Chapter 442: 438. President Zhuo, we meet again!

The atmosphere at Fengchao Group today was somewhat stifling, or rather, most people were somewhat distracted.

The company's current situation was becoming increasingly critical, yet the upper management was slow to come up with new plans to salvage the current state of affairs.

This left the employees below at a loss, and many had even begun to adopt a pessimistic attitude, while others had already started scouting for their next job.

This could be considered one of the bitter fruits of Zhang Ran's heavy-handed tactics over at Maikai.

Everyone knew that if Fengchao Group were taken over by Maikai, they would also be merged into Maikai Supermarket.

And many industry insiders had heard about the situation at Maikai Supermarket; if they had a choice, they would rather not stay at Maikai Supermarket—it was truly too terrifying.

However, it was clear that these people could not find a new job in such a short time, and although the situation was critical now, it hadn't truly reached the end yet.

Therefore, they did not dare to look for a new job openly.

But even if Zhang Ran knew about this, he wouldn't care; once the two supermarket chains merged, a batch of people would certainly have to be cleared out.

There was a high degree of overlap between the stores of Maikai Supermarket and Fengchao Supermarket, and these would all need to be cleared out in the later stages.

He could not compete against himself, so closing some stores and letting some people go was inevitable.

"Old Qi, what exactly is going on? You didn't explain clearly before telling us to come, can you say it now?" a shareholder asked with a somewhat anxious expression.

Qi Guanghuan had said that something big was happening, and it was a matter concerning the future life and death of the group.

But as for the specific situation, they were all somewhat in the dark.

Qi Guanghuan said with a calm expression, "Don't be anxious, you'll know in a moment. This is an opportunity for us; if we grasp it, the group's crisis will be resolved."

He had already received Zhang Ran's promise, so he was completely unworried at this moment, and even felt a bit of anticipation.

Hearing him say this, the shareholders became even more curious, while also harboring some guesses as to what method Qi Guanghuan had found to salvage the current situation.

However, no matter how they asked, Qi Guanghuan simply refused to speak, waiting until Zhuo Fan entered the door.

"Everyone, you've arrived so early; it seems I am a bit late today," Zhuo Fan said with a chuckle, his face looking calm and collected, as if he hadn't felt a shred of pressure.

"Not late, the meeting hasn't started yet," someone said with a smile, suppressing the restlessness in their heart.

Zhuo Fan arrived at his seat and sat down, looking at everyone as he said, "Since everyone has arrived, let's talk about it. Is there any new plan?"

"It was Old Qi who called us over. Old Qi, President Zhuo has already arrived, hurry up and tell us what method you have," someone urged.

Qi Guanghuan did not remain silent this time; he looked at Zhuo Fan and said, "President Zhuo, I have some questions I would like to ask you."

Zhuo Fan's heart sank. Had Qi Guanghuan discovered something?

However, his expression remained unchanged, and he said with a smile, "Please ask, President Qi. I will certainly tell you everything I know."

"I believe no one knows the company's current predicament better than President Zhuo. Have you thought of a solution these past few days?" Qi Guanghuan asked.

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, secretly feeling relieved in his heart. "Didn't I say that before? As long as..."

"President Zhuo, don't try to fool us with those words again. Who knows how much capital Zhang Ran still has?

And don't forget, Fengli Group is currently helping Maikai Supermarket with all its might.

They aren't just helping; they have also gained massive benefits this time. To say nothing else, the money lying in the payment platform of Fengli Supermarket alone is an astronomical figure. If they took out even a little, it would be enough to support this side for a long time," Qi Guanghuan interrupted Zhuo Fan directly.

Zhuo Fan looked deeply at Qi Guanghuan and said, "President Qi, that's not how things are calculated. Zhao Lifeng doesn't dare to use that money casually; let alone helping Zhang Ran, even they themselves would have huge trouble if they used it."

"Heh, President Zhuo, is there any point in saying these things? Do you really take us for fools? Yes, Zhao Lifeng indeed doesn't dare to use it casually, but if he uses a small amount, no one will say anything. As long as there is some collateral, the regulators above will also turn a blind eye.

Do you think Zhang Ran wouldn't have collateral? To say nothing else, just that property in Beijing..."

Having said this, Qi Guanghuan suddenly shut his mouth; he had almost let something slip.

In Qi Guanghuan's view, even if Zhang Ran were at his wit's end now, as long as he took out that Siheyuan in Beijing to use as collateral—he wouldn't even need to sell it—the number of people, whether banks or individuals, wanting to lend him money would be countless.

And these people would even hope that Zhang Ran couldn't pay it back, so would Zhang Ran be short of money?

Impossible!

Zhuo Fan could see it now: Qi Guanghuan had come this time to hold him accountable, but what was the point of doing this?

He had some rather bad guesses in his heart.

"Then, President Qi, do you have any ideas? If you do, you can bring them out so we can all discuss them together," Zhuo Fan said calmly.

The others also spoke up one after another to ask; they had also sensed that Qi Guanghuan was a bit different today, and it seemed he wasn't here to solve problems.

Qi Guanghuan had already spoken to this point, so he no longer hid it and said directly, "I do indeed have a way."

"What way? Old Qi, hurry up and say it," someone said anxiously.

Just as he was speaking, the phone in Qi Guanghuan's pocket vibrated. He picked it up to look, and a smile appeared on his face as he said, "Don't be anxious, everyone. The person who will resolve this matter has arrived. I'll go down to pick him up."

Saying this, he stood up and walked out, leaving behind the crowd who looked at each other in dismay. What was this supposed to mean?

Zhuo Fan's heart sank even further to the bottom of the ocean; he had somewhat guessed who Qi Guanghuan was going to pick up.

Ten minutes later, Qi Guanghuan pushed the door open and walked in again, but this time he was only leading the way. After opening the door, he stepped aside to let the person outside enter.

When he saw this person, Zhuo Fan's pupils constricted; his guess was correct!

The others who had seen photos of Zhang Ran also recognized him. One by one, they opened their mouths wide, and then they all understood a few things: why Qi Guanghuan had suddenly attacked Zhuo Fan just now.

"Yo, President Zhuo, we meet again. Why do you look a bit unwell? What? Are you sick?" Zhang Ran said with a chuckle.

Zhuo Fan took a deep breath, suppressing the unease in his heart, though his expression remained very ugly. "Zhang Ran, this is our group's internal shareholder meeting. What are you here for?"

After finishing, he looked at Qi Guanghuan again. "President Qi, bringing an outsider here—isn't that a bit inappropriate?"