Chapter 258: A Wise Man Knows When to Adversity

"That kid Zheng Qian has auctioned off two cruise ships in a row, spending over a billion. He must have emptied his coffers, and his funds are now in a state of shortage."

These five billion were not all meant for dealing with Qianhe Group.

Before Vice President Qi Chunqing arrived, he had already received news that Yuese Company was going to put a large modern merchant ship, the white knight, up for auction.

A large portion of it was to be used to bid on the white knight.

"Zheng Qian should know about this news too. I bet he's regretting it so much his intestines are turning green!"

"We don't need to be afraid of him!"

Tang Xingyu agreed with Vice President Qi Chunqing's words.

He also felt that Zheng Qian's account funds were now severely insufficient. Having spent over a billion in succession to auction off two cruise ships, it would be impossible to break even without a year or two of operations.

However, business secrets are business secrets. Revealing them so casually to others just to show off one's strength is simply not advisable.

Who knows what kind of accidents might happen?

Tang Xingyu had a bad premonition.

"Uncle Qi, you should be more careful next time. Even I understand such a simple principle; you should understand it too."

"Alright, alright, I know, I know."

...

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

The phone by Zheng Qian's pillow vibrated repeatedly.

Zheng Qian opened his sleepy eyes, subconsciously turning over to grab his phone to check his unread messages.

However, a soft, delicate body blocked his movement.

Song Yaxian, beside him, was still in a sweet slumber.

Zheng Qian couldn't bear to disturb her beautiful dream, so he tiptoed out of bed and went around to the other side to grab his phone.

Zhang Lekang had sent several messages in a row, accompanied by pictures.

After viewing the original images, Zheng Qian almost dropped his phone on the floor.

In the picture, Zhang Jian was stripped down to just his boxers, tied up with hemp rope, with many square-shaped bruises on his body.

It was clear at a glance that they were whipped on with a belt.

What is Zhang Lekang doing? This is too ruthless.

Could it be that he heard about Zhang Jian and Lu Shanshan going to the concert last night, got furious, and did this just to apologize to him?

Zheng Qian felt it was completely unnecessary. He didn't take it to heart at all.

Below that were some business messages.

They basically said that the Qijinyi Alliance would soon disband, and everyone would go their separate ways.

And Yuehua Shipping had air-dropped two commissioners, carrying at least five billion in cash.

Below that, Zhang Lekang had attached his own analysis, believing that the two people air-dropping into Jiangnan with so much money must be eyeing the white knight.

Zheng Qian simply replied with an "Mm," indicating he had seen the message.

He already had a plan in mind.

So what if they have five billion? Do they think victory is in their grasp? Ridiculous!

Zheng Qian immediately chatted on WeChat with those people in Yezhou, and then briefly described the situation to Chen Weiqiang and the others.

It is worth mentioning that Lu Shanshan had sent him dozens of messages.

Zheng Qian just glanced at them and did not reply.

About an hour and a half later, Song Yaxian finally stirred.

"Mmm..."

"Are you awake?" Zheng Qian put down his phone and walked to the bedside.

"How long have I been sleeping?"

Zheng Qian glanced at his watch: "It must have been several hours."

"No kidding, of course I know that!"

Song Yaxian rubbed her temples. She hadn't slept well at all last night!

Waking up, the fatigue on her body hadn't faded at all; she still felt very tired.

"It's all your fault! You let me sleep so late yesterday!"

Song Yaxian glared fiercely at Zheng Qian.

"Alright, alright, it's my fault, it's my fault." Zheng Qian admitted his mistake with a wicked smile.

Yesterday was indeed Zheng Qian's fault, letting Song Yaxian go to sleep so late.

It was almost ten o'clock now, and the auction was going to start at one in the afternoon.

"Yaxian, sleep for a while longer. I'll order some food to be brought up for you, and you don't need to go to the auction this afternoon."

"Rest well." Zheng Qian said gently.

Song Yaxian, who had originally closed her eyes, gently opened them upon hearing Zheng Qian's gentle and considerate words. Looking at Zheng Qian, she suddenly felt he was even more handsome.

Oh my god! No wonder those girls would rather be tricked by scumbag rich handsome guys until they cry than not date them. This feeling is just too good!

Favorability + 5!

Zheng Qian: ???

He shouldn't have opened his mouth.

Song Yaxian's Favorability had already reached 85 points.

One sentence cost Zheng Qian at least several hundred million! He really shouldn't have spoken!

"This afternoon seems to be... the auction site for the royal symphony, right? Can you manage alone?"

Zheng Qian wouldn't let her go to the auction, and although she knew it was out of consideration, not being able to do anything for Zheng Qian made her feel empty inside, like something was missing.

As Zheng Qian's temporary secretary, she had flown to Jiangnan with him, and out of the three auctions, she had only attended one.

If the people in the company found out about this, wouldn't they say she was kept by Zheng Qian and had become a useless secretary who just gets paid for nothing!

"It's fine, I can manage. Just sleep peacefully."

"Then... then I'm really going to sleep... I'm exhausted."

"Mm-hmm, go to sleep."

For the next two and a half hours, Zheng Qian did some homework. After covering the ordered food with an insulated cover, he set off for the auction venue.

Inside the venue.

Zheng Qian was wearing a dark blue suit today, which was prepared for him by Jin Lu, displaying low-key luxury.

It has to be said that having a woman at home is really quite important; these little details are all taken care of.

Speaking of Jin Lu, Zheng Qian hadn't had a proper chat with her these past few days, let alone been intimate; they only exchanged daily greetings on the phone. After returning to Yezhou, Zheng Qian planned to make it up to her properly.

"Young Master Zheng!" Before Zheng Qian could take his seat, he heard someone calling him from behind.

Turning around, he saw two acquaintances. The bosses of Kangming Shipping and Changsong Shipping. Zhang Lekang and Fan Minxue.

The two of them had smiles on their faces, waving at Zheng Qian while greeting him.

"President Zhang, President Fan, you aren't late at all!"

"Not at all, not at all. President Zheng, please don't humble us like that."

"Yes, President Zheng, just call me Little Fan."

"Right, right, right, just call me Little Kang. Calling me 'President' is so distant!"

Little Kang?

Little Fan?

Zheng Qian tried hard to hold back his laughter.

Two days ago, these two were still members of the Qijinyi Alliance, opposing him at every turn. Now they were fawning over him like this.

Zheng Qian had to admire their behavior. To put it nicely, that is: a real man knows how to bend and stretch. Or to put it another way: those who understand the times are wise.

If one were to put it less nicely... that would be a weathercock, leaning whichever way the wind blows hardest.

Especially Zhang Lekang, who had sent him those messages and pictures that morning.

"Little Kang, there's no need to abuse your son like that. He's still immature; you just need to teach him more."

Zheng Qian walked over with a smile, looking like an elder, and patted Zhang Lekang on the shoulder.

"Yes, yes, yes, I will keep President Zheng's teachings in mind!" Zhang Lekang nodded repeatedly.

Seeing Zheng Qian in such a posture, Zhang Lekang not only didn't feel ashamed, but instead felt honored.

Zheng Qian calling him Little Kang indicated that he was willing to get close to him; otherwise, he would still call him "President Zhang" to keep a distance.

Don't look at Zheng Qian's smiling face now; he might have already planned how to knock Kangming Shipping down with one punch.

Zhang Lekang couldn't help but be on edge.

"Alright, the auction is about to start. You two should take your seats first. I'll find some time to have a good talk with you."

"Alright, alright, alright!" Fan Minxue and Zhang Lekang looked at each other, immediately overjoyed!