Chapter 230: It’s Up to Yueyue Herself, Freedom in Love is Best

As Wu Yun and his three companions were on their way to Xinrong Restaurant.

In an office building next to the National Development and Reform Commission, Conference Room 606 was packed. A nameplate with each person’s name sat on the table in front of them.

Three people sat at the large head table. In the center was a middle-aged man in his early forties, his hair combed impeccably.

On his left and right were men around fifty years old.

Behind them, the home slide of a PowerPoint presentation was displayed on a massive LED screen. It read, "Expanded Meeting on the Handling of Irregular Business Operations at Huaxia Machinery Industry Construction Group Co., Ltd."

"Next, we will proceed with the following meeting item: handling the company’s irregular business operations!" the moderator on the side announced.

A table of contents immediately appeared on the screen.

It showed four main topics.

"Everyone, please look at the first item. This is a summary of the irregular business operations found during the group’s 2014 audit and inspection."

The screen immediately switched to a view of the sub-items.

"The main issues uncovered this time are the improper collection of security deposits, unauthorized advance payments... improper use of business expenses, and so on."

"Let’s first talk about the improper collection of safety deposits! This is a list of the relevant projects we found, followed by the corresponding amounts and the respective subsidiaries or departments."

.....

It took the moderator a full ten minutes just to present these issues.

Afterward, the moderator spoke about the corrective actions taken for previous issues.

After more lengthy meeting procedures, just as the attendees in the room and those from major subsidiaries on video conference were starting to zone out, they heard the moderator say, "Next, let’s welcome our Group Chairman, Comrade Zhao Yongjun, to give a speech!"

The conference room immediately erupted in enthusiastic applause. As seasoned veterans, they all knew this meant the meeting was finally nearing its end.

Zhao Yongjun, sitting in the center of the head table, cleared his throat. He then switched on the microphone in front of him and said, "Next, I will briefly go over the detailed rules for the Group’s handling of leads on irregular business operations and investments. We can all learn them together. After the meeting, I will have the secretariat distribute the specific documents to all units."

"In order to standardize and strengthen the investigation and handling of leads related to irregular business operations and investments at Huaxia Machinery Industry Construction Group Co., Ltd., and to form a clear, systematic, and orderly accountability mechanism with well-defined responsibilities, these detailed rules are formulated in accordance with relevant regulations such as the SASAC’s ’Implementation Measures for Investigating and Prosecuting Irregular Business Operations and Investment Liabilities of Central Enterprises (Trial Version)’... and related documents such as the ’Implementation Measures for Investigating and Prosecuting Irregular Business Operations and Investment Liabilities of Huaxia Machinery Industry Group Co., Ltd.’..."

....

"Alright, those are the key points of the detailed rules. Now, I’d like to share my thoughts on this matter!"

"On that note, I must criticize Comrade Bai Yang from the Business Development Department! Although our group has relatively few operational issues, they are mainly concentrated on the improper use of business expenses."

"We all work in construction. We all know what goes on, so I won’t elaborate further. Comrade Bai Yang, as the head of the Business Development Department, you should be setting an example! Business expenses that are necessary should go through the proper channels! Those that aren’t should be saved whenever possible!"

Bai Yang sat below the head table. Many people turned to look at him, but they saw that his expression didn’t change despite being publicly criticized.

After watching for a moment, they were drawn in by what Zhao Yongjun said next and looked away.

"Regarding the improper collection of security deposits..."

Another twenty minutes passed before Zhao Yongjun finished his speech.

When the moderator announced the end of the meeting, many people stood up and stretched.

A middle-aged man next to Bai Yang patted him on the shoulder and said, "Old Bai! Don’t take it to heart. You just had some bad luck this time and got caught in the crossfire. Everyone knows how things usually are!"

Bai Yang gave a slight smile. "It’s fine. As the person in charge of business development, I’m used to being the scapegoat! I’m just thinking that with these restrictions on business expenses, it’s probably going to be harder to find projects and build connections in the future."

"Trying to get two hundred dollars’ worth of results with just one hundred dollars is a non-starter unless you have the right connections!"

The middle-aged man was speechless. "You think you’re a scapegoat? Our Safety Department is the king of scapegoats! At least you guys get business bonuses for hitting your targets! We don’t get a damn thing."

Bai Yang joked, "Old Liu, don’t you guys still get year-end bonuses!"

The middle-aged man’s expression soured. "Don’t even talk to me about year-end bonuses. They’re not even a fraction of what you guys make."

"Old Liu, now you’re exaggerating! Come on! Lunch is on me, at the cafeteria!"

"Old Bai! You really are a model of thrift and domestic virtue!"

....

That evening, Bai Yang dragged his exhausted body home.

Qiu Yue had already cooked dinner and set it on the table.

Seeing her husband return, Qiu Yue came to the door with a beaming smile. "You’re back!"

She took the laptop bag from Bai Yang’s hand. Seeing him silently changing his shoes, Qiu Yue knew at once that something was on his mind.

"Old Bai, is something wrong?" Qiu Yue and Bai Yang both worked for the same parent company, just in different subsidiaries. She had an administrative job.

It could be said that Qiu Yue had a relaxed job with regular hours, so not only did she manage the household, but she was also the woman behind Bai Yang’s success.

So whenever Bai Yang had something troubling him, Qiu Yue would always counsel him and offer advice.

It could be said that besides his own abilities, Qiu Yue’s role in helping Bai Yang get to where he was today was indispensable.

Bai Yang said, annoyed, "I got called out and criticized at the meeting today! It’s the first time I’ve been called out like that in a meeting!"

"I work my ass off leading the team, fighting to find projects out there, and now I guess someone’s either jealous or something, saying we’re wasting business funds."

The more Bai Yang spoke, the more agitated he became. "These people don’t even think! How are we supposed to land projects without spending money?! On the strength of our company’s name alone!?"

"Sigh... They only see how much I make each year, but they only see the thief enjoying the meat, not the thief getting beaten. If it weren’t for our department running all over the country to bring back so many contracts, these people would have nothing but air to eat!"

Qiu Yue comforted him, "Just focus on doing your job. You’ve received every bit of the bonus you earned, right? Who cares what other people say! Alright, let’s eat first. We can talk more after dinner!"

Qiu Yue put Bai Yang’s laptop bag on the sofa, then had him wash his hands before letting him come to the table.

At the dinner table, Bai Yang said as he ate, "Where should we go this weekend? I want to get out and clear my head! We can ask Yueyue if she wants to come with us!"

Qiu Yue picked up a piece of braised pork rib with her chopsticks, placed it in Bai Yang’s bowl, and said, "That might not work. I just promised your Vice President Zhang’s wife, Wan Lingling, that we’d play mahjong together this weekend!"

As she said this, Qiu Yue casually asked, "I heard your Vice President Zhang’s youngest son goes to the same university as Yueyue. He’s a junior! Wan Lingling just mentioned it to me this week. I get the feeling she’s interested in having our families become in-laws."

"I’m against it! Leaving aside what kind of person Vice President Zhang is, the parent company doesn’t allow that kind of situation internally! Besides, I think it should be up to Yueyue. It’s best if she can choose who she loves freely!"