Chapter 19 Retreat to Advance

Chapter 19: Strategic Retreat

Another half hour passed.

Shen Qingci finally turned his gaze to the five Security Team Leaders who had been standing for over an hour.

"How much is your salary?" he asked, his tone casual, as if making ordinary small talk.

The five captains exchanged glances. Finally, the oldest one spoke up: "Ten thousand yuan."

"Hmm." Shen Qingci nodded. "Go get this month's salary from Lu Guofei."

No sooner had he spoken than the young man standing on the far right burst out: "Lu Guofei isn't even with the Lu Group! How could he possibly pay us? Are you deliberately refusing to pay us?!"

His voice was loud, filled with obvious anger.

Shen Qingci didn't speak.

He merely turned his head slightly and glanced at the man.

The man instantly clamped his mouth shut, as if an invisible hand had gripped his throat.

Shen Qingci suddenly smiled.

"So..." Shen Qingci said, his voice deceptively gentle, "you also know Lu Guofei isn't with the Lu Group."

His smile vanished.

Shen Qingci's expression instantly turned cold: "In that case, why was he allowed up?"

The faces of all five captains fell.

Shen Qingci's gaze swept over each of their faces: "Who was on duty today?"

A dead silence fell.

"Silence?" Shen Qingci raised an eyebrow. "Then all of you can go to Finance to collect your salaries and leave."

The young man who had just spoken up instantly exploded: "Why?! Lu Guofei is a member of the Lu family! Who do you think you are?! President Lu hasn't said a word, what right do you have—"

"Xiao Wang! Shut up!" the older captain snapped.

But it was too late.

Behind the desk, Lu Lin looked up.

His face showed no particular expression, but his deep brown eyes swirled with a heart-stopping coldness.

"Get out." Lu Lin said, his voice very soft, but each word was like a shard of ice.

Xiao Wang still wanted to say something, but meeting Lu Lin's gaze, all his words stuck in his throat.

Shen Qingci took a sip of his coffee and spoke calmly:

"Do your job."

Lu Lin immediately lowered his head and continued typing, like a scolded student returning to his work.

The Security Captains watched, dumbfounded.

Shen Qingci set down his cup and looked at Xiao Wang: "You really aren't suited to work at the Lu Group."

Xiao Wang's face paled: "What gives you the right to say that? I..."

"I suspect you," Shen Qingci interrupted him, his tone still flat, "of intentionally endangering the life of Lu Group's President, Lu Lin."

"You're talking nonsense!" Xiao Wang spluttered. "How could I possibly—"

"Last time Lu Lin was injured," Shen Qingci looked up at him, "wasn't it also your shift?"

Xiao Wang's body swayed violently.

His face instantly turned as pale as paper.

"N-no... it wasn't me..." His voice began to tremble.

"Hmm." Shen Qingci nodded. "Tell that to the police."

"You called the police?!" Xiao Wang's eyes widened. "What am I supposed to do now? How can I work in this industry after this?!"

Shen Qingci gripped his cane and slowly stood up.

He walked over to Xiao Wang, his voice soft, but each word icy:

"Don't worry, you won't have the chance to stay in this city."

Xiao Wang opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but meeting Shen Qingci's deep brown eyes, all his words turned into fear.

Shen Qingci turned his attention to the other four captains.

"And you," he said, "remember who pays your salaries. Think carefully about who you should listen to, and who you *shouldn't*."

The four captains immediately straightened up: "Yes, sir!"

"Go on." Shen Qingci sat back down on the sofa. "Deal with the person who needs dealing with. Investigate what needs investigating."

"Yes, sir!"

The four captains, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly left the office.

Xiao Wang wanted to continue arguing, but was flanked by two older captains and forcibly dragged out.

The door closed again.

Once again, they were alone.

Shen Qingci picked up the magazine again, turned a few pages, and suddenly spoke:

"Lu Lin."

"Hmm?" Lu Lin immediately looked up.

"The security for your office," Shen Qingci said, his eyes still on the magazine text, "is as full of holes as a sieve."

Lu Lin pressed his lips together and didn't speak.

"A single Lu Guofei can just barge in," Shen Qingci turned a page. "A single Security Captain can be a turncoat. Lu Lin, how have you survived these past ten years?"

Lu Lin tightened his grip on the pen in his hand and said quietly, "I... didn't care about these things before."

"You don't care?" Shen Qingci looked up at him. "To the point you almost got yourself killed?"

Lu Lin had nothing to say.

Shen Qingci closed the magazine, stood up, and walked over to the window, leaning on his cane.

Outside the window was a bustling city, with towering skyscrapers and rivers of traffic.

The headquarters of the Lu Group towered above the rest in this forest of steel and concrete.

But its owner had just been dressed down in his own office.

"Lu Lin," Shen Qingci said softly, his back turned to him, "I taught you that mercy to your enemies is cruelty to yourself."

"I remember," Lu Lin said.

"No," Shen Qingci turned around and looked at him, "you don't. If you did, this never would have happened today."

"From today onward," he said, "you will give me a daily report before you clock out, including the security situation, personnel changes..."

He paused, looking at Lu Lin:

"Including the movements of the Lu family."

Lu Lin's eyes lit up.

"Ge..."

"This is a work report," Shen Qingci interrupted him, his tone returning to its usual coldness, "not whining. If you can't do it well, you'll just keep getting walked all over here."

"I can handle it!" Lu Lin immediately said.

Shen Qingci glanced at him but said nothing. He made his way slowly behind Lu Lin, using his cane.

He stood there, watching Lu Lin work.

Lu Lin's brow was slightly furrowed, his gaze focused. The lines of his profile seemed especially defined under the glow of the screen.

Shen Qingci watched for a long time and suddenly realized something.

Lu Lin actually looked quite capable when handling work.

Decisive in his judgments, clear in his thinking, and getting straight to the point.

Faced with those tangled business problems, he could zero in on the core issue in the shortest time and come up with the best answer.

His attitude was firm but not reckless.

His methods were ruthless but measured.

It was just his interpersonal skills that needed more practice.

Shen Qingci didn't speak until Lu Lin had finished the last document.

"Let's go."

Lu Lin immediately stood up, turned off the computer, and picked up his coat.

He followed behind Shen Qingci, the two of them walking out single-file.

There were still employees working overtime in the hallway. When they saw them, they instinctively stopped and gave a slight bow.

Shen Qingci walked ahead with his cane, his steps steady.

Lu Lin, just like when he was a child, followed half a step behind, keeping a respectful distance.