It was a call from Qin Rao.
"Hu Xiao is on the move," Qin Rao informed.
Hu Xiao had gone to see Hu Zhen.
After hearing Hu Xiao's account of Qing Nuan's situation, Hu Zhen was so furious that he smashed the ashtray in his office again. "Hu Xiao! Can you just behave yourself and stop causing trouble?"
Hu Xiao looked aggrieved. "Shao Qing's company is practically mine, isn't it? What's wrong with using my own money for a while?"
Hu Zhen was beside himself with anger. "Are you legally illiterate? If you just borrow it for a while, you should pay it back in time. Why did you ask the accountant to cook the books?"
Hu Xiao looked wronged but also had her own reasoning. "I was in a tight spot for money and couldn't pay it back in time. And it was time to submit the accounts. What else could I do but ask the accountant to falsify the accounts?"
Hu Zhen was speechless for a moment.
He was so angry that his head ached. Grinding his teeth, he held back for a while. Unable to think of anything else to scold Hu Xiao with, he finally blurted out, "Are you that short of money?"
"There are so many things that need money. It was okay before, but after I lost my shares in the family company, my meager income was hardly enough," Hu Xiao said, feeling more and more aggrieved.
Hu Zhen was completely at a loss for words.
He slapped Hu Xiao across the face. Hu Xiao was also annoyed and looked at Hu Zhen with teary eyes.
Under normal circumstances, Hu Xiao would have stormed off. But now, thinking about Shen Shao Qing's company, she managed to hold back. "Dad, you can punish me later. The most important thing now is to save Shao Qing's company!"
"How can I save it? The creditors are already at the door," Hu Zhen grumbled. He wanted to just wash his hands off the matter, but thinking about Shen Shao Qing's company, once it developed, it would have boundless prospects. Moreover, it had already secured a cooperation with the Hu Corporation. As long as it behaved itself and the new product was successfully developed and launched, the company's market value would at least multiply several times.
With the help of the Hu Corporation, it might even become a listed company soon.
Hu Zhen just couldn't bear to let go of this big opportunity.
He glared angrily at Hu Xiao. "I'll help you sort this out, but from now on, you're not allowed to interfere in Qing Nuan's affairs! No more spending money or interfering in any of her decisions!"
Hu Xiao was furious inside. Why couldn't she interfere in her own company?
But now, to placate Hu Zhen, she could only meekly agree. "I know, Dad. After this incident, I'll never dare again."
Hu Zhen had no mood to educate Hu Xiao anymore. He turned around, picked up his phone, and started contacting his connections.
Qin Rao was only responsible for keeping an eye on Hu Xiao's movements for Ling Nuan. He had no idea whom Hu Zhen had contacted or what they had discussed.
However, he soon learned that Hu Zhen had booked a private kitchen for 7 p.m. tonight.
This revealed a message.
He was going to entertain guests.
"Okay, send me the name of the private kitchen. I'll make my own arrangements later," Ling Nuan said.
After hanging up Qin Rao's call, before Ling Nuan could make any arrangements, Hu Linsheng's call came in.
Yang Qin saw that her calls kept coming one after another and offered to leave. "I'll go first. Let me know if you need anything else."
Ling Nuan smiled and nodded at her. After watching her leave, she answered Hu Linsheng's call.
"Not done yet?" As soon as the call was connected, Hu Linsheng's inquiring voice came through. "When will you be back?"
Ling Nuan explained. "Almost, but...," she said with a helpless smile. "Isn't it time for me to clock out right here?"
"It's the end of the year. The company is short - staffed," Hu Linsheng said, showing no mercy.
It wasn't really about asking her to go back and work overtime. In fact, Ling Nuan still wasn't sure what Hu Linsheng was thinking. But since he pretended not to know anything, she would naturally play along.
"I'll go back right away," Ling Nuan replied.
It was really busy at the company at the end of the year.
After Ling Nuan returned to the company, she threw herself into work, but would still spare some time to keep an eye on Hu Zhen and Hu Xiao's situation.
She had already made her arrangements and was just waiting for the big fish to take the bait.
...
At Jing City Airport.
Meng Shuluo got off the plane.
She received a call from Hu Xiao.
"Miss Shuluo, I'm really sorry. I should have come to pick you up in person, but I've run into some problems here and can't get away. I'm so sorry, Miss Shuluo," Hu Xiao said, her voice full of apology.
Meng Shuluo said gently, "It's okay. Your business is more important."
Hu Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.
Meng Shuluo was invited by Hu Xiao to Jing City, and the itinerary was set in advance. At that time, in order to win Meng Shuluo over, Hu Xiao specifically said that she would pick Meng Shuluo up at the airport and throw a grand welcome party for her.
Now that she had to cancel at the last minute, Hu Xiao was really afraid that Meng Shuluo would be angry.
After all, their relationship wasn't that close. If she offended Meng Shuluo, how could she persuade Meng Shuluo to deal with Ling Nuan later?
Fortunately, Meng Shuluo had a good temper.
"Miss Shuluo, you're so kind. Once I'm done with my work, I'll definitely accompany you well," Hu Xiao promised.
Meng Shuluo smiled. "There's no rush."
She then asked with concern, "Is the problem very difficult? If there's anything I can do to help, don't be polite to me."
Hu Xiao originally didn't want to tell Meng Shuluo about it. After all, family scandals should not be publicized. But as she opened her mouth, before the words came out, she suddenly had an idea.
Could she slander Ling Nuan in front of Meng Shuluo?
Realizing this, Hu Xiao immediately changed her words.
"It's a bit troublesome. Miss Shuluo, you should know that my little uncle has a girlfriend, right?" Hu Xiao began.
Meng Shuluo responded with an "mm" and asked cooperatively, "What's wrong? Is the thing you're busy with related to her?"
"She used to date my husband. After they broke up, she's always had a grudge against him. This time, she played a dirty trick and reported the tax issues of my husband's company. My husband's company is currently in talks with our family company for cooperation. This investigation will definitely affect the cooperation. We don't even know how much of an impact it will have," Hu Xiao said, looking worried.
In her words, it was obvious that Ling Nuan was the trouble - maker.
Although to some extent, it was also the truth.
Meng Shuluo naturally didn't believe it.
"Is there some misunderstanding?" Meng Shuluo said with a smile. "As long as you've done nothing wrong, her report won't cause any problems."
Hu Xiao was momentarily speechless. She forced a couple of fake smiles and said, "The company's accounts aren't completely clean. There are always some minor issues. Usually, it's okay, but once it's reported and investigated..."
Hearing this, Meng Shuluo didn't press further. Instead, she comforted her. "No business can be completely clean. I understand. Have you come up with a solution?"
Hu Xiao replied, "I have no idea. I asked my dad to introduce some connections for me. I'm going to have dinner with them tonight, so I won't be able to accompany you, Miss Shuluo."
"Okay, I understand. You focus on your work. We'll meet up when you're free," Meng Shuluo said. After getting the information she wanted, she quickly and neatly ended the conversation.
Hu Xiao was in no mood to chat with Meng Shuluo either. After informing her, she hung up the phone.
After hanging up Hu Xiao's call, Meng Shuluo opened WeChat, found an acquaintance, and sent a message.
"Find out which restaurant Hu Xiao has booked for dinner tonight."
Then, Meng Shuluo put away her phone and walked towards the car she had booked in advance.
"Miss Meng, where to?" the driver asked.
Meng Shuluo glanced at the message she had just received and said, "Chu Yan."
Chu Yan was the private kitchen that Hu Zhen had booked for tonight.