You know, in a family like ours, it's never just about the boss. It's about who is whispering in their ear and who has their own plans that are just below the surface. And I promise you, those whispers are always there at Horizon Tech, echoing through our sleek Shanghai offices like a low hum. Liang Zixin, my cousin, is a great example. He runs a big subsidiary, so he's a big fish, but not the biggest fish. He really hates it. I can almost feel him sniffing around for an opening every single day, just trying to get me to fail.
I'll give him that: he's smart. Most of the time, he doesn't come at me head-on. It's more like a slow erosion, with my authority being chipped away all the time. For example, last month. We had to do this very important software update for our global logistics platform. I had been in charge of it personally, so it was my baby. Zixin, who was in charge of the transportation department, had access, of course. Suddenly, there were whispers—just whispers—about security holes and possible delays that could cost us millions. These weren't real problems; they were worries that were planted like seeds of doubt. Who did the planting? Of course, you can never directly trace it back to him. But the rumors always seemed to start right after Zixin had a private meeting with a key department head or after he had "expressed concern" to a board member. It's really annoying. He would say it was "due diligence" or "looking out for the company's best interests," but I knew. I always knew.
It's very clear what he wants: my seat. He wants to be president. And with Grandfather's marriage decree giving me a huge 20% share of the business, Zixin is practically foaming at the mouth. He thinks of it as an impossible obstacle I've been given, a weakness he can use against me. He's always looking for any mistake, any slip-up, or any time I don't look perfect to Grandfather. He'd walk around Dragon Crest Manor, always looking perfect and paying attention to Grandfather, a perfect example of a dutiful son. It's almost funny how open he is, but it's also very dangerous.
Liang Zhe is another person. Oh, Liang Zhe. Even though he's technically not in the country right now, he's the one who really scares me. Liang Zixin is his brother, but Zixin is a snake in the grass and Zhe is a venomous viper. He doesn't say much, and you don't see him often, but you can feel his influence everywhere. He never shows his hand and pulls strings from the shadows, leaving everyone else to clean up the mess. I've heard stories about him before he left—he was heartless, totally heartless. He can do anything, really anything, to get what he wants. He doesn't just want a small piece of the pie; he wants the whole thing.
Just the other day, I got an anonymous tip about a disgruntled former employee—someone who had been fired years ago for stealing money—who was suddenly making noise and threatening to reveal "secrets" about Horizon Tech's early days. It was too perfect and too convenient, given the security problems we're having right now and the upcoming presidential decision. My gut told me right away that Liang Zhe was the answer. He has a lot of connections, including a lot of shady people he's met over the years. He would never do the dirty work himself, but he would definitely pay someone else to do it, just to cause trouble, make me doubt myself, and make me weaker. He wouldn't really care about the company's reputation. He just wants to be in charge.
I feel like I'm always playing three-dimensional chess. I'm fighting real corporate threats and market competitors on one board. On the other hand, it's Zixin, who is subtly trying to undermine me in meetings, spread rumors, and steal my thunder. And on the third, it's Liang Zhe, this unseen force that's pulling strings from thousands of miles away. His plans are more complicated, take longer, and are much more dangerous. He'd set fire to the whole house just to make sure he's the last one left in the ashes.
It really gets to you when you have to deal with all of it. You can't really trust anyone who isn't in your very, very close circle. Every word and gesture is looked at closely. It makes you always be on guard and always think about things. It takes a lot of energy. I just want to yell, "Come at me directly!" sometimes. But they never do. Not the ones who really pose a threat. They like the whispers, the shadows, and the carefully placed obstacles. And that, in and of itself, shows how smart they are. This fight for Horizon Tech isn't just about business; it's also about dealing with a dangerous family situation where loyalty is hard to find and ambition knows no bounds. And my cousins? They want that more than anyone else.