Chapter 120: The Financial Devil Who Doesn't Spit Out Bones

"You all step out for a moment, I need to take this call," she instructed the still agitated executives.
"Ah, yes, President Qin." The others didn't dare ask any more questions, rising and filing out in single file, exchanging glances of indignation at Fanghuan Investment before leaving.
The door to the lounge closed softly, shutting out the outside noise.
Qin Lan took a deep breath, suppressing her turbulent emotions, and pressed the answer button:
"Oh dear, Chairman Shen, what brings you to call me personally? It's too much for me.
I heard you officially took over as Chairman of Changqing Group, and I was planning to congratulate you when I had time.
I didn't expect you to call first, I'm truly ashamed, truly ashamed."
Before she could finish her polite words, an exasperated roar came from the other end of the line:
[Qin Lan! Stop pretending!]
"Are you colluding with those bastards at Fang Huan Investment now, trying to take advantage of our misfortune and swallow up our Changqing real estate projects?!"
"Don't think I don't know what you're up to! Let me tell you, not a chance!"
Hearing the furious yet clearly weak roar of Shen Zekai, the new chairman of Changqing Group, Qin Lan felt inexplicably relieved, a barely perceptible schadenfreude creeping onto her lips.
Indeed, the most pleasurable thing in the world is watching your competitors frantically struggle and suffer.
"Oh, Chairman Shen, you're wronging my sister."
Qin Lan spoke slowly, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.
"If you want my opinion, you should have cultivated a better relationship with your family from the beginning. Harmony in the family is the foundation of everything."
"Why make a scene like this, turning your family affairs into a public spectacle, only to attract predatory, predatory wolves like Fang Huan Investment?"
Her words, seemingly comforting, were actually sharp and cutting, aimed directly at Shen Zekai's sore spots.
【You...you're talking nonsense!...Huff...Huff...Qin Lan, listen to me!】
Shen Zekai was clearly furious. He took several deep breaths to barely suppress his raging anger.
【Those guys at Fang Huan Investment are no good!
They're wolves in sheep's clothing, a pack of financial devils who devour people without a trace!
They'll definitely lure you in with an outrageously low price, just like they did to Changqing!
Don't fall for it! I bet they won't show you any mercy either!】
Qin Lan's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
Damn, he was right!
However, Fang Huan Investment didn't lure her in with a low price; instead, they used 20 billion to directly fleece her like a sucker!
And in a ruthless, bloody way!
[Also, Huang Fengwen of Fang Huan Investment isn't the mastermind at all!
He's just a puppet pushed to the forefront! Behind him, there's an even more powerful mastermind!
This mysterious operator first manipulated our Changqing Group, making us run wild, and now they've extended their clutches to your Jiangjin Hotel!
We can't let them succeed! Absolutely not!]
Shen Zekai's voice was filled with resentment, bitterness, and a hint of barely concealed...fear.
"So...Mr. Shen, you mean you want our Jiangjin Group to obediently relinquish the operating rights of Changqing Hotel, watching helplessly as this piece of meat, almost within our grasp, is handed back to you intact?"
Qin Lan sneered, her tone turning even colder.
【That's right! Qin Lan, listen to my advice, don't get involved in this mess!
You're a smart person, don't risk ruining yourself for such a paltry gain!
If you're willing to give up, I'll reward you handsomely afterwards!】
"For me, the best reward is for Changqing Hotel to completely disappear from this world."
Qin Lan retorted without hesitation, her voice icy cold.
"If Changqing Tianxi opens smoothly, given its size and positioning, wouldn't our Jiangjin Hotel have no chance of ever rising to prominence?"
【You...Qin Lan! Don't you understand what I'm saying?!】
We're all being manipulated by the same mastermind!
Our common enemy is the mysterious person behind Fanghuan Investment!
We should join forces and fight against…】
“Chairman Shen, I understand what you mean.”
Qin Lan interrupted him bluntly.
“However, you should take care of your own mess first.
As for our Jiangjin Hotel, we don't need your concern.
I'm busy here, I'll hang up now.”
【Qin Lan! Wait! We can discuss the terms! We can discuss any terms—!】
“Beep—”
Qin Lan hung up the phone without hesitation, completely silencing Shen Zekai's furious voice.
Hearing the busy tone on the other end of the line, Qin Lan felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
This Shen Zekai, who used to be in charge of the hotel business, relied on the power of Changqing Group to constantly oppose her in hotel operations, making her grit her teeth in hatred.
Now, however, he's like an ant on a hot pan, frantically running around in circles. This feeling is truly… exhilarating!
More importantly, Qin Lan keenly sensed that besides hysterical anger and resentment, Shen Zekai's voice on the phone actually carried a deep-seated fear!
He's afraid!
He's afraid of Fanghuan Investment!
Or rather, he's afraid of the "mysterious operator" behind Fanghuan Investment—someone whose voice is heard but whose face is never seen, yet who can manipulate events at will!
Speaking of which, why did Fanghuan Investment insist on bringing in the powerful Jiangjin Hotel to "share the pie"?
The reason is simple and realistic.
Although Changqing Group is currently in dire straits, beset by internal and external troubles, it's still a force to be reckoned with.
They are sparing no expense, utilizing every available "special channel," to relentlessly pressure Fanghuan Investment from all sides, attempting to protect Changqing Tianxi, their core asset.
Although Fanghuan Investment is ruthless, it is somewhat powerless and unable to resist this kind of downward attack from the "superstructure".
That's why Fang Huan Investment was so eager to find a backer, hoping to leverage the towering Jiang Jin Group to withstand the pressure from Changqing Group and its backers, so they could quickly swallow the already-imminent prize of Changqing Tianxi and avoid any unforeseen complications.
"In this dire, besieged situation, they still dare to ask me for 20 billion?"
Qin Lan grew increasingly angry. These guys were treating her like a fool!
But… if Jiang Jin Hotel were to abandon negotiations now because of the price issue, it would undoubtedly be throwing away a golden opportunity to completely overthrow its old rival, Changqing Hotel, and solidify Jiang Jin's dominance in the domestic hotel industry!
This opportunity was too tempting!
So tempting that she couldn't easily give it up!