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Psst! We're moving!
At 1 AM, the beach returned to silence.
The sound of the waves and the distant city lights accompanied this small fishing village.
Shen Tang set off a pack of sparklers, and on the other side of the fireworks, Jiang Chengyu recorded the moment on video for her.
“I wish I had met you earlier.”
After setting off the last one, she reached for Jiang Chengyu’s hand.
Jiang Chengyu turned off the video. “It wouldn’t have mattered if you met me earlier. I wouldn’t have been thoughtful enough to buy them for you back then.”
“...” Shen Tang stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Honestly, that spoils the mood. You could at least pretend to humor me.”
Jiang Chengyu gently pulled her hands away, handed her his phone, walked two steps forward, and bent down. “I’ll carry you back.”
Shen Tang loved clinging to him and hopped onto his back.
In October the year before last, when he first came to Haitang Village to see her, she still remembered his words, “If you’re here, where else would I go?”
Shen Tang whispered close to his ear, “I love you.”
Jiang Chengyu stopped, paused, then turned around and walked back to the beach.
“Hey, why are you going back?”
“I’ll carry you for two more laps.”
Shen Tang hugged his neck, her head pressed against his, and she saw the bodyguards walking around on the shore from time to time.
“Do you think Yuanyuan has a chance?”
“Hard to say. Everyone thinks differently.”
Shen Tang nodded, saying no more.
She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. Grandpa wouldn’t be able to see this scene, and she wished, even more, that another world existed where Grandpa and Grandma were healthy.
Happily watching everything on the beach.
________________________________________
The next day, Shen Tang didn’t wake up until late morning.
Jiang Chengyu was in the courtyard talking on the phone with Yan Heyu, holding a cup of herbal tea that Brother Shen had brewed early that morning, tasting similar to the tea Grandpa used to make.
Yan Heyu asked him when he planned to repay the money owed to Xiao Donghan. Jiang Chengyu had withdrawn a portion of the money he had ventured in GR Capital, which was enough for the repayment.
This money had been sitting there for several days, only earning current interest, which was a waste.
“No rush.”
“If you’re not in a rush, why did you have me withdraw the money?”
Jiang Chengyu told him honestly, “Shen Tang wants to help me resolve it.”
“?” Yan Heyu knew Shen Tang’s personality well and wondered what extreme method she would use, which might not only ruin Xiao Ning but also implicate Jiang Chengyu.
“Maybe not,” he said tactfully. “It’s not like you can’t pay it back. Besides, you’re just helping the target company with an urgent need for now. The target company can then repay you in installments. Although the interest might not match the returns from venture capital, you won’t lose money. Are you really comfortable letting Shen Tang use extreme measures to resolve such a large sum?”
Jiang Chengyu was also guessing how she intended to protect him. “She’s different now; she won’t be that extreme anymore. She’s probably thinking of exchanging her Xiao Ning shares for cash to help me.”
Yan Heyu couldn’t help but chuckle. This wasn’t eight million, nor was it eighty million.
“We all know Shen Tang likes you, but you don’t need to flatter yourself so much. She’s going to use all her assets to pay off your debt?”
He bit his tongue and didn’t say, ‘Are you dreaming?’ in case he still needed to mooch meals at the Jiang family’s house in the future.
In the world of money and power, who would risk everything to gamble on a vague love and future?
Yan Heyu asked him, “If it were you, would you use half or even more of your assets to pay off Shen Tang’s debt?”
Jiang Chengyu took a sip of tea. “If I couldn’t even do that, I wouldn’t offer her marriage. Are you just talking about pursuing Wen Di again?”
The phone line was silent for a few seconds.
Yan Heyu had never seriously considered how he and Wen Di would resolve such a situation if it arose.
Perhaps on the day it truly happened, he would also unhesitatingly help Wen Di.
Yan Heyu asked him when he was returning. “GR has an investment recently. I’ll need you to assess the risk when you get back.”
“In the next couple of days.” Jiang Chengyu asked him to inquire which company was developing tourism in Haitang Village.
In the evening, Xie Yuncheng, He Chuyao, and Kohn arrived at Haitang Village.
Kohn stood on the third-floor scenic balcony, sipping the herbal tea Shen Tang had prepared for him, feeling the sea breeze, and gazing at the distant embrace of mountains and sea.
Utterly content.
“No wonder Jiang wanted to name it Haitang Village.”
He turned to Shen Tang, “Is this where you grew up?”
Shen Tang: “Yes, I arrived here at one year old and stayed until I was fifteen, then I went to London.”
Kohn knew that Shen Tang’s invitation this time wasn’t just for red wine and tourism. “Is there anything I can help with?”
Shen Tang didn’t stand on ceremony and told him her idea. “If it really comes to this, you’ll only profit, not lose.”
What shocked Kohn was, “That’s two-thirds of your net worth.”
He drank some herbal tea to calm himself, speaking bluntly, “Are you willing to part with it?”
Shen Tang: “I should say, Jiang is worth it.”
Kohn shrugged, still puzzled.
“I respect your decision.”
He agreed to help.
“When we get to Beijing, I’ll treat you to red wine. There’s none here.”
________________________________________
Three days later, the group returned to Beijing.
Today was also a good day for the film and television company to move offices, a date chosen by Sister Li herself.
At noon, they had a gathering to celebrate the relocation.
During the meal, Qin Xing and Chu Ran treated each other like air, neither speaking to the other.
Upon seeing the bodyguard, Yuanyuan’s heart blossomed, and even drinking plain water tasted sweet.
Shen Tang returned to her office from the restaurant and immediately called Xiao Donghan. “Care to come to my office for a chat? I’ll treat you to coffee.”
Xiao Donghan had arrived in Beijing yesterday and had a lot of matters to deal with, so he temporarily didn’t want to meet Shen Tang.
He politely declined, “I might not have time.”
“Really? Then you might regret not coming today.” Shen Tang crossed her arms. “I’ve prepared the coffee you like. At 7 o’clock, you should be done with your work.”
Xiao Donghan pondered for a moment. “Send me your office address.”
Shen Tang sent him the location. She sat at her computer for a while, then got up and went to the window.
This office was fifty to sixty square meters, with a minimalist luxury style. All the office furniture was arranged by Sister Li. She loved the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the street most; standing by them, she could see Jingxu Building.
Shen Tang turned around, her back to the window, and took a selfie with her phone.
She picked the most satisfying one and sent it to Jiang Chengyu, [Doesn’t photograph well, just barely passable.]
Jiang Chengyu noticed the highlight of the selfie: Jingxu Building in the background. He also sent her a photo back, a picture of the office building where her office was located.
Shen Tang: [Aren’t you busy?]
Jiang Chengyu called her. “Not busy right now, just finished a meeting.” He took his water cup, walked to the window, and chatted with her. “If you’re free tonight, I’ll treat you to dinner to celebrate your company’s relocation.”
Shen Tang was indeed not free; she had an appointment with Xiao Donghan after work.
She didn’t want to spoil his fun. “When you’re done, make me some late-night food. I’ll eat it at home.”
Jiang Chengyu now couldn’t make any dish well, except for slicing ginger. The steps for the few dishes he learned from the chef before had all vanished from his mind.
There was no other way: “I’ll cook you plain white porridge, and a plate of smashed cucumbers, okay? If you don’t want porridge, I’ll ask the chef to make something else for you.”
“That’s more than okay! Even without the smashed cucumbers, I’d still love plain white porridge if you made it.”
Her spoiled demeanor, Jiang Chengyu could imagine it even through the screen.
“Then go home early.” He hung up and then sent her a small red packet.
The message on the red packet read: [Congratulations, Boss Shen, on your new office!]
Shen Tang opened it. 2.7 yuan.
She suddenly remembered that she had sent him a 2.5 yuan red packet before.
Combined, they made 5.20.
There were two knocks on the door. Yuanyuan entered after getting permission.
“Sister Tang, Qin Xing and Chu Ran are arguing again in the practice room. Do you want to go mediate?”
She was truly helpless and had no choice but to call for backup.
“Let them be.” Shen Tang glanced at her watch. It was almost 5:30. “Yuanyuan, you can go home now. I still have to work overtime. I have a meeting tonight.”
Yuanyuan wasn’t in a hurry to go home. She had a small plan in mind; she wanted to spend more time with the bodyguard. “I’m a single dog, bored at home. I might as well sort and file some documents.”
She didn’t give Shen Tang a chance to refuse, waved her hand, and closed the office door as she left.
Just as Yuanyuan reached her office door, there was a “bang” from the practice room, and Qin Xing slammed out. This was the first time she had seen Qin Xing genuinely angry.
He exuded an aura of “don’t mess with me.”
Qin Xing lit a cigarette at the window, took a fierce drag, and almost choked.
Chu Ran’s rudeness and arrogance had exceeded his limit.
Sister Li was in the practice room, trying to calm Chu Ran down. The door was pushed open from outside, and Qin Xing entered.
She pressed on Chu Ran’s shoulder, signaling her not to add fuel to the fire.
Qin Xing came in to grab his phone. He had a normal expression when speaking to Sister Li. “I’ll leave this to you. I have to discuss an advertising endorsement with a friend tonight. They’re also interested in collaborating with Huoteng.”
It was a car advertisement endorsement. Huoteng’s current image and popularity were enough to secure such an S-tier business endorsement.
He was completely abandoning the mess that was Chu Ran.
“Sister Li, I also need to follow up on a movie investment during this time, so I can’t pay much attention to the company side. Please take care of things.”
With that, Qin Xing picked up his phone and walked past Chu Ran without a glance.
Unlike slamming the door earlier, this time he closed it gently.
He disdained to argue with Chu Ran anymore.
The elevator stopped on the basement floor. Qin Xing hesitated for a moment as he stepped out.
Standing by the elevator door was Xiao Donghan, who was looking down and sending messages.
Xiao Donghan didn’t even bother to look up to see who came out of the elevator. He glanced up at the open door button, pressed it, and continued looking at his phone, hitting send. [I’ve arrived.]
Xiao Donghan was still wearing his white shirt and midnight blue suit today. His face, framed by gold-rimmed glasses, was cold and indifferent.
Qin Xing was not familiar with Xiao Donghan and didn’t bother to greet him specially.
Xiao Donghan arrived an hour early for the appointment, unsure what Shen Tang had up her sleeve today.
Shen Tang read the message, put down her phone, and started making coffee.
The coffee machine in her office was a gift from Jiang Chengyu, and he also sponsored the coffee beans.
Five minutes later, Xiao Donghan arrived, led by Yuanyuan.
“Nice office environment.” Xiao Donghan stood by the window, overlooking the city.
Before the formal negotiation, the atmosphere was still harmonious.
“Mr. Xiao, please have a seat.” Shen Tang placed two cups of coffee on the table.
Exquisite coffee cups, rich black coffee.
Xiao Donghan sat opposite her. “Between you and me, there’s no need to beat around the bush, right?”
Shen Tang smiled. “Of course not.”
Xiao Donghan stirred his coffee. “Speak.”
“Jiang Chengyu’s company owes you a total of over 8 billion?”
“Nearly 8.4 billion.” Xiao Donghan looked up. “What, are you paying it for him?”
Shen Tang: “Otherwise, why would I call you here?”
“How will you pay it back? With your shares in Xiao Ning Group?” Xiao Donghan reminded her: “I’ve said before, I don’t accept shares, I only want cash.”
Even if he increased his stake in Xiao Ning by another 1%, it wouldn’t be of much use to him. If he wanted to cash out someday, it would be a hassle to reduce his holdings.
A major shareholder reducing holdings would inevitably cause fluctuations in the group’s stock price.
He needed cash for unforeseen circumstances.
“However,” he said circuitously, “if these shares are super-voting shares of Jingxu Group, I might give you some leeway and not demand cash repayment.”
“Mr. Xiao certainly dreams big.” Shen Tang got up and took a copied document from the safe. “Inviting you here naturally shows sincerity.”
She placed the copy in front of him. “The money will soon arrive in the target company’s overseas branch account, a total of 8.5 billion, enough to repay you.”
Xiao Donghan finished reading the paper, his gaze sharp as a blade. “You’re actually going to mortgage your 2% shares to the Kohn family, Shen Tang, do you know what you’re doing?!”
Shen Tang said lightly, “What do you think?”
Xiao Donghan almost crumpled the copy. His brain was flooded with blood just now, and he lost his rationality.
After taking a few sips of coffee, Xiao Donghan forced himself to calm down. “The company does not allow shareholders to privately mortgage their shares for cash. Grandpa wouldn’t have failed to tell you, and Xiao Dongkai couldn’t have failed to remind you! You probably don’t know the consequences of doing this.”
Shen Tang remained calm, resting her arm on the sofa armrest and propping up her chin. “Chairman Xiao indeed doesn’t allow me to pledge my shares for cash without authorization. By the way--”
“When I signed the contract with Chairman Xiao, a clause was specifically added: under the premise of considering the overall situation of Xiao Ning Group, I must be allowed to suppress you in any form. For example, now.”
“Besides, I’m just pledging my shares to other shareholders of Xiao Ning Group, which doesn’t harm the group’s interests. The Kohn family holds 0.1% of Xiao Ning’s shares, which is a small amount, but they are still shareholders, big or small.”
Shen Tang paused here, then stood up again, went to the refrigerator, and took out several boxes of ice cream. “Durian flavored. Back when Lu Zhifei used to get furious because of me, he’d rely on this to survive. I specially prepared it for you.”
“...”
Shen Tang opened a box of ice cream for herself. “This with coffee, the taste is exhilarating.”
Xiao Donghan unfolded the crumpled copy. Shen Tang intended to loan 8.5 billion from the Kohn family’s bank using her 2% shares as collateral.
The loan term was two years, and the interest rate was not low.
If Shen Tang couldn’t repay the loan on time, then these 2% shares would fall into the Kohn family’s hands.
The Kohn family would be delighted if Shen Tang couldn’t repay the loan. At that time, holding these 2% shares in Xiao Ning, they would be fully able to participate in their internal shareholder meetings.
Perhaps in the next director election, the Kohn family might even collude with other small shareholders of Xiao Ning to demand a director seat.
For him, it would be another disaster.
One arm was already constrained by Jiang Chengyu, and now with the Kohn family, it would be like having one leg directly tied up.
Shen Tang was taking a desperate gamble, forcing him to surrender.
The office was consumed by silence.
Xiao Donghan never expected Shen Tang, someone so selfish and calculating, to suddenly lose her mind.
“Shen Tang, you’re using your own shares to fill such a huge hole for Jiang Chengyu. Are you out of your mind? Jiang Chengyu is just your boyfriend; he’s not even your husband. Even if he were your husband, nothing is more reliable than having your own money! Snap out of it!”
Shen Tang ate half a box of ice cream: “Never mind 2%, even if I mortgaged all my 3% shares, I’d do it willingly. He’s worth it.”
Xiao Donghan sneered, “Where’s your rationality? Once you break up, you’ll have nothing.”
“Doesn’t matter. If I really valued money that much, I would have accepted the manor Chairman Xiao gave me back then and obediently remained a puppet, having whatever I wanted.”
Shen Tang took a sip of coffee, then continued eating her ice cream. “Even if we break up someday, I won’t regret it. Jiang Chengyu allowed my grandfather to pass without regrets, and that’s something money can’t buy.”
She chuckled self-deprecatingly, “Why am I telling you all this? It’s like talking to a brick wall.”
Xiao Donghan didn’t expect to convince a woman whose intelligence had been lowered by love. “Tell me your conditions for not taking out the collateralized loan.” He paused. “I’ll tell you my conditions.”
He could only compromise one step. “The money owed to me by the target company will be repaid according to the previous repayment contract; it doesn’t need to be paid in full at once.”
Shen Tang’s lips curved slightly. “I went to all this trouble, and you think it can be dismissed with a single sentence about following the old contract?”
Xiao Donghan gripped the paper. “What else do you want?”
Shen Tang: “Reduce all loan interest rates for the target company by one percentage point.”
Xiao Donghan’s expression was blank. “Reduce by one percentage point? Are you kidding me?”
Shen Tang calmly replied, “You know how much money you previously extorted from the target company. Spit some of it back out to fill Jiang Chengyu’s hole. If you agree, this matter will be closed.”
“Heh.” Xiao Donghan chuckled, finding it utterly fantastical.
Shen Tang paid no mind to his sarcasm. “If you don’t agree, that’s fine. Then I’ll mortgage my shares and take out a loan from the Kohn family. Anyway, I don’t plan on repaying the loan and getting my shares back. Once the Kohn family enters Xiao Ning Group, your good days will pretty much be over. The Kohn family are fierce predators. You weigh the consequences yourself.”
Xiao Donghan: “Do you really think you can threaten me?”
Shen Tang just smiled without speaking.
“I’ve already shown you the utmost sincerity just now. Yet, you’re insatiable and still want to add conditions.” How could Xiao Donghan let her manipulate him? “If you want to take out a loan, that’s up to you.”
He still had a fallback. “If you can’t repay the loan, Grandpa won’t stand by and watch Xiao Ning Group’s super-voting shares fall into outsiders’ hands. He’ll help you cover that loan.”
“Do you really think Chairman Xiao would willingly pay off an 8.5 billion loan? He’s either going to force you to pay it out of your own pocket for me, or he’ll truly let the Kohn family into Xiao Ning Group.”
Shen Tang finished the remaining ice cream, unhurried.
“He can give me 3% of the shares and dare to put Jiang Chengyu on the board. He doesn’t care if the shares fall into outsider hands. He sees further than you. You know the Kohn family’s strength. While their entry might threaten your decision-making power, you have to admit that with such capital backing, Xiao Ning Group will go further.”
Shen Tang looked at Xiao Donghan. “Guess, will Chairman Xiao make you pay off this loan, or will he let the Kohn family in?”
Xiao Donghan narrowed his eyes, not responding.
No one could truly fathom his grandfather’s intentions.
The coffee gradually cooled, and Shen Tang poured him another cup.
She changed her mind on the spot. “It’s troublesome to randomly reduce the repayment interest rate, and it’s hard for you to explain to the board. How about this: let’s do an equivalent exchange. You and the target company sign another patent royalty agreement. Because high fees were collected before, grant the target company six months of free patent usage extension.”
In case Jiang Chengyu and Chu Yueli’s collaboratively developed new technology isn’t delivered on schedule, they would still have to pay high patent usage fees to Xiao Donghan.
Given Xiao Donghan’s vindictive nature, he would surely raise prices again.
Six months of free usage rights for the target company were crucial, just in case.
Shen Tang: “If you’ve thought it through, call the head of your holding company now and have them reissue a letter to the target company, stating that after another risk assessment, the target company’s operations are normal, and repayments should proceed according to the contract.”
Xiao Donghan folded the paper in half, then folded it again.
In this lifetime, this was the first time he had been threatened by a woman.
They shared the same genes; she was even more ruthless than he was.
She killed two birds with one stone, resolving the target company’s loan issue and carefully addressing the new technology development problem.
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