Chapter 237: Heartless

After cursing for a while, Li Dong felt a bit more at ease.

Seeing Qi Yunna looking dazed and disheartened, Li Dong said brusquely, "Your position as city manager is revoked. Anyway, you didn't do a good job, so it's better to step down."

Qi Yunna felt a pang of discomfort but had anticipated this outcome.

With such a major blunder in Fucheng, being dismissed was the simplest resolution.

"Since you're no longer a city manager, you need to return the car to the company. As for the house, it was a reward from the company, so you can keep it."

"Also, now you have two options. First, you can submit your resignation..."

Before he could finish, Qi Yunna hurriedly said, "I choose the second option!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Qi Yunna nodded vigorously.

Li Dong snorted, "Listen to me before making a decision!"

"Second, at the end of the month, eight stores will open, and there's a level-five store in need of a manager. If you're willing, you can take that position."

Qi Yunna's mouth twitched. This was not just a minor setback; it was a significant fall.

A level-five store, although called a store, was essentially a small convenience shop.

Going from a city manager in charge of an entire city to managing a small convenience store was a considerable humiliation.

But Qi Yunna didn't hesitate and immediately said, "I'll do it!"

"Are you sure you won't regret it? With your current experience, it wouldn't be hard to find a mid-level or senior position in another industry or supermarket."

"I can keep the fact that you were negligent a secret. We can part ways amicably, and I won't hinder your future. You should think about it."

"No need. I'll go to the convenience store! I'll pick myself up from where I fell. This time, I was too arrogant. I believe that one day, I will make a comeback!"

Li Dong sneered, "Don't think things are still the same as before. Back then, Yuanfang was small and the competition wasn't fierce. Your rise was largely due to luck."

"But now Yuanfang has nearly fifty stores, and there are many store managers. It won't be so easy to rise again, especially since you're starting from such a low position. The possibility of becoming a city manager within two or three years is very slim. Your salary and benefits will be worlds apart from before. You might work a year and still not earn as much as you used to in a month. Would you still be willing?"

"I'm willing!"

Qi Yunna replied firmly. She had only experienced a setback, and her head wasn't damaged.

At this moment, Li Dong still offered her a choice, which meant he hadn't given up on her. As long as Li Dong didn't give up, she had a chance to rise again.

However, if she left now, not only would she lose Li Dong's trust, but starting over wouldn't be easy.

Her rise to city manager was based on luck; other companies might not recognize it. Since the result would be the same anyway, why not stay at Yuanfang?

Being a store manager was still better than having nothing.

Li Dong snorted, "Since you're willing, I won't say more."

"Don't go back to Fucheng today. Tomorrow there's a company meeting, and you need to attend. Also, go back to Fucheng to handle the handover, and then go to Pingchuan to take up your new position."

"Back to Pingchuan..."

Qi Yunna murmured, feeling bitter.

When the company awarded her the house, Li Dong had said she would eventually return to Pingchuan.

At that time, she was full of anticipation. She even imagined returning to Pingchuan as at least a city manager or perhaps a regional manager, maybe even a director.

But now?

She was retreating from Fucheng in disgrace, utterly embarrassed.

Sighing inwardly, Qi Yunna asked, "What about Fucheng?"

Li Dong understood her question and replied淡然, "Guo Mingzhi will take over as city manager."

Qi Yunna felt even more bitter. She had anticipated this result.

Guo Mingzhi wasn't only an old acquaintance but also a former subordinate. When they were both store managers in Qingyang, Guo Mingzhi was under her.

While she enjoyed success as a city manager, Guo Mingzhi, though a city district manager in Fucheng, was still below her.

Now, out of Fucheng's seven stores, six had problems, with only Guo Mingzhi's store remaining unaffected. It was only natural for him to be promoted.

This made Qi Yunna's situation even more humiliating. She had failed, and Guo Mingzhi had benefited. It was infuriating.

Li Dong was not in the mood to elaborate further, and waved his hand, "Go now. Keep this matter confidential for now. We'll discuss it after the meeting tomorrow."

Qi Yunna nodded, understanding that she shouldn't divulge anything at this time.

Li Dong's advance notice was both a precaution and a sign of trust.

Not saying more, Qi Yunna slowly left the office.

She had entered with high hopes but left with everything changed. The contrast was stark and unsettling.

...

Soon after Qi Yunna left, Sun Tao and Wang Yue entered the office together.

Sun Tao got straight to the point, "Mr. Li, are we really going to take action?"

"What do you think?"

Sun Tao frowned, "Maybe we should settle this privately. Let them return what they've taken and resign voluntarily. It would minimize losses and show that the company is lenient..."

"I don't need leniency! We've already been lenient enough! Is Yuanfang's treatment worse than other companies'? Ask yourself, what did Yuanfang do wrong to them? They chose to betray, so don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Li Dong snorted and, seeing that Sun Tao was about to speak, interrupted, "I've made up my mind. The materials have already been submitted to the economic investigation team!"

Sun Tao sighed and stopped talking.

Among those being taken down were several of his old acquaintances and even former subordinates.

When he quickly rose to a high position in Yuanfang, he recruited many old friends and subordinates. He thought he was giving them a bright future, but who knew it would come to this.

Sun Tao remained silent, but Wang Yue continued, "Mr. Li, taking down so many people at once might be a bit unstable, especially in Fucheng. Six store managers have been taken down; this..."

"Don't worry. The situation in Fucheng might be a bit chaotic, but it's manageable. In Pingchuan, as long as we handle Cao Chun, Yuanfang has plenty of store managers. We have people ready to take over!"

"But we're still competing with other supermarkets, and Guanhai Store One is a key point. If something goes wrong..."

Li Dong glanced at her and frowned, "So, you're suggesting we let Cao Chun off?"

"Mr. Li, you misunderstood." Wang Yue smiled, "I've heard about your decision regarding Manager Qi. I'm suggesting if we could have Manager Qi take over Cao Chun's position."

Li Dong raised an eyebrow and said unhappily, "No! Qi Yunna has a significant responsibility this time. Not dismissing her is because of my old feelings. Allowing her to become a level-two store manager again would only encourage others to follow her example."

A level-two store manager is only a step away from a city manager. If Li Dong allowed this, it would be a contradiction.

Being so harsh on others while being lenient with Qi Yunna would be unacceptable. Li Dong had already been too lenient with her.

Why should his people be dealt with so harshly while his own people are given special treatment?

Li Dong didn't want to discuss this further and changed the subject, "What's going on with Nanjiao?"

"We're still negotiating, but there's a high chance they'll make concessions. We're also negotiating with Nanhu, but I think it's better to settle things sooner rather than later. The longer we delay, the harder it will be with Nanhu."

"This matter is simple. If the distribution center negotiations fail, we'll focus on opening new stores. With the year-end approaching, we can set next year's goals for Nanhu and other cities. It's better to build relationships now for future interactions."

Wang Yue sighed in relief. This approach was best; with investment, it would be easier to negotiate with the Nanhu government.

Otherwise, after such long negotiations with Yuanfang not yielding any results, the Nanhu government would be unhappy, making future dealings troublesome.

...

On December 9th, the Yuanfang company meeting commenced.

This time, the meeting was held not at the Global Plaza but at the Tianhu Grand Hotel's conference hall.

The headquarters at Global Plaza was becoming increasingly inadequate; a small conference room could not accommodate so many people.

Yuanfang now had nearly fifty store managers alone. Adding department heads, managers, and directors, there were over a hundred people qualified to attend the meeting.

When Li Dong arrived, most people were already present.

Since the last meeting where Li Dong had made an example, few dared to be late unless they had urgent matters or were returning from a business trip.

As Li Dong took the podium, the crowd gradually quieted down.

Li Dong didn't waste time and began, "Today's meeting is mainly to announce a few decisions."

Everyone listened attentively.

But Li Dong didn't rush, continuing, "Before announcing the resolutions, there is another matter to attend to."

"Captain Chen, please come in."

As Li Dong's words fell, more than a dozen police officers entered the conference hall, led by a forty-something plainclothes officer.

Li Dong nodded at him and said, "You can start arresting people now."

As soon as these words were spoken, the conference hall erupted in a roar.

Li Dong shouted, "Quiet down!"

The noise subsided somewhat, but seeing individuals being led away by the police still caused a stir among the crowd.

The arrested individuals were panicked, "Mr. Li, what is this about?"

"Mr. Li, I admit my mistakes. Please give me a chance!"

"On what grounds are you arresting me? Can police arrest people at will?"

"Li Dong, you're being too heartless! I've contributed to Yuanfang's growth. I should not be treated this way!"

"…"

Li Dong stood on the stage, silent, observing the various reactions with complex feelings.

Aside from those shouting and panicking, some remained silent.

For instance, Liu Hai, the logistics department manager, knew from the moment the police arrived that things had gone awry.

Liu Hai was honest and did not resist when the police arrested him; he kept his head down.

Li Dong glanced at him and sighed inwardly.

Liu Hai was considered an old-timer at Yuanfang. When Dong Ping opened, Liu Hai was the head of logistics.

As Yuanfang expanded, Li Dong had given him many opportunities, and he quickly rose to the position of logistics manager.

Although Liu Hai's capabilities were not exceptional, Li Dong had hoped to share prosperity with everyone by giving him this role. Who would have thought that Liu Hai would turn out to be the biggest culprit?

The corruption in Fucheng was largely Liu Hai's doing.

Besides Liu Hai, those arrested included five store managers from Fucheng, with one escaping the immediate crackdown due to a later appointment.

In Pingchuan, Cao Chun couldn't escape either.

At this moment, Cao Chun was in a daze, unable to speak.

Among those arrested were also a finance department supervisor, the inspection team leader, and an assistant manager from the logistics department.

Ten people in total, including managers, assistant managers, and various level store managers.

Li Dong had indeed been ruthless, removing almost one-tenth of the middle and senior management in one go.

Seeing these people being arrested, the remaining staff felt both fearful and shivery.

It was much more severe than the previous dismissals. This was a thorough cleansing.

Everyone quieted down. Looking at Li Dong, their eyes reflected fear, not respect.