Chapter 451 - Build Trust Before Profit

Xinyi was rapidly typing on the laptop while Zhiyuan was making some calls for setting up their brand new company. They had tons of work to do but too little time to accomplish so many things.

Zhiyuan sighed as he cut the call. Xinyi peeked from the laptop. "What's wrong?"

He turned. "Well…there was an argument between Keung and the senior executives during today's meeting. It ended on a really bad note because Keung threatened to fire them."

"This…"

"I know. I just hope he doesn't make things too hard for the employees. I will be back."

"Hm."

She let out a soft sigh and went back to work. Her phone buzzed with Yunru's incoming call. "Yunru, did you find Mrs. An?"

"That's what we will be trying to do today. Uncle An has suggested a place where she might be visiting from time to time."

"Like what place?"

"Something special to both of them."

"Oh."

"If we get lucky, we might find her soon enough."

"I should come too."

"No, sis. We are enough here. You are busy with your new company, so focus on that. I will call you back if we find anything."

"En. Thanks Yunru."

She went back to working on her proposal. 

—

Outside, Zhiyuan was standing in the corridor, his palms resting on the railing as he seemed to be in deep thought. From above, he saw Keung coming in a bad mood and hastily climbing up the steps. He was about to head back to his room when Zhiyuan called out to him.

"Keung."

He stopped. He narrowed his eyes as he turned. Even if he was burning in a fury from within, he kept a smile on his lips. "Cousin."

Zhiyuan stared at him. "You will not go far like this if you threaten and humiliate your own staff."

He raised his brow. "News sure spreads fast. By the way, if you are feeling too confident that with this small hiccup, you will see me lose, then you need to step out of your illusion."

"It's small hiccups like these that make you sick in the end until you feel choked and breathless."

He snorted.

"Keung. The very first thing you need to do as the CEO is not to see the company's relationship with the profit but your relationship with the employees. Yes, you are the CEO now. But you cannot run the company alone. You need the employees as much as they need you. If you continue your attitude like this, then I am afraid you won't be able to win. You need to first win everybody's hearts before you think of winning the challenge."

"Hah. It's easy for you to say. You must be feeling so arrogant because you have such loyal employees, don't you?"

"And you can gain their loyalty too if you just apologize."

"Excuse me? Apologize for what?"

"First of all, you embezzled money in the past. It's wasn't just our as in the Han family's money, but it belonged to all the employees too who had put in all their efforts everyday for our company to grow. We give them their salaries with the profits we make. You didn't just steal the Han family's money but the livelihood of many people, and they deserve an apology for that. You expect people follow you just because you have become the CEO now? It doesn't work that way. They need to trust you so that they can follow you. Threatening isn't gonna do anything."

He smiled. "You and sister-in-law are so pro in giving boring lectures. Why do you even bother helping me? Are you underestimating me as your enemy?"

"It's what I should do as your brother, Keung. You are not my enemy. You never were. If you could handle your position well, then I will be the happiest person to see that."

He glowered at him and sneered. "Yeah, like how you were so happy seeing me getting thrown away abroad."

Zhiyuan shook his head. "I was never happy about Grandpa's decision. I did try to stop him, but you know how he is."

"Yes, I know. But somehow I became the only target to face his anger. Then my parents were kicked out."

"Only?" He chuckled. "Grandpa isn't someone to differentiate like that. Do you have any idea how much he grills Dad and me or how much he had in the past years? The only one he decently talks to is Xinyi. Mom, Dad, Zizi and I have made our own mistakes, but it wasn't like Grandpa spared us because he was partial. That's all Aunt Guang filling your brain with nonsense."

He glared at him. "Don't bring my mother into this!"

"Then who should I? When everything was going well between us as a family, who brought insecurity into your head? I am sorry to say this but even if they are your real parents, they only cared about money and status. As your brother, I don't want you getting wound up in that greed and losing your way. Trust me, Keung. We are not your enemies."

Keung clenched his fists and slightly shivered. "Get lost! I don't want to hear anything from you!"

He raced his way back in anger.

"Bro…"

He turned and saw Zizi coming towards him. He smiled. "Heading back to Soo house?"

Zizi lived in Han villa for a few days after Keung suddenly kidnapped her.

"No…I will stay here-"

"No. Go back. You should stay with Dad. Yunru is getting busier and Dad is alone. I feel bad for him. I told him many times to live here till Yunru's workload gets lighter, but he doesn't listen to me. He will feel better if you are by his side."

"En," she softly smiled.

Then she sighed. "Bro, don't bother with Keung. He has completely lost it. Do you think he will still change and come to our side? His brain is now filled with garbage, and he hates us!"

Zhiyuan patted her head. "He is our brother, Zizi. I am not giving up on him till I truly don't see any hope. You know how Uncle and Aunt are. If we also leave him, then who will knock sense into him? Keung will realize one day what wrong things he is doing, and at that time, we should be there for him to come back to us."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't see that happening, bro."

He smiled.. "I trust it will happen."