Chapter 66: Solving the Company's Problem

After a while, Secretary Li brought Qi in.

Qi covered his injured face, entered the office, and saw me sitting inside.

He lowered his head and said, "Uncle-in-law, Chairman, hello."

Kong Shi directly asked, "Xiao Qi, I'm asking you what's up with the blank paper in the file folder; tell me the truth."

Qi then glanced at me furtively.

I said, "Qi, just speak directly. I've already reported everything to Kong Shi."

Qi kept his head down,

"Uncle-in-law, I lost the file folder; I was afraid you'd punish me, so I made a fake one and submitted it to the Investigation Team."

"Uncle-in-law, I know I was wrong."

At that moment, Kong Shi swung a big slap over.

I clearly felt that Qi's big fat face was trembling from Kong Shi's slap.

"Damn, do you want to die? You dare to fake something like this. Chairman Zhao entrusted you with such an important task, yet you actually lost the thing on the road."

"Then you made a fake and turned it in; you're trying to get Chairman Zhao and me killed."

"You're basically a beast."

"Jianqiang, you say how we should deal with this guy."

Hearing Kong Shi ask that,

I said, "Kong Shi, Qi only made an occasional mistake; I also hit him, you also hit him, I've temporarily suspended him, letting him go home to sober up for a few days before we talk again."

"What? Just suspending him for such a thing is not enough; he must be fired. If you, Zhao Jianqiang, don't fire him, you're against me. Such a beast, what use is keeping him in our company?"

"Tomorrow make him sweep the streets, dig through trash cans, and you must find that real file folder for me."

Hearing Kong Shi say that,

Qi immediately knelt before Kong Shi again and said, "Uncle-in-law, I was wrong; please spare me, don't make me sweep the streets."

"Uncle-in-law, I was wrong."

At that moment, Kong Shi looked at Qi with disgust,

then shouted outside, "Secretary Li, take this guy away; I don't have such a nephew."

Secretary Li hurried in,

pulled Qi up,

"Come on, Qi."

Qi then stood up,

and shouted at Kong Shi, "I'm going to find my aunt right now."

"You little brat, you think I'm afraid of your aunt?" Kong Shi shouted loudly in front of me.

Qi ignored Kong Shi and followed Secretary Li out.

Kong Shi is somewhat afraid of his wife, everyone knows that, and no one knows what leverage Lady Kong has over Kong Shi. Anyway, for any matter, Kong Shi listens to Lady Kong.

Otherwise, Qi wouldn't have shouted about going to find his aunt.

After Secretary Li took Qi out, Kong Shi looked at me and smiled,

smiling so openly, so kindly and approachable.

Kong Shi then patted my shoulder and said, "Jianqiang, this matter has almost ruined our years-long relationship because of this kid."

"Damn, I never thought he'd actually fake a file folder and submit it to the Investigation Team."

"I lost my temper yesterday; don't be angry."

"Jianqiang, we're at the most critical moment, so a little carelessness could lead to total defeat."

"Just let those materials be lost,"

"I'll think of other ways."

"Come on, Jianqiang, have a cigarette."

After saying that, Kong Shi voluntarily took out a cigarette for me,

I took the cigarette from Kong Shi's hand,

and then said, "Kong Shi, this is a smoke-free office."

"All right, Jianqiang, just the two of us—I'm not pretending." Kong Shi laughed.

"All right, Kong Shi, today I'm very happy; our misunderstanding has finally been cleared up, otherwise I, Zhao Jianqiang, would carry the blame for life and die without knowing why." I lit the cigarette with a lighter.

Hearing me say that, Kong Shi's laughter grew louder,

"You Jianqiang, you just like to talk nonsense. At first, I was also half‑believing, half‑doubting the Investigation Team's report."

"I kept thinking, this Jianqiang isn't that kind of person."

"Someone who always follows policies—why would he act against them now? All right, the truth is out in the open."

"Jianqiang, regarding the materials, I'll keep looking; once I've gathered them all, you'd better personally deliver them to the Provincial Capital, so we won't run into trouble."

As soon as I heard Kong Shi say that, I thought inwardly, "Uh‑oh, Kong Shi still wants me to report."

"Looks like this trouble isn't going to be easily resolved."

So I smiled and said to Kong Shi, "Kong Shi, I, Jianqiang, will follow whatever you arrange; I'll do as you say."

"I also have another matter to mention: our company's funds are currently tight; a few days ago I contacted Li Xingzhang, who said he could arrange a ten‑million loan in advance for us to tide over."

"Regarding meeting Li Xingzhang, Kong Shi, can you arrange for him to meet me?"

Kong Shi gave a dry laugh: "Jianqiang, what do you mean by that? If Li Xingzhang meets you, I won't get involved. Just go find him directly,"

"No need to go through me."

"Give Li Xingzhang a call and ask when he's free."

I hurriedly took out my phone, found Li Xingzhang's number, and began dialing.

But as soon as it connected, Li Xingzhang hung up immediately; he wouldn't answer my call.

I then stopped calling,

At that moment, the desk phone in Kong Shi's room rang.

Kong Shi gave me a glance,

and went to answer the desk phone,

"Hello, who is this? It's Li Xingzhang, what's the matter? Chairman Zhao is looking for you; just answer the call. He wants to meet you, you can meet directly, no need to inform me.

Your business, I won't take part in.

Alright, Li Xingzhang, for this small matter you can handle it yourself."

After saying that, Kong Shi hung up the phone,

Kong Shi walked up to me and laughed: "This Li Xingzhang, really—this little matter still needs to be reported to me.

Jianqiang, I've already told Li Xingzhang, it's all settled."

I smiled and said: "Kong Shi, Tang Ju, please tell them not to conduct another tax audit. Our company can't endure the hassle."

Kong Shi smiled again,

"Sure thing, I'll have Li's secretary inform Tang Ju right away. How's that, satisfied, Jianqiang."

I raised both hands toward Kong Shi, clasped my fists,

and said: "Thank you for your support, Kong Shi. I, Zhao Jianqiang, am deeply grateful."

After speaking, I shook hands with Kong Shi,

I then left Kong Shi's office.

Xiao Long helped me onto the car and then asked: "Sir, where are we going?"

"To Zaocheng Bank, to see Li Xingzhang," I said.

"Isn't that Li Xingzhang on a business trip?" Xiao Long said.

"He's back, he's waiting for us," I began,

the phone rang; I saw it was Li Xingzhang's call,

and after a pause I finally answered,

"Hello Li Xingzhang, how come you finally have time to call me back?" I said deliberately.

"Hello Chairman Zhao, I was in a meeting earlier, speaking, and didn't have time to take your call. Chairman Zhao, I'm truly sorry; the meeting just ended, so I'm returning your call now," Li Xingzhang said over the phone.

"Li Xingzhang, didn't you say you were on a business trip? How come you're in a meeting now?" I said with a smile.

"That business trip has been cancelled. By the way, you wanted me to discuss that ten‑million loan, right? Come over now; I'll wait for you in my office. No, Chairman Zhao, since your leg is inconvenient, I'll come to your office to talk," Li Xingzhang said politely on the phone.