4 4. 'A joke'....

Inside the meeting room was a tense atmosphere...

The meeting was about to end and till now, the CEO hasn't spoken a single word. He has been furrowing his brows and tapping his finger over his crossed thighs since the different directors and project leaders started explaining the QMX's upcoming large-scale developmental projects for the renovation of different sites in A and B-city.

The idea of developing the sites into world-class hubs was put forwarded by the CEO in the last board meetings and was given an 'A-OK' by the chairman himself.

It will be the largest project taken under the Qin's Construction House at least, for the next 3 years.

If successful, it will be their breakthrough into the international market!

Even though this subsidiary of Qin, has been there for 23 years, for some reason, a breakthrough project was not undertaken by them hence their slow development in foreign markets.

This House was started under his grandkids name when they were born and hence has a special spot in the chairman's heart so, he was quite optimistic about this.

It was the last proposal for the development of a site on the suburbs.

This site was a hot-potato, though everyone wanted to take a bite, it was too hot!!

The fundings given will be the largest but the work was also the toughest. The site was surrounded by a densely populated region but the place itself was a bit crude and underdeveloped.

On-site observations followed by traffic management, it was not a 'first-choice-to-visit' kind-of site both because of its remote location and due to the measly access routes.

In order to facilitate transport, the road works will also have to be taken under consideration, all in all, if not a lot of work it was still a lot of work.[I am BSing my way through..pfft]

The short-end of the stick fell on 'her' lap. As nobody took on this place, she took it under her after the other directors 'gave' it to her so as to, make her so-called vision 'broader' and also promised to 'help' her out.

The PPT presentation started with the before and after satellite pictures of the place, it was like a no-man land turned into A country's metropolis. The bored CEO finally, had his interest piqued.

He leaned back on his seat, tilting his head to the side, with a slight smile on his lips, he placed his hand under his chin, giving away a kingly aura.

The 3D projection of the place after it's development was projected for a better understanding. Even these people, who have seen everything about this world, couldn't help but gasp. It was like an out-of-state artifact.

The place will be turned into a paradise for the youngsters; fashion city, malls, amusement parks and anything those fast-paced high-tech lovers liked was in place; it was trendy, chic and most importantly every design was screaming the name of 'Qin', it had an overbearing aura.

Intricate designs, high-end architectural structures, it was a visual feast!!

The PPT included the expected turnover rates, detailed charts on the expenditure and also the approved collaboration with the WPJ!!

It was very unexpected hence was like an atom-bomb fell over their head, even the aloof CEO raised an eyebrow.

But that was not the end of it, the last part was about the development of the roads leading to the site which was approved to be turned into a highway and will be a joint venture with the Government, something which was very very unusual.

After the end of it, silence fell over the room once again. It was both due to shock and amazement.

The other project leaders and directors were sweating buckets. If there was nothing to compare with they could still survive from the CEO's cold-treatment but with how things were, they couldn't help but fret. It was supposed to be a big challenge but was presented as if, it was easier than boiling instant noodles. They couldn't help but want to turn back time and take it under them but deep down they knew, it wasn't a matter of being easy or tough, it was about the person involved, it was like a huge slap on their faces.

The tense atmosphere continued until the said person, cleared her throat and passed the notebook which contained her so-called notes of the meeting. She, from the start till the very end of the meeting, even when the project under her was being presented, didn't take her eyes off of her note, as if, they weren't worthy of her eyes.

When he looked over the notes he couldn't help but smile, rather then extracts from the meeting it was more of an outlook of the projects presented in curt words; some were as follows, 'Too Mediocre' 'Major parts needs change' 'A joke' and so on, even her own project was given a 'More development possible'!!

He glanced at his PA for a second and then beckoned at his other side, that is, towards Secretary Feng who had an amused smile since the last project was presented, to start the proceedings. He was here on behalf of the chairman and will also be acting as the mediator between the main branch and subsidiary so, he held a considerable amount of power.

He threw a straight ball: "The last project will be implemented in the shortest time possible as for the rest," he sighed before continuing "I don't want to lose my job by presenting them to the chairman."

Another silence fell...

This time it was the CEO who broke it. With an ice-cold voice, he said: "I gave you a month for this and if this was your best then I expect your resignation letters by this evening. I am not giving you money to put this kind of charade in the name of projects. I don't want to waste my breath so, everyone will start from scratch. It will be a waste of time to change these plans so, start anew. I want projects for the future not for the 1600s and do remember the organization you are working for, it's Qin, your work must uphold the dignity and something at least, the chairman could be proud of. Your projects in the truest meaning of the word,s reek of being under-mediocre, the standards are way too low." He snorted. " Or What? Just because the Qin is backing the project, you expect this rubbish on the name of plans to prosper? Don't overestimate yourselves nor undermine the name of Qin. Qin is the work of our predecessors and I won't let it down till I am in charge so, this will be my first and final warning, BEHAVE or else expect yourselves out of this empire. Meeting adjourned".

He left without giving them a chance to retort, he was angry.

She too stood up. In a flat voice and cold face, she said: "After lunch, we will have a review discussion here." She took a look at her watch and continued," I expect everyone involved to be present her by 14:00" After that she took her notebook and walked out, only the clicking sounds of her heels reverberated throughout the room.