Another Day of Pretending for the Wealthy Couple - Chapter 52

Zhong Yan could sense Ji Tanyuan gradually distancing herself from him, all because of that one visit back to the Zhong family.

The suffocating pressure felt like a whirlpool threatening to drown him. The Zhong family’s interests were too deeply intertwined with the conglomerate’s, making a swift and complete separation impossible.

He was even more uncertain about his feelings toward Ji Tanyuan, unable to make the right decision.

Meanwhile, Ji Tanyuan’s mind was preoccupied with whether to tactfully reallocate assets or stand firm with a technological siege.

The former was difficult. Whether it was microelectronics, new energy, or her recent upstream semiconductor ventures, all required substantial funding. Large-scale capital flows would inevitably impact other sectors.

Moreover, Ji Group’s withdrawal from Qinghe Real Estate had already been a strategic shift and resource reorganization. Any further moves would undoubtedly face resistance.

And the current situation was clear: Ji Group couldn’t escape.

As for the latter approach, the chances of success were slim.

Ji Tanyuan ruffled her hair in frustration. This was tough.

That evening, Ji Tanyuan was in her study, on a call with Duan Huaixu.

Noticing her obvious unhappiness, Duan Huaixu remarked, “Huanghuang, you know better than to make decisions when you’re emotionally compromised, right?”

“This little grievance is nothing. You simply expected something from someone who didn’t deserve your expectations.”

“Just like with your father.”

“Your father might have been worth it, but others aren’t. Rein in your playful heart, Zhong Yan’s emotions are not a game you can afford to play.”

Ji Tanyuan replied softly, “I understand.”

“Wasn’t the initial purpose of this marriage alliance to secure the mainland market? Abandoning this goldmine for overseas ventures would be futile. Stay put on the mainland.” Duan Huaixu said, taking a sip of water.

Initially, Duan Huaixu had been somewhat displeased that Ji Tanyuan chose marriage over seeking his help. It wasn’t until he recently met Ji Qing that he understood, it wasn’t that she didn’t seek help, but that there was no way out.

The domestic capital market had its own entrenched players and leaders, particularly those with red backgrounds. Once targeted, foreign capital found it nearly impossible to break in.

Back then, Ji Group was already under scrutiny by various regulatory bodies, including the Market Supervision Administration and the Securities Regulatory Commission. Any misstep could lead to investigations, and Ji Qing was frequently summoned for talks. A single wrong word could land him in serious trouble.

Duan Huaixu tapped the table. “We’re not at a dead end yet. Even if we were, didn’t you say Innie’s team is on standby? Take it step by step. Your father’s situation should be stabilized by now.”

“If conflicts arise again, it’s okay to show a little displeasure.”

Curled up in her chair, Ji Tanyuan looked up at his words.

It was early morning where he was. Through the floor-to-ceiling window behind him, the skyscrapers of Wall Street pierced through misty clouds.

His expression was stern, but when Ji Tanyuan met his gaze, his eyes softened slightly. “Showing displeasure is the most effective way to resolve interpersonal conflicts. The goal isn’t to vent, it’s to make sure they hear you.”

“Even if the other party holds a higher position?”

“Yes, even if their status is far above yours or seemingly unreachable. But behind closed doors, you’re family. Doesn’t that narrow the status gap?”

Once everyone sits down as family, who’s truly beyond reproach?

Duan Huaixu was a man of ruthless rationality. It was this very cold, calculated logic that had profoundly shaken the 18-year-old Princess Ji, fresh out of her ivory tower, instilling in her soft, sincere heart a trace of a merchant’s merciless shrewdness.

After hanging up the phone, the secretary raised an eyebrow. “Teaching Princess Ji another bad idea, are you?”

Duan Huaixu smirked mockingly. “Her marriage itself is the biggest mistake. In a marriage, women are often the ones who endure. I’m just telling her not to endure anymore, how is that a bad idea?”

“But I’ve heard the other family holds significant power.”

Duan Huaixu set his coffee aside. “That’s exactly why they’re most afraid of family scandals being exposed.”

…

Zhong Yan sat in another study.

On the desk were documents about the companies Ji Tanyuan had invested in, ranging from semiconductor material suppliers to production equipment and EDA software. Some were direct investments, others indirect holdings, covering the upstream sectors of the chip industry chain.

Though she had no decision-making or controlling power, the established fact of shareholder priority rights remained.

When he had investigated Ji Tanyuan before their marriage, he had assumed these were all holdings under the Ji family. Only now did he realize that Shengda, the entity holding these shares, belonged to Ji Tanyuan and her mother.

And Ji Tanyuan’s mother had already withdrawn from the Ji family’s shareholder lineup six years ago.

Zhong Yan’s expression turned cold and stern, a stark contrast to his usual casual demeanor. Quite the strategist.

Currently, there were two key figures in the Ji family’s core: Ji Qing and Ji Tanyuan.

Meanwhile, loudmouths like Ji Ting held relatively low equity shares. In other words, after the equity reform, Ji Tanyuan and Ji Ting collectively owned 60% of the Ji family’s shares. As for the independently spun-off Qinghe Real Estate, Ji Tanyuan held no shares, most were under Ji Qing’s name. Once again, Ji Qing was the one taking the fall.

Last week, Qinghe’s announcement on non-performing asset disposals revealed that many of the land parcels had promising prospects. However, issues like unclear property rights and incomplete geological certifications were downplayed in the disclosures, creating the illusion that they could be easily resolved.

Yet these were precisely the traps. Qinghe had evaded responsibility by disclosing the asset project information upfront, making it difficult to accurately assign blame later.

Overconfident real estate funds and AMCs, blinded by the frenzy, would naively believe they could easily resolve these issues, especially since some of these lands were in prime locations.

As a result, the disposal prices for these impaired assets were not low, further inflated by speculative factors.

This method of drawing public opinion into the mix didn’t seem like the work of Ji Qing’s team, it felt more like the handiwork of a younger generation.

Zhong Yan crossed his legs. Lu Ke excelled at corporate management but was less adept at asset monetization.

So, Ji Tanyuan, you were trained under Duan Huaixu after all. No wonder I couldn’t find her employment history before, she was his closed-door disciple.

He stood up and turned to the window, gazing at the barren branches outside.

Autumn had arrived.

He turned around and dialed a number. Shen Que answered.

Zhong Yan said, “Gather the asset investment department for a meeting.”

Shen Que inquired about the specific details of the meeting.

Zhong Yan lowered his gaze, looking at his wedding ring. He picked it up and slipped it back onto his finger, the slender digit easily encircled by the band.

“Asset shifting.”