Chapter 34: Variable

A brief silence fell over the conference room.

Then, Lu Baichuan stood up and said, "Alright, we've reached a conclusion regarding the quality crisis. It was simply a minor mistake during the execution phase by the relevant department—completely understandable."

"Right now, the Group has ample funds and is gearing up at full steam for the next project, isn't that right?"

None of the directors objected to this. Who wouldn't want to take on a big project and make a fortune?

Lu Baichuan smiled. "Now, shall I talk about a small success I've had recently?"

"As you all know, there's a plot of land in the south of the city that has been on hold because it couldn't pass the environmental assessment."

"Yes, Plot Six. All the developers in the city were optimistic about it. If we could secure it, we'd be looking at a minimum threefold return on investment. The only thing holding it back was that assessment."

"This plot has attracted a great deal of attention. Whoever manages to successfully develop it will prove their standing in Anhua City."

Lu Baichuan leaned on the table and spoke slowly, "I've cleared that hurdle. The land is now in the bag for our Group!"

The words hit the room like a thunderclap.

All the directors' eyes widened.

If this plot was developed successfully, the future of the Li Group would be unbelievably bright.

"How did you do it?"

Lu Baichuan steepled his fingers under his chin, his head held high with an arrogant air.

"While some people were straining over sesame seeds, I was risking my life to find a big watermelon for the Group. And yet, I still have to endure criticism from certain individuals, as if I were the one undermining the Group's interests."

His words were pointed, a clear rebuttal to everything Li Xue had just said about Lu Yi.

With this project as leverage, Lu Baichuan's position in the Group was as solid as a mountain.

The members of the Li Family, in contrast, seemed like insignificant, posturing clowns.

The competitive Li Xue was on the verge of blurting out the project with Dingli Group, but that was absolutely out of the question.

Their relationship was maintained by a fragile, unspoken understanding. If the project were made public, that understanding would be shattered.

If anyone asked Dingli Group, they would just deny anything of the sort ever happened.

In the end, it would only lead to greater humiliation.

Chen Xi's grandfather, Chen Quan, had always been a staunch supporter of the Li Family, and he didn't waver now. However, even he felt that the Li Family's control over the Group was starting to falter.

For the average employee, the choice was between Li Xue, who was demanding to an extreme, and Lu Baichuan and Lu Yi on the other side, who were lenient and could also bring in huge, profitable projects.

Who would any sane person choose?

Lu Baichuan, with the bearing of a king, swept his sharp gaze over everyone present.

"This project is of the utmost importance. I believe it should be handed over to someone with extensive experience. Wouldn't you agree?"

What else could the directors say? They all voiced their agreement.

"I think Cui Chun is a good choice. His track record is outstanding, and he's completed quite a few influential projects. I believe entrusting it to him would be the right move."

'Just as I thought,' Li Yinhe mused. 'Cui Chun and Lu Yi are thick as thieves. Giving this to Cui Chun is the same as giving Lu Yi more bargaining chips.'

For a moment, he desperately wanted to find a reason to refuse, but Lu Baichuan had brought in this project single-handedly, so he naturally had a say in where it went.

And just like that, the power dynamic between the project department's three teams shifted.

The Lu Family's Team One would be instantly strengthened, while the Li Family's Team Two would be squeezed, likely leading to internal conflict. And Team Three, which had always been on the fence, might now side completely with the Lu Family.

This was tantamount to letting the Li Group be renamed the Lu Group.

The moment his father dropped the bombshell, Lu Yi understood the implications. The arrogance immediately returned to his eyes.

'That woman Li Xue wanted to settle accounts with the finance department? Heh, you're not worthy!'

Lu Baichuan waited for a while, but was met only with silence, so he rapped his knuckles sharply on the table.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

"Speak up! Is it a yes or a no?"

More than half of the directors nodded.

Li Yinhe's face was grim, his expression ashen. Even though his father had placed him in this high-ranking, authoritative position, his say was nothing compared to Lu Baichuan's, who now held a massive project in his hands.

Lu Baichuan smiled in satisfaction.

"Good. I have another small matter. It's not really something for a board meeting, but since we have a little time left, it would be a waste not to use it. Why don't we bring it up for discussion?"

Without waiting for the directors to respond, he said directly, "I heard from Director Lu that there's an outstanding payment of seven million for a construction project? It was a small project, so why is the collection so slow?"

"President Li, you're familiar with the project department. Can you answer that for me?"

Li Xue had been so busy these past few days she was about to go insane. She couldn't remember any outstanding payments.

She fell silent.

"Oh dear, you can't say? President Li, that won't do! You're the one who keeps saying you're completely devoted to the projects. How exactly are you devoting yourself?"

Li Xue racked her brain for a moment before vaguely recalling the project.

"It was a pig farm expansion project. Construction is complete, but pork prices have been sluggish lately, so the farm doesn't have the extra money to pay us."

"It's the largest breeding base in Anhua City. Their credit is solid. I think we can give them some more time!"

Lu Baichuan sneered. "Give them more time? That payment was due last year. You've already given them more than a year, you kind-hearted young lady!"

"It's about time we collected it, don't you think?"

Li Xue was taken aback. 'I've been so busy, I must have gotten the dates mixed up…'

"I'll arrange for someone to follow up on the collection."

"With such a huge project right in front of us, who has the spare capacity for collections? I see the Special Projects Team is very idle, not doing a thing. Why not send them over? Let them make that pig farm spit out our money!"

Li Xue quickly said, "That project belongs to Team Two. It's not appropriate to hand it to the Special Projects Team!"

Lu Baichuan leaned back in his chair. "Is President Li saying the Special Projects Team isn't even capable of running an errand? Then what are we spending hundreds of thousands a month on them for?"

"What do you all say, fellow directors?"

The directors' expressions were a sight to behold. The Special Projects Team was filled with their own unworthy sons and grandsons, and they knew exactly how useless they were.

It was highly likely they wouldn't collect the money, and would instead get beaten up, bringing disgrace upon themselves.

Sending them to collect a debt was absolutely out of the question.

However, if the Special Projects Team couldn't even handle debt collection, what was the point of keeping it around? These useless boys and girls would just be let loose to run wild again.

It was a headache for everyone.

It was the biggest headache for Chen Quan. After all, Chen Xi was the leader of the Special Projects Team! If the task wasn't completed, it would be his face that was lost.

Right now, Lu Baichuan had the upper hand. Even if he voiced his opposition, Lu Baichuan would still issue the order anyway.

Finally, one director said, "I agree!"

After he agreed, the rest of the directors voiced their agreement with Lu Baichuan as well.

Soon, more than half had agreed, and Li Yinhe announced, "The matter of collecting the seven million payment will be handled by the Special Projects Team."

Lu Baichuan led the applause, and the board meeting concluded amidst the sound of clapping.

After the meeting, Li Xue stormed into Li Yinhe's office. "Dad, Lu Baichuan has gone too far! First the Plot Six project in the south, now this seven million payment—he's coming right at us!"

Li Yinhe, completely stressed out, waved for Li Xue to close the door. "Keep your voice down. Don't let others see us as a joke. Him coming after us, is that news? It's perfectly normal. They're the second-largest shareholder. It's only natural they'd want to control the Li Group."

"We have no choice but to face their moves, and we have to do it gracefully. Forget about the south side plot for a moment; that seven million payment must be collected!"

"This isn't just about seven million. It's also about the support from people like Elder Chen... They're old acquaintances. It's very clear what they need."

Li Xue understood perfectly. For directors like Elder Chen, there was really no difference between the Li Family and the Lu Family.

But the Li Family had always supported the existence of the Special Projects Team, which was why those directors had rallied around Li Hao.

Li Xue said, "As for the payment, I'll have Xue Yang contact the pig farm's owner. That owner is pretty reasonable, he probably won't give us a hard time."

Li Yinhe nodded. "Right now, the focus is indeed on Plot Six in the south. On what grounds was the previously strict environmental assessment suddenly no longer required? There's definitely something fishy going on here. Investigate! I want you to investigate it thoroughly!"