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Chapter 169
Chapter 169
Chapter 169: The Power Struggle, Su Lin Steps In, Leadership Change in the Li Family!
Li Weifeng soon realized he had been overly optimistic. In a single day, the market value of Li Corporation evaporated by over a hundred billion, and the next day saw another drop of forty percent.
Through this short-selling move, Su Lin directly earned over a hundred billion. With this battle, Su Lin became renowned, leaving others far behind on the leaderboard.
Seeing the long string of numbers associated with Su Lin on the leaderboard left countless retail investors and newbies astonished. They realized their efforts in stock trading paled in comparison to Su Lin’s achievements. Within two days, through leverage trading, he made over a hundred billion.
Su Lin’s short-selling ignited the enthusiasm of individual investors, who began to short-sell Li Corporation’s stocks en masse, leading to a precipitous decline in the company’s stock value.
Monitoring the stock market, Su Lin contemplated what would happen if it was officially announced tomorrow that Li Ziyu would resume her position as the general manager.
To his surprise, if Li Ziyu were to return, Li Corporation’s stock price could potentially soar by 180%, reaching new heights. Li Ziyu had secured numerous high-quality projects for Li Corporation, which had not been officially announced yet. Her return would bring this news, causing the stock price to skyrocket.
“This must be quite a spectacle in the Li household.” As Su Lin speculated, the international management team from Hunter was parting ways with Li Weifeng.
“Mr. Li! The fluctuations in Li Corporation’s stocks are too severe. Our headquarters must reassess the rating. I’m sorry, we just arrived today, and we have to leave tonight,” Hunter said with an apologetic face.
Hearing this, Li Weifeng exploded, trembling as he asked, “What do you mean by reassess the rating?”
“Previously, we rated Li Corporation as an A-grade quality enterprise. However, after arriving in Donghai today, we realized our assessment was too one-sided.”
“Mr. Li, we hope you overcome the current difficulties before seeking our professional management team’s help in managing your enterprise.”
Li Weifeng doubted he could overcome the current difficulties, let alone a manager.
“Mr. Hunter, if you think the commission is not enough, we can negotiate further.”
Hunter shook his head, “Mr. Li, this has nothing to do with the commission. Your corporation lost over a hundred billion in market value in just two days. I cannot manage such a company in good conscience.”
“We have a contract, and if there are issues during our management, we would have to bear part of the responsibility. I’m sorry, but we can’t take on this responsibility.”
After saying this, Hunter left without giving Li Weifeng any further consideration, taking his team with him.
Li Weifeng could only watch as Hunter and his team departed. “Damn it!” Li Weifeng cursed, throwing the tea set on the table to the ground. He never expected the professional management team he hired to bail on him.
“Now what do we do?”
Li Weifeng frowned, “What can we do? The company lost over a hundred billion in two days. If this continues, we’ll be bankrupt by tomorrow.”
“Get Ziyu here from the confinement immediately. Tell her I have something important.”
“Sir, you just had a big fight with the young lady yesterday. She won’t be willing to return. And after yesterday’s incident, she might…”
Li Weifeng massaged his forehead, “If there was any suitable candidate, I wouldn’t ask for Ziyu. You know my sons better than anyone; none of them are capable.”
“If they had shown a bit of competence, I wouldn’t be obsessed with alliances. Who doesn’t want to stand tall? Besides Ziyu, there’s no one capable in the next generation.”
“The only capable one is not on the same page as me, sigh…”
The butler inwardly criticized Li Weifeng, noting that there were capable individuals among the younger generation, but they were all sidelined by Li Weifeng due to his paranoia, leaving the incompetent ones.
Though he had his own opinions, the butler maintained a respectful demeanor and went to find Li Ziyu. Soon, Li Ziyu arrived in the inner courtyard, looking bewildered at Li Weifeng.
Li Weifeng, facing Li Ziyu, was filled with wariness. In just a few years, she had taken control of Li Corporation. Now, the company couldn’t do without her, and many family warriors had sided with her. If she didn’t marry and continued to manage Li family affairs, he would be marginalized sooner or later.
Having held power in the Li family for decades, Li Weifeng genuinely did not want to let go.
“Ziyu…”
“Grandfather, if you’re here to persuade me to return as the general manager, then please don’t bother,” Li Ziyu cut him off.
“You… The family has nurtured you for so many years. Shouldn’t you contribute to the family?” Li Weifeng asked with suppressed anger.
Li Ziyu replied indifferently, “When the company was handed over to me, it was just a moderately successful listed company.”
“Within a few years under my management, profits multiplied, and everyone’s dividends increased from millions to tens of millions. Grandfather, I think I’ve contributed enough to the family. Now, I’m tired and want to rest.”
At this point, she had lost all hope in Li Weifeng, and her tone was devoid of emotion, entirely indifferent.
“There’s nothing we can’t discuss in this world. Tell me your conditions. What will it take for you to return to the company?”
“Grandfather, I don’t mind returning to the company, but you have to cancel my marriage arrangement with Xiao Chen. Just cancel it now, and I’ll immediately return as the general manager and continue to contribute to the family, making Li Corporation stronger.”
“That’s impossible. The marriage arrangement was made since you were young, and you’ve exchanged tokens of engagement. It can’t be canceled,” Li Weifeng shook his head.
Knowing Li Weifeng would not cancel her engagement with Xiao Chen, Li Ziyu proposed, “If the marriage can’t be canceled, then let me manage the distribution of resources among the family warriors. That should be acceptable, right?”
Li Weifeng suddenly stood up, staring intently at Li Ziyu. Taking control of the distribution of resources among the martial artists meant holding their lifelines.
The family would effectively be under Li Ziyu’s command. After all, she could use these warriors to deal with anyone who disobeyed, effectively handing over the family’s power to her.
Li Weifeng took a deep breath before speaking, “Ziyu, I underestimated you all along. I thought you just wanted to annul the marriage, but your real goal was to seize power!”
Li Ziyu was somewhat speechless; her casual remark led Li Weifeng to assume so much, thinking she had always aimed to seize power. But indeed, she was now intent on taking control: “Grandfather, you can think whatever you want. You’re old now, it’s time for you to enjoy your life.”
“Hmph, you think you can force my hand like this? Ziyu, you underestimate your grandfather too much. Believe it or not, I can make Li Corporation’s stock soar by tomorrow.”
Li Ziyu remained silent, her expression clearly showing disbelief.
Li Weifeng smiled, “If the marriage with Xiao Chen is expedited, I could leverage that connection. What if tomorrow we suddenly announce a deep collaboration with a certain family from Jingzhou, wouldn’t that resolve the company’s crisis?”
“Grandfather, you want me to marry Xiao Chen today?” Li Ziyu’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Why not? The wedding can be held later, but your status as husband and wife can be confirmed earlier,” Li Weifeng said with a smile. “Get ready to go back. I’ll talk to Xiao Chen about it. Tonight is the night for you two.”
At this moment, Li Weifeng was determined, believing that securing a strong partnership for Li Corporation would solve its current difficulties. Having Li Ziyu and Xiao Chen’s status confirmed early would also mean he could ask for Xiao Chen’s help.
Though Xiao Chen might not have Wang Yannian’s influence, he was his only disciple. Li Weifeng suddenly thought this plan was perfect, killing multiple birds with one stone.
“Forget it, grandfather. I won’t be handed over to Xiao Chen.”
“It’s not up to you now. Butler…” Li Weifeng’s call for the butler was met with silence. He looked towards the side door, only to see a tall, handsome young man approaching.
Su Lin walked up to Li Ziyu, wrapped his arm around her waist, and gently pulled her into his embrace.
Su Lin addressed Li Weifeng, “Your butler won’t be coming. He’ll probably wake up in a few hours.”
“Who are you? Where’s Li Wenyuan… He’s in charge of security for the courtyard. Why is a stranger walking in unnoticed when we spend so much money on security? He’s fired.”
Su Lin snapped his fingers, “Old man, you must be aware that many of your warriors are Ziyu’s people, right? Unfortunately, today’s duty officer, Li Wenyuan, is one of them, so I walked in quite openly.”
“You… Who are you, and what do you want with the Li family?”
Su Lin glanced at Li Ziyu and smiled lightly, “I am Ziyu’s man. How you treat my woman dictates my purpose here.”
“You… You two… Is that true?”
Li Ziyu’s cheeks flushed red, and she nodded shyly under Li Weifeng’s gaze.
“Boy, no matter who you are, leave the Li family now, and I’ll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, offending the Li family and the ghost doctor, even if you’re a scion from the imperial capital, you’re doomed.”
“Doomed? Did you know I just leaked a bit of my aura, and Xiao Chen fled, abandoning everyone? If you don’t believe me, try calling him. Honestly, he doesn’t dare to face me directly now.” Su Lin was full of pride, feeling a bit like a villain for once.
“Impossible… That’s impossible. Xiao Chen is the ghost doctor’s disciple. How could he possibly run?”
Su Lin stated flatly, “Nothing is impossible. That’s the reality. Old man, if I hadn’t come today, it would have been fine, but since I’m here, we need to clear things up with Ziyu, or else my trip would have been in vain.”
Feeling a hint of murderous intent from Su Lin, Li Weifeng exclaimed, “You intend to kill me?”
“Your death would solve the conflicts within the Li family. Sacrificing one for the sake of the whole family isn’t that good?” Su Lin said with a light laugh.
“But… I’m Ziyu’s grandfather.”
Su Lin turned to Li Ziyu, “Ziyu, it’s your call now. To kill or to spare?”
Li Ziyu looked at Li Weifeng for a long while before sighing, “Su Lin, I can’t bring myself to harm my grandfather. He’s still my grandfather after all.”
Su Lin nodded, “I understand. I have a method involving gold needles that can render him a fool or paralyze him with a stroke for the next half month, after which he’ll return to normal. What do you think?”
This time, Li Ziyu didn’t refuse and nodded, “That’s a good solution. Half a month is enough for me to take over the Li family completely.”
“Hehe. Alright~!!”
“No… No, Ziyu, I’m your grandfather… You can’t do this to me. I’m Li Weifeng… The head of the Li family, how can you treat me like this?”
With a flick of his wrist, Su Lin sent several silver needles flying, and Li Weifeng immediately quieted down. Su Lin sighed, “Ziyu, you’re still too soft.”
Li Ziyu nodded, “Indeed, I am. But this outcome is already quite good, isn’t it?”
“Not bad!”