Chapter 336 - 224: The Wait is Finally Over

These thoughts flashed through his mind. Looking at Zong Lan seated beside him, Zhang Chun knew that her presence at the regional headquarters today meant the appointment email from HQ must be coming soon.

Once President Tian completed the handover with her, his own promotion announcement would also be released. However, President Tian wouldn’t assume his new role until August. He had to go to headquarters for a period of training. After all, the leap from a regional general manager to a major regional president was quite significant, and the transition required a lot of time.

KNOCK KNOCK~

His assistant knocked on the door to announce that President Zhao had come to report on her work. Zhang Chun frowned. ’This Xiaozhao has been running over here far too often lately. She’s getting out of line.’ But he tolerated it, knowing her direct supervisor had been on a business trip for the past two days. He had seen her report; there was nothing urgent that couldn’t wait for her own boss to return.

He had no idea that President Zhao was actually here to fish for information. In her mind, the person appointed as the General Manager of the Qingjiang Region would surely have to speak with both the head of HR from headquarters and the Major Regional President, Zhang Chun. Fearing the two of them might be too busy to get around to it, she had taken the initiative to show up and give them a little reminder.

She was too caught up in her own perspective to see clearly. For the major region, what could possibly be more important than the appointment of a regional general manager? If it had been her, the discussions would have started long ago. She was simply blinded by ambition, misled by President Liu’s comment that "headquarters said it would be a female president."

President Zhao entered and immediately saw Zong Lan sitting on the sofa, chatting with President Zhang. She thought to herself, ’This woman is gorgeous. Such an elegant young woman.’

Zhang Chun nodded and made the introductions. "Xiaozhao, this is Zong Lan, President Zong." He then introduced President Zhao to Zong Lan as a member of the major region’s business development team, who reported to the head of business development.

"Hello, President Zong. This is the first time I’ve met such a young female leader."

President Zhao offered the familiar compliment. Zong Lan smiled serenely. "Not so young. I’m already 34."

’No way.’ President Zhao took a serious look at her. Time hadn’t left a single trace on her. She truly looked like a beautiful young woman of about 26. Then she thought about herself—only 33, yet she looked like she was forty.

She didn’t dare make any more small talk; after all, she was here to report to President Zhang. As he listened, Zhang Chun grew impatient. After offering a few comments, he said, "Xiaozhao, in the future, please don’t bring non-urgent work like this to me, alright?"

President Zhao acknowledged with a "yes," but inwardly she was screaming, ’I don’t want to come to you, but you’re supposed to come to me! To talk to me about the Qingjiang Regional General Manager appointment!’

She was extremely disappointed after leaving Zhang Chun’s office. President Zhang still hadn’t said when he would speak to her privately. There were only two days left in the week. For such an important appointment, the company was being far too casual, not even talking to the person involved.

Back in the office, Zhang Chun said apologetically to Zong Lan, "These people are getting more and more out of line. They bring everything to me to report. If I spent all day helping them with these trivial matters, I’d work myself to death. What’s the point of having so many department heads?"

Zong Lan just smiled without saying anything. ’A company has all sorts of people. As a manager, you have to play to people’s strengths, not just focus on their weaknesses.’

She stood up. "President Zhang, I just came to meet with you today. I need to head back to headquarters, and then I’ll go to Qingzhou on Friday to handle the handover with President Tian. I hope I can count on your guidance in my work going forward."

He laughed. "President Zong, you’re too kind. With you in the Qingjiang Region, I can rest easy."

This was actually his roundabout way of saying he wouldn’t interfere with Zong Lan’s management of the Qingjiang Region in the future. He understood what her "parachuting" in meant. He couldn’t control her even if he wanted to. Rumor had it she had met with the Chairman before coming to see him. Her words probably carried more weight with the Chairman than his own.

Near the end of the workday, Zhao Rui was sitting at Han Chao’s desk, while Han Chao himself was in Li Yang’s office, trying to get his expense reports from the past few days signed. He had fronted tens of thousands of yuan himself. After that whole incident with Zhao Rui yesterday, he was a little scared. He had a feeling something unexpected was about to happen. To avoid getting chewed out by Li Yang when it came time for reimbursement, he was now getting every single expense signed off and reimbursed as soon as he spent the money.

Li Yang stared at the receipts Han Chao had submitted, thinking for a long time. His pen hovered in mid-air, and Han Chao’s heart was in his throat.

"Xiaohan, you spend money like fucking water. Look at this week! You’ve been averaging nearly 20,000 yuan a day. You really don’t feel the sting when you’re spending someone else’s money, do you? That Zhao Rui doesn’t seem very reliable. All his promises are for the future, full of uncertainty. When that ’President Zhao’ takes office, you better keep a close eye on this Zhao Rui and make sure he delivers on what he promised us."

"Boss, don’t worry, I’ll definitely keep a close eye on him." As he spoke, however, his eyes were glued to the pen in Li Yang’s hand.

After a long wait, Li Yang said, "Just leave these receipts here for now. I’ll sign them for you in a bit."

Han Chao’s heart sank. He knew Li Yang must think he was spending too much and was about to pull some new stunt. ’Fuck, I never should have trusted this old bastard. What did he mean, "spend what needs to be spent"? In the end, whether it ’needs’ to be spent is decided by whatever comes out of his mouth.’

Little did they know that at this very moment, Xinyue Group’s First War Zone’s major region and its regional offices had completely erupted.

President Zhao was in her office when she finally received an email. The subject line read: [Regarding the Appointment of the Regional General Manager of Qingjiang Province]

She let out a long breath. ’It’s finally here. After waiting for so long, the day has finally come.’ Her heart pounding with excitement, she clicked open the email with a trembling finger. In an instant, her face went deathly pale. ’How could this be—’ Effective July 1st, Ms. Zong Lan is appointed as the Regional General Manager of Qingjiang Province.