Xie Sui was amused. Secretary Jin was a talented person, but he was held back by the Jun family.
"I know, I'll definitely take you next time. I'm busy starting today. Arrange the schedule, I'll personally visit a few factories. And the newspaper, it's our mouthpiece, so it must be taken seriously."
Xie Sui had acquired a newspaper called "Port City News." It wasn't large and was barely surviving. Xie Sui was interested in its structure, and it was cheap, acquired for less than thirty million. Xie Sui attached great importance to this newspaper.
Like entertainment companies, newspapers have high added value, with few genuine fixed assets. Xie Sui planned to transform the newspaper into one that integrated finance, entertainment, and current affairs news. Su Dan Novel Network.
"Okay, I'll arrange it immediately."
As Secretary Jin got busy, Xie Sui began reviewing financial statements, his brow unconsciously furrowing. Several companies under his name were currently operating at a loss. Only the financial company was doing better; the others were bleeding money.
Xie Sui had earned hundreds of billions, and now it was mostly spent. The largest portion was tied up in the Jun family's shares.
Only a little over a billion remained on paper. While it seemed like a lot, it wouldn't last. If the factories were to operate, there would be expenses for raw materials, labor, and machine maintenance, all of which burned through money.
Xie Sui organized his work notes. None of these issues could stump him. He prioritized tasks, tackling them one by one and gradually sorting things out, making it appear less chaotic.
He spent the entire day organizing company matters, even having lunch at the office. During this time, he received a call from Du Feiyang. The real estate project was proceeding smoothly. Preliminary work had been completed, and the paperwork was done. Next, they needed to select a construction company and outsource the engineering.
This required Xie Sui's approval. He didn't fully trust the state-owned construction companies; their thinking was too rigid, and their progress too slow. He planned to hire two private companies in addition to the state-owned one, outsourcing the work in sections. This would create competition and prevent any single company from dominating, thus avoiding being constrained by a construction firm.
In his previous life, he was very proficient in such matters. He asked Du Feiyang to spread the word that private companies were being considered for outsourcing and that interested parties could come to discuss terms.
He instructed Du Feiyang to keep a low profile and avoid trouble. Du Feiyang was indignant, claiming he was being very honest now, not even sleeping with girls, and was almost becoming a monk.
"Brother Xie, Yan Xiaoliang has been released. That scoundrel is in a miserable state now. The Yan family has also fallen, his marriage is annulled, his reputation is ruined, and he can't even stay in the county. He has to sell his factory and wants to try his luck elsewhere. Brother Xie, can we take his factory?"
Xie Sui said happily, "Of course, why not? Move the food processing plant there. The current plant is rented, small, and can't increase production. I was planning to build a new factory. Since Yan Xiaoliang wants to sell, it's a good transition for now. Negotiate the price well."
Du Feiyang replied, "Alright, if I don't make him bleed, I'm not Du. Brother Xie, just watch."
Xie Sui silently lit a candle for Yan Xiaoliang, thinking, "Serves you right for opposing me!"
After hanging up, he called Hu Pan again, asking her to keep an eye on the new factory matter. He didn't entirely trust Du Feiyang's handling of things.
Hu Pan sounded unenthusiastic, only responding with grunts and agreed, lacking spirit.
"What's wrong? Are you sick?"
"If you were sick, I wouldn't be. I'm young, I don't even catch colds. Stop cursing me."
Xie Sui asked, "Then why the spiritless tone? Heartbroken?"
"I don't even have a boyfriend, what's there to be heartbroken about?"
"Then why?"
Hu Pan retorted, "What business is it of yours? This is my private matter. Do you want to pry into my personal affairs?"
Xie Sui decisively said, "Fine, I'll pretend I didn't ask. Hurry up and keep an eye on Young Master Du, and be careful of him too, don't get seduced by him. That guy isn't a good person, he's very skilled at tricking girls. That's all, goodbye."
Before Hu Pan could speak, the dial tone sounded from the receiver; he had already hung up. She stomped her foot in anger, "He only knows how to order me around, he doesn't care about me at all! What am I to you!"
Hu Pan was upset about her family pressuring her to get married. The year was ending soon, and several blind dates were arranged. Her parents were pushing her hard, and it was giving her a headache just thinking about it.
After her anger subsided, she still had to work. Hu Pan packed her things and returned to the county. As soon as she got off the train, she saw Du Feiyang grinning like a village dog, waving at her. "Miss Hu, thank you for your hard work. I've been waiting for you for over an hour. It must be cold, right? Here's a hand warmer to warm your hands first."
Hu Pan found him very irritating. "How did you know I was coming?"
"Brother Xie told me, guessing you'd be on this train and asked me to pick you up. Miss Hu, how about I get you a car? It would be more convenient for your travels."
Hu Pan replied, "No need. I'm not as pampered as you young masters. Why would I need a car!"
"It's not about being pampered, it's about time. A car is for convenience and speed, not just for show."
Hu Pan looked at him again. Was this guy capable of speaking sense?
Du Feiyang didn't know that his casual remark had changed Hu Pan's impression of him. He cheerfully opened the car door, beckoned her in, and acted as her driver, extremely attentive.
Hu Pan was quite pleased. Frankly speaking, although she was the child of a high-ranking official, she had never felt superior. Her family had always taught her to be low-key. When she dated Xie Chen, she was the one who took care of him. Now, being cared for like this gave her a different feeling.
Xie Sui, unconcerned with how they interacted, arrived at the newspaper office the next morning with Secretary Jin and Ah Hua.
The newspaper had its own separate office building, which had been purchased, hence its high value. If they only considered the newspaper itself, ten million would have been enough.
Upon entering, they saw that few people were at the workstations; they didn't know where everyone had gone.
"Who are you looking for?"
A bald middle-aged man saw them and asked, holding a teacup.
"Who is your general manager?"
Xie Sui's expression was grim. It seemed this newspaper had even more problems.
The bald middle-aged man, seeing that they looked like trouble, said, "The manager isn't here yet. I am the editor-in-chief of the newspaper. It's the same if you have business with me."
Xie Sui said, "Alright, then notify everyone to attend a meeting. You have half an hour. Anyone who doesn't come will be fired directly. I am Xie Sui, your boss."
"Mr. Xie, Mr. Xie, you're finally here. We've been waiting for you day and night. Please go to the office for tea, and I'll have someone call for a meeting immediately."
Xie Sui, with a stern expression, walked into the conference room and waited, his hands clasped.
Half an hour later, only about twenty people trickled into the conference room, all looking at him with unease.
The manager also arrived and stood behind Xie Sui, afraid to sit down. Xie Sui might punish him severely.
"Who else hasn't arrived?"
"Three reporters are out on assignment and can't make it back. Everyone else is here."
Xie Sui said, "Alright, let's start the meeting."