On the day that Wen Xinya joined the board, the manager of the market sales department, Xue Yishan, offered his help in raising her profile within the board. She had not officially joined the board yet, but there was already someone willing to offer her an olive branch—she would accept it regardless of whether that person truly acknowledged her abilities or whether he was just chasing his own ambitions.
As a result, she had Secretary Cao check into Xue Yishan’s background.
Xue Yishan was a smart man. He possessed that rare combination of a person who was shrewd and savvy, but still held certain principles and had a clean background. He had been working in the Wen Corporation for over a decade and was a diligent employee. He had yet to dirty his hands with all those dubious under-goings happening within the business.
Wen Xinya admired men like Xue Yishan. They had ambition without being overly greedy, shrewd but not despicable, savvy but not deceitful.
That was why she had Secretary Cao arrange for her to meet with him.
The air was filled with the steaming fragrance of tea as Wen Xinya calmly poured a cup for Xue Yishan. “I don’t know what kind of tea you like, so I just brewed a pot of my favorite Biluochun. Please have a taste and let me know how you find my tebrewing skills.”
The clear, jade-green tea swirled slowly inside the delicate, white teacup, all the while giving off an exquisite aroma.
Xue Yishan said, “I don’t know much about tea, but just by looking at the pureness of the color and how elegant the fragrance is, I can easily tell Missy’s tebrewing skills are extraordinary.”
Xue Yishan’s words were complimentary but not overly gushing. This person before him was someone personally trained by Old Mr. Mo himself. She was an intelligent and talented lady skilled in the arts and literature. People still talked about that year when she had emerged victorious during that gala with her performance of the four arts. It gave rise to a subsequent revival of those ancient arts among the ladies of high society.
Wen Xinya put down the porcelain teapot and leisurely enjoyed her tea. “Manager Xue has been with Wen Corporation for 15 years?”
15 years. It was a long time to be with the Wen Corporation. In the earlier years, Xue Yishan’s work had been extremely outstanding and he was highly regarded. But in recent years, he had been continuously suppressed by the head of marketing and sales and several other managers. Nevertheless, Xue Yishan kept to his principles and remained steadfast in his dealings.
In business, keeping steadfast to one’s principles meant being surpassed, being eliminated. Even so, Xue Yishan had persistently worked his way up to the position of manager. Wen Xinya couldn’t help admiring his capabilities.
Xue Yishan said, “I joined the Wen Corporation right after I graduated from university and 15 years passed in a flash. The Wen Corporation has been good to me and I hope to remain here until retirement.”
Xue Yishan was undoubtedly a smart man. Otherwise, he would not have been able to reach the position of manager after working at the Wen Corporation for 15 years. He was able to protect himself and his own livelihood against the machinations of his department head and several other managers.
However, for a person who knew how to suffer in silence and shy away from the spotlight when necessary—there was no way he would be satisfied being just another ordinary employee.
Even as he was suffering in silence, ambition continued to brew inside his heart.
An ambitious person would naturally take note of everything and everyone who could benefit him—including Old Mr. Wen and Wen Xinya!
Old Mr. Wen was a formidable person well-known across the business world. Xue Yishan’s tiny ambitions would be laughable before such a titan.
It must be said that not only was Xue Yishan smart and ambitious, but he also knew his own place.
This was why he chose to target the future heiress of the Wen Family, Wen Xinya, instead.
If Wen Xinya hadn’t performed so astonishingly well after returning to the Wen Family, he would not have regarded her with any importance. He would not have paid much attention to this young lady, and would not have discovered that she was not just a simple lass.
The more he uncovered about Miss Wen, the more he realized that Wen Haowen was no match for this extremely astute and scheming young lady.
It was just a matter of time before she took control of the Wen Family!
As a result, he had patiently accumulated his resources, just waiting for the right opportunity.
And his opportunity had finally arrived today.
Wen Xinya gave an ambiguous smile. “Manager Xue is such a capable person. With your talents, it is not a difficult thing at all to stay at the Wen Corporation until retirement.”
Xue Yishan’s casual comment held three layers of meaning.
He pointed out that he had been with the Wen Corporation for 15 years, to show her just how devoted he was!
He pointed out that he wished to remain with the Wen Corporation until retirement, to show her that as ambitious as he was, he would remain loyal to her.
Xue Yishan was now volunteering himself to her.
He was willing to join her side and carry out tasks for her.
He was indeed a smart man who knew when to advance and when to retreat. He had ambitions but knew his own place. If she took him to her side now, he would definitely become her most loyal sidekick in the time to come.
“Miss Wen thinks too highly of me. The Wen Corporation belongs to the Wen Family and my future here depends on whether Miss Wen will allow me a bite of the pie.” Xue Yishan also very astute and could hear the hidden query behind Wen Xinya’s words. Hence, he instantly seized the opportunity.
Actually, he had more or less predicted Wen Xinya’s attitude. Her entry into the board was the first step toward her taking control of the Wen Corporation. She was no longer willing to assume other roles within the company. The only reason Wen Xinya was not participating in management duties right away was just to lower Wen Haowen’s guard against her.
This did not mean she would not be taking the opportunity to gather people to her side. According to his observations of Wen Xinya, the jewelry design department was already under her control. She also had her own camp within the board.
The marketing and sales department was one of the core parts of the Wen Corporation. It was akin to a juicy piece of meat on the table eyed by everyone, eagerly hoping to take a bite. Was it possible she would not share the same desire?
Of course not.
Therefore, there was no way she would reject his olive branch.
Wen Xinya said in a mild voice, “Since Manager Xue wishes to have a bite of the pie, will you be offering something of equal worth in return?”
Her statement to the media on the day of the board introduction ceremony was meant to lull Wen Haowen into a false sense of security. Others might not have believed in her little performance, but Wen Haowen would. He was now even more guarded against Ning Shuqian than her due to Yang Ziyu’s instigation. Moreover, he truly believed that as long as he could assume control of the entertainment city project, he would be able to take over the entire Wen Corporation after the project was successfully completed.
Therefore, the entertainment city project remained the key.
And his foremost target for the project now was Ning Shuqian, who had been keeping so many secrets from him.
Meanwhile, Wen Xinya also planned to make use of Wen Haowen and Ning Shuqian’s conflict to widen her power base within the Wen Corporation.
The marketing and sales department had always been one of the core parts of the Wen Corporation. Since Xue Yishan had made the first move to offer his hand, she would definitely not reject him.