TEAMWORK

Chapter 11: TIED TOGETHER i

Audio titled: HERE

Chapter
XI
Was He the Devil?
(I know It For a Fact.)

***

Zhang Rishan sat alone in his office. He could hear the hustle and bustle outside of the room and knew that he should be doing something President-y, but right now he had other things on his mind.

Namely his little cousin and Wu Xie.

He chuckled when he recalled their last emails. Even if they hadn't been signed he would have known immediately who they were from. Wu Xie's full of emotion, dramatics and childish flare. Zhang Qi Ling's straight to the point and poisonous in its simplicity. He felt a small rush of pride. Damn, that needed to stop.

Sighing, he pushed his chair back and stood to walk toward the bookcase. Moving the plastic award Wu Xie and his team had gotten him for Bosses Day that read 'World's #1 Boss... assuming everyone else is dead', Zhang Rishan popped off the false backing and removed the contents he found.

He walked back to his desk and placed the two files next to each other on his desk and recalled when they had come into his possession.

***

Zhang Rishan sat quietly looking into the eyes of his first cousin, Zhang Qi Shan. After today he would be on the other side of the desk. His cousin was retiring from Zhang Inc. and leaving Zhang Rishan as the company's President. The decision really didn't come as much of a surprise to anyone. Zhang Qi Shan had been grooming both of his cousins to succeed him from birth.

Today's chat was in essence a 'leaving interview' for Zhang Qi Shan. Zhang Rishan needed to be filled in about everything that could be found in the company's records and the few things that could not. Things that the incoming President would need to know to avoid future problems, scandals, and annoyances. As ominous as it sounded, Zhang Qi Shan ran a tight, clean ship and there weren't that many skeletons to air out.

Zhang Rishan's eyes connected with his cousin's once again when the older man cleared his throat.

"And that is all that you need to know in regards to the company."

Zhang Rishan nodded.

"But," Zhang Rishan couldn't stop the dark eyebrow that raised in question, "there are two other things that we need to discuss. Things that will be your top priority."

Again, curiosity peaked, Zhang Rishan nodded.

Zhang Qi Shan pulled out the middle door of his desk and withdrew two file folders which he tossed across the desk at his cousin. Only the young man's quick reflexes stopped them from cascading to the plush carpet.

He looked up to see the smirk on his cousin's face. Returning the look, Zhang Rishan motioned to the folders. "May I?"

"Of course." Zhang Qi Shan said waving a careless hand in the files direction.

Zhang Rishan picked up the first folder. Both were of considerable width, packed with information. Turning the folder of the side, Zhang Rishan read: Zhang Qi Ling. Casually opening the folder he saw photos and information that chronicled Zhang Qi Ling's life from infancy until, Zhang Rishan read the date on the last page... yesterday.

He looked to his cousin. Why would he need a folder of information on his little cousin? If he needed information he could just as easily hit speed dial '3' on his cell phone and be connected with the boy immediately.

Setting that folder aside, he pulled the second folder towards him, lifting it up to read the name printed on its side: Wu Xie.

"Those two boys, along with yourself, Rishan, are the future of this company. I have invested time, personal interest and money into all of you. Now that I am retiring, these boys will be yours to watch and guide."