Lin Kang's triumphant smile instantly froze, and he stared at the people before him in disbelief.
"Mr. Zhang, why? We've been diligently handling the Zhang Group's projects all along. Why is the cooperation suddenly being terminated? If we've done anything wrong, please tell me, and I'll fix it!"
"Director, haven't we already signed the pre-construction contract? Is your side planning to breach it now? You represent Xingcheng Construction, don't you?"
"We've already settled all payments for distribution! Why are you canceling the cooperation now? We've been cooperating for so many years, don't we have any trust?"
Lin Kang stammered, looking at them with anger and confusion. Among these three parties, he could only dare to confront the distributor. The Director of the Planning Department and Zhang Xiao were not people he could afford to offend.
Zhang Xiao chuckled and said unapologetically, "Our contract was signed with Ms. Lin Tian'ai, so we only recognize Lin Tian'ai, President Lin, not you, Lin Kang."
The Director of the Planning Department nodded, "That's right. At the last summit, President Lin Tian'ai represented Juling Group. Now that Juling Group has a new president, we will naturally re-evaluate the risks. After our assessment, you are not suitable to take over, so we are withdrawing the proposal."
Lin Kang's expression also turned grim. It was evident they only recognized a specific person.
Now that he had become the president of Juling Group, they were all coming to cancel cooperation, which made Lin Kang feel greatly humiliated.
"Everyone, I still hope you can consider carefully. Lin Tian'ai just graduated and doesn't know much about business matters. I've been in this company for so many years, don't you trust me?"
If all three parties canceled their cooperation, it would be truly troublesome.
Juling Group had a three-pronged development: cosmetics, construction, and the internet industry, each with a subsidiary that corresponded to these three parties.
"Apologies."
"Apologies."
Old Master Lin intervened, and though furious, he still managed a smile. "Are you not reconsidering? Or does this girl have some dirty dealings with you? That's why you're taking risks to terminate the contract now?"
The Director of the Planning Department was furious and slammed the table. "Old Master, you must speak with evidence, or I will sue you for defamation. Do you know the penalty for falsely accusing a public official?"
His heart was filled with panic, and he instinctively glanced in Ye Longlin's direction, feeling extremely frightened.
Last night, Mayor Zhao had convened a special meeting with their planning department, primarily discussing this matter. Of course, the core point was not to provoke Ye Longlin, and everything had to be done to his satisfaction.
Otherwise, their careers would be on the line!
Zhang Xiao also angrily slammed the table, "Old Master Lin, Lin Tian'ai is your granddaughter, and also your junior. Is it right for you to make such accusations? Aren't you afraid of chilling her heart?"
"Since the matter has been clarified, I will tell you clearly: we will only cooperate with Lin Tian'ai! If Lin Kang takes over as president, I can guarantee that all departments under Zhang Group will sever cooperation with Juling Group. Furthermore, I will issue a joint refusal to cooperate announcement!
Anyone who cooperates with Juling Group will be blacklisted by Zhang Group. I want to see if Juling Group will still have such confidence then!"
This... this...
This left Old Master Lin and Lin Kang stunned. They had never expected Zhang Xiao to say such a thing.
If it truly happened as he said, Juling Group would be finished!
But Lin Kang was unwilling to accept this!
He had finally persuaded the old master, only to be ousted within two days of taking office.
Where would that leave his dignity?
Seeing that the outcome was decided, he sighed, "In that case, let's let Tian'ai continue as president. However, Tian'ai, I have one condition."
Lin Tian'ai looked at the dramatic turn of events and instinctively looked towards Ye Longlin. However, the latter was distractedly sitting on a chair playing a game, seemingly unconcerned.
"Please, tell me."
She glared at Ye Longlin resentfully before replying.
"Give your second uncle his shares back. This is my last request."
The old master was now making concessions. The key was that he had no choice but to make concessions. Either they go bankrupt, or they advance. Even a fool would know how to choose.
"Impossible!"
"Firstly, the shares were voluntarily signed over by them. Secondly, he received the money, and thirdly, he also signed an agreement for gratuitous transfer."
Upon hearing this, Ye Longlin raised his eyes slightly and directly rejected the request.
Old Master Lin was truly enraged this time, striking the ground heavily with his cane. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Ye Longlin, you are an outsider. What right do you have to interfere in our family affairs? I warn you, even if you are a member of the Lin family now, Juling Group has nothing to do with you. Don't think that by marrying into the Lin family, you can covet my family's assets!"
Ye Longlin sneered, "Do you really think I would have my eye on Juling Group? You're putting too much on your own face!"
"Since the old master has said so, Chairman Zhang, don't you have a meeting later? Director, don't you need to go back and re-tender?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Xiao immediately nodded, "Yes, I have a meeting. I'll be leaving now."
The Director of the Planning Department also nodded, "That's right, I need to leave too. It's about time."
At this point, even a fool could see that all of this was Ye Longlin's doing behind the scenes.
Lin Tian'ai couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect. Could it be that all of this was planned by Ye Longlin? But why would Zhang Xiao go along with him? And the planning department too?
She just couldn't figure it out.
Seeing this, the old master panicked. If they really left, Juling Group would truly be on the brink of bankruptcy, not to mention the considerable bank loans!
"Wait, wait, son-in-law. Grandpa was too agitated earlier. Let's talk calmly. How about this: let Tian'ai continue as president, and Kang'er will just get dividends and not be involved in the company's affairs. What do you think?"
The old master suddenly changed his demeanor, saying with a smile and a very amiable tone.
Ye Longlin glanced at him and said, "First, continue to let Tian'ai be the president. Second, only give Lin Kang ten percent of the shares, and he shall not participate in company matters, only receive dividends!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Kang slammed the table and angrily declared, "No! Absolutely not! I want to be involved in company matters!"
Just receiving dividends versus participating in company matters were two entirely different concepts.
"Shut up!"
"Longlin's word is final! Are you going to run the group into the ground if it's handed to you?"