On the way to the Liu family group, Xiao Yunlong was driving. Liu Hongguo and Liu Ruyan did not speak, and the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.
Forty minutes later, they arrived at the group. Although the Liu family was not a top family in Suzhou, it was considered a commercial magnate. The group building soared into the clouds, and the plaque with the words "Liu Group" shone brightly under the sun. To outsiders, it was a scene of infinite glory.
However, Liu Hongguo knew in his heart that the group would probably have to change its name before long.
The temporary shareholders' meeting had not yet begun, so Liu Hongguo and the other two went to the president's office on the top floor first.
As soon as they arrived, Chen Ruimin walked in.
Liu Hongguo snorted coldly and said, "Why are you here in my office instead of the conference room at this time?"
Although Chen Ruimin still had a smiling face, he no longer had the gentle and warm demeanor of the past. His forced smile now looked more like a hidden dagger and honeyed poison.
Seeing this, Liu Ruyan suddenly realized that Chen Ruimin's polite and friendly image in the past was just a pretense, and he had been pretending for years. This hypocrite had hidden himself too deeply!
Chen Ruimin pulled up a chair and sat down, grinning, "There's still some time. Before the shareholders' meeting, I want to have a chat with you. Of course, I'm also giving you an opportunity."
"Giving me an opportunity?" Liu Hongguo snorted, "Then tell me, how are you giving me an opportunity?"
Chen Ruimin shrugged, "You should already know that I now control more than half of the group's shares. Given the current situation, you have no chance of winning in the board of directors."
"Stop the nonsense and get straight to the point. What is your goal!" Liu Hongguo commanded.
"My goal is very simple, only two things. First, at the shareholders' meeting, I want you to publicly support me. Second, marry Liu Ruyan to me!"
As Chen Ruimin spoke, he turned his head and glanced at Liu Ruyan.
Hearing this, Xiao Yunlong raised his eyebrows, but he did not intend to speak for the moment. He simply sat there at his leisure.
Liu Hongguo couldn't help but sneer, "I understand. You want my support to take over legitimately. Also, you want to marry Ruyan, not because you like her, but to better control the entire group by becoming the Liu family's son-in-law."
Chen Ruimin laughed heartily, "Old Master, you are indeed a figure who has weathered the storms of the business world. You are truly a wise man. Too many things have happened in the group recently. If there is another major change in the senior management this time, it will inevitably affect the stock price and even cause widespread panic. Therefore, I must take over the group's power in a reasonable capacity to smoothly navigate this period."
Liu Hongguo snorted, "You think very thoroughly, but why do you think I will agree to your terms!"
"Why?"
Chen Ruimin said teasingly, "Old Master, I was brought up by you. You should be very clear about my methods and abilities. If you don't agree, I have plenty of ways to completely sideline you, and I can guarantee that your Liu family will be ruined and you might even spend the rest of your life in prison!"
Although Liu Hongguo had been mentally prepared, he was still greatly angered and coughed repeatedly.
Liu Ruyan suddenly stood up and rebuked, "Chen Ruimin, you know you were promoted by Grandpa. I still remember when you graduated from college and your mother was seriously ill, and your family had no money for treatment. In the end, Grandpa agreed to lend you 300,000 yuan, and only then was your mother's illness cured. If Grandpa hadn't taken care of you back then, how could you have climbed up from the bottom and become the general manager?"
"These years, my grandfather has even treated you as his adopted grandson, and he even transferred five percent of his personal shares in the group to you. Grandpa has treated you well all these years, hasn't he? Now you are repaying kindness with enmity. Are you even human? Do you have any conscience?"
Facing Liu Ruyan's questioning, Chen Ruimin threw his head back and laughed heartily, "Ridiculous, truly ridiculous. I said back then that the 300,000 yuan for my mother's treatment was just an advance from my salary. It was just that this old man didn't want it later, not that I begged you!"
"Also, the reason I was able to climb up from the bottom and become the general manager was not because of anyone's care. I earned it entirely through my own strength and ability. As for the five percent shares your grandfather gave me, do you really think they were given for free? How much profit have I brought to the group over the years? Let alone just this five percent, based on the great contributions I have made to the group over the years, even ten percent or twenty percent would be justified!"
"You... you are truly despicable and shameless!" Liu Ruyan was greatly angered.
"I am despicable and shameless? And you are so high and mighty?"
Chen Ruimin stood up and roared, "Do you know what I hate the most? I hate your self-righteous attitude the most. Just because you extended a helping hand a little, you can stand on the moral high ground and criticize wantonly, looking down and trampling on others' dignity?"
"Trampling on your dignity? When has our Liu family ever trampled on your dignity?" Liu Ruyan was full of surprise, almost unable to believe her ears.
Liu Hongguo sighed, "Ruyan, you don't need to say any more to him. His personality has become so twisted that saying more is meaningless. I only regret that I raised such an ungrateful wretch with my own hands back then!"
Chen Ruimin glanced at Xiao Yunlong and said with a sneer, "Why is this useless son-in-law of the Liu family silent? Weren't you quite arrogant at the group banquet before? You even said that I was not qualified to drink with you. A nobody like you, relying on the Liu family, you really think you are someone? I didn't deal with you then, it was just that the time wasn't right."
Xiao Yunlong shrugged, "Both sides have made their intentions clear, and the facts are laid out before us. Is there any need for me to say anything else?"
Chen Ruimin laughed heartily, "You useless son-in-law, you know to be scared and back down now?"
Then Chen Ruimin turned to Liu Ruyan and said teasingly, "Now you see, this cowardly nobody, can he even be compared to me? He can't even compare to my toes. So Liu Ruyan, don't be ungrateful. If you obediently submit to me, then fine. Otherwise, I have a hundred ways to deal with you!"
With that, he waved his hand and strode away.
Liu Hongguo naturally would not agree to the other party's terms. He shook his head and said, "The meeting is about to start. Let's go. There's nothing more to say at this point."
All the shareholders of the major groups had arrived in the conference room. Liu Hongguo, having been in the business world for most of his life, remained neither humble nor arrogant, even though he knew the outcome was predetermined. He walked to the chairman's seat with his cane and sat down.
Liu Ruyan, however, felt a little nervous. Xiao Yunlong secretly patted her hand and said with a low smile, "Don't worry, with me here, nothing will happen. From now on, you can just watch the show."
Chen Ruimin glanced at Xiao Yunlong and said loudly, "Since everyone is here, let the meeting begin. I will preside over the meeting this time. No one objects, right?"
No one voiced any objection, as most of the shareholders present were more or less aware of the current situation.
Seeing this, Chen Ruimin slightly raised the corners of his mouth into a smug smile. "Since no one objects, let's begin the first item on the agenda. I believe all shareholders are aware that a series of incidents have occurred in our group recently, causing a series of negative impacts, leading to a decline in the company's stock price and business. The root cause is problems with our leadership. Therefore, I propose to dismiss Liu Hongguo from his position as president. You can now vote!"
"I agree. Liu Hongguo is old after all, and in recent years he has been autocratic and arbitrarily appointed cronies. This is too absurd!"
"I second that!"
"I also agree!"
The shareholders present voted one after another. Chen Ruimin looked at them and said, "More than half agree. The proposal is passed, and Liu Hongguo is officially dismissed from his position as president!"
"The second item on the agenda is to elect a new president for the group. Regarding this, I have a few words to say. I have been working diligently as the group's general manager for the past five years and have brought significant economic benefits to the company. My achievements are evident for all to see. Therefore, I nominate myself for the position of president. Of course, I also ask for your support!"
After speaking, Chen Ruimin was the first to raise his hand.
Without any doubt, the shareholders present voted one after another. More than half agreed, which meant that Chen Ruimin would officially take office as the group's president.
Chen Ruimin's smug expression intensified. He said sternly, "The third item on the agenda is to dismiss Xiao Yunlong from his position as special consultant of the group. I believe no one will object, right?"
He asked this time in a commanding tone. Of course, most of the shareholders present did not express any objection.
The entire conference room suddenly fell silent. Chen Ruimin's smug smile grew even wider.
At this moment, Xiao Yunlong said coldly, "I disagree!"
"You disagree? What right do you have to disagree? Are you qualified to say you disagree now?" Chen Ruimin looked at Xiao Yunlong with a face full of mockery and ridicule.
"President, this kid isn't even a shareholder of our group, is he? Let alone not qualified to vote, he's not even qualified to attend the meeting!" a shareholder said.
"That's right, this little nobody should be thrown out immediately!"
The entire conference room erupted in an uproar.
However, at this moment, a staff member suddenly pushed the door open and said, "Excuse me, representatives of the shareholders, Director Liang from the Supervision Bureau is outside and says he has urgent matters and must come in immediately."
"Director Liang is here? That's good, let him in. We can ask him to take away this troublemaker who is disrupting the meeting!" Chen Ruimin said as he stood up.
Director Liang Youming walked in quickly. Chen Ruimin immediately greeted him with a smiling face and extended his hand.
However, Liang Youming did not even look at him. He walked directly to Xiao Yunlong, then bowed respectfully and handed him a document with both hands: "Mr. Xiao, the item you requested has been rushed and finally arrived in time."
Chen Ruimin was stunned on the spot, and all the other shareholders were also momentarily dumbfounded.