Chapter 29: Not Without a Chance

Director Lu was clearly the future president; no one dared to disobey him, so they all rose to their feet.

They formed a line with Director Lu at its head and filed out.

The few mid-level managers who were usually close to Li Xue felt an inexplicable sadness.

"President Li..."

Li Xue's face was deathly pale, but now that the situation was beyond saving, a strange calm had settled over her. She said,

"This is my responsibility, and I'll bear it alone. I'm definitely going to have to step down now. Lu Yi will almost certainly take my position."

"Even when I'm gone, no matter who takes over, you must all carry out the president's orders to the letter. Don't try to pull any tricks."

Hearing her say this, everyone was overcome with sorrow and couldn't stop themselves from shedding a few secret tears.

"Go. Don't let Lu Yi see you siding with me, or you'll be in for it."

At her command, the last few mid-level managers turned and left.

Li Xue felt a strange sense of relief. The invisible burden had finally been lifted. Although she was still deeply resentful, whatever happened next had nothing to do with her.

'Once Lu Yi is in power, he's bound to come after me. Getting kicked out of the Li Group would be getting off easy. If he reports me for deliberately cutting corners, I could even end up in jail.'

Li Xue glanced up and saw Mu Lin still sitting there, watching her with a placid expression.

"Are you just here to watch my downfall? I'm not going to be president anymore. Happy now?"

Mu Lin said, "Why would I be happy? You're my wife. What's good for you is good for me. If you're not the president, I lose out big time, too."

Hearing this, Li Xue scoffed. "Who's your wife? Don't forget, our marriage certificate is fake! I'm not going to be president anymore, so I suppose you don't have to leech off me now, do you?"

Mu Lin got up and walked over to her. "What are you talking about? It's not over! Who says there's no chance for a comeback? Sitting here stunned is how you really hand over a golden opportunity!"

Li Xue leaned back in her chair and rolled her eyes. 'Easy for him to say.' She had just set down this heavy burden, and she felt a strong aversion to picking it back up.

"I've already let it go. Whoever wants the position can have it!" Utterly dejected, Li Xue was completely obstinate, refusing to care about anything else.

"Then I guess I'll have to support you from now on," Mu Lin said with a faint smile, uttering words that nearly made Li Xue leap from her seat.

Li Xue panicked. "Me, need you to support me? Are you kidding me?"

Mu Lin ticked off on his fingers, speaking slowly and deliberately. "Look, once that bastard Lu Yi pushes you out of the Li Group, you'll have no income. Me? I'm still the vice team leader of the special project group, pulling in 200,000 a month. If I don't support you, who will?"

Li Xue's expression turned foul when she heard that.

"You piece of..."

She stopped herself, feeling the word was too unladylike for a woman of her standing. She immediately shot to her feet and strode out.

She would never, ever tolerate being supported by Mu Lin, not even in theory.

Her presidency might be doomed, but even if she was destined to fail, she had to go down fighting.

After Li Xue pushed the door open and left, Mu Lin followed with a smile.

He suddenly noticed Xue Yang from the project department leaning against a railing, smoking, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"Minister Xue, aren't you going downstairs to greet them? If Director Lu finds you're not there, he's guaranteed to cause problems for you later!"

Xue Yang gave a bitter smile. "If he fires me, it'd solve all my problems. I'm sick and tired of these internal power struggles. It's just... President Li works so hard. I can't rest easy letting her face Director Lu alone."

He took a deep drag from his cigarette, held the smoke in for a moment, and then slowly exhaled, as if breathing out all his worries.

"Xiaoxue is incredibly capable. Some people think she just coasted on her family's connections, but she actually fought her way to this position step by step on her own merit."

"More than half the mid-level managers in this company are Lu Yi's people, yet she pushed her projects forward against all that pressure. Sheng Baiqin Garden was the project she poured her heart and soul into, and it sold out the moment it went on the market. Is that the kind of performance a typical nepo-baby could pull off?"

As he spoke, Xue Yang let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. "What's the point of me saying all this to someone who has nothing to do with it?"

Mu Lin said, "How can you say that? I've already gone up against Lu Yi. If he takes over, I'll definitely be swept out the door. We're in the same boat now!"

Xue Yang found that amusing. Disaster was imminent, and countless mid-level managers were scrambling to save their own skins. Yet here was Mu Lin, trying to build a connection with him.

"Well, since you put it that way, let me ask you something. What do you think of Xiaoxue's skills?"

'Skills in bed? I wouldn't know!' After a moment of wild thoughts, Mu Lin answered seriously, "I think her abilities are obviously outstanding. The trust-fund kids in the special group really admire her; they can't say three sentences without mentioning 'Sister Xiaoxue.' I think that speaks volumes."

Xue Yang's expression grew even more desolate at this reply.

"Those nepo-babies in the special group... if they were willing to be a bit more humble, would they have ended up in that situation in the first place?"

"Enough about that. You should hurry downstairs, or you'll lose your job too. Don't follow my example and act out of spite. It's clearly not a smart move."

Of course, Mu Lin was going to go down and have a look.

"Minister Xue, don't be so pessimistic. Jiang Hong coming to the Li Group doesn't necessarily mean he's here to cause trouble."

Xue Yang just shook his head with a bitter smile. 'He's just trying to console me.'

'I've been knocking around this company for so long. Do I not know why these quality issues suddenly appeared, or what's really going on?'

After saying goodbye to Xue Yang, Mu Lin skipped the elevator and headed straight for the fire escape stairwell, running all the way down.

By the time he reached the ground floor, many of the mid-level managers were still waiting for an elevator.

The welcoming party, led by Lu Yi, had already stepped out of the elevator and was now marching solemnly toward the entrance.

'My partnership with Gao Yi can't be exposed. For now, this is just a standard welcome.'

Lu Yi spotted Jiang Hong sitting upright in the waiting area, with Gao Yi right next to him.

"Chief Jiang, welcome!" Lu Yi greeted him enthusiastically. "We're so honored that you could take time out of your busy schedule to visit the Li Group. I trust the front desk has treated you well?"

Jiang Hong looked very confused. Usually, it was Xue Yang from the project department who received him. 'Who is this new guy?'

"And you are...?" Jiang Hong studied Lu Yi closely. He truly had no idea who this man was.

Lu Yi thought for a moment and understood. 'Of course. This is my first time greeting him, so naturally he doesn't recognize me.'

'I don't recognize him either; I only knew it was him because Gao Yi was there.'

Of course, Gao Yi wasn't in great shape at the moment. His face was swollen, and his body was covered in bandages.

This made Lu Yi click his tongue in wonder. 'Things got that out of hand last night? If I were Gao Yi, I wouldn't be able to stand for it either!'

Pushing aside his stray thoughts, Lu Yi introduced himself respectfully. "I am the Finance Director of the Li Group. With the news breaking about quality issues in a large number of our properties, it's created difficulties with our receivables. As the finance department is the primary stakeholder, it's only natural that I take the lead in receiving you both."

"I see. President Lu from the finance department, I'll remember that," Jiang Hong said, offering a polite pleasantry. "Your sweeping reforms at the Li Group have made you quite famous in our circles!"

'Flattery costs nothing.'

"I'm nothing compared to you. Under your oversight, the quality of project supervision in Anhua City has soared. We contractors might complain endlessly, but the common people are the ones who've truly benefited! Your work is a tremendous public service!"

The two of them traded compliments, creating an excellent atmosphere.

Lu Yi felt quite confident. Jiang Hong's friendly attitude suggested there was room for cooperation.

But Jiang Hong's next words shattered Lu Yi's fantasy.

Jiang Hong asked, "Director Lu, where is President Li? I'd like to see her. There are some things I must discuss with her in person."

Lu Yi was screaming internally. 'I'm standing right here! Why are you asking about Li Xue?'

'Am I really so inferior to her?'

Jealousy coursed through him, but Lu Yi rationally suppressed his emotions and said in a grave tone,

"The quality issues in this batch of buildings are primarily because Li Xue conspired with the project department to cut corners! She's too ashamed to face you!"

"Furthermore, Li Xue and Team Leader Gao had an... unpleasant incident yesterday. On behalf of the Li Group, I would like to offer our sincerest apologies to Team Leader Gao! Whatever compensation Team Leader Gao desires, as long as it is within our power, we will do everything we can to satisfy your request!"