The senior management of Xun Rong unanimously agreed with He Zhizhou's view, believing that gifting the Ferghana horse was a wise choice, one that the Dragon Warlord would surely appreciate.
However, Jiang Lan disagreed.
Though rationally it was more sensible to trust He Zhizhou, her past experiences and lessons had taught her that trusting Lu Ming, regardless of the circumstances, would always lead to favorable outcomes.
Therefore, Jiang Lan cleared her throat and announced in front of everyone, "Thank you, Elder He, for your suggestion. Your advice is very reasonable; however, after careful consideration, I have decided to adopt Lu Ming's plan."
Huh?
Are you kidding me?
All the senior executives were stunned, unable to believe that Jiang Lan would choose to trust Lu Ming!
What was this?
Favoritism!
He Zhizhou was the first to stand up, shouting angrily, "Manager Jiang, you are completely biased! You don't base your decisions on facts, only on what your friends tell you! How can you lead Xun Rong to develop like this? What right do you have to sit in the General Manager's seat?!"
These words were harsh.
Although the other senior executives remained silent, their expressions and actions clearly showed their support for He Zhizhou.
Jiang Lan felt a pang of guilt.
Yes, she was indeed playing favorites; she couldn't find any logical reason to trust Lu Ming, yet she still chose to believe him.
It was simply because of two words: Trust!
At this moment, Lu Ming smiled and said, "Elder He, please rest assured, the suggestion I've made will surely succeed. The Dragon Warlord will undoubtedly like the gift I've prepared."
"Nonsense!" He Zhizhou cursed, "You're thinking of gifting a stray dog to the Warlord? What's in your brain, just excrement! Jiang Lan, Lu Ming, if you want to court death, that's your business. I'm not playing along anymore. Goodbye!"
With that, He Zhizhou slammed his hat onto the table, "I quit! I resign!"
This action shocked everyone.
Was it necessary?
Jiang Lan was also taken aback. Losing such a valuable subordinate over a single decision seemed too costly.
She wanted to dissuade him.
However, He Zhizhou was resolute in his decision, scolding, "You favor the wicked and distance yourself from the virtuous. Jiang Lan, Xun Rong will surely fall into ruin in your hands sooner or later! Lu Ming is akin to Liu Jin or Wei Zhongxian in ancient times, a eunuch wielding power!"
His words grew increasingly outrageous, even likening Lu Ming to a eunuch.
Lu Ming's expression shifted back and forth.
I was polite to you, yet you're taking advantage. This won't do.
Lu Ming glared at He Zhizhou and said, "If Elder He, this is all the insight and broad-mindedness you possess, then you are truly not fit to work at Xun Rong."
Their exchange was like a clash of swords. Lu Ming wasn't going to indulge him any further.
"Very well, very well. I'm not fit. I'm leaving now!" He Zhizhou sneered. "Lu Ming, I will make you pay a heavy price!"
With that.
He Zhizhou kicked his chair away and turned to leave.
An elder who had worked at the Jiang family for over twenty years left in anger.
The entire conference room was filled with an oppressive silence.
After a long while.
Jiang Lan slowly said, "Go and prepare according to Lu Ming's plan."
At this point, Jiang Lan had no choice but to bet everything on Lu Ming. If they won, everyone would be happy; if they lost, then Jiang Lan's tenure as General Manager would be over.
The pressure was immense!
...
Soon, the day of the investment fair arrived.
Jiang Lan drove, taking Lu Ming and the meticulously chosen local Chinese dog, to the investment building. After handing over the gift to the staff, they both entered the building.
They walked along a long red carpet into the building's interior.
Because the project was personally developed by the Dragon Warlord, the Jinling city officials attached great importance to it, arranging a large security detail.
A total of 36 companies attended this investment project, all of them top-tier companies in Jinling, with the exception of Xun Rong.
When Jiang Lan reached the hall and surveyed the scene, she saw only prominent figures worth billions, tens of billions, or even hundreds of billions.
Any one of them could crush her.
Competing with these magnates for the same project was, as one could imagine, incredibly difficult.
"Hoo..." Jiang Lan took a deep breath.
Just then.
A plump, middle-aged man with a jovial expression walked up to Jiang Lan, whistling with a wicked amusement.
Huh?
Jiang Lan frowned.
Looking up, she realized the man standing before her was Meng Guangyu, the Executive Director of Meng Hai Group.
This man was notoriously lecherous.
Countless young women had been wronged by him.
Furthermore, Meng Guangyu had harbored impure intentions towards Jiang Lan as well; he had even shamelessly proposed to Jiang Lan's father, Jiang Xueyi, claiming to be deeply in love with Jiang Lan and wanting to marry her.
At the time, Meng Guangyu had offered a bride price of thirty million yuan!
As long as Jiang Xueyi agreed, he could take the thirty million.
Fortunately, Jiang Xueyi held his ground.
It was ridiculous; Meng Guangyu was two years older than Jiang Xueyi and could be Jiang Lan's father! At his age, wanting to marry Jiang Lan was sheer madness.
His claims of deep love were, in reality, just lust for Jiang Lan's beauty, an attempt to force her with money.
Although thirty million yuan was a significant sum, the Jiang family's reputation was more important.
Jiang Xueyi, not blinded by money, refused Meng Guangyu, which infuriated him immensely. Subsequently, Meng Guangyu married an internet celebrity and had her wear clothes that Jiang Lan had previously worn, severely humiliating her.
This incident had caused quite a stir in the city back then.
Jiang Lan had also cried for days because of it.
Unexpectedly, after so many years, Jiang Lan encountered this disgusting individual once again.
"Disgusting," Jiang Lan said, not wanting to even look at him, and turned her face away.
"Heh heh," Meng Guangyu chuckled. "What nonsense are you talking about? I am your good husband. As the saying goes, a wife follows her husband like a chicken follows its owner, or a dog follows its owner. Which woman would find her husband disgusting?"
Taking advantage of her in broad daylight.
Jiang Lan rebuked, "Shut your foul mouth!"
Meng Guangyu provocatively said, "I won't. La la la."
He even licked his lips at Jiang Lan, making a disgustingly vile expression.
The people around them were all watching with amused smiles.
Just as Meng Guangyu was gloating, Lu Ming quietly stood beside him and said in a low voice, "Apologize."
Apologize?
Meng Guangyu glanced at Lu Ming and chuckled, "What's going on? Who let the dog in? Barking around here, so annoying."
The onlookers burst into laughter.
Lu Ming slightly raised his hand.
At the critical moment, an elder walked over and shouted, "Lu Ming, what do you think you're doing?"
The elder, sensing Lu Ming was about to make a move, deliberately intervened.
Lu Ming looked up. The elder was none other than He Zhizhou, who had resigned from Xun Rong a few days prior!
Meng Guangyu walked up with a smile, put his arm around He Zhizhou's shoulder, and said, "Xiao Lan, let me introduce you. This is the commercial consultant I've just hired, Elder He Zhizhou!"
He Zhizhou had joined Meng Hai Group.
A traitor on the battlefield!