– Mrs. Su’s Recollections –
After hearing Lawyer Ma’s advice, Chen Yuyong was recruited by ATL and truly took on the significant responsibility of Chief Financial Officer.
He remembered every single revenue transaction in the company clearly. Of course, besides his daily reports to Ou Yunchen, he also privately reported Ou Yunchen’s financial status to Mrs. Su.
Mrs. Su: “Director Chen, thank you for your hard work.”
Chen Yuyong: “I must also thank Mrs. Su for promoting me.”
When Chen Yuyong meticulously explained the cooperative accounts with Huaming Capital to Mrs. Su, she became suspicious of the profits.
Mrs. Su: “Why does it seem like the remaining profit is so little? And what is this consulting fee all about?”
Chen Yuyong: “I’ve inquired with Huaming Capital. They said the consulting fee was paid directly to another company from the original profit. I’ve also verified with Mr. Ou, and it is indeed the case.”
Mrs. Su looked at Chen Yuyong. She trusted his character very much. Without the boss’s permission, he would certainly not tamper with the accounts.
Mrs. Su turned her head towards Lawyer Ma.
Lawyer Ma: “Before signing the contract with Huaming Capital, the project manager from Huaming Capital indeed said this to Ou Yunchen. At the time, we all thought this was kickback money for Tong Li, as Tong Li’s son is a shareholder in that other company.”
Mrs. Su: “Does this happen every time?”
Chen Yuyong: “Yes, it happens every time.”
Mrs. Su was somewhat surprised. ATL was taking on leverage for Huaming Capital at great risk, yet the money they received was being reduced more and more. Now, there was this additional consulting fee?
She was somewhat displeased with Ou Yunchen’s tacit acceptance of this. It wasn’t that he hadn’t reported to her in advance, but rather that business like this seemed to have little value!
Mrs. Su: “Huaming Capital is being too insincere!”
Chen Yuyong: “However, Mr. Ou has recovered some of it in the secondary market, which has made up for a portion.”
Mrs. Su: “I see.”
Chen Yuyong: “If Mrs. Su has nothing else, I’ll return to my work.”
Mrs. Su nodded.
Lawyer Ma: “I said you couldn’t trust Ou Yunchen too much. Look, for such a large project, he actually concealed this expenditure.”
Mrs. Su closed her eyes. Now she was certain of one thing – the uneasy feeling she had when she first learned that ATL was about to form a strategic partnership with Huaming Capital!
***
– A Recollection Within Recollections –
Like everyone else, when they learned that ATL could connect with Huaming Capital, there was a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Mrs. Su: “How did Tong Li of Huaming Capital find Ou Yunchen?”
Lawyer Ma: “It is said that Tong Li did not approach ATL proactively. He was introduced by the boss of Young Master Lan. They met while playing golf that day and exchanged contact information.”
Mrs. Su: “Young Master Lan? You mean Young Master Lan of Feng Lan?”
Lawyer Ma: “Yes, Feng Lan!”
Mrs. Su suddenly understood, but at the same time, she began to worry!
Feng Lan was no ordinary woman. Everyone in the circle knew that Young Master Lan never entertained ordinary guests since opening for business! Only prominent figures were able to go there. However, she was not really acquainted with Feng Lan, and she couldn’t quite ascertain the background of this woman.
Mrs. Su: “Then, how did Ou Yunchen get to know Feng Lan?”
Lawyer Ma: “Sister Hong!”
Mrs. Su frowned slightly. She had actually forgotten that her old classmate had a very close relationship with Feng Lan!
Like Sister Hong, Feng Lan’s business dealings inevitably involved some gray areas.
This was completely different from a family business like Mrs. Su’s. They started without any backing, so they always needed to rely on certain individuals. Therefore, they naturally did not have much interaction.
So, it must have been Sister Hong who introduced Ou Yunchen to Feng Lan, and Feng Lan then brought Ou Yunchen to meet Tong Li.
Now, that consulting fee made sense. It could be considered a kickback to Tong Li, or it could be seen as a benefit fee for Feng Lan!
Mrs. Su shook her head again. She still felt something was not right, but she couldn’t pinpoint what. A woman’s intuition wouldn’t lie to her, would it?
Lawyer Ma: “Although becoming a strategic partner of Huaming Capital is a very significant achievement, associating with Feng Lan’s network always makes one feel uneasy…”
“It is said that her network of connections is extremely vast, and those high-ranking officials who seek her favor ultimately have to offer even more valuable connections in return.”
Mrs. Su felt a chill run down her spine. This was truly not good news. Wasn’t this a disguised way of saying that Feng Lan’s requested return was more than just money?
Lawyer Ma: “Fortunately, ATL is under Ou Yunchen’s name. Even if Feng Lan wants any compensation someday, she won’t find you.”
Lawyer Ma’s words instantly enlightened Mrs. Su. Ou Yunchen was likely caught in some compromising situation by Feng Lan, which was why he turned a blind eye and paid the money!
Mrs. Su: “Quick! Go to Athena and find Sister Hong!”
– End of Mrs. Su’s Recollections –