Interpersonal relationships in the company

Li Dingshan didn't come, which was strange. It seemed as if everyone else had made a pact to all show up. Wen Yang arrived earlier than Xia Xiang and Xiao Jia. When he saw them entering together, his expression changed, and he gave Xia Xiang a meaningful look before turning and retreating into his office, closing the door tightly behind him. In the past, Xiao Jia would have pushed open Wen Yang's door, entered, and then locked it firmly, not emerging until after work.

Today, Xiao Jia hesitated for a moment before going alone to her inner office.

Teng Qiang, who hadn't shown his face in a long time, looked around as soon as he entered, then came to Xia Xiang, pointed at the inner office door, and whispered, "What's going on? Is Beauty Xiao and Doughnut Wen having a fight? Don't blame me for not reminding you, Xia Xiang. Xiao Jia's skin is so smooth. Even if she isn't a virgin, you can still take the opportunity to get close to her. You can dump her after getting what you want; at least you'll have some fun."

"Doughnut Wen" was a nickname Teng Qiang had given Wen Yang. One time, Wen Yang bought a pound of doughnuts and brought them to the company. He ate them all with plain water, leaving Teng Qiang stunned, and that's how the nickname stuck.

Teng Qiang had slicked-back hair, gelled and shiny, as if coated with shoe polish. The most repulsive thing was that he had some unknown brand of cosmetic on his face, giving off an odd scent. He was the epitome of an oily, powdered face.

Xia Xiang despised Teng Qiang, not because he loafed around and did nothing, but because he wasn't clean. It was because of his meddling that Li Dingshan's first business deal ended in such a catastrophic loss, catching everyone off guard. But Li Dingshan was sentimental, and due to Teng Qiang's distant familial ties, he never made the tough decision to fire him.

Teng Qiang knew he was unpopular in the company. Wen Yang never paid him any attention, Jia He always mocked him, and Xiao Jia was as cold as ice, not even giving him a proper glance. Compared to others, Xia Xiang was the only one who seemed easy to bully. Whenever Teng Qiang came to the company, he would tease Xia Xiang.

Xia Xiang was reading a book, and after Teng Qiang finished speaking, he suddenly looked up and said coldly, "Are you done?"

Teng Qiang was startled and instinctively took a step back.

"If you're done, please leave. I need to work, and I don't have time for baseless gossip. If you feel bored, you can go count the glass bottles in the warehouse!"

The warehouse held tens of thousands of glass bottles, a costly lesson from the first business deal that cost 500,000 yuan. The company was supposed to supply medical glass bottles to a pharmaceutical factory. Teng Qiang had assured everyone that he had smoothed out all the necessary connections and even signed a purchase intent agreement. Since he was originally from the pharmaceutical factory, Li Dingshan believed him and partnered with a township enterprise to produce a large number of glass bottles. In the end, the pharmaceutical factory didn't buy a single bottle, causing Li Dingshan a significant setback and making him hate Teng Qiang deeply.

However, after Teng Qiang cried in front of him several times and had relatives from his hometown call to plead, Li Dingshan somehow tolerated Teng Qiang staying. Many people were aware that Teng Qiang had profited from the deal, taking kickbacks, and it was his incompetence that led to the pharmaceutical factory rejecting the bottles. That such a person could remain in the company made Xia Xiang think that Li Dingshan was too indecisive.

At the mention of the glass bottles, Teng Qiang jumped like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, staring at Xia Xiang in disbelief and shouting, "How dare you, Xia Xiang! Do you think you can challenge me? Watch me deal with you!"

Xia Xiang remained seated, "How will you deal with me? By fighting or cursing?"

For some reason, though Xia Xiang didn't move, he exuded a formidable aura—calm, composed, and completely dismissive. This made Teng Qiang flinch, and his bravado diminished. He mumbled, "I won't bother with a kid like you. It's beneath me," but thought, What a show-off. A college student sitting here doing nothing, just like a nobody.

Teng Qiang stormed out, slamming the door.

Xia Xiang smiled and returned to his book, though he couldn't concentrate. He was preoccupied with Li Dingshan's situation. Despite his flaws, Xia Xiang was determined to help Li Dingshan rise. After all, Li Dingshan's experience and network were invaluable, and his intricate web of relationships was far stronger than Xia Xiang's, who was just a penniless college graduate.

The door opened, and Jia He returned.

Jia He, a retired soldier, had been introduced to drive for Li Dingshan and had been by his side for five or six years, earning his trust. Xia Xiang got along well with Jia He, knowing he was indispensable to Li Dingshan. There was no conflict between them, so strengthening their relationship was necessary.

"Back, Jia He? Was the trip smooth?" Xia Xiang asked with a smile.

"Yes, yes. Oh, is Mr. Li here?" Jia He was a burly man, clearly strong and robust.

"Mr. Li isn't here. I don't know where he went."

"I'll call his mobile." Jia He nodded and went upstairs.

Li Dingshan carried a mobile phone, but few knew the number. Xia Xiang only knew his pager number. He guessed that Li Dingshan only shared his mobile number with his closest associates for easy contact.

It seemed that in Li Dingshan's eyes, Xia Xiang wasn't yet close enough to know his mobile number. Xia Xiang self-mockingly thought that perhaps he was the only one truly concerned about Li Dingshan's future. In Li Dingshan's eyes, he probably wasn't as close as Wen Yang. It was ironic: Li Dingshan trusted Teng Qiang, who ruined his first deal, and Wen Yang, his most capable assistant, secretly made a fortune.

Li Dingshan, with a failed marriage and a struggling career, was a failure. Could he handle the political waves and rise to a high position in the government?

For a moment, Xia Xiang doubted his decision.

But he had no choice. He needed to use Li Dingshan's connection with Song Chaodu. Even if Li Dingshan could only take him to a certain level, as long as he connected with Song Chaodu, he could navigate the political landscape, using his knowledge of the next decade's political changes to carve out his own path.

In his previous life, Xia Xiang had closely followed his classmates' political careers, especially after the major political upheaval in Yan Province, where many previously overlooked figures rose to power, including some of Li Dingshan's acquaintances.

Unfortunately, Li Dingshan, surrounded by opportunities, clung to this half-dead company, dreaming of becoming rich. According to his plan, once the LCD screen project was completed, the company could go public within three to five years, potentially making him a millionaire or even a billionaire. Under this dream, a county party secretary position wasn't appealing.

Xia Xiang knew that if Li Dingshan leveraged his network, he could become a rising star in Yan Province when Song Chaodu regained power. Li Dingshan could be promoted to at least a deputy director. In two more years, Song Chaodu might become the governor of Xiping Province, and even if he didn't take Li Dingshan with him, he could ensure Li Dingshan became a mayor before leaving.

If Li Dingshan became a mayor, with his connections in Beijing's media and other networks, he could steadily rise, possibly to a provincial-level position, even without Song Chaodu's support.

But this depended on Li Dingshan following Song Chaodu's advice, becoming a county party secretary, and returning the company to the newspaper. Given the current situation, Li Dingshan would only make a firm decision if Li Kailin was transferred and the land approval was denied, leaving him with no options.

If Xia Xiang had the means, he wouldn't hesitate to sabotage the LCD screen project, but he was powerless, a mere drop in the ocean, unable to make any waves.

What should he do? Xia Xiang tapped his forehead, thinking hard.

"Xia Xiang, Mr. Li went to Bao City. He'll be back tonight and will have dinner with Director Li. By the way, Mr. Li specifically asked you to stay." Jia He came down, looking at Xia Xiang suspiciously. Mr. Li rarely asked Xia Xiang to accompany him, especially after two unpleasant experiences. Xia Xiang was too reserved, and he had also clashed with Li Kailin, the company's financial benefactor. It was strange that Mr. Li wanted Xia Xiang to join.

Xia Xiang saw the doubt in Jia He's eyes but just smiled and nodded, "Sure, no problem."

Jia He looked surprised, thought for a moment, and then shook his head, saying, "We'll go together tonight."

Jia He returned to his room, likely to rest. Xia Xiang pondered how to handle the evening, when Wen Yang came out of his office, knocked on Xiao Jia's door.

Xiao Jia opened the door, saw Wen Yang, and smiled, "What's up, Manager Wen?" Her eyes darted between Wen Yang and Xia Xiang. Xia Xiang pretended not to notice, thinking Xiao Jia was good at acting. Her bright eyes suggested she enjoyed flirting, and men often misinterpreted her glances.

Did he underestimate Xiao Jia because of his dislike for Wen Yang? Recalling the night they spent in the same room, Xia Xiang's gaze fell on Xiao Jia's figure, and a surge of heat coursed through him.

Young bodies were easily aroused. Xia Xiang thought that, 12 years later, he would still appreciate beauty but wouldn't react so physically. Hormones were indeed troublesome.

Wen Yang, seeing no change in Xiao Jia's expression, said, "I need to talk to you. Come to my office."

"Okay!" Xiao Jia agreed and followed Wen Yang into his office, glancing at Xia Xiang before closing the door, her eyes lingering on his face for a few seconds, fluttering suggestively.