Chapter 70: A Complete Turn of the Tables

"Ye Tianlin, the board of the Chamber of Commerce appointed you as General Manager of the Business Department to put you in charge of work, not to let you abuse your authority!"

"Even if you truly have the power to dismiss anyone in your department, you should first get my approval. To act without so much as a word is sheer arrogance!"

"Chen Zhigang is someone I personally trained. If you insist on firing him, then am I, in turn, not within my rights to dismiss you just as arbitrarily?"

Zhang Kun’s face was stern, his words and bearing oppressive and overbearing.

Standing to the side, Chen Zhigang was inwardly elated. He thought to himself that Ye Tianlin, with no backing at all, dared to stir up trouble in the Yunhai Chamber of Commerce—he was surely courting his own destruction.

Su Rulan, flustered and anxious, hurriedly stepped forward, pleading, "Vice President Zhang, please calm down, this matter—"

But before she could finish, Ye Tianlin stood up. Instead of showing the slightest fear, he seemed all the more composed, saying mildly, "I’m sorry, but I do have the authority to dismiss Chen Zhigang. As for you, Vice President Zhang, you do not have the authority to dismiss me."

"Ye Tianlin, what nonsense are you spouting? My brother-in-law is not only the Vice President of the Yunhai Chamber of Commerce, he’s also the head of all major departments. In terms of rank, you’re still beneath him. How could he possibly not have the authority to fire you?" Chen Zhigang glared.

Confronted by Ye Tianlin’s astonishing assertion, Su Rulan was equally at a loss. In officialdom, the higher rank trumps all; with the hierarchy as it stood, such a thing was simply impossible.

"Even the president’s confidants wouldn’t dare make wild statements in front of me. Who do you think you are, some big shot?" Zhang Kun sneered.

"Ye Tianlin, you truly have some nerve, acting as if you understand nothing of proper conduct!" Chen Zhigang put on an air of indignation, secretly gloating as he hoped the situation would escalate further—ideally to the point that Ye Tianlin would be forced to leave the Yunhai Chamber, leaving the position open for Chen to take over.

"I don’t know if you mean your own rules, or the Chamber’s unspoken ones, but I know that above all else, the rules of the Shangjing Consortium reign supreme," Ye Tianlin replied indifferently. Without further argument, he took out an authority document from his person.

He placed it on the table. Instantly, the seal of the Shangjing Consortium was clearly visible.

"Effective immediately, Mr. Ye Tianlin is appointed General Manager of the Business Department, Yunhai Chamber of Commerce, and during his term, has the authority to dismiss any personnel within the department."

"No one within the Yunhai Chamber of Commerce is permitted to interfere with any of Mr. Ye Tianlin’s decisions."

"The Shangjing Consortium is deeply honored by Mr. Ye’s joining, and requires the full and unconditional cooperation of everyone in the Chamber."

In just three lines, the content left Chen Zhigang dumbfounded. He stammered, "The Shangjing Consortium is deeply honored, and demands unconditional cooperation? Just who is this guy?"

"This can’t be," Zhang Kun’s pupils widened in disbelief.

The existence of this authority document was tantamount to an imperial pardon—no one could touch a hair on Ye Tianlin’s head.

What’s more, anyone who dared refuse to cooperate with him could be reported to the Shangjing Consortium and would be finished in an instant.

Su Rulan stared blankly at the contents of the document, her mind utterly blank, overwhelmed by the shock.

On the surface, this was the authority of a general manager, but in fact, Ye Tianlin’s power was on par with the president himself.

No, to be precise, it was even greater—for even the president could not interfere with any of Ye Tianlin’s decisions.

At this realization, Su Rulan felt as if she couldn’t breathe.

"I told you before—the board granted me authority, but you refused to believe it. Now that the document is in front of you, do you have any further objections?" Ye Tianlin raised his brow, fixing his gaze on Chen Zhigang and Zhang Kun.

Chen Zhigang’s face turned ashen. Unwilling to accept it, he gritted his teeth and said, "This must be fake. I’ve served the Shangjing Consortium for years and never reached this level. I’ve never had so much power, not even my brother-in-law! How could a mere newcomer like you be granted such authority on your first day? It’s impossible!"

"Are you the fool, or am I? Do you really think I’d swagger into the Yunhai Chamber of Commerce brandishing a fake document? Of course, if you have doubts, you’re welcome to verify it," Ye Tianlin said.

"I don’t believe it! This has to be—" Chen Zhigang was shaking with rage, about to explode, when his brother-in-law Zhang Kun’s expression suddenly changed. Without warning, Zhang delivered a resounding slap to his face.

Smack!

Caught off guard, Chen Zhigang was left staring in shock.

Zhang Kun’s change of attitude was as swift as flipping a page. He jabbed his finger at Chen Zhigang’s nose and scolded, "You fool! Are you blind? You nearly caused a disaster!"

"But weren’t you here to support me?" Chen Zhigang’s lips trembled.

"With this authority here, how could I possibly support you? Are you trying to get me killed? Now that Director Ye has spoken and wants you gone, there’s obviously a reason. Pack your things and get out!" Zhang Kun was no fool—anyone who arrived with such authority must have powerful backing. He couldn’t afford to offend Ye Tianlin.

"I..." Chen Zhigang’s face turned a sickly green with humiliation.

Zhang Kun raised his foot and kicked him hard in the stomach, shouting, "What ‘I’? I wish I could kick you to death! If you don’t get out now, I’ll call security to throw you out myself!"

Chen Zhigang rolled across the floor, but there was nothing he could do. Struggling to his feet, he could only slink away in disgrace, cursing his own misfortune—his attempt to outwit had backfired spectacularly.

A moment later.

Zhang Kun’s demeanor shifted completely. He quickly plastered on a fawning smile and drew closer, draping an arm over Ye Tianlin’s shoulders.

"Director Ye, I apologize. It was my poor oversight that allowed this to happen and caused you such trouble. Please rest assured, this will never happen again!"

"And just now, I was in the wrong—I spoke harshly without knowing the facts. I sincerely apologize. After work, let me host a dinner to make it up to you. I hope you’ll do me the honor!"

Hearing this, Su Rulan was so shocked she nearly fainted. The reversal was simply too dramatic.

But Ye Tianlin’s reply left her even more astounded.

"Sorry, I don’t have the time or interest to entertain you, nor do I care for your so-called honor. You’d better conduct yourself properly."

Zhang Kun stiffened as though turned to stone, unable to find a way down from his humiliation, mortified and wishing he could crawl into a hole.

Su Rulan watched the scene before her, pinching her own hand hard to check if she was dreaming. Was this real?

If Su Weimin and Gao Yulan were to find out the final outcome, what expressions would they wear?