Chapter 1767: They Are All Wretched Sc.u.m
The Xiao Corporation was one big mess now, and the directors were all scheming to expand their power in the company. The shareholders were all clamoring to take advantage of the situation to further their own interests. The market was in turmoil and the company share price had already dropped by 60%.
Without Old Mr. Xiao at the helm, it would be difficult for Xiao Zhiyuan to handle the situation.
It was obvious to everyone in upper society that the Xiao Family was at the brink of a major catastrophe.
If they could not quickly regain control over the board of directors and hold off the shareholders, the Xiao Corporation would probably descend into utter chaos. The Xiao Family would lose its leaders.h.i.+p position within the company.
The Xiao Family’s predicament was lamentable.
No one expected there to be so many hidden troubles lurking behind the well-established and longstanding Xiao Corporation.
Just as everyone was watching by the sidelines to see how the Xiao Family would survive this crisis, the Xiao Family made use of its 53% shareholdings to suppress the board of directors and counter the rest of the shareholders, stabilizing their position as the leader of the Xiao Corporation.
And the crucial key to all that was actually Chu Jingnan! That illegitimate son who had caused such an uproar in upper society several years ago.
The Xiao Family’s actions proved that there was truth behind those rumors then.
“I never expected that Chu Jingnan held four percent of the Xiao Corporation’s shares. No wonder Xia Ruya had thought of taking over the Xiao Corporation.”
All along, the Xiao Family only held a 49% shareholding. Thereafter, the marriage alliance to the Lin Family cemented their leaders.h.i.+p position in the Xiao Corporation. However, Xiao Zhiyuan’s divorce from Lin Yuechan and Xiao Chengyu’s death completely broke up that alliance.
The Xiao Family’s shareholdings were not enough to suppress the rest of the shareholders, which was why this chaotic situation resulted.
The four percent of shares held by Chu Jingnan was not much on its own, but in the Xiao Family’s current perilous state, it had become a lifebuoy. There was no way the Xiao Family would give up on the shares held by Chu Jingnan.
“With these four percent, the Xiao Family has enough to suppress the other shareholders. Even though they are still unable to completely intimidate the rest of the shareholders, they can hold onto their leaders.h.i.+p position for the time being.”
Si Yiyan was not surprised at the turn of events.
After Xiao Chengyu’s death, he had already guessed that Chu Jingnan and Xia Ruya would plot on how to gain an upper hand on the Xiao Family. Apart from shareholdings, he could not think of a better bargaining chip.
After thinking through it carefully, Wen Xinya guessed Xia Ruya and Chu Jingnan’s true motive. “They want to make use of this four percent shareholdings to completely bind Chu Jingnan and the Xiao Family together, to officially get him back into the family.
“Chu Jingnan has always been eyeing the Xiao Corporation. Now that he has successfully made his way into the company’s inner management—with his sly methods, Xia Ruya’s crafty schemes and the support of the Korean-Chinese Alliance—it would be easy for them to take over the Xiao Corporation.”
Xia Ruya’s scheming was indeed brilliant. Even Wen Xinya had failed to completely see through her ploys.
This woman was not to be underestimated. Otherwise, she could quietly deal you a major blow before you even realized what was happening.
“I must admit that their scheme is quite ingenious.”
In terms of the astuteness of the mind and shrewdness of their methods—Xia Ruya and Wen Xinya were a match.
Wen Xinya couldn’t help sighing. “The Xiao Family and Chu Jingnan—they are all just wretched sc.u.m. It is common knowledge that Chu Jingnan is the illegitimate son of the Xiao Family, but none of the family members have publicly acknowledged that fact. It is as if they have no intention of welcoming him back to the family. It is obvious that the Xiao Family is still guarded against Chu Jingnan. But for the sake of the shares he holds, they are willing to invite a wolf into their home, just to maintain the Xiao Family’s leaders.h.i.+p position in the Xiao Corporation.”
She even suspected that the Xiao Family already guessed that Chu Jingnan must have had something to do with Xiao Chengyu’s death.
For the sake of their own self-interests, they were willing to temporarily set aside such a grievous grudge.
She continued, “Chu Jingnan is no fool. He must know how the Xiao Family views him, but he doesn’t care. He has no qualms in making use of his four percent shareholding to finagle his way into the Xiao Family’s doors and the inner management of the Xiao Corporation. He’s not even bothering to mask his own motives. They are blatantly scheming against each other, but it works as there are benefits to both sides.”
Chu Jingnan had no need to fear the Xiao Family as he had Xia Ruya and the Korean-Chinese Alliance backing him.
Meanwhile, the Xiao Family’s decision to work with Chu Jingnan—it was as good as drinking poison to quench one’s thirst or sharing the same bed with a tiger. Why was the Xiao Family so confident they could benefit from working with him?
Si Yiyan couldn’t resist smiling. “Interesting!”
The Xiao Family and Chu Jingnan’s actions were truly intriguing.
Wen Xinya didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”
Old Mr. Xiao was a crafty old fox while Chu Jingnan was full of devious tricks. Neither of them would be an easy target.
“If I am not wrong, Chu Jingnan and Xia Ruya’s plan will probably fail. Not only will they fail to take over the Xiao Corporation, but they might also end up being entangled in a very unfavorable position.”
Si Yiyan’s face held an expression of deep and profound understanding as his eyes glinted meaningfully.
He never expected that Old Mr. Xiao would actually do something like this. It looked like Xiao Chengyu’s death was a ma.s.sive blow to him and the entire Xiao Family.
Wen Xinya’s mind raced as she suddenly felt like she understood what Si Siyan meant. But on second thoughts, she felt her idea was not quite right. She couldn’t help whining. “What in the world do you mean!”
Chu Jingnan had the Korean-Chinese Alliance backing him—was it possible for him to suffer under the hands of the Xiao Family?
Si Yiyan pulled her into his arms and said in a low voice, “Xia Ruya and Chu Jingnan are indeed shrewd and unfathomable. But they are forever only focused on their own benefits and how to advance their own positions. They have no idea that apart from self-interest, there is something in this world called mutual respect.”
Si Yiyan didn’t clarify what he meant.
Wen Xinya was completely muddled and she pouted angrily. “Are you going to tell me or not!”
She would never match up to Si Yiyan in terms of mind games and manipulations. He would always be able to astutely pick out some details that she failed to spot. This made her feel extremely vexed.
Si Yiyan stroked her hair soothingly. “Don’t be so anxious. We can only watch from the sidelines anyway. You will soon understand what I mean.”
There were just some things that should not be revealed, or it wouldn’t be interesting anymore.
He very much looked forward to seeing just how the Xiao Family drama would play out. Things were much more exciting than he imagined.
Left hanging, Wen Xinya couldn’t bear it anymore and grabbed Si Yiyan’s sleeve in anger. She threatened him through gritted teeth. “Are you going to tell me or not!”
She looked exactly like a ferocious little shrew.
Si Yiyan grinned happily. “Silly little girl. Anxious now, are we? Do you really want to know?”
Wen Xinya nodded without hesitation. She truly wished to know what plans the Xiao Family had in store for Chu Jingnan.
Si Yiyan bit her earlobe. “I will tell you when I feel like it!”