Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Humanlike in Appearance, Doglike in Action, Xiang Yunsheng
The three female employees left the office.
Sun Dacheng came to report on the filming plan in Hengdian. The Shanghai City portions of the two short dramas being filmed concurrently had already been completed. The rest of the filming required taking the crew to Hengdian. They had arranged for a producer and a financial team to accompany the crew, with Sun Dacheng managing everything else.
"Got it, Director Sun. Just watch my performance."
Sun Dasheng was browsing short videos and waved his hand dismissively.
After the film crew left, the company office suddenly became much quieter. Just then, Xiang Yiren called.
"Brother Sun, the third-party asset inspection company has arrived at the fitness center. Do you want to come take a look?"
"Doesn’t an asset inspection usually take several days? Why should I go over now? Just let me know when the results are out."
"Brother Sun, you’ve misunderstood," Xiang Yiren explained over the phone. "The fitness center’s premises are all leased, and the prices of the equipment are clear at a glance. There are very few intangible assets and no debts, so it won’t take long to complete the inspection."
"The team leader from the inspection company told me that they can finish today and provide the asset inspection report tomorrow."
Sun Dasheng was somewhat surprised. "Has efficiency gotten this high now?"
Xiang Yiren laughed. "Their industry is also fiercely competitive. They have to improve service efficiency and quality, or else it’s tough to survive."
"Oh? I didn’t expect you to know so much," Sun Dasheng teased.
Xiang Yiren laughed heartily. "This is all what their company’s manager told me. I wouldn’t dare pose as an expert."
"Are you going to come over?" she asked again.
Thinking that there wasn’t much going on at the company and the fitness center was less than 200 meters away, he said, "Okay, I’ll be right over."
「Love Fitness Center.」
The lobby of the main branch had far fewer familiar faces.
Xiang Yiren, who personally greeted him at the entrance, walked alongside him and explained, "Most of the people promoted by the previous Manager Wang have left. The current front desk receptionists, fitness instructors, and salespeople are mostly people I’ve reselected from our other directly-managed stores."
"Shall I introduce everyone to their new boss?"
Today, Xiang Yiren was dressed in a professional blazer and a tight pencil skirt, her legs wrapped in glossy black stockings, adding to her urban allure.
"No need. I’ll be coming here often to work out. It’s better if no one knows who I am; everyone will be more relaxed that way," Sun Dasheng declined.
"True!" Xiang Yiren covered her mouth and smiled. "If the girls downstairs knew you, the big boss, were here, they probably wouldn’t have the mind to attract other customers. All their attention would be on you, and they’d be secretly jealous of each other. Next thing you know, the fitness center would turn into a battleground, full of strife and turmoil."
"That’s an exaggeration," Sun Dasheng interrupted.
Just then, Xiang Yiren’s phone rang. After answering the call, she immediately reported, "Brother Sun, Manager Li needs me to go over. There are some issues with member recharges at the main branch that he needs to clarify with me."
"Manager Li is Li Qiang, the manager recently sent from the investment company to manage the fitness center chain," Xiang Yiren added, fearing the important man beside her might have already forgotten, as powerful people often do.
Sun Dasheng nodded to show he understood. "You go ahead. I’ll just look around on my own. Don’t worry about me."
Before leaving, Xiang Yiren specifically instructed the receptionist, Xiao Yan, to take good care of the important guest. Unable to reveal his true identity, this was all she could do.
Xiao Yan was a perceptive young woman in her twenties. She brought over tea and served him warmly. Although she didn’t know the man’s true identity, seeing how attentive the store manager was, she knew he must be someone of high status.
As the two chatted off and on, a few people walked in through the door.
"Front desk, is anyone there? Is the gym empty? A VIP has arrived, why isn’t anyone out here to greet them?" No sooner had they entered than one of them began to shout.
Sun Dasheng, who was chatting with the young woman, looked up and saw it was an old acquaintance—the ungrateful wretch, Xu Yongsheng. This guy was usually very conscious of his image, always putting on a prim and proper front in public. Why was he suddenly yelling and carrying on like a street thug today? This bootlicking was incredibly clumsy, not at all up to his usual standard.
When he saw Xiang Yunsheng behind him, he understood. He’s just showing off in front of his leader. Isn’t he afraid of overdoing it?
Sure enough, when Xiao Yan ran over with a smile to greet them, Xiang Yunsheng rebuked him with a stern expression. "We’re from a big corporation; we represent the company’s face when we’re out. How can you speak so rudely?"
"Yes, yes, the leader is right." Xu Yongsheng followed behind, bowing and scraping like a total sycophant.
If it weren’t for the rumor that the company would soon be downsizing and my head would be on the chopping block, why would I need to grovel before you like this? he cursed inwardly.
Following them were several female internet celebrities with good figures.
"Is your Manager Wang here? I have some business to discuss with him," Xiang Yunsheng said nonchalantly, his expression screaming, "I’m tight with your boss, so you’d better roll out the red carpet, and fast."
The receptionist, Xiao Yan, was stunned. They didn’t have a manager named Wang.
Seeing the receptionist was so incompetent, Xu Yongsheng immediately snapped, "Manager Wang is a good friend of our Manager Xiang. You know the consequences if you neglect him!"
But his words fell on deaf ears. The new receptionist, Xiao Yan, had no idea who Manager Wang was. She said apologetically, "I’m sorry, sir, but our gym’s manager is named Li. I think you’re mistaken."
Huh? Xu Yongsheng was stunned.
He glanced at Xiang Yunsheng beside him. He had never been to the gym, which was just a stone’s throw from the company. All his information came from his leader. Whatever the leader said, he naturally believed. Who knew he would end up making a fool of himself?
Who knew Xiang Yunsheng would dig in his heels, insisting the gym manager was named Wang Aimin and that he was a close friend. He claimed Xiao Yan’s denial was just her giving him the runaround and threatened to file a complaint to get her fired.
Xiao Yan was so distressed by his accusations that she was on the verge of tears.
"Are you two grown men really going to bully a young woman? Have you no shame?"
At that moment, a voice cut in to break the tension.
"Who?" Seeing his leader’s face turn ashen, Xu Yongsheng was ready to pounce. "Who’s back there talking trash but is too cowardly to show their face? Get out here!"
"Xu Yongsheng, oh, Xu Yongsheng. You still have that same shameless, scoundrel’s face. How have you not improved one bit?"
A man stood up from the sofa that had its back to the front desk, turning to reveal himself. It was his former mentor, Sun Dasheng, the senior colleague who had been laid off by the company.
"Heh, I was wondering who it was. So it’s you, Sun Dasheng." Seeing who it really was, Xu Yongsheng’s rage turned into a sneering laugh. "What’s wrong? Got fired from the company, and now no one wants you? Became a street loafer, just bumming around everywhere?"
Sun Dasheng ignored the clown and looked calmly at Xiang Yunsheng. "Don’t make things difficult for the young woman. There really is no Manager Wang here. If you have any decency left, get the hell out."
"You..." Xu Yongsheng was furious at being ignored.