Having achieved financial freedom, I reorganized my workplace.

Chapter 43 Cold Yet Passionate

On New Year's Day, the temperature in Suicheng dropped by 10 degrees Celsius, and the morning wind was biting cold.

However, none of this dampened the company's enthusiasm.

After all, President Zeng will be arriving soon.

At the exit of the Suixian Expressway toll station, a giant banner with red background and white characters fluttered in the wind, reading "Warmly welcome General Manager Zeng Huihuang home." Each character was as tall as a person and could be clearly seen from hundreds of meters away.

Lin Chen revised the banner three times. In the first version, the characters were too small, and Tan Huasheng said it wasn't grand enough. In the second version, Lin Chen added a secondary character, which Tan Huasheng removed.

Director Tan Huasheng personally led the team, with all the heads of various departments present. More than twenty people, all wearing dark suits issued by the company, lined up in the open space next to the toll station to wait.

No one dared to wear an extra coat because Tan Huasheng said that everyone should be dressed uniformly.

It's like attending a funeral.

They really value appearances more than substance.

However, Lin Chen wasn't stupid; he secretly added a set of thermal underwear underneath.

You guys just have to endure it.

But Tan Huasheng himself stood at the very front, braving the wind; who would dare complain?

The cold wind blew like a knife, and many people's noses turned red and their bodies stiffened from the cold.

Lin Chen stood at the back of the line, watching this scene, and felt happy for his choice.

Chen Ya, who was in the row in front of him, was also wearing a suit, but with high heels. She stood tall and graceful, looking very beautiful. She was hunching her neck, with a serious expression, muttering something to herself, as if she had something on her mind.

Perhaps her high heels were a bit uncomfortable.

Zhang Junmin's legs were trembling from the cold, and he coughed incessantly, but he still stood upright behind Director Tang.

That's truly commendable.

He felt unwell when he set off in the morning, but he didn't want to miss the opportunity, and he squeezed in at the front, unlike Lin Chen who hid in the back.

Tang Xin noticed the situation and came over to ask Zhang Junmin, "Are you sick?"

Zhang Junmin immediately answered loudly, but his voice was already hoarse, clearly from a sore throat: "I have a bit of a cold and a runny nose, but it won't affect anything, I can manage."

He deliberately shouted it to let his superiors know his determination.

Upon hearing this, Tan Huasheng immediately turned around and said seriously, "Go back quickly if you have a cold, don't infect President Zeng."

Wow, these words seemed to be the last straw for Zhang Junmin. Tears and snot streamed down his face, and the wind blew them all over his face.

When he left, Lin Chen saw the despair in his eyes.

"Everyone, perk up and keep smiling." Tan Huasheng turned around and shouted in a low voice, "President Zeng's car will be here soon."

As soon as the words were spoken, a convoy slowly drove out of the toll station, led by a black Audi, followed by several official vehicles. The convoy came to a smooth stop in front of the welcoming party.

In an instant, it was like a miracle.

The crowd, who had been shivering from the cold, seemed to be warmed by something, and they all followed Tan Huasheng forward. Their faces were instantly filled with enthusiastic smiles, and their frozen fingers did not forget to straighten their ties and clothes.

That's something new!

It's really good.

Tan Huasheng strode forward and personally opened the door for the Audi in the middle. The angle of his bow was just right, showing both respect and the dignity of a manager.

"Old leader, welcome back to Suicheng. Everyone heard you were coming and spontaneously waited here early, all hoping to see you." Tan Huasheng's voice was loud and full of emotion, even a little trembling, not at all like someone who had been standing in the cold wind for more than half an hour.

To be honest, anyone can say these words, but none of them are as heartfelt as Tan Huasheng's. It comes from the bottom of his heart and is not an act.

Zeng Huihuang slowly got out of the car. He was short and fat, and could be described as short and stout. He was wearing a dark jacket and his hair was neatly combed, as if every single strand had been styled.

Faced with this grand welcome, he showed just the right amount of surprise and emotion: "Oh dear, Lao Tan, what are you doing? It's so cold, and you're making everyone freeze here. I feel really bad about it."

These were well-spoken words, but Lin Chen noticed that President Zeng's gaze swept over everyone, but he didn't see Song Jiehui. The corners of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly upwards, as if he was a little unhappy, but he held it in.

"Of course, of course," Tan Huasheng quickly replied. "Suicheng is where you fought. Everyone misses our old leader."

At this moment, as planned, several senior department heads stepped forward to shake hands with President Zeng and said polite things like "President Zeng, you've worked hard" and "Welcome home."

The atmosphere was lively yet orderly.

Zeng Huihuang looked at everyone, his tone serious, but he was also jokingly scolding Tan Huasheng: "Huasheng, you've been with me for so many years, you should know my rules, which is that I don't like overstepping boundaries. This is the kind of welcoming treatment you'd receive from the top leader, isn't it? If word gets out, people will say I'm giving special treatment."

Tan Huasheng: "I know that our former leader is modest, but everyone knows about your contributions to Suicheng. Every inch of this place bears your footprints, and every drop of water carries your legend. Therefore, no amount of hospitality is appropriate or worthwhile."

"Alright, let's not dwell on the past, let's look forward." Zeng Huihuang couldn't hide his laughter and hugged Tan Huasheng. "All my footprints will be erased by Director Song."

Why does that sound a little sour?

At this moment, Tan Huasheng stepped forward and said, "Your great achievements in Suicheng, old leader, can never be erased. Not to mention the distant past, just the Wushan Water Station, a large-scale water conservancy project, has benefited countless people."

Zeng Huihuang shook his head: "Sigh, Huasheng, back then, how much pressure did I face and how much effort did I put in for the Wushan Water Station? Now some people are saying that I did anything for honor and for project funds."

Tan Huasheng immediately retorted angrily, "Who said such a thing against their conscience? Are they really not afraid of being struck by lightning?"

Zeng Huihuang seemed satisfied, glancing at the screen briefly: "Where did your Director Song go today?"

Tan Huasheng: "By the way, Director Song had some urgent business at home today and went back to the provincial capital." Tan Huasheng didn't mention that Director Song had rushed back to have dinner with him in the afternoon, probably because he had forgotten.

That's normal, though. Song Jiehui said he'd rush back in the afternoon, but can you believe that?

Could it just be a polite remark?

It's better to say nothing than to say something.

"Your Director Song is something else, always running around to the provincial capital."

Zeng Huihuang was also dissatisfied. "I came and you ran away. What do you mean by that?"

His words also carried a hint of sarcasm.

But he's from the province, his wife and kids are all there, where else would he go if not to the province?

Tan Huasheng wanted this effect, so he remained silent.

Zeng Huihuang: "It doesn't matter whether he's here or not. I'm just here to go through the formalities and visit you old buddies. Where's Director Tang? Didn't he come either?"

Tang Xin stepped forward, revealing a warm and welcoming smile: "President Zeng, I'm here."

Zeng Huihuang made no attempt to be reserved and immediately grabbed Tang Xin's hand, saying, "Haha, Director Tang looks even more beautiful now."

Tang Xin also said coquettishly, "What President Zeng said makes this old hag feel so ashamed."

Tan Huasheng added, "Director Tang is always the most beautiful woman in Suicheng Company."

Zeng Huihuang: "That's right, Director Tang, I watched you grow up like that, you're really getting more and more charming."

Tang Xin enjoyed being teased in public like this: "Zeng, it's cold here. Let's go back and have a cup of hot tea while we continue listening to your teachings."

"Yes, let's go back first." Tan Huasheng's service was also very thorough. He began to lead the way for the leaders, and the group of people followed and started walking back.

Perhaps it was the frost on the ground that made it too slippery, perhaps it was because she wasn't used to high heels, or perhaps it was intentional, but Chen Ya stumbled.

He suddenly lunged forward and bumped into President Zeng in front of him. Lin Chen reacted quickly and caught President Zeng.

Chen Ya blushed to the roots of her neck and stammered, "Mr. Zeng, I'm so sorry, my...shoes..."

Everyone's hearts jumped into their throats, and they all looked up at President Zeng, the atmosphere awkward.

Lin Chen reacted quickly, saying, "Mr. Zeng, look, this beautiful lady is so excited to see you that she can't even walk straight."

Mr. Zeng was taken aback at first, then looked at Lin Chen, and then at Chen Ya, his eyes showing appreciation: "And who is this?"

Tan Huasheng immediately introduced, "She's Comrade Chen Ya from our office."

"Oh." Zeng Huihuang nodded meaningfully, glanced at Chen Ya again, said nothing, and turned to get into the car surrounded by the crowd.