Sheng Ruyi was not accustomed to Xie Sui's conversational style, feeling as though she were a subordinate being interrogated.
"Miss Sheng, you came to see me, didn't you just stare blankly at me? My time is very tight, and I don't have much time to waste with you."
Xie Sui frowned, reprimanding her without mercy. The aura of a CEO from his previous life pressed down, making his subordinates tense, not daring to relax in the slightest.
Don't think being a CEO is just sitting in an office posing, flirting with your secretary, and then dating women all day. If being a CEO were that easy, there would be CEOs everywhere.
Sheng Ruyi regained her thoughts and asked, "May I ask how President Xie plans to handle this?"
Xie Sui leaned back in his chair, flipping through reports, and sneered dismissively. "My intention is to remove you from your presidential position. You can focus on researching new products or specialize in marketing. Honestly, your abilities are not suited for this role."
Sheng Ruyi was surprised. "You, you want to replace me and drive me away?"
Xie Sui spread his hands. "It's not me driving you away, but rather you not showing me your capabilities. This is business, a factory worth millions, tens of millions, not child's play. Any qualified chairman would not be satisfied with your performance. Replacing you is the rational choice. Of course, I will pay you your patent fees; you won't be at a loss. With that money, you'll be fine no matter what you do."
Sheng Ruyi's face fell. She hadn't expected him to be so heartless. "What if I refuse?"
Xie Sui looked at her deeply. Sheng Ruyi's stubbornness was tinged with a hint of grievance. Why was he so heartless towards her? Was it because her affection troubled him, making him worry about disrupting his family?
Xie Sui suddenly smiled. "Refuse? Miss Sheng's pride is commendable. For the sake of Wanwan, I can give you another chance. I will invest an additional ten million to let you continue. However, because of the additional funds, the factory's shares will have to be reallocated. I want ten percent of your shares."
Sheng Ruyi was half happy. "You mean I should trade ten percent of my shares for your ten million?"
Xie Sui shook his head. "No, it's what I deserve. I'm adding funds, so the total assets are more, and naturally, my shares should be more. This ten million is not an exchange with you; it's what I should receive. Secretary Jin, please explain it to her."
Sheng Ruyi said angrily, "No need. I'll do as you say. It's not like I'm attached to those shares. If you want them, you can have them all."
"Really? You said so yourself." Xie Sui was pleasantly surprised. It would be best if this woman would hand over the shares; her repeated appearances made him very uncomfortable. Women's jealousy is terrible and leads to emotional decisions. He truly didn't want Wanwan to interact with such a cunning woman.
Sheng Ruyi was on the verge of tears. He actually wanted her shares. Was he impatient to get rid of her?
"I was just speaking casually. It's a factory I worked hard to build; why should I not have shares? You two talk; I need to think."
Xie Sui was somewhat disappointed. Why didn't she get emotional and give him her shares? Alas, women who are too smart aren't good either.
Secretary Jin suppressed a smile. President Xie's expression changed faster than a face-changing performer; one moment happy, the next disappointed, even regretful. He could have been an actor. Su Dan Xiaoshuo Wang
Sheng Ruyi was so angry she got up and left.
"If you want to laugh, just laugh. Isn't it uncomfortable holding it in? Hurry up and give it to me. Is my time infinite? Everyone is here to waste my time."
Secretary Jin chuckled and handed him the documents. "Miss Sheng, what does she mean? I don't think she's cut out for business."
"Hmph, women, ignore her. It's just a phase. Before, I thought she was a strong woman, but now she's like a simpleton."
Secretary Jin wanted to laugh but held back. If Miss Sheng knew how President Xie thought of her, she would be furious.
After dealing with official matters, it was already two hours later. Lin Wanwan woke up from her nap and found that Sheng Ruyi still hadn't left. Was she planning to live at Xie Sui's house?
Xie Sui saw off Secretary Jin and gave instructions for future arrangements. He merely glanced at Sheng Ruyi indifferently, saying nothing.
"Ruyi said the factory is in trouble. What do you think we should do?" Lin Wanwan tugged at him, a little anxious. This was her factory too, and her name was listed as a shareholder, not Xie Sui's. She also wanted to have some assets so she wouldn't be called a housewife who only knew how to give birth and lived off her husband.
Xie Sui comforted her. "I'll handle it. Don't worry. It's guaranteed to turn profitable next year. When the child is a bit older, you can manage it yourself. Are you hungry? I'll have someone send over some afternoon tea. What do you want to eat?"
Afternoon tea was best made by the tea house, which Lin Wanwan often bought. Hearing about food now, she forgot about the factory. Sheng Ruyi didn't understand. A mother's greatest concern is her unborn child; factories and careers are not as important as the child. Xie Sui successfully shifted her attention, adding to his displeasure with Sheng Ruyi.
During dinner, Lin Guoqing was called over by Xie Sui and was pulled into the study as soon as he entered.
"Brother-in-law, what's going on? You're being so secretive."
"You're the one being secretive. I need you to do something important. Try to trick away your sister's friend. Her being here makes me uncomfortable."
"My sister's friend, you mean Miss Sheng? Why would you be uncomfortable? Could it be that you two..."
"Stop imagining things. She's not a relative, nor is she my friend, and I'm not familiar with her. Your sister is naive, and I'm worried she'll be deceived by you. Can you do it? If not, I'll find Feiyang."
Lin Guoqing chuckled. "Of course, I can. But brother-in-law, am I supposed to do this for free?"
"I'll give you a million for pocket money."
Lin Guoqing was extremely excited. A million! His elder brother didn't earn that much in a year. Brother-in-law is truly generous. "Deal."
During dinner, Lin Wanwan was delighted that her brother could come. She introduced him to Sheng Ruyi. "This is my second brother, here to help brother-in-law. Lin Guoqing, he's twenty-four or twenty-five this year and still doesn't have a girlfriend, which is a huge worry."
Sheng Ruyi politely said, "Hello, Mr. Lin."
"Hello, Miss Sheng. I've heard my sister talk about you for a long time. You're a talented person, a strong woman, a female CEO. I didn't expect you to be so beautiful. This is the first time I've met such a capable and beautiful young lady. We must have a drink. We're all friends from now on."
Lin Guoqing's enthusiasm surprised Sheng Ruyi, and she chatted with him quite well, perhaps reminded of something. Sheng Ruyi, who had planned to stay at Xie Sui's house, agreed when Lin Guoqing invited her shopping and promised to arrange a hotel for her. Lin Guoqing was overjoyed, like a fox who had stolen a chicken. He actually had thoughts of pursuing her. He had never dared to dream of someone like Sheng Ruyi, who was beautiful and learned. It was only after his experience in Indonesia that he gained more, but his demeanor still retained a bit of a commoner's pettiness. Sheng Ruyi's gaze occasionally showed a hint of disdain.
Lin Guoqing underestimated the expenses in Hong Kong City. Just a drink at a bar, dancing, and singing cost over ten thousand. He used to haggle over half the price for a pair of sunglasses. Dating is really expensive. When it was time to pay, the bartender said, "Young Master Lin, Young Master Du instructed that all your bills are to be settled by him. Just enjoy yourself."
"Is that so? Forget it then. I have money. Bill me separately." Lin Guoqing was stingy with his money, but he wouldn't take advantage of Du Feiyang. He couldn't embarrass his brother-in-law; he had to pay. He had only earned about twenty thousand in the past month and felt quite wealthy, but now half of it was gone.
Sheng Ruyi intentionally or unintentionally inquired about their family matters. Lin Guoqing revealed a lot without any reservations. His family was just like that; there was no point in deceiving her. When they reached the hotel, booking a room consumed the rest of his money. If Xie Sui hadn't promised him a million, he wouldn't have catered to this woman. Is this a girlfriend? This is an ancestor; he can't afford her. His masculine pride made him unwilling to serve such an ancestor; he should hand her back to his brother-in-law.
Upon returning home, Xie Sui was still waiting in the living room. Lin Guoqing began to complain. "Brother-in-law, have I completed my task? It's truly a money pit. All the money I earned is gone. Who can afford this?"
Xie Sui wrote a check. "Take this and spend it. Don't be so stingy. Can your brother-in-law let you lose money? You can interact with her, but don't truly fall for her. This woman is cunning and sophisticated; you're no match for her. Figure out what she really wants to do. Is she acting alone, or is someone directing her? This is very important."
Lin Guoqing smiled. Brother-in-law is truly generous. He took the check and was somewhat incredulous. He counted it several times. "How much is this? Ten, hundred, thousand... Holy cow, ten million. There's an extra zero; did you make a mistake, brother-in-law?"
"No mistake. It's just ten million; it's not much. Spend it as you please. You've been performing well lately. If you follow your brother-in-law, will you be starving three meals a day?"
"Thank you, brother-in-law. But this money feels hot in my hands. I'm not doing anything, so how can I take advantage of you? I haven't helped brother-in-law much."
"Keep Sheng Ruyi occupied and find out her motives. That's helping me. Your sister is about to give birth, and I don't want her to be disturbed. If anything happens, even a hundred million won't bring it back."
"Okay, with money, what do I have to fear? Brother-in-law, I understand you're saying this woman could harm my sister, but is that possible? She has a good relationship with my sister, aren't they friends?"
"It's precisely because she's your sister's friend that I have concerns. Otherwise, an ordinary person wouldn't be able to get close to your sister. Her appearance at this time is too coincidental."
Lin Guoqing, who had some interest, immediately disliked her upon hearing that she was targeting his sister. What's the use of being beautiful if her heart is so black?
Xie Sui gave him another key. "This is an apartment I have in the city center. I used to live there. With more children, it became a bit small, so you go live there. In the future, if you meet a girl you truly like and want to start a family, this apartment will be your home. It's not large, just over a thousand square feet, enough for a family of three. You can drive this car. Feel free to use any of the cars in the garage. I don't like to show off. Buy some good clothes. A man with money has courage and charm. What kind of woman can't you chase?"
"Thank you, brother-in-law. Then I won't be polite."