Bai Xiaosheng followed Shang Wenshu into the large conference room. He could feel Shang Wenshu's anger, like a volcano about to erupt.
On the way there, Shang Wenshu had showered high praises on the project marketing team in front of Bai Xiaosheng, with a tone of self-satisfaction.
After all, forming an elite team represented astuteness in recognizing talents, and it was also a source of pride for Shang Wenshu as a leader.
Bai Xiaosheng, on his journey, had imagined a team that was diligent, wise, united, and striving forward based on Shang Wenshu's descriptions.
But now!
The two had just arrived at the door of the large conference room when they heard Chen Daya's angry rebuke from inside, suggesting the work was a complete mess.
This was a blatant slap in the face!
Shang Wenshu, who was always composed and whose emotions were seldom on display, had also exploded.
Inside the large conference room, the project supervisors, upon seeing the general manager, hastened to their feet, all standing at attention, many no longer exhibiting their previously lazy demeanors.
Li Mingtong also toned down his arrogance and adopted a more respectful expression.
"Mr. Shang.""Mr. Shang."
Amidst a chorus of greetings, Shang Wenshu ignored them all, walking directly to Chen Daya, pushing him aside, and pointing at his nose.
"What kind of project manager are you, incompetent! Chen Daya, if you can't manage people, get out of here while you can!"
Chen Daya was startled and somewhat shocked.
The boss's behavior today was off!
Since walking in, his temper had been terrifying. Reprimanding him, the supervisory leader, he didn't give any face at all. Usually, he was the one who supported him, pounding on these subordinates below.
Li Mingtong was also surprised. Shang Wenshu was scolding Chen Daya, but the scolding upon entering the room was aimed at him.
Shang Wenshu had never been this direct before.
Could he be preparing to make a move?
Li Mingtong braced himself in secret, preparing for a storm to come.
After scolding Chen Daya, Shang Wenshu's anger seemed to subside a bit. He fell silent, his face dark as his gaze swept over everyone's faces.
Those whom Shang Wenshu glanced at all became deathly quiet, not daring to utter a word.
"Mingtong, as the project's deputy manager, you're also a big leader! Directly managing half of the departments, many people listen to you, so you need to take responsibility, and don't truly place yourself outside of affairs."
Shang Wenshu, with a meaningful look, glanced at Li Mingtong. His words were not fierce.
Li Mingtong felt a chill.
"Yes, Mr. Shang. You're right," Li Mingtong lowered his head.
However, there was no sign of compliance in his eyes; after all, he was Vice General Manager Wang Ye's man and did not report to Shang Wenshu.
Shang Wenshu surveyed the people present again.
"You people, you're all elites in the industry, with years, even more than a decade of work experience. Is this project really so difficult? I know some of you have heard rumors, saying that I don't get along with Vice General Manager Wang Ye, saying he Chen Daya is my man, and Li Mingtong is Mrs. Wang's man. So you're dividing into factions, being negligent and delaying work? I am telling you, you aren't doing this for someone, you are working for Century Construction, for Zhenbei, and even more for yourselves! I, Shang Wenshu, solemnly remind you all, our industry is not lacking in talents!"
Shang Wenshu's words were earnest, yet with an undertone of threat.
In these words, the conflict between the bosses was put rather directly, causing Chen Daya, Li Mingtong, and the others present to be somewhat astonished.
While factions and internal strife existed, having them openly acknowledged was something else entirely.
Moreover, it was Shang Wenshu himself who had said it!
The people present couldn't help but secretly look at each other, each with their own thoughts.
Bai Xiaosheng quietly watched.
As an observer, listening to Shang Wenshu's tirades and watching everyone's reactions, he sifted through the relationships at play in his mind.
This was not a simple project!
Perhaps it was a big trouble after all!
Bai Xiaosheng sighed inwardly, giving Shang Wenshu a deep look.
Did Shang Wenshu really not know what the situation here had been like before bringing him here? And yet he praised the team all the way here?
Everyone was a capable person, yet together they were a motley crew, what was the contradiction Shang Wenshu spoke of alluding to?
Bai Xiaosheng watched quietly.
After that, Shang Wenshu went on to talk about other things, including criticism and encouragement, all of which were irrelevant.
"I'll leave it at that. You all know what to do. Everyone except Chen Daya and Li Mingtong can leave."
In the end, Shang Wenshu waved his hand.
People left the conference room hurriedly as if they had been granted amnesty.
From the moment Shang Wenshu entered, admonishing and intimidating, it didn't take long. This Mr. Shang seemed to operate with swift decisiveness and competence.
However, seeing the bewildered and surprised expressions of these managers, was this performance of Mr. Shang out of character? Bai Xiaosheng thought it was quite interesting.
A moment later, the only people left in the office were Shang Wenshu, Chen Daya, Li Mingtong, and Bai Xiaosheng.
Shang Wenshu's expression returned to normal, calm and stable, but when he looked at Bai Xiaosheng, there was a clear hint of apology, as if embarrassed by this unexpected turn of events.
Bai Xiaosheng smiled faintly.
The subtle exchange of expressions between the two men did not escape the notice of Chen Daya and Li Mingtong, stirring thoughts in their minds.
"I have another meeting this afternoon, so I won't take up more of your time here." Shang Wenshu pointed at Bai Xiaosheng and said to Chen and Li, "This is Bai Xiaosheng, he will be with the project for a while. Chen Daya, you'll arrange it."
"Which position, what duties?" Chen Daya asked.
Li Mingtong frowned.
Were they going to insert their own person, if it was an important role, he wouldn't agree!
"An employee."
Shang Wenshu glanced at Bai Xiaosheng.
Just an employee?
Chen Daya was also somewhat astonished; he and Li Mingtong had thought along the same lines, that this young man was a helper that Mr. Shang had installed for himself.
Keeping Li Mingtong in the room and forcibly arranging it, Chen Daya's consultation was but a performance.
But, just an employee?
Li Mingtong was also somewhat perplexed.
However, even if he was just an employee, Bai Xiaosheng inevitably bore the mark of being part of Shang Wenshu's faction.
"Alright, it's time for me to go, don't bother to see me out," Shang Wenshu gestured, heading out on his own.
Despite what he said, could Chen Daya and Li Mingtong afford not to see him off? They escorted him to the entrance of the large conference room but were stopped by Shang Wenshu again.
The two of them could only watch as Shang Wenshu left.
Shang Wenshu walked out of Teles Square and only when he got into his own car did he reveal a fox-like smile.
He had put quite some thought into today's performance!
The reason he greeted Chen Ke at the reception was because she was Chen Daya's sister! Otherwise, with Chen Daya's cautious personality, how could he have suddenly called a meeting and lost his temper, just to be coincidentally caught by the suddenly arriving Shang Wenshu!
There aren't that many coincidences in the world; too many coincidences denote premeditation.
"Wang, your subordinate is way too arrogant, and so are your people. This time when the inspection team comes, I'll make sure you all get some attention," Shang Wenshu said as he drove away.
"You think you can take my position as general manager so easily?"
Shang Wenshu, with a sly fox-like smile on his face.