The Female CEO Falls in Love with Me

Chapter 318: Summoned by the CEO

The spread of gossip is always swift, perhaps by phone, word of mouth, or chat tools... In short, the juicier the gossip, the more people are eager and enthusiastic to spread it for free.

The incident caused by Jiang Lele and Li Yan was just a small gossip, something to give people a new topic amid work boredom, only heavy for those involved. But it was different with Chen Aiyuan; he was the director of the planning department, an important middle-to-high-level manager, so his gossip carried much more weight.

Li Yan and Jiang Lele, the people involved, naturally had no mood to spread the news. In theory, neither would Zhang Yurong or Hai Fu have the time or inclination to spread such things. But the news still got out and swiftly spread through every department and office in the headquarters.

The initial version said that Chen Aiyuan was betraying the company by leaking planning proposals for profit, and even making unaware employees take the blame. As a result, Hai Fu was in charge of a thorough investigation, Zhang Yurong personally checked into it, and under the CEO’s summons, Chen Aiyuan couldn’t withstand the CEO’s penetrating gaze, directly confessed to all his wrongdoings, then pleaded for mercy and voluntarily resigned.

This was basically the outcome discussed by Zhang Yurong and Hai Fu, but gossip always escalates during its spread. Everyone adds some spice to make their gossip more shocking.

Eventually, multiple versions emerged; the most exaggerated one said that when Zhang Yurong found out, she immediately saw through Chen Aiyuan’s tricks without even meeting him, just called and said one sentence: "Do as you see fit." Chen Aiyuan got so scared that he didn’t dare come to the company, directly mailed his confession, returned the profit from selling out the company, resigned, and dared not show up at the company or among clients.

This, of course, elevated Zhang Yurong to a divine status. Those who knew the truth found it amusing because this was actually closer to the truth: Zhang Yurong hadn’t even called, and Chen Aiyuan had confessed.

Hai Fu’s iron hand was already renowned in the company. After Zhang Yurong became the CEO, she dismissed several key managers. Her authority wasn’t just among employees, but more apparent in management. For many employees, the Chen Aiyuan incident was just a humorous diversion, but for department managers, everyone was anxious, nervous about such a formidable CEO, worried that past misdemeanors could cost them, so they dared not act recklessly.

...

Even the most intense gossip dies down after a few days. Especially with office work constantly busy, after a few rounds of gossip about unrelated affairs, people no longer have the leisure to care much.

Thus, a week later, the company had returned to calm.

Of course, this calm was only on the surface. While people no longer concerned themselves with the Chen Aiyuan incident, in everyone’s hearts, they held more reverence for company management, for Hai Fu of the administrative department, and for CEO Zhang Yurong. Those with hidden agendas or past mischief started keeping a low profile, being extremely cautious, not daring to repeat mistakes for some time.

Especially those in high management positions, already with generous salaries, excellent benefits, and prestigious titles, were greatly envied within the company, with clients, and outside. While it would be nice to earn a bit more gray income, the cost of losing everything, leaving in disgrace, and potentially being blacklisted in the industry was too high. Not only did they become stricter themselves, they also tightened oversight over their subordinates to avoid any possible backlash.

One day, while Li Yan was idly busy in the office, Ye Jiahong personally came over.

As soon as he arrived, he asked Li Yan with a smiling face, "Old Li, busy?"

His attitude puzzled Li Yan, it didn’t seem like a superior’s attitude toward a subordinate, rather flattering-like. Even though I was recommended by a board member, he wouldn’t need to behave like this, given his position.

"Mr. Ye, is there anything I can do for you?" Li Yan responded with a smile.

"Hey—! Look at what you’re saying, we’re like brothers, no need for this service talk. I just came to see if you’re too busy, and whether we should lighten your load." Ye Jiahong hypocritically flattered him.

"Isn’t that bad? I only have two chances to earn a bit more bonus, does Mr. Ye want to deprive me of that?" Li Yan pretended to be suspicious.

"Haha... You’re quite the joker!" Ye Jiahong chuckled. "To be honest, I came to see you because there’s something..."

At this point, he suddenly became serious, "The CEO wants to see you!"

"The CEO is looking for me?" Li Yan was taken aback. Zhang Yurong was his wife, but their relationship was a secret at the company. Even if he had arranged for her to join, it was through Sun Qilin. Although Yurong often kept an eye on his situation, it was always indirectly; she never personally intervened. For instance, when she wanted to give Li Yan an opportunity to receive clients for practice, she did it by providing an opportunity for Wen Qianyi instead. This was the first time she directly sought him out.

Ye Jiahong leaned in closer and whispered, "Old Li, tell me, what’s the CEO asking you for? Did Director Sun speak up for you? Maybe they think you’ve trained enough here and are about to assign you more important tasks?"

Ever since Li Yan’s guidance last time, he had been eagerly anticipating this. If Sun Qilin truly intended to help him ascend to vice president, the chances would naturally increase significantly. Of course, no matter what, people always cultivate their own first. To get someone to help you substantially, you also need to exchange big favors. Just looking after Li Yan in the Business Department was insignificant.

Now he suspected that Sun Qilin intended to use the CEO to help Li Yan enter the management level. If that were indeed the case, he planned to strongly recommend Li Yan and support him in rising as high as possible, whether parachuted in or not, who cares! As long as Li Yan and Sun Qilin owed him a favor, that would win over one more person. If Li Yan also became a high-level executive, he could later support him in jointly recommending him for vice president.

"No way, with my level, can I really be entrusted with important tasks? I guess... Do you think the CEO has long since been displeased with me and wants to cut me this time?" Li Yan said intentionally.

Ye Jiahong frowned slightly, immediately realizing that could be a possibility! What kind of person was Sun Qilin? The Vice Chairman of the Board, with the Board Chairman Zhang Tianyi being Zhang Yurong’s father. A deputy trying to rise always has conflicts with the one in charge. Sun Qilin would surely want to insert his own people, but how could President Zhang not see that? Her father, the Board Chairman, scarcely handles matters now, while she holds all power in her grasp. If I were her, I’d also work hard to cut down these old ministers nurturing their strengths.

He began to feel a bit complicated, realizing he might have backed the wrong horse. If Zhang Yurong indeed did not want Li Yan to rise, she would surely suppress him, and if he pushed hard for him, it might curry favor with Sun Qilin and Li Yan but offend the powerful CEO.

"Hahaha... How could that be? You’ve done well; it surely can’t be like that. How about this, I’ll accompany you upstairs to see what the CEO has in mind!" Ye Jiahong’s enthusiasm waned a bit as he began maintaining an appropriate distance. He decided not to tie himself down too closely and to understand the situation first; then he’d offer a favor when the time was right.

Li Yan was just teasing him, utterly unaware that one joke had already set off rich associations in this fellow’s mind.

"Alright then, take me upstairs. I’ve never been to the CEO’s office. That place... It should be quite solemn, right?"

"Of course, even though Miss Zhang is young, her majesty isn’t something ordinary people can bear. But don’t worry, you’re just a lowly employee; she doesn’t care to suppress you."

Li Yan was speechless, damn it, did you have to be so direct! You even said ’doesn’t care’; couldn’t you euphemistically say ’won’t’? 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Ye Jiahong personally accompanied Li Yan to the outside of the CEO’s office, then excused himself. Although he wanted to know the outcome, he didn’t want to risk arousing Zhang Yurong’s suspicion and decided to get the scoop from Li Yan later.

In the office outside the CEO’s room, there were a few female clerks and secretaries busy working. The one who came to greet Li Yan was Zhang Yurong’s special assistant, Ke Yunyun.

"Are you Li Yan? Come with me." Accompanying Zhang Yurong, Ke Yunyun didn’t know if it was an imitation of the fox exploiting the tiger’s might, years of influence from being by her side, or pure mimicry, but she exuded a slightly domineering aura.

But it had no effect on Li Yan. You’re putting on airs for me? Your CEO’s genuinely intimidating presence is nothing in front of me.

Of course, he wouldn’t bother with Ke Yunyun’s demeanor, just smiled it off as he followed her into Zhang Yurong’s office.

The CEO’s office was a very spacious and luxurious room, equipped with a lounge, a pantry, and a restroom. One could say, living here while working was feasible. Behind was a floor-to-ceiling glass wall; you could pull open the voile curtain, let the sunlight in, and take in the grandeur of the entire landscape outside.

Upon entering, Li Yan admired everything inside. Zhang Yurong watched him, with Ke Yunyun also eyeing him closely. From their gazes, Li Yan suddenly understood that the grandeur and spaciousness of this CEO office, along with every thoughtful detail, were all for creating a certain atmosphere! An atmosphere that instilled awe and respect, thereby imposing. For top-level bosses, it might not matter, but for the usual company management and staff entering here, they’d feel the distinct difference in stature from the executive, enhancing the CEO’s aura of authority.

"Yunyun, please leave," Zhang Yurong instructed lightly.

"Yes." Before leaving, Ke Yunyun glared at Li Yan as if to warn him not to offend the CEO.

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