bayedsolid Chapter 205 Failed Investments
Chapter 205 Failed Investments
The controversy was short-lived; the netizens, eager for celebration, quickly moved on to other topics, completely forgetting about Shang Yibo and Zhou Yanruo. As the saying goes, a fish's memory lasts only seven seconds, and netizens' memories are probably only eight seconds, no more.
Although the storm had subsided, Shang Yibo often thought about the person who left him a message. His words carried a sinister air, as if the person knew something and was lurking in the shadows, watching him. He could sense that the person was malicious.
Online comments forced Zhou Yanruo to reopen old wounds and confide in Shang Yibo.
Shang Yibo gradually pieced together Zhou Yanruo's experiences during that period, and perhaps this was exactly what the person who left the message wanted him to know. To find out, he needed to find that person; maybe they knew something.
Young people heal quickly. Shang Yibo's arm wound is basically healed, and he doesn't need to go to the hospital to remove the stitches. He can just wait for them to be absorbed. The plastic surgeon's skills are top-notch. Only a red scratch remains on his arm. As the stitches are completely absorbed, this 'scratch' should be less noticeable.
The swelling in his sprained ankle has subsided, and walking is largely unaffected; it's difficult for outsiders to notice anything amiss. However, just to be on the safe side, he still tries to minimize the stress on his injured foot when walking.
During his time recovering at home, Shang Yibo became Zhou Yanruo's follower, accompanying her to work every day.
This should have been his last day at the company with Zhou Yanruo, because he had to report to the Huizhou film crew the next day. The crew members were already extremely anxious, and if he didn't return to the crew soon, it would delay the filming schedule.
During her time recovering at home, Shang Yibo became Zhou Yanruo's "little shadow," following her to work every day without fail.
This was his last day accompanying Zhou Yanruo to the company, because he had to report to the Huizhou film crew the next day. The crew members were already as anxious as ants on a hot pan; if he didn't return soon, it would seriously delay the filming schedule.
Early in the morning, as usual, Zhou Yanruo went downstairs to have breakfast with Shang Yibo and Zhou Zihang. After breakfast, they went out together. Zhou Zihang went to the laboratory, which was in a different direction from Zhou Yanruo and Shang Yibo, so he called a taxi. Zhou Yanruo drove Shang Yibo to the company.
In the elevator, Zhou Zihang suggested, "Yibo is going to Huizhou tomorrow, and he'll probably be gone for two months. Let's get together tonight. I'll invite Hong Yun, and you guys invite Ding Jiajia. We'll come over to my place. I'll come back early this afternoon to prepare."
Zhou Yanruo immediately responded: "Okay, I'll order a few dishes first: sweet and sour pork ribs, braised beef brisket, steamed lion's head meatballs, and a braised fish."
Zhou Zihang: "Why do you want to eat these meat dishes? I remember you didn't like them because they were greasy and preferred light food."
Zhou Yanruo: "Yibo loves to eat. Once he goes to the film set, he'll only be able to eat boxed lunches. While he's at home, he should eat as much good food as possible."
She was talking to Zhou Zihang while looking at Shang Yibo with her eyes crinkling.
Shang Yibo was also looking at Zhou Yanruo with a smile on his lips, and chimed in, "Oh right, Yanruo is so thoughtful. I need to eat more meat to nourish myself."
Zhou Zihang pursed his lips, "You still need to make up for it."
Shang Yibo patted Zhou Zihang on the shoulder and said jokingly, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Dr. Zhou. Yan Ruo and I will try to come back and help as soon as possible."
Zhou Zihang slid his shoulder to avoid Shang Yibo, "Forget it, you'd better come back later, so you don't cause any more trouble."
In the past few days, Shang Yibo and Zhou Yanruo have been sharing Shang Yibo's spacious office for work convenience.
The two entered the office and had just taken off their coats when Chairman Chu's secretary rushed over to inform them: "Chairman Chu has arrived. The meeting will begin in fifteen minutes."
Shang Yibo glanced at his watch; it was exactly nine o'clock. He couldn't help but mutter, "Why is he here so early?"
Zhou Yanruo replied to her secretary, "Okay, I understand."
The secretary nodded slightly and then left the office.
Chu Fanqing's flight arrived in Beijing at 3 a.m. last night. He's coming to the company for a meeting now, and the journey from Zimo Garden to the company isn't short, so he's barely slept all night.
Seeing the secretary close the door, Zhou Yanruo said, "I thought this meeting wouldn't be until the afternoon. It seems Chairman Chu is in a hurry."
Shang Yibo had already turned on his computer, and a notification from the company's internal OA system popped up on the screen.
"There is a new briefing."
Zhou Yanruo leaned closer and stood behind Shang Yibo, looking at the computer screen together. "This is a briefing prepared overnight by our colleagues in the investment department. There are still a few minutes before the meeting, let's quickly go through it."
Chu Fanqing's style of doing things has always been steady and composed, especially in important company decisions, where he appears calm and collected.
The personal style of the actual controller of a company often represents the style of the company, and the key figure is undoubtedly the most important part of the corporate culture.
Judging from its current state, the Chao Phraya Lake project can now be considered a failed investment, which makes Chu Fanqing feel deeply guilty.
Shang Yibo has also participated in video conferences with Chu Fanqing and the investment team in the past few days. During the meetings, Chu Fanqing appeared somewhat tired, and his tone was a little anxious.
Shang Yibo kept abreast of the situation from the staff who had gone to Bangkok. According to their reports, the difficulties facing the Chao Phraya Lake project were worse than they had initially anticipated.
The briefing was divided into two parts, outlining key information and listing several issues to be discussed. Perhaps due to time constraints, the layout was simple and clear, yet the information was quite comprehensive.
The two finished reviewing the briefing almost simultaneously, and Shang Yibo said with concern, "The problem still lies with the shares held on behalf of others."
Zhou Yanruo: "Let's go to a meeting. Perhaps our colleagues in the investment department have already submitted a solution."
When the two entered the meeting room, the three colleagues from the investment department were already there, as were the heads of the legal and finance departments. Everyone looked unusually serious and sat quietly waiting for the meeting to begin.
Zhou Yanruo greeted Investment Director He Tao softly, "Mr. He, are Xiaomin and the others still in Bangkok?"
“Yes, Xiaomin and Lao Wei have decided to stay a little longer to ensure that there are still company personnel on site when we return.” He Tao saw Shang Yibo next to Zhou Yanruo and quickly stood up to greet him, “Hello, President Shang.”
Shang Yibo nodded slightly, then sat down next to Zhou Yanruo.
Chu Fanqing entered the conference room, and the attendees all stood up to greet him.
"Please have a seat, everyone. Let's begin the meeting. Today's topic is only one: attracting investment for the Chao Phraya River project. He Tao, please introduce the specific details," Chu Fanqing said.
“Okay, Chairman Chu.” He Tao opened the PPT document and projected it onto the big screen. “The project briefing has already been sent to everyone, and I’m sure you’ve all seen it. So, I’ll briefly introduce the situation again, and then we’ll focus the meeting on discussing the solution.”
As the PowerPoint presentation played, He Tao explained, "The original plan was to introduce Rongchang Capital and give up 30% of the shares, but now this plan needs to be adjusted."
He glanced at Chu Fanqing, who was sitting in the chair of the meeting, and seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
Chu Fanqing: "This is an internal meeting, let's get straight to the point."
Shang Yibo only then noticed that in just one week, Chu Fanqing's hair had turned much whiter, her face looked unusually tired, her skin seemed to have darkened, and she had lost a lot of weight.