Talking about money right from the start, why is this guy so tacky? Zhang Yurong felt helpless. This time, Li Yan really did make a contribution, but it was mainly a future-oriented expansion, and the short-term cooperation benefits were not significant. So even if there would be a bonus, it wouldn't be much.

In her opinion, she wanted Li Yan to learn and acquire more knowledge, gain stronger abilities, and one day become a high-level executive, a major shareholder, or even join the board of directors. That way, no matter how far the two of them went, it wouldn't mean the Zhang Family owed him anything.

But this guy is so unambitious, satisfied with millions... This made Zhang Yurong quite displeased.

"Did you stay on purpose just to claim credit?"

Seeing Zhang Yurong's sarcastic question, Wen Qianyi couldn't help but smile wryly. As for Li Yan, he was already promoted beyond the norm to be the planning department's manager; and now for this small achievement, the president is giving him millions as a reward!

Of course, she also understood that Li Yan was joking. Given his character, he wouldn't care about money like that. But... even jokes depend on the person. Some people, some jokes cannot be made recklessly. Joking about money with the company boss is asking for trouble, isn't it?

"Manager Li is joking, Miss Zhang shouldn't take it seriously. He's just the type to make random jokes, maybe that's why he has so many friends who are willing to associate with him." Wen Qianyi didn't know about their special relationship, but still spoke up for Li Yan.

Zhang Yurong's style in the company was that she could promote you beyond the norm if you were capable and competent. If you lacked capability or had the wrong attitude, she could also fire you outright. Was Li Yan capable and competent? Given his performance over more than six months, he evidently was not. Wen Qianyi vaguely knew that he was promoted by Zhang Yurong because of Shinohara Mirai's feedback and praise. Although it wasn't quite time yet to discard him, the bridge had already been set, and his role wasn't as significant anymore.

Hearing Wen Qianyi's defense, Zhang Yurong glanced at her and then turned her eyes on Li Yan, using a look only he would understand.

Li Yan licked his lips, inwardly groaning, it was just a joke, why did you both have to amplify it? Wen Qianyi meant well, but Zhang Yurong is the lawful wife, and hearing this from Wen Qianyi's mouth must have sounded a bit off to her.

"Hey, I was just joking. How would I dare claim any credit?"

Zhang Yurong casually said, "Director Wen, please go back and prepare. The HR department will send out the company's appointment notice as soon as possible."

This was a clear dismissal. Even though Wen Qianyi wanted to speak for Li Yan, the president had already spoken and hadn't said anything about punishing him, so she had no reason to stay and continue helping him.

Before leaving, Wen Qianyi gave Li Yan a deep look, signaling him with her gaze to endure and not argue with Zhang Yurong. After all, if he lost his job and went somewhere else, it wouldn't be as easy. The little background introduced by Director Sun would be given some face by others, but what did it matter to Zhang Yurong?

Once the conference room door closed and it was just the two of them left, Li Yan felt more relaxed, "Alright, I was just kidding. I don't lack money; do I really need your reward? Give me a little face in front of outsiders, won't you?"

Zhang Yurong sneered, "In front of outsiders? 'Miss Zhang don't take it seriously, he just likes to joke around.' Humph! Why do I feel like I'm the outsider here?"

Li Yan inwardly wondered if this was jealousy. But he couldn't ask that because even if women were jealous, they often wouldn't admit it. Asking might just make them angrier.

"Well... Wen Qianyi didn't know about our relationship. As her former partner, she would naturally want to say something nice for me. You should be happy to have such a subordinate. If everyone just looked at your face to do things, couldn't oppose, or dared not speak up for others, what would the company become?"

Zhang Yurong only minded Wen Qianyi's tone while defending him, but Li Yan's argument turned it into a big issue about company management. And before she could interrupt, he extended it even further.

"...Yurong, it's not for me to say you, but the iron-fisted policy was necessary during your initial tenure when the foundation hadn't stabilized. But after more than a year, almost two years of honing, you've successfully mastered the entire company, the whole group from executives to employees. Everyone respects you. You should appropriately change your style now, remember that being too rigid can break easily; you must combine strength with flexibility."

Originally planning to critique Li Yan, Zhang Yurong was unexpectedly thrown into a philosophical discussion, leaving her a bit stunned. His demeanor, tone, and words were unlike the usual Li Yan, more like her father Zhang Tianyi when he was guiding her, making her reluctant to interrupt, wanting to hear what further insightful words he might say.

Li Yan was just trying to change the subject and divert her attention, unexpectedly finding her listening attentively, seemingly waiting for more. This forced him to continue, albeit thick-faced:

"Of course, I'm not talking about your style. You should still maintain your usual style, being cold to everyone except for me at home, making them respect and tremble before you. But in work matters, apart from delegating authority which I encouraged you to do before, you can also allow differing opinions appropriately. Although you're a genius, smarter than many of the company's executives, and have put more effort into work than many others, don't forget you're still young with limited work experience. The saying 'three ordinary craftsmen surpass a Zhuge Liang' may be the fantasy of mediocre people, but each experienced craftsman often has unique tricks up their sleeves, and this can't be denied."

Zhang Yurong pondered a bit, nodding, "That makes sense, but I don't need your reminder; I'm already trying to achieve that. Like just now, when Wen Qianyi obviously didn't give me face, but she has the capability and the right to be proud, so I wouldn't deny her opportunities because of that."

"...For instance, the rampant aggression and economic wars by people from Si Country make many want to blow up the Si Palace in retaliation. But these are almost always unrealistic fantasies, hence called wishful thinking. Can three ordinary craftsmen really outwit a Zhuge Liang? No, it's just ordinary people's fantasies, but it can be extended to mean that every ordinary person might have unique wisdom, and collective wisdom might surpass genius... Hmm, why do I feel like I'm giving you a lecture here? Me, a high school dropout, lecturing a doctorate holder, haha, what a profit!"

Zhang Yurong rolled her eyes at him, "Hmph! Hard to see you serious for a moment, now you're back to your old self! You, what you're lacking is not a degree, nor education, nor ability, but attitude! If you could maintain that seriousness for eight hours a day, I guarantee you'll achieve something remarkable within a year!"

"Being serious all the time makes life so dull," Li Yan answered lazily, habitually taking out a cigarette.

"Don't smoke here!" Zhang Yurong frowned.

Li Yan thought about it; normally no one would dare smoke here. Now, with only the two of them, if he dared smoke, people would definitely notice, suspecting the unusualness of their relationship. He put the cigarette away, stood up, and said goodbye, "Alright, I'm leaving now, going to find a place where I can smoke."

"Didn't you stay because you had something more to say? Or was it just to stare a bit more at Wen Qianyi?" Zhang Yurong suddenly recalled the previous incident.

Li Yan felt a bit sweaty and forced a smile, "I say, Madam, can't you stop overthinking? If I wanted to see Wen Qianyi, wouldn't I just go to the business department? I've only switched departments for a few days, have I forgotten the way? Do I need to see her in front of you?"

"Then why did you stay?" Zhang Yurong was a bit skeptical.

Li Yan couldn't possibly say, 'I was afraid you'd corroborate with him about Shiroyama Gou recruiting a son-in-law, the matters of Future and Aoi.' Instead, he awkwardly chuckled and said, "Actually, I just wanted to earn some benefits. I think Wen Qianyi is more capable than me and would surely have benefits; maybe I can catch something good."

Seeing him smile somewhat awkwardly, Zhang Yurong didn't know his true thoughts and assumed he really was in need of money. After all, since getting married, he hadn't asked for a penny, and he usually lived lavishly, but his income was only the basic salary, with bonuses and commissions trailing behind Wen Qianyi's.

Thinking this way, she couldn't help but wonder if when he was with Yu Xiaodi, he spent all of Yu Xiaodi's money?

A man can't be without money; otherwise, he'd be stuck at home, and going out would hurt his pride. Yet a man can't be just given money to spend; that would hurt his pride even more.

Zhang Yurong thought for a moment and then said, "Giving you a material reward worth hundreds of thousands isn't a problem. But you have to complete a special task; if you succeed, you'll get the reward. If not, then it'll be a no-go."

Li Yan wasn't really short on cash, but given his own excuse, he couldn't just drop it: "What task?"

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