Chapter 9

Little Situ lost his temper with me for the first time. He sprayed me with a storm of spit, berating me for disregarding the bigger picture just to fight for power with Lu Cheng. He claimed I’d ruined Lu Cheng’s image and cost the company millions, calling me a black sheep. His words grew harsher; he docked half a year of my performance bonus, and as if that wasn’t enough, he threatened to reconsider my position. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead as I listened. It seemed that while I was away on business, Lu Cheng and Zhang Xiaoya had been busy poisoning his mind against me.

At the critical moment, Old Deng stepped in to smooth things over: “Old Qiang brought back quite a few orders on this trip, so he’s made up for his mistakes. There aren’t any major issues with Lu Cheng either; misunderstandings can always be resolved. The boss is absolutely right—we are all in the same company, and everything we do should be from the company’s perspective. That is a fundamental principle.”

Little Situ’s expression softened slightly. He told me, “Sit down.”

I sat down quickly and promised Little Situ, “If needed, I can step in to clarify things for the clients on Lu’s side. Plus, since Zhang Xiaoya is his wife now, I’m sure those losses can be recouped. I was too impulsive and didn’t consider the consequences this time. Please, don’t be angry, Boss.”

Little Situ tapped the table. “Let this be the last time, or it won’t be settled so easily.”

After leaving Little Situ’s office, I thanked Old Deng repeatedly. If he hadn’t given me a way out, given Little Situ’s temperament, he might have really stripped me of my position as Sales Manager. Old Deng patted my shoulder. “It looks like Lu Cheng has the upper hand again. With only five days left until the general meeting, the situation is very unfavorable.”

I said, “Uncle Deng, give me some advice.”

Old Deng pondered for a long time, then pulled me to the corner of the stairwell and whispered, “Do you know how to kill a snake?”

The mere mention of snakes gave me goosebumps. Thinking of the toy snake in my car, a wave of fear washed over me. I asked, “How?”

“A snake is incredibly tenacious. If you don’t kill it instantly, it will bite you with its dying breath. So, to kill a snake, you must strike its ‘seven-inch’—its most vulnerable spot. One strike must be fatal; don’t give it a chance to fight back.”

“What do you mean?”

Old Deng adjusted his glasses, a cold glint in his eyes. “Don’t you think the old boss’s death was a bit suspicious? He was discussing business with Lu Cheng at the villa in the first half of the night, and then, inexplicably, he was dead by the second half…”

My heart skipped a beat as I recalled certain things.

Old Situ had always been in great health. At over sixty, he didn’t have a single gray hair. He stood straight during meetings, spoke with a booming voice, and acted with lightning efficiency. He was a true self-made man who had endured every hardship and feared no obstacle. If he hadn’t died suddenly, the company would have already gone public. In my eyes, Old Situ was a man of deep, hidden motives. In business, he was a master of foresight—calculating three steps ahead and four steps back. Whether it was his connections in government or his dealings with competitors, every move was steady.

When it came to personnel, Old Situ had a habit of suppressing talented employees. Even if you brought in millions in business, he would strip you back to square one for the slightest mistake, silently observing if you could withstand the setback. If you gave up, you were discarded; if your spirit remained unbroken, he would entrust you with major responsibilities. The company’s top brass were all hand-picked this way. This unique management style forged the courage of every employee—as long as you didn’t die, you would eventually have your day. In a sense, it was a form of motivational guidance.

Before joining the company, Lu Cheng worked in the entertainment industry and knew many car models and flight attendants. After working for half a year and bringing in millions in business, he expected a reward from the boss, only to be cursed at by Old Situ. Old Situ called him flighty and a “scavenger.” When Lu Cheng heard about Old Situ’s management style from others, he didn’t break; instead, he went out and hustled for clients every day. His sales performance doubled every quarter until he finally won Old Situ’s trust. Back then, Little Situ was still abroad, and Old Situ treated Lu Cheng almost like his own son—taking him to government meetings, taking him to inspect subsidiaries, and sometimes calling him to the villa late at night for “talks.” I heard that every time Lu Cheng went, he drove a seven-seater van filled with three or four beautiful girls. His old circle was full of money-hungry women, and Old Situ, who acted so upright in public, was still a man with needs.

Looking at it this way, Old Situ’s death might have had something to do with Lu Cheng.

My heart surged with joy. You bastard, I’ve finally found your Achilles’ heel.