The meal took a while, and it was already past two in the afternoon when Li Cheng and Director Yang returned to the branch.

As soon as they came back, the two went to President Hou's office.

When President Hou saw the two of them, he smiled and said, "Great! The battery factory's bankruptcy has been stopped, and you two have contributed greatly to it."

They both laughed, and Director Yang said, "This isn't entirely our achievement. Without the support of our leaders, this wouldn't have been possible."

President Hou nodded and thought to himself that he had communicated with the leaders of the municipal branch and the provincial branch for most of the night!

President Hou looked at Li Cheng and said, "Li Cheng, last night you kept saying that the battery factory could still be saved and couldn't go bankrupt. Now that the bankruptcy has been temporarily halted, what are your thoughts? Can you tell us?"

Li Cheng smiled and said, "Well, I do have an idea, but I'm afraid you won't be happy after hearing it."

President Hou smiled and said, "No need to give us a heads-up, just tell us!"

Director Yang also said, "Yes, President Hou and I took the risk. If you mess this up, we will be so sorry."

Li Cheng smiled and sat down, then opened his briefcase and took out a few sheets of paper.

"This is the report I wrote about the battery factory. I am now officially handing it over to you two leaders."

As he said that, Li Cheng placed the report solemnly in front of President Hou.

President Hou looked at the report and said, "You've been prepared for this!"

Director Yang took the report and said as he read it, "Li Cheng, you're holding back!"

"It can't be considered as holding back. After all, I reported the general idea to you two leaders yesterday."

President Hou asked, "Have you told the city leaders about the contents of your report?"

Director Yang had already called President Hou to tell him about Li Cheng and Director Yang's dinner with the deputy mayor, but President Hou didn't know the content of Li Cheng's conversation with the deputy mayor.

Li Cheng shook his head and said, "We can't reveal our cards to him. He's operating differently. In short, we can't let anyone take even a hair from us this time."

President Hou and Director Yang didn't quite believe what Li Cheng said.

The battery factory took out a loan of 15 million yuan and owed more than 3 million yuan in interest. Even if they didn't go bankrupt, their land, factories, machines, etc. combined would not be enough to pay off the debt.

Besides, the battery factory has other debts, not just the branch bank.

President Hou said, "The city branch's opinion is that we shouldn't even think about the interest. As for the principal, we'll be fine if we can get at least 50% back."

In other words, the city branch leaders' opinion was that the battery factory's loan interest could be waived, and it would be sufficient to get back 7.5 million of the 15 million principal.

He really is rich and powerful! He just said he didn’t want so much money. Li Cheng sighed secretly.

However, this time the leaders of the municipal branch were tough and resisted the pressure and refused to agree to the bankruptcy of the battery factory.

Li Cheng knew that as long as the branch was sure to get back the principal of 7.5 million, the municipal branch would drag the provincial branch into a tough fight and would absolutely not agree to the bankruptcy of the battery factory in order to support the branch's next plan.

The branch's plan was Li Cheng's plan. But Li Cheng didn't expect the city branch's requirements to be so low, just half of the principal would be enough.

Li Cheng felt a little regretful. He regretted what he had just said, "I can't let others take even a hair away."

The principal of 7.5 million and the interest of more than 3 million add up to more than 10 million!

If I can't let others take it, can I take it myself? Li Cheng was very conflicted. Whether to take it or not was a big problem.

Seeing Li Cheng's dilemma, President Hou thought the city branch's requirements were too high, so she said sympathetically, "If you're having trouble and think 50% or more is too high, I can talk to the city branch and ask them to lower their requirements..."

If Li Cheng just nodded at this time, President Hou would go to the municipal branch to mediate, and the municipal branch would definitely lower the requirements.

After all, if Li Cheng and Director Yang had not fought hard for it, the branch would probably not be able to get back a single cent of these loans.

Now that we have the chance to get it back, we’ll take as much as we can. Who would care about how much money we can get back?

Li Cheng was even more confused, mumbling and stammering, unable to utter a word. President Hou and Director Yang were both puzzled and waited quietly for him to make a decision.

Li Cheng hesitated for a long time, and finally decided not to be an eagle.

"President Hou, there's no need to go to the city branch to negotiate. 50%, at least 50%."

President Hou smiled. If Li Cheng could really get back half of the loan principal from a company that was almost entering bankruptcy liquidation, then President Hou could be said to be the best president of the year.

Not only was she awarded the title of Best Bank President, but she was also awarded various honorary titles such as Excellent, Model Worker, etc. These honors were the stepping stones for her to reach new heights.

"Li Cheng, don't force it. After all, the battery factory has long been insolvent."

When President Hou said this, he suddenly felt a little hypocritical.

Li Cheng said solemnly, "Fifty percent, at least fifty percent."

Director Yang looked at them and thought to himself that these two people were so fake!

Director Yang is an expert after all, and he has handled corporate bankruptcy liquidation many times. The most important thing is Li Cheng's influence on him.

Therefore, whether it was President Hou's somewhat insincere words, Li Cheng's seemingly desperate determination, or his inner joy, he saw and guessed them all.

After the two returned to Director Yang's office and sat down, Director Yang asked, "Fifty percent, are you planning to only give our branch fifty percent?"

Li Cheng squinted at him and said, "You want to say that I'm too cruel, right?"

Director Yang shook his head and said, "I didn't expect you to be no different from those carrion eaters. No, you're even more cruel than them."

Li Cheng smiled and said nothing.

Is that cruel? Originally, I couldn't get a single cent back, but now I have to get at least 7.5 million back. And you still say I'm cruel? I'm totally heartless.

Besides, do you think I would really keep the other loans in my own pocket?

You really underestimate me. I don't even care about a few million.

The 50% that President Hou mentioned was just a pleasant surprise. This way, Li Cheng could make better plans.

"Director Yang, President Hou just said that I'll be working here temporarily. Please find me an office so I can devote myself to my work."

Looking at the serious Li Cheng, Director Yang wanted to laugh but couldn't. He could only sigh, got up and went out to arrange an office for him.

Li Cheng crossed his legs, looked up at the ceiling and said, "I wish I could have some peace and quiet. I'm always busy with this or that, leaving me with no free time at all."