Chapter 944

Zhou Andong spoke with Man Hongshan about the split financing of Xuri Sheng, then hung up and immediately called Wu Huilin’s office.

“Director Wu, this is Zhou Andong!”

“Director Zhou!” came Wu Huilin’s voice through the receiver: “Is this about Xuri Sheng’s listing?”

“Yes!” Zhou Andong said: “Immediately begin splitting Xuri Sheng, assess its market value, and prepare for financing.”

“I’ll call a meeting right away. Our top priority from now on is Xuri Sheng’s listing,” Wu Huilin asked: “Are we seeking external financing?”

“No need!” Zhou Andong would never seek external financing: “Xuri Sheng’s shareholders consist of Yugong Group, Qiu Dongfang, Jian Dong International, Xuri Sheng management, and employees.”

Wu Huilin let out a light laugh—wasn’t this just moving money from left hand to right? But she understood Zhou Andong’s intent in having Jian Dong International hold shares.

For Xuri Sheng to list in Xiangjiang, using the British-controlled Jian Dong International as the operating entity would be far more convenient than using the Hong Kong-based Qiu Dongfang, with zero resistance.

As Zhou Andong and Wu Huilin were still talking, the hospital room door knocked. Jian Qiu opened it—it was Wu Hongkang.

Zhou Andong nodded to Old Wu, then chatted with Wu Huilin for over half an hour before ending the call.

Wu Hongkang had been chatting with Old Zhou inside the room, only coming out after Zhou Andong finished the call.

“Why did you come here?” Zhou Andong pulled out a cigarette and offered one to Wu Hongkang.

Wu Hongkang took the cigarette: “I called you but couldn’t get through, so I came in person to check.”

“I didn’t expect so much to happen today,” Zhou Andong lit Wu Hongkang’s cigarette with his lighter: “How much are you planning to invest?”

Wu Hongkang asked: “Are you so sure I’ll agree?”

“If you didn’t agree, why come here in person?” Zhou Andong lit his own cigarette.

“Makes sense,” Wu Hongkang nodded.

Zhou Andong gave him a look: “Spit it out—how much are you investing?”

Wu Hongkang held up two fingers: “Twenty million?”

Zhou Andong was surprised: “That much?”

Wu Hongkang said proudly: “Last night I went to the Light Industry Bureau chief—he approved twenty million on the spot.”

“Your boss really has guts,” Zhou Andong said, genuinely taken aback: “Did Old Zhang call you?”

“No,” Wu Hongkang shook his head: “If he were going to call, he’d call you first.”

Zhou Andong checked the time—it was just past ten. If Zhang Zhonghui hadn’t called by one p.m., he probably wouldn’t call at all.

Wu Hongkang added: “I’m going with you to Xiangjiang.”

“No problem,” Zhou Andong said: “Get ready. We leave the day after tomorrow—the 31st.”

“So soon!” Wu Hongkang stood up to leave: “I’ll go get my Hong Kong-Macau pass right away—I’ve got plenty to arrange at the factory.”

“Wait,” Zhou Andong said to Jian Qiu: “Give him Qiu Dongfang’s account.”

Jian Qiu found paper and pen, wrote down Qiu Dongfang’s Xiangjiang company account, and handed it to Wu Hongkang.

“Transfer the money directly to this account.”

Wu Hongkang took the slip, carefully tucked it into his pocket. He still needed to see Qin Haimin—foreign exchange couldn’t be transferred without official channels.

Zhou Andong and Jian Qiu saw Wu Hongkang out of the room, watching until he entered the elevator before returning.

“Mom!” Zhou Andong called: “My mother-in-law is taking Su Su back to Fengjing for a few days—pack up the baby’s clothes and diapers.”

Yuan Liying came out from the inner room: “How many days?”

Zhou Andong turned on the TV with the remote: “We’ll all come back together when my father-in-law has time, then we’ll have a family meeting.”

“Alright, I’ll pack right away.”

The grandmother was reluctant—she’d cared for the child so long, day after day.

But since the baby’s mother wanted to take her for a few days, she couldn’t object, no matter how much she hated to let go.

At that moment, laughter erupted from the TV.

“Do you know why it’s called a trombone? Because it’s longer than a trumpet…”

“Luo Sang’s Training!”

Zhou Andong murmured: “Luo Sang’s Training.” The TV was rebroadcasting Quyuan Zatan—on screen were Bo Lin and Luo Sang, the master and apprentice, performing xiangsheng.

Watching Luo Sang on TV, Zhou Andong whispered: “What a pity.”

“What’s a pity?” Jian Qiu tilted her head and looked at Zhou Andong.

“Nothing,” Zhou Andong smiled: “This xiangsheng script has serious flaws. If I’d written it, with Luo Sang’s talent, the effect would’ve been far better.”

“You’re full of it!” Jian Qiu didn’t believe him: “But Luo Sang really is talented.”

“Tap-tap-tap…”

The door knocked again. Jian Qiu got up to open it—it was Jia Hongbin from Chaoyang, carrying gifts, his secretary holding even more.

“Director Jia, why are you here? You could’ve just called.”

Jian Qiu politely ushered Jia Hongbin in; Zhou Andong rose to greet him.

“Leader, you came—why bring so many gifts?”

Jia Hongbin placed the gifts on the coffee table and smiled: “I know your father is recuperating here—I couldn’t come empty-handed.”

At that moment, Yuan Liying came out from the inner room. Zhou Andong introduced them: “Mom, this is Director Jia Hongbin from Chaoyang.”

“Sister, hello!” Jia Hongbin extended his hand to shake Yuan Liying’s.

“Leader, please sit, don’t stand.”

Yuan Liying now appeared calm and composed—not the nervous woman she used to be around officials.

Jia Hongbin said: “Is your brother-in-law inside? I’d like to see him.”

“He is,” Zhou Andong, Jian Qiu, and Yuan Liying accompanied Jia Hongbin into the inner room.

Old Zhou had heard the visitor was a high-ranking official. He easily propped himself up against the headboard.

“This is my father, Zhou Xiaoxin. Dad, this is Director Jia Hongbin from Chaoyang.”

“Director Jia, hello!” Old Zhou extended both hands.

Jia Hongbin stepped forward and shook Old Zhou’s hands: “Brother, how’s your recovery going?”

Old Zhou smiled: “Very well. Now when I pinch my legs, I feel pain. And with support, I can stand on my own—even if only for a few seconds. That’s already a miracle. I believe if I keep going, I’ll stand fully.”

“With injuries like yours, determination is all it takes to recover,” Jia Hongbin said: “I’m military. One of my comrades nearly died from a shell blast.”

During surgery, seventeen shrapnel pieces were removed from his body—one lodged right in his lower spine. The doctors said he’d survive, but he’d never walk again.

But he refused to accept it. Through sheer willpower, he trained daily, inch by inch, until he stood. He still can’t walk like a normal man, go wherever he wants, but he can manage on his own—no longer needing family care.”

Hearing this, Old Zhou felt even more confident: “I don’t need to walk like a normal man. Just being able to care for myself is enough.”