"There's nothing I can do. I can't beat him alone." Cheng Gui shook his head helplessly. "Yuanlong Real Estate has developed rapidly in recent years, and the industries it's involved in are becoming increasingly broad. My company can no longer compete with them. Instead of fighting him to the bitter end, it's better to bring in partners to strengthen myself and recover some money. Otherwise, if the company goes bankrupt, I won't get a single cent."
Cheng Gui glanced at An Jingsheng and continued, "Little Jiang is a hidden fierce dragon. I just received news that a sudden explosion occurred at Zhengde Group, and the fire department is clearing the scene to determine the cause of the fire."
Hearing this, An Xin felt a strange stirring inside and then asked, "Zhengde Group?"
"Oh right, you probably don't know about this small company."
Cheng Gui recounted the matter Jiang Cheng had entrusted to him the day before yesterday: "That's how it is. He said he wanted to acquire their Company Name, so I was wondering what methods he would use. I didn't expect..."
Before Cheng Gui could finish speaking, An Jingsheng finally spoke.
He took a sip of tea and slowly said, "I already know about this matter. The fire department's preliminary conclusion is that the fire was caused by excessively high temperatures in the clinker area and was not related to human causes."
"Brother An, do you believe that? I think it's a little too coincidental."
Seeing that An Jingsheng only smiled and did not answer his question.
Cheng Gui couldn't help but murmur inwardly.
He truly deserved to be called the old fox of the business world.
However, An Jingsheng's attitude made Cheng Gui's heart sink once more. After what he had just said,
Could it be that he really didn't want to help him?
If that were the case, he would be in trouble.
Thinking of this, Cheng Gui's expression suddenly became somewhat solemn.
However, An Xin quickly dispelled Cheng Gui's doubts.
Before An Jingsheng could even speak, An Xin anxiously said, "Uncle Cheng, the fire department is professional, after all. If they say this, it must be based on a proper investigation."
This sentence immediately eased Cheng Gui's expression again.
In desperation, he sought cooperation with Jiang Cheng and even vowed to him that he wouldn't need him to exert any effort.
All he needed was to leverage Jiang Cheng's apparent influence to ensure the project proceeded smoothly.
But only he knew that deep down, he wasn't very confident.
He was gambling on the attitude of various forces after he partnered with Jiang Cheng.
A person whose background is unknown is inherently a mystery.
We subconsciously approach the unknown with a sense of awe.
Therefore, regardless of Jiang Cheng's actual background, he served as the greatest façade.
Even so, he was still unsure whether An Jingsheng would help him because of Jiang Cheng.
And just last night, when Cheng Gui learned of the relationship between Jiang Cheng and An Xin, he was overjoyed.
An Jingsheng had only one daughter, and An Xin was his weakness.
Judging by her current behavior, An Xin clearly wanted An Jingsheng to step in and help.
It seemed his gamble had paid off.
He replied cheerfully, "Yes, yes, yes, I'm just mentioning it here with you. I certainly won't spread rumors elsewhere. We must rely on the official announcement. Moreover, Jiang Cheng is now my important partner, and his interests are closely tied to the interests of Tianlong Real Estate."
Seeing An Xin clearly favoring Jiang Cheng, Cheng Gui immediately corrected his attitude.
Seeing An Xin's impatient demeanor, An Jingsheng couldn't help but frown slightly.
His daughter usually appeared quite steady, but why did she become so rash whenever she encountered this young man?
When she returned yesterday, she kept beating around the bush, asking if he would help Cheng Gui handle the matters in the Eastern Region.
An Jingsheng naturally knew An Xin's true intentions.
It was none other than Jiang Cheng.
In truth, An Jingsheng didn't want to get involved.
Although his relationship with Cheng Gui was decent.
But the business world valued profit, not loyalty.
If there wasn't sufficient profit, why should he step in to help?
An Jingsheng looked at Cheng Gui, then at An Xin, and secretly sighed in his heart.
He knew his daughter had truly fallen for Jiang Cheng; otherwise, she wouldn't be this anxious.
An Jingsheng pursed his lips in resignation.
Based on the information he possessed, he certainly didn't believe this was an accident.
Having reached his position, who hadn't handled a couple of matters like this?
This matter was handled just as flawlessly as the one involving Wen Ang.
Even if someone suspected foul play, they probably wouldn't know where to start investigating.
Because of this, An Jingsheng was indeed starting to take an interest in Jiang Cheng.
An Jingsheng spoke, "The surveillance cameras at the site have been broken since yesterday, and Company Name hasn't had time to replace them. So, whether it was intentional or not is no longer important. In any case, the fire department's opinion is spontaneous combustion due to excessively high clinker temperatures, and there should be no chance for a review of this matter."
Hearing this, Cheng Gui couldn't help but exclaim, "That truly is a good method. Impressive, impressive. It's rare to see a young man with such sophisticated influence."
Hearing this, An Jingsheng did not hide his admiration for Jiang Cheng.
He smiled and said, "There will always be new talents emerging in the world. You cutting off his business in Chengdu was already enough to cause trouble for their Company Name. According to the news I received, after you terminated the contract with them, other competitors began to unite to squeeze them out and divided up their market share. In Chengdu, Company Name is already struggling."
Company Name is facing not only the pressure of market competition but also malicious suppression from competitors.
These competitors, for their own benefit, did not hesitate to employ various methods, plunging Company Name into deeper difficulties.
Cheng Gui continued, "Now they've lost a large batch of raw materials and equipment again. It's adding frost to the snow."
These losses are a heavy blow to Company Name, not only affecting the company's production and operation but also damaging its reputation.
"Based on my prediction, the matter shouldn't end so easily," An Jingsheng said.
"What else do you think he will do?" Cheng Gui asked.
An Jingsheng continued, "The simplest thing is fire safety issues. If they find fire safety or other non-compliance issues, the problem isn't huge, but it isn't small either."
He paused, then continued, "But if someone uses this item to block you, you might not even be able to start operations later. Can a medium-sized enterprise like Company Name withstand several months of downtime?"
Hearing this, Cheng Gui nodded in agreement.
Fire safety is a very sensitive issue.
If Company Name is found to have inadequate fire safety, they will face severe consequences.
Seeing An Jingsheng speak, An Xin, who was standing nearby, stopped talking.
She quietly began brewing tea for the two of them.
Yesterday, during dinner, Cheng Gui had asked her directly if An Jingsheng would step in to help him with the Eastern Development matter.
At that time, An Xin did not give a direct answer because she truly wasn't sure if her father would intervene.
But judging by the current situation, the likelihood of An Jingsheng intervening seemed high.
It wasn't just An Xin; seeing An Jingsheng discussing this matter with him also made Cheng Gui feel somewhat relieved.
The reason he rushed over without even eating was that he learned about the connection between An Xin and Jiang Cheng yesterday.
Cheng Gui was so happy about this news that he couldn't sleep last night.
After all, one more layer of connection meant one more layer of security.
However, Cheng Gui also knew that for an old fox like An Jingsheng, relying solely on this relationship might not be enough to make him agree to help.
An Jingsheng picked up his teacup, blew on it, but didn't drink. Instead, he continued, "Cheng Gui, you and I have known each other for many years. I know your capabilities. Under your leadership, your company is thriving and has a bright future."
Cheng Gui's heart stirred upon hearing this, and he quickly said, "Brother An, my company couldn't have reached its current scale without your support."
An Jingsheng smiled and said, "There's no need for such formality between us. I only did what I could. However, the Eastern Development matter is indeed tricky; I need to give it serious consideration."
Seeing An Jingsheng state his position clearly, Cheng Gui's heart tightened.
He quickly said, "Brother An, I know this matter is difficult for you, but I truly have no other choice, so I can only ask for your help."
An Jingsheng glanced at Cheng Gui and said, "It's not that I don't want to help you. These matters are very complicated, and the risk is high. I need to think it over carefully."
Seeing An Jingsheng lightly tapping the tabletop with his hand, Cheng Gui knew that these excuses were just him waiting for Cheng Gui to propose a sincere exchange condition.
Cheng Gui tentatively said, "Next to the land we secured in the Eastern Region, there is a large empty plot. According to the news I received, that plot will be designated as a separate exhibition hall for car shows, jewelry shows, anime conventions... The annual profit of this exhibition hall should be quite considerable. It was pre-negotiated that Tianlong Real Estate would have priority bidding rights after securing that land."
After speaking, Cheng Gui looked at An Xin and continued, "Little Xin, I know you like various collections very much. If you don't mind, we can jointly develop this exhibition hall. The naming rights for the venue will then belong to your An Group. How about that?"
An Xin glanced at An Jingsheng upon hearing this, and she saw An Jingsheng's eyebrow twitch slightly.
A few seconds later, the expressionless An Jingsheng suddenly looked at An Xin with a kindly face and said, "Since your Uncle Cheng has said so, why don't you quickly thank him?"
An Xin instantly understood An Jingsheng's meaning and politely said to Cheng Gui, "Thank you, Uncle Cheng."
After An Xin finished speaking, Cheng Gui couldn't help but freeze for two seconds.
Then, somewhat overjoyed, he said, "It is Tianlong Real Estate's honor to be able to bear the name of the An Group."