Financial Workplace Survival Guide – CH 038

Chapter 38 ☆, There’s No Smoke of War in the Capital Market, Only Victims.

Adult rationality and sorrow were twin brothers. Sad as they were, they still had to go to work.

When Xin Xin arrived at work, Zhang Qiao had already cleaned the office and was back to work, looking normal. Everything looked the same as usual, except for his red and swollen eyes, which looked like he’d been up all night.

Xin Xin prayed silently that the fire in the city gate wouldn’t spread to others. As long as Zhang Qiao didn’t come to accuse her, she wouldn’t mind giving him a few days off.

Unfortunately, just after the morning meeting, Zhang Qiao followed Xin Xin into the office.

Xin Xin complained bitterly. Seeing his exhausted expression, she understood what was going on but feigned ignorance.

“What do you want to talk to me about?”

Zhang Qiao stared at Xin Xin with red eyes. After a long pause, he finally spoke: “I know I shouldn’t bring personal matters into work. I just want to say I won’t give up easily.”

Xin Xin already felt somewhat responsible for this matter and had prepared words of comfort. Unexpectedly, Zhang Qiao’s attitude was firm. It didn’t seem like he was questioning her, but rather that he needed someone to listen to his loyalty.

“It’s not your fault. Some things can’t be forced.”

Zhang Qiao showed a stubborn expression. “She’s not married, so why would I force her?”

Xin Xin was stunned for a moment, forced to play the bad guy. “This is your own business, whatever you want. But I hope you can get over it quickly and not let it affect your work.”

Zhang Qiao looked at Xin Xin seriously. “I know it’s presumptuous of me to ask this, but are you on my side?”

After working together for so long, even without any personal feelings, there was still a sense of camaraderie. Xin Xin felt sympathy and said without hesitation, “Yes, I’m on your side.”

Xin Xin’s words were sincere, but unfortunately, relationships weren’t like voting systems; the highest vote count didn’t necessarily win the heart of the woman.

Soon, Xin Xin was forced to put the matter behind her.

Rose finally recovered and was able to return to work.

After this incident, Xin Xin and Yang Rui’s relationship was strained to the point of collapse.

Rose felt a pang of guilt when she learned that the company’s handling of the matter had also affected Xin Xin. Xin Xin, however, didn’t think anything of it. Rose hadn’t told her about her health, which was indeed inconsiderate. But one should be cautious, and Xin Xin understood her wariness of Xin Xin.

Considering Rose’s health, Xin Xin transferred her to a less busy position, intending to take the opportunity to bring in Su Qi, the young anchor from the previous livestream studio.

Personnel transfers required Yang Rui’s approval.

Fearing this wouldn’t go smoothly, Xin Xin first contacted Chen Lisha to report Rose’s return to work. Then, very tactfully, she explained that the department was short-staffed and that the livestream studio needed some continuity, and she wanted to transfer Su Qi.

Chen Lisha, first praising Xin Xin and then dismissing her, praised her handling of the emergency. Then, slowly, she said, “You’re right. I know our sales department has to manage all the outlets, and we’re understaffed. It’s because of this shortage that Mr. Yang rushed to act so hastily, and this happened. But he’s not addressing the individual, and he’s your supervisor. Consult with him first.”

In a word, the issue shifted back to Xin Xin. Xin Xin hadn’t intended to gain Chen Lisha’s absolute approval, but her lack of objection was enough.

Xin Xin, clutching the invisible imperial sword, went to report the situation to Yang Rui.

Yang Rui, grappling with new grudges and old grievances, blamed everything about Rose on Xin Xin, a person he had long hated. But despite his hatred, he couldn’t get rid of her.

Xin Xin had several major clients and outstanding performance, making her difficult to control in the short term.

Yang Rui gritted his teeth, only able to grumble a few sarcastic words: “Every department is crying out for staffing, and you’re still borrowing people from below to do the work, but what about the other departments?”

Xin Xin smiled and said, “Boss Yang, I reported to Boss Chen about Rose’s return to work. She also said you were worried about the sales department’s lack of staff and feared the work wouldn’t keep up, which is why this happened. Our department’s small staff has somewhat affected the precision of our work, and Su Qi needs to take on the live streaming work, so bringing her up will ensure greater business continuity.”

Yang Rui’s face flushed red and white with these few words. But the experienced one was still the wiser. Seeing he couldn’t convince Xin Xin, Yang Rui immediately changed his attitude. “Since Boss Chen agrees, then go through the process. Send me the transfer order and I’ll sign it.”

Xin Xin, feeling smug, feigned gratitude, subtly reminding Yang Rui that they were ultimately in the same boat. “Thank you, Mr. Yang, for supporting our department. We’ll definitely work hard. We need strong performance by the end of the year. If you get a generous year-end bonus, please remember to give us a red envelope.”

Yang Rui was furious, puffing his beard and glaring, but Xin Xin ignored him.

The matter went incredibly smoothly, and Xin Xin was in a very good mood. But by the afternoon, her good mood had vanished.

The regulator called, raising numerous questions about the suspicious transaction report and unusual account information Xin Xin had submitted. They sent her back, asking her to provide additional information and harshly criticizing her.

Xin Xin believed her information was perfectly complete and her report impeccable, and she wasn’t satisfied with such criticism.

Xin Xin called Wang Zhuo and decided to retrieve more information and conduct a comprehensive investigation.

Xin Xin fully understood the underlying reason for all this. If Su Chengjie could suppress the matter by contacting headquarters, it would be even easier for him to contact the local regulators.

All the signs pointed to the same thing. Xin Xin could imagine this despicable capitalist hiding in the shadows, smirking contemptuously, and saying to her, “Don’t meddle in other people’s business!”

But she was determined to get involved.

Earlier, Zheng Zaochuan had asked her if she wanted to investigate this matter to help him.

At the time, Xin Xin had assumed it was to help Zheng Zaochuan.

But at that moment, she suddenly understood. It was the struggle between Zheng Zaochuan and Su Chengjie that had drawn her attention to this matter. But whether Zheng Zaochuan was there or not, she would not let this matter go.

Perhaps idealists could not survive in this world, but if even these small efforts were not made, there would be no fairness in the world.

To Xin Xin’s surprise, Wang Zhuo came to the branch office shortly after receiving her call, bringing documentation with him.

This time, Wang Zhuo’s documentation was extremely comprehensive, detailing the transaction times, volumes, and prices of all connected accounts. Compared to the data he had initially submitted, he had also supplemented and improved dozens of accounts.

Xin Xin’s original impression of Wang Zhuo suggested he was a very smooth-talking man. His dedication to something that only offended people but offered no real benefit made Xin Xin revere him.

Wang Zhuo pondered for a moment, as if making a firm decision. “Ms. Xin, to be honest, someone approached me and asked me to suppress this matter.”

“Who?”

Wang Zhuo glanced at her. “Haimer Supermarket.”

Xin Xin understood that this was a downstream company of Fengchun Group, a company that started out as a fast-moving consumer goods company and held absolute power in the local market. Contacting any other downstream company would be enough to disassociate herself from the matter.

She was the one who reported the problem, but it was Wang Zhuo who approached her. Regardless of whether Su Chengjie personally orchestrated this, this person must be aware of the close relationship between Xin Xin and Zheng Zaochuan.

“How much did they give you?”

Wang Zhuo smiled and held up a finger.

“One hundred thousand?”

Wang Zhuo remained silent.

Xin Xin was shocked. “One million?”

Wang Zhuo nodded, and Xin Xin lowered her head to study the documents. The fact that he was willing to pay such a large sum to suppress the matter suggested that there were interests far greater than a million behind it.

Xin Xin began to suspect that there was some serious evidence, enough to bring Su Chengjie to justice.

This matter was suspicious, but Wang Zhuo’s attitude also left Xin Xin baffled.

She had never dealt with Wang Zhuo before, and she had only been the CEO for a short time, so her foundation was not deep. Besides, Wang Zhuo was about to retire, so there was no need for him to demonstrate his loyalty to her over this matter.

“Mr. Wang, I appreciate the information you provided. However, this matter involves so many people, and we could become victims if we’re not careful. Let me be frank: do you have any personal grudge against Fengchun Group?”

Wang Zhuo’s usually smiling face suddenly betrayed a deep hatred. “To be honest, Fengchun Group and I have a deep-seated blood feud. I only regret my limited abilities; otherwise, I would have exposed their tactics years ago.”

Xin Xin had long known that Su Chengjie was a shady investor in capital markets. He had been operating in the securities market since its initial opening. He was highly skilled and talented, but he was also adept at exploiting loopholes in capital market regulation to engage in shady transactions.

Zheng Zaochuan described Su Chengjie’s tactics as a black knight in a white knight’s cloak.

Wang Zhuo and Su Chengjie’s deep feud began when a food factory was acquired by Fengchun Group.

“My mother committed suicide.”

Xin Xin immediately understood the deep blood feud Wang Zhuo was talking about. In reality, when the factory was acquired, it first went public after employee stock ownership, causing the stock price to soar and employees to increase their holdings. Capital then entered the market, shorting the factory, and the factory was acquired, with a large number of employee shares being acquired at a low price.

This case was a classic example of the local capital market. Yet, the entire operation appeared to be extremely legal. The viciousness of this type of operation had driven the improvement of securities regulatory laws.

Behind this grand narrative lay the destruction of countless ordinary people’s families.

Wang Zhuo’s mother was not the only victim; countless ordinary people had drowned in the seemingly calm capital market.

The war of capital was not about smoke but only about sacrifice.

“I used to work in insurance, as you probably know. I’m almost retired, but I switched to securities because I believe one day I can prevent these things from happening again.”

Xin Xin was silent for a moment, then firmly assured him, “I’m not sure how far I can go, but I’ll try my best.”

Wang Zhuo smiled. “Ms. Xin, I’m old enough to have met so many people. I’ve reported problems before, but they all fell on deaf ears. But the first time I heard someone mention you, I knew you wouldn’t back down.”

Xin Xin was touched. She herself wasn’t entirely confident, but this old, unfamiliar comrade gave her the utmost trust.

“You said you’d try your best, and I believe you will. You will definitely do your best.”

From that day on, Xin Xin completely abandoned her illusions and resolved to fight with all her might.

Every day after getting off work, after everyone had left, she would analyze the problematic accounts, transaction by transaction. She meticulously backed up all the information and locked all other paper documents in a safe.

If she had previously considered collaborating on this, she now understood the gravity of the situation and could not trust anyone.

She simply told Zhang Qiao the entire incident, stating that if anything happened to her, Zhang Qiao would be responsible for delivering all the information to Wang Zhuo.

However, Zheng Zaochuan, unusually emotional, forcefully intervened in response to her decision. “Give up! Let’s not pursue this matter now. Let’s end it.”

“I won’t.”

Xin Xin, however, became even more determined due to Zheng Zaochuan’s resolute opposition.

Seeing he couldn’t persuade her, Zheng Zaochuan made a decisive choice, acting on his own initiative, to pick Xin Xin up from work every day.