Mu Junze got in the car. After much thought, he wondered whether he should call Meng Nianchu to inform her of the current situation.
No, he'd better not tell her for now.
Mu Junze remembered that Meng Nianchu was pregnant. He was worried that if she got too anxious, it might cause problems with the baby.
He made up his mind. This time, he would protect Mother Meng on his own. Since he had promised to protect Meng Nianchu and all that belonged to her from harm, that included her family.
The traffic congestion in the city was severe. Basically, every afternoon, there would be long lines of cars stuck on the overpass.
"How much longer until we get there?" Mu Junze asked the driver anxiously.
"Judging from this situation, it'll probably take at least an hour," the driver replied.
Hearing that it would take another hour, Mu Junze became even more anxious. He asked, "Can you take a detour if I pay extra? I'm in a hurry. It's a matter of life and death."
As he spoke, he took out a stack of bills from his briefcase and placed them on the passenger seat.
The driver looked at the money, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Okay. We can turn off at the next intersection and go through the urban village. It'll be faster, but..."
"But what?"
Mu Junze was a bit confused. Was there any other problem?
"It'll be fast, but the road is in bad condition. It hasn't been repaired for a long time and is full of potholes. You'd better hold on tight."
"It's okay. Just drive."
"Alright."
After that, they didn't talk anymore. They just waited silently for the car to reach the next intersection.
...
At the Meng Group Building, Mother Meng was there.
The Meng Group was having a board meeting at this moment. Since Chairman Meng's illness and hospitalization, due to external public opinion and many false reports, the shares of the Meng Group had been continuously falling.
The shareholders all said that if this situation continued, it wouldn't be long before the group went bankrupt, and the shares in their hands would turn into nothing.
"Old sister-in-law, you've got to think of a way. This can't go on like this," an old shareholder who had been with the Meng Group for a long time said to Mother Meng.
Since Chairman Meng was hospitalized, Mother Meng had taken on all the company's affairs by herself, hoping that her husband could recuperate in peace.
The Meng family had not been peaceful in recent years. First, there was the conflict between the two daughters, and then Chairman Meng got sick and was hospitalized.
The conflict between the daughters ended with the elder daughter being disfigured and disappearing. Although she wasn't her biological daughter, after raising her for so many years, Mother Meng still had some feelings for her. She was a bit sad about how things turned out.
Chairman Meng's illness showed no sign of improvement. He couldn't even speak now. No one knew when or if he would recover.
Having been busy with the company's affairs recently, Mother Meng had become haggard. Her hair had also turned gray.
"Alas, is God really going to take back the Meng family's business?"
Mother Meng stood by the window, looking up at the sky, thinking to herself.
"Madam, please say something and give us a clear indication so that we can feel at ease."
"Yes, give us a straightforward answer. Otherwise, we'll take action first. Don't let things get ugly."
"Madam, say something. We're not here to watch you stand there!"
The shareholders talked one after another, all waiting for the chairwoman's response.
"Everyone, be quiet. Let me say a few words."
Mother Meng waved her hand, turned around, and leaned on the table.
"I understand everyone's feelings. We're all old folks. Maybe our whole families are relying on us to make money. I won't hide it from you. The current situation of the Meng Group is not good, but please don't worry..."
"How can we not worry? It's all our money!"
"Old Zhang, don't be impatient. Listen to me," a shareholder interrupted Mother Meng, and she continued.
"I'll ask my assistant to draft a contract this afternoon and then send it to you. If there are no problems, please sign and confirm it."
"What kind of contract?"
"A compensation contract for shares in case of bankruptcy. It'll be signed in the name of all the Meng family members."
The shareholders looked at each other, not knowing what this meant.
"I'll ask the finance department to check the value of your shares when the company went public and then convert them into cash. If one day the group really collapses and can't continue, you can come to me with the contract and exchange your shares for cash."
Mother Meng hesitated for a moment and then said, "This money will come from our Meng family. Even if we go bankrupt, we won't treat you badly. After all, without you, there wouldn't be the Meng Group today."
The Meng Group had a high capital valuation. When the company went public, its stock price was higher than that of ordinary stocks. Converting so many shares into cash would be a huge amount.
Hearing Mother Meng's words, the shareholders all lowered their heads.
"Of course, before that, I'll meet with a few major clients to see if I can get the group back on track. If I can, then everyone will be happy."
"Sister-in-law, no, Acting Chairwoman, you're really a just person."
"Yes, I feel ashamed. I even forced you to make such a decision."
After hearing about the contract, the shareholders all breathed a sigh of relief and began to express their emotions.
But Mother Meng wasn't impressed. Before making this decision, she had already been disappointed in these people.
People would do anything for money.
No matter if they were once close friends or partners who had promised to trust each other.
Maybe these experiences over the years had really made her understand that some things might just be out of reach.
Mother Meng thought to herself. When she thought of the sadness, she secretly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Okay, if there's nothing else, the meeting is adjourned. I have a banquet with a business partner tonight, and I need to confirm some things with my assistant team."
Mother Meng turned to leave, then suddenly turned back and said, "By the way, don't praise or flatter us anymore. Just pray that my husband and I live long enough so that when the company really goes bankrupt, you can come to us for the money."
After saying this, everyone felt their faces heat up and didn't dare to look Mother Meng in the eye.
After saying that, Mother Meng turned around and left the meeting room.
Outside the meeting room, the assistant had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Mother Meng coming, the assistant quickly stepped forward and said, "Chairwoman, this is the arrangement for tonight's banquet. Please take a look."
"Just read it to me. I'm too lazy to look. I have a headache," Mother Meng said. The memories from just now had made her feel stuffy and uncomfortable.
"You should take care of your health. Let me tell you. The main purpose of tonight's banquet is to secure several 1 - billion - yuan projects from the other company. A large - scale influx of funds like this will revive the Meng Group."
"Okay, what aspects are these 1 - billion - yuan projects in?"
"Chairwoman, you don't have to worry about this. We've prepared some materials for you. You can take a look and get to know them."
"Okay, bring them to my office."
"Sure."
Mother Meng returned to her office. When she was almost at the door, an assistant came up and said, "Chairwoman, someone is here to see you."
"Who is it? I'm busy today. Ask him to come another day."
"You know him. It's General Manager Mu Junze."
Mother Meng was startled. What was he doing here?
At this moment, a sense of foreboding gradually welled up in her heart...