Chapter 44: The company has no money to pay salaries.

Han Xuan had been busy lately, busy building momentum for Gu Chacha. He needed to push her into the spotlight and make her famous as quickly as possible.

Only then would holding a tour for Gu Chacha later not seem too conspicuous.

He was so occupied with spending money to get Gu Chacha onto projects and competitions that he barely had any mind left for company matters.

That was until Han Changyong called him, his voice brimming with anger on the phone:

"Why hasn't the company paid wages this month? Employees have been complaining to me about it!"

Han Xuan replied nonchalantly, "Oh, really? Let me ask the finance department what's going on."

After fobbing off Han Changyong, he called Meng Yu.

As soon as the call connected, he demanded coldly, "Why haven't the wages been paid this month? I pay you a shitload of money, what the hell do you do all day? Don't you keep an eye on things?"

Meng Yu was almost speechless: "I called you, I sent you so many messages, but you didn't reply to me..."

He had called him over a dozen times in the past two days, and he hadn't answered a single one!

How was he supposed to keep an eye on things?

There wasn't enough money in the company account. Could he magically conjure up cash to pay everyone's salaries?

Han Xuan snapped impatiently, "What's with the delay in wages? It's gotten back to my dad!"

Meng Yu replied helplessly, "Mr. Han, there's no money left in the company account. The finance department reported it last week, and I showed you."

Han Xuan flew into a rage: "Didn't the company have several hundred million in the account? How could there be no money? Did you pocket my money?"

Meng Yu thought: If I had that kind of skill, would I still be his assistant?

He would have taken the money and emigrated overseas long ago, ha.

He explained bitterly, "When you first took over the company, didn't you cancel all of Senior Han's projects? All those cancellation penalties had to be paid..."

Han Xuan jumped to his feet and yelled into the phone, "Who told you to pay the penalties! Didn't I say to let them sue me?"

Meng Yu was anguished inside but couldn't say it out loud.

"I reported it to you. To secure those projects smoothly, the penalty funds were frozen in advance..."

They didn't even need the company's approval to deduct those penalties—the money was automatically withdrawn on the due date.

You weren't listening carefully back then. Look at the mess now.

There's no money left in the company account!

Let's see what you're going to do!

"Han Mo!"

Han Xuan gritted his teeth. It must have been his doing!

No one freezes penalty funds when doing projects. This was a trap Han Mo had set for him on purpose.

He knew that Han Xuan, holding a grudge against him, would cancel all his previous projects as soon as he took over the company.

Rage boiling in his heart, he cursed, "Useless piece of junk! What do I keep you around for? You're fired! Don't come in tomorrow!"

Meng Yu exclaimed in delight, "Really? Am I fired?"

"Get lost!"

The call ended, and Meng Yu rushed straight to HR: "Quick, quick, quick! Mr. Han wants to fire me. Get the paperwork going! Pay me double what I'm owed under the law!"

Yang Sheng, the HR manager, rolled his eyes at him: "Have you lost your mind?"

Meng Yu quickly pulled up a call recording, where Han Xuan's voice was crystal clear: "You're fired!"

He frantically urged Yang Sheng, "Hurry up! Process my termination! Fire me!"

He wanted to take the severance pay and sleep for three days at home.

But just as the termination contract was printed, Han Xuan's phone call came in again.

Meng Yu's face fell instantly: "Mr. Han..."

Han Xuan barked fiercely, "Go tell all the employees that wages for this month will be paid together with next month's, and everyone will get an extra five percent late fee."

Meng Yu hesitated, "So... are you still firing me?"

"Get back to work, damn it!"

Damn!

Where was the promised firing?

He just wanted to go home and sleep!

The notice was sent out to the staff. Though they grumbled, at least the company was offering a five percent compensation. They'd wait until next month to see—if the money still didn't come, they'd kick up a fuss then.

Temporarily settling things, he quickly made an overseas call. As soon as it connected, he explained his situation: "Look, I know this timing isn't ideal, but I really have no other choice..."

The person on the other end smirked slightly: "How much do you need, Mr. Han?"

"Fifty million."

The other sighed: "That's no small amount, Mr. Han."

Han Xuan lowered his voice: "I know, but I need this money urgently. What do you think..."

There was a long silence on the line, and Han Xuan's heart immediately jumped into his throat.

"This month, I need you to hold twenty-five recitals."

Han Xuan immediately agreed: "Deal! I'll make it happen!"

Hanging up, he immediately called Gu Chacha: "Get ready. We'll be working nonstop from now on."

He laid out the plan to Gu Chacha, who couldn't help frowning: "So many shows in such a short time? It doesn't feel right."

She had only just joined two competitions and hadn't even won any awards yet.

Holding so many recitals in one month would raise suspicion among anyone with a sharp eye.

"Chacha, if I get kicked out of the company, all our future plans will fall apart."

He had taken the company seal and flown off to sign the contracts.

If his father found out about this, he'd be finished.

Without him, Gu Chacha could forget about becoming a pianist.

Gu Chacha hesitated, but finally agreed: "Alright, you arrange it. Just be careful."

"Don't worry! I'll set everything up perfectly!"

Over the next month, Gu Chacha seemed like a shooting star appearing out of nowhere. Promotional articles flooded everywhere.

Short videos, media appearances, competitions, variety shows—one after another, nonstop.

Recitals were held back-to-back.

Unaware netizens really thought Jiang City had produced an extraordinary pianist.

In the presidential suite, Han Xuan showed his phone to Gu Chacha: "Look at this idiot asking—'Who's better, you or Lang Lang?' Hahahaha... What an idiot!"

Gu Chacha frowned in displeasure: "What did you say?"

She knew she couldn't compare to someone like that, but what did he mean by that remark?

Han Xuan pulled her into his arms: "Baby, don't be mad. I know you've worked hard, honey. How about this—I'll buy you another award, one with more prestige."

Gu Chacha sat up: "Really?"

If she could buy a prestigious award, she'd have more confidence.

Han Xuan said smugly, "Of course!"

With twenty-five recitals in one month, the money he needed was gathered quickly.

He had tasted the thrill of fast money—it was incredibly satisfying.

But the thought that all this money would soon become wages for those employees made him unhappy.

Now that he had a way to make money, he didn't need some employees anymore.

Maybe it was time for their company to undergo a reform.

He started scheming about how to drive out his father's people and grab all his father's shares.

He wanted to sell the company outright and pocket a lump sum.

That way, there would be no more expenses in the future—all income would be pure profit!