Having achieved financial freedom, I reorganized my workplace.

Chapter 115 At Any Cost (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

As August arrived, Sui County experienced extreme heat, and the company's projects decreased sharply. Lin Chen became completely idle, with at most two start-up procedures to complete each day. He was not assigned any supervisory work, and his days were leisurely and carefree.

During this period, Lin Chen and Tang Xin essentially lived together for a while and developed a rather deep bedroom friendship. However, after seeing an acquaintance at the door one time, Tang Xin stopped coming over as often.

However, she still can't help but come over every weekend evening to clean up, and she lives a fulfilling life.

The situation with his ex-girlfriend Chen Ya is more complicated.

After Lin Chen left the office, she was basically the only key person left in the office.

Lin Chen also gave her that job. Although it was a well-known fact in the company that she was big-breasted and capable, she was still a woman after all. When faced with those complicated messes, she always felt powerless and overwhelmed.

Last week, the provincial company's production planning department issued a notice stating that next month they would conduct random inspections of 20 companies at various levels.

The water loss rate of each water supply center is ranked and published. The top three centers will be commended, while the bottom three centers will have their performance bonuses reduced and will be required to submit a written review.

It's the same old trick again. The provincial company loves to conduct these superficial spot checks, calling them "random." Who knows if there's anything fishy going on behind the scenes? It just makes the people below them live in fear and anxiety.

Song Jiehui and Lin Chunhua held a hurried meeting to discuss the plan, and finally decided to have Chen Yaxian lead a team to check the water loss rate at various water supply centers.

Chen Ya also worked tirelessly with several newcomers for many days, finally collecting the water loss rates of the various water supply stations. However, when she saw the shocking numbers, she felt a tightness in her chest, and her chest even ached slightly.

How is she supposed to report this data?

The actual water loss rate is vastly different from the data reported in previous years. The Bayang Water Supply Station, which ranked first last year, had an actual water loss rate that soared to 24%, but its report last year clearly stated 12%.

This isn't data processing; it's creating data out of thin air.

While the differences among the other stations weren't as significant, many of them were still overstating their figures. The two best stations, Balu and Liangou, had water loss rates of 13% and 14% respectively. Although these figures weren't bad, they were still unacceptable in the entire province.

This data made Chen Ya feel a tightness in her chest and pain in her ribs. She was in so much pain that she called Director Fei of the Bayang Water Supply Station and questioned him: "Director Fei, I want to ask you, what exactly caused your water loss rate to drop from 12% in just six months?"

"It's dropped to 24%. When my supervisor asks me about it, I can explain."

Director Fei gave a helpless, bitter smile: "Well, Sister Ya, this... I don't want to lie to you. Everyone knows that the previous data was all fabricated."

Chen Ya almost choked on her breath, angrily shouting, "You guys are shameless! Changing 24% to 12%, there's a limit to falsification, isn't there? This isn't just crossing the line, it's outright transgression! You're willing to disregard everything for your political achievements? Now, I can't even cover up this mess for you. What are you going to do about it?"

Director Fei did not refute Chen Ya's words: "It is indeed shameless, but there is no other way, Sister Ya. I only became the director of Bayang Station last year. And as you should know, Bayang Station has the highest water loss rate in the county every year. It can't become the worst when I become the director, so I can only report 12%. I was forced to do it. Please understand."

Chen Ya's face darkened completely: "I don't care who was in charge before, now you're the one who calls the shots at the Bayang Institute. If there's a problem, I'll only come to you! If you keep messing things up like this, you'll ruin yourselves sooner or later."

Director Fei sighed and then spoke frankly, "Sister Ya, to be honest, we really didn't want to fabricate this data anymore, because we just couldn't keep going. The discrepancies in the data were too great. You probably don't know, but we've spent countless sleepless nights and produced so many fake documents just to create this data. We're completely exhausted."

Chen Ya immediately replied, "If you really don't want to do this anymore, why don't you just go and tell Director Lin and Director Song about the problem yourself?"

"How could I dare!"

Director Fei said calmly, "Well, I do have some personal motives. I knew I couldn't hide it from you when the leaders sent you to investigate. I also know that everyone is fabricating things. The law doesn't punish everyone, right? As long as everyone is fake, I won't have any problems. If my own leader were to say something, he would skin me alive."

The people at Xinhai Company are all shrewd; everyone knows this is wrong, but no one can be the first to break the "rules." They can only follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and continue down the wrong path in unison.

Often, a false statistic may initially appear close to the truth, but once the lie begins, it's impossible to stop. The following year's data must be inflated layer by layer on top of last year's false data. Day after day, year after year, the false data snowballs until it completely contradicts reality and becomes so inflated that it bursts at the slightest touch.

It can only be said that Director Fei is very smart. His idea is completely correct. The data in their institute is actually on the verge of collapse and is about to cause a disaster. He must take advantage of Chen Ya's investigation to make it explode.

Chen Ya hung up the phone, slumped down at her desk, stared at the glaring numbers on the computer screen, and felt a chill run through her body.

What she was holding in her hand wasn't data; it was clearly a bomb that could explode at any moment.

Reporting the truth would offend all the heads of the water supply stations, as well as leaders like Song Jiehui and Lin Chunhua who like to whitewash the situation. If she continued to falsify data as in previous years, she would be the first to suffer if the provincial company's spot check exposed the truth.

After much thought, she couldn't find a solution that satisfied both sides.

The office was empty, and the cicadas chirping outside the window were so noisy that it was irritating. She suddenly thought of Lin Chen's handsome face, the man who could always find the most tricky and effective way to break the deadlock in a mess.

But this man is now a director, would he still care about his own life or death?

Chen Ya wanted to call Lin Chen, but after thinking it over, she felt that some things were better said in person. Or perhaps it was that inexplicable feeling in her heart that was causing her trouble; she just wanted to see him.

After much hesitation, she finally got up and moved unsteadily to the door of Lin Chen's office. When she raised her hand to knock, her voice trembled slightly without her realizing it: "Director Lin."

"Please come in."

Lin Chen looked up and saw her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Ever since he was promoted and transferred, their interactions have become as faint as a cup of stale tea. He really couldn't figure out what his ex-girlfriend's intentions were in suddenly visiting and closing the door behind her.

They won't use force, will they? It's too stimulating.

Lin Chen poured her a glass of water without making a sound, and spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of businesslike detachment: "Comrade Chen Ya came to see me. Is there something Director Tang has to instruct you on, or is there some business to discuss?"

Chen Ya met his gaze, biting her lower lip, and hesitated for a long time before speaking in a hoarse voice: "It's not business, it's my own matter. I can't figure it out, so I came to ask Director Lin for advice."

Lin Chen sat up straight, his expression resolute: "If you trust me, just say so. I will do everything in my power to help you, without holding back a single word."

Hearing this, Chen Yafang's heart trembled, her delicate body shook violently, and she quickly recounted the whole story about the water loss rate, from the provincial company's inspection notice to the outrageous 24% at Bayang Station, and then to Director Fei's heartfelt words. Finally, her voice hoarse, she asked, "What should I do now? If I report it falsely, something bad will happen sooner or later. If I report it truthfully, I'm afraid I'll be hated by everyone in the company, and it will probably be difficult for me to work here in the future."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen showed no sign of seriousness. Instead, he sneered, his eyes filled with mockery: "Chen Ya, after all these years in this office, how come you still haven't figured out one thing? Simps never have a good ending. Zhang Junmin, have you forgotten?"

"Then what do you think I can do?" Chen Ya's voice was choked with sobs.

"It's very simple." Lin Chen's tone suddenly turned serious, yet firm and resolute. "Take the real data you have and, at next week's briefing, tell the truth, word by word."

Chen Ya was taken aback, then hesitated: "Should I tell the truth? Will Director Song and Director Lin let me off the hook? And what about those water supply station directors? If I offend them, won't they skin me alive?"

"They won't let you off the hook?" Lin Chen sneered. "You think they'll forgive you if you submit false data and the provincial company finds out? You'll be the scapegoat, taking all the blame. As for those department heads... they know better than anyone that this lie can't be covered up anymore. By revealing the truth, you might seem like you're overturning the table, but you're actually helping them get out of trouble. They'll only be grateful to you. Think about it yourself, what's more important?"

Seeing that Chen Ya was still processing what was happening, Lin Chen leaned closer and added, "Let me be frank, I can tell you this clearly, but when it comes to taking responsibility, no leader will protect you. They'll run away faster than anyone else. What happened to Tan Huasheng back then? Wasn't he just a pawn? If you tell the truth now and put the problem on the table, whether you live or die, you'll have to drag a group of people down with you. It's better than you taking it all on yourself. Besides, I don't think it's a bad thing for you to speak up. After all, Director Song likes to get straight to the point. Don't take it upon yourself to report to Director Lin. I don't think he's very upright. He'll probably make you lie to your superiors again. In that case, you'll be caught in the middle and won't even know how you died."

His words were both piercing and perfectly reasonable.

Chen Ya looked up at Lin Chen, her eyes swirling with complex emotions—gratitude, relief, and a fleeting hint of affection she dared not delve into. But things had changed; a vast distance now separated them.

On Monday, at the company's production meeting for the directors and specialists, Chen Ya followed Lin Chen's instructions and directly stated the actual situation. The moment she finished speaking, the meeting room fell silent. Chen Ya felt completely drained, her steps were unsteady as if she were walking on cotton, and she could hardly stand up.

The directors present were all pale, as if their souls had been ripped out, and they silently put down their crossed legs.

Lin Chunhua was stunned for a moment, then quickly glanced at Song Jiehui beside her. Her face darkened abruptly, and she slammed her hand on the table in a mixture of shock and anger: "Chen Ya! Are these figures you reported accurate?!"

Chen Ya was trembling slightly, but she still gritted her teeth and answered, "It's accurate. These are all data we actually obtained from our on-site inspection."

"This is outrageous, absolutely outrageous."

Lin Chunhua's face changed in an instant. The amiable demeanor she had just displayed vanished in a flash, replaced by a menacing aura that made the air in the conference room tremble.

He deliberately paused for a full five seconds, letting the oppressive atmosphere spread, before suddenly speaking, his voice booming like a bell, carrying the force of a thunderbolt: "You lot, station chiefs, ask yourselves honestly, while you're receiving salaries from the company, have you truly fulfilled your duties? Have you lived up to Director Song's trust in you?"

The directors hung their heads, looking like wilted eggplants, silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to even breathe.

Lin Chunhua is unlike Tan Huasheng of the past. Not only is he tall, but he also speaks very loudly with a strong voice, which is like thunder.

He pointed at the crowd, spitting as he spoke: "Let me tell you, the provincial company is going to conduct a random inspection of the water loss rate of ten water supply stations across the province next month. Insider information tells me our company is 100% on the list. And look at this! The Balu station is number one, with a water loss rate soaring to 12%. The other stations are even worse. I really want to ask you, how have you been doing your jobs? Have you even put your hearts into it?! When I was in the city, I heard General Manager Zeng say that the soldiers from Sui County were all useless. Now look at you all, what kind of people are you? A bunch of good-for-nothings! Complete trash!"

These words sounded harsh, but in Lin Chen's view, they were just platitudes with no real meaning. The directors also cooperated by showing shame, like quails.

After finishing her tirade, Lin Chunhua changed the subject, adopting a somber expression as she looked at Song Jiehui and began a textbook-level self-criticism: "Director Song, I am new here and am indeed not familiar enough with the situation below, but this is by no means an excuse. Such a big problem has occurred, and I cannot shirk my responsibility. However, the most urgent task right now is to solve the problem. I would appreciate it if Director Song could offer some guidance."

Song Jiehui also said with a stern face: "To be honest, when I heard Gao Chenya say this data, I was personally quite shocked. I wasn't surprised by your water loss rate, but I was surprised by how you usually prepare your reports. Who prepared them? When did this falsification start? Your ability to fabricate data is extraordinary. It's a waste to put you in a lower position."

Song Jiehui's rhetorical questions immediately put the atmosphere in a suffocating state. It was unclear whether it was sarcasm or genuine irony, but in Lin Chen's view, the level of fraud at the grassroots level was indeed top-notch.

At this tense moment, Lin Chen spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but just loud enough for everyone to hear: "Director Song, I'm not defending anyone. This year, the company has indeed encountered many unforeseen circumstances, with drought followed by floods, and typhoons joining in. The water loss rate has increased, which is actually to be expected."

Lin Chen understood these things too well. Chen Ya raised a question, and they certainly couldn't help but be angry. Being angry was a must, but they definitely couldn't punish anyone because they knew that all the data from the water supply stations was fake. No matter who you hit, it wouldn't make a difference. If they replaced them with a new batch of people, the new ones wouldn't be much better than them.

Therefore, criticism and reprimand are just for show, merely to establish authority. The key is to address the real issues. His two sentences were a way of giving the leaders a way out, paving the way for them and easing the burden on the directors.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of relieved agreement rang out in the conference room: "Yes, yes, natural disasters and man-made calamities, there's really nothing we can do!" "This year there's been both drought and flooding, and a lot of pipelines have been damaged."

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Song Jiehui, going along with the flow, continued, "From last year to this year, the company has indeed faced many difficulties, which may have caused some impact. Objective factors certainly played a role, but subjective oversights cannot be ignored. I won't discuss who is responsible. Right now, the most important thing is how we deal with this provincial company inspection. If it's based on this latest water loss report, I don't think any of our water supply stations will be presentable for inspection. According to the latest inspection regulations, if a water supply station's water loss rate is higher than 12%, it's considered unqualified, and Director Lin and I will be summoned for a meeting. So we need to take this seriously and improve our data while we still have time. Do you have confidence?"

Upon hearing this, all the directors breathed a sigh of relief, the previous deathly atmosphere vanished, and they straightened their backs, shouting at the top of their lungs, "Yes!"

After Song Jiehui finished speaking, Lin Chunhua made another request: that the water loss rate of several institutes must be reduced to below 12% within one month.

Lin Chen knew that the 12% figure was definitely achievable. In Xinhai Group, the leader's word was law. As long as you could say it, the people below could produce it. Whatever number you wanted, that was it. As for the cost, how much manpower and resources were spent, who would care?

Anyway, the leaders only care about the results.

As for the process?

In short: at any cost.

The death of one or two people may be the price to pay.

That evening, Lin Chen had just returned home when he saw Chen Ya standing at the villa entrance, her eyes sparkling with desire.

No way, again?

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