Chapter 98 - Teamwork

"The best way to get all this data is by retrieving them out of those people who are working in this field or maybe related to it in some way." Sue Mei said as she looked at her other three companions and then all of them turned towards Miss Li for some sign of approval.

They had already discussed their plans and ideas among themselves before coming to meet Miss Li.

All of them had almost the same ideas and they decided to present whatever they had thought of so far.

Now, all they needed to do was to find out the thoughts of Miss Li about their ideas.

Li Ming nodded her head slightly, urging the four youths to continue.

" There are some places where we could find such people, for example, the Inns, or brothels. We can't go to all those Inns to ask such questions directly. It will be a very grave mistake. That's why we can rather meet the workers of those inns while they were relaxing in other inns or brothels during their free time. It's easy to get such information out of these people in such surroundings. We just have to find the perfect timing and place to hit the rock." This time it was Zhou Han who shared his thoughts but immediately went silent when he noticed the two girls, Lie Xiao Ting and Sue Mei, glaring at him probably because of his mention of Brothels.

"Zhou Han is actually right. Places like Brothels and Inns are daily visited by people who come there to relax and chit chat. Most of their topics would be related to their work or about the gossips that are the hot topics of the city at that moment. If you play your cards right then you will get all the information without too much struggle." Li Ming said as she showed her approval of Zhou Han's idea.

" Actually it will be easy to find all the information as long as we can locate people who are ready to speak." Lei Xiao Ting said and the others nodded their heads in agreement.

"We can also visit music houses. They have a lot of visitors too. But the point is that none of these people would speak on their own, we have to find a way to make them speak without making it obvious." Sue Mei added her thoughts and once again the others agreed with each other's points.

"But Miss Li, how are we going to make them speak? Just like you told us, no one is going to share such great secrets of their business on a silver platter. Then how can we make them speak?" Lei Yong asked and the others also looked at her for guidance.

Li Ming frowned slightly as she answered in a confused tone, "Isn't that simple? You can either use the money to make them speak or if money won't work you can always threaten them." 

Her words left the four youths staring at her with shocked eyes and gaping mouths.

Looked like they were not expecting her to suggest such simple ways!

"Now go on and practice how you guys are going to threaten people to make them speak. You all look like young innocent kids. If you need to show that you guys are even a little bit dangerous than you will need to practice hard to bring that look on your face and that aura in your body. Now shoo and start practicing immediately." Li Ming said in a tone that clearly stated that they were supposed to leave immediately to start their practice.

But how could they were supposed to even move when their little and also limited brain cells had refused to function due to the shock that they just received. 

"M-Miss Li, are we going to use these kinds of dir- I mean these ways to get the information out?" Lei Xiao Ting was practically squealing at that point, not in happiness but in horror.

"Why? Is there any problem in my ways?" Li Ming asked with raised eyebrows. She was struggling to not laugh at the horrified looks that had taken over their faces.

"B-But....isn't that wrong?" It was Lei Yong who finally dared to voice out their thoughts but it only made the other three gulp down in fear.

"Of course, it is. But again, to be honest, there's nothing wrong and right when it comes to business. If you keep stuck with the right way bullshit then you will only face downfall. Business is a world of players where only the best player takes the trophy home. You need to play this game with your mind, it's not for those who are in control of their hearts. Of course, it doesn't mean that you have the right to commit crimes and corruptions, nor it gives you permission for exploiting others. But since you guys don't have any better ideas. So, let's just use mine. After all, we will either be buying their loyalty or threatening them, nothing serious." Li Ming said with a dismissive tone.

"Ah?" 

The four youths looked at their Master with shocked expressions. They were moved by her words but at the same time, they were shocked to hear the solution that Miss Li had provided. They kept silent and immobile for the next few minutes before finally, something dawned on Sue Mei.

She signaled towards her other three companions and though the others weren't sure what she was up to but they still followed her steps.

They all stood up from their seats one by one and bowed to Li Ming.

"Miss Li, we are apologizing for our mistakes. It took us a lot of time to understand that it's our task to find out the answers to our questions. You are here to guide us not to do our jobs." Sue Mei said with a tone that sounded both apologetic and firm.

A small glint appeared in Li Ming's eyes and her lips bloomed into a soft smile. 

"Always remember this, if I have to solve all your problems and answer all your questions then there's no need for me to even assign you guys as my employees. I need you all to think more about this topic. Try to give your hundred percent in finding a solution, I'm sure the four of you can find at least one method if you all work as a team. Because you are not competing with each other rather in the future the four of you will compete against all our business rivals as a group. There's a great saying - 'United we Stand and Divided we Fall'. First, you have to learn to work as a team even though all of you will be assigned to different businesses and only after you will learn to work as a team, you will find that it's much easier to find your way out of any problem."

Li Ming looked in the eyes of all the four of them one by one, letting her words sink in and settle in their mind before she continued, "And if because of some reason you can't find your way out then I'll be always here to guide you but that's only when you will fail as a group, not as an individual. If I want I can get all this data in just two days without even wasting money or threatening people. But if I'm asking you guys to do it then it's because I believe in you. I want to see your level of competitiveness and hard work. And let me remind you once again, you are not competing against each other, the four of you will be competing against the rest of the business world but as a team." 

The four of them nodded their head in understanding. The previous shocked expressions had disappeared from their faces and now there was a firm confident look which promised her that they were not going to fail her.

Li Ming was no seer but she had her experience and understanding of people. Back in her previous life, she had learned the lessons of lives too early, most with personal experiences and some while watching others going through them.

She could see potential in all these children and she wanted to give them a chance to show it to the rest of the world.

It was without any doubt that not all the children were clear-minded. There were some who had already started to get affected by the darkness of this corrupted world.

She needed to find a way to stop them from wandering on the wrong path. Maybe she won't succeed in keeping all of them with a good conscience but she was going to try her best. The rest was up to their fate.

The four of her PA positions candidates bid her goodbye and left the study. She was looking forward to know exactly what ideas they would present to her next but first, she needed to find Zhang Yong and Ruoshan.