"Minister Xu, what brings you to the appraisal department?" Wu Tao’s sharp eyes spotted him, and he immediately put on a smile and greeted him.
Xingzhi Group’s departments were all on different floors.
The Human Resources Department was on the second floor and rarely visited the appraisal room.
After all, the appraisal department had fewer people, unlike the marketing or administrative departments with many employees.
Minister Xu Bin, although not the direct superior of Wu and Zhang, had the authority to dismiss them.
Therefore, he dared not treat Xu Bin disrespectfully.
“Of course, I’m here for a reason. I didn’t expect the usually quiet appraisal department to be so lively today.” Xu Bin glanced at Wu Tao and Zhang Zhiyuan, then his gaze swept past the crowd to land on Li Chonglou.
Looking at this young and thin man, a trace of shock rose in his eyes.
He had received notification of Li Chonglou’s appointment as the company's vice president, replacing the former vice president.
Initially, this matter could have been notified to all departments via email.
However, he still rushed to the sixth floor personally, wanting to get acquainted with this new vice president.
Any long-term employee of Xingzhi Group knew how special the position of vice president was. So special that the person rarely appeared throughout the year, yet their decisions did not affect the company’s operations.
Of course, he didn’t know that was just an exception, and not every vice president was like that.
But the fixed impression accumulated over time made him believe that if he could get close to the vice president, he would have a smooth path and a bright future.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at the appraisal department, he heard Wu Tao and Zhang Zhiyuan cursing Li Chonglou.
This was unacceptable!
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiyuan thought he had found an opportunity and immediately exaggerated the situation, with a forced smile and a sneer, pointing at Li Chonglou: “Minister Xu, it’s good that you’re here.”
“This little bastard, not only is his eyesight poor, but he’s also incredibly arrogant, thinking he knows best and showing no respect for colleagues or seniors.”
“He made a bet with Old Wu and me, and now he’s trying to renege on the debt.”
“Our appraisal department values rules above all else. He has broken the rules now, so what do you think should be done?”
After speaking, he looked at Li Chonglou triumphantly, his face full of defiance.
Xu Bin was an old acquaintance of theirs and held the power of dismissal. It would be easy to deal with a hot-headed young man.
After it was settled, he would simply offer some benefits as a gesture.
As long as this kid was driven out of Xingzhi Group, the benefits would far outweigh the drawbacks.
Hearing this, Xu Bin remained silent for two seconds, a cold glint in his eyes.
He nodded and said, "Yes, he indeed doesn't understand the rules."
"Dismiss him!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone sneered.
Especially the apprentices who disliked Li Chonglou, they were all gloating.
As expected, offending the two master appraisers meant that no matter how much influence Li Chonglou had, he would still have to pack his bags and leave the company.
Even heaven’s king couldn’t save him now.
Once Li Chonglou was gone, their moods would naturally be much better.
“Did you hear that? This is Minister Xu from our Human Resources Department. He said you should get out, and you’d better do it immediately…” Wu Tao was extremely smug, pointing at Li Chonglou with his fleshy face bared, shouting.
“Shut up!” Before he could finish, Xu Bin interrupted him sharply: “Wu Tao, Zhang Zhiyuan, you two old fools with poor eyesight, I’m talking about dismissing you.”
“How dare you insult Vice President Li?”
Silence!
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire place was shocked.
Everyone stared blankly, unable to make a sound.
They looked at Xu Bin and the other three like fools.
Their hearts were like a raging storm.
What…
What did Minister Xu mean by that?
What Li Vice President?
Could it be Li Chonglou?
Why were Wu Tao and Zhang Zhiyuan to be dismissed?
They were old employees of the company, with contributions if not hard work.
How could this be the outcome?
“Xu… Minister Xu, are you mistaken?” Wu Tao’s eyes bulged, his face turned pale, and he asked tremblingly, “Who… who is Vice President Li?”
He could not believe what Xu Bin had just said.
He dared not even think in that direction.
He could only hope he had misheard.
Unfortunately, the reality was always contrary to his expectations.
Xu Bin’s expression became increasingly grim, his eyes fixed coldly on Wu Tao, and he snorted, “Vice President Li, of course, refers to our company’s newly appointed Vice President Li Chonglou.”
“I think you’re getting old. Not only is your mind not working, but your ears are also not functioning well. Do I need to say it a second time?”
“You two have committed the grave offense of gathering for gambling in the company and then framing Vice President Li!”
“Who is Vice President Li? Would he try to cheat you?”
“This is truly a laughable matter!”
With a few words, Wu Tao was so enraged that he stumbled back several steps and fell to the ground with a thud.
Cold sweat streamed down his body, his face ashen.
His eyes were filled with panic, and as he looked at the silent Li Chonglou, his despair deepened.
Impossible…
How could this be possible…
He was just a small appraiser, how could he suddenly become the vice president?
If he was the vice president, what would happen to him?
Being dismissed by Xingzhi Group, he knew the consequences too well.
In the entire Zhonghai, there would be no place for him to earn a living; no one would dare to defy Xingzhi Group for him.
He was finished, completely finished!
He thought he was merely crushing a small ant, but unexpectedly, he had kicked a massive iron plate.
No, this was more than an iron plate.
It was a solid steel Great Wall…
Thump!
While he was still in shock and panic, Zhang Zhiyuan, under everyone’s watchful eyes, directly knelt before Li Chonglou.
Tears instantly burst forth, and he pleaded, “Vice President Li, I failed to recognize your eminence. I, Zhang Zhiyuan, have a problem with my brain!”
“I shouldn’t have joked with you, I was disrespectful, and I shouldn’t have colluded with Wu Tao to force you to sign the pledge.”
“It was all done by that scoundrel Wu Tao. He wanted to drive you out of the company…”
“I was merely misled by him. You are magnanimous, please don’t hold it against me…”
“Vice President Li, from now on, I will be your dog, serving you diligently without complaint. You can order me around as you wish, and I will never dare to disobey!”
His words were tearful and pathetic.
At this moment, Zhang Zhiyuan’s acting skills reached their peak.
There was no flaw to be seen, it was simply brilliant.
If Li Chonglou didn’t know who he was, he might have felt a flicker of compassion.
However, his heart was already as hard as iron, neither joyful nor sorrowful.
People like Zhang Zhiyuan were nothing but opportunistic trash in his eyes.
At this point, pushing all the blame onto Wu Tao, his shamelessness was truly outrageous.
Wu Tao was completely stunned.
He never expected that Zhang Zhiyuan, who was usually so close to him, would stab him in the back and make him take all the blame alone.
Beast!
Not only were the two of them experiencing a tempest in their hearts, but the other apprentices were also trembling with fear.
Thinking about how they had joined in the jeering, they felt extreme post-event dread.
Some were fortunate that they hadn’t said any harsh words, otherwise, offending Li Chonglou would likely lead to them wearing out their shoes from being picked on in the future.
“Vice President Li, I will immediately have those two get out, so they don’t stay in the company to bother you.” Xu Bin looked at Zhang Zhiyuan with disgust and took out his phone to call security.
But Li Chonglou stopped him, saying calmly, "No hurry."
"The company's appraisal department always needs people. If both are dismissed, I will have to do the work."
"Keep one."
How could Xu Bin defy Li Chonglou? Hearing this, he immediately nodded obsequiously, "Yes, Vice President, you are right. Then shall we keep Zhang Zhiyuan?"
He thought Li Chonglou had been swayed by compassion and couldn’t resist Zhang Zhiyuan’s pleading.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiyuan’s lowered face was ecstatic.
Li Chonglou was too young and inexperienced, couldn’t resist begging. He only needed to act a little to keep his job.
Unfortunately, that idiot Wu Tao lacked wisdom.
He deserved to be kicked out!
At this moment, Zhang Zhiyuan, who was secretly rejoicing, heard Li Chonglou’s voice again: “Wu Tao, although selfish and realistic, is not particularly cunning. He can be used to some extent without major issues.”
“As for this Zhang Zhiyuan, his intentions are impure; he is a typical house thief.”
“If allowed to grow, the company will suffer immense losses.”
“Dismiss him.”
With these simple words, Zhang Zhiyuan’s expression instantly froze.
His eyes, filled with disbelief, seemed to have lost all strength. He collapsed to the ground, unable to support himself.
His face was as pale as golden paper. He turned to look at Wu Tao, his gaze filled with venom and resentment.
That bastard Wu Tao had stolen his opportunity.
And he was utterly finished.
Conversely, Wu Tao, who had been despairing, now felt as if he had been reborn.
His eyes were wide open.
Infinite strength surged from somewhere within him. He scrambled to his feet and looked at Li Chonglou as if he were a god.
He immediately declared his loyalty, shouting, "Thank you, Vice President Li, for not dismissing me. From now on, I, Wu Tao, will follow Vice President’s lead!"
He had been doomed, but Li Chonglou’s words had changed his fate.
He no longer held any resentment towards Li Chonglou, only gratitude.
As for Zhang Zhiyuan, he had shown him what true insidious nature was.
He wished he could kick him several times in the face.
“Work hard.” Li Chonglou said expressionlessly.
He didn't dismiss Wu Tao not out of kindness.
It was because he needed people. Now that he was vice president, he had become a focal point, and it wouldn’t be convenient for him to move around the company.
He had the title but not real power, and Kong Mo would not allow him to act freely.
After all, he had just killed Lü Dong, and this matter would not be easily overlooked.
Therefore, he needed his own people.
And Minister Xu Bin of the administrative department, along with the appraiser Wu Tao, were the best choices.
As for Zhang Zhiyuan, he found such a petty person disgusting, let alone using him.
"This Vice President is so young, and his methods are incredibly sophisticated..." Xu Bin, watching from the side, was drenched in cold sweat and sighed repeatedly.
He had initially thought Li Chonglou would dismiss both of them to vent his anger.
But he hadn’t expected Li Chonglou to use such a brilliant killer move, causing them to become rivals.
And he had won over Wu Tao’s loyalty.
This move was undeniably ruthless.
Thinking this, Xu Bin felt he had arrived at the perfect time and must build a good relationship with the Vice President.
He immediately cleared his throat and pointed at the apprehensive apprentices around them, raising his voice: “What are you all still lingering around here for?”
“The news of Vice President Li’s appointment has already been sent to your emails. All of you return to your workstations.”
“If you don’t want to work, you can leave!”
With these words, the apprentices scattered in fear.
In an instant, the appraisal room became quiet.
Wu Tao volunteered to call security and had Zhang Zhiyuan thrown out of the company.
Li Chonglou then called Xu Bin to his office and closed the door, intending to extract some information from him.