Chapter 145: Zhang Zong's Phone Call

Let Niu Ju go negotiate the Sun Dajun issue with the Southern Group; I won't be involved.

It would be better if they tore up the ticket, so Sun Dajun wouldn't be pestering me right in front of me.

But on second thought, Sun Dajun is my adopted son; could I hate him that much?

Sun Dajun is truly finished; can I not feel heartache?

I actually began to feel a bit guilty,

In the scramble for wealth, any affection between father and son has vanished.

I am no exception.

Sigh, thinking of this, my mind becomes restless again.

Love cannot be forced, nor can hatred be forced.

Sun Dajun, how should I address you?

Shi Yong came in at this moment,

"Brother, let's have a drink again tonight."

"Just a drink, and have the restaurant stir‑fry some spicy chicken," I said.

"What's the celebration? Why are you craving spicy chicken?" Shi Yong asked.

"Ruan Wei had Niu Ju seize him," I said happily.

"What, Niu Ju grabbed him? What crime did this kid commit, prostitution?" Shi Yong asked.

"Can you think of anything else? That's all. He stole our company's finances; our company is short of 200,000 cash," I said.

"Missing 200,000 cash, how could I not know when he stole it? Damn, these security guards are useless; I'm going to give them a talking‑to right now," Shi Yong shouted.

"Take a break, you—think with your brain how Ruan Wei stole the company's money," I looked at Shi Yong and couldn't help laughing.

Shi Yong thought for a moment,

then shook his head,

"I can't figure it out; he wouldn't have come in through the back window of the finance office, would he?" Shi Yong said.

"Are you watching too many movies, thinking he came in through a window? Why not tunnel up from underground? When they were carrying bags in the finance office, I had Liu mix the cash with the ledgers. That way he not only took the ledgers but also the company's cash," I said.

Shi Yong thought for a while, then extended his thumb toward me,

"High, high, truly high; I admire my brother so much—getting better with age."

I heard Shi Yong's praise and laughed heartily,

then said, "Shi Yong, quickly get the wine and dishes; today we'll drink to our heart's content. I'm damn thrilled."

Shi Yong rushed out.

Shi Yong returned shortly with wine and dishes,

Staring at the steaming spicy chicken, I couldn't help pinching a piece from the plate and chewing it.

So fragrant—the spiciness and saltiness are just right.

Shi Yong had just filled the glasses,

my phone rang,

I saw the number was unfamiliar—it was a Southern number. Who could be calling?

I hesitated a moment, then answered.

An aged voice came through the phone,

"Hello, Chairman Zhao."

I hurriedly said, "Hello, may I ask who you are?"

"I am Zhang Zong of the Southern Group; we have never been in contact before, and I'm reaching out abruptly today— you won't hold a grudge, will you?" Zhang Zong said on the phone.

I quickly replied, "Zhang Zong, hello, hello, I have always wanted to visit the South to see you, thank you for your funding; you have rendered a lifesaving favor to our Da Heng Group.

Being able to answer your call today is an honor for me. Zhang Zong, how could I hold a grudge? I'm so delighted I can barely contain it."

"That's fine; a little help is nothing. Chairman Zhao, everyone has difficulties in life. To be honest, we aren't well acquainted; I learned of you through Kong Shi. Kong Shi told me about your entrepreneurial journey, and I admire you greatly.

When I heard a company was in trouble and that you also had a car accident,

I immediately gathered people from the group, held a meeting, and decided to help you out of the current predicament. Chairman Zhao, your health has recovered quite well," Zhang Zong asked kindly over the phone.

"Thank you for Zhang Zong's concern; my health has basically recovered. If it weren't for Zhang Zong extending a helping hand, our Da Heng Group might have been finished long ago. A drop of water's kindness should be repaid with a spring. Zhang Zong, my company hasn't fully emerged from the difficulty yet, but once we do, I will go to the South to personally repay your kindness," I said politely.

"Chairman Zhao, you're being modest; helping you is also helping ourselves. If our company faces difficulties in the future, I trust Chairman Zhao will extend a helping hand. Why help you? Mainly for future cooperation."

"Chairman Zhao, to be frank, our Southern Group has some connections; you know that in today's society, lacking connections makes development almost impossible for a company like ours. Besides connections and capital, we have no other assets. How can connections be monetized? That requires Chairman Zhao's assistance,

Your company has qualifications, capability, technology, and experience, having cultivated real‑estate projects for a long time.

If we join forces in the future, we can achieve greater profits in real‑estate development," Zhang Zong said on the phone.

I said, "Zhang Zong is absolutely right. Thank you for your trust in our group company, and for trusting me, Chairman Zhao. How could I, with my modest abilities, cooperate with a powerful company like yours?"

"Zhang Zong, future cooperation will be minor matters; I am willing to serve you and the Southern Group wholeheartedly."

"Chairman Zhao, you speak heavily. We'll discuss future matters later; let's talk about now. After Kang Yali returned from your company, she reported to me that your company is planning to sell all its real‑estate projects. May I ask, Chairman Zhao, why is that—to concentrate on offloading the projects you hold?" Zhang Zong asked on the phone.

Selling everything is impossible; I only intend to launch sales for the new building. Could Kang Yali have deliberately said that?

All sold off, this is impossible; I just wanted to sell the new building at its launch—could it be that Kang Yali deliberately said this in the middle?

Then I said, "Zhang Zong, is there a misunderstanding? We only wish to launch the opening sale of Building No. 1 of the completed Guanghua Garden, to revitalize our company's capital.

Our company's cash flow is very tight now; if we don't sell the property immediately, our group may not survive until November.

Zhang Zong, let me reiterate: we are not selling all real‑estate projects, just one development, to ease our pressure.

This likely stems from poor communication; I should have reported directly to you, Zhang Zong.

"So that's how it is—a misunderstanding. Let me say, Chairman Zhao would never do such a thing. To sell off all developments, he would have to quit the industry."

So that's how it is, a misunderstanding. Let me say, Chairman Zhao wouldn't do such a thing. If he sold off all the properties, he must have quit this line of work.

Chairman Zhao, as you said, it's caused by unequal information communication.

I called you today just to ask you about this matter.

"If a building's pre-sale is for your company's working capital, I of course have no objections. Chairman Zhao, sorry to bother you. Let's discuss in detail when we meet." Zhang Zong said.

"Okay, Zhang Zong, wishing you everything goes well and your company thrives." I said.

Zhang Zong hung up the phone.

I put down the phone and fell into deep thought, what does it mean that Zhang Zong of the Southern Group called me?

At this moment Shi Yong asked: "Brother, whose call is this, you're being so polite."

I said: "Zhang Zong of the Southern Group, his voice on the phone sounds very familiar to me, like someone."

"Like who?" Shi Yong asked.