Road to Revival

Lü Qi visited Li Suyi at the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital, but her words of comfort were futile; she couldn't truly understand Li Suyi's despair. Lü Qi took out all the money she had—a total of 750 yuan—and gave it to Li Suyi's sister as a small token of her concern. Li Suyi's sister, Li Suying, also an employee of Hongxing, pulled Lü Qi outside the ward and made a request: "Director Lü, you're my sister's friend, could you perhaps put in a good word with the factory and have them negotiate with the other party?"

"Negotiation is settling things privately. You should understand that they have already broken the law."

"My family has already contacted the district government through connections, and the police are also investigating. A relative of my brother-in-law works at the Forestry Bureau, and he said... this matter might be difficult to resolve..."

"What's so difficult about it? I don't believe there's no law. This is a murder case, I can help you find a lawyer, you won't lose the case. And the media, those people are most afraid of media exposure. Let me think about the relationship with the media."

"It was the demolition company that killed my brother-in-law, not Donghu Industry. I heard that the demolition company is full of thugs and they're not easy to mess with... Since my brother-in-law started it, someone on the other side is also hospitalized... The family discussed it and decided that it would be better to get more compensation."

Her tone was exactly the same as Sun Dunquan's. Lü Qi said discontentedly, "Criminal prosecution cannot replace civil compensation. Do you understand? We absolutely cannot take the initiative to seek peace with them now."

"Even if we go to court, it'll be the factory that handles it, right? No one in my family can speak to anyone in higher-ups. Could you talk to the factory about it?"

"Sure. I can't guarantee it will work. Suying, you need to talk to your sister and tell her to think more positively and not to hurt herself... If she has any financial difficulties, tell me and I'll do my best to help."

"The demolition company did pay 5,000 yuan for my hospitalization... They said my brother-in-law started it, so don't try to extort any money from them." Li Suying seemed hesitant and submissive.

After returning from the hospital, Lü Qi went straight to the legal office. Instead of seeking out the deputy director and her old classmate Han Ruilin, she knocked on the door of director Zhao Zhenghong's office. The door opened, and Zhao Zhenghong, nicknamed "Big-Faced Cat" for his round face, was talking to two clearly visiting guests.

"Please wait a moment, I need to speak with Director Lü for a few minutes." Zhao Zhenghong pulled Lü Qi to Han Ruilin's office, but Han Ruilin was not there.

"It's so annoying! I'm constantly embroiled in lawsuits. This job is no good. What's up?"

"Zheng Hong, have you heard about what happened to Li Suyi's family?"

"The one who was beaten to death on Huajin Road?"

"Yes, his wife was my classmate in middle school."

"What do you mean?"

"I only have a superficial understanding of the law. In his situation, where he was forcibly evicted and even lost his life, what would be the outcome if he pursued legal channels?"

"have no idea."

"How could I not know? You're a lawyer." Lü Qi and Zhao Zhenghong were among the few female cadres in Red Star Company and had some personal relationship, so she didn't hold back in her words.

"There are many such cases, you must have noticed, but it's rare to see one resulting in death. This is because the circumstances are quite complex, and it's often classified as manslaughter. Also, things are different now than in the past; even if the victim doesn't cause trouble, the prosecutor's office will most likely file a public prosecution."

"Can the factory produce noodles?"

"Impossible. Because this didn't happen at the workplace, and even if it were in the living area, we wouldn't intervene; that's our principle."

"What kind of principles are these? It's our own employees who died. Didn't you guys step in when Yang Wenhuan's relative got into that mess?"

"Then go find General Manager Luo. If he gives the order, I'll do it. However, even if the factory intervenes, it won't be a good outcome. You know that demolition companies have powerful backers." Luo Chong is the chief economist of Hongxing Company, in charge of legal affairs and the development planning department. He is their common superior.

Zhao Zhenghong knew that Lü Qi wouldn't go to Luo Chong. Red Star is a small company; news from the upper echelons might not reach the lower levels, but it couldn't be hidden from the law. Zhao Zhenghong had heard that Luo Chong had once "pursued" Lü Qi, causing Lü Qi to avoid her immediate superior as much as possible.

Sure enough, Lü Qi immediately shook her head, "I'm asking you as a friend, I'm not going to ask him."

"I really can't help. And I don't have the time. You see, there are two debt collectors sitting in the room. How can I have the energy to deal with this kind of thing? We owe them tens of millions for materials and they want to sue our factory. But Secretary Zhao gave a strict order that we must not let them sue. We have to wait until the new boss takes office."

"You've heard?"

"How can this kind of thing be kept secret? The higher-ups should have sent someone down a long time ago." Zhao Zhenghong pulled a cigarette from the pack lying on the table, lit it, and said, "Hurry up and get in place, at least the new boss can bring some funds. By the way, I heard the new boss is from the Red Star family, do you know him?"

Lü Qi lied, "No, I don't know him."

She knew Tao Tang. Not only did she know him, but Tao Tang was her unrequited first love. Although she never had the chance to confess her feelings, even after more than twenty years apart, she still couldn't forget her former deskmate.

Who could have predicted it? He returned to his homeland as the top leader of Red Star. She became his subordinate. But did he even remember her?

That night, Lü Qi couldn't sleep. Lying in the darkness, the image of that boy flickered before her eyes. Twenty-five years had passed since their last silent exchange of glances under the lilac tree in front of the teaching building, and she hadn't seen him again. He hadn't attended either of their two class reunions during that time. Because of him, Lü Qi paid extra attention to the headquarters' *Brilliant News*, the group's internal newspaper, hoping to see news about him there. The last "official" report about him was his departure from Shengdong Company; the phrase "reassigned elsewhere" indicated that the rumors of him being investigated for disciplinary violations were untrue. Of course, she later learned that he had become the director of the Policy Research Office at headquarters, a position that had little to do with Red Star… She had hoped to see him "in a high position" on some occasion, and the only chance she had was when she and Song Yue went to the Beijing headquarters. After their business was finished, General Manager Song asked her to go with him to the Policy Research Office to "visit" him, but he happened to be away, having gone on a research trip with his superiors…

The next day, as soon as Lü Qi arrived at work with slightly swollen eyes, she was summoned by Party Secretary Zhao Qingmin.

"Please sit down, Xiao Lü..."

She felt embarrassed by the nickname "Xiao Lü". She was no longer young, but her superiors still habitually called her "Xiao Lü".

"What instructions does the secretary have?"

"Haha, I didn't give any instructions." Zhao Qingmin, looking like a Maitreya Buddha, gestured to the swivel chair in front of the table. "Sit down, it'll be easier to talk if you sit down. Xiao Lü, headquarters has confirmed the company's leader..."

Her heart started pounding. Even though Sun Dunquan had already warned her, her heart still couldn't keep up.

"Last night, the group's human resources department called me... You know what? This time, it's General Manager Tao who's taking on this heavy responsibility, the former Director Tao Tang of the headquarters' policy research office... His achievements at Shengdong are obvious to all, this is the headquarters' concern for us. With General Manager Tao in place, I can finally relax."

It was true! Lü Qi understood that Secretary Zhao was referring to the headquarters' human resources department, not the company's HR department. The company's HR department probably hadn't received official confirmation yet. Sun Dunquan's words didn't count, and Zhao Zhenghong's information wasn't authoritative either.

"I heard you and Mr. Tao were classmates?"

"We were classmates for a year in high school..." Lü Qi couldn't hide it from the Party Secretary. But she was very curious; where did the Party Secretary get this information? Red Star is really small; nothing can be kept secret.

"He should arrive tonight. I called you here to assist the general manager's office with the reception arrangements. You know Mr. Tao's hobbies better than they do... By the way, don't tell anyone else about this yet."

"I have no idea about his lifestyle..." Lu Qi blurted out.

"I believe you." Secretary Zhao waved his hand. "Don't worry about the banquet tonight; that's the factory office's business. Prepare accommodation for General Manager Tao—a small one, of course. There's no time to renovate the room, but you need to buy new household items. You're in charge of that. Women are supposed to be meticulous. You'll also attend the welcome dinner tonight."

"I think I'll pass. It wouldn't be appropriate."

"What's inappropriate about it? If I say it's appropriate, then it's appropriate."

The secretary's orders must be carried out. Lü Qi put down her work and went to the Second Branch of the Red Star Hotel. The company had two guesthouses, commonly known as the "Big Guesthouse" and the "Small Guesthouse." The official name of the smaller guesthouse was the Second Branch of the Red Star Hotel, which had been renovated to four-star standards two years ago. It only catered to company VIPs and was not open to the public. This caused much discussion among the employees, who said that the company's profits were declining and they were almost unable to pay wages, yet they had money to build up such a grand building. The complaints were reported, and the group headquarters sent an investigation team to investigate the matter, but nothing came of it.

Xiao Zhao had already received instructions and was thoroughly cleaning the innermost luxury suite on the third floor. Hotel manager Wang Dabing and Jia Jianxin, the deputy director of the general manager's office in charge of hotel operations, were supervising the operation. Upon seeing Lü Qi, the two went to greet her. "Director Lü, Secretary Zhao has already made a call. You can decide on the amenities for the suite; I'm just responsible for paying for it. The car is outside," Jia Jianxin said.

"I have no experience..." Lu Qi glanced into the room, where three hotel staff members in pink uniforms were cleaning the room, and there was a pile of used sheets and blankets at the door.

"This is the list I prepared. Please check if anything is missing. Let's go to the city to buy it now." The thin Jia Jianxin took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Lü Qi.

Lü Qi glanced at it and saw that it was densely written down. In addition to bedding and sanitary ware, it listed a complete set of furniture and appliances, even coffee makers and juicers. And that wasn't all; there were even clothes listed.

"Do we need to buy clothes too?"

"It's never a bad thing to be polite. I withdrew 10 from the finance department, and if that's not enough, I'll use the hotel's money to cover it. By the way," Jia Jianxin lowered his voice, "Secretary Zhao said that since you know the new boss's build, you'll have to decide on his clothing size."

"How would I know if he's fat or thin? Who told me that?"

"Secretary Zhao said you two were classmates... You must know your height, right?"

"It's been over twenty years since we last met. We were just kids back then."

"Well, you're more knowledgeable than us. Just look at Section Chief Fan; you know how to dress a man... We're pressed for time, let's hurry up and go." Jia Jianxin seemed preoccupied.

Lü Qi and Jia Jianxin went to the city to buy supplies. Besides their Passat, two pickup trucks followed behind, used to transport furniture and appliances. Everything needed to be settled today; tonight, the "new owners" of Red Star Company would move in.

While browsing through a row of boutiques on Taoyuan Road Pedestrian Street, Lü Qi felt a huge chasm between herself and Tao Tang. Her once cheerful, enthusiastic, intelligent, and active classmate was probably gone forever; Tao Tang was now the chairman and general manager of a large state-owned factory with 22000 full-time employees and fixed assets of 210 billion yuan.

Secrets are meant to be spread. While buying appliances at the Suning Appliance flagship store, Lü Qi received no fewer than ten phone calls, all about the same thing: inquiries about Tao Tang. Most of the callers were mid-level managers at Hongxing, some at the division chief level and others at the section chief level. They were inexplicably excited about Tao Tang's "parachute appointment," as if they had finally welcomed a relative.

"...You are one of the best among us. You must take the lead. We should invite President Tao to dinner as classmates," Han Ruilin requested.

"I don't have that much influence. You overestimate me." Thinking of Han Ruilin's character, Lü Qi sighed inwardly.