Chapter 5 Bankruptcy

The conference room of the Chu Group was filled with a heavy atmosphere, and everyone wore worried expressions on their faces. All the senior executives of the company were in attendance, with Chu Jiang sitting in the chairman's seat, his brows furrowed tightly. "I spoke to several suppliers on the phone. Unless Zhao Xiong agrees, they would rather pay the penalty and terminate the cooperation," he said. Upon hearing this, the tension in the conference room escalated. Zhao Xiong was a prominent figure in the Zhao family, capable of causing the entire Jiangbei City to tremble with a single command. With just a few words, he had pushed the Chu Group into a dire situation. Without the necessary raw materials, their manufactured goods would remain unsold. Caught in this dilemma, it felt as though someone was tightening their grip around their necks. Chu Jiang let out a sigh, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room, his expression filled with helplessness. "I urge everyone to share your opinions and brainstorm ways to navigate through this challenging situation together." Before anyone could respond, the sound of high heels tapping on the floor echoed from outside the conference room. Zhao Xueyue, clad in black high heels, entered the room with her head held high like a proud swan. Her eyes exuded mockery and disdain as she coldly addressed Chu Jiang, "General Manager Chu, you have raised a fine daughter. Instead of solely focusing on making money, you should also invest time in disciplining her. Otherwise, your family's wealth will be in vain, and ruin will befall you." Chu Jiang was scolded with a finger pointed at his nose, his aged face flushed with embarrassment. Forced to humble himself, he apologized, "Manager Zhao, what occurred yesterday was a misunderstanding. I had intended to personally apologize to Mei Ting, and I will provide you with an explanation." "An explanation? Who do you think you are!" Zhao Xueyue sneered mercilessly, stating, "Chu Jiang! Listen carefully, within three days, you must compensate ten million to rectify the damage to the Zhao family's reputation, or prepare for bankruptcy!" Chu Jiang felt as though he had been struck by lightning, his body swaying as he slumped in his chair, his eyes filled with despair. Even if he were to sell the company, it wouldn't fetch ten million! It was evident that this was a deliberate scheme to dismantle the Chu Corporation! Witnessing her father's distress, Chu Meiting's anger surged, and she questioned sharply, "Zhao Xueyue! Each individual should be accountable for their actions, why involve my family? We were once close friends, there's no need for such ruthlessness, is there?" "You still have the audacity to call yourself my best friend?" Zhao Xueyue's eyes flashed with resentment as she gritted her teeth, "You fancy that destitute Ye Fei, don't you? I will reduce you to a beggar like him, and you can beg on the streets together!" Tears welled up in Chu Meiting's eyes, causing her to lower her head as she pleaded, "If you have any grievances, take them out on me, spare my family..." "Realizing it now? It's too late!" Zhao Xueyue's eyes gleamed with malice as she sneered, "Chu's company is headed for bankruptcy!" With that, she turned and departed. The Zhao family's ruthless actions severed the Chu Corporation's supply chain, leaving them in a dire predicament and the entire company in disarray. Some employees, seeing no hope for the company, began submitting their resignation letters one after another. This further exacerbated the Chu Corporation's situation, making the already struggling company even more unsustainable. Chu Jiang spent the entire night making desperate phone calls, hoping to seek assistance from friends to alleviate the current crisis. However, those who were once close friends turned a blind eye, unwilling to extend a helping hand. After a sleepless night, Chu Jiang, mentally and physically drained, collapsed at home. "Dad!" Chu Meiting screamed in horror, alerting the entire family, who promptly called for an ambulance to rush Chu Jiang to the hospital. In the Intensive Care Unit. Chu Jiang lay covered in tubes, his vital signs unstable and at risk of deteriorating at any moment. The doctor, clad in a white coat, emerged from the ICU ward, and Chu Meiting and her mother immediately approached him. "Doctor, how is my father?" Chu Meiting inquired. "The patient's condition is very critical," the doctor replied solemnly. With a sigh, the doctor shook his head and continued, "His health was already fragile, and with the added stress, he may not survive. You should prepare for the worst." Chu Meiting was shocked, and her mother couldn't bear the news, fainting on the spot. Overwhelmed with fear, Chu Meiting looked to the doctor for guidance. He gazed at her with sympathy and suggested, "Why don't you seek help from Master Zhang? If he agrees, there might be a chance for a miraculous recovery." "Oh, how could I forget about Master Zhang?" Chu Meiting exclaimed, slapping her forehead before rushing to Zhongjing Pharmacy. Inside the shop, Master Zhang was engrossed in a video, attempting to replicate Ye Fei's needle technique. Without a word, Chu Meiting rushed in and knelt before Master Zhang. Startled, Master Zhang reached out to help her up, asking, "Girl, what's the matter?" "Master Zhang!" Chu Meiting cried, "Please save my father. I will kneel and kowtow to you." Touched by her plea, Master Zhang reassured her, "I have dedicated my life to healing the sick. Let's go, saving a life is the priority." Chu Meiting led Master Zhang back to the hospital. Master Zhang's reputation preceded him, and the doctors welcomed him into the ICU. After a thorough examination, Master Zhang emerged from the ICU and sadly informed Chu Meiting, "Mr. Chu's condition is beyond saving. His anger has affected his heart. I warned him about this, but he didn't listen." Devastated, Chu Meiting sank to the ground, feeling hopeless. Witnessing her despair, Doctor Zhang recalled a young man he had met recently and hesitated before suggesting, "There might be someone who can save Mr. Chu." "Who is it?" Chu Meiting asked eagerly. "I don't know his name," Zhang Zhongji admitted, showing her surveillance footage from the store. Chu Meiting recognized the man immediately, exclaiming, "Ye Fei?!" Surprised by her reaction, Zhang Zhongji asked, "Do you know him?" Chu Meiting's face lit up with hope as she rushed back to the city to find Ye Fei.