Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 67

Eating Meat

However much he throws, he eats that much.

Shiyi did not return in the evening; instead, she stayed in her room, not going out at all. Luo Zhouping’s secretary informed him of this matter, to which he sneered: “How could she possibly go back now? She has that kind of relationship with Wei Hui. Not going back and strangling Wei Hui would already be good.”

            

The secretary, still unaware of what the document contained, couldn’t help but flatter him upon hearing Luo Zhouping’s words: “Indeed, President Luo knows how to use people well, able to find President Wei’s weakness.”

“What President Wei.” Luo Zhouping cast a sidelong glance at the secretary: “In the future, Wei Tian will have only one chairman, and that will be me, understand?”

The secretary nodded repeatedly: “Of course, of course.”

            

As they finished speaking, a sound came from outside the door. Someone knocked, and the secretary went to open it, hearing the auction staff at the door say respectfully: “President Luo, it’s time to pay the deposit.”

Having secured the land, Luo Zhouping was planning to have a bit of a spree with some old cadres that evening. Originally, he intended to have the secretary call Shiyi over, but thinking that her cold face might spoil the mood, he simply didn’t call her. Now, hearing the auction staff’s words, he nodded: “Very well, Secretary Yang, prepare the documents, we’re going to pay the deposit.”

Secretary Yang responded respectfully: “Alright.”

            

The two followed the auction staff, leaving the room, and saw Du Yuehan and Du Yueming, the siblings, returning. Luo Zhouping proactively smiled and said: “Isn’t this President Du? There’s a small gathering later, interested in joining?”

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t provoke the Du family, but now he was becoming increasingly arrogant. Hearing his frivolous tone, Du Yuehan frowned but still smiled: “No need, I have another appointment later.”

Luo Zhouping shrugged: “Alright then, see you.”

            

Du Yuehan smiled: “See you.”

As Luo Zhouping left, Du Yueming exclaimed noisily: “What a thing, does he really think he has diamonds on his face, considers himself a big shot, and doesn’t even look at himself in a puddle to see what he looks like? Dining with him would give me nightmares for a week!”

Upon hearing her words, Du Yuehan immediately reprimanded: “What kind of talk is that for a young lady!”

            

In recent years at Weiss, Du Yueming had been increasingly unchecked, both spoiled and wild, so her words naturally weren’t pleasant anywhere. Being scolded was commonplace for her, and she didn’t take it to heart, instead asking: “Where’s Shiyi? How come I didn’t see her after the auction ended?”

Hearing her mention Shiyi, Du Yuehan frowned even deeper. Qimao came to Huaicheng this time specifically for that piece of land, not because they wanted it, but because Wei Tian wanted it. He was merely delivering the funds, but now, with the funds ready, Shiyi had said she didn’t want it. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand. Du Yuehan pondered for a few seconds and said: “I’ll go to her room and ask.”

“I should go, you being a big man, it’s inconvenient to talk!”

            

Du Yuehan shot a cold glance over, silencing Du Yueming behind him. She muttered: “If you’re going, then go, why so fierce? I just want to catch up with Shiyi.”

After all, they used to be so close, even classmates. Initially, Du Yuehan didn’t want to bring Du Yueming, but hearing her reminder, he nodded: “Alright then, you come along.”

He also wanted to know what kind of medicine Shiyi was selling in her gourd.

            

Unfortunately, he didn’t get to see Shiyi. Pei Tian stood at the door, regretfully saying to him: “President Wei instructed not to see anyone, sorry President Du.”

Du Yuehan pointed to himself: “Not even me?”

Pei Tian shook his head: “She said for now, she doesn’t want to see anyone.”

            

Du Yueming knocked hard on the door: “Shiyi! It’s me!”

“What happened to you? It’s just losing a piece of land, don’t blame yourself, don’t get upset!”

Inside the room, Shiyi heard the noise outside but paid no attention. She sat on the sofa, staring at her phone. A few seconds later, the screen lit up, displaying a message: Luo Zhouping has paid the deposit.

            

The deposit was fifteen percent of the transaction amount, nearly two hundred million. Seeing this message, Shiyi slowly exhaled a breath. She placed the phone face down, walked to the window, and looked down. She saw a man just leaving the hotel, full of high spirits, complacent. He bit on a cigarette, and the secretary beside him, very obsequious, immediately helped light it and invited him into the car.

Luo Zhouping enjoyed such treatment, very content as he sat in the car. His secretary said: “President Luo, Minister Xiao also said he would come over later.”

“I’ve invited everyone else, no one’s missing.”

            

Luo Zhouping nodded: “Good, you handled this well, properly.”

The secretary, praised, smiled and scratched his head: “But President Luo, there’s one thing I don’t understand. We only estimated ten billion, and the Shen Corporation invested half, so there’s still three billion left, where will we raise it?”

Luo Zhouping half-opened the car window, flicked the ash from his cigarette, and laughed: “With my current net worth, do you think a mere three billion can stump me?”

            

“Don’t worry, I’ve already secured a bank loan, and the funds will be available by tomorrow morning.”

Hearing this, the secretary breathed a sigh of relief. The auction had a rule that the remaining payment must be settled within twenty-four hours of the transaction, otherwise, it wouldn’t count as a successful deal. Moreover, the first bidder would no longer enjoy the auction rights, and the second highest bidder would take over. This was precisely what the secretary was worried about. If they couldn’t raise the remaining three billion by tomorrow, Shiyi could take it at the price of ten billion, something he absolutely didn’t want to see. Now, seeing Luo Zhouping’s confident demeanor, he also quietly relaxed.

The dinner was held at Huaicheng’s only six-star hotel, with officials from all walks of life present. The high-ranking officials knew the purpose of this land and the profits it would soon generate. Now, with Luo Zhouping actively trying to curry favor, only a fool wouldn’t come. As for the other minor officials, their leaders came, so they had no choice but to attend. Inside the hotel, everyone held a wine glass, and Luo Zhouping, surrounded by the crowd, raised his glass happily like a representative figure.

            

“The profit this time is substantial.”

“Yes, but which company in Huaicheng can handle it?”

“That’s exactly right.”

            

Hearing their discussion, Luo Zhouping beamed, his eyes narrowing into slits, continuously saying: “Let’s earn together, if there’s money, everyone makes money together.”

After eating and drinking to their fill, Secretary Yang went to settle the bill. Luo Zhouping, drunk and tipsy, was supported by Secretary Yang to another entertainment venue. It was past midnight when everyone had their fill of fun, and only then did Luo Zhouping take the car back. Secretary Yang tidied him up and only left Luo Zhouping’s room after ensuring he was settled.

The next day, Luo Zhouping was awakened by the incessant ringing of the phone, like a death knell ringing without stop. He opened his sore eyes, picked up the phone, and put it to his ear, speaking half-dazedly: “Hello.”

            

On the other end was Secretary Yang’s voice, urgent and pressing: “President Luo, something’s wrong, Shen Corporation wants to withdraw their investment.”

At first, Luo Zhouping wasn’t fully awake, cursing at the phone: “What kind of bullsh*t are you talking?” After speaking, he suddenly became alert: “What did you say!”

Secretary Yang maintained his urgent tone: “I just received a call from President Shen, saying Shen Corporation wants to withdraw their investment!”

            

Luo Zhouping gritted his teeth: “How much are they withdrawing!”

Secretary Yang heard his displeasure but continued resolutely: “All of it.”

“F*ck!” Luo Zhouping gnashed his teeth: “Aren’t they afraid of the penalty for breach of contract?”

            

Secretary Yang reminded Luo Zhouping: “Penalty for breach of contract, penalty for breach of contract…”

Upon hearing this repeated mention of the penalty, Luo Zhouping angrily slapped his own head. Previously, the cooperation with Shen Corporation had been so pleasant that, to show sincerity, they later removed the penalty clause from the contract. This meant that now, if they withdrew their investment, they wouldn’t need to pay any penalty!

He started to panic. Luo Zhouping tumbled and crawled out of bed, saying: “I’ll call President Shen.”

            

After hanging up, he kept calling Shen Suqing, as she was the one who had initially set up this connection, but unfortunately, no one answered. With no other choice, he called Wang Yongshun, but it was turned off. Pondering deeply for a few minutes, he dialed Shen Hao, and this time someone answered. Shen Hao’s attitude was indifferent: “Oh, so that’s what it is, my brother-in-law? He went on a business trip with my dad and won’t be back for a while. I’m taking care of the company now. What you’re talking about, I have no impression. My brother-in-law didn’t mention it to me. How about this, I’ll call my brother-in-law and ask him?”

It was clear they were passing the buck. The deadline for him to pay the remaining balance was at ten in the morning, and waiting on this call, who knew how long it would take. Gritting his teeth, Luo Zhouping said bitterly: “Then I’ll trouble you, President Shen.”

Shen Hao laughed: “No problem, no problem.”

            

Originally, Luo Zhouping sought cooperation with him, but he insisted on partnering with Wang Yongshun, not even meeting him. Now, wasn’t he coming to beg him? Shen Hao laughed darkly, now coming to beg him? Too late!

After hanging up, Luo Zhouping realized there was likely no chance with Shen Corporation. He called Secretary Yang to his room. As Secretary Yang entered, he saw Luo Zhouping, grimacing and baring his teeth, just out of bed, hair a messy bird’s nest, pajama buttons half undone, exposing a large belly, his face greasy and shiny. He couldn’t even bother with his image now. Watching him pace the room, Secretary Yang quietly suggested: “President Luo, I have an idea, but I’m not sure if I should say it.”

Luo Zhouping clutched the phone, his eyes locking onto him like an eagle’s: “Speak.”

            

Secretary Yang lowered his voice and said: “Sell Wei Tian’s shares…”

Before he could finish, Luo Zhouping interrupted: “Impossible!”

He had spent half his life contemplating taking over Wei Tian, and now to sell its shares? That would be like cutting out his heart! Don’t even think about it!

            

Secretary Yang reassured him: “Don’t rush. Think about it. If we secure this land, wouldn’t that mean a loss for Wei Tian? President Wei had guaranteed that if Wei Nuan caused any loss to the company, both would have to resign. Now losing this land’s profit of over a billion, do you think the board would let them off?”

“If we sell Wei Tian’s shares now, without Wei Nuan and Wei Hui, wouldn’t it be under your control, and buying the shares back later wouldn’t be impossible.”

“Most importantly, it can solve the urgent crisis now.”

            

“Over a billion in profit, with Shen Corporation not contributing this time, it all goes to us, more than we’ve earned in three years!”

Secretary Yang’s words made Luo Zhouping start to ponder. What he said made sense. Currently, Wei Tian was only opposing him through Wei Nuan and Wei Hui. If he secured this land, it would give him a reason to oust them. Then he could buy back the shares; those old shareholders would be money-hungry, and it might just work.

The most important thing now was to raise thirteen billion. After all, he had already paid the deposit, and if breached, the deposit wouldn’t be returned. Luo Zhouping paced back and forth in the room, with Secretary Yang reminding: “President Luo, decide early; if delayed, I fear we won’t make the balance payment!”

            

Luo Zhouping gritted his teeth: “Alright.”

In less than half an hour, Shiyi received a call. The man’s voice on the other end was low: “Luo Zhouping has started selling Wei Tian’s shares.”

Shiyi nodded: “Take them all, however much he sells, take that much!”

            

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