While Zhao Yan had set his sights on Changhong Trading, there was another person eyeing this untapped opportunity.
This person's name was Xie Liang, the sole shareholder of Changhong Trading and also its former chairman. He had been calling the shots at the company for years.
With control over the company's finances, personnel, and all other aspects, it was only natural for him to become the decision-maker at Changhong after He Ming's imprisonment.
He wouldn't let such a good opportunity slip away.
The fact that He Ming had offered him a 20% stake showed how much trust he had in Xie Liang. And Xie Liang knew that Zhou Ping's shares were actually in He Ming's wife's name.
Unlike Zhao Yan, he didn't have the same level of influence or the backing of Hanjiang. So he planned to take the most direct approach: to deceive, threaten, and manipulate He Ming's wife into selling him the shares at a low price.
At this moment, he was struggling to achieve that goal.
Right after He Ming got into trouble, Xie Liang wasted no time in visiting his home and meeting his wife. He put in so much effort!
Wouldn't you say that's inspirational, my friends?
"You're not human! He Ming trusted you so much, and now that he's in trouble, you're scheming to take control of Changhong from my hands!" Ma Rou, He Ming's wife, cried with tears streaming down her face, angrily staring at Xie Liang.
Xie Liang took off his gold-rimmed glasses, calmly wiped off the droplets, and put them back on, smiling. He said, "Sister-in-law, He Ge trusted me, and without me, there wouldn't be the Changhong that exists today. Don't you agree?"
"Rubbish!" Ma Rou cursed, her anger flaring up. "Every major deal at Changhong was obtained through He Ge's connections in Hanjiang. You're just a middleman!"
Though she was not well-educated, she had a deep bond with He Ming, so she knew quite a bit about his affairs.
"That's right, he's in there, and I'm doing just fine," Xie Liang smirked.
Ma Rou was furious. "Get out! I won't sell the shares to you, even if you beg me!"
"Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong!"
The doorbell rang.
Ma Rou adjusted her hair, took a deep breath, calmed herself, and went to open the door.
When she saw Zhou Ping, her younger brother, outside, she burst into tears and threw herself into his arms.
He Ming had just been arrested in the morning, and she was in a panic. She hadn't visited him in prison yet, nor had she left the house, so she didn't know that it was her own brother who had handed her husband over.
Otherwise, she would have given him a resounding slap, just like in their childhood days, as a reminder of the sisterly love he had forgotten.
"Sis, what's wrong? Did that bastard bully you?" Zhou Ping looked at Xie Liang.
He and Xie Liang had a bad relationship because he frequently asked for money from the company's finances, and Xie Liang looked down on him, often mocking him and refusing his requests. So their relationship was hostile.
"I didn't bully your sister. It's you who shouldn't be here," Xie Liang sneered, about to reveal how he had betrayed He Ming.
Zhou Ping quickly interrupted him. "Xie, get out of my sister's house right now! Get lost!"
"Huh, you're scared now? Fine, I'll leave. Sister-in-law, your brother..." Xie Liang smirked playfully.
Zhou Ping pretended to be angry. "Just leave! Can't you see that my sister doesn't want you here? Go away!"
"Get out of here right now!" Ma Rou shouted.
Looking at this foolish woman, Xie Liang couldn't be bothered to expose Zhou Ping anymore. It serves her right to be kept in the dark.
Let her slowly discover this surprise.
"Sister-in-law, think it over carefully. I'll take my leave for now, and I'll come to see you another day," Xie Liang said as he stood up, straightened his bright suit, and walked away with a radiant smile and a confident demeanor.
As one of the two shareholders of Changhong Trading, he was confident that he could take over the company. Ma Rou was stubbornly oblivious, so he would resort to some underhanded tactics if necessary.
He couldn't handle a woman?
Who else could Changhong belong to besides him?
After Xie Liang left, Ma Rou choked and said, "That scoundrel, as soon as my brother-in-law got into trouble, he wants to buy my shares in Changhong."
"What! How much is he offering?" Zhou Ping's eyes widened instinctively, and he blurted out without thinking.
Ma Rou sneered coldly, infuriated. "If he had offered a fair price, I wouldn't be so angry. He's offering one billion, as if I'm some beggar!"
Although Changhong Trading hadn't gone public yet, its current assets alone amounted to several billion. Once it went public, its value would multiply several times over.
Xie Liang's attempt to buy 80 percent of the shares for one billion was nothing short of robbery.
But Zhao Yan was even more ruthless; he was truly a direct assailant.
"Sister, you absolutely cannot sell to him!" Zhou Ping quickly advised. If he messed up Young Master Zhao's affair, Young Master Zhao would have him killed.
Upon hearing this, Ma Rou burst into tears again. "If I don't sell to him, what can I do? I don't understand these things. Everyone in the company is his person. If he ruins the company and takes away the money, what's the use of my shares? Sob, sob, sob..."
"Sister, don't cry. How about this? I have an idea. Why don't you listen to it?" Zhou Ping had a sudden inspiration.
Ma Rou stopped her tears. "Tell me."
"Do you want to save your husband?" Zhou Ping asked.
Ma Rou nodded repeatedly. "Of course I do."
"Your husband is involved in an economic crime, not a criminal one. The key now lies with Hanjiang. As long as Chen Han can produce a letter of understanding, your husband will receive a lighter sentence and be released in a few months." This was Zhou Ping's recent idea, which would neither deceive his sister nor make her willingly give Changhong Trading's shares to Young Master Zhao.
Ma Rou worriedly said, "Over the years, your brother-in-law has committed embezzlement numerous times. Changhong Trading has grown because of that. Will Chen Han agree?"
If someone else had told her these things, she would definitely have doubts, but she wouldn't doubt her own younger brother.
"Sister, there's someone behind Chen Han, known as Young Master Zhao. Chen Han also listens to him. As long as you're willing to give him Changhong's shares, he will surely make Chen Han provide the letter of understanding," Zhou Ping assured.
After hesitating for a moment, Ma Rou made up her mind and nodded firmly. "If I have to give them to him, then I'll give them to him. As long as it can save your brother-in-law, it's better than falling into the hands of that scoundrel Xie Liang!"
Besides, she and her husband still had shares in Hanjiang, which would ensure their financial security.
At these words, Zhou Ping's face twitched ever so slightly.
Because he was also a ruthless person.
It was evident that He Ming's judgment was not good. He wanted to raise a dog, but only realized after it grew up that it was a pair of wolves.
But he couldn't be blamed entirely. After all, dogs and wolves look similar when they're young, and it's normal for city people to have trouble telling them apart.
"Well, I'll contact someone right away."
Zhou Ping said and hurriedly ran off.
Watching Zhou Ping's hurried footsteps, Ma Rou felt a touch of warmth in her heart. In critical moments, it's still her own younger brother whom she can rely on.
Oh He Ming, you used to say that Zhou Ping was useless, that he would cause trouble if he continued on this path. But he has shown such filial piety towards you, his brother-in-law!
He Ming: My brother-in-law is so filial.
Truly a great display of filial piety, my family.
...
Hanjiang Group, Chairman's Office.
"Director Chen, you're truly amazing. How did you convince Zhou Ping?" Xu Xue's face was full of admiration.
Zhao Yan's eyes also showed admiration. "Didn't I tell you? This is Young Master Zhao's guidance. Young Master Zhao is an extraordinary person. With his unparalleled elegance and talent, what does this matter to him?"
"Young Master Zhao..." Xu Xue muttered to herself, working for such a person, even if she had to work long hours (996), she would gladly do it, even if it was just 69 (*/ω＼*)!
"Ring ring..."
Zhao Yan's phone rang, and upon seeing the caller ID, he quickly answered, "Hello... What!"
He suddenly stood up from the sofa.
He didn't expect Zhou Ping to get it done so quickly. This is just too smooth. As for issuing a letter of understanding to forgive He Ming, what does that even matter?
After all, he has a broad mind. Considering the face of the shares, he forgave Chen Han on his behalf.
"Wait for me, I'll be right there!"
Zhao Yan said and hung up the phone.