Chapter 370: Chapter 371: Can I Still Catch Up With You?
The office door was knocked, and Su Yao hurriedly tried to withdraw her hand, but Song Xiaodong just smiled slightly and said, "Donât be nervous, Iâm massaging your hand. What are you afraid of? Come in."
Su Yaoâs face flushed at this moment. Normally, she wasnât this timid or shy, and she was quite purposeful in her actions, knowing what to do and what not to do. This was also why she and Zhou Peng had dated for almost a year without substantial progress.
But now, she felt somewhat like a shy high school girl.
Chen Fei pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing Song Xiaodong and Su Yao sitting on the sofa, with Song Xiaodong still holding Su Yaoâs hand, he felt a bit awkward and said, "Deputy Manager Song, I...should I come back later?"
"No need, just say what you have to say." Song Xiaodong still held Su Yaoâs hand as he spoke indifferently.
Chen Fei walked over, his gaze fixed on Song Xiaodong, and after hesitating, he said, "Deputy Manager Song, Iâm still quite worried. Zhao Dongliang is really not someone to mess with, and he has Vice Chairman Su Yuanhe backing him. With you having hit him, he definitely wonât let it go."
Having been in the workplace for two years, Su Yao was startled. With the Vice Chairmanâs backing, if they targeted Song Xiaodong, and since Song Xiaodong was just a deputy department manager, he would definitely be at a disadvantage.
However, on second thought, Song Xiaodong was Miao Qingqingâs boyfriend. Zhao Dongliang might have the backing of a Vice Chairman, but how could he outweigh Miao Qingqing? With this thought, she felt reassured.
Song Xiaodong glanced at Chen Fei, still massaging Su Yaoâs wrist, and said, "What can he do if he doesnât let it go?"
Chen Fei anxiously said, "He might not be able to do much by himself, but if Vice Chairman Su Yuan speaks up, then, Deputy Manager Song, your position might be at risk. You should really start pulling some strings now to suppress this matter."
"Itâs okay, Iâm not afraid of making a big deal out of it. Yue Dongliang came to my office to harass my secretary, and I didnât even send him directly to jail, which is already giving him face."
"Deputy Manager Song, things in this company are really not that simple. Vice Chairman Su now has a lot of power. Most of the directors and senior management support him. His word alone is enough to decide the fate of a mid-level manager."
Song Xiaodong smiled slightly, taking his time to respond, "Chen Fei, I appreciate your concern, but surely Su Yuan, even if he wants to trouble me, needs a valid reason. If he fires me just because I beat up Zhao Dongliang, could he really justify it?"
"Well...that makes sense, but still, Deputy Manager Song, you better be careful. If they want to trouble you, itâs too easy. They just need to frame you, and that could get you kicked out of the company."
Song Xiaodong shook his head and said to Chen Fei, "Alright, I have an idea about this matter, so you donât need to worry. Go back to your work and remember, matters concerning the HR department are for us in HR to handle. Other departments donât come here to strut around and give orders."
Seeing Song Xiaodongâs composed and confident demeanor, Chen Fei opened his mouth but eventually said no more and turned to leave.
As soon as Chen Fei left, Su Yao cautiously said, "Dongzi, it seems like the corporate environment is quite complex now, and Chairman Miao doesnât seem to have full control over the company either."
The way Su Yao addressed Song Xiaodong changed with the circumstances; during personal conversations, she called him Dongzi, and during work, it was Deputy Manager Song.
Song Xiaodong smiled slightly, "Your observation is quite meticulous."
At Song Xiaodongâs praise, Su Yao immediately stood taller, her confidence buoyed, and said, "Iâve also worked here for two years, and although my last company wasnât big, it was a joint-stock company, so I understand the struggle among shareholders. Miao Qingqing is the chairman now, but her foundation is shallow, and Su Yuan, definitely the second-largest shareholder, has deep roots here. He probably has his eyes set on the chairmanâs position, aiming to push Miao Qingqing out."
"Youâre guess is not far off. Thatâs more or less the situation, but exactly what is going on, I donât know."
Su Yao frowned slightly and said, "Then itâs definitely going to be difficult. I think Miao Qingqing should start by connecting with some directors to secure the majorityâs support. Then she needs to start adjusting the senior management, especially the heads of important departments. She needs her own people in those positions; otherwise, over time, she might be marginalized, and her chairmanâs position could be jeopardized."
Song Xiaodong shook his head, sighed, and said, "How has the company come to resemble the Court, with all these factional and interest disputes? Can we still do our jobs well, can we still make money like this?"
Su Yao quickly said, "If it were a small company, we generally wouldnât encounter this situation, but with a large conglomerate like Qingyuan Group, such problems are unavoidable because the interests involved are too significant. Everyone wants to maximize their own interests; itâs probably just human nature."
Song Xiaodong smiled slightly, "You make a lot of sense, and I feel like having you as my secretary is underusing your talent."
Su Yao clenched her fist and said, "Dongzi, you should know that I am an ambitious person, but now I understand one thing, I will work diligently with you, and I believe you wonât let me down."
Song Xiaodong patted Su Yaoâs hand and then released it, saying, "Of course, I wonât let you down. I brought you here to be my secretary temporarily, so donât worry. Now, check your hand. Is there any discomfort left?"
Su Yao instinctively raised her hand and looked at it, then said quite astonished, "Itâs completely healed; just a while ago it was still bruised. Dongzi, you really have some skills."
Song Xiaodong smiled slightly, "I have many tricks up my sleeve."
Su Yao sweetly smiled, "Dongzi, youâre becoming more and more mysterious to me. Also, I feel youâre moving farther and farther away from us classmates."
Song Xiaodong said, "Really? Iâve always seen you all as classmates."
Su Yao shook her head, looking a bit despondent, "Itâs not the same. It feels like youâve reached the pinnacle of life, while we are still wandering at the base of the mountain. The difference is just too great; I really donât know if I can ever catch up with you."
Just then, the office phone rang. Su Yao hurried to answer it, and her expression changed immediately.