Chapter Three: An Unexpected Investment of Ten Million

After Chen Yang finished speaking, he hung up the phone.

At that moment, his mother-in-law Han Qin and father-in-law Qin Guoshan both wore expressions of utter disbelief. After all, they had just heard it clearly—the esteemed Mr. Liu actually apologized to Chen Yang. In their eyes, Chen Yang was nothing more than a hopeless case, a poor delivery man, hardly someone worthy of Mr. Liu personally calling to apologize. To Han Qin and Qin Guoshan, it was almost unimaginable.

Chen Yang, after ending the call, naturally noticed the astonished faces of his in-laws and chuckled, “Mom, didn’t I tell you? What’s so special about Mr. Liu?” Han Qin, still puzzled, asked, “Why would he call and apologize to you?” “He probably had a pang of conscience,” Chen Yang replied lightly.

In truth, he could have laid his cards on the table and said, “I now have twenty billion; Mr. Liu is nothing to me.” But Chen Yang had no desire to reveal this—it seemed pointless. Besides, Han Qin was no pushover; if he were to disclose such a thing, he’d only bring himself endless trouble in the future. Better to let things be, to remain quietly extravagant in his own way.

Han Qin gave Chen Yang a long, searching look, but said nothing more.

Chen Yang had just explained that Mr. Liu called to apologize out of guilt, but Han Qin found the excuse unconvincing. Yet she couldn’t imagine any other reason. Perhaps, she thought, Mr. Liu really did have a change of heart.

Chen Yang continued eating. After finishing his meal, he set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and turned to Qin Muxue with a smile, “Wife, don’t worry about your company’s financing. In a couple of days, I’ll secure a ten million sponsorship for you to help you through this crisis.”

“Are you done eating? If so, maybe you should take a walk and digest,” Qin Muxue frowned, clearly not believing a word Chen Yang said, and secretly wondered if he’d suddenly lost his mind.

At that moment, Han Qin also mocked him, “Will you die if you don’t brag? Who do you think you are? Bringing ten million in sponsorship for Xiaoxue? You think ten million is the same as a thousand?”

Qin Guoshan frowned and added sarcastically, “Young man, you should learn to keep your feet on the ground. Loose talk will only bring you trouble.”

“I can’t be bothered to argue. Mom, earlier I told you Mr. Liu would call to apologize, you didn’t believe me, but it happened, didn’t it?” Chen Yang replied.

Han Qin snapped, “That’s because Mr. Liu had a conscience. You think it’s because of your abilities?”

“Maybe it is,” Chen Yang laughed.

Han Qin cast a disdainful glance at Chen Yang and said, “Just go, I don’t want to talk to you.”

Chen Yang smiled faintly, shook his head, and thought, “Mom, you’re quite something.” He then left the dining table and settled onto the sofa to watch television.

In the blink of an eye, the night passed.

The next day, Chen Yang personally traveled to the provincial capital and signed an investment agreement with Lin Qianyao. He invested a full ten billion and acquired seventy percent of Huading Group’s shares, which meant that from then on, all matters large and small within Huading Group would be decided by him.

After the signing, Chen Yang whispered a few words to Lin Qianyao, who nodded repeatedly, a smile gradually appearing in his eyes.

...

Meanwhile.

At ten in the morning, the customary time for Qin Muxue’s company meeting.

Inside the company’s conference room, Qin Muxue sat at the center of the oval table, flanked on both sides by her senior executives.

Her company specialized in cosmetics and apparel trade. Business had been good in previous years, but this year, many new cosmetics and apparel companies had suddenly sprung up in Linhai. With the surge in competitors, business became fiercely competitive, and this year was particularly difficult for Qin Muxue’s company. If not for the dire straits, with the company teetering on the verge of collapse, she would not have been so desperate to seek investment.

As soon as the meeting began, before Qin Muxue could say much, a middle-aged man with a ruddy nose interrupted her, “Qin Muxue, I think you should step down as boss. You simply don’t have the makings of a leader.”

Hearing this, Qin Muxue’s large, dark eyes flashed with embarrassment. She responded, “Mr. Huang, what do you mean by that?”

This middle-aged man with the red nose was one of the founding members of the company. He held thirty percent of the company's shares—just five percent less than Qin Muxue’s thirty-five percent. Thus, he was the second most powerful figure in the company.

When business was good, everyone got along fine. But this year, with business faltering, Huang Youlong blamed Qin Muxue for everything, claiming her leadership was at fault. Now, Huang Youlong wanted to replace her.

Huang Youlong stared coldly at Qin Muxue and rebuked, “For the company to fall into such a predicament, you bear the greatest responsibility.”

Qin Muxue, suppressing her sense of grievance, replied, “Mr. Huang, I know the company is in trouble, and I’m anxious too. I’m doing my best—don’t you think I want the company to do well?”

Huang Youlong sneered, tapping the table, “Your best? Where has your effort gone? The company needs financing—have you secured any? I haven’t seen a single cent.”

Qin Muxue forced a smile, “Mr. Huang, I’m trying.”

“Trying? All your effort’s gotten us is this half-dead company. I think you should step aside. I’ll take over from now on,” Huang Youlong said coldly.

Qin Muxue’s heart sank. To give up her position as boss? Impossible. She had built this company over five years, brick by brick, with her own sweat and effort. It was like her own child—how could she hand it over to someone else?

Suppressing her anger, Qin Muxue said, “Mr. Huang, we’re all in this together. I think whatever happens, we should unite and discuss things properly, not tear each other down.”

Huang Youlong looked to the other executives, “Am I tearing things down? Isn’t this survival of the fittest, the law of the jungle? If you’re not up to the task, you should step aside. Don’t you all agree?”

The executives remained silent, their expressions complicated.

Qin Muxue herself felt conflicted, her heart filled with grievance.

“Enough,” Huang Youlong finally lost patience and stood up, “Step aside. That seat is better suited to me.”

Qin Muxue frowned, feeling miserable.

Just then, Chen Yang suddenly burst into the office, accompanied by a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

With his abrupt entrance, all eyes in the room turned to Chen Yang.

Qin Muxue looked at him as well, her mood sour. She stood up and said angrily, “What are you doing here?”

Chen Yang chuckled, “Mr. Shen, please.”

The man with gold-rimmed glasses hurriedly smiled, “Miss Qin, I’m here to sign an investment agreement with your company. Our Huading Company sees great promise in your business, so we’ve decided to invest ten million.”