Returning - Chapter 181

Chapter 181: Negotiation

Zhao Yu had once imagined countless times what it would be like to finally meet Zhuang Yiqing face to face.

Perhaps she would feel a surge of vengeful delight at seeing her shock and dismay; perhaps, just like that time in the bridal shop, she would be overwhelmed and unable to bear it as Zhuang Yiqing dredged up too many nightmarish memories.

But now that the moment had truly arrived, she was far calmer than she had expected.

This woman, this face etched into her very bones, had appeared before her eyes countless times, whether she was awake or in dreams.

She had also imagined more than once rushing up to slap her fiercely, wanting to cut her flesh and gouge out her heart with a knife, wanting to curse and humiliate her with the most vicious language in the world...

Yet all these impulses, when they actually met, naturally vanished entirely.

Because doing those things would only be a fleeting release, far from enough to match the harm this woman had caused her.

Mental torment is always harder to bear than physical torment.

She knew very well what Zhuang Yiqing cared about most. Only by destroying the things she cherished most, piece by piece, could she make her experience the suffering Tang Xi had endured back then.

Shang Lu, worried that she might not be able to withstand it, reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, allowing her to lean her weight against him. However, she merely smiled faintly at Zhuang Yiqing and said, "We finally meet again, Sister."

Sister — that was the form of address Zhuang Yiqing had smilingly told her to use when they first met four years ago.

Back then, the Zhuang Yiqing who had just knocked on her door was so gentle and considerate. She had said to her, "Since you are Zhuang Ye's girlfriend, just call me Sister like he does."

Unfortunately, after only a few words were exchanged, that dignified and elegant sister had transformed into a terrifying demon.

Zhuang Zhen had never met Zhao Yu and did not know her identity, but seeing Zhuang Yiqing's abnormal reaction, he seemed to guess something. Still somewhat uncertain, he looked at Shang Lu: "This is..."

Shang Lu said, "My wife, Zhao Yu. She also has another name — Tang Xi."

Zhuang Zhen was stunned. He stared at Zhao Yu for a few seconds, then abruptly looked at Shang Lu: "President Shang, doing this..."

"It is legal and compliant," Shang Lu smiled. "Chairman Zhuang, rest assured, the agreement I signed with Lanxi still holds. Since I promised not to dissolve the company or dismiss the management, naturally I cannot breach the contract. Otherwise, Lanxi can take Kuangshiji to court based on the agreement at any time. It's just that..."

At this point, he offered an apologetic expression. "As a shareholder, I am entitled to cast an abstention vote. You have no right to stop me from doing that. Whatever I wish to do outside of the contract, you also have no right to stop. And of course, there is an even more important point: even if it means breaching the contract, I don't care. Because now, my wife has the final say in my company."

Zhuang Zhen closed his eyes in despair and slumped back onto the sofa. Han Changming remarked sarcastically, "So Kuangshiji is nothing more than a company utterly lacking in credibility and integrity. We misjudged you."

Shang Lu let out a low chuckle. "President Han talking to me about integrity is rather amusing. Why not first ask this President Zhuang here whether there is any such thing as integrity in the Zhuang family?"

After staring at Zhao Yu for a long while, her face drained of color, Zhuang Yiqing finally spoke slowly: "What do you want?"

"What do I want? You don't know?" Zhao Yu looked at her coldly. "I want you to pay with your life."

Zhuang Yiqing clenched her teeth tightly, but could not utter a single word.

Zhao Yu walked slowly over and sat down opposite Zhuang Zhen. "The current situation should be quite clear to Chairman Zhuang. The majority of Lanxi's equity is now in my hands. Whether it is Huacan, Kuangshiji, or Yiyuan, any of us can propose convening a shareholders' meeting at any time, or even convene and preside over a shareholders' meeting ourselves. As for the outcome of that meeting, I believe Chairman Zhuang can guess."

Zhuang Zhen sighed. "Just say directly what you intend to do."

"It's very simple. I am giving the Zhuang family a choice. Either all of you, the Zhuang family, leave Lanxi; or expel Zhuang Yiqing from Lanxi and from the Zhuang family, and you can continue to be your Chairman."

Zhuang Zhen did not seem surprised. Zhuang Yiqing, however, glared hatefully at Zhao Yu. "In your dreams."

"Whether it is a dream or not, won't we know once we call a meeting of your Zhuang family members? See if they want to protect you, or protect themselves."

Zhao Yu looked at her, her face full of scorn. "And it happens to let you see clearly whether someone like you, who doesn't even regard others' lives as anything, will be taken seriously by anyone."

Such a choice did not even need the Zhuang family to make it for the answer to be clear. Not to mention that this family had long been riddled with infighting; even a harmonious family, when faced with imminent catastrophe, might not necessarily stand united.

Zhuang Yiqing sneered: "In this family, they don't get to make the decisions."

These words did not seem to be addressed to Zhao Yu, but rather to Zhuang Zhen.

Zhuang Zhen remained silent for a long time, then said, "I need time to consider."

Shang Lu smiled lightly. "I apologize, Chairman Zhuang, but I wasn't planning to give you much time."

President Qian, sitting in the corner, suddenly stood up. "Don't push people too far! So what if you have the equity? Don't assume Lanxi is yours to butcher as you please."

Shang Lu gave a nonchalant "Oh" and said, "I almost forgot, we still can't enter the board of directors yet. According to your company's articles of association..."

The door was suddenly pushed open, and a haggard-looking Zhuang Ye walked slowly in. "Article 98 of the company's articles of association stipulates that the list of director candidates shall be proposed by the previous board of directors or by shareholders who, individually or collectively, have held three percent or more of the company's total outstanding voting rights for 180 consecutive trading days. No matter how much equity you hold, you currently have no right to nominate director candidates. The board of directors is still under Lanxi's control."

Lowering his gaze to glance at Zhao Yu on the sofa, Zhuang Ye continued, "However, I have the right to nominate."

After saying this, he walked straight up to Zhuang Zhen. "As a shareholder of Lanxi, I have the right to nominate new directors. After the shareholders' meeting elects new directors, the new board of directors... can also remove you as Chairman."

After the prior vasectomy incident, neither Zhuang Zhen nor Zhuang Yiqing would be shocked by whatever Zhuang Ye did. Yet when he truly stood against the Zhuang family like this, every word he spoke still struck hard at their hearts.

Originally, they still controlled the board of directors and had time to maneuver against their enemies. But now, with Zhuang Ye pulling this move, it entirely left the Zhuang family with no room to resist.

Zhuang Zhen's lips trembled with anger. Zhuang Yiqing looked at Zhuang Ye in despair. "Do you really have to be so heartless?"

Zhuang Ye stared at her blankly. "Wasn't it you who was heartless to Xi Xi first?"

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