As it was nearing the end of the workday, Ruby knocked on Ou Yunchen's door, file in hand.
Ruby: "Mr. Ou, the financing for Dexin Company has been rejected."
Ou Yunchen had already approved the funds; how could it be rejected? He was the final responsible party for the project. Had someone intercepted it at the bank?
Just as Ou Yunchen was about to call the bank to inquire, Lawyer Ma strode in arrogantly. Seeing her haughty expression, Ou Yunchen knew she was behind it.
Ou Yunchen: "Ruby, you can go out now."
Ruby nodded and closed the door. Lawyer Ma sat down opposite Ou Yunchen, crossing her legs.
Ou Yunchen: "You did this?"
Lawyer Ma: "That's right."
Ou Yunchen: "Give me a reason."
Lawyer Ma: "There's no reason. I simply don't want you to continue smoothly in this position."
Ou Yunchen: "I've given you the shares too, Lawyer Ma. What is it you have against me?"
Lawyer Ma: "Don't talk nonsense. You voluntarily returned your shares, while the shares you snatched are still in Yan Shizong's hands."
Ou Yunchen: "So you're speaking for Mrs. Su? One confrontation wasn't enough, and now you have to obstruct every project of mine?"
Lawyer Ma: "That won't be necessary. This will likely be the last time."
Ou Yunchen: "Alright. Then I apologize again. I'm very sorry for using threats to get Mrs. Su to give me ten percent of her shares, only to immediately give them to Yan Shizong. I take responsibility for this unfriendly equity distribution."
Lawyer Ma: "Your attitude isn't bad."
Ou Yunchen: "Can the bank release the funds now?"
Lawyer Ma: "It can be done, but one thing will have to change."
Ou Yunchen: "What?"
Lawyer Ma picked up Ou Yunchen's nameplate from his desk, blew off some dust, carefully wiped it clean, and then threw it into the trash can.
Lawyer Ma: "You can't sit here anymore."
Ou Yunchen: "Heh. Is that your decision, or Mrs. Su's?"
Lawyer Ma: "Hmm… it's Mrs. Su's, I suppose. After all, Mrs. Su has decided that I will manage all matters at ATL from now on, including your termination."
Ou Yunchen chuckled. What an ambitious woman, overstepping her bounds.
Ou Yunchen: "How long do you think you can hold onto my position?"
Lawyer Ma: "Probably… for a very, very long time."
Ou Yunchen put away his pen, closed his laptop, and smiled wryly. Was this a case of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs? Fine, he would go along with Lawyer Ma's wishes. If she wanted him out so she could take his place, then let her have it. He wondered how long she would last.
Lawyer Ma: "Where are you going?"
Ou Yunchen put on his coat, grabbed his car keys, and glanced back at the triumphant Lawyer Ma. Or rather, he should call her the new Executive Officer.
As he reached the door, Ruby quickly followed.
Ruby: "Mr. Ou, there's an urgent document here for your signature. Oh, and there's a video conference tomorrow morning, and another appointment tomorrow afternoon…"
Ou Yunchen pressed the elevator button and coldly stated, "Give it all to President Ma."
Ruby: "Oh, okay. Wait, Mr. Ou, who is President Ma? Mr. Ou, are you leaving work? Mr. Ou, Ou…"
The elevator doors slammed shut right in front of Ruby. The bewildered Ruby stood there with a stack of documents waiting for Ou Yunchen's signature and an unfinished itinerary. She had no idea what to do.
***
Having left ATL behind, Ou Yunchen flew abroad the next day. Everyone assumed the boss was on vacation, but in reality, Ou Yunchen was using the opportunity to visit numerous clients with Jin Datong.
Since acquiring Datong Textiles, Ou Yunchen had maintained the status quo under Jin Datong. Although they had already planned Datong's future development, progress was hindered by Lawyer Ma's obstruction, and insufficient funds were allocated, which was starting to dampen Jin Datong's spirits.
Jin Datong: "Mr. Ou, there's something I've been wanting to ask."
Ou Yunchen: "Go ahead."
Jin Datong: "Lawyer Ma has replaced you. Will Datong's development be even more difficult now?" He continued, "When you acquired Datong, I know Lawyer Ma strongly opposed it. Fortunately, Datong has been stable over the years and hasn't incurred losses, otherwise…"
Ou Yunchen: "Are you afraid Lawyer Ma will suddenly sell Datong?"
Jin Datong: "Yes. To be frank, Datong owes its revival in the competition for a ten-billion-dollar project to you. If we can't continue our cooperation in the future, I can hardly imagine Datong not falling into a crisis of bankruptcy again."
Ou Yunchen: "To be honest, I'd rather Lawyer Ma sold Datong."
Jin Datong: "But… Datong rose with ATL. If ATL sells Datong, it won't take three years for Datong to go bankrupt due to cash flow problems…"
Ou Yunchen: "The international market is very difficult right now. You've seen it. Many clients are already shifting towards Southeast Asian markets. Even Su's seems to be shrinking exports while focusing on the domestic market."
Jin Datong: "I know economic recession is an unavoidable blow to manufacturing. However, Mr. Ou, you must help Datong."
Ou Yunchen: "I want to help Datong, which is why I brought you out. Because I'm thinking, perhaps I can help you better by being detached from ATL."
Jin Datong: "What do you mean by that?"
Ou Yunchen: "If Lawyer Ma decides to sell Datong, I would be quite happy to see that happen. Don't rush, let me finish…"
Ou Yunchen then brought up the fully automated factory, a concept he had strongly recommended to Mrs. Su years ago. However, at the time, Mrs. Su lacked foresight, her focus solely on financing Huaming Capital. Now, years later, the advantages of a fully automated factory were evident. Less labor costs, significantly reduced production complexity and time, and even on-demand production could minimize enterprise risk.
Jin Datong, understanding production better than Mrs. Su, would have listened attentively to the benefits of a fully automated factory, just as Xu Shuming would have.
Jin Datong: "That's brilliant! If Datong could become such a factory, its production efficiency would increase severalfold! From supply to production to distribution, everything would be controllable. This is exactly what I've always hoped for!"
Ou Yunchen: "So we should be the first to introduce this technology entirely before Su's does."
Jin Datong: "Yes, but such a complete factory transformation would be a massive undertaking. Forget Su's; even Datong would need a substantial amount of capital. Even employee severance packages would be a considerable sum."
Ou Yunchen: "I have a plan. I wonder if you'd be willing to cooperate with me."
Jin Datong: "Is this with Mr. Ou, or with ATL?"
Ou Yunchen: "With me. Personally."
Jin Datong listened intently to Ou Yunchen's plan, nodding and frowning several times, appearing very uncertain. Even after Ou Yunchen finished explaining the entire plan, Jin Datong's brow remained furrowed, and he looked uneasy.
Ou Yunchen: "I'm not in a hurry for your answer, because there will be even bigger changes at ATL."
Jin Datong: "I don't understand. Shouldn't ATL be your company, Mr. Ou? Why would Lawyer Ma be able to snatch your position?"
Ou Yunchen: "Because there are some problems that Lawyer Ma needs to resolve."
Jin Datong: "I still don't understand."
Ou Yunchen patted Jin Datong's shoulder.
Ou Yunchen: "Let's go. We have one more place to visit."