The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Chapter 207: 'Coincidence' or 'Strange'?

Zhou Yanruo skillfully smoothed things over, easing the awkward atmosphere of the meeting and making everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

Shang Yibo knew that the company was in a crisis, and this was not the time for him to be emotional. He lowered his eyes, pressed his lips together, and looked particularly serious.

Chu Fanqing said to He Tao in a serious tone, "He Tao, please elaborate on the plan we discussed in Bangkok." Then, she said to the attendees, "Please also share your views from your respective professional perspectives."

He Tao gave a detailed report on the plan.

During the meeting, everyone in the room spoke, expressing their views and insights.

After carefully listening to the opinions of all parties, the meeting secretary summarized and outlined the general direction:

Leveraging Rongchang Capital's influence in Southeast Asia, the first priority is to address Ma Anhua's usurious loan problem. It's necessary to negotiate an interest rate with the lenders and expedite the repayment of principal and interest to expedite the land release procedures and prevent further debt escalation.

As for Ma Anhua personally, Rushang Group prefers to handle the matter through legal procedures, but also needs to consider the opinion of Rongchang Capital, since they are more familiar with the relevant laws in Thailand.

In handling the debt, if the 51% equity stake cannot fully cover the advance payment, Rushang Group is considering relinquishing an additional 10% from its 49% stake as a supplement. However, control of the Yuehai Medical Pilot Zone project is absolutely essential. If Rongchang Capital wishes to invest in the project, its shareholding cannot exceed 30% to ensure Rushang Group maintains sufficient control over the project.

Ultimately, Chu Fanqing made the final decision to entrust the important task of negotiations to He Tao and his investment team, while Zhou Yanruo was responsible for coordinating the work of various relevant professional departments to ensure the smooth progress of the negotiations.

After the decision was made, everyone expressed their determination to do their utmost to ensure the success of the negotiations.

Chu Fanqing reiterated the importance of the project and expressed his hope that everyone could unite and work together to overcome the current difficulties.

The meeting lasted until nearly noon before it ended.

Chu Fanqing stepped out of the conference room first, followed closely by Secretary Chen, who whispered, "Chairman Chu, President Fang asked you to call her back as soon as the meeting ends."

"Okay, I understand," Chu Fanqing replied calmly.

The attendees in the meeting room gradually left, while Shang Yibo continued to look through the documents in his hand.

Zhou Yanruo slowly stood up and said to Shang Yibo, "Let's go back to the office."

Shang Yibo looked up from the documents and at Zhou Yanruo, who was staring at him. "Why haven't you left yet?"

Zhou Yanruo smiled and replied, "I'm waiting for you."

Shang Yibo opened the documents in his hand and gently pushed them in front of Zhou Yanruo, "Take a look at this first."

Zhou Yanruo sat down again and glanced at the spread-out documents in the direction Shang Yibo was pointing. "Isn't this the project proposal from two years ago?"

“That’s right. Take a look at the project proposal first, and then pay attention to the joint approval from various departments,” Shang Yibo suggested.

Zhou Yanruo quickly flipped through a few pages. "This is a summary of the approval process exported from the OA system, an overview of the key content. If you need to view the detailed report, just log in to the OA system back in the office. I have permission to view all attachments."

"You don't need to look at the specific data in detail, just look at these summaries," Shang Yibo pointed out.

Zhou Yanruo shifted her gaze from Shang Yibo's face, glanced at the documents in her hand, and asked in confusion, "What exactly do you want me to look at? Just tell me directly."

"Among the members of the negotiation team for the acquisition project, Li Song represented Ma Anhua Company. During the project negotiation stage, we commissioned a third-party financial company to conduct due diligence. You see, the cover of the due diligence report is signed by Li Bai, but the draft of the investigation report tucked inside the documents is signed by Li Song."

“I already know that. Li Song and Li Bai are twin brothers. He Tao told me about it before, and when we were reviewing the documents before we left last week, he told me about it as an interesting story: Back then, in order to make investment decisions as quickly as possible, we wanted to get the due diligence report in the shortest possible time. Even if we could see the data first and then get the report that met the formal requirements, that would be fine. It just so happened that Li Song’s younger brother, Li Bai, worked at a finance company, so Li Song asked Li Bai for help. As a result, we saw the first draft of the report in less than a week, but we didn’t receive the official due diligence report until two weeks later.”

Shang Yibo still looked puzzled: "How come I remember that the assistant with Jian Zheng the last few times I saw him was also named Li Bai?"

"You have a good memory. Jian Zheng's assistant is indeed named Li Bai."

Shang Yibo raised an eyebrow.

Before Shang Yibo could ask, Zhou Yanruo explained directly, "That's right, they are the same person. He Tao also mentioned this point. It's quite a coincidence that the finance company back then was opened in Bangkok by Rongchang Capital."

"So, Rongchang Capital was already in contact with the Chao Phraya Lake project two years ago? Why didn't they invest then?"

"You see, you think so too, right? I had the same question. He Tao's explanation was that Rongchang Capital wasn't strong enough back then to handle such a large project."

“When we acquired the Chao Phraya Lake project, the price was at its peak. Two years later, the project is still stagnant, with no progress whatsoever. Market conditions change rapidly, and now there is a serious inversion between property prices and land prices in Bangkok. Even if the project can be completed smoothly, sales will face enormous challenges.” Shang Yibo pondered the situation as he analyzed it. “Rongchang Capital’s decision to buy at the bottom at this time makes one wonder whether it is a ‘coincidence’ or something else entirely.”

"You mean, there might be collusion between them."

Both of them tacitly understood who Zhou Yanruo meant by "them".

There was a gentle knock on the conference room door twice.

Shang Yibo and Zhou Yanruo turned around at the same time and saw Secretary Chen standing at the door.

"Mr. Shang, Mr. Fang called the front desk, saying he couldn't answer your cell phone."

Shang Yibo took his phone out of his suit pocket. "Oh, I put it on silent during the meeting."

Secretary Chen smiled and said, "President Fang asked you to call her back."

"okay, I get it."

Secretary Chen nodded and turned to leave.

"My mom's looking for me. Let's go back to the office," Shang Yibo said, standing up.

Zhou Yanruo knew he was going back to his office to call Fang Xichen back, "You go back first, I'll go to the front desk to pick up a package."

Shang Yibo returned to his office and called Fang Xichen.

The phone rang and the other end answered immediately, "Yibo, your dad and I have already made plans to have lunch together. Why don't you join us?"

"I......"

“You’re going to Huizhou tomorrow. I was thinking of having you come home for dinner tonight, but your dad said he has a business dinner and won’t be able to come back.”

"I also have plans for tonight."

"So, let's have lunch together. You're at the company anyway and need to eat, so let's eat together. You'll be gone for more than two months, and the only time our family can get together will be during the Spring Festival."

Since Fang Xichen had already put it that way, Shang Yibo couldn't refuse any longer. "Alright then, where should we eat?"

"It's right downstairs from your company, at the Huaiyang cuisine restaurant in the Yishang Hotel. I've already had my secretary reserve a private room. Come down when you're done; I'm already at the hotel entrance."

Just then, Zhou Yanruo pushed the door open and came in, just as Shang Yibo hung up the phone.

"My mom's coming over for lunch, why don't you come too?" Shang Yibo said to Zhou Yanruo.

"Well, I just heard from my secretary that a private room has been reserved for you. Chairman Chu just got back from his business trip, and you're leaving again soon. You three should have a nice meal together. I won't go."

"So what are your plans for lunch?" Shang Yibo didn't insist, but still asked with concern.

"He Tao and I are planning to go to a coffee shop for a business set meal. We also have some work-related matters to discuss, so we'll have a lunch meeting."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yibo nodded, "Alright."