added: “Oh, but Director Li takes leave for eight out of ten meetings, so perhaps he couldn’t keep up with the meeting’s pace. Or perhaps next time you attend, we should ask the secretary to remind everyone to slow down their speaking speed?”

Li Chang’an was put in an awkward position. He barely worked a few days of the week normally; wasn’t he always elusive?

It was rare for him to attend this general office meeting, and his sole purpose was to help his own people snatch the project, but he failed.

This outspoken Vice President wasn’t particularly close to Yan Zishu either; he primarily disliked freeloaders like Li Chang’an.

After Li Chang’an left dejectedly, that Vice President again told Yan Zishu: “Don’t mind what he says. The general office meeting decided to appoint you, naturally because of your own ability. As long as you do well, no one can steal your credit.”

Yan Zishu smiled and said: “I understand that. We’re all working for the company, and I will naturally do my best.”

The Vice President patted his shoulder again, said a few encouraging words, and returned to his office.

Yan Zishu, however, was truly unperturbed by favor or disgrace. Looking at the essence through complex interpersonal relationships, it was simply this: if there’s a project, he’ll do it.

Dealing with complex and ever-changing data and information was, at least, more within his area of expertise than constantly concerning himself with the boss’s romantic escapades.

The main point was, what workaholic could refuse an opportunity for “promotion and salary increase”?

Yan Zishu hadn’t actively sought it before because, according to the plot, he was supposed to wholeheartedly follow Fu Weishan, regardless of gain or loss.

To others, he had always been content to diligently and uncomplainingly serve in this position.

Not contending is one thing, but no matter how it came about, if others put it in front of him, was there any reason to refuse?

That would be an insult to ambition.

In his original world, he wouldn’t need any encouragement from a Vice President; it would be considered magnanimous of him not to actively step on others.

He calculated. In his current situation, whether he got promoted or not didn’t matter for now—mainly because promotion was useless, as he didn’t know how long he would stay at Yinghan—but the project’s performance and bonuses were real, and it would be good to get them.

His position couldn’t be taken with him, but money could help him do many things, whether it was forging identities or transferring funds.

If he could break free from the plot’s constraints in the future, these could still serve as capital for his comeback.

Yan Zishu, in a good mood, stood by his workstation, sprayed some water on his pothos plant with a sprayer, then took off his glasses and wiped them.

When he put them back on, they still concealed the calculations and shrewdness in his eyes.

In that case, he should thank Mr. Fu for interfering.

As for office politics?

That wasn’t a problem; it was merely a mandatory course that everyone in the workplace had to experience.

As the project team began to select members, Yan Zishu first invited Ben from the secretarial department out for a coffee.

As soon as they sat down, he got straight to the point: “Did you volunteer to inform Fu Jinchi, or did he ask you to?”

The booth area around them was empty, but people kept coming and going in the cafe. Ben’s face changed: “Assistant Yan, this…”

He almost sprang from his chair, looking left and right, but Yan Zishu remained calm, not looking like he was there to reprimand.

Ben cautiously sat back down, his backside only daring to touch half the chair this time.

A barista in an apron came over with a tray, placing two coffees on the small table. The two men tacitly fell silent.

After the barista walked away, Yan Zishu spoke calmly: “Don’t be nervous. If you were in my position, you’d find it very easy to notice these small actions. But do you know why I’m only coming to you now?”

Ben’s face was composed, but cold sweat beaded on his back: “Assistant Yan, no, Director Yan, I don’t know. Please tell me.”

Fu Jinchi secretly gathering intelligence from Ben—the nature of this matter could be big or small.

Minimally, it could be “idle gossip due to personal acquaintance.”

Maximally, it could be “suspected disclosure of the superior’s privacy or company secrets.”

Yan Zishu observed him for a long time before picking up his cup: “Then let’s be frank. What’s past is prologue, but from now on, I plan to transfer you to assist with the Dongyun cooperation project—provided you can guarantee to keep your mouth shut.”

Now Ben was truly stunned, not just scared but also overwhelmed by the good fortune: “This… huh? Are you saying…”

He was originally just an ordinary clerk. Being caught in a private maneuver, he was instead getting a benefit. Was this simply a windfall from heaven?

The dumbfounded Ben tried to find evidence of sarcasm on the other’s face.

“So, can you do it?” Yan Zishu asked. “If not, I’ll find someone else.”

For a moment, Ben almost swore allegiance to the heavens.

After returning, Ben’s new business card was also imprinted with the title “Project Manager Assistant.”

His own stance thus changed from “pro-Yan faction” to an unshakeable “Yan faction.”

Previously, because Yan Zishu had always been unreservedly cold towards Ben, Ben had gradually lost interest. And a petty person, after all, is always restless. Fu Jinchi had bribed him with small favors to relay some seemingly inconsequential information within the company.

As Yan Zishu said, if one was determined, tracing information from top to bottom was quite easy—for example, by having the IT department grant backend access, any minute detail would be revealed as long as someone was connected to the company’s WiFi.

After checking, he believed that while Ben was not careful enough, for instance, by connecting his personal phone to the company WiFi, he still knew what was important and didn’t dare send crucial business secrets to others. So far, he had only disclosed some trivial matters.

At this level, even if Yan Zishu reported it, the person involved would certainly face disciplinary action and salary deductions, but if pursued further, whether it would lead to dismissal or job-related criminal charges remained highly uncertain.

The question was, why would he target Ben?

A subordinate who made such a mistake was precisely a gem found when least expected, obtained without effort.

Yan Zishu never believed in, nor expected, absolute loyalty in the workplace without reason.

The philosophy of a superior is to allow subordinates to make mistakes, get hold of their leverage, and then generously forgive them, or even bestow favors upon them.

This effect was more than twice as effective as directly granting favors.

And indeed, Ben now followed Yan Zishu’s lead in everything.

Although he was a petty person, it was undeniable that often in the workplace, petty people get further than honest ones.

The first task Yan Zishu assigned Ben was also perfectly suited for a petty person: subtly arranging a meeting with Fu Jinchi.

Ben was a bit confused: “I just got caught secretly communicating with Fu Jinchi, and now I’m immediately going to arrange a meeting with him? Isn’t this entrapment?”

But he ultimately did as he was told, after all, Yan Zishu was now his legitimate superior in the hierarchy of authority.

After sending the designated bar location, Ben still felt uneasy: “This… is this okay?”

“What could be the problem?” Yan Zishu asked back, staring at his computer without turning his head.

“It’s just… if I meet him, what should I say?” Ben cautiously probed.

“Oh,” Yan Zishu said calmly, “Just send him the location. It doesn’t mean you have to go to the meeting.”