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Li Yan didn't go to the company at noon because he had to visit Yue Yao in the hospital, so he went in the afternoon.

As soon as Li Yan started work, he asked everyone to submit the analysis results he had assigned yesterday afternoon. Since this was the first task after becoming manager and the timeframe was tight, everyone still completed it seriously. Looking at the various research analyses on Qiao Pan from different angles, he needed to review them carefully and assess them with everyone.

Regarding him as the manager, after working for a day, or rather half a day, before starting a half-day absenteeism, others had no grounds to say anything, but Jiang Xueyin couldn't hold back. Because she was Zhang Yurong's cousin and one of the few who knew Li Yan's identity, this gave her the courage to speak directly to him, although not publicly.

While he was diligently reviewing the report in his manager's office, Jiang Xueyin entered without knocking, closed the door, and sat opposite him, speaking seriously regardless if he was putting on a show or genuinely reviewing documents:

"Brother-in-law, you used to enjoy an easy time in other departments because others were managing. Now that you are the top leader of Heavenly Film, you can't have the same work attitude anymore. Working half a day and then skipping half a day, what kind of impact will this have on the company? How will other colleagues see you? As they say, if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked. If you, the general manager, don't set a good example, everyone will become lazier! Are you living up to my cousin's heavy trust?"

Li Yan continued reviewing the report and ignored her nagging.

Seeing his attitude, Jiang Xueyin assumed he was pretending and showed disdain towards her. Unable to hold back, she became even angrier, "Don't forget. Though you are the general manager now, you got promoted due to my cousin's connections. If you don't strive harder, not only will you disgrace yourself, but you'll also bring disgrace to my cousin and make her lose her authority..."

Out of consideration for Zhang Yurong, Li Yan ignored her, not expecting her to persist. He had no choice but to raise his head and calmly say to Jiang Xueyin, "Ms. Jiang, don't assume you can act arrogantly because you were arranged here through your cousin's connections. This is a company, please address me as manager. Also, you're not qualified to point fingers at me. Get out and do your own work properly! If there's a next time, I'll dismiss you first!"

After saying this, he waved his hand and resumed reviewing the report.

This left Jiang Xueyin stunned at first. Knowing Li Yan was Zhang Yurong's husband, she looked into his past and found that people had created a lazy image of him during his time in the business department. So she saw it as Zhang Yurong arranging this position for her to properly monitor and supervise Li Yan's work. Unexpectedly, after exercising her authority for the first time and especially right after his absenteeism, she was lectured by him instead, making her extremely frustrated.

"You... you... how dare you say such a thing! Hmph, let's see if you get dismissed first or if I do!" Jiang Xueyin did not say any harsh words to his face. After expressing her anger, she stomped away.

Watching the office door close, Li Yan frowned slightly, recalling what Qiao Huanxuan said last night.

'Others say nicely that you can save yourself decades of striving, but in harsh words, they'll say you're living off someone else. Do you have a position in the Yu Family? Facing their relatives and friends, do you feel any pressure? Won't your parents feel pressured in front of your in-laws? It's not just you; your whole family will bear immense pressure! Will that bring happiness?'

Because Qiao Huanxuan was unaware of Zhang Yurong's situation, she spoke about his future with Yu Xiaodi last night. In fact, isn't his current situation with Zhang Yurong exactly like this?

Fortunately, Zhang Yurong's attitude was good. Even during the initial months when their relationship was cold, she felt that Li Yan was helping her, although there was some frustration at his lack of accomplishment at work, she didn't express disdain. Her parents, Zhang Tianyi and Yang Yun, also maintained good attitudes. Zhang Tianyi insisted on him as the chosen son-in-law, and except for having high expectations, there was no pressure. Yang Yun was well-meaning for her only daughter, never imposing harsh demands on Li Yan. Her requirements weren't high, hoping the two would complement each other, with Li Yan being a homemaker supporting the strong-willed Yurong.

But now Jiang Xueyin was exactly representing the in-laws' side, subconsciously looking down on this incompetent brother-in-law relying on her cousin.

After considering this, Li Yan then smiled. These conceptual issues are common; if you're incompetent and rely solely on connections, it's natural to be looked down upon!

For instance, in 'their' organization, if a member lacks capability and performs poorly, even if both instructors Yan Ping and Qi Zhongtao give high evaluations, or even if Queen strongly supports them, they won't gain his recognition. His current situation is the same; without presenting any results, it's understandable if others look down on him.

He calmed himself and continued reviewing the investigation reports.

...

Before Li Yan could finish reading the report, the office phone rang. Picking it up, he heard it was from the president's office.

Soon, Zhang Yurong's voice came through: "Li Yan... how are things going at the new company?"

Hearing her emotionless tone, Li Yan couldn't help but laugh: "I say, my dear, you're usually quite direct, why are you asking so indirectly?"

"What dear... it sounds awful!" Zhang Yurong huffed lightly.

"Huh? If not dear, should I call you madam? Mrs.? Or wife? The mother of our..."

"Be serious! In the company, you should call me President Zhang!"

Wasn't that just what he had told Jiang Xueyin earlier? But Li Yan didn't care, he laughed and said, "You called me Li Yan first. If you called me Manager Li, I'd reciprocate with President Zhang. Alright, seriously... since you spoke so indirectly, I'll be indirect with you too."

"How was I indirect?"

Li Yan could imagine her frowning slightly, and he laughed directly: "Actually, you called for two reasons. On the surface, you wanted to ask why I bullied your cousin; deeper down, you wanted to know where I went last night, why I didn't come home, and made you wait so late... yet you asked how my work was going, isn't that too fake? I'm being polite by calling it indirect."

"Hmph! As for Xueyin, I was going to ask about it anyway, you're the one going off on a tangent. As for where you went last night, why would I care? Who waited for you? As the president, appointing you, an irresponsible guy, as manager, how is asking about your work situation fake? I'm just concerned about your work capability!" Being called out directly, Yurong retorted angrily.

"Reporting to the highest officer! These three issues are actually just one. I didn't come home last night and didn't come to work this morning because I was mixed in with some filmmakers. In fact, after work last night, they invited me to dinner, and after that, we went to a nightclub. Of course, we weren't just playing; we discussed business. I drank too much, so I had a headache in the morning, and after going home to shower and change, I went to the hospital."

Zhang Yurong was a little surprised. She didn't expect him to admit going to the nightclub so proactively, so she believed him without much thought.

After finishing, Li Yan added: "You're my wife, so I explain to you, but Jiang Xueyin is just your cousin. In the company, she's my subordinate. I don't need to explain to her, and she has no right to lecture me. So even if she complains to you about how I bullied her, I won't care. If she doesn't change her attitude, I'll certainly fire her. As for my work, could I have any achievements now? And if on my second day at work, you as the president interfere, then what do you need me for? I'm the general manager of Heavenly Film. Until you replace me, this is my turf, and everything here is under my control!"

"…"

Zhang Yurong was a little shocked. Given her understanding of both sides, she could guess a bit about Jiang Xueyin's issue. She didn't really mind, just wanted to tell Li Yan to be accommodating, considering she's still young and not to bicker with the girl. She didn't expect Li Yan to say such things, especially implying that she was using her president status inappropriately.

In truth, a company is like a "person." After the founder establishes it, it's like the birth of a baby. But as the company grows, it becomes an independent "person." Even if the founder is its parent, they can't completely control it. Regardless of being the major shareholder, they can't say the company is entirely theirs, especially not in a public limited liability context. This is theoretical, of course, but typically, people assume this perspective, with the big boss representing the company.

The same goes for Paradise Group. Though it has many shareholders, the controlling big boss is founder Zhang Tianyi, and people habitually think of the company as belonging to the Zhang Family. As Zhang Tianyi's successor, Zhang Yurong also represents her family. But now Li Yan claims this subsidiary is his territory, and everything is under his control!

Essentially, that's how it should be. Each company and each department has a person in charge reporting upwards. Yet no department head would speak to the president like this, as it would imply managing personal power!

Zhang Yurong's surprise wasn't due to his attitude, nor concern over him viewing Heavenly Film as his personal playground, but rather that Li Yan was taking such responsibility! Saying such things signified he truly saw himself as a leader, bearing a sense of responsibility, something he never showed in previous roles.

"You're right, just after taking office, it's not about achievements. I will give you time. Indeed, for now, it's your territory. You have the right to manage anyone and anything, and I won't interfere as president. But I must remind you, as a manager, there are issues to pay attention to, just as I, as president, must comply with corporate regulations and accept supervision." After this, feeling it rare for him to show such responsibility, Zhang Yurong encouraged him a bit: "Um... Li Yan, I believe in your capability, and I look forward to your achievements! Don't let me down!"

After hanging up the phone, Li Yan smiled. Yurong had always been strict with high standards and demands, and everyone held a respectful awe for her. He didn't expect that she had come to understand encouraging others and using gentle charisma. (To be continued, for more please visit www.qidian.com, support the authors, support legitimate reading!)

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