Chapter 407: Chapter 267: Chen Yuan’s Veto, Wan Offers Jiang Yao a Clever Plan
After spending some time together, Chen Yuan and Pei Youwen had developed a relationship that was part mentor, part friend. It was a decent dynamic, which was why Pei Youwen dared to be so bold with his suggestions to Chen Yuan.
The two had made it clear from the very beginning: business was business, and personal was personal.
When discussing official matters, they tried their best not to let personal feelings interfere, making rational decisions their top priority.
From the holidays until now, Chen Yuan had been improving by leaps and bounds, constantly deepening his understanding of the business investment company. As the chairman, he worked hard to learn how to approach problems, making it his primary mission to grasp developing trends and master their underlying patterns.
His secondary mission was to train his logical and analytical skills and to learn about disciplines like economics, law, and sociology.
Looking ahead, he would also have to define the company’s entire business structure, contemplate future transformations, make decisions, and promote or dismiss certain individuals—and, of course, bear the burden that came with those decisions.
If he, as the chairman, couldn’t bear the responsibility, then there was no one else in the company who could.
Thus, advanced ways of thinking, proper attitude, management skills, business logic, institutional improvement, corporate culture, and the personal ideals an entrepreneur ought to pursue—these were all the things Pei Youwen was currently teaching him.
The office fell silent for a moment.
Pei Youwen lay back with his eyes closed, as if throwing a silent tantrum. A moment later, he opened his eyes, turned to look at Chen Yuan, and asked, "Don’t you have anything to say?"
"I disagree. It seems to me our collaboration is working just fine," Chen Yuan said coolly.
"But this isn’t a long-term solution," Pei Youwen said, throwing his hands up. "Take today, for instance. Mo Nana wanted to come see you. If you had a chairman’s secretary, she would first have to book an appointment with the secretary, who would then relay the request to you. You would be the one to decide whether to see her. A leader needs that buffer. Every department has its own difficulties. I know she’s used to working with her own people and doesn’t want to let a single one go, but the company’s interests are what’s most important. You don’t need to favor my decision, and you don’t need to favor her. The decision came from a board discussion, and you are just the one to execute it. So what has this situation turned into? Mo Nana thinks I’m going through you to target her department. That shatters the balance."
Pei Youwen continued, "It’s fine once or twice; she wouldn’t dare say anything. But in the long run, the company’s entire system will break down. I’m acting as your secretary. To everyone else, doesn’t that look like I have my hands in everything? If Mo Nana tries to book an appointment with you through me, of course I’d say you can’t see her. That’s why she came directly to the office to throw a fit."
"You make a good point," Chen Yuan said, swiveling in his chair as he picked up a file. "Then, my esteemed CEO, could you please explain to me why this list of secretarial candidates is full of well-endowed, long-legged beauties? It even lists their height, proportions, and three measurements."
"Because a chairman’s secretary needs to have a good image. For outsiders to see, and for you to see."
"I’m not looking."
"It doesn’t matter if you’re looking. The chairman’s secretary represents the image of the entire company, and that image is an extremely useful thing. It can bring the company a great deal of intangible returns."
"Proposal denied. I’m using my veto," Chen Yuan said, beyond annoyed.
’This is supposed to be talent recruitment, not picking an imperial consort. What’s with screening a huge pile of photos? Is this The Bachelor? Are we choosing our favorite contestant?’
Pei Youwen was undeniably a top-tier professional, but Chen Yuan felt that their mindsets would eventually clash. In Pei’s eyes, everything was a resource to be utilized.
"In that case, I’m requesting a meeting. We at least need to sort out the decision we just made. Otherwise, if someone rats us out to headquarters, I won’t be able to write the report on this project’s suspension."
"Fine. Send out the notice."
"I’m not doing it. You do it." Pei Youwen turned his head away and pointed to the phone on Chen Yuan’s desk.
Although Chen Yuan was speechless, he still complied with the request and convened a third meeting.
It was now 9:10 PM.
...
In the brightly lit conference room, the solid wood table was covered with an assortment of teacups. Outside the window, the night was a tapestry of colors as the city lights began to glow.
All of Bauhinia Company’s senior executives were present. Chen Yuan sat at the head of the table, chin in hand, listening to Pei Youwen hold forth.
’People really do grow with experience.’
Previously, Chen Yuan would get nervous during meetings, but now his expression was nothing but composed. He was gradually discovering that a person needed different masks for different roles, because after anyone spoke, they would invariably look to him to gauge his reaction.
"During the meeting an hour ago, Director Mo accused me of playing favorites and acting corruptly. I do not accept that accusation, as the resolution was a collective one. To prevent such incidents in the future, I propose we create and fill two Chairman’s Secretary positions—one to handle board affairs, and one to handle management." After speaking, Pei Youwen glanced at Chen Yuan and then sat down.
The attendees exchanged uncertain glances.
Mo Nana, Bauhinia Company’s finance director, rolled her eyes at Pei Youwen, already cursing him in her head.
’Her academic qualifications and abilities were in no way inferior to his. Her position was the very lifeblood of the company; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she held immense power. Normally, who wouldn’t have to show her some respect?’
’For Pei Youwen to publicly make an example of her department... this was a provocation!’
’She would remember this grudge.’
"I agree with Mr. Pei’s proposal."
"I agree as well."
"Selecting a Chairman’s Secretary is imperative. Mr. Pei is already wearing multiple hats and is stretched too thin. It’s also inconvenient for us when we need to coordinate important matters with him. I agree."
Everyone began to voice their agreement.
"Selecting new talent is fine, of course. At first glance, Mr. Pei seems commendably selfless and impartial. But who really knows the background of the person who gets selected? You’re putting on this whole act, but it’s not like the rest of us are blind. I say we save the company a salary and let Mr. Pei continue throwing his weight around on the chairman’s authority," Mo Nana said, a mocking smile on her lips.
