After Rebirth, Married to a Deadly Enemy - Chapter 24

Watching the departing interstellar battleship, Bai Xiangxing was lost in thought.

 

He needed to have a new understanding of his company’s security team. Even space pirates couldn’t contend with them. Which other company could boast such a formidable security team?

 

“I’ve never seen Captain Du in any of the meetings,” Bai Xiangxing casually asked. Since taking over New Shi, he had convened several high-level meetings, and he had met most of the company’s executives. However, Captain Du, the head of the security team, was conspicuously absent from those meetings.

 

“Captain Du… he hasn’t been coming to the company much lately,” replied Zhou Qirong, the Production Manager.

 

The equipment Bai Xiangxing had been eagerly waiting for had taken seven or eight years to acquire. He had been so excited about the equipment’s arrival that he couldn’t sleep the previous night. He had wandered around the factory more than a dozen times, thinking about how to use the equipment once it arrived. When daylight broke, he was shocked to learn that the equipment had been hijacked by space pirates. This infuriated him to the point where he wished he could have joined the security team to go after the pirates’ lair.

 

“However, he has been working diligently, and the company’s security measures have never had any shortcomings. They were the ones who discovered the equipment had been hijacked…”

 

Zhou Qirong had worked with Bai Xiangxing for some time, so he knew that the new General Manager had a stern style and was keen to abandon New Shi’s previous laissez-faire approach. Zhou thought that Bai Xiangxing might be concerned about Captain Du’s absence from the company and wanted to provide an explanation. However, before he could finish explaining, Bai Xiangxing gestured for him to stop and calmly said, “It’s fine. Someone with talent can be given some leeway.”

 

Zhou Qirong was left speechless.

 

So, you’re saying that the rules and regulations you’ve been emphasizing could vary depending on the person?

 

Bai Xiangxing didn’t realize that he had just cracked the stern image he had established at New Shi, which wasn’t supposed to be flexible with its employees. Instead, he curiously asked, “Why does New Shi have a battleship?”

 

A battleship wasn’t something ordinary people could possess. With the development of commercial activities and the frequent flow of goods between planets, some companies that met certain criteria could, after reporting to the Union, obtain the qualifications to own a battleship for interstellar transport. However, meeting these criteria was quite challenging. As far as Bai Xiangxing knew, there were less than ten companies throughout the Union that could claim to own their own battleships.

 

“This small warship was purchased from the military’s retired warships thirty years ago, back when our company still had some interstellar transport business,” Zhou Qirong explained.

 

Bai Xiangxing nodded, realizing that New Shi had become quite impoverished lately, almost making him forget the glorious history of the company. In terms of qualifications to own such assets, given the Shi family’s standing within the military, it wasn’t a difficult process.

 

“So, why haven’t I seen it listed in the company’s asset catalog?” Bai Xiangxing had been meticulously reviewing New Shi’s existing assets in his recent efforts to raise funds. He was confident that he knew almost all the assets inside out, and there was no mention of a battleship.

 

“I’m not sure about that; you’d have to ask Lao Zhang.” Lao Zhang was Zhang Hongming, the head of the Finance Department.

 

Bai Xiangxing was not one to leave any doubts unresolved, and especially not as New Shi’s leader. He wanted to ensure there were no hidden assets within the company that he was unaware of, so he decided to call Zhang Hongming right away.

 

“Are you referring to the warship that the company bought thirty years ago?” Zhang Hongming asked.

 

“Yes,” Bai Xiangxing replied.

 

“That one was scrapped long ago.”

 

“Scrapped?!” Bai Xiangxing’s voice trembled slightly.

 

“Yes, when we bought it, it was already a retired military ship. A warship has a service life of about thirty years, and that ship had served in the military for fifteen years. After we bought it, we reevaluated it, considering that civilian use doesn’t impose the same demands as military use. We extended its service life by another ten years. So, we disposed of that warship five years ago, and it was naturally removed from the list of company assets.”

 

Bai Xiangxing was left speechless.

 

So, the magnificent warship he had just seen, with its imposing presence and polished appearance, was actually something that had been scrapped for five years? And, according to military standards, it could have been considered retired fifteen years ago?

 

His face looked increasingly grim as he was left speechless. Shaken by the revelation, he immediately called Shizhen, expressing his worries about the situation. “What can we do now? They’ve already left for space.”

 

Shizhen calmly reassured him, “Don’t worry.”

 

“How can I not worry? There are more than a dozen people on board.”

 

“Trust me, they all have a military background. Before they depart for a mission, they check their weapons and equipment, it’s the most basic procedure. If they can pilot that warship into space, it proves that the warship is reliable. Soldiers fear neither life nor death, but they also value life the most. Trust them; they are the Storm Legion’s troops.”

 

Perhaps it was Shizhen’s unshakable tone, or maybe his words had a profound impact. Bai Xiangxing’s anxious heart suddenly found solace.

 

The security team didn’t disappoint; from liftoff to reporting back, they successfully controlled the pirate group, all within just six hours.

 

“So quickly? Weren’t they completely unaware of the pirates’ location?” Bai Xiangxing found it hard to believe, as everything seemed to have gone just too smoothly.

 

“The two planets aren’t far apart, and the star system isn’t vast. Combined with the coordinates of the hijacked transport vessel, it’s quite easy to pinpoint their location using the star map,” explained one of the security team members who had come to report. He was an ordinary-looking man.

 

I highly suspect that you’re just showing off, and I have evidence.

 

“When can we get the equipment back?” Trying to maintain his image as the boss, Bai Xiangxing asked, pretending not to be very surprised.

 

“The team captain mentioned wanting to arrange a transfer with the Interstellar Guard, but they should be back before nightfall,” the security team member replied.

 

“Tell them that when they return, I will reward them. Not only them, but the entire security team will receive double bonuses this month,” Bai Xiangxing declared. As a good leader, he believed in promptly acknowledging exceptional performance, and he was never stingy with bonuses.

 

“Thank you, General Manager, but we all know that the group is short of money right now, and your thoughtfulness is already enough. We don’t need the bonuses, and Captain Du won’t want one either when he returns,” said the security team member.

 

Bai Xiangxing was left a bit dumbfounded. He took another look at the average-looking man and asked, “What’s your name?”

 

“Wang Ping,” the security team member replied.

 

“Wang Ping, I have a question for you. Today, your team saved the company from significant losses. I haven’t rewarded you. However, when they return, if they cause the company significant losses, can I penalize you?” Bai Xiangxing asked.

 

“Of course, you can penalize us,” Wang Ping answered without hesitation.

 

“Good. Let me ask you something else. Can a company that rewards outstanding performance and penalizes significant losses without hesitation keep its employees and survive in the long term?” Bai Xiangxing asked.

 

“We’re different. Many of us were saved by New Shi’s medical fund,” Wang Ping explained, his voice tinged with guilt.

 

“Do you know why the first thing I did when I joined New Shi was to abolish the medical fund?” Bai Xiangxing asked.

 

“Because New Shi’s funds have been depleted by our medical treatments,” Wang Ping said, a bit sheepishly.

 

“No!” Bai Xiangxing exclaimed. “New Shi’s funds were not depleted by your medical treatments; they were ruined by this system.”

 

Wang Ping blinked, looking somewhat puzzled, as if he didn’t understand what Bai Xiangxing meant.

 

Bai Xiangxing was briefly at a loss for words, realizing that Wang Ping didn’t quite comprehend his words. He decided not to explain further. “Anyway, you won’t be able to enjoy this medical fund system anymore. I’ll establish a new system of rewards and penalties. If you want money for medical treatment, you’ll have to earn it yourself. As for New Shi’s lack of money, you don’t need to worry about it. We will have plenty of money in the future.”

 

Wang Ping didn’t understand everything, but he grasped the last sentence: “As long as there’s money, it’s fine.”

 

“What do you usually do at the company?” Bai Xiangxing asked.

 

“I patrol and eliminate security risks within the company,” Wang Ping replied.

 

“Can you take a break?” Bai Xiangxing inquired.

 

“Of course, feel free to give any orders,” Wang Ping responded.

 

“Be my driver and come with me to the bank?”

 

The equipment issue had been resolved, and now New Shi was entering a phase of steady growth. However, Bai Xiangxing was not content with the current pace, as they were still operating at a snail’s pace. With only one set of equipment in place, even achieving the Longsheng contract would consume the entire production line’s capacity. Bai Xiangxing needed more capital to expand production. Therefore, he was going to the bank for a loan.

 

Despite New Shi’s previous debts, the company had always maintained good credit, and Bai Xiangxing had recently paid off all their loans, so when he walked into the bank and announced his presence, the vice president in charge of loans was quick to meet with him.

 

The vice president was an Alpha in his fifties, with the surname Yang. Yang had not shown any surprise upon seeing Bai Xiangxing. After all, New Shi had just recently repaid several billion in debts, and Yang had been anticipating receiving the company’s headquarters building. However, it had been sold, indirectly causing him to lose several billion. But, observing Bai Xiangxing’s skills, he couldn’t help but be impressed by the company’s new understanding of business.

 

“Mr. Bai, what brings you here today?” After exchanging pleasantries, Vice President Yang inquired.

 

“I’m here for a loan,” Bai Xiangxing wasted no time and got straight to the point.

 

Vice President Yang raised an eyebrow, “New Shi has recently cleared the debt it owed us.”

 

“Exactly. It’s because we’ve already settled our debt with your bank that I’ve returned to request a new loan. If we were still indebted, I wouldn’t dare come back,” Bai Xiangxing chuckled.

 

“Even though you’ve settled the debt, with New Shi’s current situation, I must be blunt – you have no assets left for collateral, do you?” Vice President Yang’s words were tactful, but their meaning was quite clear. Banks generally do not lend money to companies with no assets to secure the loan.

 

Bai Xiangxing smiled and instructed, “Wang Ping, give the Alpha some of the suppressant.”

 

Wang Ping, who had been standing behind Bai Xiangxing, immediately produced a light blue vial of suppressant, placing it in front of Vice President Yang. He also provided a set of instructions.

 

“This is a new information suppressant that our company has developed. The paper contains a comparative analysis of this suppressant against the existing ones in the market,” Bai Xiangxing explained.

 

Vice President Yang examined the paper carefully and became increasingly impressed. His eyes revealed that he recognized the value of this suppressant.

 

“Is this information accurate?” Vice President Yang asked excitedly.

 

“This comparative report was conducted by the most authoritative inspection agency on Capital Star. You can verify its authenticity. If you’re still unsure, the suppressant is yours to take, and you can test it for yourself,” Bai Xiangxing proposed.

 

“Alright, if it’s genuine, I’ll consider granting a new loan to New Shi,” Vice President Yang agreed promptly.

 

“An amount above five billion,” Bai Xiangxing declared.

 

“What?!”

 

“For this loan, I hope it will be no less than five billion,” Bai Xiangxing stated.

 

“Mr. Bai, you’re asking for an exorbitant sum,” Vice President Yang protested.

 

“I leave it up to you to decide whether my request is exorbitant. But I’ll give your bank a week to provide a clear answer. If I don’t receive a definite response within a week, I will consider other banks,” Bai Xiangxing asserted with a demeanor more akin to a lender than a loan applicant. “Mr. Yang, you will be amazed by New Shi’s future development. You have one week to reply.”

 

Having delivered this bold ultimatum, Bai Xiangxing left without waiting for a response.

 

Vice President Yang was left in shock, pondering how a company that had prepared for bankruptcy two months ago and had sold its headquarters building just one month ago suddenly acquired such confidence and capital.

 

As they rode the elevator, Wang Ping, who had witnessed the entire negotiation, was excited and full of admiration. “General Manager, you are truly incredible. From your aura just now, anyone would think the bank owes us five billion.”

 

It didn’t seem like a loan request but rather a debt collection.

 

Bai Xiangxing responded, “Thank you for the praise.”

 

Upon exiting the elevator and walking towards the exit, Bai Xiangxing had the misfortune of bumping into an acquaintance, Bai Xiangqing. While in a good mood that day, Bai Xiangxing had no intention of engaging with the annoyance. Yet, someone was determined to approach him.

 

“Hey, who do we have here? Isn’t it my competent cousin? Are you here for a bank loan? Does New Shi even have any assets left for collateral? I heard that you’ve sold everything you could in the company and still can’t afford a new set of equipment,” Bai Xiangqing said with an air of schadenfreude.

 

“Director, you’ve forgotten. They’ve managed to raise the funds and purchased the equipment,” an Alpha with a sycophantic smile on his face chimed in from behind Bai Xiangqing.

 

“That’s right, they’ve raised the funds, but unfortunately, their equipment was stolen by space pirates last night. Oh dear… cousin, why do you have such bad luck?” Bai Xiangxing commented.

 

“Director, don’t forget, they’re five of them,” Bai Xiangqing’s sycophantic Alpha reminded.

 

“Small matter,” Wang Ping said very nonchalantly.

 

The casual tone made Bai Xiangxing recall his conversation with Captain Du Pengjing that morning. Captain Du had asked him, “Not planning to take it back?” using the same nonchalant tone.

 

Bai Xiangxing added, “That’s right, go ahead and make it quick. The bank has security, and they’ll arrive soon.”

 

“Got it,” Wang Ping agreed.

 

In a swift motion, Wang Ping dashed forward, and a series of punches and screams followed, creating a symphony of pain. In just a few seconds, all five of them were on the ground.

 

Bai Xiangxing walked over, squatting down next to Bai Xiangqing with a pleased expression. Amidst Bai Xiangqing’s wailing and the bank’s security personnel shouting, Bai Xiangxing said, “I don’t know why, but I always feel incredibly refreshed after beating you up. I’ve decided that in the future, when I’m not in a good mood, I’ll come to hit you.”

 

As he finished his sentence, Bai Xiangxing threw a punch aimed directly at Bai Xiangqing’s eye.

 

“Ah!!!”