Chapter 34

There was an inconspicuous Volvo parked in the underground parking lot of Quze Industries where the space was supposedly reserved for the higher management.

A few days ago, after the dinner with Pei siblings, Li Shaoze had sent Mu Ziyi to take care of some errands in the office before he took the post. And today was supposed to be the first day for him to be officially working in Quze Industries, not as the chairman, but a temporary director. Despite that, he would still be introduced in the emergency board meeting which was going to be held in less than 30 minutes.

He had told Liu Gang to give him more time and that he wanted to make himself familiar with the environment first before becoming the chairman. Although reluctant, Liu Gang still took his request into consideration but it came with a condition; which was for him to make an appearance in front of the highest management.

Li Shaoze was resting his head on the back seat as he kept his eyes closed. He came here very early and he felt that he should take a few minutes of buffer time before he went to the elevator. Li Junfeng was beside him, shaking his head.

"You told me you're not going to stay in this country for long. That means you're not becoming chairman anytime soon. Why the change of heart?"

Li Shaoze didn't bother to open his eyes, "I really didn't want to become chairman. I also didn't want to stay here more than necessary,"

"Don't put my own words into my mouth. I'm asking you the reason for it," Li Junfeng sighed.

"... Training," Li Shaoze had to confess.

"What?" Li Junfeng felt incredulous. What more training should Li Shaoze take in order to become the chairman of Quze Industries? He had already established himself in Country E for so long.

"I thought I won't become chairman in a few more years but I still need to get involved from early on. It's my responsibility," Li Shaoze let out a sigh, he kept thinking about Qin Meili these days so his emotions were a bit jumbled and complicated.

"Aha. You don't want to burden those old folks more than you should, right?" Li Junfeng guessed. He had heard everything from Li Shaoze yesterday.

About how he went abroad to further his studies, how he was supported by Qin Meili and her five direct subordinates. How those people treated him, their concern, care and attention. It wasn't something Li Shaoze usually would touch in his story but he also didn't want their efforts to be hidden from Li Junfeng.

He felt that if Li Junfeng wasn't dead then he would never told him about these things. But now that things had changed, he should open up more. He never shared anything with Li Junfeng when he was alive so Li Shaoze wanted to tell him his story after he died.

"It's late, I should go," Li Shaoze ignored Li Junfeng's smiling eyes and went out of the car. Zhu Zijin was seen waiting for him near the elevator with his eyes on the tablet he was holding.

"Ah! Why didn't you acknowledge it? You felt sorry for the poor old geezers, right? You have been playing around for two years. You tsundere!"

The more Li Shaoze listened, the more his frown deepened. But he ignored the annoying soul and went to Zhu Zijin. He threw the car key to his special assistant while on his way.

Suddenly, he stopped his track. He turned to glance at a particular space. Zhu Zijin looked at him and asked, "Sir? Is there something?"

"Nothing," Li Shaoze turned around and went into the personal elevator that connected the underground space to the higher floors. He acted natural as if it wasn't important.

It was just a little bit surprising that he saw a few dead people's souls hovering about the parking lot just now.

'It's underground so it's not a strange place for ghosts,' he muttered to himself.

When they finally arrived at the office, Li Shaoze was introduced as a new executive director. One of the old women from the riverside restaurant was the one introducing him, the strict human resource director, Chen Ying. She was his head mentor during his twenties, spending the most time with him when he was still in university. She always appeared stern but was secretly gentle to Li Shaoze.

She was quite influential in the industry so people always calculate their actions in front of her. Moreover, Chen Ying was also a daughter from the declining but aristocratic Chen family. So her words held weight like diamonds.

Everyone knew the Chen's was one of the pillars of Quze Industries. They were a long-time shareholder. They were close with the Qin's. Unfortunately, the last Qin descendant; Qin Meili, had passed away so their relationship became weaker by time.

Everyone thought the Chen's would swallow Quze Industries two years ago. And that Chen Ying would be the new chairwoman. In fact, Chen Ying was the one who held the Chen family back. She voted for Liu Gang, who came from the hailing Liu family as chairman.

Liu Gang was a second son of the Liu family who wasn't active in the capital city. Instead, they were a family of wealthy merchant during the imperial era who had risen to the peak and settled in the Southern coast of Country C. So they practically governed the south.

So when he became the chairman instead, many were puzzled. His Liu family's standing was indeed high but the scope of influence wasn't in the capital. People were confused. But when he revealed the true reason in a press conference, people became aware that the giant conglomerate actually had an heir written in stones. A blood related nephew of Qin Meili!

"Come over to the address I sent you. We're going to have celebratory dinner," Chen Ying said in a whispering tone after she introduced Li Shaoze in front of the board of directors.

Li Shaoze wanted to reject the offer but her eyes were so strict he was reminded of her tutelage in his younger years. So he later nodded with difficulty.

Quze Industries was a huge company with many entwining contacts. Many of the board members knew about Qin Meili's nephew but they didn't know it was Li Shaoze! A man full of unsavory rumors who was said to have come back recently.

Many of the board members were aware of the upper circle strife so they knew Li Shaoze. However, a bigger portion of them was not from any influential family. They became directors due to their own capability. There was no conflict of interest between high society so they didn't say anything about Li Shaoze. They even supported him knowing that the five core people, including the current chairman was on Li Shaoze's side.

However, some were skeptical because Li Shaoze was from the Li family. Li Group was their rival conglomerate! Even if Li Shaoze had a bad relationship with the Li's, blood still ran deeper than water.

Li Shaoze wasn't aware of some of the judging eyes but he also wasn't in the mood to care. After the simple introduction, he went to see Liu Gang in his office at the topmost floor and they had a pleasant conversation.