Chapter 427: When Elephants Fight, It’s the Gra.s.s That Suffers
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
In a lab on the outskirts of the capital, Rong Qi received a text message, [Boss, someone reported on our project.]
Rong Qi frowned and queried, [Reason?]
[The materials for our project come from Ferica. The accusers suspect us of smuggling because of the large volume of jewels involved. They’ve requested that we suspend the project for an investigation. But, I can pull some strings to keep it going.]
Rong Qi pondered for a moment and replied, [No need. What is the Seven Sinisters up to?]
‘Even if they were to smooth over this report, another curveball would be thrown our way sooner or later. Business wasn’t a mere matter of attack and defense. I preferred offense over defense.’ Rong Qi thought.
After a moment of silence, the reply came. [This order is so insignificant in Seven Sinisters’s operations that it barely shows up on their radar. However, they’ve just submitted a new proposal. Rong Holdings will likely be convening a shareholder meeting to discuss it soon.]
Rong Qi’s eyes darkened and replied, [Sabotage it.]
After responding, Rong Qi set her phone aside. She was determined to keep control over Rong Holdings in her own hands. If one project was compromised, she’d replace it with another. She had plenty to choose from. She was intrigued to see what Seven Sinisters was plotting.
What Rong Qi didn’t realize was that when elephants fight, it was the gra.s.s that suffers. The overt and covert strife between Rong Qi and Seven Sinisters had left the already debt-ridden Rong Holdings on the brink of collapse. Their battle escalated from subtle maneuvering to outright confrontation, even causing uproars in the board meetings. Neither seemed to care about the well-being of Rong Holdings.
Leaving the boardroom, Rong Tianshi felt like the sky was falling. Originally, he’d considered aligning with foreign investment companies, given that their projects would at least benefit Rong Holdings. However, every time he made a move, people from Ye Nanshen’s circle would issue him a warning. They warned him to mind his own business and not stir the pot, lest he get burnt.
But when Rong Tianshi was about to pledge allegiance to Ye Nanshen, he was warned again. If he wanted Rong Holdings to survive in Beijing, he shouldn’t act rashly. Faced with the imminent collapse of Rong Holdings and the loss of all his power, Rong Tianshi grew desperate.
Escaping the debt collectors, Rong Tianshi stumbled back home, his briefcase in hand. His a.s.sistant followed him, suggesting, “Mr. Rong, why not sign that stock transfer agreement? At least by aligning with a big company, you’ll safeguard your interests. And they will allocate some shares back to you later. You can’t hesitate anymore.”
The last time Rong Tianshi hesitated, the promise of returning “all shares” turned into “some shares”. Fearing that he might end up with nothing, Rong Tianshi made up his mind. He went to find w.a.n.g Qing to sign the agreement she’d given him earlier.
w.a.n.g Qing exchanged glances with the a.s.sistant from across the room. Once he nodded, she went to her room to retrieve the agreement. With a hidden gleam of joy in her eyes, she said, “Tianshi, the company can only return some of your shares now. But at least you’ll still have a stake in Rong Holdings. Otherwise, we’ll lose everything. All your years of hard work would be in vain. This way, at least we’re salvaging something.”
Struggling internally, Rong Tianshi hesitated to put pen to paper.
Seizing the moment, w.a.n.g Qing added fuel to the fire, “Don’t worry, Tianshi. They will return some of your shares once the crisis is over. We’ll grow stronger and reclaim them, one step at a time. Let them fight among themselves for now; our day will come. Trust me, I’ll be by your side throughout.”
Touched, Rong Tianshi patted her hand, his previous grudges almost entirely forgotten. He took up his pen and signed his name, not noticing the flash of cunning that darted through w.a.n.g Qing’s eyes as he did so..