The news that Zhu Ning had come to Shanghai and splashed out 25.3 billion yuan to outbid others for the buildings reached Ni Fanyi's ears.
He shot up from his chair. "You're saying this is true? Zhu Ning has really come to Shanghai?"
"Absolutely true, Mr. Ni!" the excited voice on the phone said. "It was announced on the official website of Mingsheng Group, and they're even holding a celebration banquet!"
As he was speaking, a WeChat message dinged on the computer. A photo came through, showing all the senior executives of Mingsheng Real Estate beaming as they posed with a young girl.
At first glance, beside Xiao Zailun, Zhu Ning's face, which he would never forget in his life, came into view.
On the poster and banner were the glaring words: The Forever Guest of Mingsheng—Secured the Property with 25.3 Billion, a Premium of 7.5 Billion, Unprecedented!
His mind went blank for a moment.
The voice on the phone was extremely excited. "Mr. Ni, Zhu Ning from Jude Wang raised the price by 170,000 yuan to snap up the top - tier building. She's shouldering all kinds of taxes and handling fees on her own. She's spent an extra 7.5 billion. In total, 25.3 billion has gone as soon as the deal was sealed!"
She'd spent 25.3 billion on buying properties as soon as she landed?
And it was a bulk purchase of buildings?
She'd spent over a trillion yuan in Haicheng in ten days, and now, less than 24 hours after arriving in Shanghai, she'd already splurged 25.3 billion!
What about after that? How much more did she plan to spend? Did she want to repeat her spectacular moves in Haicheng?
Ni Fanyi felt parched and couldn't come to his senses for several seconds.
"Keep an eye on Zhu Ning's movements and report any news to me immediately!"
"Yes!"
After hanging up the phone, Ni Fanyi realized that Zhu Ning had come with ill intentions. He quickly rushed to the upper - level office to report.
"Come in."
"Mr. Wang, I have something to report..."
He pushed open the door and found that the new general manager of Shanghai and several former deputy managers were all in the office. His words got stuck in his throat.
His superior said, "Didn't you say you had something to say? Why stop?"
The people in the office showed no sign of leaving. They just sat on the sofa, waiting for his report leisurely. Ni Fanyi swallowed his pride and reported the news of Zhu Ning's high - profile property purchase.
"She raised the price by 7.5 billion to acquire three properties. Zhu Ning is clearly sending a signal to the outside world that she's coming to Shanghai to develop. We..."
Before he could finish, his superior interrupted him impatiently. "So? What are you trying to say?"
All eyes in the room turned to him. Many of them were once his subordinates. Ni Fanyi felt extremely embarrassed.
He said, "I'm saying that Zhu Ning has come with bad intentions. Our Yaoyang Group has a grudge against her. She might take action against us. We should take precautions as soon as possible..."
"Come on, Mr. Ni!" Before he could finish, a deputy manager interrupted him, exaggeratingly. "Are we, the mighty Yaoyang Group in Shanghai, really going to be on guard against an upstart from a small place? You've become so petty after going to that small place. This is Shanghai, not the countryside!"
Being belittled by his former subordinates who used to flatter him, Ni Fanyi's face turned red and then pale. "I'm not joking. That Zhu Ning is really strange. If we don't take precautions early, we might be completely devoured..."
"Enough."
Adam, the airborne executive general manager sitting in the main seat, interrupted him. "I know about the incident in Haicheng. A business boss who built her company by throwing money around is not worth the company's serious attention."
"But..."
"No buts." Adam said unhappily. "Yaoyang is an international enterprise. There are countless international projects to handle. It's always others who are afraid of us, not the other way around."
"I've read your reports from Haicheng. Isn't it just about throwing money? If Yaoyang were to adopt the same strategy regardless of the cost, the funds in our hands could crush her to death!"
"After all, Jude Wang is just an upstart company. They act without thinking. Do you think a company with such a working style can survive in the business world for long? Doing business requires wisdom and strategy, not reckless actions."
"Moreover, the company's core development direction in the next two years is in the field of electronic information technology engineering. Do you really want the company to change its development direction for such a nobody? Mr. Ni, please think clearly about what's truly important!"
Ni Fanyi wanted to say something else, but Adam impatiently kicked him out. "That's enough, Mr. Ni. I think you were scared out of your wits by Jude Wang in Haicheng and can no longer handle things. In that case, I advise you to voluntarily apply for a transfer and give your position to someone more capable. There are always people more capable and ambitious than you waiting for a promotion!"
"A..."
"Get out!"
With a roar, Ni Fanyi's face flushed to the extreme. The gloating looks in the office were passed around. Ni Fanyi gritted his teeth and left with his head down. Then, unrestrained laughter erupted in the room.
"He used to be the top leader! Look at how cowardly he is. A company from the countryside scared him like this. 'Secured three villas with 25.3 billion'," someone mimicked Ni Fanyi in an exaggerated tone. "Hahaha, has he never seen money?"
"Understandable. After all, he went to a small place. It's normal for him to pick up some pettiness when he came back."
The superior mocked, "I think he was really scared out of his wits by that upstart in Haicheng. He's lost all his drive and ambition. Fortunately, the headquarters transferred Adam in time. Otherwise, if we had continued under him, the whole Yaoyang would have been infected with his shabbiness!"
"The waves behind drive on those before. People like Ni Fanyi, who are blinded by upstarts, are destined to be the first ones to be washed away on the beach!"
"Hahahaha..."
The unrestrained laughter came through. Ni Fanyi stood at the door, holding back his anger until his face turned blue and purple.
He recalled the time when he'd sent someone to investigate Zhu Ning but had ended up being taught a lesson by her.
A hint of cruelty flashed across his eyes.
He was indirectly responsible for Yaoyang's defeat in Haicheng, but he'd said everything he needed to say.
Since these people were determined to ignore the danger and were asking for trouble, whatever happened next had nothing to do with him!
Suppressing his resentment, Ni Fanyi took a step and left.
Maybe he could bide his time and make some moves. Then he might be able to regain his former position!
He was waiting to see their downfall!
On the other side.
Zhu Ning handed the work over to the legal team. She asked Xiao Zailun for the keys to two top - tier buildings and took Pei Jin into the estate.
After getting the highest - level access card and swiping it to enter the building, she pushed open the million - yuan armored door. The 3.6 - meter - high ceiling was decorated with an extremely expensive imported luxury crystal chandelier. The nearly 300 - square - meter space offered a wide view and the best scenery in the whole estate. Standing there, one would feel their mind broadened and believe that life held great promise.
Zhu Ning asked Pei Jin, "What do you think? Are you satisfied with this place?"
Pei Jin looked at Zhu Ning without saying a word. Zhu Ning handed the key to him. "Do me a favor."
She'd paid a sky - high price to clear Pei Jin's debt of gratitude to Xiao Zailun. Similarly, she wanted to repay Pei Jin for his help.
Pei Jin looked at the key she offered and said calmly, "I don't lack a place to live."
"Of course I know that." Zhu Ning said. "But this apartment has a different meaning."
Pei Jin asked, "What's different about it?"
"We'll be neighbors, upstairs and downstairs."
Pei Jin paused for a moment.
Zhu Ning smiled and said, "We can look out for each other. It'll be a long - term friendship. Mr. Pei, would you do me this honor?"
Pei Jin looked at her. Zhu Ning tilted her head. Finally, he relented.
"I'd better accept your kind offer."
Zhu Ning grinned.