Chapter 6: Company Status

Li Ming spoke to me, and of course I understood.

Then let's promote Da Jun as soon as possible to restore the relationship between him and me.

But I refused in my heart. This promotion of Da Jun must be told to me personally by him, and he must admit his mistake face‑to‑face.

I am his father, and I must have absolute authority before him.

I did not continue discussing this topic with Li Ming.

I asked Li Ming, "What is Yang Tao busy with, and why haven't I seen her?"

Li Ming said, "She went with Qi Yong to the United States, looked at houses there, and is preparing to settle there; she also took Ya Ya with her."

"Oh, Yang Tao has always wanted to go abroad, and now she finally has a chance. It's just Qi Yong—his position lets him travel abroad at will," I said, taking a bite of the apple slices Li Ming had cut for me and chewing slowly.

"Qi Yong is withdrawing. Brother, Qi Yong asked me to pass a message to you: the investments he made in Da Heng Company over the years are ready to be liquidated. Be prepared for him then," Li Ming said.

"Ah, let's wait until Zhou Wei wakes up before we discuss it. You know, Zhou Wei handles all the finance. I also don't know how much Qi Yong's investment in Da Heng Group has appreciated," I said.

"Alright, I'll later make an overseas call to Yang Tao and tell you what's happening here," Li Ming said.

At that moment, my phone rang,

I saw it was a call from Kong Shi,

and I answered hurriedly,

"Hello, Kong Shi."

"Jianqiang, I heard you had an accident. I was on a business trip and couldn't visit you in the hospital. How is your recovery now?" Kong Shi asked over the phone.

"Kong Shi, I've recovered almost completely; I've moved from the ICU to a regular ward, and I can be discharged in a few days. Thank you for your concern," I said.

"How did the car accident happen? Director Niu also reported it to me. Ah, Jianqiang, I've also heard about Zhou Wei's situation. Don't let it weigh on you; you must pull yourself together. Da Heng Group can't do without you. All of us from Zaocheng can't do without you," Kong Shi said.

"Kong Shi, you're overstating it; you are the backbone of Zaocheng. We from Zaocheng would never leave your command," I said.

"Alright, Jianqiang, as long as your health is fine I'll be relieved. I'll visit you in the hospital when I return from my out‑of‑town business trip. Goodbye, Jianqiang, and get well soon," Kong Shi said.

"Thank you again for your care, Kong Shi. Goodbye, Kong Shi," I said. After Kong Shi hung up, I hung up as well. It's a habit of mine at work, especially with certain leaders, to pay extra attention to details.

Li Ming said, "Zhu Sheng came to see you as soon as you entered the ICU. Your sister‑in‑law could be rescued in the capital because Zhu Sheng arranged the hospital. Brother, when you have time give Zhu Sheng a call and let him know you're safe. He's currently attending a meeting in the capital."

I nodded,

"Alright, Li Ming, let's wait until tonight. To be honest, Da Heng Group's success up to now has largely depended on their help. We must thank them. When I think of what I have, they've helped so selflessly."

"What do you have, brother? You have many outstanding qualities; otherwise so many leaders wouldn't favor you. Ah, if I had even a tenth of your virtues, I wouldn't be stuck in this position," Li Ming sighed.

"Brother, you're already the Director of the Senior Management Bureau and you're still not satisfied," I said, stretching my body vigorously.

A sharp pain surged again in my leg.

Seeing my painful expression,

Li Ming wanted to call a Nurse.

I waved my hand at Li Ming,

"I can still endure this little punishment."

Li Ming took out his phone and glanced at the time,

"Brother, I have a meeting this afternoon that I must chair. I'll go now and will come see you tomorrow."

I said, "Go to the meeting. If there's nothing urgent, don't keep coming to the hospital; it takes three hours to travel from Zaocheng to the Provincial Capital."

Li Ming smiled and left.

Li Ming, my best brother, whom I met at Niushiling, and I have never once had a heated argument or quarrel over anything.

Reaching middle age, having one or two good brothers to keep each other company is a truly satisfying thing.

After Li Ming left, I took a brief rest,

the Nurse replaced my catheter bag with a new one, and I wanted to sleep a little longer.

After the car accident, I found that I no longer dream when I sleep; I can't even recall the old scenes in dreams.

I felt somewhat regretful.

The next morning, while I was lying on the hospital bed, Xiao Hua pushed the door open and entered.

Xiao Hua had grown into a successful, debonair man.

He wore an Armani snow‑white shirt, black Armani dress pants, and a pair of Italian leather shoes.

He was no longer the skinny, gaunt Xiao Hua from the poor mountain valley.

"Brother, how are you today?" Xiao Hua asked.

"I'm fine. How's the company's situation?" I asked Xiao Hua.

"Brother, I want to speak honestly with you," Xiao Hua said, frowning slightly.

"Good, I'm eager to hear the truth," I said.

"The Group's current condition is very poor," Xiao Hua said.

"How is it bad?" I asked.

"Mainly, there's a problem with cash flow," Xiao Hua continued.

"What problem arose? It's always been fine, hasn't it?" I said, looking at Xiao Hua.

"That's because sister‑in‑law didn't tell you the truth; the company has been living off loans.

You should know, the several real‑estate projects we're developing haven't made any profit, and a lot of our company's capital has been tied up in those projects.

For example, in Guanghua Community, there have even been owner withdrawals, and online there are many negative rumors about Da Heng Company: that we owe migrant workers, that our construction quality is poor, and that we fail to deliver new homes according to contracts.

The loan from Zaocheng Bank is due next month, totaling 420 million, but our Group Company only has a little over ten million in cash, not even enough for the interest.

These recent days, the Group Company has been surviving by tearing down the east wall to patch the west wall.

If our company's real‑estate sales continue to be poor, the company will face bankruptcy," Xiao Hua said gravely.

After Xiao Hua finished speaking,

My heart feels even more painful,

I've only been hospitalized a few days, how could the company have become like this?

Because Zhou Wei handles the company's finances.

I have always thought the company had abundant cash flow and was profitable every year. How did it suddenly edge toward bankruptcy?

I look at Xiao Hua, somewhat not believing his words.

At this moment, Xiao Hua pulls out several financial statements of the Group Company from his bag,

I glance briefly and find that all the companies are operating at a loss.

Including the most profitable Qi He Kuang, which is also in the red.

"Is this true? Is this true?" I ask Xiao Hua loudly.

"It's true, brother, it's just that sister-in-law didn't dare tell you the truth; all these years, we've been moving forward in debt.

No company has been profitable at all," Xiao Hua says confidently.

Hearing Xiao Hua's answer, I am very angry,

This is absolutely impossible, because Zhou Wei has never, in my presence, shown that the company's finances have such severe problems,

It's just that the company has reached a bottleneck, the capital is a bit tight, which is normal, because we have developed three projects in Zaocheng Xin Cheng, so the capital consumption is relatively large.

Whenever I ask her, she is confident and says she can handle it.

We just had a car accident, and the company's finances started to show problems.

I take the financial statements in Xiao Hua's hand again, holding them. I look closely,

Many companies are truly in debt; some are over 100%, meaning even selling the company wouldn't fill the hole.

I am very angry, and the financial statements Xiao Hua gave me,

I tear them forcefully,

"This is absolutely not true. Not true at all," I continue shouting loudly.