C17 Sudden Cancellation

In the CEO’s office of the Tianzheng Group.

Old Master Su sat on the massive chair behind the desk. He glanced up at Su Zheng, who stood respectfully to the side.

“Zheng, you understand the weight of this responsibility, don’t you? I hope you don’t disappoint me. After all, this position is merely a springboard for what is to come. In the future, you will become the head of the Su family.”

Su Zheng was on cloud nine since he had been declared as the new CEO, but he made sure not to show it. He nodded solemnly and said, “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I will never let you down.”

Old Master Su leaned back against his chair, satisfied with his grandson’s response. “As for Su Lianyi, I know that you’ve always regarded her as a thorn in your side. Don’t bother too much with her. Before you ascend as the patriarch, I will find a way to kick her out of the family.”

This time, Su Zheng couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s all right, Grandpa. Her precious company is now gone, and she refused to marry into the Wang family. There’s nothing else for her to do but to rot in squalor. Her and the rest of her family.”

“Don’t underestimate her,” Old Master Su warned, his eyes taking on a distinct edge. “Don’t forget that she built this company with her own hands. You should never underestimate someone so capable, or it will be your downfall.”

“I understand, Grandpa. I will be more vigilant around her.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of the office phone.

Old Master Su stared at it for a second and said, “Since you are now the CEO, you should handle all matters relating to the company.”

Su Zheng eagerly picked up the phone. But the words died in his mouth as he listened to the caller. His expression changed from one of compliance to one of confusion, then finally, fear.

When he finally put the phone back in place, he did so with shaking hands. Then he crumpled against the edge of the desk.

Old Master Su was watching him the whole time. He clicked his tongue and shook his head helplessly. “This is unbecoming of a CEO, Zheng. You must not panic at the slightest hint of trouble. Just look how pathetic you’re acting!”

Su Zheng’s head jerked up, his face still a mask of fear. “Grandpa, that was the lawyer of the Qingyuan Group. They want to cancel the contract we signed.”

“Why would they do that?”

Old Master Su jumped up from his seat.

“We signed the contract just this morning. Why would they cancel it all of a sudden?”

The old man was spiraling into a panic.

“They claim that we broke the terms of the contract. Not only do they want to cancel the agreement, but they’re also demanding the penalty fee.”

Old Master Su collapsed back on his chair, his face devoid of color.

“This is preposterous!” he clutched at his chest, his breathing growing unsteady.

Su Zheng hurried over to the old man’s side and tried to calm him down. “Don’t worry too much, Grandpa. There must be some misunderstanding. We just signed the contract. How could we have breached the terms of the agreement.”

“Ten minutes, Zheng,” Old Man Su said, his tone grave. “I want to see everyone in the conference room in ten minutes!”

Ten minutes later, on the top floor.

Old Master Su sat at the head of the long table, his expression gloomy. The rest of the crowd could only exchange confused glances, oblivious to the problem at hand.

Su Zheng leaned close to Old Man Su and said, “Everyone is here, Grandpa. Except for Su Lianyi.”

The old man swept a glance over the room and scoffed. “She isn’t needed here. Su Zheng, explain the situation to everyone.”

Su Zheng stood up and relayed the phone conversation he had with the Qingyuan Group’s lawyer.

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd dissolved into an animated discussion.

“What did he say? Wasn’t the contract signed just this morning?”

“Yeah, why would they decide to cancel it all of a sudden?”

“Could it be that the Qingyuan Group set us up? Did they plan this all along?”

Old Master Su slammed his fist against the table, and the conversations gradually dwindled to hushed whispers.

“What behavior is this?” the old man barked. “Have you no manners at all?

I called you here not to ask questions, but to come up with a solution!

Use your brains for once! If the Qingyuan Group really wanted to set us up, their CEO would simply have to snap his fingers. Why would they go to such lengths?”

The others could only lower their heads. They had no answer, so they didn’t make a sound.

Only Su Zheng spoke up. “Grandpa, I don’t think this matter is as simple as it seems. The Qingyuan Group’s attitude toward us changed so drastically so soon. Did we offend someone somehow?”

Old Master Su narrowed his gaze at his subordinates and relatives alike. “Did any of you offend someone from the Qingyuan Group?”

Everyone frantically shook their heads.

Apart from Su Lianyi, Su Zheng was the only one in the family who had the aptitude for doing business. The rest of the employees only clocked in every day without doing anything that served the company’s purpose. There was no way they would have come in contact with someone from the distinguished Qingyuan Group.

Once Su Zheng was assured that none of the people present had to do with the matter, he took a deep breath and said, “Then there is only one possible answer.”

“What do you have in mind?” Old Master Su asked, frowning.

“I’ve been wondering since this morning, actually. Even if President Zhao was impressed with Su Lianyi, that’s not reason enough for him to personally deliver the contract. In other words, he has another motive for coming.

President Zhao must have taken a liking to Su Lianyi!

It makes sense, doesn’t it? President Zhao probably wanted to use the contract signing as an opportunity to get closer to Su Lianyi. But instead of introducing them, we simply signed the papers and sent him off. It must have angered President Zhao. This is a warning to us all.”

For some reason, everyone bought into Su Zheng’s analysis. Even Old Master Su was nodding his head. “Indeed, it makes sense. I was right to appoint you as the new CEO, after all!”

If Zhao Chen had been present to hear these absurd presumptions, he would have likely flown into a rage. Su Lianyi was the boss’ wife. No matter how audacious or foolish he was, he would never even dream of having such designs on the boss’ woman.

Su Zheng was beaming with pride, pleased with his conjectures. “If my guess is correct, then the only way out of this mess is to let Su Lianyi come forward and send her to the Qingyuan Group to settle the deal.”

Old Master Su waved his secretary over. “Hurry and call Su Lianyi. Tell her to come here at once!”

At that same moment, Su Lianyi was lying on her bed, weeping.

She had endured so much in the last five years, all for the sake of taking her company back one day.

And it all went down the drain.

Seeing her daughter’s sorry state, Suen Xiulian used her connections to ask around. Only then did she learn about what had transpired during the meeting.

“Do you see? What did I tell you? You should have divorced him when I told you to! There’s no point in crying over it now.

I knew it since the beginning. If you stay with Lu Yuan for one more day, our family will never prosper again.

Make sure to do as I say this time. Tomorrow, you will go with him to the Civil Affairs Bureau and get a divorce. There are so many eligible bachelors from wealthy families all over the Yun State. We will find you a suitable young master who is a hundred times better than Lu Yuan!”

“Mom, I’m in enough pain as it is. Can’t you leave me alone for a while? I already told everyone my decision. Lu Yuan will be my only husband in this life. I won’t marry anyone else!”

After declaring that, Su Lianyi pulled the covers over her head and hid from the world.

“Why won’t you listen to me, you stubborn child? I only want what’s best for you.”

Suen Xiulian had more to say, but she was cut off by the ringing of Su Lianyi’s phone.

Su Lianyi didn’t budge from her cocoon. She had no intention of answering the call, but when her mother saw the company’s logo flashing on the screen, she grabbed the phone and shoved it under the blanket.

Su Lianyi had no choice but to take the call.

A few moments later, Su Lianyi got out of bed, her eyes still red and puffy, and started to pack her things.

“Lianyi, did you hear what I just said? You and Lu Yuan will get a divorce first thing tomorrow.”

In the face of her mother’s incessant nagging, Su Lianyi sped up her pace and rushed back to the company.

Half an hour later, she opened the door to the conference room and stepped inside.

All eyes fell on her. Old Master Su cleared his throat. Without warning, he said, “Su Lianyi, I want you to go and settle the contract with the Qingyuan Group again!”