From abandoned baby to CEO

The police officer didn't say anything, but Xiao Meng looked aggrieved, saying, "They say I committed defamation, how ridiculous!"

"Officers, you can't just take people away like that. What crime did Meng commit? You have to give us an explanation!" Master Li said righteously, defending Meng.

According to normal case-handling procedures, others are not entitled to know the details of the case, but seeing the large crowd surrounding them, the police officers were afraid that the crowd might impulsively cause trouble, so they had to keep it brief and to the point:

"One of your company's senior executives has been defamed and framed, causing damage to the other party's reputation. We received a report that your company's engineer, Meng, orchestrated this defamation incident. As for the truth of the matter, we will take him to the police station for further verification and investigation..."

Master Li's gaze shifted to Xiao Meng, his face full of suspicion. "Meng, could it be... that you were the one who orchestrated yesterday's disturbance and slander against General Manager Zhang?"

One second Xiao Meng was grateful for Master Li's concern, the next he was stunned by Master Li's abrupt question...

"Master Li, don't talk nonsense!"

Li Shi frowned and shook his head, "Engineer Meng, I really can't believe it... I thought you were usually a nice person, how could you... do something like this? It's truly shocking..."

He turned to the crowd and waved, saying, "Since the police officer has said so, then we can only let him go for investigation. Everyone, please disperse, don't block his way, make way, make way..."

Upon hearing this, everyone dispersed.

As soon as Xiao Meng was taken away by the police, Mr. Li immediately began his performance.

He walked towards the crowd, speaking loudly, as if afraid no one would hear him:

"This Engineer Meng is really up to no good. He wants to frame and slander General Manager Zhang, so why is he using us as pawns? This...this is a bit too despicable!"

The workers, who were completely unaware of the situation, were also furious upon hearing this. "So that's how it is! That's really unfair!"

"He seems like a very honest person, but he's so cunning!"

At this moment, Master Huang, who had been absent all along, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and said in a sarcastic tone:

"Actually, Xiao Meng was also being used; he was being instructed by someone..."

Master Li looked stunned. "What did you say? He was also used? Who? Could it be... Mr. Sun?"

"Little Li, you've been smart this time," Master Huang said calmly. "I heard... that General Manager Sun and General Manager Zhang have always been at odds and have a deep-seated grudge. So... General Manager Sun resorted to this drastic measure, sending Xiao Meng to instruct us to cause trouble. We almost committed a crime... I also believed Xiao Meng's slander, and I almost became a criminal."

Master Huang adopted a victim's stance, then burst into a tirade of profanities, cursing, "These bastards are so damn despicable!"

The performance by Master Li and Master Huang, in a coordinated manner, deceived everyone present and angered the simple-minded workers.

Master Huang, his face flushed red, continued his condemnation, "If the police from the local station hadn't come and taken Xiao Meng away, I would still be completely in the dark... I only ended up in this mess because I believed all of Xiao Meng's rumors. Tell me, why drag us, who are only focused on getting the job done, into their personal feuds? It's infuriating!"

At that moment, someone in the crowd stood up and spread rumors:

“From the very beginning, I felt that Ms. Sun’s move to the city with her team was a conspiracy. Sure enough, rumors were flying that she wanted to use the name of the city investment company to get her original company listed on the stock exchange, and at the same time, defraud the government of its support funds for the city investment company. Once she achieved her goal, she would immediately leave!”

Master Huang feigned surprise, "Ah! There's more to this story..."

The man continued, "Haven't you seen how much Ms. Sun has been recruiting lately? Why is she doing this? I bet you'll never guess her ambition. She wants to drive all of us out of here and turn this place into her own, so she can better implement her plans!"

Then someone else revealed inside information: "I heard that General Manager Sun has a close relationship with Vice Mayor Wang. The reason she was able to take over the city investment company is because Vice Mayor Wang is behind her..."

He immediately swallowed back what he was about to say, "Those who know, know... As for the details, you can figure them out yourselves..."

Master Huang quietly observed everyone's reactions. The workers who revealed various inside stories were all people he had bribed one by one last night after receiving Zhonghua cigarettes and eating and drinking with him at the barbecue stall.

One revelation after another thoroughly enraged everyone present.

Shouts of protest rose from the crowd, and the scene became chaotic.

Seeing that the situation had become chaotic, Master Huang seized the opportunity to step in and further muddy the waters:

"I think we can't let ourselves be slaughtered like this anymore! Didn't General Manager Sun say she'd double our salaries? Let's make her deliver on that promise now. Doubling them is fine, but..."

Master Huang swept his gaze firmly across the crowd, his tone unwavering. "Everyone's salary will increase by at least 50%. Do you all agree with what I'm saying?"

When it came to matters concerning their own interests, everyone responded enthusiastically.

"Yes, we demand a raise!"

"Old Huang, you're right. You'll take the lead on this!"

Master Huang waved his hand, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. I don't want to be the one to suffer the consequences. I'm just thinking of everyone else..."

Master Li stepped forward and insisted, "Master Huang, of all of us, you are the most qualified to make decisions for us. We unanimously recommend you. You are the most suitable person to take the lead in this matter."

Immediately, many people chimed in, "Master Huang, we'll all listen to you."

"That's right, when it comes to fighting for our interests, we always need someone to lead the way..."

Master Huang feigned reluctance, saying with a look of unwillingness, "Since everyone trusts me so much... then I have no choice but to accept this task in this crisis..."

He immediately adopted a leader's demeanor, "Everyone, quiet down and listen to me. We have two demands: first, a raise; second, we absolutely will not allow outsiders to take our jobs. I wonder... do you all agree?"

"agree!"

"Agreed! That's how we should do it!"

Master Huang paused, snorted coldly, and said with a fierce look in his eyes:

"If Ms. Sun doesn't agree, we'll quit until she does. The company's current performance is entirely due to the efforts of our fifty-odd employees. We've created value for the company, and we should rightfully fight for our deserved benefits!"

"Let's go find her now!" someone said angrily, throwing down the tools in their hand.

"Yes, we're quitting this job. We're going to demand an explanation from her!"

Once someone took the lead in quitting, everyone else followed suit.

"Everyone, please be quiet! Let me say a few words..." Master Huang waved his hand, speaking in a leader's tone.

The noisy crowd suddenly quieted down.

"Let me make this clear from the start: this concerns everyone's interests, and everyone must participate. If you want to desert, you can quit now. Does anyone want to quit?"

He glanced at them briefly, then raised his voice to question them.

Everyone looked at each other, and no one spoke up.

At this point, if anyone were to suggest leaving, it would mean that they would be seen as an oddity within the team and would be scorned by everyone.

“Very good, it seems we are closely united. Since everyone has elected me to take the lead, I would like to make a few requests…”

"Everyone must obey my unified command; that's the most basic requirement. If you can't do that, you can bring it up now. Secondly, I will not allow any traitors in our ranks. That's what I hate most. We cannot let one person harm everyone. We are fighting for our common interests, and this time, we must fight to the end!"