ORCBRB – Chapter 87
Chapter 87
On the first day of March, Jian Corporation was in chaos.
First, a sudden shareholder meeting was convened. While the company's employees were still guessing the purpose of this abrupt meeting, police cars arrived with sirens blaring. They entered Jian Corporation with warrants and took away Jian Zhenyang, a director of Jian Corporation and the president of Huaxing.
After that, people from the Securities Regulatory Commission also rushed in. Since they left through the company's private passage, there was widespread speculation internally that it might be another member of Jian Zhenyang's family.
As rumors continued to spread, just when everyone thought the matter was coming to a close and they could finally get some information, the CEO of Shengyu Corporation, a long-time close partner of Jian Corporation, strode into the company with a group of people and headed straight for the CEO's office.
“Manipulating the stock market from abroad?” The office door was slammed shut, and the vast office fell silent. “A trumped-up charge, this is going too far!”
Jian Cenyu's expression was equally grave, her usual calmness gone from her eyes, replaced by visible anxiety. “She was just taken in for investigation. I've already asked someone to handle it and will get her back as soon as possible.”
Sang Shiyue's eyes blazed with anger. He turned to stare directly at Jian Cenyu. “Jian Cenyu, I want a straight answer from you. Did you know that our An'an bought your Jian Corporation's stock?”
Jian Cenyu gave a bitter smile. “If I had known, I wouldn't have let her use an overseas account to do it.”
The advantage of an offshore company was the ability to use different accounts to purchase the shares Jian Corporation was selling off. The seller would think the shares were scattered among different individuals, unaware that the same person was behind it all.
But this also made it easy to be targeted by the Securities Regulatory Commission on suspicion of malicious market manipulation.
“It's only 1.8% of the shares, that doesn't constitute a crime. An'an was taken for investigation, they'll let her go once they've asked their questions. No need to be so anxious.” Ren Li had already sorted everything out on her way over. As Shengyu's chief legal counsel for many years, she walked over and pressed down on Sang Shiyue's shoulder. “Mom knows the law better than you do.”
Sang Shiyue's chest heaved twice. Out of respect for Ren Li, he sat back down and didn't continue his tirade.
At this moment, Jian Cenyu stood up and bowed deeply to Ren Li. “Auntie Ren, regarding this matter and An'an, I am very sorry.”
Ren Li looked at Jian Cenyu bowing before her and sighed deeply in her heart. The more she had once admired Jian Cenyu for her precocious wisdom, nobility, and composure, the more emotional she felt now, seeing her bow her head in apology.
When she first learned that Jian Zhenyang had exposed Jian Cenyu and Sang Shi'an's relationship at the shareholder meeting, Ren Li was utterly shocked and furious. She was shocked by her daughter's sexual orientation and furious at Jian Zhenyang for parading it like a joke.
At the time, she didn't have much time to process it before the news of Sang Shi'an being taken away by the Securities Regulatory Commission followed.
It wasn't until this moment, sitting in the CEO's office at Jian Corporation and watching Jian Cenyu bow and apologize to her for what happened to Sang Shi'an, that Ren Li finally felt the reality that her daughter truly had a girlfriend.
But what could she say?
Jian Cenyu was a child she had watched grow up, even the junior she had once favored most when considering a partner for Sang Shiyue. Whether it was family background, temperament, appearance, or knowledge, she was flawless.
Ren Li couldn't help but think that if her daughter really did like women, it wouldn't be surprising for her to fall for Jian Cenyu.
If this relationship had been revealed to the elders during the New Year, or inadvertently on any given afternoon, Ren Li thought she definitely wouldn't have been able to accept it immediately. Perhaps she would have reacted like other parents who reject homosexuality and opposed it directly.
But now that the relationship had been exposed by others, Ren Li found that all she could feel was anger—anger at the petty actions of those who vainly sought to use this relationship to destroy Sang Shi'an and Jian Cenyu. When she faced Jian Cenyu again, her heart couldn't help but soften.
Especially after she learned that her daughter had spent nearly two billion to help Jian Cenyu win the shareholder meeting, she clearly realized that her daughter was using the most direct adult method—risking everything for a lifetime together.
Ren Li sighed, as if all her strength had been drained in an instant. “The bigger picture is what matters.”
That was all she said.
Jian Cenyu stood up straight again, her eyes bloodshot, and said gently yet firmly, “I understand, Auntie Ren.”
“Was it Jian Zhenyang's family?” Sang Shiyue looked at Jian Cenyu, impatiently pulling out a cigarette case. He glanced at the assistants he had brought, who were already working on their laptops, and when his gaze fell on the main seat, he narrowed his eyes. “Do those people from the Jian family think hiding in the hospital will solve anything?”
Jian Cenyu seemed to guess what he was about to do and said directly, “I have some things too. I'll handle it.”
“Give those things to me, lest your old man's heart stops and he issues some deathbed wish to block you, and then nothing can get done.” Sang Shiyue's words were blunt, and Jian Zhihuan, who had always been filial, looked extremely uncomfortable.
But it was Sang Shi'an who had turned the tide for them at the shareholder meeting, and it was Sang Shi'an who was now being retaliated against by the Jian family and taken in for investigation by the Securities Regulatory Commission. As Sang Shi'an's family, Sang Shiyue's words weren't entirely out of line.
Jian Zhihuan said to Jian Cenyu, “Just do as he says.”
“Okay.” Jian Cenyu nodded, turned to give Secretary Gu a few instructions, and sent her to organize the materials.
The only sound in the vast CEO's office was the tapping of keyboards as the top talents from both companies did their best to clean up the mess Jian Zhenyang had made.
The public opinion outside was just the beginning. Once it spread, regardless of whether there was any real wrongdoing, rivals of Jian Corporation and countless people who resented the wealthy would be quick to kick them while they were down.
This was a major reason why countless entrepreneurs maintained a public image of a happy family. Times change, but for those in high positions, their private lives are infinitely magnified.
Is being gay a crime? No.
But how many parents can accept their child's choice? Only a very small number.
And the remaining majority would inadvertently become an invisible blade stabbing at Jian Corporation.
“Young CEO Jian, the public opinion is actually under control for now. The netizens who saw the news have been relatively kind. Maybe it's not as bad as we think?” an assistant from the public relations department reported to Jian Cenyu, offering a quiet word of comfort.
Jian Cenyu shook her head and said, “It must be cleaned up as soon as possible.”
Hearing this, the assistant couldn't help but feel that Jian Cenyu was a bit cold-blooded. Just as their relationship was exposed and the other party was taken away by the Securities Regulatory Commission, Jian Cenyu was already busy distancing herself. The waters of the wealthy elite ran deep indeed.
Sang Shiyue looked at the young assistant and, as if guessing her thoughts, sneered. “You, assistant. How do you think so many animated shows that clearly passed review get reported until they disappear? And you're in the PR department. Use your brain at work. Once something like a public coming-out becomes social news, and someone uses their story to come out to their family, do you think those parents won't go crazy? Won't they direct their craziness at Jian Corporation?”
The assistant was scolded to tears. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry, CEO Sang.”
Jian Cenyu gently pulled the assistant's hand and said in a warm voice, “He's not targeting you. Go on with your work, thank you.”
The assistant didn't dare to make any more wild guesses and just wanted to finish her work as quickly as possible.
Jian Cenyu's and Sang Shiyue's phones rang again. Ten minutes later, a sudden exclamation echoed in the CEO's office: “Young CEO Jian, the public opinion has all disappeared!”
Everyone in the office looked over in unison, just as the PR manager Sang Shiyue had brought also spoke up, “CEO Sang, all news about Young CEO Jian and Miss Sang's relationship has vanished. The tags on every platform have been completely deleted.”
The news of the Jian Corporation heiress's intimate interactions with her same-sex partner was released, spread, and then completely disappeared, all within a span of twenty minutes, as if it had been a collective illusion.
Ren Li, who was waiting for a message from her acquaintance at the Securities Regulatory Commission, opened her eyes and looked at Jian Zhihuan sitting opposite her. They both checked the time and simultaneously guessed the same reason, their expressions turning grave.
But neither of them spoke.
In contrast, the others in the office were in a celebratory mood. This was undoubtedly a good sign. Since the matter had been suppressed so soon after it was spread, it would just be a minor issue of a possible romance. Without clear evidence online, it would only become an ambiguous piece of gossip.
Sang Shiyue almost wanted to applaud Jian Cenyu and Sang Shi'an's good luck. “You guessed this outcome long ago?”
“I was only fifty percent sure.” Jian Cenyu looked at the now-cleared webpage, also feeling a bit emotional.
Something as important as the pharmaceutical reform was a matter of the government's prestige; no mistakes could be tolerated.
Jian Cenyu's relationship, therefore, was no longer just about Jian Corporation.
If Jian Corporation were to falter at this critical juncture and arouse public suspicion, it would inevitably affect the completion of the entire project, which was something the higher-ups were even more unwilling to see.
Just as Sang Shiyue had said, if their relationship were to be openly exposed, giving minors a precedent to come out and flaunt their individuality, those parents would justifiably direct their anger at Jian Corporation. And the government, which had chosen Jian Corporation to participate in the pharmaceutical reform and given it the opportunity to transform, would also have to bear responsibility.
Sang Shiyue opened the webpage that had just been posted, which now showed it was inaccessible. The gloom in his eyes dissipated considerably. “Looks like all that drinking wasn't for nothing. The pharmaceutical reform project has given you a protective talisman.”
Meanwhile, at the hospital.
After Old Master Jian was sent to the hospital, the mothers of Jian Zhenyang and Jian Zhenming also collapsed. After Jian Zhenming had a doctor carry his mother into the operating room, he didn't even ask about her condition before turning to make phone calls.
Jian Zhifeng was worried about his eldest son who had been taken by the police. Seeing Jian Zhenming on the phone, he felt as if he had found his pillar of support and chased after him. “Zhenming, what did they say on the phone? What about your brother?”
Jian Zhifeng had been mediocre his whole life. As the eldest son, he had failed to inherit Jian Corporation. Jian Zhenming had already resented his father for this for many years. Now that Jian Zhenyang was finished, his father was still causing trouble for him. He immediately hung up the phone and started arguing.
“Jian Zhenyang? Dad, can you wake up? Jian Zhenyang is finished. You'd be better off announcing you're disowning him, or you'll lose the rest of your retirement money.”
“He's your own brother!” Jian Zhifeng looked at this son as if for the first time, utterly disappointed.
“So what if he's my brother? You supported whatever he said. When I wanted to start a company, you said I was too young and made me assist him. Did you ever ask if I was willing?”
“But he's been taken by the police, we need to get him out soon—”
“Save him? How?” Jian Zhenming cut him off directly. “Dad, didn't you hear what Jian Cenyu said? Jian Zhenyang was involved in cross-border money laundering. Where else do you think he got the money to buy shares from Sang Shiyue before? If he's lucky, he'll live in there for a few decades. If not, he can wait for a bullet.”
Jian Zhifeng's vision went black, and his hand pointing at Jian Zhenming trembled uncontrollably. Jian Zhenming, tired of this drama, impatiently called for a doctor. “Take him to a ward. If you're going to die, don't die in front of me.”
The sound of Jian Zhifeng's curses of ‘unfilial son’ came from behind, but Jian Zhenming had no time to care, because he discovered that the press releases about Jian Cenyu he had sent out had all disappeared.
He quickly called a major media agency he had contacted before. “Why has the Jian Corporation news disappeared? Didn't I ask you to post it on all platforms?”
The person on the other end, who would normally do anything for money, refused him this time. “Mr. Jian, we can't publish this news. Let me refund your money.”
Jian Zhenming found it baffling. “Did Jian Corporation and Shengyu give you benefits too? Don't worry, as long as you're willing to publish it, I'll give you double the price.”
The refusal on the other end became even more pronounced. “It's not that, Mr. Jian. We really can't publish this news. We're just a small outfit trying to make a living. You should find someone else. I'll refund your money immediately.”
When Jian Zhenming tried to call again, he had already been blocked. At the same time, the advance payment was immediately returned. Jian Zhenming then contacted other media personnel he had worked with. As soon as they heard he wanted to expose Jian Cenyu's same-sex relationship, their replies were all largely the same: “Mr. Jian, this isn't about money. You should find someone else.”
Furious, Jian Zhenming slammed his fist against the tiled wall. Jian Zhiyan, who was discussing Old Master Jian's treatment plan with a doctor, happened to overhear a few of Jian Zhenming's words and was quite surprised.
“What, no one is willing to expose it for you? Big nephew, listen to your aunt. Their love life is their business. If you don't want to join your brother, you should stop now.”
Jian Zhenming hadn't expected Jian Zhiyan to hear him. Thinking of how Jian Zhiyan had defended Jian Cenyu in the meeting room just now, a wave of hostility rose in him. “Auntie, don't you all get happy too soon. I was just rejected by a few media outlets. There are so many media companies, there must be some that haven't been bought off by the Sang family and Jian Cenyu!”
Jian Zhiyan touched the jade ring on her hand. She usually didn't wear it at the university, but she had specially put it on for the meeting at Jian Corporation today. Every time she looked at it, her mood improved, and the outcome of the shareholder meeting was indeed as she had wished.
She sighed softly, raised her hand, and patted Jian Zhenming's shoulder twice. “Do too many bad things, and you'll face retribution. Look at your grandfather, your brother, and your fainted parents.”
She clicked her tongue and shook her head repeatedly. “For the sake of you being my nephew, I'll give you one more piece of advice. Do you think Cenyu alone could suppress this news? There are too many companies that would love to see Jian Corporation fall and would jump at the chance.”
Jian Zhenming instantly became alert. “Auntie, what do you mean by that?”
Jian Zhiyan said, “Let me give you an example. There are so many bisexual and gay people in the entertainment industry. Have you ever seen the paparazzi openly expose a same-sex scandal?”
Jian Zhenming's eyes shot up, and he broke into a cold sweat. “You mean… impossible, that's impossible!”
“When one's public profile reaches a certain level, every word and action must follow a certain template. How many patients will the drugs from the pharmaceutical reform involve? Nothing is impossible.” Jian Zhiyan released her hand and walked listlessly towards the operating room.
The twists and turns of interpersonal relationships were just troublesome, not as good as the cold chemical reagents and instruments in the lab.
At least, you could see through them at a glance.
Jian Zhenming stood in place for a while, then chased after her again. “Auntie, what about Sang Shi'an? Are they not going to care about her? I still have leverage on her.”
Now, even if Jian Zhiyan were slow, she could see Jian Zhenming's objective. “You want me to help you? What message should I pass to Cenyu?”
“What Jian Zhenyang did has nothing to do with our family,” Jian Zhenming said. “Otherwise, I will continue to pressure the Securities Regulatory Commission in my capacity as a Jian Corporation shareholder. Even if Second Uncle, the CEO, steps in, it won't work.”
Jian Zhiyan found it amusing. “She only bought a small amount of shares. She'll be out after a few questions. As for your relationship with Jian Zhenyang, that's between you two brothers. Outsiders can't do anything about it.”
“It's not just about my relationship with him. Everything Jian Zhenyang did before can't be blamed on me either.” Jian Zhenming's tone was quite shameless, with a hint of desperate ruthlessness. “Sang Shi'an may be innocent, but as long as I keep reporting her, keep using ambiguous evidence to get the Securities Regulatory Commission involved, Sang Shi'an will be kept inside. For half a month? A month?”
Jian Zhiyan frowned deeply. “Jian Zhenming, I really underestimated you before.”
Jian Zhenming spread his hands. “Can't be helped. People die for money. I don't want to be dragged down by Jian Zhenyang, and I don't want Jian Cenyu to retaliate later. I need this guarantee.”
The following week, the business news was almost entirely dominated by Jian Corporation. First, news broke that goods from Jian Corporation's subsidiary, Huaxing, had been intercepted by customs, and that Huaxing's president had been taken away by the police.
Shareholders panicked on a large scale, selling off their stocks. On the third day of the stock price hitting its limit down, Huaxing submitted its delisting application. Huaxing, which had been praised by many senior traders at the beginning of the year as the highest quality and most promising stock of the year, thus dejectedly exited the market.
With Huaxing's bankruptcy and liquidation, all its debts would be borne solely by Jian Corporation. Under Jian Zhihuan's decision, almost all the Jian Corporation shares held by Jian Zhenyang's family were sold off. Jian Zhifeng came to Jian Corporation to cause a scene several times, but failing to repay the debt would mean facing debt collectors from Europe. Thinking of the people Jian Zhenyang had been involved with, Jian Zhifeng and the others didn't dare to take the risk and could only accept their fate.
At the same time, Old Master Jian was issued a critical condition notice on the second day after being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. He didn't last more than three days, and the Jian family was already arranging the funeral.
Rumors even began to circulate that Jian Corporation had suffered a major blow this time, questioning whether the Jian family had disturbed some bad feng shui.
But Jian Corporation remained silent on the matter.
It wasn't until a news report on the progress of the pharmaceutical reform that the young heiress appeared on camera. Facing the direct shot of the CCTV camera, Jian Cenyu remained cool and composed, a perfectly measured smile on her lips, which was also a new signal Jian Corporation was sending to the market.
As the news broadcast ended, Sang Shiyue put away his phone and looked at Sang Shi'an sitting opposite him. “Jian Corporation has weathered the storm. Even after clearing out Jian Zhenyang's family's shares, the stock price wasn't significantly affected.”
Sang Shi'an had been here for a week. Her skin, long deprived of sunlight, was paler than before she came in. The high-intensity interrogations every day had left her looking somewhat weary, but her overall mental state was acceptable, not too bad.
There was only one reason why Jian Corporation's stock price wasn't greatly affected after the shares were sold—the new shareholder who took over the shares could bring confidence to the investors.
Sang Shi'an quickly guessed it and said in a low voice, “Thank you, brother.”
“It was Mom's idea, but it's over ten percent of the shares, after all. Our family doesn't have that much capacity, so we only bought a part.” Sang Shiyue reached out and touched Sang Shi'an's face. “Mom and Dad are very worried about you.”
Sang Shi'an held his hand, her eyelashes fluttering. Her tightly pressed lips trembled slightly. She tried hard to calm her emotions, but she was, after all, just a twenty-year-old student who hadn't graduated yet. She couldn't stop a sob from escaping her throat. “I… I…”
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her guilt towards her family, and said very, very softly, “I'm sorry.”
“You did a great job. You saved Jian Corporation, and they owe our family a huge favor. Our family now holds over ten percent of their shares, which we couldn't have bought before even if we wanted to. Professional short-sellers aren't as skilled as you. Jian Corporation will have to watch your mood from now on. We've made a huge profit.” Sang Shiyue teased Sang Shi'an in a nonchalant tone.
Sang Shi'an obliged with a laugh.
Seeing her mood recover, Sang Shiyue felt a little more at ease. “Actually, I know the person you most want to see today is probably Jian Cenyu, but your relationship is a bit inconvenient right now. Mom wanted to come too, but she was afraid you wouldn't dare to face her because of your relationship with Jian Cenyu, so this difficult task fell to me.”
Over the past week, both the Sang and Jian families had pulled many strings but couldn't get any news about Sang Shi'an. The situation was even stricter than when Jian Zhenyang was taken away for openly disrupting the stock market order.
The longer it dragged on, the more agonizing it was for everyone, both inside and out.
It wasn't until today that they were notified of an opportunity for a visit.
“How have you been in there these past few days? This is a society ruled by law, they didn't torture you, did they?”
“Of course not.” Sang Shi'an said simply, “I was just taken to an investigation room for a period of time each day. The lights were a bit glaring, and the questioners were a bit stern. And everything I did was monitored. But that's about it.”
She seemed to have grown up overnight. Facing Sang Shiyue, she was half-revealing, half-concealing, yet with a composed expression. “And I just happened to have funds abroad. Using a foreign company to buy Jian Corporation's stock directly saves a sum on exchange rates. Everything I did was within the legal framework, and I never publicly disclosed any transaction information. The accusation of disrupting market order by buying shares is even more absurd. They asked tirelessly, so I just answered a few more times.”
Sang Shiyue was truly amazed. “Your professors at Yanjing University actually dare to teach you such sneaky tricks?”
Sang Shi'an snorted softly. “The university would never teach this. Also, what sneaky tricks? Don't make it sound so ugly. It's called being discreet, being subtle! Anyway, my transaction funds were legally processed through the European settlement system. Every transaction record can be traced. Is there anything else you want to ask? You can ask me anything you want. I've answered so much these past few days I can recite it from memory.”
Sang Shiyue was silent for a moment, then said, “No need.”
Sang Shi'an nodded, looking at Sang Shiyue as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Sang Shiyue said, “Mom and Dad's attitude is relatively good. Jian Cenyu has been visiting almost every day and hasn't been kicked out, so their level of acceptance should be quite high. Right now, everyone's main concern is you.”
Sang Shi'an squeezed out a smile and said, “I'm fine. When you go back, describe my stunning beauty to Mom and Dad.”
Sang Shiyue reached out and pointed at her twice from a distance, laughing helplessly.
Sang Shi'an bit her lip and asked again, “Also, that…”
Seeing her expression, Sang Shiyue guessed she wanted to ask about Jian Zhenyang exposing their relationship. The news report just now hadn't mentioned anything about Jian Cenyu's relationship. It wasn't that she felt regretful, but she was surprised that the matter could be quelled so quickly.
Sang Shiyue glanced at the surveillance camera in the investigation room, hesitated for a moment, but then thought about the purpose of his visit today and felt it was unnecessary to hold back.
Sang Shiyue said, “Jian Zhenyang's news was wiped from the entire internet within ten minutes. Now, you can't even post anything with both of your names as a tag or any suggestive phrases. Don't worry, it hasn't affected the operations of either company.”
Sang Shi'an was surprised. “Are you guys that powerful?”
She looked at Sang Shiyue's sincere eyes and said numbly, “I've never even dreamed of something so wonderful.”
Sang Shiyue no longer knew whether he should be glad about this or not. Since they were still in the investigation room and every word and action would be recorded by the surveillance on the other side, he could only explain to Sang Shi'an tactfully, “As the main enterprise participating in the pharmaceutical reform, Jian Corporation needs to maintain a good image. Your brother isn't powerful enough to suppress this matter.”
He gripped Sang Shi'an's wrist, tapping it twice for emphasis, and said with extreme seriousness, “Not even the Jian family could do it.”
Sang Shi'an's pupils contracted. She glanced in the direction of the surveillance camera. “You mean…”
Sang Shiyue nodded and said, “Jian Cenyu has already processed her leave of absence. She already has a master's degree in pharmacy from Oxford, so this second degree from Yanjing University won't affect her. She will go to Australia to continue clinical trials and related research, and will only return to the country when the pharmaceutical reform project requires her presence. As for you…”
During the days Sang Shi'an was detained, even the slowest members of the Sang family would have realized what was going on. Normally, for an act like Sang Shi'an's, she would have been released the same day after giving a statement, or at worst, after two or three days.
The trouble that should have fallen on Jian Cenyu had, thanks to Jian Zhenming's report, landed on Sang Shi'an's head. That news wouldn't have disappeared for no reason. For Sang Shi'an to be released, an attitude had to be shown regarding this matter.
“We've already submitted a study abroad application for you as an exchange student at Yanjing University. Your academic performance and participation in extracurricular competitions and social practices already meet the standards. I've already asked my university advisor to write you a recommendation letter. There shouldn't be any problem.”
Sang Shi'an gripped Sang Shiyue's hand back. “Your advisor? Brother, can't I go to Australia too? There are so many schools in Australia—”
“You can't.”
Sang Shiyue's heart ached as he used his other hand to brush back Sang Shi'an's bangs, telling her her destination forcefully and firmly, “You're going to the United States. Harvard University.”
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