In the early morning, a veil of mist hung in the air, creating a picturesque and dreamlike panorama under the sunlight, as if one were in a heavenly realm.
Li Haochen woke up early to find Murong Yanran meticulously preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
"Why didn't you sleep in a bit longer?"
Murong Yanran simply smiled in response, not answering his question.
"Will you accompany me back to the company later?"
"Sure." Li Haochen replied without hesitation, his response crisp and decisive.
After breakfast, Li Haochen deliberately changed into his Prada suit, his intention clear: he wouldn't let Murong Yanran down.
Murong Yanran drove smoothly into the underground parking lot of the Binhai Grand Hotel. As they exited the car and walked through the lobby, many employees were whispering in corners. All the hotel staff knew their new boss was just a twenty-year-old girl, and many were filled with concern about the future.
What's more, a few high-ranking managers, relying on their status as old guards, were forming factions and showing signs of rebellion.
"Manager Fu, Director Ran has just returned, and she has a man with her. He looks about her age."
"Oh… it seems she's at her wit's end. And rightly so, the hotel can't last much longer. Relying only on guest rooms and the water park, how long can it survive? The Mu family, though they've lost their major backer, is still dominant for now. If they give the word, our hotel won't even have a single fish. What will we serve the customers? If there's nothing to eat, who will come? Heh heh!" Fu Qiankun stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out at the long coastline, a triumphant smile spreading across his face. Mu Zhengtao had approached him, promising certain conditions: if the Binhai Hotel collapsed, he would receive 30 million.
"Manager Fu, if the hotel goes bankrupt, we don't benefit either. We'll have to find new jobs."
"Heh heh, you don't understand. You've always followed me. Don't worry, as long as I have something to eat, you won't be left out. You can go out now."
Li Haochen had been frowning all the way until they entered Murong Yanran's office.
"Yanran, I find your employees very strange. They hardly greet you, their own boss, and when we passed by those senior managers' offices, they just glanced over."
"Those three-dynasty veterans, you understand…" Murong Yanran forced a wry smile. Facing internal strife and external pressure, coupled with her lack of experience, she felt somewhat distressed.
"Three-dynasty veterans can indeed be troublesome, relying on their seniority to bully others. Their connections below are still quite solid. Do they also hold shares in the hotel?"
"No, our family has always held a hundred percent of the shares. We just allocate a considerable amount of money each year to reward them."
Li Haochen slapped his thigh loudly and burst into laughter, "Yanran, if that's the case, what do you have to fear?"
"Are you suggesting…?"
Li Haochen nodded, "The world is round; it turns without anyone. Sometimes decisive and swift action is an effective method. The kind are easily bullied, and the good-natured are easily taken advantage of. Go all out; otherwise, your parents' hard work will be squandered by them."
Murong Yanran closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair, Li Haochen's words replaying in her mind. When she opened her eyes, she seemed transformed, her gaze resolute.
She picked up the desk phone and spoke in a calm tone, "Notify all managers and above to convene in the conference room in ten minutes."
Her secretary, having just received the call, blinked in surprise. "Why does she seem different today?" Without overthinking, she quickly relayed the notification to each department.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Uh, you've got a bit of a domineering CEO vibe now, hahaha!"
"You sit here for a while; I'll go prepare." Murong Yanran smiled and walked out with a newfound confidence.
Just as she reached the doorway, Li Haochen called out, "Go ahead with confidence; I've already figured out a way for you, a way to break through the Mu family's blockade."
Murong Yanran turned around, embraced Li Haochen, and gave him a passionate kiss. "Wait for me to return."
Soon after, Murong Yanran walked into the conference room with a smile, her demeanor like that of a girl next door, utterly harmless.
Those who arrived earlier exchanged glances, unable to decipher her intentions and looking at her with bewildered curiosity.
The so-called three-dynasty veterans arrived fashionably late, offering various excuses such as stomachaches or toothaches. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that they were deliberately showing disrespect to the new boss, essentially telling Murong Yanran that they were in charge here.
Murong Yanran merely cast a calm glance at them, showing no displeasure, her smile still in place.
"Since everyone is here, then we..."
"Yanran, my stomach is still not feeling well. I'm going home to rest. You can have Xiaolin inform me of the meeting's content later." Fu Qiankun interrupted Murong Yanran and stood up directly, showing no regard for her.
As Fu Qiankun stood up, it was as if they had coordinated. More than a third of the people in the conference hall also stood up, offering similar excuses.
The rest, who remained seated, made no sound, becoming mere spectators. Internally, they cheered, relishing the live drama of a power struggle, something rarely witnessed.
Murong Yanran paid no attention to those who stood up. She began idly playing with the nail polish Li Haochen had applied for her the previous night. As Fu Qiankun reached the doorway, she said casually, "Since Manager Fu is unwell, please rest well. You won't have to worry about the hotel anymore."
Fu Qiankun froze, his stepping leg halted mid-air. He turned around, glaring at Murong Yanran, "What do you mean by that?"
Murong Yanran stopped playing with her fingers, looked up at Fu Qiankun without a trace of fear, her demeanor completely changed from the harmless girl to that of a domineering CEO.
Murong Yanran looked at Fu Qiankun, then surveyed everyone present before stating calmly, "It seems you've forgotten that I own a hundred percent of this hotel."
"Bang—"
Suddenly, Murong Yanran slammed the table forcefully, her presence commanding and her voice thunderous, "This place belongs to me. When did you have the right to run wild here? If you behave yourselves and treat me with sincerity, I will welcome you with open arms, and you will never lack for anything as long as I have it. But if you harbor ulterior motives, don't blame me for being impolite."
Instantly, the entire conference room fell silent, everyone exchanging bewildered glances.
Fu Qiankun, enraged, was about to react when Murong Yanran cut him off, "That's enough, don't stand there blocking the air. Go to finance to settle your wages. Considering you've served the hotel for so many years, I'll compensate you with six months' salary."
"You… you…"
"What 'you'? If you don't leave, I'll call security to escort you out."
"Fine, fine, very good. Without seafood, let's see how you manage to stay afloat. Let's go."
After Fu Qiankun and his entourage left, Murong Yanran reverted to her harmless demeanor. However, no one present dared to harbor any other thoughts; they all sat upright, awaiting Murong Yanran's instructions.
Murong Yanran surveyed the room with satisfaction and nodded.