"Company..." He slowly uttered these two words, his voice carrying a rare, almost sigh-like tone. "Old Xu is also a formidable figure. When we held meetings together back then, few could match his boldness and speed. I watched him build high towers and host banquets... I didn't expect this building to collapse so quickly, so... unexpectedly."
Dawen had also experienced the pain of cutting off one's own arm to survive.
Richest Man Wang knew all too well that once a scale reached a certain level, a single strategic misjudgment, combined with sudden changes in the external environment, was enough to cause cracks in an empire.
Company's current situation was certainly caused by its own excessive leverage and unbridled expansion, but wasn't it also the inevitable adjustment pain the entire industry had to face after a period of wild growth?
Who would be the next one standing on the edge of the cliff? How many meters away was he from that cliff himself?
For a moment, the study was silent, with only the faint aroma of tea curling in the air.
Wang Congcong was in no hurry to interrupt his father's lament.
Because he could hear that there wasn't much schadenfreude in these words; instead, there was a sense of solemnity and a feeling of shared fate, like a fox mourning a dead rabbit, as he witnessed a peer about to capsize while both were at the peak of the industry wave.
Although on the surface he seemed to neglect his duties, with various gossip news every day.
In reality, he could understand his father's current mood.
After waiting a few seconds, he spoke, his tone cautious and carrying a clarity beyond his years: "Dad, I understand. Seeing Company like this, I do feel a bit uneasy. But Jiang Cheng's plan precisely shows that this is no longer a time for lamenting, but a time to figure out how to respond and even find the Wang Family's position in it."
Wang Jianlin raised his eyes and looked at his son.
At this moment, he found that in Wang Congcong's eyes, there was much less of his usual flightiness and a few more points of insight and pragmatism regarding the situation.
This also showed that Wang Congcong was not incapable of seeing the desolation within.
Rather, young people like them could more quickly shift their emotions to the level of survival and interests.
"You're right." Setting aside that momentary lament, Richest Man Wang's eyes became sharp as an eagle's again. "Jiang Cheng's move... is very clever and very ruthless. He not only identified Company's fatal weakness but also mapped out where to cut and the plan for dividing the meat. This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment idea; it was planned before acting." He paused, his tone growing heavier, "I even... suspect whether he saw things we didn't see in advance, or if he has information channels we can't reach."
Obviously, when considering it, Richest Man Wang added some filters to his view of Jiang Cheng.
Wang Congcong nodded: "I think so too. The certainty with which he mentioned the Xu Family's end didn't seem like a guess, but more like stating a fact. So Dad, what should we do? Jiang Cheng laid out the plan and pulled us into the game; it's an opportunity, but..."
Seeing that Wang Congcong hadn't finished his sentence, he continued, "But it could also be a test, or a way of drawing boundaries. His willingness to let you play means he recognizes you, or at least recognizes that the family behind you can serve as suitable pieces on his chessboard. This in itself is a signal."
"Then we..." Wang Congcong leaned forward.
Richest Man Wang picked up the cold tea and drank it in one gulp.
That slight bit of empathy for a fellow kind had now completely transformed into cold decisiveness to ensure their own ship didn't veer off course.
"Follow. And follow with all our strength. But there's a way to follow. First, regarding funds and resources, the family will provide full support. Shen An's family is familiar with real estate projects, so let them lead the screening; we can provide supplementary information and some key connections. Second, keep your attitude right. You are participating as a partner and executor, not a leader. However Jiang Cheng sets the tone, that's how you execute. If you have questions, you can communicate privately, but in public, you must uphold his authority as the core."
Wang Congcong knew his father was afraid he would offend people due to his youthful impetuosity.
"Dad, do you even need to say that? I'm not stupid; I'm also quite good at reading people..."
Seeing Wang Congcong lean back and stretch, his face returning to its usual nonchalant look.
Richest Man Wang shook his head helplessly and stood up.
"This matter isn't just about making a profit. You need to see a few things clearly through this: where Jiang Cheng's style of doing things and his bottom line are; who in our circle really has vision and the ability to act; and most importantly, in the future changes, how the Wang Family should take a side and leverage the situation."
He patted his son's shoulder.
The force wasn't heavy, yet it was meaningful: "The Xu Family's today is a mirror for everyone. Xu Zhi is still being detained, and it's uncertain when he'll get out. I'm truly glad you didn't cause trouble like Xu Zhi did and instead can cooperate well with Jiang Cheng."
"There's another point that's also very important: you must do your best through this cooperation to make Jiang Cheng feel that the Wang Family is a partner who can cooperate, knows their place, and can get things done, rather than a potential rival or a target that needs to be cleared. This is more important than carving a few pieces of meat off Company. Do you understand? The lesson of the Xu Family is right before us; over-expansion and overstepping are both dead ends."
Wang Congcong took a deep breath, completely understanding his father's deep meaning.
This was not just a business investment, but a choice of strategic positioning.
"I understand, Dad. I'll handle things with the right sense of propriety."
Seeing that he understood, Richest Man Wang didn't intend to say more.
"Go on."
Wang Congcong nodded solemnly and then turned to leave the study.
After the study door closed gently, Richest Man Wang walked back to the window, looking at the new sprouts in the garden.
After a long time, he whispered to himself: "Old Xu... it's fate, it's destiny. Jiang Cheng, this 'river-crossing dragon,' has truly taught everyone a lesson. This world... is going to have a new way of playing."
On Jiang Cheng's side, after finishing reading the messages in the small group, he unhurriedly put down his phone.
Seeing that Qiu Yihe was still constantly hinting at him with her eyes, Jiang Cheng then spoke to Xia Li: "Xia Li, you go eat first..."
"Yes, Young Master Jiang..."
Qiu Yihe had been looking forward to having Xia Li leave.
But now that she had left, Qiu Yihe's face couldn't help but turn red.
Jiang Cheng stared at this Big Sister with some confusion: "What's going on? Why are you blushing?"
Hearing this, Qiu Yihe hurriedly placed her hands unnaturally on her body and then spoke haphazardly: "Nonsense, I'm not blushing. It's just that this soup is a bit hot..."
After saying that, she glared at Jiang Cheng with a lack of confidence: "You've handled the matter, so the conditions have been met, right?"
Jiang Cheng knew she was asking about Qiu Li's matter and deliberately played dumb to tease her: "What conditions? What do you mean? Why don't I understand?"
"You pull up your pants and want to back out of the deal, don't you..." Qiu Yihe said somewhat anxiously.
Seeing her look like she wanted to beat him to death, Jiang Cheng cleared his throat and then pulled out his phone.
"Ahem, just a joke..."
After saying that, Jiang Cheng opened a video search online and then handed the phone to Qiu Yihe.
Qiu Yihe hurriedly took it, her fingertips sliding quickly across the screen.
On the trending list, several topics marked with the word "Explosive" were already at the top.
Among those at the top were several discussions about Qiu Li's controversial "Proposal for Special Drug Control Pilot."
One of the most eye-catching titles read:
#Why can the daughter of a drug lord propose drug bans, while the son of a hero doesn't dare take his father's surname?#
When she saw this title, Qiu Yihe's eyes couldn't help but blink.
Obviously, this resonated with her.
Seeing this, she felt that her slightly strange sitting posture at this moment was already worth it.
If it weren't for Jiang Cheng, even if she wanted to make a scene on her own, it would have been impossible to achieve such an effect in just one night.