Supreme Cultivation Master

The next day at the company, Su Qingxue convened a meeting. She addressed the shareholders, "Elders, after thinking it over last night, I realized I was wrong."

"Hahaha, Qingxue, it’s a great virtue to admit your mistakes. We aren’t angry with you!"

"That’s right! We still support you. You’re just going through a rebellious phase. We understand!"

A group of people echoed Xu Quan, but then Su Qingxue’s tone shifted. "I was wrong," she said. "I shouldn’t have been so soft-hearted and considered your feelings. You don’t deserve it!"

Upon hearing this, the shareholders’ faces darkened as they stared coldly at Su Qingxue, whose expression remained impassive.

She continued, "Elders, you’ve grown old. You’re out of touch with the times. Therefore, I plan to acquire your shares!"

"You have no right!" Xu Quan retorted coldly.

Unflustered, Su Qingxue pulled out a contract. "This is the agreement my father had you sign. In the event of an internal conflict, my father reserved the right to unilaterally acquire your shares at half their market price."

"Didn’t your father burn that contract? Why do you still have it?" Seeing the situation slip from his grasp, Xu Quan grew flustered. The contract was undeniably real, and the other shareholders were devastated.

Su Qingxue said, "You’re a bunch of restless clowns. Did you really think my father wouldn’t have a contingency for you? The funds have been arranged and will be transferred to your accounts within three days. As of today, this company has nothing more to do with any of you!"

Xu Quan collapsed to the ground. The remaining shareholders began to plead with Su Qingxue, but she showed them no mercy.

Just then, Xu Quan scrambled to his feet, screaming like a madman, "You’re bankrupting me! I’ll kill you!" He lunged toward Su Qingxue.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Fan moved, effortlessly snatching Xu Quan out of the air like an eagle grabbing a chick. He slammed Xu Quan against the wall. "Listen here, old man. If you don’t learn to behave, I’ll make sure you end up in an unmarked grave."

A murderous glint flashed in Ye Fan’s eyes, and Xu Quan trembled too violently to speak.

Then, Ye Fan tossed him to the floor. Xu Quan’s fate was indeed pitiful; the other shareholders turned on him, berating him to the point that a brawl nearly broke out.

Su Qingxue breathed a sigh of relief. Later, in her office, she asked Ye Fan, "Am I a very ruthless woman?"

"No," Ye Fan said reassuringly. "If it were me, I would have done more than just fire them."

Su Qingxue replied, "I don’t even know how I became so cold and heartless. They forced me to be this way!"

"That’s right. They forced you," Ye Fan affirmed instantly.

With the company’s internal conflicts resolved, Ye Fan felt a sense of relief. He had no idea, however, that his real torment was about to begin.

Su Qingxue said to him, "Come to the office tomorrow. I’ll give you a senior position."

"Me?" Ye Fan asked.

"Of course, you," Su Qingxue stated calmly.

Ye Fan immediately protested, "No way. I’m good at cracking skulls and starting fires, but a desk job? Forget it. I can’t stand being cooped up in an office!"

"I call the shots here. You will be at work tomorrow," Su Qingxue said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Defeated, Ye Fan said helplessly, "You really are a heartless woman."

"That’s right. I don’t deny it," Su Qingxue laughed. "I am a heartless woman."

Ye Fan surrendered. She had laid down the law, so what more could he say? It was just a cruel twist of fate.

The next day, Ye Fan and Su Qingxue went to work together. With the company undergoing major reforms, Su Qingxue was incredibly busy. Ye Fan, in contrast, had nothing to do. His new title was Head of the Human Resources Department, a ridiculously easy job. But while he had the title, he had no actual authority, which made Ye Fan want to scream.

The company’s upper management was in a state of panic. The number of shareholders had shrunk from six or seven to just one: Su Qingxue. It was a drastic change. Of course, the rank-and-file employees and even some senior managers were still in the dark, as everything had happened too suddenly for an official announcement to be made.

At that moment, Ye Fan was taking a leisurely stroll down a company corridor.

"Hey, you! Don’t you know it’s working hours? How dare you wander around? What’s your name? I’m firing you right now! This company doesn’t need slackers like you!"

Ye Fan turned around. Lo and behold, it was a potbellied man in his forties: Manager Xu, the head of the Office Administration Department.

He was Xu Quan’s younger brother and had only landed the manager position because of his brother’s influence. He spent most of his days doing nothing, sometimes even harassing the beautiful women in his department. Everyone despised him, but because of his powerful backing, they were angry but dared not voice it.

At his shout, everyone in the office looked up and out the window. They all thought the same thing: this new guy was in for it. Getting on Manager Xu’s bad side was a recipe for disaster. If he didn’t have powerful connections, he’d be fired on the spot.

"Are you talking to me?" Ye Fan asked.

"Of course I’m talking to you! Who else would I be talking to? Now give me your name. I’m going to fire you!"

Manager Xu had been absent for the past few days and only just returned to work, energized by the news that a few beauties had joined his department. He’d been racking his brain over how to win them over. Running into Ye Fan was the perfect opportunity to make an example of someone and show off his authority. Maybe those new beauties will be impressed. They might even be so grateful they’ll be willing to... sleep with me. The thought thrilled him.

Ye Fan replied, "I’m in the HR Department. You don’t have the authority to fire me."

"As long as you work in this company, I have the authority to fire you!" Manager Xu barked.

Just then, a few of Manager Xu’s lackeys from the department came out. They stood beside him, eager to curry favor. "Manager Xu is right! A black sheep like him should be fired immediately!" one said.

"Exactly! He’s a detriment to company morale!" another added. Naturally, they wouldn’t miss a chance to suck up to their boss.

Manager Xu adjusted his tie. "I don’t care if you’re from Office Admin or HR. I have the authority to fire you, and I will!"

Ye Fan replied coldly, "You’re right, I was wandering around. But you just got here, and it’s already past nine. You’re over an hour late. What’s your excuse?"

Manager Xu had expected this retort and said condescendingly, "I’m a member of senior management. Can’t I step out to handle company business?" He shouted, "Tell me your name! You’re getting fired today, period!"

"That’s right, we’ll be witnesses!" his followers chimed in.

Hearing their support, Manager Xu’s ego swelled. His older brother, Xu Quan, was the company’s second-largest shareholder. In the past, Manager Xu hadn’t dared to be so arrogant, but ever since Su Jian Country’s death, he had grown increasingly brazen. He had also heard rumors that his brother was planning to force the Su family out, so a little power play now didn’t seem out of line.

Unfortunately for him, he had chosen the wrong person to bully.

The women in the department watched Ye Fan. They could see he was tough, but he had offended someone he shouldn’t have. His dismissal was inevitable.

Just as Ye Fan was about to teach Manager Xu a lesson, Tang Yurou arrived.

Manager Xu’s eyes lit up with greed when he saw Tang Yurou. But she was a company Director; even if he fantasized about her, he wouldn’t dare make a move.

Manager Xu complained to Tang Yurou, "Director Tang, this punk was wandering around during work hours. When I called him out, he had the nerve to talk back to me."

Tang Yurou glanced at Ye Fan, her eyes betraying a hint of admiration that she couldn’t quite conceal. Ye Fan noticed it immediately.

Turning back to Manager Xu, Tang Yurou said, "Set this matter aside for now. I’ll deal with him later. Right now, I’m here for you."

"For me?" Manager Xu was instantly delighted. Is she also planning to side with my brother? This is perfect! I might finally get my chance with her! He nearly drooled at the prospect.

Tang Yurou said simply, "You’re fired."

"What?"

Manager Xu was stunned. His subordinates were stunned. Everyone in the office was stunned. They couldn’t believe it. He was a shareholder’s brother! How could he be fired just like that?

Instead of being scared, Manager Xu grew defiant. "Fire me? Director Tang, you may hold a high position, but you don’t have the authority to fire me! My big brother will make you answer for this!" He immediately brought up Xu Quan, hoping the name would intimidate her.

Tang Yurou replied calmly, "Oh, about that. Your brother is no longer a shareholder in this company. From now on, there is only one shareholder here: President Su."