Chapter 60: What?

“How did this happen?” Lin Xiao asked, baffled by his unexpected appointment as head of the logistics department.

Even if he wasn’t particularly concerned, he wanted some clarity.

“Well, it’s like this…” Ning Xi offered no pretense or attempts to deceive. She proceeded to roughly outline the internal situation within the company.

“So, Sister Ning Xi, you mean all I have to do is hold the title? I don’t need to deal with the department’s responsibilities?” Lin Xiao pondered her explanation.

“Yes, you just need to bear the title. Plus, you’ll receive two salaries. The pay for the logistics department director may not be as much as yours, but it still amounts to several tens of thousands a month,” Ning Xi confirmed with a smile. “However, if you’re interested in managing things, you’re welcome to. The workload of the logistics department isn’t too heavy.”

“Alright, then.”

Though Lin Xiao had no intention of getting involved in the company’s internal power struggles, he understood that his new role had already aligned him with Wan Caixuan’s faction in the eyes of the staff. Still, he held a favorable view of Wan Caixuan and regarded Ning Xi as a friend. With no real reason to object—and the added perk of a higher salary—he saw no harm in embracing the position, even if it was largely symbolic.

“But if something like this happens again, make sure to inform me in advance,” Lin Xiao said, maintaining a serious demeanor.

He disliked the idea of being blindsided with unexpected appointments or tasks.

“Don’t worry, this won’t happen again,” Ning Xi assured him, exhaling in relief at his acceptance.

While the prospect of earning two salaries merely for holding a title would be enticing for most, Lin Xiao was far from average. Although on the surface he was just a bodyguard, Ning Xi was acutely aware of Lin Xiao’s genuine abilities and cold, seemingly uncaring demeanor.

She knew that if provoked, Lin Xiao would disregard any concerns of background or status, and simply walk away. With his capabilities, he would have no issue securing a good job elsewhere.

Furthermore, despite her extensive network, she had yet to unearth any information regarding Lin Xiao’s background. This reality, combined with his formidable capabilities, meant that despite her often casual demeanor and frequent teasing, Ning Xi felt an underlying sense of intimidation when it came to Lin Xiao.

Ning Xi suggested, “Let’s head to the logistics department now.”

“Lead the way.”

As the name suggested, the logistics department handled the building’s sanitation, storage, and most importantly, security. The office of the department head was nestled within the security room.

As they made their way, Ning Xi outlined the department’s operations to Lin Xiao, leading him toward the security room.

***

Inside the security room, a group of five or six security guards surrounded a robust man in his thirties.

“Brother Yang,” one of them began, “he upcoming meeting will surely decide the next logistics department director. I want to congratulate you in advance.”

“Indeed,” another chimed in, “with your qualifications and abilities, Brother Yang, you’re undoubtedly the top candidate for the position.”

The man at the center of attention, Yang Tao, was the chief of the security room. He was also the leading contender for the vacant position of logistics department director.

However, due to his low-ranking position, he wasn’t privy to the company’s meetings and thus, unaware of the proceedings.

Amidst the surrounding praise, Yang Tao was filled with pride. He had long considered the headship of the logistics department his.

He saw Luo Xiaofeng, who was not joining the others in their flattery, he felt a twinge of displeasure.

“Luo Xiaofeng, what are you up to?” Yang Tao asked with a trace of sarcasm, “Are you seeking martial arts advice from your so-called Brother Lin again?”

Luo Xiaofeng, isolated in a corner, didn’t pick up on Yang Tao’s sarcasm. He lifted his head, shook it, and replied, “No. The martial arts techniques Brother Lin taught are too profound. I still haven’t mastered his previous teachings. I dare not ask for more.”

Luo Xiaofeng’s response irked Yang Tao. Like others in the company, he too envied and begrudged Lin Xiao. He believed that Lin Xiao’s position as the president’s personal bodyguard was a matter of luck and that his skills were in no way inferior to Lin Xiao’s.

What bothered him further was the pay gap. Even if he was to become the head of the logistics department, his salary and benefits wouldn’t come close to Lin Xiao’s. If it weren’t for his reluctance to provoke Lin Xiao at this crucial time, he would’ve challenged him long ago.

The change in Yang Tao’s expression didn’t go unnoticed by the brown-nosers around him, who promptly began to taunt Luo Xiaofeng.

“Profound? Luo Xiaofeng, you really know how to butter people up.”

“Exactly, these days you’ve been sucking up to that bodyguard nonstop. An outsider might even mistake the bodyguard for the company CEO.”

“Haha, Brother Yang is right here. Do you actually think that bodyguard’s martial arts skills could ever surpass Brother Yang’s?”

Listening to the mockery coming from around him, Luo Xiaofeng didn’t know what to say. However, he truly admired Lin Xiao’s skills and stood up to retort.

Suddenly, a knock sounded on the security room door. One of the guards near the door went over to answer it.

“Good to see you, Assistant Ning,” he promptly greeted upon seeing Ning Xi.

The others, noticing the commotion at the door and the arrival of Ning Xi, also hastily greeted her.

“Hello, Assistant Ning.”

Among them, Yang Tao approached Ning Xi with an animated expression.

It was noteworthy that the security room was not a high-status place within the company, and it was rare for Ning Xi, a company executive, to pay them a visit.

Given that a high-level meeting had taken place that morning and considering her unexpected visit to the security room, they figured she must be here to announce the appointment of the new head of the logistics department.

“Assistant Ning, it’s a pleasure to see you. I am Yang Tao, the chief of the security room. Thank you for coming to check on our work,” Yang Tao respectfully greeted Ning Xi.

At the same time, he noticed Lin Xiao standing behind Ning Xi, but didn’t give him much thought. His main focus was the anticipated announcement of the logistics department director.

Ning Xi nodded at Yang Tao without saying much, then announced, “Since everyone is present, I would like to announce that, based on the decision made by the company’s top decision-makers, Lin Xiao is hereby appointed as the Director of the Logistics Department.”

“Thank you…”

Yang Tao, brimming with excitement, began to express his long-prepared words of gratitude as soon as Ning Xi finished. But in the next moment, he was struck dumb.

“What? Lin Xiao?” Yang Tao stammered out in disbelief, momentarily losing his composure.

Ning Xi glanced at Yang Tao, her expression neutral as she nodded, “Yes, Lin Xiao. Do you have a problem with that?”

She was well aware that Yang Tao was the best candidate for the position. However, now that Lin Xiao had assumed this role, it was time to teach Yang Tao a lesson in humility.

“Ah… no, no,” Yang Tao suddenly came back to his senses and hastily shook his head. Yet, the look of disappointment on his face was clear for everyone to see.

At that moment, the other security guards in the room were stunned, their eyes brimming with disbelief. They couldn’t fathom how Lin Xiao, whom they had underestimated all along, had turned out to be their new boss, while the person they thought was a shoo-in had been overlooked.

In light of this, they subconsciously glanced at Luo Xiaofeng, who had always been singing praises of Lin Xiao. Could it be possible that he had known all along about Lin Xiao’s appointment as the head of the logistics department?

Luo Xiaofeng was equally taken aback. He had no inkling that Lin Xiao would take over as the head of the logistics department, although he was aware that Lin Xiao might had something to do with the resignation of the previous director, Lu Yufei.

He had simply admired Lin Xiao for his skills and never once had it crossed his mind that Lin Xiao would be appointed to such a position. Regardless of their shock and disbelief, Lin Xiao’s appointment as the director of the logistics department was a done deal.

“In that case, please introduce Lin Xiao to the workings of the security room. I have other matters to attend to and will leave first.”

Ning Xi remained unfazed by the reactions of the people in the security room. For her, this was just a minor incident. She turned to Lin Xiao standing next to her and said, “Well then, Lin Xiao, I’ll be taking my leave. You should familiarize yourself with the security room along with them.”

“Understood,” Lin Xiao responded with a nod.