******

CHAPTER 103

By the next day, Li Jing arrived at the company and proceeded to her office to prepare things for the meeting Ye Cheng was about to call for.

As usual, Ye Cheng sent one of his men to take her to work and arrived some minutes after she got to the company.

As soon as Ye Cheng arrived, the meeting kick-started in a few minutes with all executives already seated and waiting for what the meeting would be about.

He was seated at the first lone chair at the far end of the room, with Hao Huaizhong to his right and Li Jing, seated in front of where her tag was.

Before he began addressing them, he stole a quick glance at her and appreciated her look that morning.

Ever since the incident on Friday and Sunday's news, none of them had spoken to each other and he was dying to know what she thought about being shown publicly like that and also apologize for causing such a ruckus.

Apparently, he allowed the news to skyrocket all over the internet and cause a great noise in the city first before his people asked Ying Yue to take down the picture and news.

But the deed had already been done. Virtually everyone had seen him and Li Jing and his enemies were now fully aware that he was alive, which was exactly what he was hoping for.

Ahem!

He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Good morning everyone."

"Good morning sir." Everyone chorused thief greetings and relaxed in their seats.

"Today's meeting was called to brief everyone on some recent updaes in the company."

Ye Cheng first started on a calm note, making everyone relax and not suspect the main reason behind the whole thing.

After some minutes of asking each and every head to give a brief talk about the growth in their department, he drew the straw that broke the carmel's back.

He first introduced Li Jong as the new head of the finance department before asking her to brief them on their findings.

By the time she was done, those found wanting broke out in cold sweat as all their deeds were exposed.

By the end of the meeting, two executive heads were dismissed from the company alongside two other workers.

In as much as Ye Cheng knew that the head of all their crimes was Hao Huizhong, he still did not find any lead tying him to the theft issue.

As soon as the meeting ended, Hao Huizhong let out a sigh of relief and relaxed in his seat.

All through, he had been hoping Ye Cheng did not mention his name and that the other three executives did not rat him out.

Luckily for him, they all kept shut about him being involved.

"Also, since you all do not want to tell me who the money is going to, tell the person I want all money stolen from the company returned before the end of the month or I would lock you all up for money laundering."

"Sir, please we do not... "

"You still want to deny it? Oh and also know that you all have been relieved from your positions. Turn in your resignation letter by the end of the day."

"Sir please. We are sorry."

"You should have thought about that first, before you stole or got involved with the crime. The rest of you," Ye Cheng half yelled bat his workers. "I want all reports about the growth of your units. If I do not see any growth within one week, prepare your resignation letter as well. I do not want slackers in my company. I am not paying you to relax."

"Yes sir."

"Dismiss."

Immediately everyone, except Hao Huizhong stood up from their seats and packed their files away.

From the corner of his eyes, he caught one little wild cat trying to escape and immediately called on her.

"Li Jing."

Like a child caught stealing, Li Jing gulped and turnedbher head in his direction.

"Yes?"

"Be in my office in the next two minutes."

"But I have..."

"Not up for discussion, Li Jing, be there. Any other thing can wait."

She had wanyedbto escape as she still had not spoken to him about the incident and did not know how she would approach him or converse with him.

Before she could respond, Ye Cheng got up and exited the meeting room, leaving she and Hao Huizhong behind.

'Oh come on, why does he wants to see me now of all times?' Li Jing lamented in her mind.

While she was busy with her thoughts, she failed to notice Hao Huizhong getting up from his seat and walking to where she stood.

"Hello," his calm sweet voice broke her from thoughts, startling her.

Li Jing blinked several times as she got back to reality and turned her head to the side to look at him.

"Hello."

"I believe we have not properly met." Hao Huizhong added, stretching his hand for a shake.

"Oh, that's true." Li Jing accepted his hand and shook him briefly before retracting her fingers but before she could escape, he held her hand tight.

Her gaze darted towards where their hands joinednfor a split second and returned to the dashing young man on front of her.

It was no doubt that he was Ye Cheng's best friend, both men were unequally handsome, but Ye Cheng and Tang Zixin still stood on top of the food chain with Ye Cheng taking the lead.

"My name is Hao Huizhong. I believe you already know my name."

"Yes, how could I have missed it." Li Jing did her best to put on a pleasant smile, hoping the whole thing wouldn't look awkward.

Still, Hao Huizhong failed to release her now as he looked looked her expectantly.

By the time she got the cue, her kips curved into an 'O' shape as realization dawned on her.

"Oh sorry, my manners. My name is Li Jing as you already know."

"Hmm, such a nice name for such a lovely looking girl."

"Thanks. Nice meeting you."

"The pleasure is all mine." Hao Huizhong smiled back at her.

Till now, Hao Huizhong still held her hand and it was now becoming awkward as she did not know what to say.

"Umm, can I?" Like Jing raised their joinedbhands to indicate what she meant. "I need to be on my way."

"Yeah sure, sorry." Hao Huizhong let go her hand, with his smile still on.

"Thanks. Bye."

She lowered her head a bit and walked past him.

'Phew, I thought that would never end.'