Chapter 22: A barrage of compliments!

The scene in the chairman's office was truly star-studded.
The chairman, executive directors, general managers, directors, department managers, deputy managers, supervisors…
Goodness, almost all the company's most important executives were there, except for those traveling on business!
The large office was packed to the brim, and the air felt somewhat heavy.
After everyone had arrived, Chairman Huang Fengwen strolled in, hands in his pockets.
He glanced around, his brow furrowing slightly:
"Wait, why are there so many people?"
His secretary quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Chairman, you instructed that all those in charge of Su Hao's affairs come over..."
Huang Fengwen glanced at the secretary and waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, alright, you can go now."
"Yes." The secretary, relieved, bowed and quickly slipped away.
Huang Fengwen watched his secretary's hasty retreat, shook his head helplessly, and muttered to himself:
"This girl is great in every way, except she's a bit too honest."
He then turned to the group of executives sitting upright with varying expressions, and greeted them in a relaxed tone:
"Don't stand, everyone, sit down. There are a lot of people, but it's okay. I built this office so big precisely for a scene like this."
He knew perfectly well that at least half of the people present were still completely bewildered, having no idea why they'd been summoned in such an urgent manner.
"Alright, let's cut to the chase,"
Huang Fengwen leaned back in his executive chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table:
"I planted someone in the company a while ago, didn't I? Remember that? I called everyone here today because of that kid."
"Huh?" A clearly unaware vice president paused, "You…when did you plant someone in the company?"
Huang Fengwen nodded: "No wonder, you're all high-ranking, you probably didn't notice."
He turned his gaze to the two department directors present: "You should both know, right?"
The two department directors summoned today were the head of the trading department and the head of the risk management department.
Upon hearing this, both nodded tacitly and somewhat solemnly, their faces revealing an expression that said, "So it really is about that matter."
“I know many of you are thinking that kid is a ‘connection recruit,’ that he got in through connections, and you don’t like him. That’s normal.”
Huang Fengwen’s tone was calm, yet carried an air of authority:
“But just yesterday, someone actually dared to approve five million RMB in operating funds for a newcomer who’s only been here for two days! Who can explain this?”
“What?! Five million for a newcomer?! Are you kidding me! Even if he was someone you put in there, this is outrageous!”
The most hot-tempered managing director, Liu Zhuo, jumped to his feet, his voice rising eight octaves:
“Who did this? Have they lost their mind?! Can they take responsibility for this?!”
"Old Liu, calm down." Huang Fengwen gestured downwards with his hand, signaling him to calm down. "I'm not here to interrogate you, just out of curiosity. Who is it? Step forward."
From the crowd, Zhou Yi took a deep breath, stood up, and answered with a forced smile, "It's me, Chairman."
"Oh, it's you, Zhou Yi, right?" Huang Fengwen looked at him, his tone unreadable.
"I remember, our Su Hao, isn't he in your team, your subordinate?"
Our Su Hao…
Zhou Yi's heart skipped a beat again.
Just from that intimate address, the Chairman and Su Hao's relationship was probably much closer than he imagined!
This wasn't just ordinary "connections," this was practically "family" treatment!
“Chairman,” Zhou Yi composed himself, answering calmly but firmly, “the reason I gave him such a large credit line is because I see enormous potential in him.”
“Potential?” Huang Fengwen raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his tone:
“Not because he wanted to curry favor with me, the chairman, or give him some ‘special treatment’?”
Beside him, Liu Zhuo immediately seized the opportunity, adding sarcastically, “Hmph, I bet that’s about it!”
Zhou Yi shook his head:
“Absolutely not! It’s not just potential! He has already proven himself a true genius with his solid achievements!”
Liu Zhuo scoffed, his face full of disbelief:
"Haha, you make it sound so real! You're exaggerating it to the skies; anyone who didn't know better would think he earns the company 5% a day!"
You have to understand, in the private equity trading industry, a trader who can consistently achieve a 5% daily return is an absolute rarity!
A true superstar, treated like royalty wherever he goes!
However, Zhou Yi's next words exploded like a bombshell in the silent office:
"Much more than that!"
Liu Zhuo's mocking expression froze instantly: "...What?"
Zhou Yi straightened his back and, enunciating each word, uttered a number that made everyone present question their existence:
"On his first day at the company yesterday, his daily return was 8%! And today, before I arrived for this meeting, his daily return was a staggering...40%!"
"Pfft—!"
Liu Zhuo nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. He was first stunned, then his face contorted with disbelief and rage:
"Are you kidding me?! 8% yesterday, 40% today?! Is this even human?! Do you think I've never traded before?! Is your team a day trader?! 40% intraday profit?! Are you kidding me?! Who would believe that?!"
Not only Liu Zhuo, but all the previously unaware executives in the office shared the same expression—shock, disbelief, and utter absurdity!
This number completely exceeds their understanding of financial markets and human capabilities!
This defies common sense!
"I know it's hard for you all to believe."
Zhou Yi met the skeptical gazes of the crowd with an extremely serious expression, showing no sign of joking:
“But it’s absolutely true! I have no reason to tell such an easily exposed lie in this setting, in front of so many leaders!”
Liu Zhuo pointed angrily at Zhou Yi, then turned to Huang Fengwen: “Chairman! Listen to this! This kid is simply…”
“He said it,” Huang Fengwen interrupted him, calmly dropping another bombshell: “It’s true.”
Liu Zhuo: “…Huh?”
Huang Fengwen confirmed again, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief even he found unbelievable:
“Today, that kid Su Hao really did achieve a 40% return.”
“!?!”
This time, the entire office erupted in chaos! The chairman himself had personally endorsed it!
All the executives’ eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, their jaws almost hitting the floor!
“This…this…how is this possible?! 40%?! In one day?! And it’s short-term trading?!” Liu Zhuo’s voice trembled.
“Zhou Yi said it seems they seized the opportunity presented by today’s sharp fluctuations in gold futures, repeatedly manipulating the market to create this effect,”
Huang Fengwen explained, adding that he himself had just received the report and was equally shocked.
“Even with futures! That’s impossible!” Liu Zhuo still couldn’t accept it: “This can’t be explained simply by ‘good luck’! It’s absolutely impossible!”
“That’s why I called you all here,” Huang Fengwen said, shrugging.
“Originally, I wanted to meet privately with the relevant people in Su Hao’s department, as well as the risk control team, to get to know the situation.”
He ignored the executives who were still immersed in shock and confusion, whispering amongst themselves, and turned his gaze back to Zhou Yi:
“So, Zhou Yi, you mean you entrusted such a large sum of money to a newcomer who's only been here a few days ago because you valued his abilities, and not because of any other factors?”
Zhou Yi nodded calmly and replied very subtly:
“Yes, Chairman. And I heard that Su Hao and you are not… related.”
“Hmm…” Huang Fengwen responded noncommittally, “That’s true.”
But another scene flashed through his mind:
It was in an online game that occupied his spare time, his game guild to which he had poured countless efforts, whose motto was “[We’re a loving family].”
Although to outsiders, this slogan seemed rather childish and awkward.
But he knew that real emotions and bonds existed within the game, even carrying a part of many people's lives.
And Su Hao was his most trusted and loyal guild member, someone he had fought alongside for years in that virtual world.
Of course, these suited subordinates wouldn't understand this kind of "brotherhood forged in an online game," nor was there any need to elaborate.
So, he changed the subject, saying casually, "But these days, do you have to be related by blood to be considered 'family'?"
A subtle silence fell over the office again.
The executives exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a sudden realization: "Wow, they're that close!"
For the chairman to say something like that, Su Hao's position in his heart must be extraordinary!
Zhou Yi immediately seized the opportunity, speaking sincerely:
"Yes, Chairman! That's why I judged at the time that even if you and Mr. Su Hao had a personal relationship, your decision to hire him despite opposition wasn't solely due to personal connections! You must have seen extraordinary talent in him, right?"
Su Hao's talent…
Huang Fengwen fell into a brief reverie.
He had known Su Hao for several years; the kid's performance in the game was indeed outstanding.
He himself was a hands-off guild leader, but Su Hao managed to keep a large guild of several hundred members running smoothly.
The department organized various high-difficulty dungeon raids, handled complex interpersonal relationships and team conflicts…
Huang Fengwen knew better than anyone that in that chaotic, noisy, and highly mobile virtual environment, it was crucial to unite the team.
Leading everyone to overcome difficulties time and time again requires incredible communication skills, organizational abilities, decision-making skills, and... personal charisma!
That kind of thing isn't something you can learn through studying; it's pure talent!
Without this kid, his guild would probably have fallen apart and gone out of business long ago due to internal strife or mismanagement.
"Hmm..." Huang Fengwen pulled himself together, nodding thoughtfully. "That kid Su Hao... he does indeed have some... talent."
Although, the decisive factor in getting him into the company was definitely that "revolutionary friendship"...
"I knew it! Everyone in the company knows how discerning you are, Chairman! That's why I dared to take a gamble and trust your judgment! And the facts have proven that Su Hao truly possesses amazing talent in the investment field!"
Zhou Yi immediately chimed in, a "just as I expected" expression on his face, and then flattered the chairman:
"However... the intensity of his talent is a little... beyond my expectations."
"Oh my! So it must be because you, Chairman, have a keen eye and unearthed this gem before other companies did! Your judgment is still as sharp as ever, your skills haven't dulled!"
Other executives immediately reacted, joining in the flattery.
Huang Fengwen felt a little dazed listening to this sudden, wave after wave of flattery.
He was even starting to believe that bringing Su Hao in was truly because he had a keen eye and discovered Su Hao's investment talent…