Chapter 44: Living Together with President Liu?
Hearing what Lu Li said, Liu Kexin suddenly turned her head to look.
The two were already very close, and her sudden movement almost made them kiss.
Liu Kexin quickly pulled back and frowned, "Are you sure someone from upper management is threatening Manager Wang?"
Lu Li nodded seriously, "I can almost confirm that someone is threatening Manager Wang, but I don't know whether this unknown senior is targeting Manager Wang or coming for our e-commerce sales department."
Liu Kexin remained calm, "It should be me they're after."
Lu Li exclaimed, "After you? No way."
"You don't quite understand the factions formed among the upper management." Liu Kexin didn't answer directly.
She spoke in an unhurried tone, "Currently, the company is divided into three factions: one led by me, another by Vice President Ma, who is on my brother's side, and the remaining faction led by Vice President Du, a representative of the original shareholders who sold some shares and the most powerful one. After all, I just took over the company and haven't accumulated much power, the same goes for my brother."
Lu Li had seen Vice President Ma previously in the meeting room.
As for Vice President Du, he had encountered him before.
But those original shareholders sold 53% of the company shares.
The management rights were handed over to Liu Group.
Now, Vice President Du keeps a low profile, rarely appearing in public, so he hasn't been seen much recently.
Lu Li asked, "If it's someone from Vice President Ma or Vice President Du's side, why would they threaten Manager Wang if they're targeting you?"
Liu Kexin calmly explained, "In the recent procurement incident, half the department was almost taken down, yet you and Manager Wang were rewarded. So, naturally, both Vice Presidents Ma and Du consider you and Manager Wang as the first batch to join my side."
Lu Li felt a bit dizzy, "Then why wasn't I threatened?"
Liu Kexin squinted her eyes, "That's their cleverness. On the surface, it looks like you gained more benefits, so they think you are more likely to join me. But these people won't just look at appearances; they will reverse-think, assuming Manager Wang, as the department head, joined me. I had to reward him to win him over, but also protect the action from being discovered by opponents, using you as a decoy."
Upon hearing this, Lu Li roughly understood.
According to Liu Kexin, the hidden higher-up didn't see him as joining President Liu.
Or, even if they thought he joined, his status wasn't significant enough to be dealt with.
Manager Wang, however, was different.
He was the head of a department.
Naturally, he becomes a target for Liu Kexin's opponents.
"Of course, there's another possibility."
Liu Kexin's gaze became incredibly sharp, "The procurement department suffered heavily, causing significant losses to some, who might suspect it wasn't me who discovered Tianheng's kickback issue, but Manager Wang, who then informed me. Thus, someone is retaliating against Manager Wang. As for why it wasn't thought to be you who exposed the kickback, perhaps they believe you are too new, even if placed in a deputy manager role as a decoy, you wouldn't understand the intricacies involved."
Lu Li pondered.
It seems like Manager Wang became his decoy.
After all, in the hidden person's mind, he was the real decoy.
Knock, knock.
Liu Kexin tapped on the table, producing a crisp sound, "If the second guess is right, then it's highly likely Vice President Du is the one threatening Manager Wang."
Lu Li agreed, "You and your brother's people just came to this company; it couldn't have reached the procurement department so quickly, meaning the procurement department was almost entirely Vice President Du's people. Now, with nearly half the department taken out, it deprived him of many benefits, making him bitter against Manager Wang."
"He likely won't target you right now." Liu Kexin frowned, "But in the future, who can say? If Vice President Du is really secretly battling me, his most probable move would be to undermine my prestige in the company, especially since the e-commerce sales department is my initial focus for reform and project advancement. He might target you next, or everyone in the e-commerce sales department, to ruin my plans."
At this point, Liu Kexin stared earnestly at Lu Li, "You... be extremely cautious, and don't hesitate to reach out to me if necessary. These people can be despicable, and I'm worried you can't fend them off right now."
Come after me?
Lu Li laughed.
He wasn't too concerned about the job.
What's the worst they can do—make him quit?
Besides, he had X-ray vision, super hearing, and super smell.
And he has recently harnessed potent spiritual power strong enough to manipulate flying needles.
He wasn't really afraid of any vile schemes.
Smart of them not to mess with him.
If they really provoke him...
Then don't blame him for being ruthless!
Lu Li couldn't help but narrow his eyes a bit.
Of course, all these are his secrets, not to be shared with anyone.
Lu Li pretended to nod obediently, "Okay, I'll reach out for help immediately if necessary."
Liu Kexin acknowledged with a sound, "Anyway, be more vigilant. They might resort to dirty tricks, like plotting something against you in secret. If it really gets to that point, don't be afraid. Worst case, move in with me temporarily, commute with me daily. No matter how brazen they get, they won't dare mess with me. Once I tidy up the company and deal with them individually, peace will return to you."
She seemed concerned for Lu Li's safety, suggesting such an idea.
Or perhaps, it was meant to reassure Lu Li that she would make every effort to protect him.
But Lu Li's heart stirred a bit.
If it really comes to that, would he actually live with her?
He was already quite enamored with Liu Kexin's beauty, and hearing this made his thoughts wander: living together might spark feelings over time?
Initially considering it best for them not to provoke him, Lu Li now had a subtle desire, hoping they'd do something underhanded, bringing him closer to Liu Kexin.
Well, it was just a thought.
In reality, Lu Li knew well enough not to cohabit, for he had too many secrets.
...
Next day, Monday morning at work.
Perhaps it was the rainy season.
Last night's heavy rain hadn't stopped, continuing till morning.
As Lu Li drove to work, he recalled the things Liu Kexin had told him last night.
He didn't really want to stir trouble, but problems seemed to be brewing in the shadows.
Vice President's office.
Vice President Du, over fifty, with a sallow complexion and partial baldness, was on a call, "Found out which streaming agency is coming to sign today?"
A young female voice came through the line, "I heard it's Guochun Economy Company."
Vice President Du softly acknowledged, "You know what to do?"
The young woman replied, "Yes."
Vice President Du instructed, "Good, make sure to get it done swiftly. Liu Kexin caused me great loss at the procurement side; she needs a lesson. Step by step, I'll make the e-commerce sales department she values most a laughingstock of the company, then slowly win over or oust the management within."
Hanging up, Vice President Du stood up, looked out the window, and saw Lu Li walking below.
His face, full of wrinkles, twisted into a cruel smile, murmuring, "Young man, don't blame me for being ruthless; blame it on being made a decoy. I must break you as a shield to harshly dent Liu Kexin's prestige; you're just the sacrifice!"
His office was on the third floor.
Mumbling to himself.
Technically, no one should've heard him.
Yet somehow, after he finished, Vice President Du noticed Lu Li below, seemingly sensing something, raising his head with a bright smile as if he knew everything.
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