Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 185 I Really Want to Favor Someone

Chapter 185: Chapter 185 I Really Want to Favor Someone

You Li’s apology video had been sent back home. At the end of the video, it specifically mentioned Cheng Qiaobei, expressing genuine admiration for his abilities and further showing admiration and appreciation for him as a person. Many of You Li’s fans, upon seeing Cheng Qiaobei’s photo, left comments professing their love, with some even stating that they would support Jade Jiali just for Cheng Qiaobei’s face.

For a time, Cheng Qiaobei’s face became a living advertisement for Jade Jiali.

What made Deng Yan break into a cold sweat was one of the comments, which mentioned that Cheng Xiangheng was too old and should quickly step aside for younger people. Everyone in the boardroom turned their eyes to Cheng Xiangheng. He looked at the screen with calm composure, showing no sign of displeasure, but Deng Yan knew well that the comment touched on Cheng Xiangheng’s sore spot. He quickly ran to the computer to turn off the video and unplug the USB drive.

He hadn’t edited the comment into the video, so someone must have tampered with his USB. Considering the whole scene, everyone had the opportunity to access his office area. It wasn’t hard to find, but only a few dared to act. Even if they caught a scapegoat, it wouldn’t cause much trouble.

Today, even the other three directors, who rarely attended meetings due to health reasons, were present.

Guan Yueshan said in a deep voice, "The public opinion has been resolved, but our stock price hasn’t gone up. The resulting impact is a real loss in market value."

Shao Zhenxuan raised the document in his hand, agreeing, "This is the document I received this morning. Jade Jiali’s stock price fell by 5.58% to 26.25 HKD. The total market value dropped to 26.644 billion HKD, decreasing over twenty percent and evaporating 7.5 billion HKD. Calculate how much that is in RMB."

Zhao Youfeng scanned the room with his dark eyes and said with a severe expression, "Shouldn’t someone be held responsible for the whole matter?"

Yin Yihui and Lian Wenlong exchanged a glance, understanding tacitly whom they planned to scapegoat next, but the most important person hadn’t spoken yet. They just needed to wait and see.

Cheng Xiangheng said, "Chairman Zhao, who do you think should be responsible?"

Zhao Youfeng said, "Whoever is in charge should bear the responsibility."

Lian Wenlong’s lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile, as he continued, saying, "If I remember correctly, it should be Wan Mingkun, Manager Wan."

Cheng Xiangheng’s face suddenly darkened as he looked at Lian Wenlong. "Chairman Lian has a good memory to remember even such trifles."

Yin Yihui said, "After all, a formal notice was sent through the company’s internal OA system so everyone should have an impression."

Xu Yunheng’s eyes shifted as he proposed a different opinion, "The overseas hotel rectification had always been managed by Cheng Qiaobei. Wan Mingkun just went in to wrap things up, so it shouldn’t have much to do with him, right?"

Zheng Rongxi said solemnly, "To speak of the whole project from planning to execution and later supervision, it indeed was all planned and coordinated by Manager Cheng. But when the incident happened, he had just left not long ago, so blaming Manager Wan isn’t entirely unreasonable."

Yin Yihui sneered inwardly, thinking, well, it’s not unreasonable to blame Manager Wan. Everyone in the meeting room wanted to pin it on Cheng Qiaobei. Without him and Lian Wenlong today, a handling opinion for Cheng Qiaobei would have probably been down.

He said, "Don’t blame anyone, responsibility must be clear. Ignoring the facts and wronging a good person is not the corporate culture of our Jade Jiali."

Zhao Youfeng’s words directly pointed at Yin Yihui, "Chairman Yin, who’s being wronged, in your opinion?"

Yin Yihui said, "I’m not alluding to anyone, just expressing my view."

Zhao Youfeng withdrew his gaze irritably, secretly mocking him as a slick operator, "Now that the stock price has plummeted, someone must take responsibility. Even if I care about the losses, there ought to be an explanation for the shareholders who suffered those losses, right?"

Guan Yueshan said, "I agree with Chairman Zhao’s opinion."

He looked at Shao Zhenxuan, who followed, saying, "I agree too. Rewards and punishments should be clear. Whoever caused the group’s losses should come forward and accept punishment."

Zhao Youfeng asked Xu Yunheng beside him, "What is Chairman Xu’s opinion?"

Xu Yunheng replied righteously, "I also support Chairman Zhao’s idea."

Xu Yunheng asked Zheng Rongxi, "And what about Chairman Zheng?"

Zheng Rongxi said, "Since everyone has expressed their views, I respect the opinions of the directors."

The current situation already reeked of conspiracy. Lian Wenlong was equally spirited, saying, "Chairman Yin and I think the same. There can be a handling decision, but the responsible person must be clearly identified."

Zhao Youfeng, being of a higher rank, was usually unrestrained in his interactions with Cheng Xiangheng. He asked Cheng Xiangheng, "Mr. Cheng, everyone has now expressed their stance on this matter. However you handle it, we all respect it, but the matter must have a proper beginning and an end. After all, such a big loss stares us in the face, don’t you think?"

Though it was clear what plan these cunning old foxes had in mind, Cheng Xiangheng couldn’t openly fall out with them in public.

Cheng Xiangheng said, "Anyone who causes significant losses to the company should take responsibility. When the overseas project began, Manager Cheng was indeed in charge. In just a few months, the profits from the overseas hotels stabilized and grew. You all must have seen the data on the big screen earlier. He was transferred back home by me to complete other tasks during the most mature phase of the project. As for Manager Wan taking over, it was during the most mature and stable phase of the project. Those of us who have managed projects all our lives know who’s the final person responsible and who shares the project’s success and failure. Since a major mistake occurred under Manager Wan’s management, it makes sense that Manager Wan should bear the responsibility."

Zheng Rongxi furrowed her brows and turned slowly to look at Cheng Xiangheng at the head seat. Her gaze was one of astonishment and disbelief.

Xu Yunheng was stunned for half a second before regaining his senses, thinking this shouldn’t have been his reaction.

He was about to speak but quickly changed his mind, realizing that anyone who stepped forward at this time would end up in a serious bind.

Xu Yunheng covered his mouth and leaned close to Zhao Youfeng to quietly remind him, "Chairman Zhao, don’t say anything. After all, that’s his son."

Zhao Youfeng snorted coldly, looking like he didn’t care who the son was, "Mr. Cheng, the incident happened just after Manager Cheng left. Having Manager Wan take the fall isn’t appropriate. It’s unfair to Manager Wan as well. Wan Mingkun has worked in the hotel for many years, practically a first batch hero since the founding of Jade Jiali. Some things can’t be done just to keep your own people’s hearts while chilling others. To everyone, it seems equally unfair."

Cheng Xiangheng’s eyes were cold, and his face was dark with a terrifying expression. From his elevated stance, he said, "Do I really need to listen to your opinions if I want to favor someone?"

A wave of silence swept the meeting room.

He glanced at the people on either side, stood up, and said, "The handling decision will be announced after the investigation, meeting adjourned."

Deng Yan closely followed Cheng Xiangheng out of the meeting room. Once out of sight, he discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

At that moment, at Milan Airport.

Cheng Qiaobei looked at his phone and saw the three words from Cheng Xiangheng, short of anything more, "Did well."

Due to weather conditions, the flight was grounded, and Cheng Qiaobei was stranded at the airport, sitting on a chair and waiting for the flight alert at any moment.

His phone received a WeChat from Chen Ningxi, asking, "Was the flight canceled?"