The old employees Lin Mo brought back were all assigned to their positions. They were experienced and worked in an orderly manner, as they had handled these tasks before.
However, a group of people stood beside them. These were people who had been working in the company after they left. Led by Zhao Xi, they eyed Lin Mo and his team with predatory gazes.
It was a testament to their calm disposition that they weren't made uncomfortable by being stared at so intently.
Seeing Shen Qingqing, Zhao Xi immediately questioned, "Mrs. Fu, I still hope you can give me a reason. Why were we fired?"
The group looked fierce, attempting to intimidate her with their aggressive expressions.
Shen Qingqing said calmly, "You were fired because you were not hired by President Fu. At that time, President Fu had handed over the company's authority to his uncle, Fu Tingsheng. But was it him who hired you?"
Everyone exchanged glances.
Zhao Xi argued, "But Fu Tingyi is his father. A father's words should surely carry more weight than his nephew's!"
"Do you think managing a company relies on nepotism?" Shen Qingqing retorted sarcastically. "Whoever holds the power dictates the company's decisions. Kinship cannot override company regulations. You're not new to the workplace; you don't even understand this basic rule?"
The crowd was speechless.
Zhao Xi, ever the smooth talker, said, "That's not entirely true. You see, your family relationships are so complicated, we didn't quite understand what was going on. We were just hired by someone, so we came. If his orders weren't effective, why would the HR department assign us positions?"
His words hit the core of the issue.
Shen Qingqing's eyes darkened. Of course, it was because the HR department had been bribed by Fu Tingyi. "Did you sign contracts with the company?"
Zhao Xi's demeanor immediately wilted.
The employees behind him also showed a flicker of uncertainty in their eyes; none of them had signed a contract yet.
Shen Qingqing smiled faintly, "I'm not sure what methods Fu Tingyi used to make the HR department comply, but the company has a rule: all employees hired by the company must receive the approval of Fu Jingshu!"
Without his consent, even if the HR department could bring in employees, they couldn't sign employment contracts.
Zhao Xi sensed that the situation was turning grim and began to quickly brainstorm solutions.
Shen Qingqing didn't give him the chance. "Now, I have a way to resolve this matter."
"What way?" Zhao Xi asked, surprised.
"Since both sides want to stay, why don't we decide the outcome with a competition?" Shen Qingqing's solution was simple: the winners stay, the losers go.
Zhao Xi hesitated, "This..."
The employees behind him exchanged glances, appearing reluctant.
They could have continued working here, but now their positions would be decided by such a method. Furthermore, competitions always involved risk, and if they lost, they would still have to leave...
Thinking this, Zhao Xi disagreed, "This is still unfair to us!"
Truly insatiable!
Shen Qingqing, no longer willing to waste time haggling, simply offered two choices: "First, you pack your bags and leave right now. Second, you compete with them, and the winners stay. Choose."
"Why should we have to choose?!" Zhao Xi tried to assert dominance again. "If you really drive us away, the public opinion outside will be unbearable for you."
Aren't large companies like this most concerned about their image?
Shen Qingqing said unhurriedly, "But you haven't signed contracts. That alone is enough to indicate that you are still in your probationary period, and our company... no, any company, has the right to dismiss employees who are in their probationary period."
And without needing to provide any explanation.
The purpose of a probationary period is for employees and the company to integrate. Dismissal or voluntary resignation can occur for any reason.
Zhao Xi was instantly silenced, his heart filled with anxiety, but he couldn't come up with a rebuttal. It seemed every path had been blocked.
With no other choice, he agreed, but still wanted to secure some further benefits for himself.
"We can compete, but you have to let us see what we'll be competing in first, and you and Mr. Fu cannot interfere."
"Agreed."
Zhao Xi was somewhat surprised. Why was the other party suddenly so accommodating?
But after thinking it over, he couldn't imagine his team losing. Although they hadn't signed contracts, they had been working at the company for nearly a month and were familiar with all the work processes.
In contrast, those old employees had been away for a while and would need time to readjust.
The more Zhao Xi thought about it, the more confident he became. "There's no time like the present, let's start today!"
Seeing his confident demeanor, the employees behind him also felt it was worth a try.
Shen Qingqing asked Zhao Xin and Lin Mo to represent their respective teams and accompany her into the office.
Fu Jingshu heard the door open and looked up. Upon seeing Shen Qingqing, his eyes instantly softened. "You're here."
Shen Qingqing walked over with a smile.
They didn't say much, but their gazes instantly created an intimate atmosphere that outsiders couldn't penetrate. Zhao Xi was about to speak when Lin Mo shot him a glare.
"No tact."
Zhao Xi sneered, "You have tact? If you really did, you should have left the company instead of fighting us for these positions!"
His loud voice shattered the atmosphere between Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu.
Fu Jingshu looked at him with displeasure. "Who let you in?"
As soon as Zhao Xi met his gaze, he cowered. His previous defiance was either because he knew Fu Tingyi had his back or because reporters were present.
Now, although not facing him alone, with Shen Qingqing and Lin Mo still there, Zhao Xi still felt overpowered by Fu Jingshu's commanding aura.
He swallowed, trying to appear tougher. "Mrs. Fu said we were to hold a competition, and the winners could stay. I came to hear the competition rules."
Shen Qingqing found it amusing. She had seen him standing tall and proud in front of reporters earlier and thought he was quite formidable, only to find him so timid in private.
Or perhaps he knew Fu Tingyi was no longer a reliable backer?
"The competition rules are very simple. The company will select a project, and both of your teams will produce a project proposal. Whoever's proposal is approved will be the winner."
Zhao Xi protested, "Then it's still possible for manipulation!"
Fu Jingshu was the CEO; if he said the other party's proposal won, then no matter how hard they tried, it would be useless.
"Of course, we two won't be the judges." Shen Qingqing gave him a strange look, finding him a bit off. "Do you think I would propose this competition without considering that?"
Zhao Xi's expression turned awkward.
Shen Qingqing continued, "The judges will be composed of the shareholders, who will vote to select the winner. However, I must state upfront, if I find out anyone tries to bribe shareholders or campaign in any improper way..."
She sneered, casting a pointed glance at Zhao Xi.
Zhao Xi's mind hadn't even started to wander before she called him out. He forced a smile. "Of course not. I hope everyone will compete fairly and use legitimate means."
Shen Qingqing nodded. "It's best if it's like that."