Chapter 16 Chen Ang resigned, the sky fell.

Returning to the bedroom, just as Chen Ang was pondering his next move, his phone lit up. It was a message from Shen Pianran: "Zhou Yuda has agreed to the preliminary terms, the price is 33.5 million. We will sign the letter of intent tomorrow."

Chen Ang replied with a single word: "Good."

He then opened the chat box with Jiang Shan and sent a message: "When will the 40 million big order from Tu Yuandong be signed?"

Jiang Shan replied quickly: "Next week. The Road and Bridge Bureau is already processing the paperwork. I heard the timeline for that project is very tight."

A smile curled on Chen Ang's lips. A tight schedule? That's even better.

Next week, the show is about to begin.

That night, Chen Ang slept soundly again.

Waking up early in the morning, he was pleasantly surprised to discover a phenomenon he hadn't seen in a long time.

Who says a middle-aged man can't get it up?

That's just the goddamn life forcing it upon you; it not only breaks a man's back but also ruins his kidneys.

There were important matters today, so Chen Ang didn't bother with the little ingrate and went straight out.

The Financial Center in Bin City, Shen Pianran's law firm.

"The letter of intent for the acquisition of the Company has been signed." Shen Pianran pushed the document over. "The price was negotiated to 33.5 million, and the transaction can be settled on the day of payment."

Chen Ang took the document and flipped through it, nodding. "I need someone to enter the Company's management."

"Do you have a candidate?" Shen Pianran took out her notepad and picked up a pen.

"I'll use my younger brother. Besides, he is already an employee at the Company's Jiangning branch."

"Hmm." Shen Pianran nodded in agreement. "He is also the legal representative of the acquirer, Hengxing Investment, so it's a good opportunity for him to get in early."

Chen Ang put down the document. "After the acquisition, he will serve as a supervisor. The Company's business should continue as usual; no major changes are needed."

Bringing Chen Zhuo to the Company's headquarters was naturally to keep an eye on the finances. The Company was already a profitable operation, and Chen Ang had no intention of interfering with its management recklessly.

Shen Pianran nodded, approving of the arrangement. She knew that the man in front of her was not someone who didn't understand anything, and he was very clear about what he was doing.

"Some registration documents for Hengxing Investment require the person's presence. Your brother can come over early to get them sorted out."

"I'll bring him to see you this afternoon." Chen Ang agreed immediately; he knew Shen Pianran's efficient and decisive style.

Having made his decision, Chen Ang didn't stay any longer.

Leaving the law firm, he didn't go to his car but walked towards the nearby plaza, dialing Chen Zhuo's number on the way.

The scale of the Company's Jiangning branch was not huge, but it wasn't small either.

Jiangning County relied on its local resources. Behind Chen Ang's hometown lay a vast area of kaolin and feldspar mines.

Therefore, many ceramic enterprises built factories nearby, specializing in the production of ceramic tiles. Chen Ang's father, Chen Zhonghui, was one of the first to take the plunge back then.

Yuda Supply Chain's main business was various building materials, and most of their ceramic tile sector was procured and shipped from Jiangning County.

Chen Zhuo was currently working as a procurement officer at the Jiangning branch. When Chen Ang's call came through, he was standing in the branch manager's office.

After the phone rang, he glanced at it, saw it was Chen Ang, and hung up directly. Then, he gave an awkward smile to the manager behind the desk.

The manager held a cigarette between his fingers and looked at him as if he were a clown. "Chen Zhuo, I'm not nitpicking, but tell me, how many times has this happened now?"

"Other people's shipments go out just fine, but when it gets to you, something goes wrong. You keep causing trouble, and I can't cover for you, brother."

Chen Zhuo smiled bitterly; he couldn't defend himself.

Theoretically, as the procurement side, the one paying the money, he should be treated with fine wine and food by both the manufacturers and the logistics companies.

Moreover, the Company held shares in the ceramic raw material mines in Jiangning, so the manufacturers generally wouldn't make things difficult.

Yet, Chen Zhuo had encountered just that.

In the last few months, every time he went to pick up goods, either the logistics had issues or the suppliers were pulling some tricks.

With continuous problems, even if he were foolish, he knew someone was targeting him.

He had worked at the Company for four years without issues, and with frequent problems recently, he could only think of his wife's situation.

He had only offended someone half a year ago because of his wife's affairs.

"Manager Sun, you know I'm not an unreliable person when it comes to work. If there's a fine, fine me, everything should be done according to Company policy, but isn't firing me a bit much?"

Poverty brings a hundred sorrows.

Chen Zhuo needed this job. What else could he do? He could only lower his head, apologize, and try to make things right.

Manager Sun exhaled a puff of smoke and shook his head. "Brother, I've covered for you at least three times. This time, the customer's complaint call went all the way to headquarters. There's nothing I can do."

Chen Zhuo's right pinky finger trembled uncontrollably, and his breathing became heavy. Then, not knowing what crossed his mind, the anger that was about to erupt instantly dissipated.

"Let's not discuss your matter anymore." Manager Sun waved his hand, signaling Chen Zhuo to leave. "Go back and think about it. You're still young. If you figure it out and resign voluntarily, I can still help you secure some severance pay."

Chen Zhuo understood what that meant and felt there was no point in saying more. He looked the other man straight in the eye, turned around, pulled open the office door, and strode out.

Manager Sun glanced at him with disdain, then took out his phone.

At the entrance of the Company's branch office, Chen Zhuo stood under the sun, feeling an uncontrollable chill seeping through his entire body.

At this moment, he didn't understand: once a person falls, can anyone just step on them? Is it really that hard to get back up?

The phone rang again. He took out his phone, saw Chen Ang's name, wiped his face, and answered. "Brother, what's up? Why are you calling so urgently?"

"Yeah, something's up. Ask for leave and come to Bin City this afternoon. Call me when you arrive."

"Okay, I'll go back to grab some things and let you know when I get there."

Chen Zhuo didn't ask any further. He knew that in this world, only family would not harm him.

Unlike Chen Ang, Wen Huilin was sleepless all night, her mind filled with wondering what was wrong with Chen Ang, suspicious that he might have discovered he was taking the fall.

She stayed up until four in the morning before sleep finally came, so she hadn't woken up even when Chen Zetian was about to go to school.

After getting up, she looked at herself in the mirror—her face was swollen, her eyes red, and her dark circles heavy—and she couldn't help but want to cry.

Hearing her son's urging, she hurriedly washed up.

She didn't even have time to make breakfast for her son and took him straight out.

Along the way, she kept thinking about Chen Ang's changes.

In the past, Chen Ang would never fail to drop off the child, nor would he ever leave without a word.

The doubts in Wen Huilin's heart surfaced again. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong.

After dropping her son off at school, she was preparing to hail a taxi to the Company when her phone rang.

The phone rang. She opened it to see a landline number. Thinking it was something from her workplace, she answered, and the first sentence from the other end left her stunned.

"Hello, is this Chen Ang's family member? I am from Bin City Tianli Import and Export Trading Company."

After realizing what was happening, Wen Huilin hurriedly replied, "Yes, what is it?"

"Chen Ang submitted his resignation application last week, and we have approved it. However, there are a few procedures that require his personal signature. We haven't been able to reach him by phone, so we are contacting you to pass on the message."

Wen Huilin's fingers holding the phone stiffened, her eyes filled with disbelief.