Chapter 8
"Secretary?" Chu Mingyu clearly didn't believe it. His gaze toward him carried suspicion and wariness.
Feng Jin's eyes fell on Jiang Suliu. Even though she couldn't see his expression, she felt a strange sense of discord.
Just then, her phone rang.
Jiang Suliu returned to his usual calm demeanor, took out the phone, and handed it to Feng Jin.
Feng Jin took the phone and said, "Secretary Jiang, take Mr. Chu to the conference room."
"Yes, President." Jiang Suliu walked slightly ahead, and very politely said, "This way, Mr. Chu."
At that moment, several other shareholders came walking down the opposite corridor. Only then did Chu Mingyu give up, frowning as he glanced at Jiang Suliu before heading straight to the meeting room. Jiang Suliu did not follow. He stood still, looking in the direction Feng Jin had gone.
The brief, subtle emotion in Feng Jin's eyes when Chu Mingyu appeared made him feel distinctly uncomfortable.
Though he couldn't quite explain why.
Feng Jin walked to the corner of the corridor. Her phone had already stopped ringing. Only those close to her knew this number, so she always kept it with her.
She redialed the number, and after a moment, it was answered.
"Miss," the voice on the other end paused, then continued, "The Chairman already knows that you and the Chu family have dissolved the engagement."
Feng Jin's eyes darkened slightly upon hearing this. "How is my father?"
"The Chairman didn't say anything. He sat silently in the garden all afternoon."
Feng Jin exhaled and said, "I'll try to visit next week."
"Miss, please also take care of yourself. I'll keep an eye on things here."
"Thank you, Uncle Zhong."
After hanging up, Feng Jin leaned against the wall, staring at the towering buildings beyond the reinforced glass.
She wasn't sure how her father had found out about the broken engagement so quickly, but for the sake of his health, she had wanted to delay the news. Hearing that he hadn't gotten angry, she couldn't help but think more.
Perhaps her father had already sensed the Chu family's intentions. Maybe he chose not to act out of concern for the younger generation or out of confidence.
But ever since he fell ill, the Chu family had lost their patience.
The Chu family had been merchants for five generations and was a prestigious family in S City. However, starting with Chu Mingyu's father, their business declined, and Chu Mingyu himself lacked the talent for it. These days, the Chu family appeared glamorous on the outside but was rotten within. Feng Jin had once considered fully supporting the Chu family in the future. But just as she was about to do so, Chu Mingyu ended up in bed with another woman.
It made Feng Jin reflect on whether she had invested too much time in the company and had been too emotionally indifferent.
She knew how to handle partners and how to fight for the best interests at the negotiation table. But when it came to love, her relationship with Chu Mingyu had always been lukewarm. She thought there was nothing wrong with a slow and steady relationship. Had she been too naive? Or had time eroded whatever feeling there once was?
Feng Jin loosened her collar and took a deep breath. Maybe it was neither.
Perhaps it wasn't just Chu Mingyu's fault.
Since she took over as president of Sheng'an Group, the overwhelming business duties left her no room to breathe. She had no choice. The business world was a battlefield. Her father's worsening health meant many had their eyes on Sheng'an, and even more people were laying traps in secret. Only by being stronger than everyone else could she avoid being caught in their schemes. And so she kept moving forward.
In the process, she had neglected her relationship with Chu Mingyu.
Or maybe she had been too arrogant. She knew Chu Mingyu didn't like business or social events and only wanted to continue studying oil painting. But how could the Chu family allow their only heir to give up the company?
She had seen Chu Mingyu's inner turmoil and thought that as long as she was strong enough, she could support everything. After marriage, Chu Mingyu could pursue what he loved without being burdened by business.
She thought being with Chu Mingyu was a decision between two people. But clearly, that wasn't the case.
Yes. She had been too self-righteous. All along.
Feng Jin took out half a pack of Su cigarettes from her pocket, took one out, lit it, and let the smoke drift slowly into the air. Her slender, fair fingers curved slightly, her eyes now cold and detached.
Just then, the cigarette was suddenly taken from her fingers.
Feng Jin looked at the person who appeared, her expression somewhat cool. "Secretary Jiang?"
"President, this is a no-smoking area." Jiang Suliu threw the barely-smoked cigarette into a nearby trash can and reminded her, "All the shareholders have arrived."
It took Feng Jin a moment to gather herself. Realizing she was near the meeting room, she said, "I see," and turned to leave.
"President, this is for you."
Feng Jin looked at her secretary, then at the chocolate in his hand.
"You didn't eat much at lunch. The meeting will last at least two hours. If you don't mind, please have a bite first."
At that moment, she met his peach blossom eyes, captivating even behind his glasses. By the time she came back to her senses, she had already taken the chocolate from his hand.
"Then, President, please be in the meeting room within ten minutes."
After Jiang Suliu left, Feng Jin stared blankly at the dark chocolate in her hand. She wasn't addicted to smoking; sometimes, she just used it to ease invisible pressure. She unwrapped the chocolate and took a bite. At once, the bitterness carried a strange trace of sweetness that melted in her mouth. The taste wasn't cloying as she had expected.
She threw the wrapper into the nearby trash can. Her face returned to its usual cold sharpness as she walked toward the meeting room.
When Feng Jin entered, all eyes turned to her. Most shareholders present were from her father's generation, with a few younger attendees representing absent members. Feng Jin took the lead seat, gave a brief, formal opening statement, and signaled for Jiang Suliu to proceed with the company's annual summary and three-year development plan.
Although several partners had recently terminated their agreements with Sheng'an, the company's high-profit investment projects remained unaffected. Thus, most shareholders had little reaction.
But not all.
A middle-aged man in a suit raised his hand, halting Jiang Suliu's report.
"President Feng, many of our partners have terminated their contracts. The losses are considerable. While the damage isn't obvious yet, this will lead to a vicious cycle that will hurt our interests long term. Can you give us a reasonable explanation?"
The meeting room fell into silence, then murmurs spread among the attendees.
Feng Jin noted the various looks—skeptical, mocking, gloating.
Her face remained stern as she calmly said, "Then please listen quietly."
The middle-aged man looked displeased. From the start, he disapproved of a woman managing a company as large as Sheng'an. It had been tolerable before, but now the mass termination of contracts had seriously affected the shareholders' profits. If it weren't for the Feng family holding 58% of shares, she would have been replaced long ago. He held back, ultimately saying no more.
"As everyone knows, the global economic crisis has had a significant impact on our company. In response, the company has formulated its development goals for 2016–2018..."
Jiang Suliu continued his report for another fifteen minutes, focusing on Sheng'an's future development plans and employee welfare. His voice was calm and steady, his tone clear and organized. Though the content was lengthy and dry, it managed to quiet the entire room.
...
"We agree to the 2015 dividend distribution ratio of 12%."
"We, in principle, approve of the report presented by Director and CEO Ms. Feng Jin on the 2016 summary and 2018 business plan of Sheng'an Group."
...
"Report concluded." Jiang Suliu gestured politely to the attendees.
Feng Jin gave a slight nod and then addressed the shareholders: "Following the above, please cast your votes."