As he shouted out this sentence, Liu Long had already prepared himself for all sorts of negative outcomes. Whether Qin Chuan cursed him or ordered someone to deal with him, he would accept it.
However, to his surprise, there was no reaction from the other end of the phone. The silence was unnerving, making him a little scared.
“Qin… Boss Qin, did you hear me?”
Liu Long forced down his inner anxiety and spoke.
This time, a response finally came from the other end of the line: "Foreman Liu, are you sure you’ve thought this through?"
"Boss Qin, I have given it deep consideration!"
Liu Long replied.
"Alright, we do have some friendship between us. Since you wish to leave, I won't force you to stay."
Qin Chuan said slowly.
"I will inform my finance department to settle all your remaining payments."
"However, I have a piece of advice for you: defecting to Han Shifei is not a wise decision!"
Liu Long felt as if struck by lightning. He seemed to have not expected that Qin Chuan already knew everything.
By the time he came to his senses, the phone call had already ended. Liu Long's expression was a mixture of gloom and uncertainty. For some reason, his heart felt empty, as if he had missed something very important…
In the courtyard of Ziguang Electronics Factory, Qin Chuan hung up the phone and got out of the car. His expression was one of slight urgency, as he needed to find a toilet quickly to relieve himself.
Upon arriving at the restroom, Qin Chuan was squatting comfortably while smoking. Just as he was enjoying the moment, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching.
Initially, Qin Chuan paid no mind; it was a public place after all. But soon, an abrupt remark caught his attention.
“Sigh, our General Manager Ye is truly pitiful.”
A man sighed.
“Isn’t it? General Manager Ye is already a widow with a child. Those people are truly heartless, not even sparing a widow!”
Another man said.
General Manager Ye… widow… with a child…
These sensitive words immediately perked up Qin Chuan's ears, and he quietly listened to the conversation outside.
“This is probably the cruelty of the workplace. After all, General Manager Ye holds the largest equity in our electronics factory. What does it matter if she's a widow? They'd do anything for money!”
“I heard from Secretary Feng that during the meeting, General Manager Ye was attacked by all the shareholders, who accused her of severely violating factory regulations and running private businesses.”
“Those shareholders are forcing her to step down as general manager.”
“Furthermore, anyone associated with General Manager Ye has been implicated, such as Section Chief Xu, Engineer Li, and others…”
“Shh, be careful, walls have ears!”
The two men lowered their voices and then walked out of the restroom. Qin Chuan, still squatting inside, could no longer remain calm.
He had completely confirmed that the two employees were talking about Ye Meiyun. Qin Chuan never expected to uncover such a significant secret just by going to the restroom.
If Ye Meiyun were indeed forced to step down as general manager, the blow would be immense. Qin Chuan recalled that in the morning, Ye Meiyun had intended to use the electronic locker project to solidify her position.
But fate is unpredictable. Barely an hour later, Ye Meiyun's greatest hope had become her fatal flaw.
Qin Chuan was aware of some company regulations. Some companies have very strict rules and strongly disapprove of anyone using company resources to satisfy personal desires.
Even if Ye Meiyun's intentions were good – besides consolidating her position, she also wanted Ziguang Electronics Factory to escape its long-standing fate as a contract manufacturer.
But her opponents would not see it that way, nor would they be merciful…
Thinking of the blow Ye Meiyun was about to suffer, Qin Chuan's expression became complicated. This was clearly an internal power struggle within Ziguang Electronics Factory. As an outsider, he would likely be powerless to help even if he wanted to.
Moreover, Qin Chuan was not so arrogant as to believe he could casually interfere in their internal affairs; he didn't have that right.
He could only hope that Ye Meiyun had other means, or that she could weather this storm…
Ring, ring!
As Qin Chuan's thoughts churned, another call came in. He pulled out his phone and saw it was from Wang Pingan.
"Brother Wang, hello!"
Qin Chuan quickly adjusted his mindset while wiping himself and greeted Wang Pingan with a smile.
"Qin Chuan, you haven't returned from the provincial capital yet?"
Wang Pingan asked.
"No, there are still many things to handle here."
"When do you expect to be back then?"
"Um… around the end of the month. What's up, Brother Wang? Is there something?"
Qin Chuan inquired.
"The county magistrate wants to see you!"
Wang Pingan said, and then Qin Chuan heard Ye Qingping's voice.
"Qin Chuan, are you doing this on purpose?"
"What do you mean, County Magistrate? I don't quite understand."
Qin Chuan was somewhat bewildered.
"You brat, still playing coy with me? What kind of business in the provincial capital requires you to be away on a business trip for so long? It's been over ten days now!"
"Aren't you deliberately avoiding us, afraid we'll force the mess of Xinhua Electronics Factory onto you?"
Qin Chuan: "..."
"County Magistrate, you're truly mistaken. I have very important matters to attend to in the provincial capital this time."
Qin Chuan said with a wry smile.
"I'd believe that if I were a fool!"
Ye Qingping clearly didn't believe him. "Qin Chuan, we're acquaintances, so I won't be polite. When it comes to Xinhua Electronics Factory, it really has to be you!"
"You can hide from the first day, but not the fifteenth. Hurry back, and let's discuss it properly."
Hearing that Ye Qingping genuinely intended to hand over the mess of Xinhua Electronics Factory to him, Qin Chuan became anxious. "County Magistrate Ye, please spare me. I really don't have the ability to take over an electronics factory."
"I don't understand the technology, nor have I ever interacted with anyone in that field. Aren't you asking the impossible of me…"
However, Ye Qingping completely ignored Qin Chuan's plea and instead said with a smile, "Who says a boss must understand technology? Who says an emperor must personally lead troops into battle to defend the country?"
"If I say you can do it, then you definitely can!"
"Hurry back. What preferential policies or resources do you need? I will try my best to provide them!"
This time, Qin Chuan was truly on the verge of tears. "County Magistrate, I really can't!"
"Look at me now, I have a supermarket, a flagship store, and a real estate project. These businesses are already overwhelming me. Where would I have the energy to manage an electronics factory?"
"Heh heh!"
Unfortunately, Ye Qingping was completely unmoved by Qin Chuan's complaints. Not only that, but he let out a cold laugh.
"If you were really that busy, how could you have disappeared for over ten days? Since you left, whether it's the supermarket, the flagship store, or the real estate project, everything has been operating normally!"
Qin Chuan was left speechless by the retort and finally said stubbornly, "I don't have money!"
"Don't worry, as long as you agree to take over Xinhua Electronics Factory, the government can provide you with appropriate subsidies, and even a low-interest loan to the best of our ability."
Ye Qingping seemed to have anticipated all his objections, and no matter how Qin Chuan struggled, it was futile.
"Qin Chuan, this is the first time I, Ye Qingping, have lowered myself to someone like this. Don't disappoint me!"
Finally, Ye Qingping added this remark casually.
Qin Chuan had intended to say something else, but after Ye Qingping's words, all his words froze in his throat, and he could no longer speak.
A threat!
A blatant threat!!