Even at first glance, one could see the wickedness in her mind.
"Mr. Chen!"
The woman called out, realizing that Chen Tian seemed a bit lecherous and daring, as he was just staring at her so intently.
"Hmm, I know she did it on purpose, but I'll endure it," Chen Tian muttered.
The woman, feeling slightly bewildered, explained politely, "I am President Su's secretary, my name is Liu Feixue. From this moment on, you are Minister Chen. I will take you to get familiar with the environment."
The beautiful secretary led Chen Tian to the Security Department. He had expected a position like "Minister" to be grand, but there were only a dozen or so people under his command; besides five or six who actually looked like they were in charge of company safety, even the middle-aged man guarding the front door was counted among them.
Liu Feixue brought Chen Tian to the security office and announced to those inside in a loud voice: "By order of President Su, starting today, Mr. Chen is the Minister of the Security Department for our Su Group."
With that said, the people inside stood up, looking at Chen Tian at the door with confusion. Liu Feixue turned and left.
"Greetings, Minister! Welcome!" At that moment, a sycophant immediately started clapping. As for the others, they looked at Chen Tian without any reaction. Two of them even had eyes full of rage, as if they were extremely dissatisfied with him.
"Minister, where are you from?" one of them asked.
"Jiangzhou," Chen Tian replied.
"Looking at your thin arms and legs, and given how young you are, how could President Su let you be the Minister?" another added.
Chen Tian shrugged: "If I'm not mistaken, I am the Minister now. Is this how you talk to your leader?"
The two exchanged a glance and couldn't help but clench their fists.
Chen Tian waved his hand and said, "It's my first day. Give me a rundown of the situation in the Security Department."
One of them gritted his teeth and said dismissively, "I'm Zhang Jun, and he is Liu Biao. We are your deputies."
The man named Liu Biao took over, "This room is our only office. There are sixteen people in the Security Department total, seventeen with you. Two are front gate guards, two are office-floor guards, meaning only thirteen are available to respond to emergencies—such as someone causing a scene, maintaining order during important meetings, stopping internal staff fights, or fixing things when they break in the company. That’s our entire situation."
Chen Tian was stunned: "Zhang Jun? Liu Biao? You are both Deputy Ministers? There are only a dozen people, and you need two deputies?"
"These are the positions established by company regulations. Is there a problem?" they both snapped in unison.
Chen Tian sighed, feeling helpless. Although it was far from what he had imagined, he held back for the sake of the salary.
"Fine. Nothing else to do, so disperse. I'm going to find a place to rest for a while," Chen Tian waved his hand.
Zhang Jun and Liu Biao exchanged a look, walked up to Chen Tian, and said coldly, "Kid, we don't know what connections you have, but we don't accept you. The Security Department is meant to protect the company. It may be simple, but it's crucial at critical moments. We don't need an incompetent Minister who turns his brothers into a mob."
"Then what will it take for you to accept me?" Chen Tian asked curiously.
"Unless you can beat both of us. Don't worry, we'll go one by one. If you can't win, go resign to President Su yourself," the two said viciously.
Chen Tian didn't understand why they had such hostility toward him. The reason was actually quite simple: the previous Minister had been fired for embezzlement, and no one had taken his place. All the brothers had been debating for a long time about who should be the new Minister. Even though there were only a dozen people, the infighting was intense. Some supported Zhang Jun, while others supported Liu Biao. They had held countless rivalries within their small circle. Now, without any warning, a new Minister had suddenly appeared. This meant that neither of them had a chance.
Chen Tian looked at them in surprise and waved his hand, saying, "What does your approval have to do with me? You're not the ones paying my salary!"
The two men stiffened: "..."
Just then, one of the brothers ran in to report, "Deputy Minister Zhang, Deputy Minister Liu, there’s a situation at the gate. The guard doesn't know how to handle it."
Zhang Jun and Liu Biao crossed their arms, acting as if it were none of their business. "Why ask us? Can't you see there’s a new Minister right in front of you?"
"Ah?"
Chen Tian, who had just sat down, stood up again: "Let's go. Let's go out and see what's happening."
Reaching the front gate, they saw two guards refusing to lift the barrier, while the people outside were already getting restless.
"What's the situation?" Chen Tian asked.
The guard frowned: "Who are you?"
The brother quickly explained, "He is our new Minister."
"Ah, Minister! These people say they want to see President Su, but they don't have an appointment. The two men behind them are dressed strangely and are carrying knives. How could we let them in?"
"Does the company have a rule against carrying weapons?" Chen Tian asked.
"Yes, it's prohibited. No exceptions for anyone."
Chen Tian walked over, sized up the four people, and asked, "What business do you have with President Su?"
"Heh, a little security guard, why don't you get lost? I am the General Manager of Jianghong Group. I’m here to discuss confidential matters with your President Su. Do you dare listen in?" said the man in the suit and leather shoes at the front.
Chen Tian dismissed him with a look and dialed Su Wanyue’s number directly.
"I am very busy, don't cause trouble," Su Wanyue said impatiently before Chen Tian could even speak.
"Some people from Jianghong Group are at the gate to see you."
"...Hmm. Bring them up."
Su Wanyue hung up the phone. This maneuver left the other security guards dumbfounded. They had heard that Chen Tian was calling President Su directly. Usually, according to company procedure, matters they couldn't solve would be reported to the Minister, then to the front desk, then to the secretary, and finally to the President. Chen Tian had bypassed the entire process.
Chen Tian waved his hand: "You two go in. Those with weapons are not allowed."
"Those are their personal accessories. They don't go anywhere without them," the suited man scoffed.
"They aren't going in. Are you deaf?" Chen Tian was losing patience.
"Let's go, ignore him." The manager ignored Chen Tian and looked back.
Chen Tian stared coldly at the group. After the manager and the woman in front passed through, he suddenly flashed forward and blocked the path of the two men behind.
"If you're deaf, I can help treat you." Chen Tian looked at them without changing his expression.
"You're looking for death!" The two men each reached out a hand, trying to push Chen Tian aside.
Chen Tian didn't even raise his arms. A surge of power erupted from his chest muscles, and with a sharp shake, he sent them staggering back a few steps. The two exchanged a look of surprise; they had clearly realized Chen Tian had some fighting skills.
Chen Tian scanned the security guards behind him and ordered angrily, "Call all the brothers here and hack them for me!"
"Wh... what? Hack them?" The security guards behind him were stunned and at a loss.
***
Soon, all the security guards arrived. But when they heard Chen Tian telling them to charge up and hack someone, their expressions were incredibly complex. In all their years as security guards, they had never heard such an order.
Zhang Jun sneered, "You're courting death. Your first day on the job is also your last."
Liu Biao said speechlessly, "Grandstanding. This isn't how you assert your authority as a new official."
The Su Group had very strict discipline; someone like Chen Tian wouldn't last a day. They began to gloat because they didn't believe for a second that Chen Tian dared to actually hack anyone.
At this moment, the suited manager, who had already walked some distance away, turned back and roared angrily, "Where did this mad dog come from? Do you know that these two are the honored guests of our Jianghong Group? Offending them is the same as offending our Jianghong Group! Kid, I suggest you ask your President Su what she thinks before you play the dog."
"Damn it, didn't you hear me? Charge and hack them!" Chen Tian glared at the group of guards and roared again, "Those who don't charge with me will be fired after this is over!"
"..."
The crowd looked at each other, feeling a bit of fear toward their new Minister. The two men in strange clothing—no one knew where they came from—were carrying half-meter-long knives on their persons. Clearly, with the backing of Jianghong Group, they were free from any trouble.
The two veteran gate guards, hearing that they would be fired if they didn't charge, finally lifted the barrier and rushed out, brandishing their police batons.
Chen Tian added, "Company policy forbids anyone from bringing dangerous items into the building. If they want to challenge the Su Group, let them know that the Security Department is not to be trifled with!"
Hearing this, the group was actually galvanized by Chen Tian. "It's the Minister's order, what are we afraid of? Charge!"
Except for the two deputies, everyone else rushed forward. The two strangely dressed men were taken aback and pulled out their half-meter-long knives.
Just as Chen Tian reached them, ready to start a fight, a serious voice stopped them from behind: "What are you doing? Stop, all of you!"
All the security guards halted. Chen Tian turned back curiously. He recognized the person speaking: it was Su Qing, Su Wanyue’s cousin, whom he had met at the restaurant.
"You bastards, what do you think you're doing? Jianghong Group are our honored guests! Do you all want to die?" Su Qing walked over, her face full of fury, and quickly locked her gaze on Chen Tian.
"Heh, heh, heh, so it’s you. I heard you got a job at the Su Group, but I didn't expect you to end up in a job like this. I thought you might become a Vice President. A toad will always be a toad, right?" Su Qing glanced at Chen Tian with disdain, holding her head high.
Chen Tian sized her up and asked, "Is there something you need?"
"Heh, 'something I need'? All of you, including you, get out of the way! Jianghong Group are our guests. I am here personally to receive General Manager Wang. Do you have a problem with that?" Su Qing glared coldly at Chen Tian.
The suited man walked up, grinning: "Minister Su, you should really discipline the dogs in your company. They've started biting people."
"What the hell did you say?" Chen Tian couldn't tolerate this and charged toward the suited man.
The suited man was emboldened and said coldly, "Whose gatekeepers aren't dogs? Did I say anything wrong? Kid, don't be ungrateful."
Chen Tian, in a fit of rage, raised his hand to slap him, but before it landed, he felt two gusts of wind flash past. The two men in strange clothes had charged in, flanking Chen Tian. Chen Tian was forced to retreat two steps.
"Chen Tian! It's your first day, do you not want to keep this job? Are you actually trying to hit Manager Wang?" Su Qing scolded him viciously.
"Heh, I suggest you clean up your language, or I don't mind making sure you can never speak again," Chen Tian retorted coldly.
"Bastard! Are you not going to take your security guards and get out of here?" Su Qing cursed again.
Chen Tian glanced at her coldly, his expression serious: "You are a Minister, and I am a Minister. Theoretically, we are at the same rank. What right do you have to order me around?"
"Ha, ha, ha, same rank?" Su Qing pointed at herself and laughed exaggeratedly.
The others heard this, including Manager Wang of Jianghong Group, and it sounded like a great joke.
"Minister Su, where did you find this security guard? I want one too! Too funny, ha ha ha, what a waste he isn't in comedy," Manager Wang mocked.
At this point, Zhang Jun also said with disdain, "A total idiot like this actually became a Minister. I really don't know what's wrong with the Su Group now."
"Indeed. Letting a fool like this be our leader is an insult to our intelligence," Liu Biao added.
Just then, a sharp voice rang out: "What are you all doing? Su Qing, why haven't you invited Manager Wang up yet?"
Everyone looked toward the entrance of the office building and immediately became respectful. The person speaking was Su Wanyue.
Su Qing walked over angrily, recounted Chen Tian’s behavior, and complained indignantly, "Having a person like this work at the Su Group is a stain on our reputation."
Zhang Jun grinned from the side: "President Su is here; Chen Tian’s career is over."
"Indeed. Our President is the most stickler for company rules. Our new Minister is finished," Liu Biao agreed.
The other guards also looked at Chen Tian with gloating eyes, certain he was doomed. After all, security guards aren't bandits. Chen Tian had ordered them to hack people on his very first day! Even the company leadership would be scared to death.
But none of them expected what happened next.
After listening, Su Wanyue looked coldly at Manager Wang and said, "It is company policy that outsiders are not allowed to bring controlled weapons into the building. Chen Tian, as the Security Minister, did nothing wrong."
"What?"
"This?"
The group was completely stupefied. They thought they had misheard! Su Qing, Zhang Jun, and Liu Biao were even more shell-shocked, unable to process the turn of events. Was Su Wanyue still the iron-fisted President they knew?
Manager Wang gritted his teeth and sneered, "Very well, President Su. I will remember your company's rules."
He turned to the two strangely dressed men: "Wait for me at the entrance for a moment. I'll be down shortly."
Chen Tian hadn't expected Su Wanyue to say that either, and couldn't help but smile. *This woman, she had a change of heart pretty quickly, didn't she?*
Just then, Su Wanyue called out, "Minister Chen, come upstairs with me."
"Can do, can do," Chen Tian said, quite pleased.
Zhang Jun and Liu Biao were stunned again. Zhang Jun scoffed, "Confirmed. He's got connections."
Liu Biao said forlornly, "The company's security will be ruined by him sooner or later."
Chen Tian followed Su Wanyue upstairs. Nobody found it strange that he was the Security Minister. They soon arrived at a luxurious reception hall. Su Wanyue stopped, didn't invite Manager Wang to sit, and went straight to the point: "Manager Wang, what is the reason for your visit today?"
Manager Wang sneered, "I had high spirits initially, but now the mood is gone. Let's make this brief. President Wang asked me to tell you that he wants to invite you to discuss the bidding process personally. You must attend; otherwise, no one knows what might happen at this bidding session, right?"
Su Wanyue said coldly, "Go back and tell your President Wang that I will be there."
"Heh." Manager Wang glanced at Su Wanyue and said with disdain, "President Su, you really have raised a good dog."
"What did you say?" Chen Tian was instantly ignited.
Manager Wang provoked him coldly: "What, do you want to hit someone? Let me tell you, if you dare to move against me here—"
However, before Manager Wang could finish, Chen Tian had already acted.
*Thump!*
He rushed forward and delivered a punch straight to the man's nose.
"Ah!"
A scream echoed through the building. Manager Wang covered his face, his nose bleeding instantly. It seemed as if his nasal bridge had been broken by Chen Tian’s punch.
Manager Wang had miscalculated. He had never seen such an outrageous security guard. He didn't even care about the President's dignity; he just threw a punch.
Su Wanyue looked at the scene in astonishment, the word "Stop" not even forming on her lips before Chen Tian had already acted.
"President Su, you’re in trouble now! You did this on purpose, didn't you? You just wait!" Manager Wang covered his nose and retreated in a disheveled state.
Chen Tian looked arrogant: "You're lucky I let you off twice."
"Chen Tian!" Su Wanyue shouted.
Chen Tian turned back, asking, "What?"
Su Wanyue, in a fit of shame and anger, said, "Do you have any idea what kind of disaster you’ve brought upon this company by hitting the manager of Jianghong?"
Chen Tian shrugged, "No idea."
"Hmph! From now on, if you don't listen to instructions, just leave the company. I will explain it to my grandfather."
"Whatever," Chen Tian didn't think he had done anything wrong. If he had endured someone calling him a dog, he would have been too spineless.
"Your salary for this month is halved."
"Damn, you did that on purpose, didn't you?" Chen Tian said speechlessly.
Su Wanyue turned and walked away, saying, "Go back and reflect on yourself."
She walked straight to her office. Chen Tian scratched his head: "So strange, docked pay on the first day?"
Back at the office, Liu Feixue followed him in. She was shocked: "President, this Mr. Chen is too daring, isn't he? He actually dared to hit Manager Wang?"
"Is there anything he wouldn't do?" Su Wanyue remembered that night, feeling indignant.
"But, is it really okay to do this?" Liu Feixue asked, worried.
"Of course it's problematic, but it’s already done. Manager Wang brought those two strangely dressed men, and they had knives on them. Coming to the Su Group like that, they were clearly trying to intimidate me with force... and scare us into dropping this bid."