Chapter 435: Xu Shaochen’s Gilded Reputation

The previously crowded conference room now felt extraordinarily spacious. Most of the seats around the table were empty.

The remaining people in the room, while relieved, were still on edge.

“Those who were just taken away were the parasites, and you are the heroes of the company. I never show mercy to parasites, and I’m equally generous with those who contribute.”

Xu Shaochen addressed the group, then gestured with his hand.

Two bodyguards stepped forward, carrying boxes, and dumped piles of cash onto the center of the conference table.

No matter how much money one has, when it’s just a number in an account, it feels abstract. Only cash can deliver a truly stunning visual impact.

Gasp—

Seeing the mountain of cash on the table, everyone couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath. None of them had ever seen so much cash in their lives.

“I’m glad you didn’t follow their lead. This is your reward. As long as you keep up the good work, I won’t treat you unfairly.”

Xu Shaochen pointed to the cash on the table, dividing it among the people with his own hands, one stack at a time.

Just moments ago, Xu Shaochen had used Chen Jing and the others as a stick to beat down the remaining people.

Now that the stick had been used, it was time to offer a carrot. Otherwise, in a few days, these people would resign under the unbearable pressure.

By giving them both a stick and a carrot now, they wouldn’t dare follow in Chen Jing’s footsteps and would instead be motivated to work harder.

As for why he distributed the money personally, it was to make them understand who was putting food on their table—it was Xu Shaochen.

“Thank you, Chairman Xu. Rest assured, Chairman Xu, I’ll work hard.”

“Thank you, Chairman Xu…”

Everyone who received money was full of gratitude towards Xu Shaochen, continuously expressing their thanks.

After distributing the money, Xu Shaochen offered a few more words of encouragement before adjourning the meeting.

For the other employees, Xu Shaochen didn’t hand out bonus rewards but did raise their salaries slightly.

When those employees heard about the bonuses given to others, they would feel envy and jealousy. This would drive them to work even harder because they too wanted to earn such a generous bonus.

“I will soon appoint a new general manager. Take care of things for the next two days, but after that, you don’t have to worry about anything except overseeing the funds.”

Xu Shaochen said to Li Jianzhang, thinking that this might be the job that truly suited him.

He had a lot of respect for Li Jianzhang. Even though so many were embezzling money, this top-ranking employee hadn’t taken a cent.

It was worth noting that if Li Jianzhang had embezzled too, he could have pocketed an enormous amount of money.

It wasn’t surprising for someone who had experienced bankruptcy to resist such a temptation. Before his bankruptcy, he had seen large sums of money, too.

“Understood, Chairman Xu. If I can’t handle this job, I don’t deserve to live.”

Li Jianzhang declared firmly.

“By the way, find a few people to start spreading the news online that I am the real boss behind Lotus Charity. Raise awareness that both Lotus Charity and Chen Yu belong to me.”

Xu Shaochen directed Li Jianzhang, feeling that the time to reveal this had come. More and more people were criticizing Chen Yu for never engaging in charity work, while Lotus Charity was being praised.

Once it was revealed that both companies were under his control, his reputation and Chen Yu’s popularity would double.

Moreover, as charity continued to grow, it would gild his reputation. His foray into charity work would become his best bulletproof vest.

When he became the world’s top philanthropist, who would dare touch him? Anyone aiming to harm him would have to consider the social and public opinion fallout.

“Understood.” Li Jianzhang noted.

Xu Shaochen nodded in satisfaction and then left the Lotus Charity Foundation.

“Head to Qianyin Entertainment.”

After getting into the car, Xu Shaochen instructed.

He planned to check on Qianyin Entertainment after its move to Jiangzhou to see if Mei Liangying encountered any difficulties. Of course, he had to show concern for his woman.

………

Songshan.

“What do you think of this place? Huang Wenqiang recommended it to me.”

Ye Yang was showing Ye Tao the office building he was planning to use to start a company.

“Young Master Ye, this place looks pretty good. If Huang Wenqiang recommended it, it should be just fine.”

Ye Tao examined the layout of the office building while responding to Ye Yang.

“Alright, let’s settle on this place. Come on, let’s grab a drink.”

Actually, Ye Yang was quite satisfied with the place, but sometimes it’s a psychological thing; you feel fine with a choice, but you still want others to affirm it before you make a final decision.

The two of them left the office building and got into a Mercedes parked at the entrance.

“Something’s off!”

As soon as they got in, they realized that the driver was different—not the original one.

Just as they were about to get out, a young man with dark skin in the front passenger seat pulled out a handgun, pointing it at the two of them.

“I’d advise you not to move rashly. We just want to ask a few questions and find something.”

The driver spoke calmly as he continued driving.

“What is it? I don’t even know who you are. You must have the wrong person.” Ye Yang forced himself to stay calm.

The young man in the passenger seat smiled slightly, “Perhaps you could ask Mr. Ye Tao beside you.”

Ye Yang looked at Ye Tao in shock.

“I’m sorry, Young Master Ye. I’ve dragged you into this.” Ye Tao sighed. He regretted not bringing Gu Jun along today; otherwise, they wouldn’t be in this passive situation.

“Mr. Ye, I trust you know why we’re here. That item is not something you can handle. Hand it over, and I guarantee your safety.”

The young man in the passenger seat said as he looked at Ye Tao.

Ye Tao chuckled and shook his head, “Yes, I did take it, but it’s not with me anymore. And you won’t be able to get it back.”

Bang!

The young man in the passenger seat struck Ye Tao on the head with the gun. Blood trickled down from the wound.

“Kid, don’t try to pull anything. Where is that item?!”

“Let me make a phone call. If you refuse, I won’t tell you anything, even if you shoot me dead.”

Ye Tao calmly wiped the blood from his forehead and looked at the young man. He seemed completely unafraid.

“If you call the police, I’ll kill you before they arrive.”

The young man threatened, pressing the gun to Ye Tao’s head, but this also meant he agreed to let Ye Tao make a call.

Sitting beside him, Ye Yang felt like he was floating. He discovered that Ye Tao had become someone he didn’t recognize. Being so unflinching even with a gun pressed to his head…?

My legs are shaking a bit. Am I making all men look bad here?

Ignoring the gun to his head, Ye Tao took out his phone and called Xu Shaochen.

Although Xu Shaochen had told Ye Tao that if anyone ever came asking for the item, he should just say it was with Xu Shaochen.

However, Ye Tao wasn’t about to sell out Xu Shaochen so easily. He decided to make a call and get approval first.

Ye Tao had changed and grown in many ways; he was no longer the same Ye Tao he once was.