Chapter 293

"As long as we block the material supply downstream of the research institute, and with the treasury being tight, we can send people to pressure them and demand it in a couple of days. By then, they will definitely have to hand over the technology!"

Everyone looked at Minister Liu with admiration. Sure enough, being able to reach the position of second-in-command meant being ruthless enough. If it weren't for that old guy suppressing him, this Minister Liu would definitely have sat on top. Everyone was also extremely fortunate that it was that old guy sitting on top.

Soon, Lin Fei at the research institute received notification from the factories below. Many enterprises had stopped cooperation, material suppliers had cut off supplies and were demanding payment, and even the banks were demanding repayment.

The upgrade and modification project for the Transformers also lacked materials and had to be stopped.

"Lin Fei, eat something first!"

Zhuo Lin walked in with a tray, on which were some bread and two glasses of milk.

"I have no appetite, take it away first!"

"You've been up for two days. If the boss isn't here and you collapse, what will the research institute do? Eat a little, I'll eat with you!"

Hearing Zhuo Lin put it that way, Lin Fei picked up a piece of bread from the tray and ate it, along with a glass of milk.

After drinking a mouthful of milk, Lin Fei rubbed her sore eyes and asked:

"How much funds does our research institute have left?"

Zhuo Lin put the glass on the table and sighed:

"You really are a workaholic. I let you eat and rest, and you still can't stay idle.

Originally, the research funds for this quarter should have been issued, but the Ministry of Finance said the treasury is tight and it needs to wait for a while!

The remaining funds might only be enough to pay the researchers' salaries for this month."

"Hmm, the employees' salaries must be paid!"

"But..."

Lin Fei looked at Zhuo Lin and said: "Employees follow us not because of how big the pie we draw is, but to solve their family worries. Don't let their research minds be consumed by trivial matters! We will find a way for the funds!"

Lin Fei drank the milk in one gulp, pounded her forehead with her fist to drive away the sleepiness that surged after eating, forced herself to perk up, and walked to the desk.

Just then, a commotion sounded from downstairs, coming up through the half-open window...

"What happened downstairs?"

"I'll take a look!" Zhuo Lin put down the tray and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of the office.

Instantly, her face turned pale and then green, and she gnashed her teeth:

"It’s him again. The lesson from last time wasn't enough; he lost so much face and actually has the nerve to come back!"

Seeing Zhuo Lin’s appearance, Lin Fei asked in surprise:

"What’s the situation?"

"It’s the one who came to seal our research institute last time and got scared into wetting himself."

As Zhuo Lin spoke, a smile couldn't help but appear on her angry face.

"You, I don't know if you'll remember this joke for a lifetime.

Let’s go, let’s go down and see. Since they’ve come, we have to meet them!"

At this time, Secretary Wan ran hurriedly to the Chairman’s office.

"Chairman, that Minister Li has brought people to the research institute again. Should we send people to stop him?"

The Chairman put down the document in his hand, took off his reading glasses, placed them on the table, and said faintly:

"No need!"

"But..."

The Chairman reached out to interrupt his words, stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, looked toward the research institute, and sighed:

"A storm is coming!"

Secretary Wan looked at the Chairman’s back in surprise. Didn't the Chairman send General Qin to protect the research institute before? Before Secretary Wan could figure it out, the Chairman spoke:

"Go get that old tree rock tea I treasure, and set up the tea set by the way!"

Does the Chairman have guests? Why didn't I receive notification? Secretary Wan went to prepare with a belly full of doubts.

At this time, Minister Li also met Lin Fei and her companion downstairs at the research institute.

"Minister Li, what is the matter with your visit this time?"

"Lin Fei, your security guards should be replaced, they have no sense at all!"

Minister Li looked fiercely at the security guards at the door. It was these two people who made him lose face last time, and this time they actually dared to stop him again.

Lin Fei said with a straight face: "Minister Li, you wouldn't have come in your busy schedule just to find trouble with our research institute’s security guards, would you?"

Minister Li didn't expect Lin Fei to give him so little face, so he put on an official air and pulled over Bank President Qian and others behind him to introduce them one by one.

"Lin Fei, this is President Qian of the Development Bank, this is Factory Manager Yang of Shougang, this is..."

Lin Fei frowned and reached out to stop Minister Li from continuing.

"Minister Li, I know all of these people! No need to trouble yourself with introductions. Let’s speak openly!"

"Then I’ll be direct. Your research institute owes them money, and they asked me to help come and collect it! If you don't have money, it doesn't matter, use technology to pay off the debt!"

"Pfft!"

Zhuo Lin couldn't help but laugh out loud, scanned the group of people behind Minister Li, and smiled:

"Minister Li is really interesting. If I didn't know better, I’d think you were a bully coming to collect usury!"

"Zhuo Lin, what do you mean by that?"

"We have a contract with the bank, and the time hasn't come yet! Even if it had, there are judicial departments, right? Isn't that correct, President Qian?"

President Qian didn't answer Zhuo Lin’s words, but scratched his scalp and said with a stiff face: "Given that the factory mortgaged by your research institute is facing debt problems and its value has changed, for the sake of insurance, our bank has decided to recall the mortgage loan to your research institute in advance."

Zhuo Lin and her companion didn't expect President Qian to say such a thing. Before the two could speak, Minister Li gave a look, and Factory Manager Yang understood and walked up.

"When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when the wall falls, everyone pushes. Lin Fei, don't blame us. Since you offended people and ended up in such a state, we certainly don't dare to cooperate with you. I came this time to collect payment for materials; stopping losses in time is the hard truth!"

Factory Manager Yang’s words immediately made Lin Fei laugh with anger. Her almond eyes swept over the material suppliers behind:

"And you all?"

These people felt ashamed under Lin Fei’s gaze and couldn't help but lower their heads. At this time, a man walked up.

"Lin Fei, don't blame us either. We are also doing it for the company’s survival."

"Yes, Lin Fei, if you just give them what they need, you won't be targeted. As long as the research institute is there, won't there be technology? If you collapse, the technology will be stuck in your hands and won't be worth anything!"

Hearing everyone’s remarks, Lin Fei felt dizzy and leaned on Zhuo Lin to stand steady, which gave Zhuo Lin a fright.

"Lin Fei, are you okay? Why is your face so pale? Should I send you back to rest first!"

As she spoke, Zhuo Lin supported Lin Fei and was about to send her back, but Minister Li walked directly to the front and blocked them.

"I’m telling you, pretending to be sick is useless. You can dodge the first day, but you can't dodge the fifteenth. Let’s sign the agreement today. If you can't repay the money when it’s due, I’ll bring people to collect the technology."

Zhuo Lin scolded angrily: "Don't block the way. You are forcing us for money like this, are you trying to force someone to death? Security..."

Minister Li smiled: "You don't need to use those two security guards to scare me."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and several big men walked out from the crowd and surrounded the security guards. They looked extraordinary, and the bulges at their waists clearly indicated they were carrying weapons; it was obvious they were bodyguards.

"Sign the technology mortgage agreement first today, and I guarantee I’ll turn around and leave. This is also for your own good. Just like President Zhong said, once you go bankrupt, these technologies won't be worth this price!"

Looking at Minister Li’s shameless face, Lin Fei’s face turned paler and paler, and she clenched her teeth so hard she fainted. Zhuo Lin reacted immediately and supported Lin Fei so she wouldn't fall.

Minister Li squinted his triangular eyes at Lin Fei and said to Zhuo Lin:

"The surveillance is watching. I didn't touch her at all. Don't think about trying to frame me. I have to say, this Lin Fei acts really well."

Zhuo Lin, who was using her phone to contact the hospital, heard Minister Li’s words and immediately gnashed her teeth:

"She hasn't closed her eyes for two days and two nights, and you are still coming to pressure her. Are you trying to take her life? Besides, the research institute belongs to Su Ye, go find him!"

"Hmph, Su Ye has long since died somewhere unknown. Now that Lin Fei is in charge of the research institute, if I don't find her, who should I find? I’m telling you, pretending to be sick is useless. If you don't sign the agreement today, no one is leaving! Me, a Minister, coming here in person is already giving you face."

Just then, a male voice came from the crowd: "What’s wrong with a Minister? Can a Minister do whatever he wants? Can he block people’s doors? Besides, did I acknowledge you as a Minister?"

Minister Li didn't expect anyone in the crowd to dare to oppose him. Hearing the sound, he turned his head and roared:

"Who, who is it? My position as Minister was appointed by the state. Do I need your acknowledgment? Who do you think you are?"

"I didn't expect that old guy, the Chairman, to have such poor judgment, choosing a guy like you as Minister. Since I’m back, let’s change it!"

Minister Li didn't notice the smile on Zhuo Lin’s face behind him, and he roared at the crowd: