sinovels Chapter 96 Passion in the Office
Chapter 96 Passion in the Office
Chapter 95 Passion in the Office
As night deepened, Tan Huasheng, who was breastfeeding, received a phone call and quickly drove to Zeng Huihuang's private villa in Suicheng. The villa had a particularly good and secluded location, with mountains behind it and the vast Lanhe River in front.
Not many people know that Zeng Huihuang owns such a villa here, and of course, it's not in his name. He stays here every time he returns to Suicheng. Tan Huasheng came here a few times when he was with Zeng Huihuang, and each time he would bump into different beautiful women, which he found very enviable.
When Tan Huasheng arrived, he noticed that Zeng Huihuang's expression was a bit off, and he felt a little uneasy, so he leaned closer and asked, "Old leader, what's wrong?"
Zeng Huihuang poured Tan Huasheng a cup of tea, then took a sip himself before finally turning his gaze to Tan Huasheng and saying seriously, "Huasheng, there's something I need to tell you. I received a letter of complaint that mentions numerous problems in the construction of the Wushan Water Station, including issues of dereliction of duty and corruption. The key point is that the letter mentions your name, Tan Huasheng."
Tan Huasheng was utterly startled, his lower body nearly shrinking back in fear. He replied nervously, "President Zeng, this is absolutely malicious slander. The breach in the Wushan dike is a serious matter, and as the supervisor in charge, I naturally bear undeniable responsibility. I will not shirk that responsibility. However, to say I have neglected my duties or even accepted bribes is utterly absurd. We are completely innocent. Furthermore, I reported to you, my former superior, regarding the initial inspection and approval of the Wushan water station. You are aware of the situation..."
Zeng Huihuang immediately interrupted Tan Huasheng: "Huasheng, although I don't know what you went through when you went to inspect, I absolutely trust you 100% that you won't do anything dereliction of duty or accept bribes. I promoted you myself, and your character can withstand the test. An anonymous letter is nothing. These days, who doesn't receive a few anonymous whistleblower letters? It's not good to be a leader if you don't. If you don't take it to heart, the most important thing now is for us to recognize our position and clarify our attitude. We must admit our mistakes and take responsibility. It's not just you, but also Song Jiehui. They will definitely be punished. However, I believe that as long as we can unify our thinking and handle things properly, no one will move their chair."
After listening, Tan Huasheng relaxed a bit, but still said with some fear, "Old leader, I have always followed your lead and obeyed your orders. You can absolutely rest assured about that. It's just that I can't say anything about Song Jiehui. He has connections in the province and has his own style of doing things."
Zeng Huihuang suddenly sneered: "Song Jiehui's awareness is indeed much higher than yours as the person in charge. Moreover, he is very smart. He called the flood control team in advance before the accident to notify the people to evacuate. He did a very good job in this regard, which made the nature of this matter less serious. Otherwise, do you think you and I would still be sitting here talking?"
Indeed, because Song Jiehui and Lin Chen had notified the county's flood control team in time before the accident, and had also fulfilled their obligation to remind the public to evacuate, after the accident, various sectors of society, including the county government, did not dare to cause trouble for Xinhai Company. Otherwise, people would probably have been taken away by now.
The Sui County government is currently in a state of utter chaos, struggling with its own problems and engaging in self-reflection. After all, it received such important instructions from Xinhai Group, yet it failed to evacuate the masses in a timely manner and made such a major blunder. No matter how it is written, this report seems unacceptable.
Tan Huasheng angrily slammed his teacup on the table: "Damn it, Song Jiehui, I had no idea he was doing these things. Could he have deliberately dug a huge pit for me to fall into?"
Zeng Huihuang: "No, he's still the top leader. If something happens in Sui County, he'll definitely hold you responsible first. But Song Jiehui is still an outsider, not one of our own, which is what makes it tricky. And then there's that Lin Chen, who always sabotages us. Just who is he?"
Tan Huasheng scoffed, his face full of disdain: "What's his background? He's just a lowly commoner from the countryside, currently just a small-time office clerk. No connections, no backing, just plain ignorant!"
Hearing that there was no background to him, Zeng Huihuang felt relieved, and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
Meanwhile, news of Lin Chen openly contradicting Zeng Huihuang at the meeting had spread throughout the Suicheng Company. When Chen Ya had dinner with some colleagues, their conversation inevitably revolved around Lin Chen.
Zhang Junmin picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, sneered, and said, "This Lin Chen is really getting too big for his britches! Does he think he's something special? Daring to talk back to President Zeng in public, and spouting nonsense about natural disasters and man-made calamities, what right does he have to point fingers here? He's simply courting death!"
Wang Yang burst into laughter, his tone full of schadenfreude: "Exactly! Just because he got a lousy expert title, he thinks he's someone important? Doesn't he know his place? If President Zeng wanted to crush him, it would be as easy as crushing an ant. He's really offended President Zeng this time; I think his position as a specialist is probably over!"
Song Qiuyu frowned and couldn't help but retort, "You two, stop spouting nonsense! Aren't you just jealous that Lin Chen got Song's favor? Everyone knows what kind of people the Wushan Water Station is acting like. This accident isn't that simple at all! Lin Chen was speaking out for the people; he had courage! If it were you, who would dare offend President Zeng? You're just cowards yourselves, and then you turn around and criticize those who dared to speak out. Don't you have any conscience?"
Wang Yang curled his lip, unconvinced: "Sister Qiuyu, I know you're close to Lin Chen and speak up for him. But then again, how comfortable were things when Director Zeng was in charge? Back when the Wushan water station went into operation, who didn't take a big bribe? Didn't you take one too? Now that Director Song is here, all this talk of being clean and honest, installing a water meter or unclogging a sewer used to get you a hundred or two, but now? Not a penny!"
The foreman at Liuhai Institute put down his chopsticks, sighed repeatedly, and looked miserable: "We grassroots workers understand this best! Before, we shouted that we couldn't take a single penny from the people," but if we really didn't, who would want to work? Back then, there were benefits, and everyone was eager to do things. Now, it's the same whether you work a lot or a little, and the salary is just a fixed amount. Even begging and pleading won't get anyone moving. The work is all piled up, like a mountain!"
Zhang Junmin picked up his rice bowl, his face full of sighs: "Truly, every emperor has his ministers! Like father, like son. I was born at the wrong time, I didn't live to see a good era!"
"Exactly!" someone chimed in. "Director Song is great in every way, except he's so out of touch with reality. He's a big boss, earning hundreds of thousands a year in salary and bonuses, he's got plenty of money. And us? We live on our meager salaries, if we don't find some extra income, we'll starve!"
"When General Manager Zeng was in charge, there were no limits on meal reimbursements. You could reimburse as much as you wanted! Now, it's thirty yuan per person per meal, and you have to get an invoice! What restaurant would be happy to give you an invoice for a thirty-yuan meal? Isn't this blatant mismanagement and just making things difficult for us low-level employees?"
The group became increasingly excited as they talked, reminiscing about their glorious years in power.
At that time, Xinhai Group was on a fast track of unchecked growth, with rules and regulations being virtually non-existent. The leaders made sweeping changes, and the people below them lived off the spoils, enjoying countless privileges and conveniences. But as the group gradually got on the right track, those shady practices were abolished one by one, and those who had become accustomed to taking advantage of others felt uneasy, filled with grievances and resentment.
That's human nature. Once people have tasted the sweetness of getting something for nothing, getting them to behave properly again is harder than climbing to heaven.
The next morning, as soon as Lin Chen stepped into the company gate, Tang Xin called him into her office.
A faint scent of milk filled the air, Tang Xin's usual perfume. She locked the door behind her, crossed her arms over her chest, her voluptuous curves accentuated. She gestured for Lin Chen to sit down, and after a long silence, slowly spoke, her tone full of helplessness: "You were too impulsive yesterday."
Lin Chen raised his eyes, his gaze calm and unwavering, his tone as indifferent as water: "Director Tang, I'm just telling the truth."
"We both know how deep the water is at Wushan Water Station," Tang Xin sighed, her voice extremely low. "President Zeng is right. At this time, we should unite as one and get through this difficult time first. The truth about the accident can be investigated later."
Lin Chen suddenly laughed, a hint of sarcasm in his voice: "Director Tang, someone as insightful as you, why pretend to be ignorant? If we really report it as a natural disaster, as he says, the matter will be completely covered up. Who will bother to investigate the truth? Who will care about the lives of those victims? You know better than I whether that death report you have states two deaths or more than twenty, don't you?"
Tang Xin's gaze suddenly tightened, staring at him for a long time, her eyes almost overflowing with complex emotions. She knew Lin Chen was capable and ambitious, but she also knew that this situation was too deep, unfathomable: "I know you want to get things done, but have you considered this? Once this blows up, it's beyond our control! What the leaders want right now is just an explanation to quell public opinion and save the company's reputation. If you insist on creating a huge mess, you'll only be the one who suffers in the end!"
What she didn't say was that Zeng Huihuang had already approached her last night, subtly and overtly asking her to give Lin Chen a warning and tell him to behave himself. She knew Zeng Huihuang's personality, so she was a little worried about Lin Chen.
Lin Chen looked at her, his tone firm and unwavering: "Do whatever you want. I won't back down. Director Tang, you were the one who transferred me to this position. You should know my personality; for some things, backing down would be like falling into an abyss."
After he finished speaking, he got up to leave.
"Stop right there!" Tang Xin hurriedly grabbed his hand, her voice tinged with anxiety. "Explain yourself! Otherwise—"
Otherwise, our office really can't accommodate someone as big as you!
Lin Chen whirled around, his gaze fixed intently on her, his tone accusatory: "So, you want me to get out of the office?"
"No—" Tang Xin bit her red lips, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, "I mean, you can take a vacation first. Didn't you keep saying you wanted to rest? I approved it, paid leave, until you want to come back."
Looking at her lips, which she had bitten until they turned white, Lin Chen felt a surge of resentment, anger, and unwillingness that had been building up inside him. He could no longer restrain himself, and he pulled her close, pulling her slender waist into his arms and kissing her lips passionately.
Tang Xin was completely stunned, never expecting Lin Chen to be so bold in the office. She struggled, her breath unsteady: "No—Lin—no—not here—"
Lin Chen seemed not to hear him, kissing him fiercely and relentlessly, as if he wanted to release all his pent-up emotions.
Tang Xin's struggles gradually weakened, and finally, she wrapped her arms around Lin Chen's neck, leaned back softly against the cold desk, and let him take whatever he wanted from her.
This wasn't their first intimate encounter, but it was more thrilling than ever before. As she succumbed to Lin Chen's warmth, she stared intently at the locked door, her heart pounding as if it would burst from her chest.