MMB Chapter 73 Outlaws
Chapter 73 Outlaws
Seeing Zeng Huihuang stand up, Lin Chen instantly felt a tremendous pressure. This old guy had a truly powerful aura. Just standing there, he exuded the authority of a superior, as if he was born to give orders.
But Lin Chen had seen him flee in panic at Wushan Water Station, and he knew that he also had a vulnerable side, so he had some confidence. Of course, now that things had developed to this point, Lin Chen had no way out.
"Nonsense, utter nonsense."
Zeng Huihuang finally spoke, his voice booming like thunder, seemingly carrying the power of lightning. Everyone's eardrums trembled, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze, even subconsciously softening their breathing.
How majestic!
"I took time out of my busy schedule to attend the awards ceremony today, hoping to see the innovative talent in our company and see if there were any truly impressive achievements. Instead, I witnessed this absurd scene. You've turned a perfectly good innovation launch into a complete mess, utterly disgracing the company!"
After Zeng Huihuang finished speaking, his gaze began to sweep across the room again. Everyone he stared at instinctively shrank back, their faces filled with fear as if they were the culprit.
Chen Ya was so nervous that her palms were sweating, and she could even feel the dampness under her skirt.
Lin Chen, however, showed no fear and met his gaze directly, adopting a do-or-die attitude. Come on, you old fool, today we're all going to fight to the death. Wu Daqiang of Wushan Water Station, the water quality is pH 5.2. I'm just a worthless old man, and I don't want to improve anyway, so what are you afraid of?
But this once-glorious figure, after much deliberation, finally focused his attention on Fu Jiahao and several expert judges.
"Fu Jiahao!" he suddenly shouted, his voice rising sharply.
Fu Jiahao trembled with fear, his soul nearly leaving his body. His legs went weak and he almost collapsed to the ground, his voice trembling: "Mr. Zeng, what are your instructions?"
Zeng Huihuang looked at him with the eyes of a vulture snatching a chick, and asked seriously, "Where do you think the problem lies?"
Fu Jiahao's mind went blank, and he stammered, "I...I...President Zeng, I..."
Before he could finish his stammering speech, Zeng Huihuang interrupted him abruptly, his tone sharp and cutting, filled with a disappointed and disapproving tone: "You judges, ask yourselves honestly, were you truly fair and impartial in this project review?"
The judges, along with Fu Jiahao, kept their heads lowered even further, barely daring to breathe. They could only mutter to themselves: "If it weren't for getting your few lousy projects into awards, how could this situation have come to this? Now, it's all our fault?"
Zeng Huihuang's tone turned sorrowful, his eyes filled with disappointment: "The question raised by that comrade just now, do you dare to say it's unreasonable? I think it's well said. How much value do those projects with my name on them actually have? I may not know, but don't you know? Just because my name is on the project, you've lowered your standards, abandoned your principles, and even sacrificed truly valuable innovative projects? This is a desecration of the review process, a trampling on the company's spirit of innovation, and an insult to my character. I'm truly heartbroken."
These words caused an uproar in the audience. Suddenly, someone in the corner started clapping, and then the whole audience erupted in thunderous applause, which was like a tidal wave and lasted for a long time.
That's so incredibly touching.
That was a brilliant speech.
Chen Ya burst into tears on the spot, her face covered in snot and tears. She wiped them haphazardly while clapping vigorously, crying more excitedly than when she won the award herself.
Lin Chen was also deeply shocked and speechless. This Zeng Huihuang was truly a god-like figure. Lin Chen understood more and more why he could rise step by step. It was definitely not as simple as just Wushan Water Station.
Who would have thought that Zeng Huihuang would publicly admit that these projects were awarded because of his position, and even take the initiative to criticize the review experts? What a good leader who can distinguish right from wrong!
Fu Jiahao was so shocked that he was speechless. He opened his mouth but couldn't say a word. Cold sweat streamed down his face, soaking his shirt.
The people on the field were initially shocked, but now, looking at Zeng Huihuang, they all had eyes full of admiration and respect. In their hearts, a voice kept ringing: President Zeng is indeed President Zeng, he is truly different from others. He is indeed a reasonable and good leader who is willing to correct mistakes in public and does not engage in formalism. Such magnanimity and virtue are so rare.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Zeng Huihuang walked up to Lin Chen, the anger on his face gradually fading, replaced by a kind smile: "This comrade looks familiar, what's his name?"
For some reason, Lin Chen felt a sense of unease about the smile. He quickly adjusted his expression and calmly replied, "Lin Chen from Sui County."
Zeng Huihuang chuckled: "As expected of someone from Sui County. I knew it! Sui County produces talented people. You did a great job, very well. You dare to speak your mind and expose problems. If everyone were like you, daring to take things seriously and challenge injustice, our company's innovation work could truly progress and we could truly have a place in the province."
Clap clap clap clap clap, another round of thunderous applause, the atmosphere seemed different, completely like the once glorious show.
Lin Chen nodded slightly, his expression remaining calm: "President Zeng, you flatter me. I was just doing what a contestant should do, protecting my legitimate rights and interests. I also hope that the company's judging system can be improved so as not to discourage those who are truly involved in the project."
"Well said!" Zeng Huihuang nodded, then turned to face the audience: "Today's judging results are void. All winning projects will be re-evaluated, strictly according to the standards. No underhanded dealings will be allowed, and no relaxation of requirements will be permitted because of anyone's status."
He looked at Fu Jiahao, his tone icy and devoid of any warmth: "Fu Jiahao, I'm giving you one more chance. Immediately lead the review panel to re-examine all the projects. You must be honest and rigorous. My project is not allowed to receive special treatment, and the same goes for the others. Whoever deserves the award should receive it. It doesn't matter if mine doesn't win. Get to work on it. Everyone is waiting for your results."
In the meeting room, once the door closed, the review experts looked at each other, none of them speaking first, because they had no idea what to say, filled with frustration and confusion.
Fu Jiahao slumped in the main chair, looking as if his spine had been removed. He was completely listless, his mind replaying Zeng Huihuang's last few words. The more he thought about it, the more confused he became, unable to fathom the old fox's true intentions.
Finally, Expert Li couldn't sit still any longer and spoke up: "Director Fu, what... what exactly is going on here? I've been doing reviews for so many years, and this is the first time I've encountered this situation. President Zeng, he..." He hesitated, shook his head, and swallowed the rest of his words.
Liu, the expert in the corner, was seething with anger and couldn't help but swear: "We were all doing this for the sake of the big picture, taking care of the leaders. And now, thanks to what President Zeng said, we've been accused of favoritism and trampling on the spirit of innovation. Damn it, we're caught in the middle. This job is impossible to do now."
Sitting opposite him, Expert Chen asked cautiously, "President Zeng has made his point so clearly in front of everyone. So, how should we evaluate him now? Should we really use the strictest standards and eliminate all of President Zeng's projects? Speaking of those projects, those who know, know."
"Don't be silly," Expert Liu immediately retorted. "Can't you understand what President Zeng was saying? It was just polite talk, a warning to us. If we really exonerate him, I reckon it won't be as simple as just a reprimand when we get back."
"What should we do? I don't know how. Damn it, so many people outside are still waiting for the results."
"It's all that son of a bitch Lin Chen's fault! He stirred up trouble for no reason, messed everything up, and made us take the blame!"
"Alright, stop arguing." Fu Jiahao's lips twitched at the mention of Lin Chen. It was this arrogant brat who had messed everything up.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "President Zeng has put it this way. If we don't handle this properly, it'll be a direct slap in his face and solidify the accusation of unfair judging. No one can afford to take the blame then!"
"Director Fu, please make a decision. We'll listen to you." Everyone looked at Fu Jiahao, their eyes full of reliance and urgency.
Fu Jiahao sneered: "Think about what President Zeng said at the end, 'It doesn't matter whether my project wins an award or not.' Are you really saying he doesn't care?"
Expert Chen nodded: "Indeed, we should carefully consider what the leaders say, and sometimes we need to listen to them in reverse."
Silence again.
Fu Jiahao's eyes suddenly darkened as he came up with an idea: "How about this, let's move Lin Chen's project up and put it in the first prize category. After all, President Zeng praised him in public. The first prize under President Zeng's name will be moved to the second prize category, and the other two will be put into the third prize category. As for the other projects, we can slightly adjust the order of the second and third prize categories, just to go through the motions and make it seem like we have indeed re-checked and carefully reviewed them. That should be enough to get by."
"This is the only way, the best solution." Upon hearing this, the judges exchanged glances, revealing expressions that they had done their best.
The expert still worried: "What if others raise objections?"
"Hmph, let's see who dares to do it again."
"Yeah, damn it, do it again, I'm really going to flip the table."
"If they don't let us have an easy time, we will definitely not let them have an easy time either."
Suddenly, a strong murderous aura filled the conference room, and everyone seemed to be a desperate fugitive forced into a corner.