Qin Jinhai stood before the floor-to-ceiling window in Liu Xinping’s office.
Liu Xinping’s death was a severe blow to the Liu Family, but it wasn’t enough to keep them down. Now, the Liu Family themselves had handed over the knife. Their fate was well and truly sealed. The state has extremely high standards for pharmaceutical development. Without good character and strong ethical principles, those in the pharmaceutical industry are bound to run into trouble sooner or later. The Liu Family couldn’t see the path beneath their feet, which is why they ended up at a dead end.
Following that, Qin Jinhai and the finance department worked around the clock for a week. No one left the company until they had finally organized the financial statements clearly.
When President Han received the reports, he was so furious he cursed out loud. The clinical trial section, in particular, had been handled by Liu Pharmaceutical in a truly disgusting manner. Some drugs hadn’t even undergone animal clinical testing before being rushed into human clinical trials. It was a blatant disregard for human life. After discussions with other leaders, President Han completely shattered any remaining hopes the Liu Family held.
All matters were disclosed truthfully. This decision left those who had maintained good relations with the Liu Family utterly embarrassed, and they scrambled to sever their ties. The enormous gambling debts Liu Xinping had incurred during his lifetime also fell upon the Liu Family. Preoccupied with their own troubles, they no longer had the energy or resources to cause problems for others.
Qin Jinhai issued three consecutive orders: first, all overdue salaries were to be paid within two days; second, inter-subsidiary transfers would be permitted; and third, clear and detailed promotion criteria were to be established. With these three directives, the hearts of the tens of thousands of employees were instantly put at ease, particularly due to the new promotion criteria, which included an addendum detailing provisions for various categories of employees.
Many veteran employees had been terminated during the recent medical reforms due to their earlier educational qualifications, despite having devoted most of their lives to the company. Those approaching retirement age were callously fired without any compensation. Among them were numerous outstanding talents who possessed decades of practical experience and had earned considerable accolades within the industry. Consequently, after dedicating the better part of their lives to the industry, they were left with nothing but bitter disillusionment.
While other companies provided subsidies or recommended affected employees for positions in smaller, suitable nearby locations, the Liu Family, deeming it too troublesome, offered neither subsidies nor alternative job placements. When some dissatisfied employees protested, Liu Xinping had them suppressed. Several people died in the ensuing conflicts. Liu Xinping then used his connections to cover up these incidents, leaving the victims’ families with no avenue for appeal. Eventually, all these matters were exposed in detail.
Spectators lambasted Liu Xinping, calling him a beast. Those who had business dealings with the Liu Family knew exactly what was going on. These individuals, all shrewd and cunning, were already preparing to switch their allegiance to Qin Jinhai.
Qin Jinhai’s medical skills were beyond question. Indeed, personally tutored by Elder Jiang, his expertise meant that in the pharmaceutical sector, he could achieve significant results with relative ease. Because his medical practice was extraordinary, he was better able to consider the patients’ needs. Qin Jinhai was the best person to take over the pharmaceutical conglomerate.
Mu Lin drove Qin Jinhai back to Imperial Garden. Without even showering, Qin Jinhai collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep.
All in all, dealing with Liu Pharmaceutical had taken more than half a month. This was a war without smoke. There wouldn’t be blatant fatalities, but one had to be extremely careful. Every decision had to uphold the dignity of the medical field. This matter was more stressful than pouring money into salvaging a failing conglomerate. Beyond that, the new regulations needed to be implemented, which required the swift selection of capable individuals. Money and talent were both needed immediately. The process was exhausting and high-pressure, yet it ignited a flame in Qin Jinhai’s heart. He relished the opportunity to tackle this mess.
「...」
Qin Jinhai slept for five hours. Even when he closed his eyes, his dreams were filled with meetings. He simply got up, changed his clothes, and went for a morning run.
As he ran past Fu Bing’s villa, he noticed lights on inside. He instinctively lightened his steps and deftly slipped into the house.
It was six in the morning. In the living room, Shen Yao and Xu Si were already engrossed in their work, each with a computer.
"Why are you here?"
A man’s voice suddenly broke the silence of the living room, nearly giving both women a heart attack.
Shen Yao and Xu Si recognized Qin Jinhai’s face. Shen Yao glared at him angrily. "What are you doing in Bing’s house?"
"I should be asking you that!" Qin Jinhai retorted. He remembered Xu Si as the young girl Fu Bing had saved during breakfast.
Xu Si held Shen Yao back, her clear eyes fixed on Qin Jinhai. "Mr. Qin, I would like to talk to you."
"You?" Qin Jinhai’s tone was dismissive.
"I want to talk about Bing. Haven’t you noticed that Bing has been different lately?"
"Come with me." Qin Jinhai went straight upstairs.
The second-floor living room was a good place for a conversation, offering a view of the gradually brightening sky as sunlight began to filter through the clouds, touching the ground. Xu Si sat composedly opposite Qin Jinhai. In just a few short months, she had transformed completely from her former self. No longer timid or passive, she had become confident and radiant.
Xu Si felt nervous, but because this concerned Fu Bing, she had to muster the courage to face Qin Jinhai.
"I know your Bing’s story. During the time Bing has been helping me, I’ve also resolved to always follow her, to become her most loyal subordinate and partner."
"I want to understand Bing better so that I can ease her burdens more effectively when I work for her in the future."
"So, I looked into her entire past, and I discovered that Bing has a serious problem."
Qin Jinhai’s dark brows furrowed slightly. "Speak."
"Bing has psychological issues, including a strong sense of inferiority."
Qin Jinhai looked up sharply. "What did you say?"
Fu Bing, feeling inferior?
"Yes. It’s precisely because she’s so dazzling that almost no one notices. Her past contains experiences that most people wouldn’t encounter in several lifetimes. Every time she manages to pull through, it’s not because she’s strong, but because someone needs her."
Xu Si’s voice trembled as she continued, "Every stage of her life began because others needed her. You’re closer to Bing than I am; you must understand this better than I do."
"Bing is now surrounded by people, most of whom treat her well. She has moved from a low point to a stable phase; she is loved and cherished, and her career is progressing steadily. She has even found the family members she once lost."
"But I haven’t seen Bing truly happy. She doesn’t know what her next step should be." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novel⸺fire.net
"Mr. Qin, you were once the person she loved most, and I believe you still love her. You must walk this path with her."
Xu Si wanted to test him; she wanted to know if Qin Jinhai still loved Bing. If he did, then Qin Jinhai was the only one who could pull Bing out of this. In Bing’s eyes, their bonds with her were, after all, not deep enough. Bing wouldn’t reveal too much of her true emotions to them.
After speaking, Xu Si bowed solemnly to Qin Jinhai before quietly descending the stairs. Shortly after, the sound of a door closing came from downstairs.
Qin Jinhai watched as Xu Si and Shen Yao cycled away in the morning light.
Inferiority?
Being needed?
Who would have thought Fu Bing would have these psychological issues? But he knew Xu Si was right. Fu Bing held many people in her heart, everyone except herself.