When Liu Dakui heard Xiao Chen's words, his expression shifted. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew very well that with just one sentence, Xiao Chen had the power to drive him out of the company.
If he were expelled, what good would it do to rough Xiao Chen up and send him to the hospital? That would only be venting anger. What he truly wanted was to see Xiao Chen beaten down and humiliated, stripped of the minister's seat.
Suppressing his fury, Liu Dakui unclenched his fists, drew a long breath, and forced himself to say, "I was wrong in this matter. I'll be more careful in the future."
The sight of the domineering Liu Dakui lowering his head stunned the other security guards. The man who usually bullied others into submission had actually admitted fault? A few even regretted it secretly—if only they had egged him on instead of watching silently. Wouldn't a brawl have been more exciting?
"Heh, since Director Liu has realized his mistake, let's let it go this time." Xiao Chen's tone lightened, and he even smiled.
Liu Dakui felt relieved on the surface, but inwardly sneered. Boy, just wait. I'll call Ren Kun later.
Xiao Chen lit a cigarette and turned to him. "Director Liu, do you know why President Su appointed me as minister?"
"I don't know. I'm sure President Su has her reasons," Liu Dakui replied stiffly, though resentment boiled inside him.
"Of course she has her reasons." Xiao Chen's smile vanished. His palm slammed down on the table with a sharp crack. "Because the security department is in desperate need of reform!"
The sudden bang startled everyone. Reform? What did that mean?
"Tell me, Director Liu," Xiao Chen's gaze hardened, "how many guards were on duty last night?"
"Twelve," Liu Dakui answered instinctively.
"Twelve?" Xiao Chen sneered. "With twelve guards on duty, a thief still managed to sneak into the CEO's office?"
The room fell silent. Faces changed dramatically. A thief? In the CEO's office?
"That's impossible!" Liu Dakui blurted.
"Impossible? Shall I ask President Su to confirm it herself?" Xiao Chen's voice was icy.
"…No need." Liu Dakui shook his head quickly.
"Nothing was stolen, but President Su is furious. That's why she wants the department restructured." Xiao Chen exhaled smoke, his tone heavy. "We even checked the surveillance, yet found no signs of intrusion…"
"Did you report it to the police?" someone asked.
"No. Since nothing was taken, President Su chose not to. But she made it clear—the security department cannot continue being slack. I've been tasked with shouldering this responsibility."
A few guards smirked inwardly. Shouldering responsibility? Making it sound like you're risking your life over a petty matter.
"As the saying goes, desperate times call for heavy measures. I've decided to hold a full assessment of every security guard."
"Assessment?" Murmurs rippled through the group.
"Those who pass stay. Those who fail leave. That's why President Su gave me authority over your positions. Whether you remain here depends on you."
The announcement hit like thunder. Fired? Just like that?
"Ding Li, call the others over. They'll take the test too. Once it's over, we'll reorganize the department."
Ding Li froze, panic flashing across his face. Am I about to be fired too?
"What are you waiting for? Go!" Xiao Chen snapped.
"Oh, right!" Ding Li scurried off.
Xiao Chen's eyes returned to Liu Dakui. "And you, Director Liu. As head of the department, you bear direct responsibility for last night's breach. The assessment starts with you."
Liu Dakui's stomach sank. "What kind of assessment?"
"You'll see in the gym." Xiao Chen rose and strode out.
The word gym made Liu Dakui's face twitch. A bad feeling gnawed at him. This bastard just wants revenge for yesterday.
Sure enough, when they arrived, Xiao Chen leaned casually against a treadmill and smiled. "Director Liu, yesterday you said bodyguards need real combat strength. Well, the same goes for security guards. Without strength, how can you handle emergencies or protect company property?"
"…This bastard's out to get me.*
"Strength comes from training the body," Xiao Chen continued. "Let's keep it simple—three hundred push-ups."
Liu Dakui's mouth twitched violently. Three hundred? Are you kidding me?
"What's wrong? Don't want to be assessed?" Xiao Chen's tone chilled.
Grinding his teeth, Liu Dakui swallowed his rage. "Fine. But let me use the restroom first."
"Go ahead. But don't try anything funny, or you're out."
Suppressing his fury, Liu Dakui stormed off to make a call to Ren Kun. He needed backup, and fast.
But to his dismay, Ren Kun's phone was switched off. Furious, he stuffed the phone away and returned.
Inside, several guards had already finished their sets. Only a few were still struggling on the floor.
"Director Liu's back!" Xiao Chen's smile was mocking. "Come on, let's all count together for him. Don't let him skip a single rep."
The guards, realizing the "assessment" was nothing more than Xiao Chen targeting Liu Dakui, shouted the numbers loudly with every push-up he did.
"One, two, three…"
Liu Dakui, once a special forces soldier, endured with gritted teeth. His arms trembled, veins bulging, sweat pouring down. By the time he reached two hundred sixty, his body screamed in protest.
"Just thirty more! What's wrong? I thought the special forces could handle this. If word gets out you can't even manage three hundred push-ups, won't it disgrace our military?" Xiao Chen mocked, sipping from a cold drink nearby.
The jab nearly made Liu Dakui faint with rage. I've done over two hundred sixty already, damn it!
But he forced himself on, one agonizing push at a time, until finally—
"Three hundred!" the guards shouted in unison.
Collapsed and trembling, Liu Dakui lay on the floor, drenched in sweat.
"Heh, congratulations on completing round one." Xiao Chen's eyes glinted. "Next, after five minutes' rest, you'll spar with your men. If they beat you, you're out. If you beat them, they're out."
The gym fell silent. Everyone understood—this was no assessment. This was Xiao Chen settling scores.