Ning Man'an glanced at the newspaper in A Xiang's hand, her tone remaining calm: "Invite Chen Jingsong to come over for a meeting."
However, no sooner had she finished speaking than the internal phone on her desk rang urgently. Ning Man'an gestured for A Xiang to answer it.
Ah Xiang picked up the microphone and answered the call.
A moment later, he covered the microphone and reported in a low voice, "Miss, it's Chen Jingsong calling."
Ning Man'an took the phone, her voice cold: "Chairman Chen, I want to hear your explanation of these matters personally."
Chen Jingsong's signature hearty and cheerful laughter came from the other end of the phone: "My dear niece, did you see today's news? Oh dear, those reporters just love to make a mountain out of a molehill!"
"It's just a minor problem, I'll handle it quickly! This is all the work of business competitors. They think they can bring me down? They're too green!"
Ning Man'an ignored his boasting and said coldly, "Chairman Chen, I don't care how you handle your troubles; I only care about the Huangpu Garden project."
"If the scandal involving Jialin causes any problems with the project or affects the reputation of the Ning family, the consequences... I think Chairman Chen understands better than I do."
Chen Jingsong's voice remained relaxed: "Don't worry, my dear niece, it's a trivial matter. I'll take care of it quickly! I guarantee it won't affect our cooperation! As for the stock market, I've already had people handle it; stabilizing the stock price is no problem."
Ningman coldly warned him, "I hope you can keep your word. I'm giving you three days!"
She dislikes having her plans and projects influenced by others.
Ningmanan hung up the phone immediately.
Ah Xiang looked at Ning Man'an and asked worriedly, "Miss, Chen Jingsong... his methods are too aggressive. Shouldn't we prepare a backup plan?"
Ning Man'an picked up the coffee on the table, took a small sip, and gazed at the misty rain outside the window.
She narrowed her eyes and ordered, "Find out the details of all the core personnel around Chen Jingsong, especially his legal team, financial team, and the female secretary who has been following him. I need to know all their recent financial transactions and unusual movements."
Ah Xiang immediately nodded and replied, "Yes, Miss, I'll take care of it right away."
...
Jialin Group, Chairman's Office.
Hearing the busy tone from the receiver, Chen Jingsong's fake smile vanished instantly, replaced by a gloomy and cold expression.
That damned brat Ning Man'an actually dared to speak to him in such a tone!
What an ill-mannered and ungrateful family!
Several trusted senior executives surrounded his desk, their faces filled with anxiety and their voices trembling.
"Chairman Chen, the stock market is crashing! The banks and creditors are all watching us closely, what if..."
Chen Jingsong chuckled coolly, interrupting him: "What's the panic? The sky isn't falling! Didn't Ning Man'an tell us to stabilize the stock price? Then keep buying!"
"We'll buy as many shares as there are sell orders! All the cash we have on hand, plus some from the project accounts, we'll pour it all in! Stabilize the stock price!"
The executives looked at each other, thinking they had misheard.
"Chairman Chen... this... this market intervention is too risky! We're already facing a tight cash flow situation..."
Chen Jingsong, however, remained calm and composed: "Risk? I'm all about the thrill! What's a little risk?!"
One of the executives couldn't help but advise, "Chairman Chen! This is no small matter! The Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) are both involved! The deaths of Rasin and Li Baoshu, and even the death of that senior ICAC officer, have all been exposed. Now the rumors are going crazy, saying that our Jialin is just an empty shell, relying entirely on loan fraud to stay afloat..."
"Moreover, the money in the project account is jointly managed with the Ning family and is subject to strict auditing..."
Chen Jingsong, his face cold, puffed on his pipe: "Who says we're just an empty shell? We have the Huangpu Garden project! We have the Ning family as our backers! What are we afraid of? Rules are rules, but people are flexible! I have ways to bypass the audit! You just need to follow through!"
He looked at the public relations manager and ordered, "Go and inform the media that I, Chen Jingsong, will be holding a press conference tomorrow! I want to personally clarify all the rumors to the people of Hong Kong!"
After hanging up the phone, Chen Jingsong looked at the worried executives and a strange smile crept onto his lips—
"Don't worry, I won't die! Didn't that woman Ning Man'an tell me to stabilize the situation? Of course I'll do as she says!!"
The following afternoon, the press conference of Jialin Group was held as scheduled in the banquet hall of the Peninsula Hotel.
The venue was packed with people, and the flashbulbs of cameras were flashing like a sudden downpour, illuminating the entire venue as bright as day.
Surrounded by bodyguards and lawyers, Chen Jingsong walked onto the stage with a beaming smile.
His slicked-back hair was meticulously combed, and he wore his signature smile with a touch of江湖豪气 (a kind of chivalrous spirit), seemingly unaffected by the negative news.
Speaking into the microphone, Chen Jingsong's voice was loud and clear: "Good afternoon, friends from the media and friends who care about Jialin Group! I know that there have been some unfounded rumors circulating recently about me and Jialin Group, causing everyone concern. Today, I, Chen, am standing here to clarify the facts and set the record straight!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the throng of people below the stage, his tone resolute—
"I can tell you with certainty that those so-called loan fraud and murder to cover up the crime are all baseless accusations and malicious slander by our competitors! Since its establishment, Jialin Group has always adhered to the principle of honest operation, and all its business transactions are legal and compliant, and can withstand any scrutiny!"
A murmur and the clicking of camera shutters immediately broke out in the audience.
The top lawyer next to Chen Jingsong immediately took the microphone, his expression stern—
"According to Hong Kong law, any organization that conducts biased investigations or even makes public accusations against citizens without solid evidence is committing a serious violation of the law! We reserve the right to pursue legal action against the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for this!"
The reporters immediately became excited, and questions flooded in:
"Chairman Chen, how do you explain the deaths of the RAB Bank executives and your lawyer? Is this also a coincidence?"
Is Jialin Group's financial situation really as dire as rumored?
"You said that a competitor is maliciously slandering you. Can you specify who it is?"
Chen Jingsong, still smiling, replied, "Everyone, doing business is bound to have its ups and downs. As for those friends who unfortunately passed away, the police will naturally find out the truth, and I believe the law is just!"
"Our Jialin Group is currently focusing all its efforts on the Huangpu Garden project. This project has received strong support from the Ning Group and is progressing very smoothly. The first phase will be completed soon, and pre-sales are booming! Jialin Group has strong financial resources and there are no financial problems whatsoever! Please rest assured, citizens and shareholders!"
After the press conference, some familiar reporters received generous "travel allowance" red envelopes from the public relations department of Jialin Group.
The atmosphere at the press conference was lively, and the gloom surrounding Jialin was largely dispelled by Chen Jingsong's bold words and financial offensive.
Meanwhile, in her office in Central, Ning Man'an watched the press conference being broadcast on television with a blank expression.
Secretary A-Xiang stood behind her, massaging her shoulders with moderate pressure while whispering—
"Miss, Chen Jingsong did indeed bring up the Ning family, implying that Jialin Group has the Ning family as its backer and is financially strong."
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