Chapter 592: Xu Zhongliang's Resentment

Xu Zhongliang, forty years old, has been with Heavenly Opening Pharmaceutical for twelve years. He started as a medical representative and rose to Deputy General Manager of the Marketing Department.

Chen Yang couldn't understand why such a young mid-level manager would dig his own grave. So he had security escort the person to his office.

"Chairman, do you need something?" Xu Zhongliang looks average, standing about 1.65 meters tall. With such qualifications, rising from medical representative to Deputy General Manager of the Marketing Department certainly shows outstanding ability.

Chen Yang saw him feign ignorance, and any lingering appreciation for his talent instantly vanished.

"Deputy General Manager Xu, do you know Wei Xiaoyan?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhongliang's face changed momentarily, but he quickly regained composure. "Chairman, I don't know Wei Xiaoyan."

Chen Yang said solemnly, "Deputy General Manager Xu, the police have solid evidence that you tipped off Wei Xiaoyan. Moreover, Wei Xiaoyan has admitted that you two are lovers."

Hearing this, Xu Zhongliang involuntarily stepped back two steps, and his face turned deathly pale.

Chen Yang sighed and asked Xu Zhongliang, "You became Deputy General Manager at such a young age—why aren't you grateful?"

"Gratitude?" Xu Zhongliang snorted coldly and angrily said to Chen Yang, "I have devoted twelve years of my youth to the company through hard work, and I was about to sit in the General Manager's seat. But He Wanqiu, that slut, let her confidante Zhu Pingping become General Manager of the Marketing Department."

"I am clearly more capable and senior, yet I'm made to work under a flatterer. To demand gratitude for such unfair treatment is a huge joke!"

Chen Yang had actually looked at Zhu Pingping's file; aside from being a bit younger, her work ability is not inferior to Xu Zhongliang's.

Therefore, when He Wanqiu specifically appointed Zhu Pingping to the Marketing Department General Manager position, he did not object. He never expected this would provoke Xu Zhongliang's resentment.

"Deputy General Manager Xu, even if Manager He's personnel adjustments have some unreasonable aspects, you could prove your ability through action instead of betraying the company. Don't you know profiting from insider information in the stock market is illegal?"

Xu Zhongliang objected, saying, "Chairman, you also made your fortune by stock trading. Outside rumors say you earned your first pot of gold in the stock market using insider information. If you can do it, why can't I?"

Chen Yang directly countered Xu Zhongliang, "Do you have evidence proving I used insider information to manipulate stock prices?"

Xu Zhongliang shook his head. "If I had evidence, I would have reported you long ago."

Chen Yang couldn't help but laugh angrily. "Xu Zhongliang, it seems Manager He's decision was correct. Jumping to conclusions without evidence—people like you, if placed as General Manager of the Marketing Department, would be an absolute disaster for the company."

Xu Zhongliang immediately fell silent.

Chen Yang continued to ask him, "Manager He's information was only conveyed to the Board of Directors. Where did you get it?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhongliang slightly raised his head and said, "Chairman, this is my personal conduct; you need not blame others."

Chen Yang stared at him silently for a minute, then said, "If you can tell me who passed you the information, I can choose not to call the police and handle this internally."

Hearing this, Xu Zhongliang's mind raced through hundreds of rounds of internal debate. He earnestly asked Chen Yang, "Chairman, do you keep your word?"

Chen Yang nodded firmly.

Xu Zhongliang hesitated, then finally confessed to Chen Yang, "Chairman, the information came from the secretary of Chief Operating Officer Zhou, Luo Zijun."

Chen Yang never expected this to also involve Chief Operating Officer Zhou Xiaobo; his mood instantly grew heavy. He sternly asked Xu Zhongliang, "Did Chief Operating Officer Zhou know about these actions of yours?"

Xu Zhongliang shook his head. "I don't know. I have only been in contact with Luo Zijun individually."

Chen Yang then asked, "Why did Luo Zijun pass you insider information? Doesn't she know this is against regulations?"

Xu Zhongliang explained, "Two years ago, Luo Zijun's father was hospitalized for heart disease and needed to pay fees, but lacking money, he hid in the hospital corridor crying. That day I went to visit another heart‑disease patient, happened to run into her, and I helped front 100,000 yuan for the surgery. To repay the favor, she gave me the information."

Chen Yang hadn't expected such a convoluted story behind this. One helpful person, one grateful recipient—both theoretically still have consciences. Yet this ultimately harmed the company's interests, so he had to take action.

Thus he told Xu Zhongliang, "This time I can refrain from calling the police. Write your own resignation letter and submit it to Manager He. If I later learn you've again harmed the company's interests, don't blame me for settling the score."

"Thank you, Chairman!" Seeing Chen Yang truly keep his promise, Xu Zhongliang left gratefully.

After he left, Chen Yang called He Wanqiu to dismiss the meeting, then summoned Zhou Xiaobo and his secretary Luo Zijun to his office.

Upon hearing that his secretary had leaked internal information to Xu Zhongliang, Zhou Xiaobo's face instantly turned livid. In front of Chen Yang and He Wanqiu, he slapped Luo Zijun directly.

"Luo Zijun, haven't I treated you well these past few years? How dare you do such a shameful thing behind my back!"

"Manager Zhou, I was wrong. I'm sorry to you!" Luo Zijun covered her left face and burst into tears.

Zhou Xiaobo let out a cold snort, then sincerely told Chen Yang, "Chairman, since this is my dereliction of duty, you may punish me however you see fit—I'll accept it."

Chen Yang said to Zhou Xiaobo, "Manager Zhou, this leak not only affected the company's future plans but also severely damaged its image. Although you are innocent, the perpetrator is ultimately your closest associate. To serve as a warning, deducting six months' salary should be fine, right?"

"Chairman, I'm willing to accept the penalty—but…" Zhou Xiaobo turned to look at Luo Zijun and said, "This girl's family situation is poor; her parents are unemployed. Her father had heart surgery two years ago, and now she alone supports the family. Can you give her a chance to reform?"

Chen Yang hadn't expected Zhou Xiaobo to plead for Luo Zijun. He hesitated, then turned to He Wanqiu beside him and asked, "Manager He, what do you think?"

He Wanqiu said sternly, "Luo Zijun's poor family background is one matter; leaking corporate secrets is another. We can offer humanitarian aid to her parents, but her mistake must be dealt with severely. Otherwise, who would still follow the company's rules and regulations?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yang looked at Luo Zijun and said, "Out of respect for Manager Zhou, I can refrain from calling the police. But your actions have seriously harmed the company's interests. Therefore, I now formally notify you: you are fired!"