Guo Xiaopeng slowly set down the phone receiver and leaned back in his spacious, comfortable executive chair. His eyes were fixed on the computer screen, which displayed the vibrant and beautiful face of Wang Jingfei. Using the mouse, he zoomed in repeatedly until only her sensual lips remained on the screen.
The elegant office was silent. Guo Xiaopeng's gaze was intense, his expression shifting between excitement and confusion.
The financial director, Lao Bi, entered quietly and handed a stack of reports to Guo Xiaopeng with a humble smile. "Chairman, the quarterly financial statements are here." Lao Bi, a man in his forties, looked cunning but not profoundly so, and he adopted a subservient attitude.
Guo Xiaopeng shut the computer with a cold expression. "In the future, knock before you enter. Don't sneak in like a thief." He pushed the reports aside. "I've already seen the basic data on the computer. Let's talk about the financial analysis for this quarter."
Lao Bi, not good at abstract summaries, said, "Overall, there are no major issues." He then added ingratiatingly, "These are the reports for internal use. For the tax bureau, I've shifted some revenue to Hong Kong Hualong Company's accounts. Future expenses can still be reported and reimbursed, reducing the taxable income."
Guo Xiaopeng crossed his arms and stared at Lao Bi.
Lao Bi continued, "Additionally, this income of 3.5 million yuan has been hidden temporarily. By attributing it to export sales, we can increase the tax rebate by several hundred thousand yuan. In total, we can save over 400,000 yuan." After Lao Bi finished, Guo Xiaopeng, with a mocking smile, asked, "How long have you been an accountant?"
Lao Bi hesitated, "After I returned from the countryside, I worked as an accountant in a factory. After graduating from the University of Finance, I was a deputy head of the finance department."
Guo Xiaopeng interrupted, "How long have you been the financial director?"
Lao Bi, sensing something was wrong, spoke more cautiously, "Three years as deputy director, seven months as director." Guo Xiaopeng nodded, then said, "In the U.S., there is a Money Laundering Control Act. It outlines five key elements of the crime: knowledge, some illegal activity, financial transactions, proceeds, and intent. In my MBA course, the professor often analyzed case studies. Let's analyze this case." He picked up the false financial statement, "You clearly had knowledge; tax fraud is obviously illegal; broad financial transactions include any monetary dealings; the proceeds went into the company's account; and if I don't stop this, wouldn't you say it's intentional?"
Lao Bi's mouth slowly dropped open. He adjusted his glasses, revealing an awkward smile.
Liu Mei burst in, suppressing her anger when she saw someone else was present. She sat on the sofa. Guo Xiaopeng's tone softened, "I know you mean well. But I want to tell you, as long as there are economic activities, there is an obligation to pay taxes. You can legally avoid taxes but not evade them. That's a criminal act."
Lao Bi, not one to stand firm, could only nod in agreement. Guo Xiaopeng, business-like but in a consulting tone, said, "Shall we leave it at that?" Lao Bi quickly stood up, nodding and bowing as he exited.
Liu Mei, still fuming, closed the door. "The hardest thing to understand in this world is a man's heart!" Guo Xiaopeng coldly asked, "Who are you talking about?"
Liu Mei stood up and walked to the chair opposite Guo Xiaopeng, sitting down with a thud. She shouted, "I'm talking about a fickle man right in front of me!"
Guo Xiaopeng frowned, "We are both highly educated and hold senior positions in large companies. We should have a common language." His tone was calm but distant. Liu Mei stared into his eyes, "Why have you suddenly changed?"
Guo Xiaopeng left his chair, "This is a boring topic."
Liu Mei's jealous eyes followed him, "You didn't tell me the new arrival was a young, beautiful woman!" Guo Xiaopeng, feeling impatient, raised his voice, "You never asked!" Liu Mei saw his brows furrow and knew he was at his limit. She softened her tone, "If I had known she was a woman, I wouldn't have given up the general manager position!" Guo Xiaopeng, adept at handling such situations, smiled, "Then let her be the vice president of the group, always by my side. You can continue being the senior supervisor at the hotel, creating the perfect conditions for me to be fickle." Liu Mei laughed despite herself, her mood shifting. "I'm just afraid you'll be enchanted by that vixen."
Knowing the crisis had passed, Guo Xiaopeng joked, "That's why Confucius said, 'Only women and small people are difficult to nurture.'" Liu Mei finished, "He also said, 'Close, they become insolent; distant, they complain.'"
Liu Mei, clearly puzzled, asked, "What does that mean?"
"It means if you treat her well, she becomes unruly; if you distance yourself, she complains endlessly." Guo Xiaopeng led her towards the door. Liu Mei suddenly stopped and asked seriously, "Do you think Wang Jingfei is younger and prettier than me?"
Guo Xiaopeng opened the door, "I think the Forbidden City is beautiful, the sunset is beautiful, Paris is beautiful, but I have no desire to possess them. You've never been confident. Tonight, we're hosting a welcome dinner for Wang. Interested?"
Liu Mei, switching from resentment to curiosity, said, "I want to see what she's capable of."