It seems like this group of people is here to force his hand.
Xia Honglang's gaze swept across their faces, memorizing each expression before a soft chuckle escaped his lips.
"What... what are you laughing at?" The individuals who had been all set to confront Xia Honglang found themselves faltering at this unexpected reaction.
Although they now had greater support and the opposing side had offered more enticing terms, they were already fed up with Xia Honglang and his daughter's capricious ways.
Yet, after so many years of working together, they still harbored a degree of apprehension towards Xia Honglang.
His capabilities in building Xia Shi to its current state were evident for all to see.
But what of it? An arm cannot twist a thigh.
Xia Shi was now on the verge of being abandoned by the times, and even that Gu Shi Entertainment was at its last leg. Their cherished new energy venture was about to become a laughingstock.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.
Who feared him now!
"Speak, what do you want?" Xia Honglang leaned back, eager to see just how much trouble these people could stir up.
"Xia Honglang, you don't need to put on an act here. You know what you've done, so don't treat us like fools," someone scoffed. "You're just planning to hand Xia Shi over to your daughter. First, it was the resort project, then new energy. Nepotism, you're the master of it, aren't you, Xia Honglang!"
"Yes, that's right," Xia Honglang replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "The company I built, what's wrong with handing it to my daughter? What? Your shares and assets, are you planning to donate them all when you're gone?"
"You!" The person was caught off guard by Xia Honglang's nonchalant and even confrontational response. They stumbled over their words before continuing, "Even if you want to groom an heir, we have to approve of it!"
"Exactly! Xia Honglang! Don't think you can have the final say in Xia Shi!" someone chimed in.
"Or what?" Since they were ready to burn bridges, Xia Honglang decided there was no need to hold back.
He had spoiled these people with his generosity!
Qing Tian had warned him multiple times earlier, but he, out of consideration for past relationships, had allowed their appetites to grow.
Very well.
Then it was time to settle accounts once and for all.
However, he needed a little time.
"Xia Honglang! Don't push your luck too far!" someone seized the opportunity to escalate. "I truly can't stand this! Back when you and your daughter colluded to oust Director Su, that was a wake-up call for us old timers!"
"Precisely! We can't afford to be associated with this Xia Shi!" the directors clamored in unison. "Since almost all the directors are here, let's call an impromptu board meeting! This matter must be thoroughly investigated! I want to see if Xia Shi is truly yours to command, Xia Honglang!"
Xia Honglang clenched his fist by his side. He never feared any challenge, but the timing was wrong, and he only had a superficial understanding of the company's situation. If a board meeting were to be held now, it would be disadvantageous for him.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the office door, which was then pushed open.
The newcomer surveyed the room, a gentle smile gracing their lips. "So many people? I apologize if I'm interrupting."
Upon seeing the newcomer, the directors who had been shouting threats fell silent, their eyes filled with respect and deference.
"Professor Xiang?" Xia Honglang was also slightly taken aback.
Why was Xiang Xueyuan here?
The last time they parted was at a birthday banquet in Northern Europe, where he had made a rather embarrassing gaffe.
Seeing Xiang Xueyuan now, Xia Honglang felt a sense of surprise.
What was going on?
"Mr. Xia, I actually have a small business matter I wanted to discuss with you. What? Is this an inconvenient time?" Xiang Xueyuan asked with a smile.
"Not at all." Xia Honglang immediately found an excuse and smiled faintly. "It's just a minor issue. Professor Xiang, please have a seat. Secretary Lin, fetch some tea."
Secretary Lin, who had been extremely nervous, immediately responded and left to attend to the request upon hearing Xia Honglang's instruction to prepare tea.
After instructing Secretary Lin, Xia Honglang turned to the disruptive directors and said, "We'll discuss any matters at the regular board meeting next Monday."
"But..." As someone was about to speak, their arm was nudged, and both individuals glanced towards Xiang Xueyuan.
Seeing that Xiang Xueyuan offered no reaction, the two exchanged glances before turning back to Xia Honglang. "Fine, then we'll discuss it at the regular board meeting next Monday. Mr. Xia, don't pull the same trick as you did today!"
In just three days, they didn't believe Xia Honglang could turn the tide and defy fate.
Xia Honglang showed no outward change, but he breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Although time was tight, it was at least an opportunity.
While the directors wished to curry favor with Xiang Xueyuan, they dared not act rashly at this moment. They simply bid a polite farewell and left Xia Honglang's office one by one.
After the directors had all departed and Secretary Lin had brought the tea, Xia Honglang then turned to Xiang Xueyuan with a smile, inquiring, "Professor Xiang, when did you arrive in Z City?"
"Just a few days ago." Taking the tea and offering his thanks, Xiang Xueyuan chuckled, "After being away from my homeland for so long, I began to miss it. After much thought, I decided to return for a visit. Furthermore, domestic development has been quite good in recent years, so I've come back to establish a research institute, continuing my old line of work: new energy research. I haven't announced it publicly yet, but I plan to officially reveal it sometime next week."
Xiang Xueyuan's words were modest and humble, but for Xia Honglang, they landed like a torpedo.
Xiang Xueyuan's standing in the field of new energy was renowned worldwide as a top expert.
His intention to develop new energy research in China perfectly aligned with Xia Shi's biggest project after its transformation, in collaboration with Gu Shi Entertainment.
Xia Honglang immediately understood why the directors were causing such a scene at this particular time.
Xia Shi's stock price was still holding steady, but once Xiang Xueyuan officially made his announcement next week, the new energy project, which relied on the collaboration with Gu Shi, would face a catastrophic plunge.
Xia Shi had invested a colossal sum in its transformation. Facing such impacts at this juncture, coupled with these outstanding debts...
Xia Honglang felt a shiver down his spine just thinking about it, and his expression immediately turned grim.
Xiang Xueyuan had been observing Xia Honglang's subtle reactions, and seeing his demeanor, Xiang Xueyuan's lips curved into a subtle upward arc.
This was merely a small token of his appreciation for Xia Qingtian.
If she couldn't even withstand this, how would she proceed?
Meanwhile, on the other side, Li Xiaozhong, after showering and resting, opened his computer to check something, his expression instantly becoming grave. "What's going on!"
It seemed he and Xia Qingyu were being deliberately targeted by a force in the stock market. The assets he had painstakingly accumulated over such a long period had evaporated by sixty percent!