Get acquainted with your new responsibilities.

Qin Group, Conference room 4.

Qin Shoiming ignored the stares from the staff and sat on the seat at the head of the long rectangle-shaped glass table.

He opened his suit jacket as he sat. Secretary Jin placed his tablet and a bottle of water in front of him before taking a step back to his seat behind Qin Shoiming.

Qin Shoiming glanced at every single director and manager seated at the table, "Let us get started".

He turned to the nearly bald man seated at his left, "I saw the report, Director Li. Why do I need a finance department if half of you do not plan on ever doing your job"

Director Li shivered, "I..." he wanted at his sweaty temple, "I apologize sir. We ran into some difficulty with Executive Director Qin".

"did you?" a chilling smile slid up his face, "Director Li, how long have you worked for the company?"

Director Li's hands shook, and he quickly avoided Qin Shoiming's prying gaze. "about 35 years, Sir".

Qin Shoiming nodded, "Long enough to know the difference between an Executive Director and a Chairman. Director Li, I am running a business, not a charity.

"If a venture is potentially detrimental to our company reputation, it is only right that I pull out.

"According to the contract signed with Executive Director Qin's company, we are within our right to pull out of the partnership if we deem their business practices illegal.

"Director Li, Is it beneficial to associate with a company under investigation for tax evasion?"

Director Li jumped to his feet, "I was wrong sir, please forgive me. I will get everything ready before the end_"

Qin Shoiming held up his hand, "No need, your assistant director will handle that".

"What...," he glared at the younger woman seated beside him then turned to the chairman, "but... Chairman I promise to rectify this issue before the end of the day.

"This does not call for such a serious punishment. I worked with your father and grandfather, I joined the company at 18 and helped build the company till what it is now. You cannot fire me just because of a small matter like this".

There were a lot of hushed whispers as Director Li spoke. Director Li was an old employee, it did not seem right to fire him over this.

Most of the staff present did not like Director Li because of how pompous he behaved but they preferred to take his side as opposed to their boss's side.

Qin Shoiming was a very strict best who was smart and attentive. He had zero tolerance for misbehavior, which made the staff fear him.

It was quite well-known how quick he was to deduct one's pay. In the 19 years since he had joined the company, he had fired more than ten senior staff. Most of which included his relatives and in-laws.

Qin Shoiming leaned back on his seat and rubbed his chin, lips curved into a relaxed smile. "You can relax, Director Li. I have no plans of firing you, like you said failing to follow the instructions doesn't warrant getting fired.

"Especially when there was no major loss to the company but taking bribes from our subcontractors on the other hand is a very serious offense.

"Especially when you accept an improperly tested product that could get the company fined".

Director Li's face paled as Secretary Jin passed around a few documents. His hand shook as he accepted a copy of the documents.

"I... I... Chairman," he swallowed and glanced down at the documents.

The rest of the staff present all did a 360 on him, as they read through detailed financial records of his bribe over the last six months.

"Chairman... I_"

"Save it, Director. Like I said, I have no plans of firing you. I think all you need is a little change of environment, you have made some contributions to the company after all.

"Our seafood company at W city has been on the decline for a while now. You go oversee that, and with your years of experience, you can revive the company.

"You have the next six months to do that, as for the bribes. I took the liberty of sending most of them back, it wasn't much just your entire annual salary".

Director Li's knees buckled, he quickly held the table to steady himself. He sucked in air as he met Qin Shoiming's gaze. The younger man looked ready to go much further.

He stood straight and gave Qin Shoiming a deep bow, "Thank you, Sir".

Qin Shoimimg glanced at the head of the strategic planning department who was seated at his right and said,

"Mr Xiao, please inform the HR department of the change in Manager Li's position".

"Yes Sir".

The meeting continued with that settled, Qin Shoiming ignored the older man's standing at the side and moved on to other pressing issues.

Director Li packed up his thinks and after taking another glance at the chairman, he walked out of the room.

A security guard and one of the senior assistants in the Chairman's office were waiting outside his office with a box. His desks had been cleared and clearance revoked.

Qin Shoiming did not save him any face, the staff whispered among themselves as he shamefully walked through the 18th floor with his things.

****

Hours later, the Qin mansion. Song Ruoxin room.

A gentle knock at the room door pulled Song Ruoxin's attention out of her book. Her brow furrowed,

"Who could that be," she mumble slipping the bookmarker into the book and walking to the door.

She swung the door open, "Mrs Ma".

"I am sorry to interrupt you, Xin Xin. Mr Chengjang has a family emergency and can't pick the kids up today. I already informed Young Mistress Yumei of the situation.

"She will head to the academy after school. Young master Tao is too young, you need to go get him. I call the school to inform them of the change, the school has a very strict system".

She took out a small dark blue booklet and held it out, "It was so short notice, you will need this and your ID card to get in".

Song Ruoxin blinked rapidly and looked down at the card, she glanced at the older woman for a split second before taking the small 4-page booklet from her.

It was a passport book style booklet with the school crest inscribed boldly in front of the booklet and in faintly on each page.

Qin Tao's details filed the first two pages followed by his father's details. She frowned as she saw the name An Lixin with a phone number listed under the alternative guardian spot.

She cleared her through and smiled as she met the housekeeper's puzzled expression. "Young Master Tao school should be resuming soon, I will get dressed".

"Hmm, then I will leave you to it," She turned around and left.

Song Ruoxin ran into the bathroom to wash up. She put on a pair of blue boyfriend jeans, a black T-shirt, and white sneakers after washing up.

She kept glancing at the clock as she got dressed, there was usually traffic at this time of the day. Once she was set she threw the booklet and her ID into her black flap bag, grabbed her phone, and ran out of the room.