Li Mu also announced that during the reform period, all employees, including him, would only receive the minimum guaranteed wage, with the rest of their salary going into the bonus pool.

Income would be based on work performance. And employees would be judged according to their results. Anyone was free to resign at any time if they couldn’t adapt to these new regulations. The company would settle the employment contract in accordance with the regulations.

If they did not fix this flaw as soon as possible, it would only end up haunting them again and again. The only way to win a chance of survival was to pull the plug. And the only way to show their will and determination was to burn their boats.

According to his request, everyone in the business department was to work overtime, which would commence immediately. No one was allowed to leave work before 10 p.m. And there would be no holidays or rest days. Like what he said, those who could not accept such changes could resign at any time.

Towards the end of the meeting, Li Mu said in a serious tone, “My friends, please don't blame me for being cruel. I am doing this for the sake of our jobs and for the company to survive. With this, we will never need to worry about what the future holds for our company. As the saying goes, without destruction there will be no construction. The only way we can survive this challenge now is to do it together!”

The meeting made a huge impact. And the business department immediately got into the thick of it.

To Li Mu's relief, not a single person resigned. And everyone quickly got into the swing of things. The business department was filled with cheers of slogans and motivational words that had not been heard for a long time now.

After a few days, the reform showed great initial results. Several delayed projects headed straight into a rapid development and delivery phase. With the development and service staff working overtime every day, Dongyang Group's work attitude was complimented by their clients.

Li Mu went to find Lin Wan for this and reported the rectification plan to her. Lin Wan listened without paying much attention and merely responded before sending him away with the reason that she was occupied with work.

On his way out, Li Mu saw a staff who was holding a large bouquet of roses walk into Lin Wan's office.

He deliberately waited in the corridor for the lady staff. Upon seeing her, he immediately went over to her and asked who the sender of the flowers was.

The young lady told him that she did not know who had sent the flowers, and that the mysterious sender had sent them through a special delivery service. The flowers were delivered on time every day. But the staff were not sure who the sender was.

Undeterred, Li Mu insisted and asked her a few more questions.

The staff then told him that there was a letter included inside the banquet each time. But they did not dare to read it as it was Miss Lin’s privacy. But Miss Lin should know who sent the flowers as she must’ve read the letter.

After thanking the young lady, Li Mu smiled mockingly at himself. What was wrong with him? What was the point of caring about this issue at this point?

He had already confirmed that Lin Wan was doing it on purpose. Her target was him and not Dongyang Group. The only scapegoat that could save Dongyang Group from danger was none other than him!

After leaving the office, Li Mu found himself a bistro and ordered two dishes and a bottle of white wine. Then, he proceeded to eat and drink on his own.

Not long after he started drinking, his phone rang. It turned out it was He Xiaoyu looking for him.

“Xiaoyu!”

“Li Mu, you did well. My father complimented your boldness and decided to promote and integrate your reform program into the whole company. Aren’t you proud of yourself?”

“Didn't I tell you not to tell Dr. He yet? You just can't keep your mouth shut, can you?”

He Xiaoyu exclaimed aggrievedly, “It wasn’t me who told him! The lights of the business department were on the whole night for a few consecutive days now. And all the staffs are clearly much more motivated than before. The company has also received a lot of faxes which were all filled with compliments! The leaders in the headquarters have been praising you like crazy. It'd be impossible for my dad to not know!”

“Well, it should have been done a long time ago. I was too soft-hearted in the past and always wanted to make life easier for everyone. But I never thought it would come to this. Now it's just a matter of mending the fold. There's nothing to be proud of.”

He Xiaoyu said with a scoff, “Li Mu, I don’t care if you trust what I say. But I insist that though we do have our problems, it’s not as bad as what Lin Wan said. In terms of service, I dare not say we’re on top of the list. But there are many companies out there that are weaker than us. I’m not trying to compare ourselves with others. I’m just stating the truth.”

“I know. But if you want to punish someone, you can always find excuses to do so. We’re all very much aware of what her aim is. Nevertheless, we were the ones who gave her flaws to target at. So let's not talk about the real reason for now. What we should really do at this very moment is to reflect on our errors and use this chance to perfect ourselves!”

“It’s pointless! Her intention is to screw us up! Li Mu, she knew very well that your career is a product of your blood, sweat and tears. Yet she was cruel enough to ruin it without hesitation. The only thing that has been on my head all this while was that if she hated you so much, why was she still willing to bear your child?”

Li Mu drained his glass of wine and said wistfully, “You are wrong. She is not giving birth to the child for my sake. I’m never going to be grateful to her for that child. She is merely giving birth for the sake of her family. And my role in this is contributing my side of the child’s genes. That child belongs to the Lin Family, not me!”

“She’s so selfish, cruel, and hypocritical! I really don't understand why is she clinging to you and not letting you go? Could it be because she wanted to see you suffer? She’s sick in the head!”

“Alright. Let’s stop talking about her. How’s the situation at the headquarters like? What was the clients’ feedback?”

“Not good. The vice president at the headquarters is backing her up. And that person is very powerful. He holds sway in the higher-ups of the headquarters and my father can’t do anything even if he used his connections. From what I heard, Lin Wan wants to screw us up. And there's literally no room for us to seek for settlement.”

He Xiaoyu's words broke Li Mu’s heart. And a sense of sadness rushed through his blood.

Holding his glass of wine, he was so deep in thoughts that he couldn't hear anything else He Xiaoyu said.

After a while, Li Mu suddenly said, “I might have a plan to make her stop!”

He Xiaoyu who was rambling on about the situation didn't hear him clearly. Confused, she asked, “What? Li Mu, what did you say?”

“I said I might have a plan to make her stop!”

Li Mu spoke slowly with a low voice, and there was a glimpse of gloom in his gaze.

“What plan?” He Xiaoyu asked immediately.

“I haven't thought it through yet. I’ll tell you once I’ve made a decision.”

“Can’t you reveal a little bit of it to me first?” He Xiaoyu pouted.

“No, Xiaoyu. It’d be better for me to think about it first. Maybe there's no need to take things that far. By the way, when will you be back?”

“A few more days. My father is still trying to work things out. Li Mu, you don't have to worry about it too much. My father has said that your reform program was done just in time and has contributed a lot to the company. So even if Lin Wan gets her way, we won’t be too much at loss. It’s no big deal.”

“It's not that simple. Since someone at the headquarters is backing her up, there's a possibility that the headquarters will force us to quit by whatever means. This Shanyang Group incident might just be a paradigm. Once the headquarters issue an official notice, the companies in each province will have no choice but to follow suit. When that happens, we can only witness our own death helplessly."

“Yeah, my father is worried about that too. So he wanted us to stay for a while more. But I think you guys are being a little too paranoid. Can she really do that? What would she benefit from that?”

“I don't know. I can't guess what she wants. I'm not lying. I really don’t know what she’s up to. I've tried talking to her but she was very tight-lipped. All her responses were standard and official statements. I can't even guess what’s really on her mind.”

“Li Mu, don't be too stressed about it. What’s the big deal? We can always quit the mobile business and stop doing their business in the future. The domestic market is so huge. I’m sure we can find another way.”

“It’s going to be really hard! We’re a huge business. A total transformation is easier said than done. Never mind about it. Give me some time to think about it!”

The two of them talked for a while longer before ending the call.

After putting down the phone, Li Mu sipped his wine in frustration. The more he drank, the more bitter he thought the wine was, and the more irritable he became.

The phone rang again. Li Mu did not want to answer the call upon seeing that the caller was Shen Xingyue. After a moment of hesitation, he still picked up the phone.

“Li Mu, are you busy?”

“I’m free to talk. What’s the matter?”

“Can we talk in person?”

Holding his phone, Li Mu didn't say anything. Shen Xing Yue didn't rush him either and quietly waited for his reply.

“Alright. I’ll send you a location.”

Shen Xingyue soon arrived and sat opposite Li Mu. She asked for an empty glass and poured herself half a glass of white wine.

“You drink white wine?” Li Mu asked curiously.

Shen Xingyue took a small sip of wine and immediately fanned her tongue with a bitter face, “I wanted to drink together with you. But I didn't expect it to be so nasty and pungent!”

Li Mu chuckled. He called for the waiter and asked for a bottle of mineral water for her.

Shen Xingyue rinsed her mouth with water before looking at Li Mu and said, “How irresponsible can you be? You said you would give me an answer within a day. How many days have passed now? What’s your decision?”

“What?”

Li Mu looked at her with confusion. He couldn’t recall what he promised her at all. There had been so much going on lately that it had made him so frazzled to the point where he forgot what he said.

“My goodness. Have you really forgotten about it? My proposal for a collaboration! What’s your decision? Get straight to the point. Yes or no?”

Li Mu nodded. He finally recalled about this matter. But he was no longer interested in this collaboration. It was very simple indeed. Since Lin Wan wanted to boycott Dongyang Group, could they get away with it by hiding behind another company’s back?”

After a moment's hesitation, Li Mu decided to tell the truth, “I am interested in your proposal. But there are some things you don't understand. I’m afraid we won't have the chance to work together.”

“I know what you're worried about. You're worried about your ex-wife's suppression, right?” Shen Xingyue said the crux of the matter.

Li Mu looked at her in surprise, wondering where she got the information from.

“Don’t be surprised. I have more sources than you do. I just can't figure out why would she do that? No matter what happened, the two of you were married! How could she push you off the cliff like that? She’s too petty!”

“I don't think she was being petty. But I still can't figure out what her real intentions are. Nevertheless, she did it. And here I am, helpless.”

“Do you still see each other now?”

Li Mu laughed and twirled his glass, “I'm afraid you won't believe what I say. But we still live together. We respect each other and act like the perfect couple in the eyes of others. Ironic, isn't it? Don’t you find it unbelievable?”