Who's going to be the female lead's simp? Aren't the supporting female characters mor

In the shadows of the Jiang family study, Jiang Wenyuan stood quietly.

He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes behind the lenses calm to the point of being cold.

"Young Master, losing your temper won't solve anything." Jiang Wenyuan's voice was calm, but it was like a bucket of cold water being poured over Jiang Han's head. "The key issue now is not who is kicking someone when they're down, but who lifted the lid off the well."

"Who else could it be? It must be Bai Jingyou!" Jiang Han whirled around, his eyes bloodshot. "That plot of land collapsed right after the handover. What a coincidence! And those so-called insider leaks, they even know exactly which company's steel bars we used. This was clearly premeditated!"

Jiang Wenyuan didn't reply, but simply picked up the tablet computer on the table, swiped it a few times, and handed it to Jiang Han.

"Young master, please take a look at this."

The screen displays an emergency notice from the regulatory authorities, along with in-depth reports from several mainstream authoritative media outlets.

This time, it wasn't just those tabloids that were only good at spreading rumors that took action.

Instead, top media outlets simultaneously voiced their opinions, with an unusually consistent stance: questioning whether there was systemic fraud in all of Jiang's Group's infrastructure projects over the past three years.

At the end of these reports, the word "strict investigation" was mentioned implicitly.

"This is..." Jiang Han's hand trembled slightly, "The Ye family?"

In Beijing, apart from a few top-tier families, no one can mobilize this level of public opinion resources overnight.

The only one who has recently had a conflict with the Jiang family and has this motive is Ye Lingqing.

"Miss Ye has personally taken part in this." Jiang Wenyuan sighed, his tone revealing a deep sense of powerlessness. "Young Master, this time we are not facing a Bai Jingyou, but a trap that has been set up and is waiting for its prey. Bai Jingyou is the bait, Feng Rui is the net, and Ye Lingqing... is the one who will pull in the net."

The study door was pushed open.

Grandpa Jiang walked in, leaning on his cane.

He seemed to have aged ten years overnight; his once straight back was now somewhat hunched.

"Grandpa!" Jiang Han rushed forward as if he had seen a savior. "You have to save the company! The bank says they're going to withdraw loans. If our cash flow is cut off, we're all finished!"

Grandpa Jiang didn't look at his grandson, but went straight to the window and looked at the withered old locust tree outside.

"Save us? What can we use to save us?" The old man's voice was hoarse. "When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down. Old Liu from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission just called me. He only said one sentence on the phone: 'It's all business.'"

Four words were enough to seal his fate.

That piece of land was donated by the Jiang family to help Jiang Han. Now that there's a problem with the land, the authorities will not only not appreciate the favor, but will also think that the Jiang family is treating the country like fools.

This is ten thousand times worse than simple commercial fraud.

"Then...then shall we go and talk to Bai Jingyou?" Jiang Han panicked. "As long as he's willing to stop, as long as he's willing to come forward and clarify that it was an accident..."

"Snapped!"

Grandpa Jiang turned around and struck Jiang Han's calf hard with his cane.

"Fool! Can't you see the situation by now?" The old man's eyes widened in anger. "Bai Jingyou has set up this scheme to destroy the Jiang family! You're going to beg him? Do you think the Jiang family hasn't lost enough face already?!"

Jiang Han knelt on the ground in pain, but dared not utter a sound.

"Wen Yuan." Old Master Jiang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart. "Notify the finance department to prepare to sell assets. Sell everything that can be sold, including the shopping mall in the south of the city and the shares in the several listed companies we hold. First, plug the hole in the bank; we absolutely cannot let the news of the broken capital chain be confirmed."

"Old man, selling now... that's like taking a loss." Jiang Wenyuan frowned. "Market sentiment is panicked; those assets will have to be discounted by at least 40%."

"We have to sell it even at a 60% discount!" Old Master Jiang closed his eyes, a wisp of cloudy tear sliding down his cheek. "A drastic measure is better than total annihilation. As long as the foundation remains, the Jiang family still has a chance to turn things around."

……

Meanwhile, at the DeepBlue Technology Building.

Compared to the Jiang family's bleak and miserable situation, the atmosphere here was peaceful and even somewhat leisurely.

Bai Jingyou sat in the large leather executive chair, a cup of black coffee in his hand. Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft golden glow on him.

On the large screen opposite the desk, the stock prices of several listed companies under the Jiang Group are scrolling in real time.

A sea of ​​green—that's the color of a stock hitting its daily limit down.

"Boss, the Jiang family has started selling off assets." Chen Mo reported rapidly, holding a tablet in his hand. "We just detected a large transaction record. The Jiang family's shares in 'Tianhong Shares' and 'Jingxi Department Store' are being listed for sale at a price 15% lower than the market price."

"Only fifteen percent?" Bai Jingyou took a sip of coffee, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Old Master Jiang is too optimistic. Tell Feng Rui to have his people not rush to take over. Let it sit for a while longer."

"How long should it be left to dry?"

"Let them lower their prices to 60%." Bai Jingyou put down his coffee cup, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "The Jiang family is like a patient who has lost too much blood and desperately needs a transfusion. We're not in a hurry; they are."

Just then, the internal phone on the table rang.

"Mr. Bai, the receptionist said a Mr. Li He is looking for you. He didn't have an appointment, but..." The receptionist hesitated, "...he said he's here to deliver money."

Bai Jingyou raised an eyebrow: "Let him come up."

A few minutes later, Li He burst into the office. He was dressed impeccably today, in a dark blue suit, with his hair styled in hair wax, and carrying two huge file folders.

"Brother! Dear brother! You're amazing!"

Li He slammed the file folder on the table, his eyes shining with excitement. "My dad just called and raved about me, saying I've finally done something worthwhile in my life! Do you know how many building material orders the Jiang family has lost? Eighty percent! They've all been snapped up by the Li family and a few other companies!"

"That's what you deserve." Bai Jingyou smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the two file folders. "What's inside?"

"Oh, this is a pledge of allegiance!" Li He rubbed his hands together and chuckled. "My dad said that from now on, Deep Blue Technology will hold a 20% stake in the Li family's building materials business in Beijing. Also, these are photocopies of the raw material supply contracts for the Jiang family's construction sites in the east of the city. My dad got them through connections. There are quite a few shady dealings involved. If you think it's not enough, we can give the Jiang family a little push."

Bai Jingyou picked up the contract and casually flipped through a few pages.

That old fox from the Li family is indeed the kind of person who won't act until he sees a clear benefit.

They had been observing the situation, but now that they see the Jiang family's power is waning, they immediately come to pledge their loyalty.

These two-tenths of the shares are not only a thank-you gift, but also a protection fee.

"No need to add more fuel to the fire." Bai Jingyou tossed the documents back onto the table. "Too much of a good thing. The Jiang family is already on edge. If we push them any further, and Old Master Jiang gets desperate, it won't benefit anyone. We're after money, not anger."

"Listen to me, bro." Li He was now completely obedient to Bai Jingyou. "So what are we going to do next? Just stand here and watch them cry?"

"No." Bai Jingyou stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the huge city below.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the high-rise buildings and land on a family that was in a state of utter distress.

"Next, it's time to reap the spoils." Bai Jingyou straightened his collar, turned to Chen Mo, and said, "Prepare the car."

"Where to?" Chen Mo asked.

"Jiang Group Headquarters"

Bai Jingyou's eyes gleamed with the unique light of a hunter. "I heard that Grandpa Jiang is selling a building? As a junior, it is my duty to lend a hand during this difficult time."

……

An hour later.

Top-floor conference room of the Jiang Group Building.

The air was thick with the suffocating smell of smoke.

Grandpa Jiang sat in the main seat, his face gaunt and haggard.

Jiang Han sat beside him, head down, like a primary school student who had made a mistake.

The long table in the conference room was filled with the group's senior executives and shareholders.

Anxiety and panic were written all over everyone's face.

"Chairman, have you found a buyer for Chengnan Shopping Mall?" a shareholder couldn't help but ask. "The bank only gave us three days. If the funds aren't in place, they'll have to initiate the asset freeze process."

"We're in talks," Jiang Wenyuan answered for the old man, his voice a little hoarse. "But the other party is pushing the price down too hard; they're only willing to offer half price."

"50% off?!"

The meeting room erupted in uproar.

"This is outrageous! That's a prime commercial property!"

"Exactly! Isn't this taking advantage of someone's misfortune?"

"But what if we don't sell? Are we just going to wait for bankruptcy liquidation?"

The arguing continued, but Old Master Jiang kept his eyes closed and remained silent. He knew perfectly well that this was the business world.

When you are weak, you are surrounded by wild beasts that want to come up and bite you.

Just then, the conference room door was pushed open from the outside.

There was no loud bang, nor any arrogant shouting.

The door was gently pushed open, as if a guest had arrived.

Bai Jingyou, dressed in a well-tailored black overcoat, strode in with a composed gait. Chen Mo followed behind him, carrying a black briefcase.

The meeting room fell silent instantly.

All eyes were on the young man. Some were angry, some were terrified, and some had mixed feelings.

Jiang Han abruptly raised her head, staring intently at Bai Jingyou, her eyes practically spitting fire: "Bai Jingyou! What are you doing here?! To watch us make a fool of ourselves?!"

"Young Master Jiang, you're being too polite."

Bai Jingyou smiled slightly, ignoring the murderous glares directed at him.

He walked straight to the end of the long table, pulled out a chair, and sat down with the elegance of someone attending an afternoon tea.

"I heard that the Jiang family has recently encountered some financial difficulties and is in a hurry to sell assets."

Bai Jingyou looked around, his gaze finally settling on Old Master Jiang's aged face.

"Perfect timing. Deep Blue Technology has some spare cash on hand lately." He tapped his long fingers lightly on the table, making a crisp sound. "I'll take over the South City Shopping Mall and those residential plots of land you have waiting to be developed."

Old Master Jiang slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint in his cloudy gaze: "You want to swallow up the Jiang family?"

"Swallow?" Bai Jingyou shook his head, holding up four fingers. "Grandpa, you flatter me. I'm helping the Jiang family cut their losses. 40% off, cash transaction, funds will arrive within three business days."

"40% off?!" Jiang Han jumped up, pointing at Bai Jingyou's nose and yelling, "You're dreaming! This is robbery! I'd rather let that land rot in my hands than sell it to you!"

"Rotten in your hands?" Bai Jingyou chuckled, his eyes suddenly turning cold. "Young Master Jiang, you probably haven't grasped the situation. Right now, besides me, who else in the entire capital dares to take over the Jiang family's business?"

He snapped his fingers.

Chen Mo immediately stepped forward, took out a stack of documents from his briefcase, and distributed them to the shareholders present.

"This is the risk assessment report just issued by the bank." Bai Jingyou's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to everyone's ears. "The Jiang Group has been placed on the 'high-risk' list. If the funds don't arrive today, by this time tomorrow, here..."

He pointed to the floor beneath his feet.

"...it's about to be sealed off by the court."

A deathly silence.

The shareholders stared at the report in their hands, their faces ashen. They didn't care about the Jiang family's reputation; they only cared about their own wallets.

"I think... Mr. Bai's suggestion is not something that can't be considered." A minor shareholder raised his hand tremblingly.

This sentence was like the last straw that broke the camel's back for the Jiang family.