Chapter 386: Is This Going to Be a Repeat of the Past?

mayiwsk

At 7: 5 a. ., Fu Guiru stepped out of her home with a stern expression.

Li Ye had prepared a quite delicious breakfast this morning, but Fu Guiru ate without appetite.

Because Fu Zhiman at the table kept reminding her of one question: who had arranged the entry procedures for him and Fu Guiyin?

At 7: 9 a. ., Fu Guiru's car drove through the gates of Pengcheng Red Bull.

Although her residence was close to the factory, Fu Guiru, repeatedly reminded by Li Ye, still chose to drive to and from work.

After all, the risk of walking was far too high compared to driving; the environment these days was nowhere near as safe as it would be decades later, and some bandits had quite formidable skills.

At 8: 0 a. ., Fu Guiru suddenly summoned all senior management of Pengcheng Red Bull to a meeting.

At 8: 5 a. ., Fu Guiru walked into the conference room with a dark expression.

The dozen or so people in the room immediately sat up straight, ready to listen to her instructions.

When this Ms. Fu first arrived, everyone had somewhat looked down on her because she was a woman, but after several months, they finally understood what "not inferior to men" truly meant.

Fu Guiru's understanding of the beverage industry surpassed everyone present, and her strictness in work ethic and ruthlessness in handling people far exceeded Mu Weimin's previous standards.

And strangely, Fu Guiru was even better at "holding meetings" than mainlanders, often using a series of meetings to dismantle and reorganize the company's "mainland faction," tightening her grip on power.

Isn't it said that overseas people dislike formalities? Then why does she seem more mainland than we mainlanders?

"Today's meeting has three agenda items. First, a sister unit will be visiting for learning purposes soon; the reception department must prepare accordingly, set up reasonable barriers for non-visitable core areas, and provide plausible justifications."

"Second, we must initiate the second round of production expansion ahead of schedule; the new production lines were already ordered two months ago. The HR and infrastructure departments must begin action immediately—expand the factory, recruit workers and managers, and absolutely no situation where equipment waits for the factory or equipment waits for workers."

"Third."

Fu Guiru paused, glanced at the employee closest to her, then said: "Due to changes in company operations, Fu Xinjia is being transferred back to the Malaysia headquarters, and Chen Yanhong will take over administrative duties."

"That's all for today's meeting. Does anyone else have anything?"

After Fu Guiru finished speaking, everyone in the room froze—because while the first two items were manageable, the third was a major event certain to shake company personnel.

Fu Xinjia was one of the people Fu Guiru brought over from Malaysia from the very beginning, her absolute confidant, who had served as head of Pengcheng Red Bull's administrative department, reporting directly to Fu Guiru—he could fairly be called the company's second-in-command.

Moreover, Fu Xinjia was highly capable, universally recognized as a managerial talent and Fu Guiru's key lieutenant in running the company.

But what happened today? Why did Fu Guiru transfer Fu Xinjia back to Malaysia and replace him with Chen Yanhong, a mainland native?

Fu Guiru was an "outsider"—doing this was almost like cutting off her own arm.

Fu Guiru coldly scanned the room and said: "No objections? Then the meeting is adjourned."

Everyone quickly stood and filed out, leaving only Fu Xinjia, whose expression was dazed.

He swallowed hard, nervously asking: "Sister Guiru, what did I do wrong? Why send me back to Malaysia?"

Fu Guiru raised an eyebrow and asked coldly: "Don't you know what you did wrong?"

Fu Xinjia's heart leapt several times, but he still shook his head: "I really don't know."

Fu Guiru lowered her eyelids and said indifferently: "Then you did nothing wrong. Your parents are in Malaysia—go back and reunite with them."

Fu Xinjia's fingers twitched, then his voice trembled: "Sister Guiru, you know I don't want to go back."

Everyone thinks Pengcheng is backward, but I followed you here without hesitation."

You've seen how I've performed since coming to Pengcheng—they're all inferior to me. What more proof do you need of my ability?"

"I never denied your ability, but the Malaysia headquarters also needs people. Go back and apply your talents. You have three days to hand over your duties; I'll arrange your exit paperwork."

Fu Guiru waved her hand, said no more to Fu Xinjia, and turned to leave the conference room.

Watching Fu Guiru walk away so heartlessly, Fu Xinjia finally blurted: "Is this because of the entry procedures for Miss Fu?"

Fu Guiru stopped and turned back: "Didn't you say you didn't know what you did wrong?"

Fu Xinjia shook his head: "I don't think it's wrong. Miss Fu has treated me well; when she wanted to visit the mainland, the headquarters sent me a formal request. How is that wrong?"

But if Sister Guiru insists I'm at fault, then I accept punishment—only please, considering I've stood by you all these years, even if I've done no great deeds, I've at least endured hardship—forgive me this once!"

Fu Guiru looked at the repentant Fu Xinjia without a flicker of emotion or pity.

When she first took charge of the Fu family company, Fu Xinjia was just a low-level worker; though he shared the Fu surname, he had no status whatsoever in the Fu family.

Fu Guiru personally elevated him to a managerial position; when she moved from Malaysia to Pengcheng, she brought him along—not only doubling his salary, but even promising him employee shares in the future.

So Fu Guiru believed it was she who had given Fu Xinjia his opportunity—not the other way around.

Yet this very man dared say Fu Guiyin treated him well, and secretly arranged her entry procedures without her knowledge.

Never mind whether Fu Guiyin ever looked at Fu Xinjia with respect before—Fu Guiru had explicitly ruled that all personnel dealings with Malaysia must be approved by her.

Pengcheng Red Bull's development could no longer be constrained by the Malaysia Fu family. If Fu Xinjia couldn't even grasp this, was there any reason to keep him?

So Fu Guiru turned away without a trace of regret, leaving only a faint remark.

"Since Miss Fu treated you so well, you should devote your life to her. She's staying at Bamboo Grove Hotel—go find her immediately. Perhaps she can arrange a good position for you in Malaysia."

Watching Fu Guiru show no trace of sentiment, Fu Xinjia finally understood true regret.

Fu Xinjia, who had served Fu Guiru for years, knew this time there was no chance of changing her mind—Fu Guiru had never been someone who reversed decisions on a whim.

At this moment, Fu Xinjia desperately needed a massive dose of regret medicine to make up for his losses.

He immediately called Fu Guiyin's hotel—but no one answered.

"She was here yesterday morning. Could it be…"

Fu Xinjia panicked—he knew perfectly well his own value, and feared Fu Guiyin would abandon him; if she did, he wouldn't just lose his position, but far more.

Fu Xinjia quickly arranged a company car and rushed straight to Bamboo Grove Hotel. Fortunately, his personnel transfer hadn't affected his benefits—the driver obeyed him fully, speeding him there without delay.

Entering Bamboo Grove Hotel, Fu Xinjia went straight upstairs and knocked on room 2008—he'd called Fu Guiyin daily recently and knew her room number.

But when he opened the door, he saw something he could never have imagined.

On Fu Guiyin's large bed lay a strange man, fast asleep.

Fu Xinjia's face twisted through a succession of emotions—grief, rage, sorrow, mockery—as if an old actor were showing off his craft.

Fu Guiyin frowned: "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to seek me out? Leave now—I'll come find you when I have time."

"When will you come find me?" Fu Xinjia pointed furiously at the sleeping Ai Zhixun on the bed: "After you tire of him?

I've waited five years for you—you keep saying 'tomorrow,' then 'next year.' When will you stop playing? You'd rather spend time with a stranger than fulfill even one of your promises to me?"

"Slap."

Fu Guiyin slapped Fu Xinjia across the face, the sound sharp and clear.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you touch me? If not for my arrangements, could you have risen this far with Cousin Fu?"

"A dog dares demand promises from its master? Have you forgotten what hunger tastes like?"

Fu Guiyin looked down on Fu Xinjia with contempt and ordered coldly: "Return immediately to where you belong and wait for your chance."

"If you harbor any improper thoughts, I need only a few words to have Cousin Fu expel you from the Fu family."

Fu Xinjia stood frozen, like a statue of clay or wood, stripped of all human vitality.

No rich second-generation is stupid. Even though Fu Guiru had always indulged Fu Guiyin and cleaned up after her, Fu Guiyin never willingly let Fu Guiru take full control of the Fu family.

Once Fu Xinjia was promoted by Fu Guiru, Fu Guiyin merely used her charm—without even unbuttoning a single button—and turned him into her secret pawn.

For years, Fu Xinjia, hidden beside Fu Guiru, had received a vague signal from Fu Guiyin: that the playboy Fu Guiyin would eventually settle down.

When that day came, he—loyal, hardworking, and having safeguarded her interests—would be her only suitable match.

But now?

He was just a dog—and one who'd been exposed, cast out, and rendered useless.

So what did he have left?

Nothing. Not even caution remained.

"Awooo."

Fu Xinjia let out a wolf-like howl, shoved past Fu Guiyin blocking the door, and lunged savagely at the sleeping Ai Zhixun.

Why didn't he attack Fu Guiyin? That was the result of years of psychological conditioning—even when a dog's dream shattered, it rarely bit its goddess to death.

Fu Guiru arrived at the police station in shock after receiving a call from authorities.

In the early 1980s, when troublemakers were arrested for fighting, their workplaces were usually notified to come pick them up and handle matters internally.

Since both Fu Guiyin and Fu Xinjia were tied to Pengcheng Red Bull, as general manager, Fu Guiru had to act as the "parent" and come to collect them.

But because the incident involved a foreigner, Fu Guiru, being cautious, notified Li Ye, who in turn alerted Hao Jian to assist.

At this point, Boss Hao still had strong connections in Pengcheng—not quite able to summon wind and rain, but everywhere he knew people, everywhere he had friends.

Since the three involved were all sensitive figures, all sides agreed to handle the matter quietly, so Fu Xinjia, the most aggressive attacker, was not deeply investigated—only fined and ordered to pay compensation.

Of course, Fu Guiru, having sensed the direction, would never pay for Fu Xinjia—every expense would be deducted from his severance pay.

Only now did Fu Guiyin learn that the man resembling Xu Ziliang, Ai Zhixun, was actually the "boss" of Pengcheng Zhong'ai Machinery Company.

He's seven years younger than me, and his net worth is probably no less than mine—he's barely a good catch. Maybe I should test his quality further?

Meanwhile, the hollow Ai Zhixun realized that this woman, who was "just a bit old" but otherwise perfect in every way, was the wealthy daughter of Pengcheng Red Bull.

No wonder the fabric felt so luxurious when she took off her clothes; no wonder after the second drink, she exuded a queenly aura—she was a real rich woman!

Li Ye, waiting outside in Hao Jian's car, stared in stunned silence when he saw the parties involved walk out.

Nakamura Naoto was a 1980 intake exchange student from Tokyo University; Li Ye had assumed he'd stay in Beijing after graduation, but now he'd appeared in Pengcheng.

Nakamura Naoto had teamed up with the man named Ai—after all these years, were they once again conspiring to stir up trouble on this land?

After the matter was settled, Hao Jian got in the car and asked Li Ye: "Old Man, was this arranged by you?"

Li Ye frowned: "What do you mean arranged by me?"

Hao Jian saw Li Ye's expression and knew he'd guessed wrong. He continued: "Then this is really a coincidence. That guy Ai is a U. . citizen with a U. . passport—he's the general manager of Zhong'ai Machinery Company."

His factory hasn't started production yet—that construction site west of Pengcheng Red Bull. A few days ago, they contacted me asking if we needed sewing machines—I turned them down."

Li Ye asked in surprise: "Sewing machines? They're making sewing machines?"

Japan and South Korea's sewing machines are very advanced—looks like Li Dayong's Changbei Machinery Company needs to step up its game.

Li Ye put in money too—Pei Wenhui and Li Dayong together own 40%, Li Ye owns 60%. If those Japanese bastards crush him, where's Li Ye's face going to be?

Hao Jian nodded: "That's right. Right now, the mainland encourages exports, and clothing and textile industries are key export sectors, so the market for sewing machinery is substantial."

"After I got the news, I wanted to contact you, but when I called Zaojunmiao, they said you'd gone to Pengcheng, so I had no choice but to alert Dayong first. I assumed Dayong had reached you, and you'd used some trick to target that Ai guy."

"Pfft."

Li Ye sneered: "If I wanted to take someone down, would I do it so clumsily?"

"True."

Hao Jian smiled and shook his head.

"By the way, about his adoptive father's Zhongai Machinery Company's factory land—they've only paid a small portion. I heard the rest is waiting for a loan. Should we… do something about it?"

"Ha. Hahaha."

"Old Hao, you've improved—you've really improved."

Li Ye praised him twice, then said: "Go ahead and handle it. Get it done, then build dormitories around his factory—tall ones, to crush them under their shadow."

"Got it, got it. I'll handle it right away—I actually have some confidence in this."

Flattered, Hao Jian nodded eagerly, then asked: "Uncle He, you're building so many dormitories… are you planning to give them away for free to our workers?"

Li Ye waved his hand: "Not for free. Calculate the cost price, then offer them as welfare housing based on seniority. If workers want to make the factory their home, we've got to give them a home, right?"

Hao Jian stared for several seconds, then slowly nodded.

"Uncle He, my progress still can't keep up with yours!"

(End of Chapter)