Episode 192
Success after success.
Wang Jin-hee, initially dismissed as the chairman’s spoiled youngest daughter returning from studying abroad, was proving to be a formidable businesswoman. Every investment she made turned into gold, every project she led was a resounding success. Her sharp judgment and bold decisions had propelled her rise within Haixin Group.
“There goes Deputy Director Wang.” The female employees of Haixin Group whispered among themselves as she walked through the lobby.
“She’s so cool, isn’t she? I heard she’s never failed.”
“And she graduated early from a prestigious university in the US. She’s beautiful, talented, has a powerful husband and father… Is there anyone else like her? I’m so jealous.”
“Sales Headquarters is giving out huge bonuses thanks to their performance in the first half of the year. And I heard it’s all thanks to Deputy Director Wang.”
“Wow, I’m so envious.”
“And she’s known for taking care of her subordinates. She even brought her team from Sales Department 5 with her. She’s fiercely loyal to her people.”
“I want to work for her. It would be so motivating.”
“I’ve been here longer than her, and it makes me wonder what I’ve been doing with my life. Is this kind of talent innate? Is she just a natural-born leader…?”
“Shhh!” Another employee interrupted her. “That’s a sensitive topic these days. Be careful.”
“But everyone is saying that Haixin Group would be twice as big if she were in charge. She’s like Chairman Wang in his younger days.”
“Still, be careful. You don’t want to offend Director Wang Hao or Director Wang Chen.”
They weren’t the only ones talking about her. Her meteoric rise was the talk of the town, from the lowest-ranking employees to the top executives.
“Damn it!” Wang Hao threw a document across the room. “That slippery little bitch!”
He and his brother, Wang Chen, had tried everything. They had even spread rumors about Haixin’s overseas expansion plans, using their connections with the media, something they shouldn’t have done as executives and sons of the founder. But Wang Jin-hee had succeeded despite their efforts.
And it wasn’t just that one project. Whether it was investment or marketing, she always managed to overcome their obstacles, as if some unseen force was helping her.
“Find me a good project! Now! Why can’t you do what she does?!” he shouted at his aides, who bowed their heads apologetically. They had been diligently researching investment opportunities and proposing new projects, but they had all failed, either because the value plummeted unexpectedly or because the projects didn’t pan out. They were elites, graduates of prestigious universities, chosen to be Wang Hao’s aides, but they were starting to feel demoralized by their constant failures.
They had been working hard, dreaming of the day they would become the core of Haixin Group after Wang Hao became chairman, but this was the most challenging period of their careers. “Why am I surrounded by incompetent fools?!”
And his own past misdeeds were being exposed in the media, his image tarnished beyond repair. He needed a turnaround, something big.
“I need a game-changer… something big…” He paced back and forth anxiously.
And his father’s attitude towards him had also changed after his recent string of failures. He had started dismissing him with a wave of his hand and a sigh, instead of his usual angry outbursts. He had initially been relieved, but after it happened repeatedly, he felt a sense of unease. “I preferred it when he yelled at me.” He remembered his father shaking his head in disappointment yesterday, a look of pity on his face. “This can’t continue.”
Just then, someone knocked on his office door. “Director Wang, it’s Oh Xiang.”
A bright smile finally appeared on his face. “Oh Xiang! Come in!”
A man with a sturdy build and tanned skin entered.
“How did the contract negotiations go?”
“We’ve secured an exclusive contract,” he said with a smile.
“That’s my boy! I knew you could do it!” He was one of Wang Hao’s rising stars, having successfully secured several contracts and projects recently. He normally wouldn’t meet with someone of Oh Xiang’s rank, but he was an exception. “So… you know what to do, right?”
“Of course, it was all thanks to your guidance, Director Wang.”
Oh Xiang had done all the work, but the credit, as always, went to Wang Hao. “Hahaha, you’ve been a great help, Oh Xiang! Unlike these…” He glared at his aides, who bowed their heads apologetically. But their faces were contorted with resentment. Oh Xiang was a newcomer, a junior employee, but he had quickly risen through the ranks thanks to his exceptional performance and efficiency. One day, he had called Oh Xiang into his office after he had secured a major contract and asked him to give him the credit. And Oh Xiang had replied, ‘I work for the company, sir. Credit doesn’t matter. Supporting you is supporting the company.’ And he had never refused any of Wang Hao’s requests since then.
“Oh Xiang, thanks to your generosity, I can still hold my head high. I’ll reward you handsomely when I become chairman.”
“I’m happy to be of service, even if it means remaining as a section chief forever.” The aides’ faces darkened at his words. They resented the newcomer who had stolen their place in Wang Hao’s favor.
“Anyway, thanks to you, I can finally breathe again… This is a big deal. Oh Xiang, do you have any good ideas?”
“Good ideas, sir?”
“I need a breakthrough.”
“Hmm…”
“I can’t trust these idiots, so you’ll have to figure something out.”
Oh Xiang thought for a moment. “Director Wang.”
“Yes, speak freely.”
“Are you interested in energy development?”
His eyes lit up. “Energy development?”
“Yes, overseas oil fields, mines, that sort of thing. It requires a large investment, but the potential rewards are enormous.”
“Oh, really?”
As Wang Hao seemed to be convinced, one of his aides said urgently, “Director Wang, energy development is too risky!”
His friendly demeanor vanished, and he frowned. “What business isn’t risky these days?”
“Energy development is especially risky. The failure rate is high, and it’s not our area of expertise!”
“Do you think our group started as an electronics company?! My father started as a salesman! Business is about adapting to the changing times!”
“But…”
“Enough! If you’re going to object, at least offer an alternative! Do you have a better idea?!”
The aide, who had just been reprimanded for his failed investments, had nothing to say.
He just bit his lip. “See?! You have no other ideas, just mindless objections! Are you jealous of Oh Xiang because I favor him?!”
Oh Xiang smiled. “Director Wang, they’re just concerned about you. And it’s true that energy development is risky. Please calm down.”
“I appreciate your concern, Oh Xiang.” He turned to his aides, who were trembling with humiliation, and said to Oh Xiang, “I know it’s risky, but…” He smirked. “…you wouldn’t mention it unless you had a lead, would you?”
“Of course not. I have some reliable information. A promising oil field is on the market.”
“Good! Tell me more! With energy development, we can turn things around with a single deal! It’s perfect!”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s sit down and talk!” Excited by the prospect of a turnaround, he walked towards the sofa, his face beaming, unaware of Oh Xiang’s smirk.
Four days later,
“He took the bait?”
“Yes,” Li Yang replied, nodding.
“Excellent, excellent. This is perfect.” Wang Hao and Wang Chen, anxious after their recent failures, had tried everything, but I had thwarted their every attempt, using the opposite of Wang Jin-hee’s methods.
“Hehehe, energy development requires a massive investment. And if it’s a worthless oil field, it’s even better.”
Haixin Group would suffer a huge loss, and it would be a devastating blow to Wang Hao’s reputation.
“Tell Oh Xiang to keep up the good work.”
Oh Xiang was one of the five heihaizi I had sent to Haixin Group after meeting Wang Jin-hee. His success wasn’t due to his own abilities. I was supporting him from the outside, and the other four heihaizi were assisting him internally, prioritizing his work over their own, even enduring ridicule for their poor performance.
“Yes, sir.”
“So we’ve set the stage. Now, how do we convince Wang Hao?”
Even an idiot like him wouldn’t rush into a multi-billion, or even trillion, won project like energy development without careful consideration. He needed to be convinced, presented with compelling evidence and a solid business plan. He also had to persuade his father and the other executives. “The first step, convincing Wang Hao, has to be perfect. Understand?”
But Li Yang looked puzzled. “Sir, the first step is already complete.”
I repeated my instructions, assuming he hadn’t understood. “He’s anxious because of his failures, but it’s still a massive investment. He’ll need a lot of convincing.”
But he still looked puzzled. “Sir, Wang Hao has already been convinced.”
“What?”
“He swallowed the bait whole. He’s already working on the second stage, persuading Chairman Wang and the other executives. I came to report because the first stage is complete.”
He had made such a significant decision in just four days? “That quickly? Without any additional information?”
“Yes. He’s even more foolish than we anticipated.”
Wang Hao might be an idiot, but his aides weren’t. “Was there any opposition?”
“His aides advised caution, of course, but he was adamant.”
Had he learned nothing from his past failures? Such a hasty decision, without proper preparation…
“Hmm…”
It was unexpected, but it was good news. That’s why Li Yang had come to report it.
“Sir, are you feeling alright?”
“What? Oh, no, I’m fine.”
But something felt wrong. Not just the unexpected turn of events, but a deeper sense of unease. ‘This is strange.’
He had been that easily convinced?
The oil field Oh Xiang had presented him with was one of the few valuable assets Daehoo Energy had. Maybe he had independently verified its potential through other sources, but I couldn’t shake off my unease. “Hmm.”
“Sir?”
“Proceed as planned. Send Oh Xiang the detailed information about the oil field to support Wang Hao’s efforts to persuade his father and the other executives.”
“Yes, sir.”
After he left, I sat down and muttered, “This is unsettling.” I felt this way only when my carefully crafted plans went awry. I narrowed my eyes. “Something else is influencing his decision. Something I don’t know about.”