CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 184 Dilemma

Chapter 184: Chapter 184 Dilemma

Pei Family.

Pei Liyan’s office.

Fang Mo entered to report on his work.

"President, there’s news from the Qiao Family. The project we invested six billion into last time has encountered some problems; there’s a shortfall in capital turnover again, and the banks are unwilling to lend to the Qiao Family. The funding gap is estimated to be four to eight billion."

Pei Liyan looked up from a pile of documents, his gaze sharply turning towards Fang Mo, "Did you find out why the shortfall is so large?"

"Internal issues," said Fang Mo. "Within the Qiao Family, the mistress and several uncles are engaged in infighting, which is draining a lot of resources."

Pei Liyan frowned, "Elder Qiao knows about the capital shortfall, right?"

"Yes," responded Fang Mo. "He spoke with the mistress this morning, but it’s unclear if it was about this issue."

Pei Liyan paused in thought, his gaze becoming contemplative. "Qiao Rui went to the Qiao Family?"

"Yes, President, the mistress did go there. She stayed for half an hour, but what exactly she and Elder Qiao talked about is unknown to outsiders."

"Understood," Pei Liyan said with a heavy voice. "Let’s wait and see."

"Understood!"

Fang Mo left quickly.

At ten in the morning, Qiao Xiang received a call from home.

It was then she learned that the six billion had not sufficed to fill the project’s shortfall at the Qiao Family. On the contrary, it might need even more, possibly over six billion in funding.

She was momentarily stunned, ducking into the restroom to make a phone call.

"Mom, Grandpa didn’t tell me about this. Is it really true?" She was now panicking. If there were problems with the funds, how would she explain it to Pei Liyan?

She had assured him, convincing him with grand promises, to provide the six billion for investment.

And now, just a few days later, an even larger shortfall had appeared.

Qiao Xiang was very worried. If the money could not be recovered, it would certainly affect her work at the Pei Family.

And even more so, her image in Pei Liyan’s heart.

Now, Qiao Xiang was truly anxious.

"It’s true, Xiangxiang," the Qiao Family’s mistress told her daughter. "Your father said the funding gap is huge. Your second and third uncles have been causing trouble, and your father can’t face them alone."

"What on earth do they want to do?" Qiao Xiang rebuked angrily. "Do they really want the Qiao Family to be ruined, and for everyone to be doomed along with it?"

"Xiangxiang, don’t panic just yet," the Qiao Family’s mistress soothed. "I’ve heard that your grandfather called Qiao Rui back today. It is probably about this matter. I’ll have someone inquire if that’s true."

"Called Qiao Rui?" Qiao Xiang frowned. "Does Grandpa want Qiao Rui to arrange the remaining funds?"

"Didn’t Qiao Rui suddenly become very beautiful? Your Grandpa certainly wants her to ask Pei Liyan."

"I need a definitive result." Qiao Xiang, covering the receiver in the restroom, spoke in a low voice, "Hurry and find out."

"I tried, but couldn’t find out. Grandpa had a talk today, and the butler guarded the door, not allowing anyone close, so we couldn’t hear what was said."

"I’ll ask Qiao Rui." Hanging up, Qiao Xiang directly called Qiao Rui.

The call went through, and soon, Qiao Rui answered.

Seeing the call from Qiao Xiang, she was momentarily surprised, then thought of the funding issue.

Indeed, Qiao Xiang asked directly, "Qiao Rui, did Grandpa look for you today because of the funding gap?"

"Mmm." Qiao Rui replied, "Big sister, your information network is quite impressive."

"Qiao Rui, did Grandpa ask you to get more money from Pei Liyan?"

"He implied that," Qiao Rui did not conceal her thoughts. She reasoned that this whole affair had been facilitated by Qiao Xiang initially, and Pei Liyan, out of consideration for Qiao Xiang, had invested the six billion into the Qiao Family.

Thus, if Qiao Xiang were to speak up again, it might still result in obtaining investment.

Elder Qiao didn’t care who approached Pei Liyan, but rather was concerned about obtaining the funds.

"However, I feel like you speaking with Pei Liyan would be more effective than me, especially since you succeeded last time where I did not."

"Don’t flatter me," Qiao Xiang was no fool. She couldn’t act rashly in this matter.

If the funding gap grew larger, she simply would not have the means to cover it.

And it would also harm her relationship with Pei Liyan.

She couldn’t take that risk.

She could no longer ask Pei Liyan for money.

Today was unlike the past, and she understood very clearly; she was Pei Liyan’s secretary, her only capital to stay by his side.

She couldn’t risk her job.

"Big sister, if I speak up and manage to get this done, it might all be credited to me," Qiao Rui tentatively said, "And the things you did before might be overshadowed."

"Heh, don’t think I don’t understand your intentions; you can’t erase my previous efforts," Qiao Xiang replied.

"That’s fine, I’ll speak to Pei Liyan," Qiao Rui said, not insisting, as they were both clever people.

Qiao Xiang frowned. "Qiao Rui, do you think we can still borrow the money? Your request wasn’t successful last time, will it work this time?"

Qiao Rui replied, "Grandpa said we could use extraordinary methods. After all, he lives under the same roof as me!"

"You really are unscrupulous," the tone of Qiao Xiang was sour. "Are you planning to seduce him for the money?"

Qiao Rui giggled, "He’s my husband, big sister."

Qiao Xiang, caught off guard, fell silent.

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up," continued Qiao Rui.

"I can’t be bothered with you," Qiao Xiang hung up first.

She returned to her workstation, full of frustration.

Qiao Rui had the nerve to show off to her, huh? She wanted to see how long that arrogance would last.

But with this funding gap situation, since she now knew about it, Pei Liyan probably did too.

She immediately felt restless.

During the lunch break, she knocked on the door of Pei Liyan’s presidential office.

"Come in!" Pei Liyan’s voice was stern.

Qiao Xiang entered, spotting Pei Liyan seated in the executive chair. She closed the door and walked over.

Pei Liyan looked up and saw her, his gaze deep.

Qiao Xiang had pondered all morning and decided she should be honest about the matter, which is why she came.

After hesitating repeatedly, she finally said, "President, I have a personal matter that I’d like to take a bit of your time for."

Pei Liyan watched her, probably guessing what she wanted to say.

"Go ahead," he said.

Meeting the man’s gaze, Qiao Xiang instantly felt nervous, her heart in turmoil, "I’m truly sorry for the six billion you invested in the Qiao Family last time; they’ve run into another liquidity issue."

"So what?" Pei Liyan asked gravely.

"Oh, don’t get the wrong idea!" Qiao Xiang quickly clarified, "I’m not asking for more money. I mean, I’ll think of something. Right now, the project has hit a snag, and having learned about it, I wanted to inform you, for fear you might misunderstand!"

Pei Liyan spoke indifferently, "With such a large capital gap at the Qiao Family, what solutions could you possibly have in mind?"

Qiao Xiang pressed her lips together, startled within. He definitely knew about the situation.

He was indeed monitoring the Qiao Family’s projects.

She had no real solution. Initially, she thought the six billion would alleviate the crisis at the Qiao Family, but now it seemed unlikely.

"I haven’t thought of one yet, but things will improve. We can get a loan!" Qiao Xiang suggested.

"With the Qiao Family’s current state, if they could get a loan, they wouldn’t have these liquidity problems. Moreover, right now the Qiao Family’s situation is on the verge of bankruptcy."