Marriage Can Wait - Chapter 39 - If You Know Me, You Should Know My Intentions!

Xiang Yi angrily hung up the phone, her emotions a tangled mess. On one hand, there was her sister, Xiang Meilan, whom she had harshly scolded but still worried about. On the other hand, there were the two men who had been mentors to her, now caught in an unexpected disaster due to her sister’s mistake.

Xiang Yi hesitated for only a few seconds before deciding to call He Songshi herself. It was she who had allowed Xiang Meilan into the event, causing Xiao Chen to be implicated and He Songshi to bear the loss. She felt responsible.

The call connected quickly, and He Songshi told her, “I know everything. We’ll handle it here. You just focus on your tasks in Hangzhou and come back when you’re done.”

As soon as the incident occurred at the venue, Xiao Chen had contacted He Songshi. The two were now standing at the elevator entrance in the underground parking lot, preparing to meet with the representatives from Jinshi.

He Songshi said, “This matter must not affect Xiang Yi.” Protecting Xiang Yi meant protecting Xiao Chen.

“Yes, Xiang Yi has been in Hangzhou the whole time, so it’s easy to clarify,” Xiao Chen sighed in relief. He had been worried that He Songshi might blame Xiang Yi or even make her take the fall. After all, the most rampant rumor at the venue was that “Xiang Yi” had incited the entrepreneur to attack Jinshi Asia Fund, claiming Jinshi was tyrannical and ousting founding members.

He Songshi sternly told Xiao Chen, “The fact that Xiang Meilan replaced Xiang Yi was with your consent. You agreed, so it’s your responsibility.”

Xiao Chen replied, “I didn’t ask Miss Xiang clearly what she intended to do before helping her. The person was brought in by us, and even though it wasn’t my intention, I’ve certainly offended Jinshi Asia Fund. If this order doesn’t go through, the loss to the company is on me.”

He Songshi’s tone was severe: “You’ve been working with me since graduation. I’ve taught you the ropes of business interactions and let you handle things. I never expected you to mess up like this.”

“Yes.” The boss’s criticism was justified, and Xiao Chen could only accept it. He had agreed to Xiang Meilan’s request partly because of Xiang Yi and partly because he felt Xiang Meilan had a special relationship with He Songshi. It was a favor he couldn’t easily refuse. However, as a man, he had to take responsibility. Whether it was Xiang Yi or Xiang Meilan’s mistake, since he brought the person in, it was his responsibility.

“I know what you’re thinking. But let me tell you now, you must distinguish between business and personal matters. Even if Xiang Meilan asks you, you don’t have to help her. In business, there’s no room for personal favors. No matter who it is, if it touches your principles and interests, neither offend nor oblige.”

As the elevator ascended, He Songshi continued to instruct Xiao Chen, “If we can’t secure Jinshi’s order this time, consider it a lesson learned.”

Xiao Chen decisively said, “I can offer another 10% discount.” Even if there’s no profit this time, converting inventory into cash flow is beneficial, and “once the first deal is made, the rest will follow. As long as the product is solid, business will gradually improve.”

Xiao Chen was determined to secure this order at all costs. Without it, the company’s operations and project research would still rely on He Songshi’s continuous funding, with no end in sight.

Xiao Chen said, “Money can be earned again, but without this order, getting another chance to become a supplier for the metaverse is nearly impossible.” Not only would Jinshi Asia Fund stop negotiations, but other companies would also be wary of his past issues. He couldn’t let one mistake lead to another, putting the company in an irreparable situation.

He Songshi’s face remained expressionless. Before meeting the people at the venue, he honestly had no concrete solution. His goal was to ensure that money could resolve the issue without affecting Xiao Chen’s reputation or Xiang Meilan’s future. To him, money was insignificant compared to a person’s reputation.

As the elevator doors opened, they were greeted by a cacophony of voices. The hallway leading to the venue was crowded with hotel guards in full gear and reporters with cameras poised.

Xiao Chen was momentarily stunned by the scene before him. The sudden appearance of reporters was clearly orchestrated by someone to escalate the situation.

He overheard a reporter saying, “I heard Jinshi laid off dozens of employees after acquiring several companies, including several executives. Maybe they pushed people too far. Who knows if they violated labor laws?” If it was illegal, the news would be even more sensational.

Another added, “It might not just be the laid-off employees causing trouble. I think Jinshi has offended too many people, and someone’s taking advantage of the situation.” With multiple investors vying for metaverse projects, Jinshi Asia Fund had acted early, gaining an edge and securing several companies. “Market interests are unevenly distributed. Jinshi might be targeted by competitors.”

Xiao Chen followed closely behind He Songshi as they exited the elevator.

As they stepped out, He Songshi quietly remarked, “Jinshi’s retribution came swiftly.” Jinshi Asia Fund’s post-acquisition layoffs were swift and decisive, replacing key operational positions with their own people to consolidate power.

With the situation escalating, Xiao Chen felt uneasy, worried that the reporters might exploit “Xiang Yi” to tarnish her reputation in the industry.

Several guards approached, clearing a path for them. As they made their way into the venue, He Songshi called Chen Ke: “Find out who brought the reporters to the venue and who’s in charge. Spend some money and get them out within an hour.”

He always believed that with enough money, any problem could be solved. If Jinshi Asia Fund hadn’t shortchanged those employees during layoffs and had been more generous, perhaps people would be praising the investors’ generosity now.

Just as He Songshi hung up with Chen Ke, Shan Yu called.

“Mr. He, where are you?”

“I’m in the same place as you.” He Songshi guessed Shan Yu must have arrived too, given the magnitude of the mess.

Shan Yu didn’t beat around the bush: “Meilan is on her way here. Have you seen her?”

He replied coldly, “No.”

Xiang Meilan was a junior in front of Jinshi Asia Fund, and being the source of the trouble, they wouldn’t show her any mercy. Leaking confidential documents could lead to formal charges against her, along with her friend at the government institution. It wouldn’t be easy to come out unscathed.

According to He Songshi, Xiang Meilan should avoid the limelight for now, let things cool down, and wait for Shan Yu to resolve the situation before coming forward to apologize. After all, Xiang Meilan was Shan Yu’s employee, and whatever she did, it was originally Shan Yu who should have taken responsibility.

But Shan Yu chose to have Xiang Meilan face the situation head-on and clarify things herself.

He didn’t know what Shan Yu’s plan was-whether he intended to protect Xiang Meilan or safeguard his company’s reputation by using her as a scapegoat.

However, he couldn’t rely on Shan Yu, the old fox. He didn’t want to see Xiang Meilan’s career destroyed or her left desolate and helpless.

After hanging up, He Songshi quickened his pace, his brows slightly furrowed: “Shan Yu is already here. We need to get ahead of him.”

Meanwhile, Shan Yu waited downstairs for Xiang Meilan. She had changed out of her dress and into a formal white shirt and black suit, accessorized with a butterfly-shaped brooch to avoid looking too dull.

Shan Yu saw her and, without a word, turned and walked ahead of her. His silence added to Xiang Meilan’s pressure.

Once inside the venue, Shan Yu finally spoke, “Who gave you the courage to touch a project the Investment Committee forbade?”

Xiang Meilan didn’t mention Zhou Yanyin. She had decided beforehand that no matter the storm, she would bear it alone. Dragging others into it would only complicate matters further. She was mentally prepared for the worst consequences.

Taking a deep breath, she followed her boss to meet the grim-faced representative from Jinshi Asia Fund.

An hour later, at the elevator entrance of the hotel’s parking lot, He Songshi saw Xiang Meilan following Shan Yu out.

Shan Yu saw He Songshi waiting and told Xiang Meilan, “Go on.”

Xiang Meilan bid farewell to Shan Yu and got into He Songshi’s car.

As soon as she got in, He Songshi asked, “What does Mr. Shan plan to do with you?” He noticed that although she seemed a bit down, she had managed to withstand the pressure, which relieved him.

Xiang Meilan replied, “Mr. Shan said he initially wanted to fire me.” She didn’t mention that Shan Yu had scolded her for at least half an hour for causing trouble, acting on her own, lacking discretion, and embarrassing him. “But then he thought, firing me would just benefit you.”

He Songshi gave a faint smile.

Xiang Meilan continued in a flat tone, “I’m suspended without pay for a month to reflect at home.” Essentially, she’s off for the New Year, “and no bonus this year.” That was harsh, as her savings plan was now in ruins. After a whole year of hard work, all contributing to her mortgage, her bank account balance was still only four digits.

Shan Yu also said she wouldn’t be allowed to touch artificial intelligence projects in the future. This punishment was particularly painful for Xiang Meilan, as all her previous efforts might be lost due to today’s misstep. But she managed to hold back from saying anything.

The car slowly headed home, with Xiao Chen in the front seat and He Songshi and Xiang Meilan in the back.

Xiang Meilan felt somewhat down, but since she was responsible for her actions, she deserved whatever punishment she received. There was no reason for everyone else to share her gloom.

She broke the silence first, asking He Songshi, “Did you call off the reporters at the entrance?”

“Yes.”

“Did you put pressure on Jinshi Asia Fund? I felt the representative was a bit angry but didn’t dare to show it.” She deliberately downplayed the situation.

Before He Songshi could respond, Xiao Chen turned around and said, “Pressure? How could we? I guess they enjoyed our conversation, so they didn’t give you a hard time.” After all, he had offered a 10% discount.

He Songshi said, “It was an unintentional mistake on your part. I asked them not to hold it against you. I took care of the media issue for them. As for that troublesome entrepreneur, forget about him. Just pretend he doesn’t exist.” Pretending he doesn’t exist essentially means being blacklisted in the investment circle, left to fend for himself. “We’re all out here to make money. Turning big issues into small ones and small ones into nothing benefits everyone.”

Xiang Meilan said, “You offered a 10% discount because of me, right? Knowing you, you wouldn’t easily give up profit.”

He Songshi remained silent for a moment before finally saying, “If you know me that well, then you should understand what my intentions truly are.”