Yuan Gang glanced at them and said expressionlessly, "Sir has other matters to attend to shortly. It would be best if you state your business directly and save time, as Sir dislikes hypocrisy."
"Mr. Ye, this is the General Manager of Platinum Bank's Star City Branch."
"This is the General Manager of Bauhinia Bank's Star City Branch."
"This is the General Manager of Seaflower Bank's Star City Branch."
"..."
After the introductions, an uncanny silence fell over the private room once more.
Mayor Zhao didn't utter a single word. He felt restless even while sitting, as the person occupying the head seat was the nation's sole Five-Star Heavenly King!
"You all discuss your business."
Ye Longlin knew Zhang Xiao's intentions but didn't voice them. He had seen Zhang Xiao diligently by his side for the past two days since returning to Star City, so he didn't say much. Zhang Xiao simply wanted to leverage his influence to have Mayor Zhao approve his project.
"Mayor, you called us banks here today, presumably regarding the Xiaotian Group. To be frank, according to reliable sources, Qin Xiao already has sufficient evidence for conviction. Everything he has done has been uncovered. The reason it hasn't been publicized is to maintain stability. Coupled with their excessively high debt ratio, even if we were to extend further credit, the Xiaotian Group wouldn't be able to survive." The General Manager of Seaflower Bank said with a wry smile.
The head office had issued directives on this matter; they were now simply waiting to liquidate assets and recover funds.
"That's right, President Zhang should know that the real estate industry is inherently like this. Once one link in the chain breaks, it leads to total collapse. Even emptying out our three banks wouldn't be enough to save it." The General Manager of Bauhinia Bank also appeared troubled. Their head office had specifically called that morning to inquire. If the funds they had disbursed couldn't be recovered, his tenure as General Manager would be over. It seemed the Xiaotian Group still held some sway in Star City, and their downfall had presented them with a difficult situation.
Zhang Xiao glanced at Ye Longlin, remained silent for a moment, and then asked, "Mr. Ye, what do you think about me taking over the Xiaotian Group?"
The Xiaotian Group itself wasn't important; what mattered were the projects they held. Ye Longlin had great faith in Zhang Xiao's business acumen. He had been sent away initially due to offending a powerful figure over some matters. After Ye Longlin overturned the verdict and secured his release, he had come to Star City and built his empire from scratch to its current standing.
"Fine."
After speaking, his phone rang. Yuan Gang handed the phone over, glancing at the contact name: Lin Tian'ai. Upon answering, a cold voice came through, "Ye Longlin, if you are not here within five minutes, you don't need to come at all!" With that, the call was abruptly disconnected.
Ye Longlin handed his phone back to Yuan Gang and said calmly, "I have other matters to attend to. I will take my leave first." None present dared to detain him. Even Zhao Yuanhui quickly stood up to see him off, maintaining a respectful distance behind him.
With Zhao Yuanhui personally seeing him off, the others dared not remain seated; it would be courting disaster. They all rose. Mu Hanqi, meanwhile, walked out of the private room, lit a cigarette, and as she exhaled a plume of smoke, she saw a host of influential figures surrounding Ye Longlin as he exited. Seeing this scene, Mu Hanqi's eyes widened in disbelief.
"This... how is this possible!"
"No matter how high Ye Longlin's status is, the Mayor wouldn't personally escort him out, unless his status is even higher than the Mayor's!"
"He can handle such a situation with such ease, even control the entire venue. And Tian'ai earlier..."
Before she could finish her astonished thoughts, she heard Zhao Yuanhui, with evident obsequiousness and a humble demeanor, say, "Mr. Ye, if you need any assistance in Star City, please do not hesitate to contact me. Little Zhao will do his utmost to handle it for you."
Her small mouth, which had been slightly ajar, could have easily fit an egg. What had she just heard? Mayor Zhao, such a powerful official, had referred to himself as "Little Zhao" in front of him! What exactly was her best friend's husband's identity?
"Alright, you all may return." Ye Longlin did not wish for them to know that he was heading to another private room next.
"Yes, yes, Mr. Ye, safe travels." After he spoke, they each retreated back into their respective private rooms, truly retreating, not returning! Mu Hanqi was about to step forward to question him when the door of the private room behind her opened, and Lin Tian'ai walked in.
"Mu Mu, they are all waiting for you," Lin Tian'ai said, her eyes falling upon a familiar figure in the distance, causing her brow to furrow immediately furrow. She called out coldly towards them, "Ye Longlin, what exactly are you doing? Is that room for you to enter? Hurry up and come over here."
With her queenly aura emanating, Mu Hanqi held her forehead. "Sister, my dear sister, you didn't just see the scene where a group of magnates were escorting your husband out. And you dare to face him with such a cold expression! My good friend, your cheap husband is really not as simple as you think!" Mu Hanqi grabbed Lin Tian'ai's arm, chattering incessantly.
"Mu Mu, why are you always speaking up for him?" Lin Tian'ai, uncharacteristically, seemed annoyed with Mu Hanqi, her expression displeased.
Ye Longlin said nothing and followed them into the private room. As soon as they entered, he heard someone speaking boastfully. "The Xiaotian Group has decided to increase its capital by issuing new shares externally. We are currently in discussions with Bauhinia, Platinum, and Seaflower banks. We plan to release 15% of our shares for this capital increase. We are seeing if any of you are interested."
Upon hearing this, many of those present fell silent. Gu Shao, seated at the head of the table, scoffed, "Qin Feng, I don't need to elaborate on the situation of your Xiaotian Group, do I? Do you still have the capacity for this capital increase now? With a debt ratio of 60%, not even accounting for the five construction sites where final payments are outstanding, your debt ratio exceeds 70%. Can you still stabilize this ship?"
Qin Feng's lips curved into a smile, and he stated with absolute certainty, "The Xiaotian Group is preparing for its IPO. Before the listing, the five construction sites will begin pre-sales. Do you think the Xiaotian Group lacks the strength for this?"
"We are all friends, which is why I want to bring you along. If we weren't friends, do you think I would have come today?"
At this moment, Lin Tian'ai, who had just entered, spoke up directly, "My Juling Group will invest thirty million yuan, holding a 3% stake. What do you think, Young Master Qin?"