Rebirth: My dad is too obedient

Chapter 572 A Turbulent Time, Exercise Utmost Caution
That evening, Xu Zhiquan, Xu Chen, and Fang Jun returned to Tiancheng.

Meanwhile, the due diligence team sent by Boss Wang has arrived in Tiancheng, and Xu Zhiquan has arranged for Wu Yue from the administration department to be in charge of receiving them.

The next morning, Xu Zhiquan had breakfast with Xu Chen and then went to the company alone.

For reasons unknown, Xu Zhiquan insisted on keeping Xu Chen at his home in "Lanshan Valley" and wouldn't let him go to the park with him.

They even called Fang Tao and Cheng Yong over and had them stay with Xu Chen the whole time.

In particular, when Xu Chen went out, Fang Tao and Cheng Yong would accompany him the whole time and keep Xu Chen informed of the itinerary.

Xu Chen was speechless, but still obediently listened to him.

……

That evening, Li Rui drove Xu Zhiquan back.

Xu Zhiquan did not arrange for Li Rui to leave, but instead had Li Rui, Fang Tao, and Cheng Yong stay at "Lanshan Valley".

Fortunately, there are plenty of rooms and beds here, and all the necessary living supplies are provided, so even if there are a few more people, there is still room for them.

Fang Tao and Cheng Yong were preparing dinner in the kitchen, while Li Rui was washing the car in the yard.

Xu Chen followed Xu Zhiquan to the study.

……

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette, while Xu Chen brewed some light tea beside him.

Old Xu spoke up:
"The due diligence team from Mr. Wang's investment company consisted of three people."

Two people were in our park today, and another person was running around outside. They said they spent half a day in Tiancheng and half a day in the provincial capital.

They've all left.

At the same time, Zhou Kai sent me a message saying he would give me a reply within the day.

Xu Chen: "It would be best if we could get news tomorrow."

I hope for a satisfactory outcome.

Xu Zhiquan then looked at Xu Chen:

"Is it time for my son to start school?"

Xu Chen: "Classes start the day after tomorrow, but..."

Xu Zhiquan nodded:
"You should go back to Shanghai tomorrow. It might be safer if you don't stay in Tiancheng."

I'll still let Fang Tao and Cheng Yong stay with you. I'll arrange for them to work at the Shanghai company first.

You should have them accompany you whenever you go out.

Xu Chen: "Dad, is something wrong?"

Xu Zhiquan took a drag of his cigarette:
"Nothing's wrong, but we need to be extra careful during these turbulent times."

We've been targeted, and we don't know the strength of the other party, but the fact that they can influence Wu Yongming and Jiang Huaqin means they're no ordinary business competitors.

Who knows what other tricks they might use.

Old Xu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then said:
“When I went to Beijing to work on the ‘Red Star’ project, Jiang Huaqin kept saying things like, ‘I envy you for having such a good son.’”

There are several reasons for this.

Xu Chen: "Huh?"

Xu Zhiquan: "He offended someone in his early business years, and his son was kidnapped when he was a teenager..."

When he came back, his arms and legs were all back to normal, but he still had some brain problems and was recovering at home.

Xu Chen: "..."

Xu Zhiquan: "The 'little wife' named Wei Xinyao who is next to Jiang Huaqin has always wanted to have a child for him."

But it's not that easy..."

Xu Chen remained silent.

Previously, Lao Xu had paid special attention to Xu Chen's safety, even saying that when he went out in Shanghai, he should have Huo Guolong as his driver and bodyguard.

It seems they knew of Jiang Huaqin's "precedents" back then.

Xu Chen still tried to comfort him:
"Dad, I'll be careful, but don't worry too much."

"It's not like it was a few years ago anymore, and besides, Shanghai's public security is much better; there are surveillance cameras everywhere."

……

……

The following Sunday, Xu Chen, along with Fang Tao and Cheng Yong, flew back to Shanghai.

Today is registration at the college, and classes will officially begin tomorrow.

After arriving in Shanghai, Xu Chen arranged for Fang Tao and Cheng Yong to stay together in "Tonghai New Village".

Xu Chen sleeps in the master bedroom, and the two younger brothers can squeeze into the second bedroom for two days without much problem.

Fang Tao said, "We have to follow along even when we're in class during the day." Xu Chen felt it wasn't very meaningful, so he arranged for them to work at the company in Shanghai first, which would be a good opportunity for them to share some of the dirty and tiring work with Huo Guolong.

Fang Tao and Cheng Yong were somewhat worried, so Xu Chen reassured them:

"Everything is fine at school, no need to worry."

But when I go out, you two can come with me.

Fang Tao said in a muffled voice:

"Brother Chen, if you need to get from school to the company, please let us know in advance and we'll come pick you up."

……

That afternoon, Xu Chen received a conference call initiated by Fang Jun.

It turns out that it was Wang Shi's investment company that had already given feedback.

Xu Zhiquan provided the following information over the phone:
"Zhou Kai gave me feedback that after due diligence and preliminary evaluation, they have approved the investment intention for 'Chenfeng Technology'."

However, we need to discuss the specific investment quotes and plans in person at their Shanghai headquarters.

That's good too; talking face-to-face is more efficient.

We can't afford to waste any more time...

"The time has been set, it will be the morning of the 26th."

Fang Jun and I will fly to Shanghai tomorrow.

Xu Chen: "That's great."

Fang Jun then raised a crucial question on the phone:
"The fact that their investment intentions were approved shows that they have also received and confirmed some information regarding Wu Yongming's case."

At least they have confirmed that what Wu Yongming is currently experiencing will not affect the future operation of 'Chenfeng Technology'.

This is consistent with our initial assessment and some preliminary information I have.

Wu Yongming's case was indeed just a ploy to stall us, but the truth will eventually come out, and the organization's investigation will clear his name.

There have been no public announcements or reports from the city or province, which already speaks volumes.

Xu Chen remained silent, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief:

"As for Wu Feifei, there's nothing to worry about..."

……

Monday the 25th.

Today is the first day of the official start of the semester, but we've already started taking professional courses.

Perhaps because they had just returned from winter break, many students were secretly dozing off in class.

Xu Chen sat quietly in the back row, listening to the lecture, but he seemed somewhat distracted...

At noon, Fang Tao and Cheng Yong came to the school and "picked up" Xu Chen.

Qian Xin and several other classmates looked puzzled when they saw him, so Xu Chen explained that he was a "friend" who "came to Shanghai for fun" and so on.

……

Shanghai City Company, small office on the 8th floor.

Only Nie Fei and Xu Chen were present.

Nie Fei also heard the commotion and asked about the specific situation of Tiancheng Company.

Xu Chen didn't hide anything. Firstly, Nie Fei was trustworthy, and secondly, as a partner of "Ranbing Sports," she had the right to know about major events in the group's underlying operations.

After listening, Nie Fei remained silent for a while before speaking:
"As for funds, I can personally raise about 18 million."

"If needed, I'll get started right away." Xu Chen remained silent, but couldn't help feeling a little emotional.

Sister Fei is truly a partner I can entrust with my life to...

He paused and said:
"Thank you, Sister Fei, but I'd better not bother for now."

With a potential investment of nearly two billion, even throwing in 18 million would be a complete waste.

We still need to wait for news from Mr. Wang or BlackRock, or for other financing channels to emerge.

Nie Fei frowned, her face showing worry:
"Unfortunately, the friends I can lend money to are basically at the same level and with the same attributes."

Several hundred million or tens of millions is possible, but for hundreds of millions or even billions, you really need to be someone in that circle…

Xu Chen nodded, then added reassuringly:
"Ranbing Sports is not affected for the time being, so there is no need to worry."

Mr. Xu was indeed farsighted; he had already separated the finances of 'Ranbing Sports' and 'Chenfeng Technology' last year.

The debts and crises on 'Morning Breeze' side have no effect here.

Xu Chen suddenly thought of something and spoke up again:

"Has 'Amrex Investment' been keeping an eye on us lately?"

Nie Fei: "Don't worry, I've been keeping an eye on things."

Moreover, lately, they've been struggling to take care of themselves..."

Xu Chen: "Why?"

Nie Fei: "They have also been investigated recently, it is said that some of their previous investments and acquisitions in China were not in compliance with regulations."

Moreover, their investigation is more or less related to the incident involving "Brother Bing" in August.

Xu Chen: "Huh?"

Nie Fei: "The public opinion wave surrounding Brother Bing still had a huge impact, and the media and companies involved were also tracked accordingly."

As you probably know from the media, several journalists who were involved in the incident have been disciplined.

They also found the online public relations company involved in the planning, as well as 'Amray', which provided the funding.

As a result, 'Amrex Investment' came to the attention of relevant departments..."

Xu Chen: "..."

Nie Fei: "They deserve it. Of all the people they could think of, they had to think of Brother Bing."

Furthermore, they resorted to despicable tactics like smearing Xie Bingran.

……

Later that afternoon, Xu Zhiquan and Fang Jun arrived in Shanghai.

For safety reasons, Li Rui accompanied them.

The three of them stayed directly at the "Tonghai University Guesthouse" hotel.

Nie Fei arranged dinner at a quiet, private local restaurant nearby.

There were only four people in the small private room: Xu Zhiquan, Fang Jun, Nie Fei, and Xu Chen.

Li Rui, Fang Tao, and Cheng Yong also came, but the matter that Lao Xu and the others wanted to discuss was sensitive, so they arranged for the three younger brothers to eat in the lobby of a restaurant outside.

……

Inside the private room, Old Xu was still all smiles, warmly inviting everyone to eat.

But Xu Chen still secretly noticed that Old Xu's face seemed to have become even thinner, and even the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes seemed to have deepened.

As a son, it's natural to feel sorry for him.

At this moment, the immense pressure in the company is all being borne silently by Lao Xu.

And as the "chairman," he would never reveal any feelings of discouragement or distress to outsiders...

During the meal, the conversation naturally veered towards tomorrow's meeting with Mr. Wang's investment company.

Fang Jun: "The investment intention has been confirmed, and now it's time to see the other party's specific investment plan."

My biggest concern is that their investment offer isn't high enough...

If the offer is lower than what BlackRock and Changfeng Investment initially offered, then it would be a huge loss.

Xu Zhiquan took a sip of the sweet soup and spoke frankly:

"Under the current circumstances, we will most likely have to accept whatever conditions or offers the other party makes."

Unless we are willing to accept bankruptcy liquidation at the end of March, or sell ourselves to 'Changfeng' and 'Panshi' who are trying to win this game.

So, we had almost no choice..."

The atmosphere in the room became slightly tense, and all four remained silent.

Just as Xu Zhiquan said, no matter what conditions Mr. Wang's investment company offers, he will probably have to agree to them.

Fang Jun has also inquired with BlackRock in the past two days.

They still have an intention to invest in "Chenfeng Technology", but as a wholly foreign-owned American investment institution, the policy situation for their investment in mainland China is indeed not very clear at present.

For Chenfeng Technology, there is no time left for BlackRock to test the boundaries of policy.

Xu Zhiquan also inquired about Jiang Huaqin's situation, and it turned out he was still trapped, with his cash assets still frozen...

Chenfeng Technology needs to come up with 3 million yuan within ten days, before March 5th.

And by the end of March, they need to raise more than a billion yuan.

Old Xu still has some connections that haven't been used yet, so he can lend out some more money. But compared to a total of nearly two billion yuan, it's just a drop in the bucket.

The only visible solution to these enormous financial pressures is Mr. Wang's investment company.

They were aware of the current financial pressure and time constraints facing "Chenfeng," and Xu Zhiquan frankly told them all of this.

If they have expressed an "investment intention" under these circumstances, then it would be able to resolve this debt problem of nearly two billion.

Xu Chen spoke again:

"What about 'Changfeng Investment' or 'Panshi Capital'? They haven't contacted you yet, right?"

Fang Jun shook his head expressionlessly.

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette and said:
"They know we can't raise 3 million yuan in cash before March 5th."

I estimate they will come to negotiate terms before March 5th.

In this way, whatever conditions they offer, we will have no choice but to accept them.

They're deliberately keeping us waiting, making us anxious, helpless, and even desperate.

That way, when they come back to negotiate terms later, they'll be hoping we'll beg to agree.

"..."

Everyone remained silent.

Xu Zhiquan paused for a moment, then continued:

"The investment company on Mr. Wang's side was introduced by Xu Chen, not by my connections or relationships, so 'Changfeng' and 'Panshi' should not know about it yet."

They set such a tight timeframe so that we wouldn't have any time to look for other financing channels and investment institutions.

Furthermore, they should be very certain that, due to the involvement of Wu Yongming, no investment institution or financing channel is willing to give us money now.

Therefore, Mr. Wang's investment company can verify Wu Yongming's basic situation and know that Wu Yongming will be exonerated in the future, which is a very, very lucky thing for 'Chenfeng'.

We don't know Mr. Wang's investment offer for tomorrow yet, but it will eventually be higher than what 'Changfeng' and 'Panshi' have offered.

After all, Changfeng and Panshi went through all this trouble, even going to great lengths to bring down Wu Yongming and Jiang Huaqin, just to swallow up Chenfeng Technology at an unimaginably low price.

Old Xu took a puff of his cigarette, exhaled a puff of white smoke, and said:

"Back then, even a bankrupt 'Guangming Factory' was a piece of meat in the eyes of many people, let alone 'Chenfeng Technology' now..."

"..."

Fang Jun remained expressionless.

"Now we just have to see if Boss Wang will also take advantage of the situation tomorrow."

Xu Zhiquan puffed on his cigarette, remaining silent.

……

……

(End of this chapter)