A Chan – CH 036

Chapter 36: A Rewrite (2)

Zhang Moyun turned around, and Li Weiyi looked at this legendary man. He should only be forty-seven years old this year, in his prime, with the same tall stature and cold, handsome features as Zhang Jingchan. However, compared to Zhang Jingchan’s handsome features, his profile was more upright and dignified; simply standing there quietly, he exuded an aura of authority.

This man, now a pillar of the business world, committed suicide eight years later in his cramped, shabby rented room, treated like a pariah.

Li Weiyi’s throat was dry. She called out, “Dad.”

Zhang Moyun nodded, pulled out a chair, and said, “Sit.” There was a tea set on the table, and a pot of tea was already brewed. Zhang Moyun poured himself a cup, then picked up another and placed it in front of Li Weiyi.

“Thank you.”

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Zhang Moyun gently blew on the teacup, smiled, and said, “Speak, what is it? Why did you rush to Shanghai and have my secretary stop me? Is there some urgent need for money? Or some trouble you can’t handle?”

Li Weiyi, holding the hot tea, replied, “Neither. I came to seriously discuss Fuming’s future with you.”

Zhang Moyun was taken aback, his smile widening. He said, “Your old man can still work for another 20 years. What future do you need to worry about?”

“Not that long.”

Zhang Moyun was stunned.

Li Weiyi stared intently at him: “For Fuming… there’s no time.”

Zhang Moyun, his face grim, watched Li Weiyi operate the computer, projecting the PowerPoint presentation onto the screen. Li Weiyi understood that someone like him, with his inherent domineering arrogance, was probably even more so than Zhang Jingchan. Even if it was his own son, saying such things was like touching a raw nerve. How could she get him to listen carefully with a wary mind?

Li Weiyi’s mind raced. Instead of following Zhang Jingchan’s PowerPoint presentation step-by-step, she posed a question: “Do you know how large a funding gap would be to cause Fuming Group’s cash flow to immediately collapse?”

Zhang Moyun: “How much?”

“3 million.”

Zhang Moyun froze, shaking his head immediately: “Impossible. Fuming is such a large company. Three million? If it were really that serious, the Finance Department couldn’t have missed it. Are you sure you calculated correctly?”

“That’s because they’re incompetent.” Li Weiyi didn’t look at the PowerPoint; she already knew the numbers by heart. A whiteboard was nearby, and she immediately calculated for him: “The company has 11 million in working capital. The remaining units in the Green project are expected to generate 8 million in revenue within a week. The Vienna Villa project’s accounts payable for construction materials within a week is 6 million. And that’s only considering the first week. The bank’s current interest payment is… 9 million. Accounts payable for the Jiangshan Shui’an project are 7 million…”

She calculated each item, finally arriving at 3 million. She pressed her whiteboard marker hard and said, “Because the accounts are constantly changing, it’s not obvious. Once something changes—for example, accounts receivable not being collected, the next bank loan not being disbursed on time, or unexpected expenses—anything exceeding 3 million can directly break Fuming’s cash flow. Do you understand what this means? Like dominoes, if one falls, countless others will fall, until everything collapses completely. Projects under construction will be forced to stop, accounts payable will not be paid, bank loans will immediately stop, and eventually, even workers’ wages won’t be paid. One link leads to another, a vicious cycle. The entire Fuming will become a huge money pit, riddled with holes. This scheme is too big; we can’t support it.”

Zhang Moyun remained expressionless. Sometime later, he put down his teacup, spread his fingers, and pressed them on the table, leaning slightly forward.

After a moment, he revealed an arrogant expression and said, “It’s just a theory. If there really is a funding gap, I can easily sell one of my assets or borrow money from others to fill the gap immediately. There won’t be the domino effect you mentioned.”

Li Weiyi nodded and said, “Then do you know how much money would cause Fuming Group’s cash flow to immediately break down in two months?”

Zhang Moyun’s Adam’s apple bobbed, but he didn’t speak.

Li Weiyi wrote a number on the whiteboard.

Zhang Moyun’s expression changed.

Li Weiyi put down the whiteboard marker and said, “I didn’t write it wrong; it’s negative 50 million. Even if you don’t invest in new projects, there will still be a 50 million funding gap unless you continue to borrow.”

“Then continue to borrow!” Zhang Moyun interrupted her.

Li Weiyi then opened the PowerPoint presentation and said, “Do you know that real estate control policies will be released next month? Do you know that the document to raise interest rates has already been issued at the provincial level? It just hasn’t been made public yet! Do you know what percentage of villa sales have declined nationwide as of this month? Have you considered how terrifying the consequences would be if, by this autumn, not a single unit of the newly completed Vienna Villa project were sold?”

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Zhang Moyun looked at her intently, and she began to explain the concepts to him, slide by slide, clearly and concisely.

The PowerPoint presentation was simple and minimalist in black and white, just like Zhang Jingchan herself. The analytical viewpoints within were like someone wielding a gleaming, curved knife, dissecting flesh and bone with cold cruelty.

A chill ran through Li Weiyi.

As she spoke, she seemed to see Zhang Jingchan standing before her. Eight years later, Zhang Jingchan, who had risen to prominence in the business world but was now penniless, was looking at his father like this. She suddenly understood his tone and his expression as he spoke these heartfelt words to his father. Unconsciously, she began to imitate him. She seemed to see the Fuming Group as a sick giant lying before her. And she precisely identified the hidden festering sores on its body, peeling them back to reveal them to Zhang Moyun. She spoke until her throat was dry, her eyes blazed, she spoke from the bottom of her heart, and she spoke until she forgot everything else.

The giant will eventually fall, leaving behind a trail of blood and devastation.

Finally, the PowerPoint presentation finished. Li Weiyi looked up and saw Zhang Moyun’s face, bathed in the light and shadow of the screen. He was motionless, like a statue. Li Weiyi felt as if she had just survived a great battle, exhilarating yet utterly exhausting.

There was a moment of silence in the room. Li Weiyi took a large gulp of water and called out, “Dad?”

Zhang Moyun seemed to snap out of his daze. He lowered his head to drink.

Li Weiyi walked to his side and said, “You really need to make a decision soon. The longer you wait, the more likely things will get worse…”

“You don’t need to say anything,” Zhang Moyun interrupted her, turning away to look out the window, preventing her from seeing his face. “Let me think about it. You can go out now.”

“Dad!”

“Get out!”

Li Weiyi had no choice but to walk out. Just as she reached the door, she heard Zhang Moyun say, “You did very well.” Li Weiyi turned to look at him, but he still had his back to her. His voice was hoarse as he said, “I’m proud of you.”

Li Weiyi’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She paused for a moment, then said, “Your son is indeed worthy of pride. So, can you promise me, for your wife and son, for Fuming, and for all those who follow you—to immediately stop investing, liquidate assets, and repay the loans?”

Zhang Moyun finally turned around. His eyes were red, but his face held the smile of a strong yet loving father: “Dad promises you, I won’t be greedy anymore.”

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