Chapter 697: Chapter 84: Risks, Implants
Chapter 84: Risk and Product Placement
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After listening to Zhao Chengyao, Li Yan remained silent. Li Jie and he exchanged a glance, and Li Jie asked again, "Are you still not feeling assured?"
Zhao Chengyao seriously said, "Consultant Li, I really did my homework, and basically, there are no major issues. After all, this isn’t a movie—there won’t really be a bunch of reckless robbers."
Li Yan lit a cigarette, sighed, and said, "It’s not something to be optimistic about. Why are such tasks short-term yet highly paid? It’s not because they make more money but because they inherently carry great risk! It’s the small probability of something catastrophic happening that is the concern. Manager Zhao has done statistics over a few years, and I fully trust them, but what’s the volume of this data? How many times have there been large-scale exhibitions and auctions of antiques and jewelry in recent years? If it’s fewer than ten times, how much reference value does this statistical probability hold?"
This indeed poses a problem. You can calculate airplane accident rates by accumulating data on daily flights and annual flight numbers at an airport—which would have hundreds of thousands of flights as a base—so that the accident rate reflects reality. Events like exhibitions and auctions occur just a few times a year, and even if they’re all safe, one incident could drastically change the data.
Upon hearing such a sharp point, Li Jie and Zhao Chengyao frowned. Frankly, they didn’t want to give up this rare opportunity. At the onset of reform, the company needs such a project to bolster everyone’s confidence. Despite some risk, it’s worth a gamble.
"Consultant Li, are you saying you don’t support this project? But we’ve already signed a contract," Zhao Chengyao said, looking at Li Jie. He could respect Consultant Li because of Boss Li Jie, but at critical moments, what Li Jie says goes.
At this moment, Li Jie was in a bit of a dilemma. Zhao Chengyao was a hired manager capable of getting things done, so his plan should be supported. Likewise, she also anticipated this project as it could bring the company revenue and boost everyone’s confidence while proving Manager Zhao Chengyao’s capability.
But on the other hand, Li Yan’s words were for the company’s good. With their nature of relationship, directly denying him would put him in an awkward position.
"President Zhao, go ahead with your work for now. I’ll discuss it further with Consultant Li." Li Jie decided to have a follow-up conversation with Li Yan.
Zhao Chengyao nodded and left, feeling a bit cynical. He thought Li Yan was worried about his abilities shining too brightly, affecting his influence within the company and in front of Li Jie, thus weakening Li Yan’s sway.
...
"Li Yan, you were the one who pushed for the reform, and your ideas have never been conservative. What exactly is the reason you’re against Zhao Chengyao’s project this time? Is it because you’re not familiar with or don’t trust him?" Alone now, with only ’us,’ Li Jie spoke a bit more directly.
Li Yan shook his head, "No, I believe in him. A new officer must make three fierce actions—his first move has already been very successful, and he’ll surely be diligent with the second one too. It’s just that..."
"I know there’s risk, and if something goes wrong, Jie Rui might collapse. But if successful, our reform will make great strides and get on track even faster. According to the current stats, success is obviously much more likely than failure. I think it’s worth the gamble!" Li Jie’s tone was quite firm.
Li Yan sighed, "Alright, for you, I’ll make an exception and tell you something I shouldn’t. I’ve heard news that someone is eyeing this antique auction..."
Li Jie was momentarily stunned, watching Li Yan, who was still smoking. She instantly realized. Yes! Reform was suggested by Li Yan, who’s most enthusiastic about it, so why would he obstruct it? With his mysterious and extensive connections, he must know there are risks, which is why he’s saying this.
Li Jie was also sensible enough to know that no matter how Li Yan got this information, it’s inconvenient to disclose it widely and he only told her due to their special relationship. So she didn’t probe further and wouldn’t spread this around.
"So what do you suggest now? Zhao Chengyao has successfully signed the contract. Besides dampening his enthusiasm, we’d also face contract issues with the auction house if we backed out now. If we breach the contract, it’s about our credibility... and they could also sue us for it," Li Jie said worriedly.
"Credibility is not as important as life. This time..." Li Yan shrugged, "Let’s divert the disaster eastward!"
"Hmm?" Li Jie was a bit confused.
"Initially, knowing there was such an issue, we should report it to the police to get them involved. Yet, some matters, like the last situation in City H, they might not protect the auction house but investigate me first instead."
Li Jie understood a bit, "So we can’t do anything but watch. If we don’t want Jie Rui to get caught up, we should direct the disaster elsewhere and let another security company take this business?"
"Although this is not very virtuous, in the business world, treachery is expected. Also, while Jie Rui can’t handle this, other bigger security companies might be able to, so let them take the risk. We should focus on improving our foundation."
Jie Rui needs stability and good work to boost everyone’s confidence in the reform. But if something goes wrong, if someone dies, even just one person, the impact on everyone can’t be measured in money!
Li Jie smiled bitterly, "Alright, I’ll persuade Zhao Chengyao to transfer this project to another company."
"Due to time constraints, you need to act quickly. Immediately contact another company and the auction house. The company taking over should be powerful. Our reason is that after careful consideration, we felt that our capabilities were insufficient for the task at hand. I believe that for safety, the auction house will agree, and other competitors seeing us back off may not mind taking over if they have the strength." Li Yan instructed a few more things.
Li Jie continued to smile bitterly, "Honestly, I feel guilty doing this. Listening to the tone, it seems this matter won’t be simple. If something really goes down, it means I put others in harm’s way."
Li Yan’s gaze turned a bit stern, and he crushed out his cigarette coldly, saying, "That’s how the world works. Whether for survival or development, some choices are beyond your control. If you don’t want to harm others, you end up harming people at Jie Rui! This isn’t something you can take upon yourself alone. Perhaps, you can kindly alert the other party."
"I need to keep this secret for you and can’t explain it to Zhao Chengyao in detail. Such a decision would surely disappoint him. He might even think... you fear that his merit will surpass yours, influencing me and holding him back on purpose." Li Jie said, with a hint of teasing in her tone.
Li Yan shrugged, "Let him think whatever he wants. But you should know, if this task proceeds and trouble arises, not only will Jie Rui Company and its employees be affected, but Manager Zhao Chengyao will also be under siege. Let him misunderstand for a while!"
"Hmm..." Li Jie then softly added, "No matter how it ends, I trust that you’re doing this for my good."
"Please, don’t be so mushy." Li Yan avoided her eyes but thought about things she hadn’t mentioned, he couldn’t keep playing dumb, "Oh, by the way, since you returned, has your dad... been pressuring you?"
Li Jie shrugged, "What do you think? If he did, would you want to see him, and would you listen to him?"
"Heh..." Li Yan could only laugh. Li Chengfeng wanted him as a son-in-law as if afraid his daughter couldn’t find someone to marry. "No rush, let him focus more on his ’son’."
Li Jie was taken aback for a moment but then understood that the ’son’ her father referred to was actually Jie Rui Security Company.
"Are you... about to leave? Weren’t you here to see Huang Ying today?"
"Seeing her, sure, but seeing you even more so. I’m already a consultant, tied to your company. Oh, I just thought of something..." Li Yan said with a sudden enthusiasm.
"What is it?"
"Create an eye-catching logo and beautiful signage. Don’t I have a film in shooting right now? Maybe I can ask the director to include a few close-up scenes to advertise Jie Rui."
"Product placement? We don’t have money for that!"
Li Yan gave her a look. Since he proposed it, would he really make her pay? But this spontaneous idea inspired him to consider placing more ads in the movie, as a great way to cut down on the film’s cost risk.
(Thanks for the rewards yesterday: Indestructible bookworm, Amusing Goose Swans, wotever, dongmin8061, kipagod, JK Liang, Cavalry, CP Pampas) (To be continued, to know more, please log on to www.qidian.com, more Chapters are available, support the author, support legitimate reading!)
