"Okay, Uncle Zhang, I'll get started on it right away."
Gao Fei hung up the phone after a few more "uh-huhs."
Jin Qiqi, who had been eavesdropping, wore a knowing smile and asked in a low voice, "Boss, Guo Yue suddenly showing up in Hong Kong and transferring his Kyoto business here, does it have anything to do with the Hong Kong triads?"
Gao Fei, leaning back on the sofa, smiled without answering.
Normally, he would have kept his conversation with Zhang Ziheng from Jin Qiqi.
Today, he didn't deliberately avoid it because he knew that Sister Jin would guess it sooner or later.
Noticing Gao Fei's tacit agreement, Jin Qiqi couldn't help but be taken aback. "Is the higher-ups really going to crack down on the triads in Hong Kong?"
"The triad culture in Hong Kong is about to end. The times no longer allow them to survive."
"Then your plan, Boss, is..."
Mid-sentence, Jin Qiqi immediately shut her mouth. After all, it was classified information.
But Gao Fei didn't hide anything and stated directly, "Fight evil with evil, and use the underworld to combat the underworld!"
Afterward, he changed the subject, first reminding Jin Qiqi not to leak any information, and then instructed, "Sister Jin, arrange for Xiao Lan to have dinner. It's best to confront her about Gao Qiqiang and Gao Qisheng sooner rather than later."
"Alright!"
Jin Qiqi nodded and began contacting Gao Qilan.
Gao Fei took his phone and walked to the balcony, dialing Huo Dongcheng again.
Upon connection, he said one thing: "Help me find someone who can contact Xu Xiao. The higher-ups can no longer protect him!"
"Understood, Mr. Gao!"
After hanging up, Gao Fei called Guo Yue and Chen Guoyao.
The content of the calls was simple: inviting them to Shenzhen tonight for an important discussion.
After arranging all the schedules, Gao Fei and Jin Qiqi went out together to meet Gao Qilan, whose two brothers were involved in organized crime.
...
Western District, Kelyn Seafood Restaurant, second floor.
"Xiao Lan, is the person you're introducing me to today really that Comrade Xiao Gao from TV?"
"He's my boss now. If the boss invites us to dinner, it must be Comrade Xiao Gao!"
"Hurry up and check if my makeup is okay, or if there's anything dirty on my clothes. It's my first time meeting Comrade Xiao Gao in person, I can't be embarrassed!"
Gao Qilan, already exuding a mature aura, adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses and looked at her best friend, who was wearing a pleated skirt, and chuckled, "Lingling, I'm starting to doubt if you're really 24. You look like a girl next door."
"Hahaha, thank you for the compliment!"
The two girls walked and talked their way to the private room at the end of the corridor.
As soon as Gao Qilan knocked, a voice from inside said, "Come in."
Pushing the door open, they found Jin Qiqi and Gao Fei already waiting inside.
"Sorry, Boss, we got stuck in traffic and made you wait!"
"It's alright, please sit down," Gao Fei nodded kindly.
His friend Xu Qiaoling's eyes lit up with adoration the moment she saw him smile.
It wasn't until Gao Qilan pulled her to sit down that Xu Qiaoling slowly regained her senses.
"Boss, let me introduce you. This is my best friend, Xu Qiaoling. She's currently pursuing a master's degree in Business Administration at Hong Kong University."
"Hello, Ms. Xu!" Gao Fei smiled and nodded. Xu Qiaoling's cheeks flushed, and she stammered, "Hello, Comrade Xiao Gao, no, Mr. Gao! It's finally good to see a living person!"
Jin Qiqi, standing beside them, subtly observed Lingling, thinking it had turned into a fan meeting over dinner!
After the introductions, the four began to chat casually.
When the dishes were served and half a bottle of red wine had been consumed, Xu Qiaoling, who had been quite reserved earlier, gradually relaxed and was no longer nervous.
During their conversation, Gao Fei learned from Gao Qilan that this senior, dressed like a girl next door, was not only a top student but also a financial genius.
Xu Qiaoling had graduated from Tsinghua University for her undergraduate degree. While in school, she had invested in the stock market using loans she applied for and never made a wrong move.
Upon graduation, she was heavily recruited by many mainland financial companies with lucrative offers.
However, Xu Qiaoling's ambition wasn't just about making money; she chose to study Business Administration in Hong Kong.
Knowing her background, Gao Fei's interest in her grew, not in a romantic sense, but in his appreciation for talent.
A moment later, as the dinner was nearing its end, Jin Qiqi excused herself to use the restroom and took Xu Qiaoling with her, leaving Gao Fei and Gao Qilan alone in the private room.
"Boss, do you have something you want to say?" Gao Qilan asked shrewdly, noticing their sudden departure.
"Sister Lan, have you considered staying in Hong Kong and taking sole charge of the business here?" Gao Fei didn't get straight to the point but asked indirectly.
"I can still manage the human resources department, but to run the entire Hong Kong operation on my own, Boss, I'm afraid I don't have that capability," Gao Qilan politely refused.
She was currently working under Ding Yao, the chief manager, witnessing the deceit and treachery in the business world, where people fought fiercely for profits every day.
Compared to managing the Hong Kong branch of Gao Lan Cosmetics alone, she preferred being a Human Resources Manager.
Gao Fei had initially hoped to keep Gao Qilan in Hong Kong, away from the disputes in Kyoto, and prevent her from being caught in the storm stirred up by Gao Qiqiang and Gao Qisheng.
But after being refused, he had no choice but to be direct and said, "Sister Lan, let me put it this way: your eldest and second brothers have been placed on the police's radar. The reason they are being targeted is primarily because of their involvement in organized crime!"
*Clang!*
A crisp sound.
The spoon in Gao Qilan's hand dropped onto the table, and she sat frozen on her seat.
She looked at Gao Fei in disbelief and asked again, "My brothers... they... weren't they running a cosmetics store? How did they get involved in organized crime? Boss, don't lie to me."
"You can call Sister Ding and ask her to use her connections to inquire at the police station. See if I'm lying to you!"
"I... I... I..." Gao Qilan didn't know what to say, but in the end, she didn't ask Ding Yao to inquire.
Because she knew in her heart that the Boss's connections and backing were even stronger than Sister Ding's, so there was no need for further confirmation.
Seeing her dazed expression, Gao Fei felt a pang in his heart.
Gao Qilan was the first employee to join Gao Lan Cosmetics since its inception and was an old member of the company.
During her tenure, she had made no mistakes at work and had also recruited many capable employees. Her work ability was very strong.
Gao Fei always rewarded and benefited loyal employees with strong capabilities to the fullest, with bonuses and shares, missing nothing.
But now, Gao Qilan's eldest and second brothers were being targeted by the police, and they were accused of organized crime. As their immediate family, even if she wasn't involved in their business, she was the HR manager of Gao Lan Cosmetics and Gao Fei's employee. She would inevitably be implicated to some extent.
Therefore, no matter how reluctant Gao Fei was, he had to bite the bullet and make his stance clear.
"Sister Lan, there are two options now. Either stay in Hong Kong and stay away from the disputes in Kyoto. Or resign from Gao Lan Cosmetics and sever all ties with the company from now on."