chapter 26 Company changes ===

After she fell asleep, Thorpe Chen went to the living room. He called Nichol Shi, "I want to acquire Jiyun Group at the lowest cost." "Mr. Chen, I already know about your wife's situation. Mr. Lin has instructed me to handle it. After midnight tonight, you will become the new chairman of the Jiyun Group, holding eighty percent of the shares." "Please thank Mr. Lin on my behalf." Thorpe Chen was momentarily taken aback. The Lin family's influence was truly immense, and they were meticulous in their dealings, leaving no stone unturned. "The matter regarding young master Halley Lin has been resolved. Mr. Chen, you are a benefactor to the Lin family. The head of the family has said that if you need anything, just ask. Please don't be polite." Nichol Shi laughed. After hanging up the phone, Thorpe Chen collapsed on the bed and fell asleep. Early the next morning, Thorpe Chen took the initiative to drop Gloria Ye off at work. Instead of driving his luxurious car, he rode an old electric scooter to drop her off at the company. "Honey, I have a meeting today. The new chairman is coming. I won't be back at noon, don't wait for me." Gloria Ye informed Thorpe Chen before getting on the elevator. Thorpe Chen parked the scooter and walked towards the company. Jiyun Group wasn't very large in the economically developed Fengling City, but it still made tens of millions in profit every year. The previous boss was no longer in charge, and the company was temporarily overseen by Vice President Qiang Wu. By now, it was past the start of the workday. As Thorpe Chen entered, he headed straight for the elevator. "Hey, what are you doing?" The receptionist from yesterday called out aggressively to Thorpe Chen. "Going upstairs," Thorpe Chen glanced at her. "This is our company. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed in," the receptionist replied with a roll of her eyes. "Can't I come for a job interview?" Thorpe Chen inquired. "Sorry, we're not hiring janitors right now," the receptionist sneered. "Thorpe Chen, if you know what's good for you, leave now. If you make trouble here, I'll have the security throw you out." "Why are you so sure I came to make trouble?" Thorpe Chen furrowed his brows. "Ha, you're here to ask your wife for money again, aren't you? Who in this company doesn't recognize you? Don't tarnish our company's image, just leave," the receptionist said impatiently. "I told you, I'm here for a job interview," Thorpe Chen replied calmly. "Our company's minimum requirement is a bachelor's degree. Do you have one? Moreover, what position are you applying for?" the receptionist asked disdainfully. "I'm applying for the position of chairman," Thorpe Chen smiled. "You're crazy. Security! Where's the security? Get this lunatic out of here and don't let him disrupt our operations," the receptionist shouted. At her call, two security guards quickly approached. They were new faces, probably because the ones who had a conflict with Thorpe Chen yesterday couldn't even straighten their backs anymore. "What's going on, Kitty?" one of the security guards inquired. "Take a good look at this guy. His name is Thorpe Chen. He's a gambler. Make sure he never gets in again," Kitty, the receptionist, pointed at Thorpe Chen. "Today, we have a new chairman taking office. Don't let him disrupt our work." "Thorpe Chen, huh? Get out. If you cause trouble here, we won't be polite," the security guard warned, wielding a baton. "Don't point that thing at me. I don't like it," Thorpe Chen frowned. If not for the fact that it was his first day on the job and he didn't want to tarnish his image, he would've already taught this guard a lesson. "Enough with the talking. It's the new chairman's first day, throw him out!" Kitty yelled. "Get out now!" The security guard, holding the baton, was about to take action. "Hold on, what's going on here?" At that moment, a man in a business suit walked in. It was the company's Vice President, Qiang Wu. "Mr. Wu, you're here?" Kitty quickly went over to him, saying sycophantically, "The new CEO is arriving today, and this guy is tarnishing our company's image. Mr. Wu, you don't know him, but he's Gloria Ye from the sales department's husband, Thorpe Chen." "He frequently comes to the company to ask his wife for money. Having such a person around will affect clients' trust in our company. It'd be best to fire Gloria Ye too." "What did you say? What was his name?" Qiang Wu, who was about to take the elevator up, turned around immediately upon hearing Thorpe Chen's name. "His name is Thorpe Chen. Is there an issue, Mr. Wu?" Kitty looked slightly puzzled. “Mr. Chen, are you Thorpe Chen?” Qiang Wu's expression changed instantly. He quickly ran to Thorpe Chen's side with a smile on his face. “Hello, Mr. Chen, I'm the company's vice-president, Qiang Wu. Welcome to join us.” “Mr. Chen?” The receptionist and the two security guards were stunned. The receptionist hurriedly asked, “How can Mr. Wu possibly be the new CEO? He's just a gambler, often coming to the company to ask his wife for money. He even once got physical with his wife.” “Shut up, the company email has already come through.” Qiang Wu's face changed. “Kitty Yang, you are the company's receptionist, representing the company's image. We didn't pay you to spread rumors here.” “Mr. Chen, you didn’t even give us a heads up about your visit. Let’s head up.” Qiang Wu chastised the receptionist and said with a smiling face. “The receptionist talks too much. She’s not suitable for this position. Find a replacement. Also, these two security guards don’t look professional, replace them too,” Thorpe Chen said indifferently. “I’m sorry, Mr. Chen, I won’t do it again, please don’t fire me.” The receptionist was genuinely panicked. She couldn't fathom how Thorpe Chen had suddenly become the CEO from being known as a gambler. “Kitty Yang, and you two, go to the finance department and settle your salaries. Leave immediately,” ordered the big boss, and Qiang Wu had to comply. Kitty Yang and the two security guards looked pale. At this point, there was no use in saying anything. They blamed their own lack of recognition, failing to realize he was the new boss. “Mr. Chen, this is your office. I will provide a detailed report about the company,” Qiang Wu carefully invited Thorpe Chen to sit in a spacious office. Jiyun Group was directly acquired by Lin Association. The former boss, for some unknown reason, caught the attention of Lin Association. If he hadn't sold the company at a very low price, his tax evasion would have been exposed by Lin Association. It’s not necessary to mention how big the amount was, but it was enough for him to be jailed for over a decade. The head of Lin Association had specifically mentioned that the new chairman was Thorpe Chen, holding 80% of the company shares, and Qiang Wu was to fully cooperate. Qiang Wu understood that Thorpe Chen had the full backing of the Lin Association. He had to tread carefully. “No need, Mr. Wu. You will still be in charge of the company. Also, don’t disclose my identity, understand?” Thorpe Chen said lightly. “I understand, whatever Mr. Chen says,” Qiang Wu was taken aback. He initially thought that Thorpe Chen would take over everything, but it seemed Thorpe Chen intended to be a hands-off boss. “My wife is Gloria Ye. You know her, right?” Thorpe Chen asked. “I do,” Qiang Wu nodded quickly. “I acquired Jiyun just to ensure she isn't mistreated in the company. You understand my meaning, right? There are things I can't say to her directly. Just keep it in mind.” “I understand, Mr. Chen. Rest assured, your wife will not be wronged,” Qiang Wu finally got it. He knew Gloria Ye. She worked in the company's business department and was very capable. She brought in 40% of the company’s deals but was oppressed by the manager, Qi Wang. However, the company's internal politics were complicated, and the upper management couldn't always intervene. No one had expected that the former boss would almost get jailed because of Qi Wang. “Qi Wang has abused his position over the years, harming the company's interests. Here's some evidence of his commercial bribery,” Thorpe Chen took out a file and placed it on the table. “I understand,” Qiang Wu's eyelids twitched, and he instantly broke into a cold sweat. Thorpe Chen was truly extraordinary. This evidence could very well end Qi Wang's career. “Alright, you'll be in charge of the company. If there's nothing else, I’ll leave.” “Yes, Mr. Chen, I know what to do,” Qiang Wu nodded. He knew that someone named Fan Yu was sent by Thorpe Chen to monitor the company, but he was helpless as Thorpe Chen had the Lin Association backing him up. In the conference room, Qi Wang announced a series of appointments. “After the company's evaluations and competitive recruitment, we will now announce the appointment of the business department supervisor,” as soon as Qi Wang's voice fell, applause filled the room, and everyone's gaze was on Gloria Ye. Gloria Ye secured a deal with Yibo Group, and her sales volume had consistently been the highest. The position was practically hers. “The business department supervisor will be taken up by Miya Li from the business department's second sales team. Let’s welcome her with applause,” Qi Wang's words instantly froze the atmosphere in the room.