The Bootlicking Antagonist Only Wants to Survive, but the Female Lead Refuses to Follow the Usual Plot

Chapter 36 Isn’t this boss sick?

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A wage increase is justified, but such a large increase in wages is too terrifying.

As the Executive Vice President, Li Meiqin is basically in charge of managing the entire Daseng Group, while Lu Chengwen is only responsible for overall decision-making.

In short, when the boss says money needs to be spent, she must step forward and be the villain.

When the boss says wages need to be increased, she must oppose it!

This is Li Meiqin's management experience over the years, and also her strategy.

First, she must always make her position clear, indicating to the boss, "I am on your side, I must save money for you."

Second, if the boss insists on increasing wages, then her obstruction can more fully highlight the boss's noble character and great love for the people.

Therefore, Li Meiqin's reputation within the group is not good, and all the employees curse her for being in cahoots with the boss.

Nonsense, my annual salary of over ten million yuan is given by the boss. If I don't align with him, advocating for benefits and demanding wage increases for the employees every day... why would he keep me?

I am just the boss's dirty glove. The boss is responsible for being the good guy, while the bad deeds and actions naturally fall on me.

But today, Lu Chengwen didn't consult her about this matter. He directly brought it up during the meeting, catching her off guard.

Li Meiqin stood up and pushed her glasses. "Mr. Lu, as the Vice President of the group, it's difficult for me to handle this when you announce it without consulting me. Why don't you give me some time? I will discuss it with the finance department and the cost accounting department, come up with a specific plan, and then..."

"You should hold a meeting," Lu Chengwen interrupted, "to discuss how to implement my decision as soon as possible. Notify the publicity department to inform all employees of the group. It must be implemented before the end of this month."

Everyone looked at Li Meiqin.

Except for him, you are the biggest here. You carry on. Let's see how long you'll act as a lackey.

"But the specific increase in wages cannot be decided just like that. It needs to go through..."

Lu Chengwen smiled, "Meiqin, you've been working too hard these past two years."

"For Mr. Lu, for Daseng Group, it's not hard."

"Hmm," Lu Chengwen said, "in that case, your annual salary will double. Keep up the good work."

Li Meiqin widened her eyes in surprise, unable to believe her boss would be so generous.

Lu Chengwen continued, "As for the salary increases for other senior managers, you can handle it."

Lu Chengwen walked up to her and lightly patted her shoulder. "Don't try to save me money."

Li Meiqin was stunned by Lu Chengwen's series of moves. "Mr. Lu, such a big decision should be reconsidered..."

A senior executive immediately stood up and led the applause, "Let's thank Mr. Lu with our applause!"

The entire conference room erupted in thunderous applause, with praises echoing continuously.

"Mr. Lu is mighty and domineering!"

"We pledge to share the glory and disgrace, and share the destiny with Daseng Group!"

"We will be loyal in the future, with no other thoughts!"

"Mr. Lu is simply a boss with a conscience, a benevolent and righteous ruler!"

Li Meiqin furrowed her brows. She understood that these people didn't want her to speak and immediately used applause and praise to solidify the matter.

She squinted, looking at Lu Chengwen, who was enjoying the adoration of everyone, rapidly thinking.

What does this person want to do!?

This is too unusual!

Did I miss something? Is he planning a major reshuffle?

First, gather support, then stabilize me with a high salary, and then choose a new vice president.

I originally planned to take away a group of teams and establish my power, but with his move, my plan was completely ruined.

My actions have been watertight! He couldn't possibly have gotten wind of it!

He wouldn't just generously give out so much money; there must be a problem!

Li Meiqin wailed inwardly.

She had already talked to several vice presidents and senior executives and had built up her excellent team over the years.

Originally, she intended to take them all away and establish her faction.

But now, with this move, she instantly became isolated.

All those who promised to leave with her dare not make eye contact now. It's obvious; why would I go out and start a peasant uprising when I can stay in Daseng, guard the empire, and get a high salary? Are they out of their minds?

But... Lu Chengwen unexpectedly gave himself the authority to determine the salary increases for all senior management.

What does this mean?!

Li Meiqin felt something was wrong in her heart, already tossing around more than a hundred ideas.

She was sweating in her palms, faintly feeling that a great storm within Daseng Group was brewing, no, it had already begun!

Lu Chengwen accepted handshakes, hugs, and gratitude from various senior executives one by one...

While smiling on the surface, he felt extremely annoyed in his heart:

["Does this small amount of money excite you all this much?"]

["Damn, is it never-ending? Men, stop coming over here; you're balding, why not just shave it all off?"]

["Damn it, constantly shaking hands and hugging men, it's annoying. I prefer beautiful women!"]

Next to him, Jiang Shihan chuckled.

Lu Chengwen turned to her, "What are you laughing at? The wage increase doesn't concern you."

Jiang Shihan pouted coquettishly, "Mr. Lu, you're bullying me."

Li Meiqin was even more surprised.

Jiang Shihan was acting coy with Lu Chengwen?! Wasn't she usually avoiding him as much as possible? What's going on with these people today?

Could it be that Jiang Shihan has always been Lu Chengwen's confidante? If that's the case, this girl is too scary. She has endured such huge pressure in the workplace, and it turns out she's the one who's in cahoots with Lu Chengwen.

Have we all been played?

Lu Chengwen walked up to Li Meiqin, who immediately smiled.

"Don't you want a hug?"

Li Meiqin immediately opened her arms, smiling as she embraced her boss, thinking: Please don't touch my butt in front of so many people!

But Lu Chengwen stopped at the right moment, maintaining a very polite and respectful embrace that was only appropriate for expressing intimate feelings between colleagues.

Now Li Meiqin was even more flustered.

Oh no! Is he no longer interested in me? He didn't even take the opportunity to touch my butt!

This is a bad sign!

It shows that he's already tired of me deep down, knowing that I'm a traitor, so he's only superficially enthusiastic towards me!

Li Meiqin awkwardly smiled and applauded along with everyone else.

Lu Chengwen returned to his seat, sitting on his boss's chair, feeling as proud as an emperor:

"Alright,

 everyone back to your seats, I have another major announcement to make."

Everyone returned to their seats, still unable to conceal their excitement.

Lu Chengwen signaled to Jiang Shihan, who began to play a slideshow.

"The image shows our shantytown project in the southern district. The progress of the project is currently less than thirty percent, but the previous financiers have all run away. I plan to continue the project."

Li Meiqin turned her head, looking at Lu Chengwen as if she was seeing a ghost.

She was completely at a loss.

What's wrong with this person... what's happening today!?

Urban redevelopment project!? The government has come to discuss this many times, and we've always politely received them, and listened to their complaints, but we refuse to get involved.

But today, our boss wants to get involved in this project!?

This is a money-burning project, the situation is extremely complicated, and a slight mistake could lead to utter ruin.

Li Meiqin quickly said, "Mr. Lu, this project is a minefield, it's too dangerous. It's time-consuming, resource-intensive, involves many stakeholders, and it's already a failed project. Even without a specific evaluation, no one would touch it. The four major families in Xue City have all repeatedly rejected the government's takeover proposals, and we..."

"I know, I know."

Lu Chengwen dragged his tone, still immersed in the vanity of being "emperor", and said very arrogantly:

"We seek wealth in danger! If you don't risk, you can't catch the wolf, you can't catch the rogue, if you don't... right?"

A group of executives looked at each other, all bewildered.

This is a question that, from a professional perspective, requires almost no thought.

Anyone with reason and brains wouldn't undertake this project; it's like throwing money into a fire pit with no way out.

But Lu Chengwen seems very determined.

Seeing everyone silent, Lu Chengwen slammed the table: "It's settled! Don't worry, this time it's my unilateral decision. You're only responsible for execution, and if there's a problem, it's on me. If we lose money, I'll take full responsibility. Shi Han!"

"Mr. Lu."

"Record today's meeting and archive it. If I blame anyone in the future, everyone can use today's record to confront me."

"Yes."

Lu Chengwen smiled faintly. "Are you all relieved now?"

"Mr. Lu's decisive and authoritarian, with the aura of an emperor!"

"Mr. Lu's vision is extraordinary, able to see business opportunities that we can't see. We will execute with all our efforts!"

"Mr. Lu is farsighted and decisive. We are shallow in wisdom and can only follow Mr. Lu's lead!"

"Mr. Lu is awesome!"

"Mr. Lu is awesome!"

Lu Chengwen sat in his chair, smugly swaying back and forth, noticing Li Meiqin's silence.

"Meiqin, why aren't you saying anything?"

Li Meiqin felt as uncomfortable as if she were being roasted over a fire.

"Mr. Lu, did I do something wrong? If you... have something to say, just say it."

Li Meiqin was sure that Lu Chengwen already knew about her situation. This project was meant to torment her.

But in what specific way Lu Chengwen would torment her, given his character, she didn't know, and she didn't dare to think about it.

Lu Chengwen had no idea what she was thinking, but looking at everyone, he could tell that everyone supported him just because he had recently given them a raise and told them they had no responsibility.

Lu Chengwen smiled: "I know my impression on you all wasn't good before."

"No, no, Mr. Lu is a very good person, we're all very grateful."

"Yes, yes."

"No need to flatter me." Lu Chengwen stood up:

"I have a few hobbies."

Lu Chengwen began to speak:

"My first love is money. I don't mind how much money I make, I just want to stuff all the money in the world into my pockets."

Everyone laughed together; this was the plain truth.

"My second love is beautiful girls. Hey, whether they're young or mature, sexy or cute, I love them all!"

Everyone smiled knowingly, feeling that Lu Chengwen's speech today was particularly interesting.

"My third love is family."

Lu Chengwen slammed the table: "So, tit for tat, I want you all to make money, I want you all to be able to woo girls, I want you all to take care of your families! So, raise your salaries and do big things! Any problems?"

Everyone shouted together, "We follow Mr. Lu's lead! We will resolutely execute Mr. Lu's great decisions!"

Lu Chengwen smiled and pointed at Li Meiqin: "Meiqin, you'll personally handle this matter, and I have one request: you must sign the contract within a week!"

Li Meiqin clenched her fist under the table, looking at Lu Chengwen, completely unable to understand anymore.