Feng Shiming now held two percent of Zhan Corporation's shares. While not a large amount, it still made her a shareholder. Since Zhan Mohan and Ji Tong had met in the villa, neither side had made a move, waiting to see who would crack first.
Zhan Mohan knew that although Ji Tong appeared to be doing nothing, he was surely plotting behind the scenes. As for himself, he only needed to protect his wife and children, as they were his sole vulnerability. As long as Ji Tong couldn't break through this defense, he was willing to play along with any scheme.
Zhan Corporation was indeed a prize, and many coveted it. However, to truly swallow it whole required not only ambition but also the capability.
In the years Zhan Mohan had managed Zhan Corporation, he had never feared such enemies.
On Monday, during the departmental meetings where work was being reported, the conference room door suddenly opened. Feng Shiming gracefully entered and took the empty seat previously occupied by Mu Linjing.
"This seat still feels the same, just as comfortable. Brother Mohan, if you hadn't sent me abroad, do you think I would have been promoted by now?"
Zhan Mohan's expression turned cold. Fang Xun, understanding his intent, immediately spoke up, "Miss Feng, we are holding a regular meeting. Please do not disrupt our work. Furthermore, the seat you are occupying belongs to someone. Please do not overstep."
"Overstep?" Feng Shiming chuckled, her demeanor becoming more insolent as she sat there. "As one of Zhan Corporation's shareholders, is it overstepping for me to occupy a mere employee's workstation? Besides, what use is there for such an employee, who works sporadically, to be kept at Zhan Corporation? The company is not a charity. Wouldn't that lower the company's profits and harm the shareholders' interests?"
Leveraging her shareholder status, Feng Shiming let loose, her every word arrogant and overbearing.
Zhan Yichen, sitting opposite, was already displeased and retorted, "Harming the company's interests? I currently manage two departments, and the company's revenue has increased by two percent. Are you sure you're talking about harming *your* interests?"
Feng Shiming had spoken in haste and hadn't considered these points. However, she was unwilling to concede verbally.
She touched the nameplate on the desk that read Mu Linjing, a disdainful smile on her lips. "That is your credit, and it has nothing to do with an employee who is absent without cause. The value you create is yours alone; she must bear the consequences of her mistakes."
As the instigator of Mu Linjing's disappearance, she was now condemning Mu Linjing for her unwarranted absence, yet her face showed no shame. Looking at her, Zhan Mohan finally regretted his decision to send her abroad. He had thought she might mature and become more sensible upon her return, but instead, she had returned as a butcher.
Zhan Mohan felt deep remorse for his misjudgment. He gestured for Zhan Yichen to sit down, then pointed to the door. "If you're done, please leave and don't disturb others."
Feng Shiming was unfazed. She took a card from her bag and pushed it towards him. "Brother Mohan, I'm here to invite you to an opening ceremony. With a business magnate like you gracing the event, the celebration will surely be grand."
After speaking, she swept out, showing no apology for disrupting the regular flow of their meeting, nor did she seem to think it inappropriate to say things with personal implications during such a gathering.
Watching her brazen departure, a chill emanated from Zhan Mohan's eyes. It seemed Ji Tong had indeed given her considerable courage, or she wouldn't dare act this way at the company.
The conference room door closed behind her. He coldly commanded, "Continue the meeting."
He pocketed the card Feng Shiming had left. After the meeting, he called Zhan Yichen over.
"An opening ceremony? Brother, whose company is this?"
The card only had an address. However, Zhan Mohan guessed that the company was likely under Feng Shiming's name but actually belonged to Ji Tong. Ji Tong lacked legal status in China, so he had to use Feng Shiming's name.
"Such blatant provocation. Tomorrow, we'll go and see what kind of company this is."
The next day, adhering to the address and time on the card, Zhan Mohan deliberately arrived half an hour late. The opening ceremony had already begun, so his entrance precisely interrupted the proceedings.
Feng Shiming, dressed in a gown, stood on the stage, watching him enter unhurriedly.
Wherever Zhan Mohan was, he was always the center of attention. The reporters swarmed around him, as everyone knew the two were siblings. Now that Feng Shiming had opened her own company, their relationship had become a hot topic of discussion.
"Mr. Zhan, it's rumored that your relationship with Miss Feng is not as good as before. Are you here today to attend her opening ceremony to disprove these rumors?"
Zhan Mohan strode past the reporters and onto the stage, casually taking the microphone. "I have always disdained explaining rumors. Let the outside world spread whatever they wish. However, I must announce today that since Miss Feng has established her own venture, she is no longer a member of the Zhan family."
This declaration sent shockwaves through the entire venue. Wasn't this a clear confirmation of the rumors, telling everyone they were not on good terms?
As the saying goes, the business world is a battlefield. Zhan Mohan's move was also intended to make it clear to the outside world that even though Feng Shiming was the legal representative of this new company, there was no need to offer preferential treatment due to her relationship with the Zhan family. On the contrary, by positioning himself on the opposing side, he was forcing people in the industry to choose sides. If they didn't want this company to flourish, it should be nipped in the bud from the start.
It was Feng Shiming who had invited him. In reality, this was Ji Tong's plan, a declaration of war. However, these two had clearly underestimated the influence of Zhan Corporation and Zhan Mohan in the entire business circle. A mere raise of his eyebrow could send the entire circle into turmoil. Even if Ji Tong's influence abroad was sufficient to help him gain a foothold domestically, he was still overestimating himself if he thought he could divide and conquer Zhan Mohan, this behemoth.
Murmurs rippled through the audience. On stage, Feng Shiming's eyes flickered like sparks. She walked up to Zhan Mohan and said in a voice only they could hear, "Brother Mohan, I didn't expect you to be so heartless, not even giving me a chance."
"I gave you a chance, and you rejected it. I just want to show you the consequence of betraying those who support you."
Feng Shiming was helping Ji Tong, and he knew it. He knew she was aware of why Ji Tong hated him so much, yet she still chose to help him. Ji Tong's sole aim was revenge for past grievances, intending to kill him. At such a juncture, an opponent's ally was his enemy, without exception.