152: Chapter 152 Wang Ming presses relentlessly, Wang Hongtai becomes suspicious of Secretary Wu.

Secretary Wu had just stepped out of the taxi when he caught sight of Wang Ming striding toward him. His heart tightened, but he immediately masked it with a professional smile and quickened his pace to meet him.

"Lawyer Wang, what a coincidence. I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly as well." Secretary Wu extended his right hand, shaking Wang Ming's hand with a humble attitude and a perfectly measured smile.

A flash of satisfaction crossed Wang Ming's eyes as he laughed. "Secretary Wu, we're both in the same boat." He looked up at the Hongtai Building before him and changed the subject. "Is Chairman Wang upstairs?"

Secretary Wu maintained his awkward yet polite smile and nodded. "Yes, he should be. Chairman Wang just called to urge me back. I've only just returned from the hospital and haven't had a chance to go up and report yet."

Wang Ming nodded with a look of understanding. "In that case, let's go up together." He took the lead and walked into the building. Secretary Wu followed closely behind, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

The two entered the elevator one after the other. As the doors slowly closed, Wang Ming's curiosity was piqued. "Secretary Wu, how is Chairman Wang's son doing? Is it anything serious?"

"The surgery was quite successful, and he's already regained consciousness. However, as the saying goes, 'it takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone.' I'm afraid the Young Master will have to stay in the hospital for a month before he can get out of bed and walk around," Secretary Wu replied with a smile.

Hearing this, a fleeting look of schadenfreude flashed through Wang Ming's eyes. He followed up, "A month? That long? It seems the injury is indeed quite severe."

Secretary Wu gave a sheepish smile. "Actually, it's mainly to avoid the police investigation. If it weren't for the need to stay in the hospital, the Young Master would probably have been taken away by the police by now."

"Is that so? It seems Chairman Wang values this son of his quite a bit..." Wang Ming said meaningfully.

Secretary Wu nodded and explained, "That's natural. However, Chairman Wang has a love-hate relationship with this son. It can't be helped; Chairman Wang's wife passed away early, and the Young Master is his only son. He hasn't remarried in all these years. Although the Young Master is a bit unruly, when something really happens, he still has to be saved."

Wang Ming nodded in response. "That's true, he is his own flesh and blood after all!"

As they spoke, the elevator reached the top floor. Secretary Wu stepped to the side and extended his arm to politely hold the elevator, inviting Wang Ming to step out first. He then followed quickly, leading Wang Ming to the door of Wang Hongtai's office.

*Knock, knock, knock.* Secretary Wu tapped gently on the door. Then, Wang Hongtai's voice drifted out from inside: "Enter!"

"Chairman, I'm back." Secretary Wu lightly gripped the door handle and slowly pushed open the office door.

Wang Hongtai was currently sitting behind his desk, his eyes fixed on the online news on his computer screen. Hearing Secretary Wu's voice, he looked up, shifting his gaze from the screen to the doorway. Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Good, come over here. I have something I need to ask you."

Unexpectedly, Wang Ming walked in from outside at that moment with a smug smile. He slightly clasped his hands together as he approached Wang Hongtai, his voice tinged with pride as he exchanged pleasantries. "Chairman Wang, we meet again so soon."

Wang Hongtai was momentarily stunned; he truly hadn't expected Wang Ming to arrive so quickly. He hurriedly stood up with a smile, shook Wang Ming's hand, and gestured with his left hand for him to take a seat on the sofa. At the same time, he glanced at Secretary Wu, a trace of an unreadable emotion flashing in his eyes as he ordered, "Xiao Wu, go brew some tea for Lawyer Wang."

"Certainly, Chairman," Secretary Wu replied with a smile, turning toward the tea table to take the teapot.

After Secretary Wu left, Wang Hongtai was the first to break the silence. He complimented with a smile, "Boss Zhao's power is truly extraordinary. That whistleblowing post vanished without a trace in such a short time. It's truly impressive."

Wang Ming, however, appeared very nonchalant as he said dismissively, "Haha, those are minor matters for the boss, just a few phone calls." He paused for a moment, looking directly at Wang Hongtai, and continued, "Chairman Wang, that ten million should have been transferred to the company account by now, right? Shouldn't we start working on the equity transfer?"

"Uh, has it arrived? What's wrong with the Chief Financial Officer? He didn't even think to report it to me!" Wang Hongtai feigned ignorance and laughed it off. "Lawyer Wang, please wait a moment. I'll go to the finance department right now to confirm."

Wang Ming's expression sharpened. He naturally understood that Wang Hongtai was looking for another excuse to delay. He had already boasted to his boss that he would complete the equity transfer as quickly as possible, so how could he let him leave so easily?

Thus, he cleared his throat and stood up, saying sternly, "Chairman Wang! Since I've come in person, it means the funds for the equity acquisition are already in place! For Chairman Wang to want to check the accounts now—is it that you don't trust me, or you don't trust the boss?"

Forced to a halt by Wang Ming's words, Wang Hongtai swallowed hard. The muscles in his face twitched slightly, clearly showing he was trying his best to control his emotions.

A moment later, he turned around, a flash of ruthlessness appearing and vanishing in his eyes. He forced an awkward smile. "Hahaha, Lawyer Wang certainly knows how to joke. How could I not trust you and Boss Zhao? How about this, I'll make a call. After all, the company's finance department needs to be involved in the equity transfer..."

"Go ahead. However, I'll have to trouble Chairman Wang to make the call right here. I'll wait," Wang Ming said in a low voice.

Since Wang Ming had put it that way, Wang Hongtai had no choice but to take out his phone and call the Chief Financial Officer.

At that moment, Secretary Wu walked back in with the freshly brewed tea. He smilingly placed the teacups on the coffee table in front of the two men, then retreated to the side and stood quietly.

...

Before long, the Chief Financial Officer of Hongtai Construction rushed to Wang Hongtai's office.

Wang Hongtai first gave the Chief Financial Officer a brief overview of the company's current situation, then ordered sternly, "You understand the company's situation now. So, set aside your current work. Today, you will fully cooperate with Lawyer Wang to handle the equity transfer."

Hearing this, the Chief Financial Officer's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Wang Hongtai, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He nodded to show he understood but immediately reminded, "Chairman, a forty percent equity transfer is no small matter. Once it proceeds, the China Securities Regulatory Commission's review of the company's IPO application will likely be suspended. With less than a month until the deadline, there might not be enough time to go through the approval process again."

Wang Hongtai's heart sank upon hearing the Chief Financial Officer's words. He knew the other man's concerns were justified, but since things had reached this point, he could only bite the bullet and move forward. However, before he could respond, Wang Ming interjected with a smile, "You don't need to worry about those things. After the equity transfer, our boss will personally handle the relevant matters."

As Wang Ming spoke, he kept a smile on his face, and his tone was very relaxed. It was as if something like an IPO was not a major problem for him at all.

However, the Chief Financial Officer did not know Wang Ming, let alone who this "boss" he spoke of was. He looked at Wang Hongtai in confusion, waiting for confirmation.

Wang Hongtai's anxiety had not lessened, but faced with Wang Ming's confidence and the Chief Financial Officer's questioning gaze, he could only suppress his unease. He nodded and said, "That's right, Lawyer Wang is correct. We don't need to worry about the China Securities Regulatory Commission. You just need to do your part of the job."

Seeing that the Chairman had spoken, the Chief Financial Officer, though still doubtful, had no choice but to believe. He nodded to show he understood, then looked at Wang Ming and extended a hand in invitation. "Then Lawyer Wang, please follow me..."

Wang Ming stood up with a smile. He first shook hands with Wang Hongtai and then took his leave. "Chairman Wang, we'll see each other in a bit." After saying that, he followed the Chief Financial Officer out of the office.

...

After the two left, the office fell into a brief silence.

Secretary Wu glanced at the grim-faced Wang Hongtai. Knowing there was nothing for him to do at the moment, he began clearing the cups from the tea table. He tidied up quietly while saying, "Chairman, if there's nothing else, I'll head out. Call me anytime if you need something."

Unexpectedly, Wang Hongtai suddenly looked up, a cold light flashing in his eyes. He said in a deep voice, "Wait a moment, I still have some things to ask you."

Secretary Wu's hand trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He set down the tea set, turned around, and waited quietly for Wang Hongtai's questioning.

"Has everything at the hospital been handled properly?" Wang Hongtai asked slowly, his gaze fixed on Secretary Wu like a torch.

Secretary Wu breathed a secret sigh of relief and replied, "It's all been handled, Chairman. The red envelope for the chief physician has been delivered, and the diagnosis is out; the Young Master needs to be hospitalized for at least a month. The police have also withdrawn, so they shouldn't disturb the Young Master's recovery in the short term. Additionally, Lawyer Zhou should have made contact with Su Mo by now."

"Mm, you've done well." Wang Hongtai nodded with satisfaction, but then his tone shifted. "Xiao Wu, if I recall correctly, you've been with me for nearly ten years now, haven't you?"

"Yes, Chairman. It will be exactly ten years soon." Secretary Wu's heart tightened, wondering why Wang Hongtai had suddenly brought this up.

"Xiao Wu, tell me, how have I treated you over these ten years?" Wang Hongtai's tone suddenly became soft, but an inscrutable light flashed in his eyes.

Secretary Wu weighed his words and answered carefully, "Chairman, you are my mentor and have taken great care of me. Without your cultivation and promotion, I wouldn't be where I am today. Your kindness to me... it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's like that of a teacher or a father..."

"Heh, like a teacher or a father? Well said." Wang Hongtai shook his head with a bitter smile, his gaze suddenly becoming sharp. "Xiao Wu, to be honest, I've always been grooming you as my successor. You and I both know what my son Wang Hao's character is like. I even thought that if the day came when I couldn't work anymore, I would hand Hongtai Construction over to you to manage. Unfortunately, I never imagined that despite my trust in you, you would conspire with outsiders to scheme against me!"

Secretary Wu was shocked, his face instantly turning pale. He hurriedly shook his head in denial. "Chairman, what are you saying! I have always been loyal to you. How could I conspire with outsiders to harm you?"

"Hmph," Wang Hongtai snorted coldly. "Xiao Wu, it's just the two of us in this office, and there's no surveillance. Tell me the truth: were those Materials regarding the backroom deals provided to Zhao Lintai by you?"

Secretary Wu's face grew even paler, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He swallowed and argued with a trembling voice, "Ch-Chairman, I... I really didn't..."

Wang Hongtai didn't speak, just stared straight at him.

Although Wang Hongtai had no concrete evidence and was relying on suspicion and intuition, Secretary Wu's reaction at this moment confirmed his guess.

After a long silence, Wang Hongtai sighed, turned around, and walked slowly to the floor-to-ceiling window. He spoke slowly, "Fine, I understand. You may leave."

Secretary Wu looked up at Wang Hongtai's lonely back, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He sighed silently, whispered his assent, and turned to leave the office.

With a soft *click*, the door was closed again.

Wang Hongtai took a deep breath and then let out a long sigh, his eyes revealing an indescribably complex emotion.

...

Meanwhile, after Qin Yi drove away from the Jingan Branch, he first called Qin Xiaoyue. Learning that she hadn't finished packing yet, he navigated to a nearby shopping mall.

He planned to buy two computers first. Using Xu Qian's laptop last night had really hindered his work efficiency; no matter what, he had to replace it today.