Su Shi Group is one of Su Jiang's key enterprises, with its headquarters located in the Su Jiang High-tech Development Zone, a large industrial park.
Much like many family businesses in Long Guo, as Su Shi Group grew in scale, it began to exhibit the drawbacks of a family-run enterprise: management, operations, and research and development struggled to keep pace with the company's expansion.
It was at this juncture that Su Yuanshan, with his characteristic foresight and decisiveness, initiated major reforms within the company, recruiting a large number of talented individuals and entrusting professional matters to professional people.
This included appointing new high-level executives and even board members.
Currently, among the members of the Su Shi Group's board of directors, only Su Yuanshan, Su Shiwei, Su Shijie, Su Shining, and Su Li are from the Su family. The other four are externally hired executives.
The following morning at nine o'clock, Su Shi Group convened a board meeting.
By 8:50 AM, all board members, with the exception of Su Yuanshan, were already assembled in the conference room.
“President Su, do we have a solution to the problems?”
In the quiet conference room, the CTO of Su Shi Group couldn't help but ask, his face filled with anticipation.
Since the issues at Su Shi Group arose, Su Yuanshan had already convened three board meetings, but none had yielded a solution.
Upon hearing the CTO's question, the financial director and another externally hired vice president also turned their gazes towards Su Shiwei.
Only Song Yun, the COO of Su Shi Group, remained impassive.
As Su Shiwei's subordinate, Song Yun was Su Shiwei's absolute confidant.
He had received a call from Su Shiwei the previous night, informing him of the purpose of Su Yuanshan's board meeting today: Su Shiyun would be replacing him as the new COO of Su Shi Group!
This news left him feeling disgruntled and indignant – the company's troubles were not his fault, so why should he bear the blame?
“Director Su and I are actively working on solutions,” Su Shiwei replied expressionlessly, all the while clearly sensing Song Yun's discontent and suppressed anger, and a cold sneer rippled through him.
Today, he intended to demonstrate his influence and power within the company during this board meeting, making Su Yuanshan realize how foolish a decision it was to appoint Su Shiyun as the future chairperson of Su Shi Group!
And Song Yun would become Su Shiwei's pawn in his confrontation with Su Yuanshan!
At precisely nine o'clock, Su Yuanshan, accompanied by Su Shiyun, entered the conference room.
Instantly, all eyes in the room turned towards Su Shiyun.
Among them, Su Shiwei, Su Shijie, Su Li, and Song Yun cast unfriendly glances. Su Shining remained composed as always, while the other three directors, not belonging to the Su family, looked on with confusion: Who was she?
There was no immediate answer, but when they saw Su Shiyun take the empty seat next to Su Yuanshan, their pupils contracted slightly!
The seating arrangement in the conference room represented status and hierarchy!
Logic dictated that the unfamiliar yet beautiful woman before them would become a significant figure in Su Shi Group!
“Today, we have convened this board meeting for two purposes. Firstly, to announce a personnel appointment. Secondly, to continue discussing how to resolve the company's current issues.”
As if to validate their assumptions, Su Yuanshan surveyed the room and directly stated the meeting's objectives. He then continued, “Before we begin, allow me to introduce my granddaughter, Su Shiyun.”
“Hello, everyone.”
Su Shiyun stood up, bowed slightly, and greeted everyone.
“Given the company's current situation and in order to resolve the problems it faces, I propose that Miss Su Shiyun be appointed as the company's Chief Operating Officer and Vice President. Song Yun will continue to serve as a director and Vice President of the company.”
After Su Shiyun sat down, Su Yuanshan directly voiced his proposed appointment for her.
Hearing Su Yuanshan's words with astonishment, the three non-Su family directors, along with Su Shiwei, turned their attention to Song Yun.
They were well aware that although Su Yuanshan was temporarily retaining Song Yun's positions as director and vice president, it was only a temporary measure – changing a director required a shareholders' meeting.
Song Yun, naturally, understood this clearly. With a somber expression, he looked up at Su Yuanshan and said, “Director Su, I believe that in the years I have been with the company, I have always been diligent and dedicated, contributing greatly to the company's development. This current crisis is not my responsibility. I do not understand why you are doing this.”
Upon hearing Song Yun’s words, the three non-Su family directors immediately looked to Su Yuanshan, awaiting his response.
Su Yuanshan's decision to place members of the Su family on the board was understandable. However, replacing Song Yun made them uneasy.
Who could guarantee that they wouldn't be next?
“Song Yun, the reason Director Su is doing this is because Miss Su Shiyun has guaranteed she can resolve the company's issues – she will help the company's stock price recover to half its peak market value, and simultaneously address the issues of collaborators terminating their partnerships and suing the company!”
Immediately, before Su Yuanshan could speak, Su Shiwei interjected.
A stir went through the room at Su Shiwei’s statement.
Including Song Yun, the four non-Su family directors looked at Su Shiyun in shock.
As directors and senior executives of the company, they were all too aware of the problems Su Shi Group was facing. They also knew that Su Yuanshan and others had tried every possible means over the past period without success. How could Su Shiyun possibly resolve them?
Su Shijie, Su Li, and Su Shining were also watching Su Shiyun.
Having attended the family meeting last night, they were all privy to Su Shiwei's intention with his statement – to put Su Shiyun on the spot!
If Su Shiyun failed to deliver, not only would she be unable to succeed Su Yuanshan as chairperson of Su Shi Group, but her holding any significant position in the company would also face strong opposition from everyone!
At that point, even if Su Yuanshan insisted on proceeding, it would be difficult to overcome the widespread dissent.
After all, major company decisions required approval from the shareholders' meeting and the board of directors.
“Shiwei, you’ve gone too far.”
Su Yuanshan, having instantly seen through Su Shiwei's intentions, frowned and glared at him, admonishing him.
“Father, Song Yun has worked diligently for the company for many years, and it's natural for him to have feelings when he's suddenly replaced. I am merely explaining the reason to him. And everything I just said is the truth. Shijie, Shining, and Xiaoli were all present last night; they all heard and saw it.”
Su Shiwei then looked at Su Shiyun with a playful smirk, “Su Shiyun did indeed implicitly agree to achieve one of these two things.”
Hearing Su Shiwei's words again, and observing his playful expression, Su Shiyun's brow furrowed.
She knew that Su Shiwei was issuing her a warning and simultaneously digging a pit for her.
If she remained silent now, it would be tantamount to admitting to everyone that she had been speaking carelessly last night.
In doing so, she would be looked down upon by other executives in the company, making it difficult for her to work, and would also undermine Su Yuanshan’s authority within the company.
“Yes, I promised Director Su that I would accomplish one of these two tasks.”
Su Shiyun made her public commitment.
Although she knew this was a trap set by Su Shiwei, she leaped into it for the sake of winning the wager and keeping Jiang Wuming within the Su family.
In fact, for her, even if the path ahead was fraught with peril, she would charge forward without hesitation!
Upon hearing Su Shiyun's words, Su Shijie and Su Li's eyes were filled with amusement.
Su Shining, on the other hand, had an expression of sympathy.
Neither of them believed Su Shiyun could achieve those two feats!
Su Yuanshan did not believe it either.
At that moment, he wanted to say something in support of Su Shiyun, but recalling the wager Jiang Wuming had accepted on Su Shiyun's behalf the previous night, he felt a sense of helplessness.
Su Shiyun now had no room to retreat!
Creak!
Just then, the conference room door was suddenly pushed open, and Su Yuanshan’s assistant quickly entered the room.
“Don’t you know we’re in a board meeting? Who allowed you to enter so casually?”
Su Shiwei berated him on the spot.
“I… I apologize, President Su. I have extremely important news to report to Director Su. I was agitated and forgot to knock…”
Su Yuanshan’s assistant explained apologetically.
“What could be more important than a board meeting?!”
Su Shiwei demanded with a stern face.
“The… the company’s stock price has surged by 150% in pre-market trading!!”
Su Yuanshan’s assistant blurted out impatiently, his entire body trembling with excitement, as if he had been injected with adrenaline.
PS: The stock market in this book follows the rules of US or Hong Kong stocks, which do not have price fluctuation limits. Please do not draw parallels.