The weather was still mild, not yet time to turn on the air conditioning.
However, President Wang always felt a chill down his back, as if the cold air from the air conditioner was continuously pouring in through his collar.
He never expected that hiding in the car and discussing kickbacks with Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang would be something Lu Li knew entirely about!
At this moment, President Wang was terrified; if this matter were exposed, his life would be over!
Lu Li stared deeply at the other party and slowly said, "President Wang, let's be frank. If you are willing to disclose the details, I can let it go and not cause you to lose your job, and the business will still be yours."
President Wang had one last psychological defense line that wasn't breached. He took a deep breath, "You don't have any evidence, what am I admitting to?"
Lu Li chuckled lightly, "Do I need evidence? If you walk out of the meeting room door today, and later your inflated price finds its way to your boss's ears, don't you think there will be an internal investigation?"
Indeed, President Wang remained silent. Although such things were privately acquiesced by the boss, by that time, to protect the company's reputation, he would certainly use him and the two colleagues who came with him as scapegoats, and it would still be very miserable.
Lu Li continued, "Fine, let's say you and the other two who came with you are tight-lipped, and your boss doesn't find anything, you might not have to go to jail, but do you think you can still hold your position as a general manager at Tianheng?"
No matter what the investigation results were, causing a negative impact on the company, even possibly leading to its closure, President Wang knew he certainly couldn't be as comfortable as he was now, and there was a high chance he would lose his job, making it very hard to find a new one due to this negative experience.
As the other party remained silent, Lu Li spoke like a devil whispering, "I made it clear earlier, if you are willing to speak the truth, then the business stays, your company can still make money, and you can keep your current job. Isn't that better than holding out stubbornly?"
President Wang seemed to be convinced and looked up somewhat hesitantly, "If I admit it, it still seems like a cessation of crime, isn't there still a possibility of a lawsuit?"
"You didn't give them money," Lu Li encouraged the other party, "Besides, it was they who initially demanded benefits from you; you just agreed under pressure. I can call our president over, and you can report the matter in front of her. Then, not only are you not guilty, but because of your merit in reporting, if our President Liu is pleased, there might be more cooperation with your company next time. Isn't this a win-win situation?"
He didn't want to be labeled as someone who tattles behind backs. If President Wang would report to President Liu proactively, the project could avoid being harmed, and he wouldn't be seen as someone who likes to tattle, which is truly a beneficial situation for both sides.
President Wang pondered for a short while, feeling that Lu Li made sense.
Indeed, he hadn't actively given kickbacks to Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang; it was those two who demanded it.
Just as Lu Li said, President Wang was forced to endure the situation at the time, so it seemed like he hadn't committed a crime.
President Wang finally made up his mind, looked up with firm eyes, and said, "Leader Lu, I'll listen to you. Bring President Liu here, and I'll admit to it in front of her."
Lu Li smiled with satisfaction, "No rush, let's put on a show together first."
President Wang asked, "A show? What do you mean?"
...
In the reception room, Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang were secretly pleased.
They speculated that Lu Li and President Wang must be talking about kickbacks privately.
So, the cooperation would likely happen, and their kickbacks would be secure.
Moreover, the critical point was that as long as Lu Li asked for kickbacks from President Wang, if any product issues arose later, even if investigated and found out, they would remain safe because Lu Li would have to take the fall alone.
Knock, knock, the door was knocked on.
Xiaoqing's voice came from outside, "Manager Wang, Deputy Manager Zhang, Brother Qin, Leader Lu said the negotiation with President Wang is settled, and he's calling you over."
Finally settled!
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang were elated and immediately stood up.
On the other hand, Manager Wang's face was grim, seemingly worried that Lu Li really took kickbacks.
The three were the first to walk out.
President Wang's two entourages followed closely.
Before long.
The group arrived at the small conference room.
Xiaoyu couldn't contain himself upon entering and pretended to be concerned, "Xiaolu, President Wang, have you discussed how to cooperate specifically?"
Deputy Manager Zhang perked up his ears.
Sitting over there, Lu Li looked up and smiled, "Yes, it's settled, the contract price is seven hundred and thirty-nine thousand."
President Wang smiled and said, "Leader Lu is straightforward, we discussed it quickly and settled."
But these words meant something slightly different to the others' ears.
Everyone thought Lu Li and President Wang meant that the kickbacks were settled.
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang were thoroughly relieved, feeling the money was in hand.
Manager Wang gave Lu Li a deep look, believing the other had heard his concerns, although he did ask for kickbacks, it wasn't excessive.
What big company doesn't have such issues? As long as it wasn't too excessive, Manager Wang wouldn't report anything.
Lu Li ignored how everyone was interpreting the situation and looked at President Wang, "Shall we sign the contract now?"
President Wang quickly replied, "Sure, let your company's legal team draft the contract."
They were all ready to sign the contract directly!
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang couldn't be happier inside.
However, at this moment, footsteps were heard outside.
Next, a few greetings came through.
"President Liu."
"President Liu, good morning."
"Mm, good morning to you too."
In a couple of words, President Liu, accompanied by a few high-level executives, appeared at the meeting room door.
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang were momentarily stunned, wondering why President Liu had come?
At this moment, they hadn't thought much, assuming President Liu was just here to take a look.
Lu Li, President Wang, Manager Wang, Xiaoyu, Deputy Manager Zhang, and the others all quickly stood up to greet her.
President Liu's face showed no emotion and, while responding, entered the room and sat down in the central seat at the meeting table.
Lu Li took the opportunity to introduce, "President Liu, this is President Wang from Tianheng Manufacturing."
President Wang quickly stood up and extended his hand, "President Liu."
President Liu sat there and shook his hand, "Hello."
After meeting, President Liu pressed her hands to signal everyone to sit, "Sit down. I just heard the contract was settled, so I came over specifically to meet President Wang. Continue with your business as usual."
"Thank you, President Liu."
"Thank you, President Liu."
Xiaoyu, Manager Wang, and Deputy Manager Zhang sat down.
Lu Li, intentionally or not, handed over the product introduction and quotation documents and said, "President Liu, I was just about to call Legal to draft the contract when you came over. Why don't you take a look at the quotation form?"
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang, who had just sat down, felt a jolt in their hearts, sensing something was off!
President Liu remained calm, reaching out for the documents. "I'm not quite familiar with this, but I'll take a look."
Hearing she wasn't very knowledgeable, Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang breathed a sigh of relief.
President Liu looked down at the documents. After flipping through a few pages, she suddenly raised her head and frowned, saying, "President Wang, isn't this quotation incorrect?"
Xiaoyu's face turned pale!
Deputy Manager Zhang's heart leapt into his throat!
Both of them couldn't help but look at President Wang, wondering if he would keep his lips sealed!
Lu Li was intently watching the two of them, and upon seeing their expressions, he chuckled to himself, knowing they were worried sick.
Actually, he could have had President Wang report this directly to President Liu, without going to such great lengths.
But Lu Li didn't want to be seen as a tattletale within the company, so he teamed up with President Wang and President Liu to put on a show, making it appear that President Liu had discovered this herself.
Under normal circumstances, someone of President Liu's status wouldn't spend so much time on theatrics; she'd simply have someone deal with it.
However, President Liu had just taken over the company and had yet to fully establish her authority and needed to showcase her skills, so she agreed to Lu Li's plan.
President Wang cooperated and feigned ignorance. "What's wrong?"
President Liu said, "I don't know about other things, but I have some understanding of LED screens. The market price for a P1.2-pitch screen is about 20,000 per square meter, and you're quoting the same for a P1.5-pitch screen? Even if you write that it's being offered at a 70% price, you can't fool us like this!"
Hmm, President Liu surely doesn't understand these things; Lu Li must have informed her.
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang hadn't expected President Liu to really know something about it, and their backs were drenched in cold sweat.
President Wang was still pretending and said, "That's just our company's pricing."
Hang in there!
You must hang in there!
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang were secretly panicking!
Manager Wang stared at Lu Li's face for a moment, then couldn't help but sigh, thinking that now that should happen since you didn't listen to me.
President Liu took out her phone. "I'll call your boss to ask."
"No! President Liu, please don't!" President Wang seemed scared, "Don't call my boss!"
Seeing this, Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang felt their vision darken, thinking it was all over.
But they hadn't given up hope, repeatedly signaling to President Wang and occasionally glancing at Lu Li, as if wanting President Wang to pass the blame onto Lu Li.
After all, in their hearts, they believed that Lu Li must have been asking for benefits during his earlier private conversation with President Wang, so blaming him was appropriate.
Manager Wang, on the other hand, was looking at Lu Li, shaking his head continuously.
President Liu exclaimed, "Oh, why can't I call your boss to verify?"
President Wang's acting was quite convincing, showing a sorrowful expression, "Because... because someone in your company asked me for a rebate, and... and I really wanted to secure this order, so... so I adjusted some of the products on the inspection report without changing the price."
While saying this, his eyes were fixated on Lu Li.
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang were delighted, thinking President Wang had gotten their hint and was going to blame Lu Li!
Anyone with a bit of intelligence would know that the severity of giving a rebate is directly linked to the amount involved.
The amount President Wang promised Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang was quite significant.
If President Wang claimed it was them, they would be in serious trouble.
But if he blamed it on Lu Li, it would be different.
In Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang's hearts, they believed Lu Li had indeed solicited a rebate, which was indisputable.
Even if President Wang mentioned Lu Li, it wouldn't be an unfair accusation.
Moreover, Lu Li solicited rebates openly within the company and generally wouldn't dare ask for much.
Even if President Wang did speak out, and President Liu called the police and collected evidence successfully, due to the small amount of the rebate, the penalty wouldn't be severe.
Therefore, anyone would know that now is the time to point to Lu Li rather than Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang.
Clearly, even a fool should identify Lu Li as the "culprit"!
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang thought this way and believed President Wang would unhesitatingly accuse Lu Li of soliciting a rebate.
Manager Wang kept sighing, thinking Xiaolu was done for.
President Liu remained calm, "Who asked you for a rebate?"
Say it!
Say it boldly!
Tell President Liu Lu Li's name!
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang's eyes flashed!
Manager Wang couldn't bear to listen any longer!
Everyone present thought Lu Li was completely done for this time.
But in the next moment, President Wang uttered a mind-boggling statement.
He unhesitatingly pointed at Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang, saying resolutely, "It was your Procurement Department's Specialist Qin and the E-commerce Sales Department's Deputy Manager Zhang!"
This statement sent a shockwave through the room.
Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang, who had been secretly hoping for President Wang to quickly dump the blame on Lu Li, were left speechless!
Even Manager Wang, who thought Lu Li was finished, was taken aback!
Even the two accompanying personnel who came with President Wang didn't foresee this situation, their minds went blank!
Nobody expected President Wang to suddenly betray them and accuse Xiaoyu and Deputy Manager Zhang right in front of President Liu!
Everyone was dumbfounded, wondering what on earth was going on?