Chapter 4 Overcoming Individual Challenges

Upon hearing Zuo Tianyang's words, Mo Huai erupted in laughter tinged with anger. "Kid, ignorance is not always bliss. You are truly fearless, like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. But mark my words, you will pay the price for your audacity!" Zuo Tianyang paid no heed to Mo Huai's threats, instead offering lobster to Luo Ningshuang. "The flavor is quite delightful, you should give it a try." The onlookers remained, seemingly waiting for Zuo Tianyang's words to be validated, not a single person departing. In a mere ten minutes, Zuo Tianyang had finished his meal and stood up to leave. "What's the matter? Can't keep up the charade?" Mo Huai sneered coldly. At that moment, Mo Huai's personal secretary rushed in frantically, holding a phone and wearing an expression of deep concern. "Mr. Mo, something significant has occurred!" "Acting so flustered, how unprofessional. Can't you see the gravity of the situation?" Mo Huai scolded sharply, his face darkening. "Mr... Mr. Mo, the company's stocks have plummeted by eighty percent!" The secretary, aware of the severity of the news, did not mince words. "What... what?" Mo Huai's face paled in shock upon hearing the news. "The Feiyang Foundation, in collaboration with several internationally renowned short-selling institutions, have collectively shorted our stocks. They have been ruthless, leaving us no room to react," the secretary reported truthfully. Initially listed in the United States to prevent emergency limit-down trading, Xiong Feng had no such safeguards in the U.S. stock market. What was once a precautionary measure had now resulted in a drastic drop in stock value. Mo Huai stood frozen for a moment, his phone ringing incessantly in his pocket. When he finally answered, his expression turned even graver. He slumped to the ground, casting a dazed look at Zuo Tianyang. Witnessing Mo Huai's distress, the onlookers no longer remained passive spectators. They began making calls to verify the news. Once confirmed, chaos ensued. "Quick, sell off Xiong Feng Group's stocks, regardless of the price!" "Don't hesitate, sell off everything as soon as possible!" "Sell everything, leave nothing behind!" Observing the unfolding events, Zuo Tianyang foresaw the imminent collapse of Xiong Feng Group's stock price. These individuals, closely associated with Mo Huai and considered shareholders of the company, wasted no time in selling off their shares, sealing the fate of the stock price. Ultimately, self-interest prevailed. When personal gains were at stake, past relationships proved unreliable. In times of crisis, no one stepped forward to stabilize the situation for Xiong Feng Group; everyone looked out for themselves. Luo Ningshuang watched in shock, gazing incredulously at her beloved. Zuo Tianyang offered a cold smile, leading Luo Ningshuang out of the banquet hall and into the tumultuous sandstorm. As they left the hotel, Luo Ningshuang clung tightly to Zuo Tianyang's hand, unwilling to let go. After five years of longing and anticipation, she felt a glimmer of hope. Just when despair loomed, Zuo Tianyang returned to fight for justice. Driving the car, Zuo Tianyang guided Luo Ningshuang, dressed in a wedding gown, into the Rolls-Royce. Nestled in his arms, she softly inquired, "Tianyang, what transpired earlier? Why did Xiong Feng Group face such a sudden crisis?" Yesterday, Zuo Tianyang raised his hand and gently pinched Luo Ningshuang's beautiful face, flashing a mysterious smile. "I sought help from a powerful figure!" "Is it your sister?" Luo Ningshuang overheard Zuo Tianyang referring to someone as sister earlier. Achieving this in just ten minutes must have required a tremendous amount of influence! "Yes," Zuo Tianyang replied with a bitter smile. In the Zuo family, Zuo Tianyang's mother, Yu Yan, and sister, Zuo Feifei, held the highest positions, while Zuo Tianyang and his father, Zuo Yi, were often bullied by the two women in charge. Luo Ningshuang didn't inquire further but followed Zuo Tianyang back to her villa. After changing into a different outfit, Zuo Tianyang drove her away once more. Looking out at the familiar road outside the window, Luo Ningshuang's expression shifted slightly. "Is this the way to my family's home? Are we going there?" "Yes, aren't your parents usually there? It's been five years since we last met, so I thought I'd visit and see your uncle and aunt." Luo Ningshuang's expression soured, but she remained silent, allowing Zuo Tianyang to take her along. Zuo Tianyang had a general idea of the forced marriage situation Luo Ningshuang was in, but today, there was no sign of any of Luo's family members, not even her parents. As far as Zuo Tianyang knew, aside from Luo Ningshuang's parents, everyone else in the Luo family had been brought under the control of the Mo family. Mo Yuanshan had gone to great lengths for Luo Ningshuang. Suddenly, Zuo Tianyang's phone rang. He picked it up and saw an unfamiliar number. "Hello, who is this?" Zuo Tianyang put the phone on speaker and asked, setting it aside. "It's me, Li Wencai!" The voice on the other end belonged to a middle-aged man, with a respectful yet somewhat casual tone. "Li Wencai?" Zuo Tianyang tried to recall the name. Li Wencai was the former deputy secretary of the Ninghai City Committee. "Oh, Uncle Li, is there something you need?" "No, no," Li Wencai chuckled. "I heard you were in Ninghai City and thought I'd like to meet you. Are you free now? I'll find a nice teahouse, and we can have some tea together!" "It's not very convenient right now, I'm about to go to my father-in-law's house," Zuo Tianyang politely declined. "Father-in-law... father-in-law?" "Yes, you should know him, Luo Feng. I apologize, Uncle Li!" Normally, many people would try to flatter Li Wencai, considering he was a deputy ministerial official, essentially the second-in-command in Ninghai City. However, he humbled himself to invite Zuo Tianyang for tea, only to be turned down!