Chapter 871
Chapter 871
Ouyang Li came at a bad time. Her arrival interrupted Nan Chen's and Rong Yi's conversation.
Everyone indoors knew Nan Chen and Rong Yi were engaged in a discussion outside, so they didn't dare to interrupt the two. Ouyang Li was the only one who stepped outside.
She figured it was a good chance to take the opportunity to interact with Nan Chen.
After all, Nan Chen did mention her earlier, getting her hopes up.
She couldn't care less about Nan Chen stealing her limelight as the host. All she could think of was how Nan Chen mentioned her for the first time of his own accord.
Rong Yi saw Ouyang Li approaching and nodded at her before excusing himself.
Nan Chen wasn't aware of the weird thoughts running through Ouyang Li's mind. He merely greeted her with a polite nod.
The nod out of sheer courtesy sent Ouyang Li's heart pounding once again.
She understood it was basic etiquette, and Nan Chen didn't regard her as anyone important, but it didn't stop her heart from racing.
At that moment, she knew she had fallen head over heels for Nan Chen.
Her intelligence and confidence would take a nosedive, and her ability to make a logical judgment was thrown out the window whenever Nan Chen was present. His every move affected her.
It was terrifying!
Ouyang Li had never encountered a situation like this before. She thought it wouldn't happen to her anytime soon in this lifetime.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
Yet it did.
After Nan Chen politely greeted her, he turned around to leave with no intention of speaking with her.
Before she could think twice, she blurted out, “Nan Chen.”
She didn't call him “Sir Chen” like everyone else nor address him by his title, “Mr. Nan.” Instead, she addressed him directly by his name, thinking it sounded more imposing and would maybe make them seem closer that way.
Nan Chen couldn't care less about the way she addressed him. He stopped in his tracks, but only for a few seconds before he continued walking ahead.
“Stop. I have something to tell you,” Ouyang Li said urgently.
Nan Chen ignored her and continued in his tracks. The last thing he wanted to do at that moment was to listen to her, but he was too lazy to even voice out his refusal.
He already knew what Ouyang Li wanted to say. It was definitely about her getting some of Nanshi Corporation's partners to terminate their collaboration with the company by threatening to cancel the loans her family's bank lent out.
Those collaborators were important, but terminating the collaboration with them wouldn't put a dent in Nanshi Corporation's rock-solid foundation.
Their country had speedy economic growth and the most immaculate industrial chain in the entire world. With plenty of enterprises in various sectors, Nanshi Corporation wouldn't have to worry about the lack of collaborators.
Even though the beginning of a new collaboration might affect efficiency in some aspects, leading to some losses, Nanshi Corporation could afford to bear those losses.
Besides, with Nanshi Corporation's capabilities, it was those businesses' losses if they terminated their collaboration. There was absolutely no need for Nanshi Corporation to lower itself to plead for any partners to renew their contracts.
Since the consequences were insignificant to Nan Chen, he didn't think there was a need for him to talk to Ouyang Li.
The two families had a fallout earlier on, so both sides no longer had to care about salvaging each other's dignity as old friends. Since they had different beliefs, they should just walk on separate paths.
Ouyang Li panicked when Nan Chen ignored her and continued walking.
She raced past him and got in his way, stopping him from leaving.
Nan Chen frowned in response, and her sudden movement also attracted the other guests' attention.
Without a choice, Nan Chen halted in his tracks. He couldn't argue with Ouyang Li in front of everyone. That would be too ugly a situation.
“Speak.” Nan Chen's expression was cold.
Ouyang Li was giddy to finally have the chance to study Nan Chen up close. She greedily beheld his face despite his frosty demeanor. Even though he looks cold, he's still handsome.
There wasn't a trace of warmth in those eyes of his. They were icy cold.
“Two days ago, I had the risk control department run a background check on a group of businesses to reevaluate their credit line—”
Nan Chen hastily cut her off. “I know. You threatened to cancel their loans if they continued their contracts with Nanshi Corporation.”
Ouyang Li felt a sense of accomplishment, as though she had finally turned the situation over in her favor. “You knew?”
Nan Chen didn't even want to reply and merely grunted.
“If you plead with me on their behalf, I might be able to look the other way.” Ouyang Li giggled.
I finally got you where I wanted, Nan! Weren't you always sitting on your high horse? Didn't you always look down your nose at me? I want you to beg me! And I demand you do it humbly!
However, that was merely her misconception about Nan Chen. In the end, she still didn't know anything about him.
Nan Chen cast Ouyang Li a look of disdain. “Maybe if you plead on their behalf and renew your contract with Nanshi Corporation, I might consider forgiving them for their offense.”
His boldness stunned Ouyang Li speechless.
I caused him to lose long-time partners, and yet, he doesn't even care. How is he still so smug?
Nan Chen sauntered past Ouyang Li and walked back indoors.
Ouyang Li caught up to him again. “Your nonchalance is just a mask, isn't it? You're just pretending not to care.”
Nan Chen snickered. “Nanshi Corporation has more than a thousand collaborators all over the world. Do you think we'll beg every single one of them to maintain a long-term partnership with us? Losing a handful of partners won't affect us in the slightest, so you can save your breath. One more thing, stop bothering me. At least you can keep some of your pride intact that way.”
Besides, with Nanshi Corporation's capabilities, it was those businesses' losses if they terminated their collaboration. There was absolutely no need for Nanshi Corporation to lower itself to plead for any partners to renew their contracts.
Without waiting for her response, he strode away.
Ouyang Li stood rooted to the spot in disbelief. She noted his indifference toward her and realized she was just humiliating herself.
Nan Chen briefly bid the other guests goodbye before leaving.
Ouyang Li clenched her jaw in anger as she watched the taillights of Nan Chen's car disappear from her sight.
She finally understood why Ouyang Qing hated Ning Ran so much to the extent of poisoning Ning Ran's children.
If poisoning Nan Chen's children could make him suffer, Ouyang Li figured she would do the same. No, she might even do something more ruthless. At that moment, she was willing to do anything just to get Nan Chen to bow his head and make him suffer.
She didn't understand the reason behind her intense hatred toward Nan Chen. All she knew was she hated him with every fiber of her being.
In the meantime, Nan Chen completely disregarded Ouyang Li's words as he sat in the backseat of his car. He shut his eyes and recalled every word Rong Yi uttered.
“Qiao Zhan,” Nan Chen called out abruptly.
Qiao Zhan, who was behind the wheel, answered, “Yes, Sir Chen?”
“Say, do you think there are employees who wish for their company's downfall?” Nan Chen asked a strange question.
“Um... Why do you ask?” Qiao Zhan was taken aback by his question.
Instead of answering him, Nan Chen repeated his question in a serious tone. “Do you think there are employees like that?”
Qiao Zhan pondered over Nan Chen's inquiry briefly before replying, “I think there are. For example, those spies sent by other companies. Naturally, they will hope for the company's failure.”
“I meant employees, not spies. Will they hope for the company to run aground?”
“Employees? That's unlikely since they're enjoying the company's benefits. What will they gain if the company falls?”
Nan Chen repeated Qiao Zhan's reply under his breath before muttering, “That's right. What will they gain?”
“Did something happen, Sir Chen?” Uneasiness filled Qiao Zhan at Nan Chen's grim question. He noticed something wrong with Nan Chen that night, as though he was in a bad mood. Qiao Zhan wondered if it had anything to do with Ouyang Li.
“Rong Yi told me someone did cook the company's books, and I didn't realize that. I'm certain upper management is involved,” Nan Chen explained.
“You actually believe in Rong Yi's claim, Sir Chen?” Qiao Zhan remained unperturbed.
“I do,” Nan Chen said firmly before shutting his eyes again.
There are many things I have to sort through.