Chapter Forty-Nine: Mixed Blessings

Zhou Meiniang cast a glance at Shen Guodong, and saw Wang Xiuzhi walking out. Suddenly, she leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. Such a man, she thought, is truly captivating—not indecisive, and if someone is not yours, then destroy them. One must know how to wield the power in one's hands.

"I very much appreciate the way you handle things," she said. Zhou Meiniang was ambitious herself, but her talents had always been stifled. Now, finally, she could let them unfold without restraint.

Soon, a heavy knocking sounded at the office door. Clearly, Wang Xiuzhi's orders had been delivered. The group barged straight in.

"Shen, what do you mean by this? On what grounds are you telling us to get out? Are you the factory director? We're not under your command, and Director Wang didn't say anything like that—what gives you the right?"

The speaker, named Li Longhui, had previously been a loyal lackey of Hu Mingyuan. The others glared at Shen Guodong with hostility.

"Shen, don't push us too far! Do you really think we're easy to bully, that you can do whatever you want? Don't take yourself so seriously!" another sneered. "You won't be arrogant for long. Do you think Director Wang will let you off?" "What a joke!"

They all spoke at once, but Shen Guodong remained silent, listening to their tirade with an amused expression.

"Leave, close the door behind you. When you come to see your superior, shouldn't you wait for permission before entering?" Shen Guodong's voice was calm, yet carried the authoritative force of a leader. Li Longhui and his group froze, scowling at him.

Zhou Meiniang, standing to the side, secretly approved. This man was a hidden dragon. Even if he kept a low profile now, she believed he would one day soar to the heights. This small factory was not Shen Guodong's true stage. His future would not be confined here.

"Kid, don't get ahead of yourself. When I was in this position, you were just a nobody. When I started working here, your father wasn't even around! What gives you the right to speak to me this way?"

"And don't think that just because you've become some petty official, you can spout nonsense and order us veterans around. What are you, anyway?"

None of them took Shen Guodong seriously. Yet his voice suddenly grew sharper.

"If you don't want your wages, keep making trouble. If you want your salary, wait outside, knock, and come in only when I permit it," Shen Guodong said coolly.

Li Longhui and the others turned livid with anger. Helpless, they retreated and finally knocked on the door.

Unmoved, Shen Guodong glanced at Zhou Meiniang beside him, pulled her into his arms. Her body trembled slightly. "They're still outside. What if they barge in again? If someone sees us, I don't mind—I'll just quit—but you can't afford it, you only just became a leader."

"If I say they won't come in, then they won't," he replied, kissing her cheek with full confidence. A playful smile appeared on his face, and his hands wandered over her.

Zhou Meiniang melted in his embrace, her face flushing. She truly had no resistance against this man.

After ten minutes had passed, she finally pushed him away.

"That's enough! I'm yours from now on. Is there any need to rush? Can't you wait for a better time and place?" she chided, half annoyed, half affectionate.

Shen Guodong's lips curled into a subtle smile. "Come in."

The men waiting outside, already impatient, burst in again, full of bluster.

"Director Shen, we need an explanation. We've worked at the factory for years, and you just tell us to leave? If you don't give us a proper reason, we'll go to Director Wang and have him settle this!"

Li Longhui, clearly the spokesman, spoke with a solemn tone.

"Is disobeying a superior's orders reason enough? During the meeting this morning, your attitude was clear—I don't need to elaborate. Do you really think Director Wang will protect you? You're overestimating yourselves," Shen Guodong retorted mercilessly.

These men were nothing more than pawns in a power struggle. Wang Chenliang had deliberately made things difficult for him, so Shen Guodong would make an example of them. It was a game of move and countermove.

If Wang Chenliang wanted to test his abilities, then he would let him see for himself.

"Hmph, we'll see about that. All of us will go to Director Wang together. I don't believe he'll let you fire employees who've worked here for ten years!"

Li Longhui spat out his anger and led his group away.

Zhou Meiniang frowned. "Guodong, it looks like they're going to Wang Chenliang. Right now, your position is tenuous; only Director Xu supports you. Many people think you're just lucky—they aren't convinced. If Director Xu loses power, this could be trouble. And getting on Director Wang's bad side so soon might not be wise."

Her words made sense. Shen Guodong replied, "Conflict with Wang Chenliang is inevitable, sooner or later. There's really no difference whether it's now or later. By showing him no respect, I'm sure his pride can't tolerate it. In his anger, he's more likely to slip up. No need to rush."

He had already mapped out his future. When Wang Chenliang fell, it would be time for him to leave and start his own business. With Director Xu's favor, once he helped him rise to that position, during the reforms, the opportunity would surely be his.

Before resigning, Shen Guodong would personally discuss matters with Director Xu. If all went well, he would make a fortune.

"If you've decided, that's all that matters. I'll go contact our previous clients," Zhou Meiniang said, glancing outside. Seeing no one, she pecked Shen Guodong's lips.

Unable to resist, Shen Guodong took advantage of the moment, leaving Zhou Meiniang weak-kneed as she finally departed. The matter was settled.

Sitting in his chair, he began contemplating his plans for the future. Whenever he had time, no matter how thorough his preparations, he would habitually run through them again—imagining possible scenarios and outcomes, striving to calculate everything in advance.

This time was no different. Either he helped Director Xu ascend and seized the opportunity during the reforms, becoming wealthy overnight, or he lost his current job and sought new prospects outside. The latter, however, carried risks—Bald Bro might not be able to help him clear his name.

Thus, every situation had two sides. Where there was advantage, there was also disadvantage.