For a moment, Su Ding's expression changed again and again, cold sweat pouring down his face. How could this be happening?
Without time to think, he shouted into the phone, "Buy back! Buy everything they're selling!"
After hanging up, Su Ding instinctively looked at Chen Yang, his gaze turning grim. Was this his doing?
Before he could ponder it further, his phone rang again. It was the same manager.
"Mr. Su, I just got news that your father was arrested for criminal activity! It's triggered even greater market panic, and the sell-off is turning into an avalanche! On top of that, the company's funds are critically low. We simply can't keep up with the buyback!"
BOOM!
Su Ding felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. His mind buzzed, and his thoughts descended into chaos.
"Mr. Su, business is tough. If you've offended someone, you need to find them immediately. Do your utmost to seek their forgiveness. Otherwise, the entire Su Family will be plunged into an abyss with no hope of return!"
SMACK. The phone slipped from his hand and hit the floor.
Su Ding's face was ashen, his spirit utterly crushed. In just a minute or two, the Su Family's entire market position had collapsed. What kind of monstrous influence would that take?
Su Ding's head snapped up, his eyes locked on Chen Yang, who was leisurely smoking a cigarette. "Was it you? Are you the one behind the plot against my Su Family?"
"What a crude word," Chen Yang corrected. "This isn't 'plotting.' This is called 'a lesson'."
"You're courting death!"
His eyes bloodshot, Su Ding charged forward like an enraged bull.
BOOM!
Chen Yang swung his hand, slapping Su Ding to the ground. He then stepped on Su Ding's face, grinding his heel into it. "I hear you've been eyeing Qin Qiu?"
"No, not at all! It's a misunderstanding! All a misunderstanding!"
That single slap shocked Su Ding to his senses. A chill shot through him as he realized he was facing a Demon God. Compete with him? My entire family would be annihilated.
Chen Yang said with a smile that wasn't a smile, "A moment ago, you wanted me to kneel and kowtow to you in apology?"
"I… I'm sorry!"
"Stand up," Chen Yang said, lifting his foot.
Su Ding scrambled to his feet.
BOOM!
Chen Yang's fist hammered down, and Su Ding crashed to his knees once more. Blood streamed from the top of his head like a waterfall.
"Now do you know what to do?" Chen Yang asked, taking a tissue to wipe his hands.
"I know, I know," Su Ding nodded frantically. "I'll go to her company and apologize to her in person. As for the shares I bought on the secondary market, I'll transfer all of them to Miss Qin Qiu."
"That's more like it."
Chen Yang stood up and strode away without a second glance at anyone.
Everyone present held their breath, only daring to exhale once Chen Yang had completely disappeared from sight.
A few minutes later, the manager called again. He informed Su Ding that the situation was stabilizing. The chairman had been released, and it wouldn't be long before the stock price recovered.
Putting the phone down, Su Ding felt as if all his vitality had been drained away. While the immediate crisis had been averted, there was no doubt in his mind that the man from before could eradicate the Su Family as easily as crushing an ant.
「At Qin Corporation.」
The luxurious conference room was in an uproar. At the head of the table, Chairwoman Qin Qiu supported her forehead with one hand, completely exhausted.
"Chairwoman, we all understand there's only one way to protect the corporation from being swallowed by the Su Family," said a middle-aged man with a receding hairline, sitting to her left. "Since Mr. Su has his eye on you, why not just satisfy him?"
At his words, the buzzing conference room fell silent. Everyone sat up straight, waiting to see what would happen next.
Given the crisis Qin Corporation was facing, and with no external aid in sight, this truly seemed to be the only solution left. It was a difficult reality to voice, let alone discuss openly at the table. Now, someone had finally said it.
"There's an old saying: 'Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!'" the man continued. "As the leader of Qin Corporation, at this critical, life-or-death juncture, you should be prepared to make a personal sacrifice. You would only have to spend some time with him, and in return, you could save our entire Qin Corporation…
"I think you should be willing, right? Otherwise, we can only conclude that we've followed the wrong person. It will be impossible to unite everyone in the future."
This vice-chairman, a man named Zhao Li, had laid out both the sweet talk and the threats. He had laid out the choices. If she was willing, it was only what was expected. If she was unwilling, she was selfish.
Qin Qiu's face remained expressionless as she sat in silence.
"Chairwoman, we can't hesitate any longer. Mr. Su's patience is limited," Zhao Li said, standing up and raising his voice. "If you can't bring yourself to do it, just get drunk until you pass out. Then you won't know a thing."
"There must be another way! There has to be!" Qin Qiu said bitterly, her gaze sweeping hopefully over everyone present.
However, they all lowered their heads, avoiding her eyes. When one's personal interests are at stake, the darker side of human nature is magnified.
Qin Qiu gave a self-mocking smile. No matter what, I will never agree to this. It's a matter of principle. I will not compromise.
CREAK.
The conference room door was pushed open, and Su Ding walked in, his body wrapped in bandages.
"Mr. Su is here!" Zhao Li's eyes lit up. He was the first to rush forward, announcing presumptuously, "Mr. Su! After my earnest efforts to persuade her, our Chairwoman Qin has agreed to your terms. She will keep you company tonight."
Zhao Li beamed and nodded, the fawning look on his face unmistakable.
BANG.
Su Ding grabbed an ashtray from the table and smashed it over Zhao Li's head. Blood sprayed as Zhao Li collapsed to the floor.
Zhao Li was left speechless. The rest of the room was stunned into silence.
"If you want to die, do it yourself! Don't drag me down with you!" Su Ding roared.
If this had happened yesterday, I would have praised him to the heavens. But now? Even if you gave me a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare entertain such a thought.
Su Ding spat contemptuously and walked toward Qin Qiu.
She frowned as she watched him approach with a fawning smile. How did the famously arrogant and domineering Mr. Su get injured so badly?
"Chairwoman Qin, I have come to apologize," Su Ding began, bowing deeply. His tone was gentle, tinged with a palpable sense of caution. "I was a fool to act so unreasonably before! I have reflected on my actions, and I beg for your forgiveness."
Qin Qiu was taken aback. "Mr. Su," she said bluntly, "what game are you playing now?"
"Chairwoman Qin, you misunderstand. After being taught a lesson by that young master, I've had a complete awakening! The shares I bought on the secondary market have all been transferred to your name. Please consider it my apology. Just… please, forget this ever happened."
The sudden change in Su Ding's demeanor baffled Qin Qiu, but the stack of share transfer documents he placed in front of her could not be faked.
Wait, what 'young master' is he talking about? Could it be that some young master helped me? This…
Qin Qiu was more confused than ever.
"Chairwoman Qin, if there are no other issues, I'll take my leave," Su Ding said.
He stole a glance at her, and seeing no intention to press the matter, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
"How much are these shares worth? I'll pay you for them, down to the last cent," Qin Qiu stated. Business is business. He bought those shares with real money, so I have no reason to take them for free.
Hearing this, Su Ding's face fell. He pleaded desperately, "Chairwoman Qin, please, just do me this one favor! Otherwise, he'll kill me!"
"I just don't want to die, that's all!" Su Ding gasped for breath, and his words were no exaggeration. Who is that guy? What kind of monster is he? Killing me would be easier for him than squashing an ant.
Qin Qiu was dumbfounded. Those shares are worth fifty million, at least! What on earth happened to him to make him this terrified, this desperate to live?
Su Ding clenched his teeth and turned to leave. The shares have already been transferred. Even if she offers money, I'll just refuse to accept it. That should count as my task being complete.
Snapping back to reality, Qin Qiu hurried after him. She had to ask who this 'young master' was.