Chapter 143: It's all a fucking setup!

Changqing Group, Chairman's Office.
"Oh, isn't this Chairman Qin? What an honor to have you here! I'm so sorry I didn't greet you sooner!"
Shen Zekai looked at the uninvited guest with a forced smile, his tone filled with undisguised sarcasm and hostility.
"Chairman Shen, how have you been?" Qin Han forced a laugh. "It's been a while. Chairman Shen... you've lost quite a bit of weight."
More than just thin, he looked like he'd shed a layer of skin.
This once spirited leader of Changqing Group now looked like he'd aged ten years. His face was haggard, his eyes sunken, and he exuded an aura of decay.
No wonder. Changqing Group was currently mired in bankruptcy rumors, its stock price had plummeted, and morale was low.
Negative rumors were flying everywhere; it was already teetering on the brink of collapse.
It was no wonder Chairman Shen was having a hard time.
Shen Zekai's face instantly darkened:
"What, Chairman Qin, you've graced us with your presence today to witness firsthand how badly you've trampled on Changqing Group, so you can go back and celebrate with champagne?"
"Chairman Shen, that's quite a hurtful remark, isn't it?"
Qin Han, however, remained unperturbed, leisurely sitting down on the sofa, crossing his legs, acting as if he were no stranger to guests.
"Not even a glass of water? That's rather uncivilized hospitality."
"I have nothing to talk to you about! Speak your mind!"
Shen Zekai snapped bluntly, his tone sharp.
Clearly, he harbored deep resentment towards Qin Han.
Qin Han, however, wasn't annoyed. He completely understood Shen Zekai's feelings at that moment.
It was understandable; after all, if Jiangjin Group hadn't suddenly intervened, Changqing Group wouldn't have fallen to this state, being utterly crushed by negative news and short-selling forces.
Anyone in his shoes would be furious.
But then again, a businessman is still a businessman.
In the brutal battlefield of business, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.
No matter how angry or resentful Shen Zekai was, he was, after all, a businessman.
Right now, saving the collapsing group was his top priority.
As for personal grudges, what did they matter in the face of the group's life or death?
As long as Changqing Group could survive, he'd do anything, even treat Qin Han like his own father.
Emotions were emotions, and interests were interests.
Shen Zekai, a seasoned businessman, couldn't possibly be unaware of this.
"So, Chairman Qin means that we, Changqing Group, should act as your 'front man' and acquire Kintetsu Group's assets in Japan?"
Upon hearing Qin Han's intentions, Shen Zekai's face darkened to an almost palpable grimace.
“That’s right.” Qin Han nodded.
“However, there’s one condition: the shares of Changqing Global Trust must be transferred to us.
The price is negotiable; I guarantee you won’t lose out, Chairman Shen.”
“You—! Qin Han, your scheme is too cunning!
This is taking advantage of our misfortune, kicking us when we’re down!
Not only are you using us as cannon fodder, but you’re also trying to seize control of our Changqing Group?!”
Shen Zekai trembled with rage.
“Chairman Shen, please calm down,” Qin Han remained unmoved.
"We only want shares; we will absolutely not interfere in the daily operations of Changqing Group.
We will also fully support your position as chairman, ensuring it remains as solid as a rock, and no one can take it away."
"So what?! What's the difference between a puppet chairman without real power and a marionette?!"
"Chairman Shen!" Qin Han's voice suddenly turned cold, an invisible pressure spreading out.
Shen Zekai was intimidated by his sudden aura, and the rest of his words were swallowed back.
"Forgive my bluntness, Mr. Shen, but right now, I'm afraid... you don't have many choices left."
Qin Han's eyes were sharp as knives, as if piercing through to the heart.
"This suggestion I'm giving you is your last chance, the last straw to pull Changqing Group back from the brink of collapse.
I know you're unhappy and want to save face.
But, Mr. Shen, can pride feed you?
Can it save Changqing Group?
Can it preserve the hard work of generations of your Shen family?
Now is not the time to talk about face. Survival is more important than anything else! Isn't it?
Think about it, do you cling to that pitiful pride and go down with Changqing Group,
or do you survive first and then try to make a comeback later?
You should weigh the options carefully."
"..." Shen Zekai's face turned pale, then red. His lips moved a few times, but he couldn't utter a single word.
“If Changqing Group collapses like this, hundreds of thousands of employees will lose their jobs.
Hundreds of thousands of families will lose their source of income and be displaced.
Then, how will you… face this overwhelming resentment?”
Qin Han’s tone softened slightly, but the weight of his words grew heavier.
“To be honest, I, Qin, don’t want to see such a human tragedy happen.”
Seeing Shen Zekai’s dejected, defeated appearance, Qin Han knew that the deal was done.
Or rather, Shen Zekai knew better than anyone that he had no choice.
A barely perceptible smile appeared on Qin Han’s lips as he stood up from the sofa and dusted off non-existent dust.
“Chairman Shen, please consider this carefully and give me an answer as soon as possible. I remind you, time is running out.”
With that, Qin Han turned to leave.
Just as he was about to step out of the office door,
“Wait!” Shen Zekai suddenly called out to him.
"Hmm? Does Chairman Shen have anything else to say?" Qin Han stopped and turned to look at him.
"You, tell me the truth," Shen Zekai stared intently at Qin Han, his eyes bloodshot, asking each word carefully,
"Is all of this... also a scheme that 'that bastard' had laid out long ago?!"
"That bastard? Who is Chairman Shen referring to?" Qin Han asked, puzzled.
"Heh...heh..." Shen Zekai suddenly let out a strange, unintelligible sound.
It sounded like a mix of crying and laughing, like self-mockery, yet also like a desperate wail.
"Pretend! Keep pretending! Qin Han, do you think I, Shen Zekai, am a fool?!
I've always found it strange, why does that damned bastard insist on targeting our Changqing Group?
There are so many companies in the world, why does he have to go to such lengths to make things difficult for us!
What is he after?
Now, I finally understand!
"I fucking understand now!
This whole thing, from beginning to end, was a setup!
It was all paving the way for today's drama!
He drove us step by step into a corner, all for this day!
So that we would willingly become his groveling dogs!"
Qin Han looked at Shen Zekai, who appeared deranged, his expression a mix of laughter and tears, and a storm raged within him!
He didn't linger, immediately turning and leaving the despair-filled office.
"That bastard..."
"That bastard!"
Shen Zekai's voice, filled with resentment and despair, echoed in Qin Han's mind.
Who else could Shen Zekai be referring to besides the monstrous Su Hao from Fang Huan Investment?
Standing on the steps of Changqing Group's headquarters, Qin Han looked up at the gloomy sky, feeling a chill rise from the depths of his heart.
Upon closer reflection, while Changqing Group's current predicament was certainly due to its own mismanagement, Su Hao's behind-the-scenes manipulation was undeniably crucial.
And today, Qin Han's personal visit to Shen Zekai to propose this "shell company takeover" plan...
It all seemed to stem from a few casual words and seemingly impromptu ideas from Su Hao.
However, every step seemed to be precisely manipulated by an invisible hand!
'Holy crap! So that means...'
A chilling thought flashed through Qin Han's mind.
'Could that kid have been planning this all along?!'
Hiss—!
Qin Han felt a shiver run down his spine, and cold sweat instantly soaked his shirt.
Every move he made, every word he uttered, was ultimately aimed at dragging Jiangjin Group, Changqing Group, and even Kintetsu Group, far away in Japan, into this meticulously crafted... game?!
Holy crap!
Is this...is this even human?!