After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future
Chapter 446 - 441: Fighting is a Process, Not the Goal

"Let's give it a try."

Lu Liang's eyes lit up, and he turned to look at Cheng Wei. Out of respect for the chairman, he still needed to wait for his response.

He didn't want Cheng Wei to be soft-hearted at this time. Otherwise, once DiDi was listed, he would need to settle accounts with everyone, including Cheng Wei.

"Huang Molin is the Legal Affairs Department supervisor, and Wang Xin is the head of the Diversity and Inclusion Alliance. We can invite them to join."

Cheng Wei pondered for a moment, already having candidates in mind.

The former, Huang Molin, belonged to the company's legal department. It was both sensible and reasonable to invite her to join the listing audit team.

The latter, Wang Xin, was one of Liu Qing's close confidants. Last year, on DiDi's fourth anniversary, the company established the Diversity and Inclusion Alliance.

The alliance's mission was to create a more inclusive workplace environment, where talents from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds could receive equality and respect.

It was also established to enter the European and American ride-hailing markets and to comply with local political correctness.

It was purely unintended.

This year, several egregious incidents had occurred. To quell the public outrage, this group had become increasingly powerful within the company.

Xu Jiawei was right; they were only seeking privileges. Once they secured these privileges, no one cared about following up with the victims of the incidents.

"A prototype of the LGBT movement?" Lu Liang was astounded.

Indeed, it was always good to get out more. One could always learn new things. Making money at the company every day, what fun was there in that?

Cheng Wei smiled wryly, "It hasn't reached that extent yet."

"I think it's pretty close."

Lu Liang chuckled and pulled up the profiles of the two individuals.

Huang Molin was D8, Wang Xin was D7. At DiDi, D7 and above were considered senior employees, with a starting annual salary of 600,000 yuan, equivalent to a P6 level employee at Ali.

Moreover, from D7 and above, employees would be granted stock options, typically vested over four years.

"What's the upper limit of the annual salary for D7?" Lu Liang suddenly asked.

"1.15 million yuan," Cheng Wei replied.

"And for D8?"

"1.95 million yuan."

"Move both of them to the audit team and raise their salaries to the upper limit of their respective levels."

A smile played on Lu Liang's lips. Even though their annual salaries were increased to the upper limits of their levels, D7 was still D7, and D8 was still D8.

Once reaching D7 and above, the amount of the annual salary became less important. The key lay in the share options and the IPO subscription quota.

If DiDi successfully passed the audit and reached the IPO roadshow stage, D7 could only subscribe to one hundred thousand shares, but D8 could subscribe to five hundred thousand shares.

Just like Li Manli, when Panda was listed, she had subscribed to two hundred thousand shares at a price of 1.98 US Dollars.

Now, rising to 7.58 US Dollars, it had more than tripled, netting her a gain of 1.12 million US dollars without much effort.

But Li Manli was different; Long Fei gave her the subscription quota of two hundred thousand shares out of consideration for Lu Liang.

Otherwise, even mainstay streamers like PDD only had access to five hundred thousand shares. What did she do to deserve the quota for two hundred thousand shares?

The workplace was even more merciless. If they wanted to advance further, their performance in the team was crucial.

Cheng Wei understood and nodded, contacting them to come over.

With nothing else pressing, Lu Liang opened the international trading software and observed the Bitcoin market.

These days, the market had gone completely mad. Prices changed every day, and it was soon to reach 5000 US Dollars.

Their cost price was still 1931 US Dollars, earning almost 3000 US Dollars on average per coin.

With a holding of 487,700 coins.

"1.5 billion US Dollars..."

Lu Liang glanced at the date. Tonight at nine o'clock, Bitcoin would officially debut on the Chicago Exchange.

Two months and twelve days away from the peak predicted by the forecast, he muttered, "Will there be a pullback?"

The news of Bitcoin's debut on the Chicago Exchange was now common knowledge, causing a surge in the market by 2000 US Dollars.

So, when the good news became a reality, it would turn into bad news.

Lu Liang pondered for a moment, walked to the window, and phoned Wen Chao, "Unwind 5% of our position, and you handle the rest."

They held a 95% position, with only 50 million US Dollars of liquid funds reserved, but this sum was no small amount.

On a normal day, with a 90% lock-up, the remaining 5% and 5% funds were left for them to arbitrage or wash trade.

Whether they made money or not was beside the point. They were still at the market making stage; as long as they could stir the market, that was enough.

About fifteen minutes later, Huang Molin and Wang Xin, one after another, finished their work and came to the 5th floor of the group's building.

This office area covers 1,200 square meters and was specifically designated by Cheng Wei for the use of the listing team.

A 38-year-old and a 34-year-old stepped out of the elevator and instantly drew all eyes until they disappeared into the office area.

Such news quickly reached Liu Qing's ears. She furrowed her brows, sinking deep into thought.

Huang Molin was the director of the legal department, so it was no surprise that Lu Liang had asked her to assess the situation.

But why would Wang Xin, merely the head of the ride-hailing business, also receive an invitation from Lu Liang?

Liu Qing suddenly asked, "Wang Xin, have you received any calls?"

She thought of the Diversity and Inclusion Alliance; Wang Xin was in charge of the project and had been promoted by Liu Qing herself the previous year.

Lu Liang had joined DiDi today and things hadn't gone smoothly, indeed it was at her instigation. If Wang Xin was swayed by them, perhaps it would alter the current situation.

She knew women, and she knew them well.

The assistant replied, "No."

Liu Qing's face turned as dark as still water. Being invited by Lu Liang yet saying nothing to her, she realized she had placed her trust incorrectly.

Meanwhile, in the fifth-floor office.

"Hello to both of you, I'm Lu Liang."

Lu Liang, smiling, introduced Xu Jiawei, explaining that in his absence, the project would be overseen by Xu.

But Xu Jiawei, after all, was young and new to the company, unfamiliar with the different departments and personnel.

"I'll be counting on you both a lot."

Lu Liang's words made them feel valued. Though he was just a listing consultant for DiDi, he was still Lu Liang.

Undefeated in the international markets, he was also the creator and primary promoter of Panda, the Nasdaq sensation.

Both hurriedly said, "Mr. Lu, that's very kind of you. We're all here for the company. What would you like us to do?"

"The plan is to reorganize and resubmit the listing application," said Lu Liang.

He hoped they would join the audit team, take charge of staff redeployment, and coordinate different departments.

The data were all from the previous quarter, they not only had to integrate it but also update it with the current quarter's.

Upon hearing this, Huang Molin appeared thoughtful, and Wang Xin radiated joy. Both initially demurred, "Mr. Lu, we still have some ongoing projects."

"What project could be more important than the company listing now?" Lu Liang asked with a smile.

Cheng Wei paused and then said, "Go back and sort out your current work. I will assign additional manpower to push the projects forward or hand them over to another group. Give me your answer this afternoon."

He further informed them that the listing project headed by Lu Liang was now the most important one, without equal.

The project members would receive a 0.95 wage multiplier, and successful completion would lead to a year-end evaluation.

"Understood, Mr. Cheng. We'll go back now. Mr. Lu, goodbye."

The two exchanged glances, each seeing the excitement in the other's eyes. Cheng Wei was indirect, but the message was clear.

Joining Lu Liang's listing team would mean an immediate pay raise with direct promotion upon project completion.

One of them might become a D8, and the other a D9.

"Supervisor Huang, what do you think?"

Wang Xin was eager. She was already 34 but still only a D7. Next year, she would be 35.

Without reaching a D8 by 35, she could never hope to be a D9 in her lifetime.

Anyone below D9 was insignificant, even if they were management. She would face a mid-life crisis, with the risks of dismissal and demotion.

"Manager Wang, don't you need to discuss this with your boss, Liu Qing?" Huang Molin asked with a slight smile, clearly aware of Wang Xin's background.

"The company should list. I trust Mr. Lu can drive DiDi to list in the US," said Wang Xin with a serene smile.

Boxing is a process, not an end. Women who box just for the sake of boxing are a disgrace to their gender.

She had achieved her goal. Why cling to it and make trouble for herself?

Huang Molin suddenly laughed, "I wonder how sad Mr. Liu would be to hear you say that."

"So you plan to report me?"

Wang Xin responded with a smile. She knew Huang Molin was 38 but only a D8. This was not only her chance but Huang Molin's as well.

If she lacked ambition, she wouldn't have hidden her pregnancy until eight months in last year.

She worked right up until a few days before delivery and took only half a month's maternity leave before returning.

Rumors said the child hadn't been breastfed, raised on formula and nutrient solutions from infancy.

Because breastfeeding would drain a woman's vitality, a longer postpartum recovery is needed.

Thus, through surgery, Huang Molin had stopped milk production altogether to return to work sooner.