CHAPTER 364: CHAPTER 355: THE NEXT JIANG FAMILY?

Time trickled by, and the two vehicles maintained their distance, proceeding undisturbed.

Li Zishen was an incredibly clever man.

Without looking, he could imagine that at this very moment, Leng Lingxiao was keeping an eye on him, while Tang Xiaowan remained in the dark.

Because this imported business car was a backup that Li Zishen left in Chicheng, she had never seen it.

Leng Lingxiao, of course, would not mention it.

Therefore, Li Zishen quickly got his turbulent emotions in order and fixed his gaze forward with determination.

"Bai Long."

"What’s up, Brother Shen?"

"When we meet Zhang Yaodong, we’ll just catch up, no talk of cooperation, let’s cool off on the land issue for now."

"Okay, got it." Bai Long nodded in understanding, then asked softly, "What about your situation... What time should I come over to be appropriate?"

"Don’t worry about it, I’ll come back on my own."

Bai Long first looked startled, paused for a few seconds as if he grasped something, then did not press any further.

He immediately took out his phone and started to make arrangements.

This immediately cast Lu Hua, the hand on the steering wheel, into gloom. He was, after all, Li Zishen’s personal driver, although seldom used.

Coming back on his own, what did that imply? Could it be because he saw Lady Tang and was upset?

Ah, in Jin City, if it’s not Chen Xin, it’s Bai Long, never even a chance to show oneself, and just when a rare opportunity came up, it’s still this situation.

Seems like my job is just for show!

While Li Zishen sat with eyes closed, silently plotting over the land acquisition, his mother, Madam Lai, was also troubled by the same issue.

She had intended, while her son was away on business in Chicheng, to move back to Nanjiang Villa in silence.

After all, Li Garden was not a place she could stay for long. Her late husband, Li Zhenshan, had warned her more than once, forbidding her to set foot in Li Garden in this lifetime, and she had agreed.

Now, although times had changed, Madam Lai was still hesitant to defy the rules set by her husband.

Unexpectedly, just as she stepped into her bedroom, Li Wanshan and Second Aunt Lai came to visit.

She quickly donned her wig and went downstairs to greet them.

The hair that had been damaged by kidnappers still needed a long time to recover, and for now, she had no other choice.

In the main hall, sitting on a single-seat sofa was Li Wanshan, savoring his tea from a fine Purple Sand Cup, yet his gaze was fixed on his wife.

Second Aunt Lai then cleared her throat, stood up, and sat down next to Madam Lai.

"Sister-in-law, you really should manage things a bit. That girl is already part of the Leng Family, and look at our Zishen, last week he was in Huang City... this week it’s Chicheng again, where is the company getting the money for all this fluff, with even the hotel business being tough now?"

After much talking, it seemed this was the real point of concern.

Comments about Tang Xiaowan shunning poverty for wealth, grasping at the high branch of the Leng Family, were just Li Wanshan’s worries that the company’s money was being misappropriated by Li Zishen.

Little did he know, Li Zishen had already accrued ample personal assets and connections over the years, to say nothing of opening two, five-star hotels, even ten or eight would pose no difficulty.

Madam Lai, understanding her own son better than anyone, had a clear picture in her heart.

She smiled, took a sip of her tea, then turned her gaze to Li Wanshan, while completely ignoring Second Aunt Lai sitting right next to her.

The grudge arising from provocation, she had not forgotten.

If not for Second Aunt Lai, she wouldn’t have been hospitalized, let alone encountered the subsequent kidnapping.

"Younger brother, how have your companies been doing lately? I remember your older brother was also quite interested in auto parts when he was still with us."

The meaning couldn’t be clearer: if my son didn’t care about family ties and hadn’t thrown a few deals your way, your companies would’ve probably gone bankrupt days ago.

"Your wife’s family has also invested in the company, so they’ll inevitably kick up a fuss."

"My son has gone to great lengths to save face for you, how can you have the gall to come over here with such pomp and circumstance, bullying a widow who has just recovered from a serious illness."

Li Wanshan was so ashamed he could hardly bear it, even though he was firmly intent on taking the chairman’s seat, Madam Lai’s words had indeed awoken him.

Still, as one of the shareholders of the company, there were some matters he had to guard against.

"Sister-in-law, don’t blame me for being overcautious, but simultaneously opening two five-star hotels... that’s no small feat. From acquiring land to construction, then to interior decoration and initial operation, it wouldn’t be possible without at least ten billion. And considering the company’s recent medical equipment investments in Country D, and with our domestic projects also gaining momentum, there’s only so much energy one can have. You’ve probably heard about what happened to the Jiang family in Huang City?"

Huang City, the Jiang Group?

Madam Lai’s brows knit together slightly. Although the Jiang family in Huang City was not as powerful as their Lai family, they were still a well-known name in the construction industry.

Years ago, when Yishen Mall was being constructed in Huang City, it was the Jiang Group that handled the contract.

From beginning to end, the whole package.

The Lai and Jiang families had once cooperated.

Moreover, just last week, Li Zishen was invited to attend a charity gala hosted by the Jiang family.

But who would have thought that in less than a week, one after another, companies under the Jiang Group had gone bankrupt, and stakes had been withdrawn. The chain of capital was severely broken, and it was feared that there would be no chance for a rebound.

Seeing Madam Lai’s expression change, Li Wanshan quickly added with profound significance, "Sister-in-law, we can’t afford to become the next Jiang family!"

"How can the Jiang family compare with our Lai family? They are discordant as a family, and their shares are overly dispersed. When faced with difficulties, each ran faster than the last. As long as you, third brother, and Zishen work together with all your hearts, that kind of situation will never happen."

Alright, third brother was brought into this again.

"It’s true what you say, but the hotel matter could inevitably affect the company in the future."

"Second brother, rest assured, Zishen won’t use a single penny from the company. On this point, I can vouch for him. If there ever is that kind of situation in the future... I’m willing to transfer my shares immediately and move out of Bie Yuan right away. How about that?"

Seeing Madam Lai speak earnestly, with a glimmer of tears in her eyes, Li Wanshan quickly waved his hands.

"There’s no need, no need!"

How could he, a grown man, have the shamelessness to seem like he was bullying a lonely widow and orphan? If this got out, wouldn’t people criticize him to no end?

Moreover, Nanjiang Villa was the old Lai ancestral home, and when the old master was still alive, he had set a family rule that only the eldest son and grandson could inherit it. This was known to all of the distinguished families in Jin City.

Li Wanshan always valued his face highly, and even with reluctance in his heart, he would not do such a thing as to drive his sister-in-law out of Bie Yuan.

"If second brother doesn’t trust me, I can ask third brother to come over, and I’m willing to put it in writing."

With those words, Madam Lai turned to look at Nanny Wu.

Once Li Wanshan saw this, he realized she was serious, and quickly raised his hand to stop her.

"Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? As long as everyone works together for the sake of the company, indeed, such a situation won’t occur. There’s no need for guarantees."

"Thank you, second brother, for your understanding. With your words... my heart feels much more at ease."

"We’re all family, after all. It’s only right."

Unbeknownst to them, they began to chat like family, and Second Aunt Lai at the side was burning with anger.

Just now, Madam Lai had ignored her, turning a blind eye, and she hadn’t swallowed that down yet. Now, it seemed she had directly touched Second Aunt Lai’s sore spot.

The forced smile on Second Aunt Lai’s face could no longer be maintained at this point.

So you, the vixen, are at it again!

Previously climbing up the ladder using your pregnancy, and now you think about seducing my Wanshan to stand up for you?

Don’t even think about it, go to hell!

Suddenly, there was a loud clatter. The fruit platter fell to the ground, and at the same time, the Purple Sand Cup also tipped over.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Second Aunt Lai.