Chapter 1036 - 1001: Buying a Shell

Xu Chunliang told Hua Zhuyue about what Huang Jiucheng had mentioned. After listening, Hua Zhuyue couldn’t help but furrow her brows: "Is Qi Men also looking for Tang Jingwei?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Although the reason behind it is unclear, being cautious doesn’t hurt."

Hua Zhuyue nodded: "It seems that Tang Jingwei carries quite a few secrets in his heart."

Everyone has secrets, and the more secretive, the more easily they become leverage for others. Qiao Rulong took leave due to health reasons, but this didn’t cause much of a stir within Hua Tou.

Almost everyone knows Qiao Rulong had a heart transplant surgery; such a person is absolutely unable to handle heavy workloads. Despite his background and abilities, many still don’t see him continuing in a leadership position at Hua Tou for much longer.

Qiao Rulong fell into deep confusion. The sick leave provided him only a temporary buffer space, allowing him to calmly think about his future path, but not all issues have been resolved.

The situation with Qi Shuang and his son has already become a ticking time bomb, and the most troublesome part is that the fuse is in someone else’s hands.

When it explodes and how it explodes are completely controlled by others. For Qiao Rulong, this matter is already out of control. All he can do is try to minimize the damage caused by the explosion.

Grandpa Qiao probably no longer holds any hope for him. Although he hasn’t explicitly asked him to resign, he also won’t continue to protect him.

Qiao Rulong believed this crisis was entirely caused by his uncle, who provided Tang Jingwei with his secrets.

Qiao Rulong pondered which direction he should take. He opened the computer on his desk and began drafting a resignation letter. For him, the best solution is to leave the system, to withdraw to a safe area before the bomb explodes.

The phone on the desk rang. The call was from his uncle, Wang Sixuan.

Qiao Rulong furrowed his brows. A call now would likely be a routine inquiry. He answered the call after letting it ring a few times: "Hello, Uncle!"

Wang Sixuan’s voice was gentle: "Rulong, how’s your health?"

Qiao Rulong said, "Not too good, that’s why I’ve decided to be hospitalized for a comprehensive examination. I probably won’t be able to manage work stuff anytime soon."

"Your health is the priority. I’ll make arrangements for work matters. Nothing is more important than health."

Qiao Rulong looked at the resignation letter on the screen and thought to himself, ultimately, he must leave Hua Tou: "Uncle, if my examination results aren’t good, I might not be able to work any longer."

Wang Sixuan said, "You need not consider that issue for now. Wait until the results are out. By the way, Equatorial Capital is looking to collaborate with Hua Tou. Their new CEO, Ren Tianye, wants to meet with you. Is it possible for you to meet with him?" He added: "They seem interested in taking over Hua Tou’s projects in Dongzhou, and since you initially set those projects, you’re the most familiar with the situation."

Qiao Rulong discerned the underlying meaning in his words; clearly, he wanted him to handle his affairs before his sick leave. Upon reconsideration, if he decided to resign, transferring the Dongzhou projects would resolve everything, so he agreed.

In the afternoon, Equatorial Capital’s new CEO, Ren Tianye, came to meet him.

Before the meeting, Qiao Rulong looked into Ren Tianye’s information. The data was quite interesting; he had long been involved in mining investments in Latin America and Africa before recently returning to the country. From the information available, there aren’t any particularly brilliant investment achievements. Yet, since Equatorial Capital values him, he must possess certain capabilities.

The host and guest sat in the living room. Upon first meeting, Ren Tianye presented Qiao Rulong with a small gift, a bat fossil from America.

Qiao Rulong didn’t particularly like bats, but it is said this fossil is fifty million years old.

Ren Tianye smiled and said, "I wonder if President Qiao likes it. My intention in choosing this fossil was to send blessings."

Blessings and bats have the same pronunciation, and when receiving the gift, Qiao Rulong already understood his intention, smiled, and said, "Thank you, President Ren, for the blessings. I really like it."

Ren Tianye said, "I believe President Qiao is already aware of my intentions. Recently, Equatorial Capital is setting its sights on Dongzhou, so I’m here to discuss possible collaborations with President Qiao."

Qiao Rulong said, "I have heard a bit about your group’s investment directions. Your main investments in Dongzhou seem to be in the big health field."

Ren Tianye said, "That’s right."

Qiao Rulong said, "Hua Tou currently has no plans to invest in healthcare projects in Dongzhou. We only have one project investing in Dongzhou Culture and Tourism. Does President Ren have an interest in Dongzhou Culture and Tourism as well?"

Ren Tianye shook his head and said, "I have no interest in Dongzhou Culture and Tourism."

Qiao Rulong felt a bit odd; if he’s not interested in Dongzhou Culture and Tourism, what does he want to collaborate on? He remained polite: "Please have some tea."

Ren Tianye said, "I want to take over the project of Changxing Hospital."

Qiao Rulong’s heart was stirred. This person clearly came prepared. Given Qiao Rulong’s current situation, he certainly hoped Qi Shuang would withdraw from this project. Only then could future troubles be avoided, preventing others from exploiting it.

Qiao Rulong calmly said, "President Ren, did you possibly come to the wrong place? Hua Tou is not involved in the investment for Changxing Hospital."

Ren Tianye said, "There are some things that are better left unsaid because they’re understood. President Qiao, if Jishi Medical Investment Co., Ltd. continues to invest in Changxing, it will only cause you trouble. In the future, someone might use this matter against you. We originally planned to invest in the New Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital, but I halted that investment. I intend to acquire the shares held by Jishi Medical. If this deal goes through, Jishi Medical will not suffer any losses, and you can extricate yourself from the trouble."

Qiao Rulong looked at Ren Tianye, "Why are you doing this?"

Ren Tianye said, "For profit. Rather than spending a lot of money and time investing in a hospital that hasn’t yet been built, it’s better to buy shares in Changxing. Comparatively speaking, the latter requires less investment, has a shorter construction cycle, and offers quicker returns. Moreover, you’ve already reached an agreement with the Dongzhou side. We just need to buy the shell, which would relieve you of a burden and save us a lot of procedures."

Qiao Rulong couldn’t help but laugh, "President Ren is indeed good at seizing opportunities." He had to admit that he was tempted.

Ren Tianye said, "President Qiao, have you heard about the transfer of Dongzhou Jieyan Square?"

Qiao Rulong nodded, having heard that Zhengdao Real Estate was interested in acquiring Jieyan Square, but now Tang Jingwei is missing.

Ren Tianye said, "Huayuan Group’s debt restructuring failed, and Jiayue Department Store has seen frequent black swan events recently, with the stock price continuously dropping. Someone has already started acquiring."

Qiao Rulong took a sip of tea; the person Ren Tianye was referring to should be Wang Zhengdao.

Ren Tianye said, "Like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, many things have happened recently. Find the true beneficiary, and you’ll find the root cause of the incident."

Qiao Rulong grew more puzzled. Was Ren Tianye actually reminding him? Like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Could Wang Zhengdao be the oriole? He had no grievances with Wang Zhengdao, and with Wang Zhengdao’s son Wang Jiancheng, they had a cooperative relationship. With the relationship between the Qiao and Wang families, it was impossible for him to deal with me, right?

Qiao Rulong couldn’t help but suspect Ren Tianye’s motives.

Ren Tianye said, "Regarding the matter of Changxing Hospital, I hope President Qiao will help. The simplest way is for Equatorial Capital to acquire Jishi Investment. I’m leaving now. Oh, there are some things you might be interested in."

He placed a folder on the coffee table in front of him, got up, and took his leave.

After Qiao Rulong saw him out, he returned and looked at the folder in front of him for a while before picking it up and opening it. Inside were some transaction documents and several photos, including photos of Qiao Yuanjiang and Tang Jingwei, as well as a photo of Tang Jingwei with Wang Zhengdao.

The more Qiao Rulong looked at it, the more alarmed he became. Where exactly did Ren Tianye get this information? What shocked him even more were the connections between Tang Jingwei, Wang Zhengdao, and Qiao Yuanjiang.

Wang Zhengdao was lying on a sunbed. Ever since he recovered, he had become infatuated with sunbathing. Whenever he had the chance, he would enjoy the sunlight, trying to make up for three lost years.

Someone blocked his sunlight, and Wang Zhengdao opened his eyes, looking through his sunglasses to see his son, Wang Jiancheng.

"When did you get back?"

Wang Jiancheng said, "Just got back. I went to see Grandpa."

Wang Zhengdao smiled, "How is he?"

Wang Jiancheng sat down beside him, "Grandpa Qiao is there."

At these words, the smile on Wang Zhengdao’s face suddenly disappeared. He sat up and said, "Is there something up?"

Wang Jiancheng said, "I’m not sure, but judging from Grandpa’s expression, it seems quite serious."

Wang Zhengdao thought for a moment and said, "He wouldn’t come over if it wasn’t something major."

Wang Jiancheng said, "Probably."

Wang Zhengdao asked his son to help apply more sunscreen, then lay back on the sunbed, "Jiancheng, how is Jishi’s acquisition of the hospital progressing?"

Wang Jiancheng said, "I’m just a small shareholder; the decision-making power is in Qi Shuang’s hands."

"A woman in charge and everything collapses. Once this matter is clear, you should withdraw from Jishi. Qiao Rulong letting you join was nothing more than to draw you in, using you to share the pressure."

Wang Jiancheng said, "Dad, Brother Rulong has always treated me well."

Wang Zhengdao squinted his eyes and said, "Someone like him lacks vision and can’t go far. His little scandals will eventually come to light, and when that time comes, he’ll bring disgrace to the Old Qiao Family."

Wang Jiancheng said, "I heard he’s having heart problems again and is already hospitalized."

"Guilty conscience, isn’t it? Using his power to force Tang Jingwei to sell Changxing’s shares at a low price, thinking he’s smart and got a good deal. But such tactics will never be respectable."

Wang Jiancheng said, "Dad, Brother Rulong probably wouldn’t do that. It must be Pan Weidong, that brute, messing things up."

Wang Zhengdao sighed and said, "What about the Pan Family? Their background is so complicated; getting involved is a big trouble. Elder Qiao, wise as he is, how did he end up with such a muddle-headed grandson? Jiancheng, stay away from him to avoid getting splattered with blood when he gets stabbed."