CHAPTER 939: CHAPTER 733: LIKING YOU SINCE THE FIRST GLANCE 74

The present high-level officials only saw his face rapidly change, almost visibly with various emotions intertwining—shock, surprise, reminiscence, leaving everyone too afraid to utter a sound.

Only Zhou Yao, standing next to Bo Qin, raised his eyebrows slightly. Just now, although it was faint and brief, he seemed to have heard Jian Dan’s voice.

So, was this call from Jian Dan?

"This meeting is now adjourned."

Bo Qin said, his voice trembling, then stood up and left. Everyone exchanged looks, their gaze shifting to Secretary Zhou on the side. Zhou Yao tidied up the documents left by Bo Qin and waved, "Everyone, please adjourn. The meeting time will be announced separately."

"Assistant Zhou, does Mr. Bo mean that the meeting is temporarily canceled? No reports will be heard either?"

The question came from the head of the Development Department, his nerves tightly wound. His question conveyed a sense of relief, a feeling of having been saved.

Initially, it was his turn to report work progress. Indeed, the Development Department had encountered some issues recently, and speaking up wouldn’t earn sympathy but might give Mr. Bo a bad impression.

After all, it’s an internal issue he hasn’t started addressing yet.

Previously, he had overly allowed the department to develop unchecked, inadvertently fostering some problematic practices. He was prepared to be heavily criticized, but unexpectedly, he was saved at the last moment.

Seeing his expression, Zhou Yao knew he was relieved and nodded slightly, asking, "Minister Li, are you troubled because of the Development Department’s issues?

Lately, I’ve heard some rumors; I’m wondering if you intend to explain them to me first."

Minister Li’s expression looked exceptionally grim, but he still nodded, "Thank you, Assistant Zhou."

High-level leaders left one by one, with the Finance Minister looking pale as well, "Minister Li, we share the same fate; be cautious."

The Finance Department also had a pile of issues waiting for him to address. Previously, the Finance Department went through an overhaul, yet problems quickly emerged again this time.

Uncertain if the quicker pace was to blame, the Finance Minister felt incapable of keeping up. Could it be age catching up?

He walked out, shaking his head.

In the conference room, only Zhou Yao and Minister Li remained. Minister Li’s face hardened inch by inch, becoming quite cold and unfeeling.

"Assistant Zhou, this matter began with a problem in my initial proposal. I will take responsibility for my part without delay, and as for how the company handles it, let it be handled as such;

Previously, I proposed meritocracy, but unexpectedly, it fueled some undesirable practices within the department. Now the entire department, driven by personal interests, is behaving unscrupulously—each ambitious, yet their skills don’t match their imagination, leading the Development Department into chaos;

Before attending the meeting, I already laid off five people. I came here with the mindset of being laid off myself, and now that Mr. Bo is dealing with an urgent matter, I will briefly report this to you."

Minister Li handed over all the materials in his hand, "All these are the projects the Development Department has obtained over the past two years, yet progress has been sluggish for various reasons. One project initially went smoothly, but later fell through because the opposing party’s responsible person refused to offer kickbacks to our side;

I’m sorry it took me this long to find out about these, causing losses for the company, and I’ll take full responsibility, given that this matter started due to my proposal."

Zhou Yao frowned; the recent issues of the Development Department had circulated widely, and everyone thought it was Minister Li’s problem. Unexpectedly, there seemed to be quite a few matters involved.

Zhou Yao accepted the folders and file folders, "I will inform Mr. Bo of this. This week, you can rest at home first. As to who is right or wrong, we will investigate thoroughly, without falsely accusing anyone nor letting anyone off the hook."

"Yes, with Secretary Zhou’s assurance, I feel much more at ease."

...

"Jian Dan, say something."

Bo Qin returned to the office, and all his anger dissipated along the way, especially upon hearing the sobbing voice of the girl opposite, leaving no room for anger, only a deep-seated, explosion-worthy anxiety.

He was worried she couldn’t handle it.

More worried, wondering what might have happened to her at this very moment.

What could make her cry like this?

When he started talking, there was only silence on the other end except for sobbing. Gradually, Bo Qin began to comfort her, calling out "Jianjian" countless times.

Finally, his voice softened significantly.

"Jianjian, tell me, where are you now?"

"Uncle Qin, I’m very scared."