The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 99: The Crumbling Defenses

Chapter 99: The Crumbling Defenses

On this day, during the high-level management meeting, Ye Baoling appointed Qu Zhengming as the group’s deputy general manager and board director, while simultaneously announcing significant personnel reforms within the company.

Everyone predicted the young mistress would target the old guards left behind by Ye Qizu.

Though many veteran employees in key positions hadn’t yet received formal notices, they sensed the impending axe and began seeking ways to save themselves. After much deliberation, they concluded only Ye Qizu could rescue them.

Since Ye Qizu’s discharge from the hospital and return home, it had become increasingly difficult for anyone to see him. These employees gathered in Lin Zhong’s office, hoping to glean information from him and persuade him to approach Ye Qizu to protect their positions.

Lin Zhong was now the only person in the company who could still meet with Ye Qizu.

Though reluctant to get involved, out of courtesy Lin Zhong called Ye Qizu to report the situation.

Having completely lost his shares in the company, Ye Qizu no longer held any decision-making power. With great resignation, he could only call Ye Baoling.

Your reforms are acceptable, he said, but don’t be too radical. Slow down appropriately. These old guards have worked for Ye Qingtang their entire lives – if not for their achievements, then for their dedication. Rashly cutting veteran staff will create negative publicity.

Ye Qizu was a contradictory figure.

On one hand, he tolerated various nepotistic hires and generally avoided firing longtime employees. On the other, he was remarkably stingy with employee compensation.

This muddled approach of unclear rewards and punishments was what Ye Baoling despised most.

She responded, Most so-called old guards have already reached retirement age. They’re stuck in their ways, unable to keep up with the times, and will only become obstacles to the company’s growth. I’m not cutting veteran staff – I’m offering them generous terms to retire and enjoy their golden years.

Ye Qizu argued, You should still proceed gradually, don’t move too quickly…

Ye Baoling stood firm: I’m cutting the Gordian knot. If someone in a key position is truly indispensable to Ye Qingtang, I wouldn’t casually remove them. Those who can be removed clearly aren’t essential. Isn’t it better to concentrate resources on employees and management who can actually deliver results?

Ye Qizu knew his granddaughter made valid points, but her complete disregard for his face made him furious.

What could he do?

He could only seethe in anger. She wouldn’t listen to him, and he was utterly powerless.

After hanging up, Ye Baoling deduced Lin Zhong must have tipped off Ye Qizu. After brief consideration, she pressed the intercom and had her secretary summon Lin Zhong.

Soon, Lin Zhong knocked and entered.

After he sat down, Ye Baoling said, Manager Lin, I want to entrust the upcoming personnel reforms entirely to you.

Lin Zhong didn’t want to handle this hot potato – he had no desire to become the young mistress’s blade against his old colleagues – but he had no choice.

He offered an awkward smile: This task is rather… delicate.

Ye Baoling smiled back: I believe you’re the only person in the company capable of handling this properly.

Young mistress, you’ll need to first explain your intentions to me.

Ye Baoling detailed her plans thoroughly before concluding: Compile a list of executives matching the criteria I just described. After we discuss and finalize it internally, you’ll negotiate with them. Those reaching retirement age will retire, while those below retirement age will receive compensation before leaving. Try to ensure amicable separations.

Lin Zhong agreed to present the list within two days.

Back in the office, Lin Zhong was deeply troubled. He knew this was the young mistress’s warning and test for him.

If he performed poorly, he would undoubtedly be dismissed along with the others.

If he wanted to do it well, he would inevitably offend a group of old colleagues, but he had no choice.

Unless he resigned and left.

Two days later, Lin Zhong submitted a detailed list.

It wasn’t hard to see that Lin Zhong had put considerable effort into researching this list.

Ye Baoling was quite satisfied with it.

Full of guilt, Lin Zhong said, Young Mistress, could… could you not have me be the one to talk to them?

Ye Baoling looked at Lin Zhong for a long time before finally nodding. Alright.

Lin Zhong was somewhat surprised; he hadn’t expected the young mistress to agree to his request so easily.

He said anxiously, Thank you, Young Mistress.

Ye Baoling smiled faintly. Uncle Zhong, do you think I’m going to take action against you?

Lin Zhong’s heart tightened. If the Young Mistress wants to dismiss me, I have no regrets.

In your position, the biggest taboo is being too soft-hearted. Do you know why Leaf Pure Tea’s management wasn’t as good as Su Manzhu’s all these years? For so long, you’ve been manipulated by Ye Kaisen. Have you ever wondered why it was always the people under you who ended up being dragged down, not his?

Lin Zhong knew his own weaknesses, but he still wanted to defend himself. I don’t have as many tricks up my sleeve as Ye Kaisen.

She didn’t beat around the bush but pointed out bluntly, Over the years, under my grandfather, there were many times when you, Uncle Zhong, had no choice but to go along and play the peacemaker.

Lin Zhong, having been called out, fell silent.

Ye Baoling said, Uncle Zhong, rest assured, I won’t take action against you. Compared to the other old-timers, your ability matches your position. At the very least, you won’t become an obstacle to Leaf Pure Tea’s progress.

These words moved Lin Zhong deeply. At this awkward time, receiving the young mistress’s recognition was a comforting thing.

Finally, Ye Baoling said, However, from now on, when you do things, you only need to be accountable to me and the board of directors…

The implication was clear: stop reporting everything to her grandfather.

Lin Zhong quickly said, I understand.

Good that he understood.

Ye Baoling handed the list back to Lin Zhong. Have the deputy head of HR talk to them. If you’re afraid of being pestered by them, you can take a vacation and go away for a while.

Lin Zhong was quite grateful. Thank you, Young Mistress, for your consideration.

The news only reached Ye Qizu’s ears two days later. He knew there was nothing he could change.

His era had come to a complete end.

After work that day, Ye Baoling invited Wang Simin and Gu Man’er to have dinner together at a large food stall.

Gu Man’er now had the full demeanor of a professional elite. Wang Simin complimented her, You look like a future top lawyer!

Gu Man’er pulled out a chair and sat down without any modesty. I hope so too. But let’s wait until I can become a partner first. Who’s paying today?

As she spoke, both of them looked at Ye Baoling.

Ye Baoling smiled and nodded. My treat.

If we’d known, we should have picked an expensive restaurant, they said, as they always did.

But most of the time, they ended up choosing a lively food stall like this.

Ye Baoling liked this kind of eatery. She picked up the menu. Hurry up and order.

Wang Simin said bluntly, Then I’ll order the most expensive dishes. I want the king razor clams with ginger and scallions, and the mantis shrimp with pepper salt – the largest ones with roe…

Gu Man’er added, One butter crab and one assorted braised platter…

Ye Baoling ordered vegetables and tofu.

The three of them ordered six dishes in total.

Ye Baoling asked Gu Man’er, What has your Fang Haiming been busy with lately? I’ve called his office several times but no one answered.

Gu Man’er poured tea to wash the bowls: He went to the mainland to attend an archaeology forum and needs to inspect goods in several places. He probably won’t be back for at least half a month. Cousin, what did you need him for?

Ye Baoling: I wanted his help appraising some antiques. We can discuss it when he returns.

She happened to be going to America too, so their return times should coincide.

Halfway through the meal, she received a call from Ye Huaizhang.

He had just finished a meeting and wanted to invite her out for dinner.

I’m already eating. The king razor clams are delicious, do you want some? I can bring some back for you.

After she hung up, Wang Simin teased, Looks like we’re interrupting the boss’s romantic dinner for two.

Ye Baoling: We have dinner together every day, you can’t possibly interrupt us.

Ew! They laughed at her, Still so lovey-dovey after being married this long, it’s embarrassing to watch.

Ye Baoling smiled and ignored them.

She ordered three dishes to take back for Ye Huaizhang.

At the square table in her sitting room, he ate with great relish.

The dai pai dong food had that distinctive wok hei flavor – tender and juicy, completely different from refined private kitchen cuisine.

She sat beside him watching him eat. He looked up with a smile, Do you have something to tell me?

She smiled and paused before saying, When I return from America, it will be exactly our first wedding anniversary. The term specified in our marriage agreement is about to expire.

Ye Huaizhang paused slightly, putting down his chopsticks. As their eyes met, he couldn’t decipher what she was thinking in that moment.

This was what Ye Huaizhang considered his greatest failure – he could command his business empire with authority, yet in matters of love and marriage, he found himself in a passive position.

Maintaining outward composure, he asked, What are your thoughts?

I’ll be in America for about ten days. Let’s both think carefully during this time. Okay? She spoke with extreme gentleness.

Ye Huaizhang set down his chopsticks, having lost his appetite. My position has never changed. I don’t want a divorce.

She remained silent.

The biggest advantage of divorce for her was that she could fully take control of the Ye family under her own identity, becoming the head of the household without any secondary attachments.

She said, Even if we divorce, we can still be together.

What kind of reasoning was that?

Was she determined to divorce him?

Ye Huaizhang’s composure shattered instantly.

He stared at her unblinkingly: Fine, we can divorce. According to the agreement, I’ll give you 20 million, and you return the Ugly King Jade Pendant from the second and third branches to me.

She didn’t need the Ugly King Jade Pendant anymore, though she remained curious about it.

After divorce, we’d just be distant relatives, no longer husband and wife. Without proper status, we couldn’t possibly be together.

Having said this, he stood up, grabbed his jacket and walked out.

Seeing his anger, she said softly, You haven’t finished eating. At least finish your meal before leaving.

The fact that she could still talk about food infuriated him even more.

Bang!

He slammed the door and left.

Ye Baoling sat quietly on the sofa, taking a moment to calm down and reflect. What had she said wrong?

She had been so gentle today!

She had even specially packed food for him.

Sister Ping knocked and entered, tidying the table while whispering, Did you have a fight?

Ye Baoling replied with an innocent expression, No fight.

He was the one who unilaterally lost his temper and left.

Sister Ping advised softly, Men care about face. Whatever the issue, both sides should compromise. Right now, you need to present a united front.

Who doesn’t care about face? She did too.

That night, lying in bed, Ye Baoling felt an emptiness in her heart. Usually, when he wasn’t around, she didn’t feel much, but tonight, she missed that firm and comfortable spot intensely.

Hah, men.

Over the next few days, Ye Baoling attended the workshop inauguration ceremony at a factory in Shenzhen. The factory was named Huayuan Beverage Company and temporarily only produced outsourced beverages for Ye Qingtang.

After returning from Shenzhen, she set off for the United States.

Upon arriving in the U.S., she first visited Lisa and her husband, as well as some American business partners, before handling financial matters.

A week later, she went to Dunsius University to submit her thesis and take final exams for certain subjects.

On the day she submitted her thesis, as she left the professor’s office, Chen Yulan approached her quietly and told her that Ye Huaizhang had arrived.

Ah? Ye Baoling was somewhat surprised.

He was invited to give a speech on the new economy, held at Wells Auditorium. Your husband was afraid you’d be upset if you knew he came, so he had Dong Jian call me in advance to let you know. He’s here.

He understood her well.

She wasn’t fond of surprises.

Ye Baoling asked, He’s at Wells Auditorium?

Should be. It started at 2:30.

It was now 2:40. It would only take five minutes to walk there, and she could still catch his speech.

It wasn’t her who had been angry last time, so of course she would go to support him.

She immediately headed to Wells Auditorium and found it packed with people.

She found a seat toward the middle-back and listened as Ye Huaizhang on stage discussed various possibilities for the future economic landscape.

He said the future world economy would likely be dominated by computer technology, telecommunications, and other information industries.

At the time, this was still highly forward-thinking.

Standing on stage, Ye Huaizhang delivered his entire speech without notes.

He was confident, composed, articulate, with a smile on his face and sharp, bright eyes.

She listened quietly, a slight smile unconsciously forming at the corners of her mouth.

She recalled how Gu Man’er had described his university speeches as full of personal style and charm.

It was indeed true.

When the speech ended, the auditorium erupted in thunderous applause.

Ye Huaizhang didn’t stay to interact with the students; he left directly through the back door.

He hadn’t waited for her.

Leaving the auditorium, Ye Baoling thought to herself that Ye Huaizhang might be waiting for her to compromise.

Well, she wouldn’t.

He came without even notifying her—why should she?

Once in the car, she couldn’t help asking Chen Yulan, Did Dong Jian mention how long they’re staying here?

He didn’t say. Chen Yulan also didn’t understand why Ye Huaizhang hadn’t sought out Ye Baoling, but she didn’t dare ask.

They had dinner before returning to the hotel.

After Ye Baoling finished her shower, she happened to answer a long-distance call from Huang Ying. They chatted for over ten minutes about company matters. Before hanging up, the hotel room phone rang.

She hurriedly said goodbye to Huang Ying and picked up the receiver.

Hello!

It’s me. Ye Huaizhang’s voice came through the phone. I’m staying next door. Do you want to come over?

Ye Baoling laughed, playing hard to get. Can’t you come here yourself?

I just fell in the bathroom and hurt my leg. I might need to go to the hospital. His voice was low, sounding pitiful. We haven’t even been married a year yet. Maybe this is my punishment for you talking about divorce.

Such terrible superstition!

Is it that serious? Is Dong Jian there? I’m coming over. Without changing out of her nightgown, Ye Baoling went next door.

When she knocked and entered, he immediately pinned her against the door.

Seeing Ye Huaizhang perfectly healthy, she teased him, Did you hurt your middle leg?

He pressed closer, kissing her. Do you want to test it right now and see if it’s injured?

With just one kiss, it was already standing at attention—clearly not injured.

Not angry anymore? Weren’t you too proud to talk to me? she deliberately provoked.

He didn’t answer, busily kissing her neck instead. Soon, she was too preoccupied to speak as they had an intense encounter right at the entrance. Regardless of anything else, their bodies clearly adored each other.

Only when he carried her into the room did she notice it was filled with blue flowers—her favorite color—arranged throughout.

There was even a I LOVE YOU spelled out in petals.

He had never done anything so cheesy before—this was a first.

Holding her tight, he whispered in her ear, Please don’t get a divorce, okay?

When she remained silent, he nearly begged, compromising, Then let’s renew for another year, alright?

Renew for another year?

Seeing her still silent, he suppressed his near-breaking heart and asked, What don’t you like about me? I’ll change it.

Author’s Note:

Ye Huaizhang: Chapter 99, wishing us lasting forever [dog holding rose emoji]

Ye Baoling: How tacky [laughing-crying emoji]