Chapter 206: The Low-Key Zheng Qian

Qianhe Group truly possessed immense strength; one could tell just by the way Zheng Qian spent money that this enterprise was no simple matter and must have had powerful capital backing it.

47 million, just to paint the cargo ships, simply for the sake of aesthetics.

How is this any different from buying a skin? An ordinary entrepreneur would never spend money like this; they would be better off buying two more cargo ships.

"How about this, Shanshan, stop looking so dejected."

"My big client happens to be a high-level executive at Qianhe Group. Why don't I go and put in a good word for you?"

"But I can't guarantee whether he will agree."

Huo Muyan felt that although Zheng Qian was the Chairman of Qianhe Group, 15 million was by no means a small sum and would require a board meeting.

However, since Zheng Qian could make the final decision on the painting costs, this financing should not be a problem.

It was just that Lu Shanshan's mother, Zhao Ying, was a bit troublesome; she had angered one of the directors. If Zheng Qian still agreed, wouldn't that be equivalent to slapping the man in the face?

Therefore, Huo Muyan dared not make any promises. She could only say she would make a call to ask and see if she could get Zheng Qian to maneuver things so that the financing could still be left for Lu Shanshan.

When it came down to it, the relationship between Zheng Qian and her was merely that of a client. Moreover, Huo Muyan was the service provider, and Zheng Qian was her big boss client; she had no right to demand that Zheng Qian do this or that.

"Really? Is the one you signed the contract with actually Qianhe Group?" Lu Shanshan asked with some surprise.

If it was Qianhe Group, it meant that the enterprise truly had strength, sparing no expense to spend 47 million on paint just for the sake of appearances.

Her mother's analysis was indeed correct; there was formidable capital behind Qianhe Group.

If the clothing company had Qianhe Group as its backer, it wouldn't actually be a big deal to let them take over control.

Moreover, Qianhe Group was only doing it to be safe; after all, the company's situation and circumstances were extremely dire.

They had clearly stated their terms: first, participate in management; second, do not interfere with daily operations; third, do not stir up trouble internally. The authority they were offering was actually quite substantial.

"Yes, it is Qianhe Group." Huo Muyan nodded.

"Who is it? General Manager Chen? General Manager Li? Or General Manager Liu?" Lu Shanshan indicated that she had been to Qianhe Group twice and had met all the high-level executives there.

Huo Muyan shook her head: "None of them."

"His surname is Zheng."

Upon hearing this surname, Lu Shanshan's expression suddenly turned extremely ugly.

"Surname... Zheng? Then what is his name?"

"Zheng Qian."

"What, do you know him?"

Zheng... Zheng Qian...

The person who hired Huo Muyan for the design was Zheng Qian?

"Did he approach you to sign this contract?"

"There was no contract signed; it was just a verbal agreement."

A verbal agreement?

She had heard Huo Muyan mention it in passing before.

But... how could Zheng Qian have such immense authority? A 47 million transaction, and he could decide it verbally without even signing a contract?

This was not a small amount of money!

It was more than three times the financing amount they had requested!

Lu Shanshan had initially assumed that the deal with Huo Muyan must have been made by General Manager Chen or someone with an even higher position.

She never expected—never in a million years—that it would be Zheng Qian!!

"I will ask him for you and see if it can be done."

Lu Shanshan's face was as pale as paper. She had never imagined that Zheng Qian would be Huo Muyan's big financial backer!

Last time she was at Qianhe Group, she clearly saw that the nameplate on Zheng Qian's office door only said 'Director'.

Furthermore, judging by Zheng Qian's status in the company, it was impossible for him to have this kind of authority!

He could not possibly have this kind of authority!

Seeing that Lu Shanshan's complexion looked a bit off, even Huo Muyan hesitated for a moment.

"Could Zheng Qian be that university classmate of yours?"

Lu Shanshan's small mouth opened slightly in surprise, and she nodded.

"Th-th-th-th-this..."

Upon hearing this, Huo Muyan started stuttering immediately, unable to speak clearly, completely taken aback.

"Shanshan, oh Shanshan, your auntie has really kicked a steel plate this time. Do you know what position your university classmate holds at Qianhe Group?"

"Wh-what position?" Lu Shanshan asked with trepidation.

"Chairman!"

Boom!

This sentence was like a row of thunderous drums beating fiercely in Lu Shanshan's heart.

"That's right, Zheng Qian is the Chairman of Qianhe Group!"

Lu Shanshan certainly knew what the position of Chairman represented: holding the most shares in Qianhe Group, being the helmsman of the company, and having every major or minor matter decided by a single word from Zheng Qian.

"You saw that car of mine, right? He was the one who gave it to me."

Rumble.

Lu Shanshan subconsciously cast her gaze toward the Audi R8 parked at the entrance, and suddenly realized something.

Didn't Cui Jinghui also drive this car?

Except his was an older model, while Huo Muyan's was the latest one.

The donation was Zheng Qian, the 47 million order was Zheng Qian, buying the car was Zheng Qian—it was all Zheng Qian!

But why did Zheng Qian say he was just a minor director at Qianhe Group? His words and actions were very much like those of a director with very little power.

Low-key?

Donating 10 million to his alma mater shouldn't be considered low-key, right?

It was only now that Lu Shanshan understood why Zheng Qian would not appear at that financing negotiation.

It wasn't because Zheng Qian's status wasn't high enough, but because this business was too small, not worth Zheng Qian wasting his time to negotiate with her!

Painting the cargo ships was entirely to give money to Huo Muyan. If he could give away 47 million, was he really unwilling to give her 15 million?

"Shanshan, things have really blown up now."

Huo Muyan also expressed great surprise; if only they had communicated with each other earlier, this situation would never have happened.

She knew a thing or two about Zheng Qian.

If you come at him softly, he might still help you.

But if you want to play hardball with him and insist on clashing, Zheng Qian would absolutely go head-to-head with you to the end.

"Shanshan, it's not that I want to be harsh, but given your company's current situation, it's actually very difficult to find a financing company."

"To have obtained the approval of the three executives at Qianhe Group, Zheng Qian must have given them the word. Otherwise, a group with a market value of over a billion, how could they possibly look at a small-time operation like ours?"

"Zheng Qian kindly tried to help you, but your auntie... sigh, I won't say anything more. The way this matter was handled was rather foolish; it doesn't seem like something an adult approaching fifty would do." Huo Muyan stopped there; she felt sorry for Lu Shanshan.

"Then... then what should I do?"

Lu Shanshan was anxious and burning with impatience, feeling as if the fire had already singed her eyebrows.

"Is there any way to save this now?"

Huo Muyan thought carefully: "I don't know either. However, Zheng Qian contacted me again recently, offering me a hundred million to design wine bottles, bottle caps, packaging, and icons. He might be starting to get into the liquor business again recently."

Lu Shanshan slapped her forehead.

She had an idea!