Chapter 108: Fate Plays Tricks

Ultimately, it was that second-in-command of Changqing Group, Shen Zekai, who was too inexperienced and too eager for quick success.
If he hadn't been so impatient to seize power from his father, and had patiently waited a few more years,
Changqing Group would naturally have been his for the taking once his shrewd father passed away.
But he couldn't wait. He insisted on jumping in prematurely, creating trouble, and then hastily signed the contract, trying to snatch profits from the fire, which led to his current predicament.
Unfortunately, fate played a cruel trick.
One wrong step led to another, and he ended up handing the new property development over to Fang Huan Investment's lavish buffet.
"And, Chairman Huang, I heard that Changqing Group's European expansion plan was originally intended to be postponed until funds were more abundant.
But that Shen Zekai, for some reason, suddenly became extremely aggressive.
He forcibly pushed all the European projects forward, and the cash flow is already on the verge of collapse!
As a result, they ran right into this wave of terrorist attacks sweeping Europe!
Now everyone in the underworld is saying that Changqing Group can't even come up with the life-saving funds it urgently needs right now!
And Changqing Group's debt is about to inflate like a balloon, and its credit rating?
It's bound to plummet! Then..."
Hearing this, Huang Fengwen felt that it was fate, that even God was helping him, Huang, to make a fortune!
"So, what was the 'reasonable' acquisition price set for the 'Changqing Tianxi' project in our performance-based agreement?"
"Two hundred billion."
This price was calculated meticulously by the shrewd team in the legal department, based on the project's valuation at the time of signing. It was a "fire sale" price that maximized Fang Huan's investment profits while remaining legally sound.
"Heh heh, if things go smoothly, we could really swallow that new project for two hundred billion?"
Huang Fengwen's eyes practically gleamed with greed as he thought about it.
"Of course, Changqing Group will definitely fight tooth and nail.
After all, that's their flagship project in Shanghai; how could they willingly hand it over for such a paltry sum?"
Lin Fan cautioned.
However, things don't always go as planned.
Life is full of uncertainties. Who could have imagined things would turn out this way?
"Um, Chairman Huang..."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Didn't you say before that it was President Su who personally made the decision to use the 'Changqing Tianxi' development as collateral, overcoming all opposition?"
"Yes, what's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"Chairman Huang... do you think President Su... could it be that even this situation was part of his plan?"
"!?!"
The moment these words were spoken, everyone in the spacious office gasped, the air seemingly freezing!
Normally, such a far-fetched speculation should have been laughed off as a joke.
However, upon hearing the name "Su Hao," everyone's expression froze, and no one could laugh.
That man had created too many unbelievable miracles!
That name seemed to possess a captivating, almost demonic power!
***
"Uncle Cui! Still no news from the equity fund?"
In the chairman's office of Changqing Group, Shen Zekai was practically parched with anxiety.
His lips were cracked and chapped. He chugdled water glass after glass, but it did nothing to quench the burning thirst and despair that flared from the depths of his heart.
"Damn it! These bastards, these heartless scoundrels, have they all gone mad?!
Do they really want to watch the Changqing real estate project be snatched away by those opportunistic, exploitative scumbags from Fanghuan Investment?!
It's just a mere 10 billion! If that 10 billion were in place, all the problems would be solved!
Are they pigs?! Can't they even do this simple math?!"
Shen Zekai slammed his fist on the table in anger.
The problem was, 10 billion sounded easy, but getting those equity funds to actually hand it over was more painful than having a piece of their own flesh cut off.
Those equity fund managers who usually fawned over them were now cowering like turtles.
They were also weighing their options: what if investing 10 billion yuan turned into nothing?
Even if Changqing Group, this sinking ship, could still float, could they recoup their principal and interest?
The key question was, could Changqing Group's massive financial hole actually be filled? Would it just snowball?
This was a gamble; who dared to place a bet?
Frankly, in their eyes, Changqing Group was a hot potato.
It was a game of musical chairs, a gamble that they wouldn't be the last unlucky victim.
Therefore, no fund company was willing to budge. They all pretended not to know, exchanging knowing glances, waiting to see who would be foolish enough to take on this "century-defining bomb."
"Keep persuading! Do everything you can! At all costs!"
Shen Zekai said through gritted teeth.
"Tell them that the setback in France is only temporary! But the projects in Britain and Germany are about to launch!
The projects in Belgium and Spain are also lined up, waiting to open!
The border closure isn't permanent; it will reopen sooner or later!
Then, money, loads of money, will naturally flood in like a tide!"
"Yes...yes! Chairman, we will definitely do our best!"
Uncle Cui agreed with a stiff upper lip, cold sweat already soaking his back.
"Not just do our best! We must! We absolutely must! Tell those money-grubbing, profit-driven bastards.
If they still want to squeeze any more money out of our Changqing Group, the new development absolutely cannot be abandoned!
That's our trump card! And their cash cow!"
Though the words were harsh, the ominous premonition in Shen Zekai's heart was like a leech, impossible to shake off.
If only I had been calmer back then, more patient, and less driven by short-sighted gains…
Perhaps I wouldn't have signed that damned contract, which felt like a slave contract!
But it's too late for regrets now.
If no fund is willing to lend a helping hand, and everyone chooses to stand by and watch, refusing to help…
Then Changqing's new housing development will truly benefit those opportunistic, ruthless bastards from Fanghuan Investment!
No, more accurately, it's about the damned, mysterious mastermind who's been hiding behind Fang Huan Investment, manipulating everything, yet never showing themselves!
"Don't even think about it! Even if I die, I'll jump off this building, I'll never let you bastards succeed!"
Shen Zekai gritted his teeth. He had to prevent that from happening, no matter what!
France was out of the question for now, but Changqing Group's operations weren't limited to just France!
After Paris, they'd poured astronomical sums of money into Britain, and there was also Germany, Spain, Belgium…
These were all future cash cows, gold mines that would lay golden eggs!
As long as these overseas projects could be successfully launched step by step, money would naturally flow in like a flood!
So, it's not over yet!
It's not the end of the road yet!
At least not now!
Not yet!!