On the surface, this was a project jointly undertaken by three shareholders.
But in reality, the major shareholder and the second shareholder invested both money and effort, while the third shareholder had secretly left themselves an escape route.
Once the project took off, the core resources were siphoned away, leaving nothing but an empty shell.
The money of the major and second shareholders would be completely wasted.
The assistant looked at the report, a chill running down his spine.
They had conducted due diligence for so long, yet they had completely missed this layer.
Lin Yanchen continued flipping through the report.
“Also, the news about the subway route adjustment has already been confirmed by the Planning Bureau.”
“Construction will begin next year, and foot traffic in the East District will drop by thirty percent. This wasn’t even mentioned in the report.”
The assistant felt a bit shaken.
He had always considered himself highly professional, but these details had still slipped past him.
Lin Yanchen patted the assistant’s shoulder lightly.
“Don’t be discouraged. Some information is simply beyond your channels, so you wouldn’t know.”
“This isn’t a reflection of your professional ability.”
The assistant nodded, fully convinced.
“I understand, President Lin.”
Lin Yanchen tossed the report aside.
“This project is a losing bet for whoever touches it. No need to look further.”
“Alright.” The assistant hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Should we remind the Song family about this?”
If the Song family really invested in this project, they would be throwing away a hundred million.
Song Tang from the Song family, after all, was President Lin’s girlfriend.
Lin Yanchen lifted his gaze toward him.
“What does the Song family’s affairs have to do with us?”
The assistant froze slightly. Was President Lin really this indifferent?
But he didn’t dare say more.
“Yes, you’re right, President Lin.”
He picked up the report and turned to leave.
Just as he reached the door, Lin Yanchen’s voice came from behind him.
“Wait.” The assistant turned back.
After a moment of silence, Lin Yanchen still said, “Forget it.”
“Alright.” The assistant nodded and left.
Lin Yanchen sat there, looking out the window.
The Song family’s affairs truly had nothing to do with him.
If they couldn’t even see through a project of this level, then Song Zhenkun would eventually stumble somewhere else anyway.
He could remind them once, but he couldn’t keep reminding them forever.
In the evening, after dinner, Song Tang went straight into her study.
She was writing a plan to resolve a fifty-million supply payment issue.
While she was writing, her phone on the desk vibrated.
She picked it up and saw a bank transfer notification.
Xi Shuting had transferred the five hundred thousand.
Song Tang curled her lips slightly.
That person was quite self-aware after all, no need for her to chase it. A bit of pressure really worked.
She set the phone aside and continued writing.
She had only typed a couple of lines when the phone vibrated again.
This time it was WeChat. Cen Zhi sent her an image.
Song Tang opened it. It was a screenshot of a group chat.
Stranger 1: “Why haven’t we seen Song Tang out playing recently?”
Xi Shuting: “The Song family has no money. Song Tang is practically broke now, how could she still afford to go out and have fun?”
Stranger 2: “The Song family would run out of money?”
Below were several “eating melon” emojis.
Xi Shuting: “Here, look, ＜image＞”
The image showed the five hundred thousand transfer she had sent Song Tang.
Group member 1: “So Song Tang actually borrowed money from you?”
Group member 2: “The Song family really is finished.”
Group member 3: “I said it long ago, Song Zhenkun spoiling his daughter like this would ruin the family.”
Group member 4: “Shuting, you’re really kind.”
Xi Shuting: “＜sigh＞”
Song Tang stared at the screenshot, her expression gradually turning cold.
Xi Shuting really had no shame.
She clearly hadn’t repaid her debt, yet after being reminded once, she twisted it into Song Tang borrowing money from her?
At that moment, Cen Zhi sent another message.
Cen Zhi: “Tangtang, are you borrowing money from Xi Shuting? Why didn’t you ask me?”
Song Tang replied: “That was her repayment.”
Song Tang: “She owed it for over a year.”
Song Tang: “She only paid back after being pressed, and she spent the time outside enjoying herself.”
Cen Zhi: “Huh???”
Cen Zhi: “Then why is she badmouthing you in the group?”
Song Tang: “Because she’s shameless. She thought I wouldn’t see it.”
Song Tang: “Add me to that group. I’ll sort this out with Xi Shuting directly.”
She didn’t care about being polite anymore.
When dealing with someone like Xi Shuting, public clarification had to be immediate.
Even a slight delay would make things harder to clear up later.
A few seconds later, Song Tang received an invitation to the group.
She joined. The group was still buzzing with messages.
“I didn’t expect Xi Shuting to be so generous, just like that with five hundred thousand.”
“So Song Tang really fell this far?”
“The Song family might actually be bankrupt.”
As soon as Song Tang entered, she typed:
@Xi Shuting, “When did I borrow money from you?”
The group instantly exploded.
“Holy crap, Song Tang is here?”
“The main character has arrived!”
“Front row for gossip.”
…messages flooded in, but Xi Shuting remained silent.
Song Tang: “@Xi Shuting, don’t hide. I know you’re there.”
Group member 1: “This is intense! @Xi Shuting”
Group member 3: “@Xi Shuting”
Group member 4: “@Song Tang, is there more to this story?”
Song Tang knew Xi Shuting didn’t have the courage to respond, so she posted their chat history in the group.
Song Tang: “＜image＞”
Song Tang: “The five hundred thousand Xi Shuting transferred to me was money I lent her last year.”
Song Tang: “She owed it for over a year. I only reminded her once, and it suddenly became me borrowing from her?”
Song Tang: “Everyone should see clearly before gossiping.”
The group went silent, as if no one was online.
After several seconds, someone sent a single ellipsis.
“……”
Group member 2: “So everything Xi Shuting said earlier was fake?”
Cen Zhi: “Of course it was fake.”
Qin Yuwei: “Xi Shuting is having financial difficulties. Why are you rushing to demand repayment like this?”
Qin Yuwei: “Aren’t you supposed to be friends? Is this how you treat a friend?”
Group member 1: “Watching the drama unfold.”
Song Tang: “She’s either traveling or in a club ordering male escorts. Financial difficulties my ass, are you trying to guilt-trip me?”
Song Tang: “And if you think she’s in difficulty, feel free to lend her another five hundred thousand.”
Song Tang: “Also, I’m not friends with Xi Shuting. Don’t associate me with her in the future.”
Cen Zhi almost screamed when she saw this.
Song Tang was too sharp, she needed to say more.
Qin Yuwei, however, was furious.
Recently, what was wrong with Song Tang? Was her mouth coated in poison?
Fine, she wouldn’t argue about this anymore. Xi Shuting wasn’t exactly innocent either. There was no need to defend her too much.
But…
Qin Yuwei: “However, Xi Shuting didn’t entirely lie.”
Group member 2: “@Qin Yuwei, the mic is yours.”
Qin Yuwei: “Your family owes my family fifty million in payment, already delayed for half a year.”
Qin Yuwei: “My dad said you only have about ten days left to repay it.”
Qin Yuwei: “Haha, instead of stabbing your friends in the back here, you should hurry up and figure out how to raise the money.”
Qin Yuwei: “When the deadline arrives and your family still can’t pay, my dad will sue your father. Then he’ll be a deadbeat debtor.”
Qin Yuwei: “And you’ll be the daughter of a deadbeat. Haha.”
Only then did Song Tang realize that Qin Yuwei’s father was actually President Qin, the same Qin mentioned in Song Zhenkun’s calls.
Song Tang: “The deadline hasn’t arrived yet. Why are you in such a hurry?”
Song Tang: “I’ve already clarified things with Xi Shuting, so I won’t say more.”
Song Tang: “As for our families’ matter, wait until my family fails to pay on time before you come talk to me. @Qin Yuwei”
Qin Yuwei: “Fine, I’ll wait. ＜smile＞”
Song Tang exited the chat, and Cen Zhi immediately sent a message.
Cen Zhi: “So satisfying! Tangtang, you were amazing.”
Song Tang: “People like Xi Shuting can’t be indulged.”
Cen Zhi: “Yes yes yes, exactly! Make her mad!”
Song Tang: “Hehe, thanks for telling me. I’m going back to work.”
Cen Zhi: “Okay.”
Song Tang smiled as she put down her phone and continued writing her plan.