Chapter 359: Adversity
Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter
Tang Lianshui nodded. โYes, because our contract was only recently signed and hasn't been ratified by a third party, they can revoke it easily.โ
Ning Qingxue frowned. โThis is the fourth company to cancel a contract with us in three months. Why is this happening?โ
โI know the Ti Feng Corporationโs sales manager. He told me they didnโt willingly revoke the agreement. It was Yuan Bei Corporation,โ Tang Lianshui said helplessly.
โYuan Bei Corporation? The largest pharmaceutical corporation in China? Why would they care about our small company?โ Ning Qingxue asked.
Tang Lianshui sighed. He felt this young CEO lacked her former decisiveness. She seemed distracted and forgetful. He replied, โSix months ago, they tried to buy our company, but you rejected them outright without considering their offer. Manager Liโs investigation revealed they aim to monopolize the pharmaceutical industry in Yu State. They didnโt need to buy us, but six months ago, at the pharmaceutical exhibition, their CEO, Yuan Qibing, saw you and asked you to dinner. He likely decided to buy our company after you refused him.โ
Ning Qingxueโs face hardened. โDoesnโt he know Iโm married? Why didnโt Li Mumei tell me?โ
Li Mumeiโs voice came from the doorway. โQingxue, I didnโt tell you because I thought you were preoccupied lately. The companyโs been struggling, and I didnโt want to add to your worries. Only a few of us know about your marriage; Manager Tang didnโt.โ
Tang Lianshui said wryly, โIndeed, I had no idea.โ
Li Mumei looked at the resignation letter in Tang Lianshuiโs hand. โManager Tang, are you resigning?โ
Tang Lianshui looked guilty. โSorry, CEO Ning, CEO Li. Iโฆ Iโm submitting my resignation.โ
Ning Qingxue looked surprised, then at the letter. After a long pause, she said, โOkay. Give me the letter. Iโll sign it and have someone process it. Tell them Iโve approved it.โ
After Tang Lianshui left, Li Mumei sighed. โQingxue, we canโt blame him. His wifeโs hospital bills are high, and the companyโs in crisis. He doesnโt have enough money for her treatment.โ
Ning Qingxue nodded. โI know. Iโve been preoccupied and havenโt noticed. Manager Tang is capable, but without a stable platform, he canโt succeed. Thatโs our companyโs problem.โ
Li Mumei nodded. โYuan Beiโs CEO is bullying us. Itโs despicable, but theyโre the largest pharmaceutical company in China. No one wants to cross them. They might secure the Asia spot at the Beijing Luo Yue Corporation conference in two days. Other companies are afraid to offend them, even with the slightest connection to Luo Yue. It would be extremely lucrative.โ
โAre they so sure theyโll be chosen by Luo Yue?โ Ning Qingxue frowned.
Li Mumei said wryly, โYuan Bei is the largest pharmaceutical company in Asia, and a top 5 globally. While our beauty pill is unique, itโs just one product. Yuan Beiโs power far surpasses Luo Yueโs. I suspect Luo Yue is seeking to cooperate with them, not the other way around.โ
Ning Qingxue rubbed her forehead. She knew Li Mumei was right, but she felt helpless.
โMumei, even if our company fails, I wonโt sell it to them,โ Ning Qingxue said coldly.
Li Mumei nodded. โI know this company is your parentsโ legacy. I donโt want to sell it to Yuan Bei either. But if they continue to suppress us, weโll be forced to shut down.โ
Ning Qingxue nodded. โRegardless, we need to attend the Beijing conference. We need to try our luck. Luo Yue is looking for two Asian partners. We can work hard to be one of them.โ
Li Mumei nodded silently. She knew the chances were slim. If Yuan Bei spread negative news about Fei Yu, other companies wouldnโt cooperate with them. Yuan Bei held significant international status; their heart safety serum was world-renowned and highly profitable.
A knock. Manager Yu from Human Resources entered, looking worried. โCEO Ning, CEO Li, many employees have resigned lately. Should we do something?โ
Li Mumei said firmly, โNo need. If they want to leave, let them. If we partner with Luo Yue in two days, that will be more convincing than anything.โ
After Manager Yu left, Li Mumei felt helpless. Others aimed to partner with Luo Yue; they were fighting to become a subordinate. The difference was vast. She knew hundreds of Asian companies wanted to partner with Luo Yue, and theirs was near the bottom.
Ning Qingxue remained silent until Manager Yu left. โMumei, what was it?โ
Li Mumei nodded. โLast night, there was a murder at Yuan Ge World. A counterfeiting boss was killed, butโฆโ
โBut what?โ Ning Qingxue asked quickly.
โI reviewed police footage. Ye Mo was there last night. He ordered a beer but didnโt drink it. He stayed a while, tipped generously, and left. His departure coincided with Fei Feiโs return and CEO Chengโs arrival. Police suspect him, but canโt find him,โ Li Mumei said.
โWhat does that have to do with him? He didnโt go upstairs,โ Ning Qingxue said, oblivious to Li Mumeiโs surprised expression.
โMumei, letโs focus on the Beijing trip. My father goes tomorrow; we go the day after. We have to try,โ Ning Qingxue finally refocused on the company.
Li Mumei smiled wryly. You told me to investigate. I didn't want to get involved. She noticed Ning Qingxueโs changed attitude since revealing her marriage to Ye Mo. Li Mumei saw the shift, but Ning Qingxue likely didnโt.