"Mr. Zhan, please let me explain. Things are not what you think." Mr. Liao still wanted to defend his words.
"If not like that, then what is it like?"
This voice came from Zhan Jinzhi, who had returned with Zhan Shiqing and Liao Yixue.
However, Liao Yixue looked at Mr. Liao, a trace of fear flashing in her eyes.
Zhan Shiqing took her hand and gave her a firm look.
"Xiaoxue, what's going on?" Mr. Liao's tone was a little angry, but because Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng were present, he couldn't explode.
Liao Yixue was still startled and quickly hid to the side.
Zhan Jinzhi continued, "Mr. Liao, do you really think we wouldn't see through your plan? Although we are just children, both Shi Qing and I are children of the Zhan family. We can understand the twists and turns of this matter. Moreover, under our questioning, Liao Yixue has already told us everything."
Upon hearing Zhan Jinzhi's words, Zhan Shiqing also nodded, "Actually, brother always felt something was wrong. Your actions will only make things worse."
"Instead of using this friendship, you might as well truly become friends of the Zhan family with your own strength. Then it will naturally come to fruition." Zhan Jinzhi spoke with a very mature tone, like a little adult.
Although Zhan Shiqing was still a bit green, her words were equally impactful.
The two children said this only to protect Liao Yixue.
Although they were both children, they could still tell from the interaction between Liao Yixue and Mr. Liao how much Liao Yixue feared her father.
If the truth were revealed directly, Liao Yixue would not have an easy time when she returned home.
But now that Zhan Shiqing and Zhan Jinzhi had taken the matter upon themselves, at least Mr. Liao would not blame Liao Yixue.
"Do you have anything else to explain?" Zhan Mohan said coldly, "Or do you want your child to repeat what you've done in front of everyone?"
Mr. Liao broke out in a sweat. If his plan were to be made public, even the other parents here would look down on him.
"Mr. Zhan, I am truly sorry. Please forgive me this time. I was just... just blinded by greed. I will be careful in the future."
Zhan Mohan thought for a moment, then looked at Mr. Liao with a cold gaze, "Since you have admitted it, you should have no objection to my subsequent handling. The Zhan Group most detests partners who lack integrity and like to play petty tricks. Therefore, from today onwards, your Liao family will be classified by the Zhan Group as a company with whom we will never cooperate."
"Mr. Zhan, this won't do, Mr. Zhan. Can we discuss it further?"
Mr. Liao was starting to panic. Being blacklisted by the Zhan Group was no small matter. It also meant that it would be difficult for his Liao family to find any willing partners in Pengcheng in the future.
"Mr. Zhan, can we choose a different punishment? Anything else is fine, please don't put us on the blacklist. If this continues, our Liao family will be ruined."
Mr. Liao looked as if he was about to beg Zhan Mohan.
Liao Yixue, who had been hiding, never expected things to turn out this way. Because of her temper and her words, her father had fallen into such a predicament.
"Uncle Zhan, this is my fault. Please don't punish my father. If you must punish someone, punish me."
Liao Yixue's stepping forward made Mr. Liao immediately change his mind about his daughter.
He had always treated Liao Yixue as a tool, but now he realized how important he was to his daughter.
Wei Yumeng watched everything unfold and couldn't help but rub her forehead.
The outing was meant to be a happy family excursion, but they encountered such a situation.
Although Zhan Mohan's handling was a bit harsh, this matter had hurt Zhan Shiqing's friendship. She didn't think there was anything wrong with Zhan Mohan's decision.
"Dad, Mom," Zhan Shiqing walked up to the two of them, "Can we give them another chance?"
Zhan Jinzhi also stroked his chin and analyzed, "As far as I know, the Liao family's clothing industry is quite good in Pengcheng, and for so many years, at least in terms of products and manufacturing, there have been no problems. Last year's fashion design competition held in Pengcheng was also won by a designer from the Liao family."
Upon hearing Zhan Jinzhi's analysis, Zhan Mohan raised an eyebrow, "Jinzhi, do you know why it is important to understand the character of a partner when choosing a partner for the Zhan Group?"
"Of course, I know. If the partner's character is not good, even if we cooperate, it may cause various complications. Instead of spending so much time dealing with minor conflicts, it is better to decide on the partner from the beginning."
"If, hypothetically, such a situation as the Liao family's occurred among the Zhan Group's partners, how would you handle it?" Zhan Mohan continued to ask.
"I have two methods," Zhan Jinzhi said, holding up two fingers. "The first is to never employ them from the beginning."
At these words, Mr. Liao's body trembled.
"The other is to understand the root cause and consider whether to employ them after handling it."
Wei Yumeng watched the father and son exchange words, and the matter was almost concluded.
Zhan Shiqing didn't understand these things and just held Liao Yixue's hand tightly.
"Xiaoxue, don't worry. Believe my parents, they will definitely resolve this fairly."
"Then, which option do you think is best in the current situation?" Zhan Mohan's eyes held a hint of a smile.
He had completely affirmed Zhan Jinzhi's ability. Although he was young, he already had such judgment. It would be no problem for him to take over the Zhan family in the future.
Zhan Jinzhi glanced at Mr. Liao, whose eyes were full of pleading.
Perhaps Mr. Liao himself had never imagined that one day the fate of his Liao family would be in the hands of such a child.
"I think the second option is better because their family's situation is indeed useful to our Zhan family. On the other hand, while they are establishing a connection with the Zhan family, it also creates a bond between the Zhan family and them. Unlike ordinary commercial cooperation, with this additional constraint, they are less likely to slip away."
The connection Zhan Jinzhi referred to was precisely the relationship between Zhan Shiqing and Liao Yixue.
The two children had become friends, so not only the Zhan family but also the Liao family would have to consider this relationship in the future.
"Most importantly, I believe Uncle Liao is not someone who doesn't know the severity of the situation. If we give him this opportunity and let them off, he will not have the ability to take revenge on the Zhan family and will remember the favor the Zhan family has shown him. This will only result in one more loyal partner for the Zhan family."
After Zhan Jinzhi finished speaking, he looked at Zhan Mohan resolutely, awaiting his final decision.