Chapter 58: Taking Precautions

Bi Wanxi was staying in a 6-bed hospital room. When Di Ye walked in, the other 5 beds all had people keeping them company; only his bed had no one, appearing somewhat desolate.

Huang Zongshan placed the fruit basket he had bought at the hospital entrance on the nightstand and said, "Brother Wanxi, Brother Di Ye has come to see you."

Bi Wanxi's expression was cold, looking like a man who had lost all hope. He turned his head away to avoid looking at Di Ye, clearly believing he was also one of the masterminds behind the grab for shares.

Di Ye didn't mind. He sat down by the hospital bed, took a tangerine from the fruit basket, and while peeling it, said, "Bi Wanxi, among the discs I had you buy, there is a five-star classic movie called *Die Hard*. Have you seen it?"

Whether it was because he was too lonely or because he had a special love for movies, Bi Wanxi, though still not looking at Di Ye, muttered in a low voice, "I've seen it."

"The English name of *Die Hard* is *Die Hard*. A direct translation means 'dying is very hard,' but unfortunately, that's just a movie. In reality, dying isn't hard at all. That Ren Datou who beat you into the hospital is already dead. If you want to die too, I can arrange for you to enter the morgue tonight and be cremated tomorrow. That would be the end of it."

Bi Wanxi turned his head abruptly, which tugged at his injured ribs. He couldn't help but let out a cry of pain, then grimaced and asked, "Ren Datou is dead?"

Huang Zongshan was a very diligent lackey. He whispered the ins and outs of the situation from the side, then boasted, "If it weren't for Brother Di Ye constantly speaking up for you, you'd probably be dead already."

Bi Wanxi believed it to be true. He used both hands to prop himself up on the bed board and sat up slowly, thanking Di Ye with a face full of gratitude.

"There's nothing to thank me for. Doing business requires following the rules. If the rules are broken, everyone is in danger; I'm also doing this for my own self-preservation."

Di Ye handed the peeled tangerine to Bi Wanxi and said, "I asked the doctor; your injuries aren't particularly severe. You don't need to stay in the hospital the whole time; you'll be fine after two or three months of recovery at home. Later, I'll have Xiao Shan help you handle the discharge procedures, then buy two sleeper train tickets to send you to Pengcheng to avoid the limelight."

Huang Zongshan was very resistant to this arrangement and said, "Brother Di Ye, let someone else take Brother Wanxi. I want to stay in Yuncheng to help you and my sister."

"No need. I'll be going to Pengcheng in a few days too. You can help me with other things then."

"What things?"

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you. Don't ask. Once you get to Pengcheng, go find Xu Chaobo; he will arrange a place for you to stay."

After Di Ye finished giving his instructions, he stood up and said to Bi Wanxi, "I have secured 50,000 yuan in compensation for you. Go to the Flagship Store to collect it after you are discharged."

Bi Wanxi was a muddled person who loved petty gains. Dazzled by the 50,000 yuan, his resentment completely dissipated, and he said happily, "Many thanks, Brother Di Ye."

"Don't. You are several years older than me; I can't afford to be called 'brother'."

Di Ye went to the Hospital to deal with Bi Wanxi, and the round trip took only 40 minutes in total. However, when he walked into the Flagship Store, he discovered that Zheng Yingyong had come again and was watching a movie with a few idlers in the reception area. Beside him sat a woman wearing a professional suit with ear-length short hair.

"Zheng, your efficiency is truly high. You found me an assistant so quickly?"

"Manager Di, let me introduce you. This is Li Ailing. She used to be a sales manager at Xinmin Pharmaceutical Factory. She is proficient in computers and accounting and is a rare talent."

Xinmin Pharmaceutical Factory again?

Di Ye's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm on the surface. He smiled and said to Li Ailing, "Sister Ling, what a coincidence. I have eaten with Manager Shi of Xinmin Pharmaceutical Factory, and I was a classmate of his son, Shi Yucheng. Perhaps we have met somewhere before."

Li Ailing looked to be about 30 years old. Her appearance was quite good, but unfortunately, her face was rather square, and her temperament was on the cold side, giving people the impression that she was not one to joke around. When she heard the words "Manager Shi," she frowned slightly and said, "When I worked at Xinmin Pharmaceutical Factory, I didn't have much contact with Manager Shi. I don't think I have met Manager Di before."

"Then I must have overthought it."

Ever since the branch store opened, Di Ye had distributed the limited quota of 300 set meals per day, so there was no longer anyone queuing at the Flagship Store. The morning was relatively quiet. Di Ye brought Zheng and Li Ailing to the office desk in the business area and introduced the two to Huang Ya.

Because the incident happened suddenly, Di Ye hadn't had time to communicate with Huang Ya. Fortunately, she was clever; she put on the appearance of an honest worker, sitting quietly to the side, listening only and not speaking.

"With Sister Ling's qualifications, it's a waste of talent for her to be my assistant. Our Yingfeng has only just opened, and many aspects are not yet perfect, especially employee management. Why don't we let Sister Ling serve as the Personnel Manager for a while to help establish the employee management system, such as salary and benefits, performance appraisals, promotion selection..."

As Di Ye spoke, he observed and found that Li Ailing was similar to Huang Ya, both adopting an attitude of being ready to accept any arrangement. He then turned his gaze to Zheng and asked, "Zheng, what do you think?"

Personnel and finance were the keys to controlling a company. Di Ye had handed over personnel authority right from the start, which could be called full of sincerity. Zheng was very satisfied and said with a smile, "That works. Let Ailing do this first. Ailing, do you have anything you want to say?"

"I have nothing to say."

Seeing that he addressed Li Ailing very intimately, while Li Ailing was indifferent to him, Di Ye had a flash of inspiration. He brought up the matter of Xia Jianwu's two friends coming to inspect, then cajoled, "Zheng, the population of Jinling is larger than Yuncheng, and the economy is more prosperous, so the market potential is huge. If we can reach a cooperation with them and open a few branch stores in Jinling, I estimate we will be able to raise quite a bit of capital, which will be very helpful for the future development of Yingfeng."

Zheng was very interested in this and asked, "How does Manager Di plan to cooperate with them?"

"I have never met these two people, so I am not clear about their background. Whether we can cooperate is hard to say. However, they are guests and we are the hosts. As long as we do a good job with the reception and show enough sincerity, there will be an opportunity for cooperation. Even if we fail to reach a deal, they will be too embarrassed to obstruct us when we go to Jinling to open branch stores ourselves later. Does Zheng think that is the logic?"

"Of course. Doing business is all about 'flowery sedan chairs, people lifting people.' If we give them face, they will certainly give us face."

Seeing that Zheng considered business problems with the mindset of human relationships, Di Ye went a step further and said, "Zheng, I am too young to hold down the scene, and I don't know how to smoke or drink. I originally wanted to ask Manager Fan to help entertain these two at noon, but since you are here, why don't you step in to host them? Also, I have to trouble Sister Ling to act as your temporary secretary to help hold up the scene."

Zheng didn't react much when he heard the first half, but when he heard the second half, he was clearly moved. He tilted his head to look at Li Ailing and asked, "Ailing, what do you think?"

"As long as you don't make me drink."

"No drinking at noon; it will just be a normal business meal, because there are things to do in the afternoon."

Di Ye struck while the iron was hot and said, "In the afternoon, I plan to take these two to visit the various branch stores and explain the details of how to handle set meals and how to conduct marketing. Sister Ling can come along then to organize the relevant materials to serve as teaching materials for training employees in the future."

Such an operation was equivalent to handing over the company's business secrets. Zheng was even more satisfied and felt completely at ease with Di Ye. After chatting for a while about the specific arrangements for the reception, he said, "It's already past 10 o'clock. Ailing and I will go back to change into formal clothes. When the time comes, Manager Di can just bring the people to Lingyun Hotel and report my name."

"Understood."

Before Zheng left, he found a slip of paper, wrote down an unfamiliar phone number for Di Ye, and said, "Manager Di, you are a straightforward person. Not only is your ability outstanding, but you also know how to advance and retreat. Your future is limitless. We should get closer in the future. If you encounter any trouble, or if there is anything you need help with, just call this number to find me."

Di Ye carefully looked at the phone number, then solemnly put the slip of paper into his pocket and said, "Zheng has vast supernatural powers; I will ask for your care in the future."

After Zheng and Li Ailing left, Di Ye told Huang Ya the news of Ren Datou's death. Huang Ya was both shocked and afraid, asking, "If they still pester us after we withdraw, what should we do?"

"Don't be afraid. With Yingfeng's assets, it's enough for them to toss and turn for a year or two. They won't be pestering us in the short term."

"And after a year or two?"

"Right now we are little mice, and they are cats and dogs. After a year or two, we will be big tigers, and they will still be cats and dogs. By then, who will be pestering whom will be hard to say."

Huang Ya was infected by Di Ye's confidence and relaxed slightly. She began to worry about Fan Dazhi again and said, "If Uncle Fan hears that Ren Datou is dead, he should wake up to reality, right?"

"Not necessarily. Uncle Fan might think that people like Zheng have strong backgrounds and great abilities, and he will follow them to the end."

"Then what should we do?"

Di Ye sighed softly, stroked Huang Ya's hair, and said, "Xiao Ya, when your father passed away, it was Uncle Fan who helped organize the funeral. You are right to be grateful to him, but we have already helped him earn millions; this favor has already been repaid. Besides, everything that needed to be said was said last night. Don't think about it anymore, lest he drag down your life and mine."

Huang Ya's eyes flashed, and she said decisively, "I won't let anyone drag down your life and mine!"