Chapter 99: Night Talk with Xiao Feng

Listening to Xiao Feng's complaints, I felt that Xiao Feng and Ye Jianming's investment in Hainan was probably unsuccessful.

Xiao Feng probably came back after arguing with Ye Jianming.

Ye Jianming retired; he could have just enjoyed his old age, but he insists on worrying about opening a hotel.

At an older age, being unfamiliar with the outside world, he will inevitably encounter many problems.

I advised Xiao Feng, "Look farther ahead; just wait until the hotel officially opens."

"Come, let's have another drink together, to toast today's gathering."

Xiao Feng, Xiao Long, and Shi Yong all raised their glasses.

We drank together.

After finishing the drinks, Xiao Long offered to escort Xiao Feng back to the hotel.

Xiao Feng said to Xiao Long, "Xiao Long, you go home. I'm staying for now; I'll stay at the company and chat with you, sir."

Shi Yong said, "Our company also has guest rooms; if you get tired of chatting, just stay there. Our company's guest rooms are no worse than a hotel."

I said, "Shi Yong, go back to the office first and pour tea for Xiao Feng and me."

Xiao Long said, "Let me handle this, sir, so Uncle Yong can rest."

After speaking, Xiao Long went back to his room.

Xiao Feng watched Xiao Long's back.

"Li Ming's son has good taste; Li Ming's family education is truly excellent."

I said, "Xiao Long is a very sensible kid; I'll stay by his side temporarily as a secretary."

"Having people like them by your side puts me at ease," Xiao Feng said, helped me up, left the restaurant, and returned to my office.

I asked Shi Yong to accompany us back to the office, but Shi Yong replied that he wouldn't be a third wheel and went back to his guest room to rest.

Shi Yong dares to say anything.

Xiao Feng and I laughed as we returned to the office.

Xiao Long had already boiled water and brewed tea.

After Xiao Feng and I entered the office, Xiao Long gently closed the door and left.

Only Xiao Feng and I remained in the room.

Xiao Feng looked at me and said, "Jianqiang, I feel so sorry for you. I never expected that in these past days you've become so… old. Are you still my young, handsome new senior brother?"

I heard Xiao Feng call me "new senior brother,"

I gave a wry smile, "Xiao Feng, stop calling me new senior brother. Ah, the past is like smoke. I'm not getting old at all, but I have too many worries now. The group's affairs are a tangled mess."

How should I tell you,

Both internal and external factors are at play; I feel Da Heng Group is about to collapse.

Xiao Feng also sighed,

"Is it really that serious?"

I nodded,

and began recounting the events of the past few days to Xiao Feng, piece by piece.

Xiao Feng listened attentively,

After I finished speaking, there was a long silence,

After a long while, Xiao Feng finally said, "Jianqiang, I feel this is a massive conspiracy, a huge plot aimed at your Da Heng Group."

But you're now trapped inside it, unable to extricate yourself.

You can only let them lead you by the nose.

I'm not optimistic about Da Heng Group's prospects.

Jianqiang, you need to be prepared in your heart.

After Xiao Feng finished, I asked, "Prepared for what?"

Xiao Feng said, "You're preparing for the scenario where, if Da Heng Group truly gets taken away, what will you have left in your hands."

I thought for a moment,

I said helplessly, "Probably nothing will remain, only a mountain of debt. I never imagined that after a lifetime of struggle, I'd be old and still in massive debt; it's truly disheartening."

"Jianqiang, we still have time; what we can do now is minimize the losses. From your words I can hear that they're interested in Zaocheng's real estate projects; other companies don't catch their attention."

In that case, find a way to keep some companies in our own hands,

to prepare for a resurgence.

"Hehe, resurgence. I'm already in my forties; at this age, what's the point of starting anew? Moreover, those companies are all unprofitable, loss‑making enterprises; they're looking to divest them. What use would they be in my hands?" I said, taking a sip of tea.

"Jianqiang, that way of thinking won't work. What's wrong with being in your forties? Lao Ye is almost sixty and still dreams of achieving something. Your forties are precisely a man's golden age; you've experienced much, have life experience, and you've even managed a company."

These conditions are unmatched by others,

Being in your forties, you can definitely bounce back.

Some companies aren't as severely loss‑making as you imagine.

For example, let me investigate the Qi He Kuang matter,

why Zaocheng Mining Group stopped cooperating with Qi He Kuang.

Lao Ye called to inquire and found that Qi He Kuang's proposals to the supervising leaders were never fulfilled.

That angered the supervisors, who then had the mining group bring high‑quality coal from Shanxi to produce carbon black.

In fact, as long as the benefits are in place, Qi He Kuang can still cooperate with Zaocheng Mining Group.

I heard Xiao Feng say that,

and instantly understood,

why Zaocheng Mining Group stopped cooperating with our Qi He Kuang; it turned out to be because the promised benefits weren't delivered.

However, Qi He Kuang has been continuously paying this expense, without stopping.

This is strange; we gave it, but they didn't receive it.

We can only say that someone in the middle lied, or someone embezzled this money.

It seems I need to thoroughly investigate Zhao Xiaoguo.

I then said, "Xiao Feng, thank you for bringing me this important news; they are planning to spin off Qi He Kuang, because Qi He Kuang has been losing money."

Then we can take the opportunity to start with Qi He Kuang, first taking control of Qi He Kuang.

Xiao Feng nodded,

Jianqiang, if Da Heng Group cannot be held onto, you must have something to rely on. Think about it: if you truly end up with nothing, how will you survive? In Zhou Wei's situation, without money she wouldn't even be able to keep living.

Jianqiang, we must prepare for the worst.

Now the Group Company is really in danger.

They have already set a trap; you won't be able to get out of it.

"Xiao Feng, are we thinking too extremely? If I take a loan of 4.2 billion from Zaocheng Bank, using it as working capital for the real estate project,"

then our real estate project will revive, and at that time our houses will sell big.

"Then we can repay Southern Group's debt. This way our group will be fine." I said, looking at Xiao Feng.

"Everything is conditional: if you can't get the loan from Zaocheng Bank, if the houses don't sell well."

Have you thought about it? From the moment we signed the betting agreement, you've become the meat on their chopping block.

We need to make two-handed preparations,

one hand continues to face it this way, continuing to strive to obtain the loan, so that the houses in Xin Cheng sell big, then we repay Southern Group's money, so that you're good, I'm good, everyone's good.

the other hand is, in case we can't repay, we won't lose everything.

Jianqiang, listen to me, you must be mentally prepared.

This preparation is that Da Heng Group changes hands.

After hearing Xiao Feng finish speaking,

I slumped onto the sofa, gazing at the chandelier above, and said nothing more.

Xiao Feng's words, I have also thought about them in my heart, but I am unwilling to face these problems.

I dare not even think about it; if Da Heng Group changes hands, I will have nothing.

Having nothing, what meaning does my life still have?

Life, climbing up the mountain is hard, but actually going down is harder.