Chapter 118 The Shen Family is Finished
Being a creative director was much busier than Ruan Yao had imagined.
Thanks to the explosive popularity of "Summer Wonderland", Happy Island has transformed from an inconspicuous new subsidiary of the Huo Group into a dark horse that the entire trendy toy industry cannot ignore.
Additional resources and budgets poured in, followed by a mountain of work.
Ruan Yao is like a spinning top, shuttling between different meeting rooms almost every day, reviewing the new proposals that come in like snowflakes, and personally overseeing the development direction of the next season's IP.
"Director Ruan, this is a user profile analysis we conducted based on market feedback."
"Director Ruan, the production line has already tripled its capacity, but pre-orders are still booked until the end of the year. What do you think..."
"Director Ruan, three leading FMCG brands want to discuss collaborations with us. The information is here."
In the office, Li Si and several core team members surrounded her, each with a strange expression of exhaustion and excitement on their faces.
As Ruan Yao listened to the report, she quickly signed her name on the document, her thoughts clear and her instructions precise.
“The user profiles are not segmented enough. Generation Z is not a general concept. We need to have them create three more versions of the report based on age and interest groups.”
"Tell the production line that quality control is the top priority; it's better to be slow than to produce defective products. Reassure pre-order customers that for every week of delay, they will receive a limited-edition accessory as a gift."
"Don't rush into collaborations. Our IP value is currently on the rise. Let them come up with a more sincere proposal before we talk. Remember to do thorough background checks. We absolutely cannot collaborate with IPs that have a tarnished history."
She handles matters in an orderly manner, which earns the secret admiration of her more senior colleagues.
The seemingly pretty newcomer has grown into a capable and independent Director Ruan in just a few months.
Even Huo Jing couldn't help but privately remark to Huo Yanzhi, "Where did you find this treasure for me? I can hardly live without her now."
Ruan Yao was so busy she barely had time to breathe, but she enjoyed it immensely.
This feeling of creating value with one's own hands, being needed and recognized by others, made her radiate an unprecedented glow.
Of course, she didn't forget her promise.
At the celebration banquet for "Summer Wonderland", she gave everyone in the project team a thick red envelope, and the one for Li Si was the thickest of all.
Holding the nearly bursting red envelope, Li Si was moved to tears and immediately wanted to perform a familial reunion for Ruan Yao: "Sister! You are my real sister!"
Ruan Yao's life is filled with work and sweet love, making it fulfilling and happy.
She was busy, but she didn't feel tired, because no matter how late she got off work, there was always a light on for her in the villa and someone waiting for her.
She has become somewhat dulled in her perception of the storms and hardships of the outside world.
She had only vaguely heard from her brother Ruan Sheng that something big had happened in the business circle of Beijing recently, and the Shen family... seemed to be having a hard time.
But she was too busy and before she could ask any questions, she was overwhelmed by her new work.
Meanwhile, another storm in northern Beijing is silently reaching its end.
Huo Group, President's Office.
Qin Feng placed a document in front of Huo Yanzhi, his voice calm and even.
"Boss, the Shen family's last source of funding has dried up. All the banks they've partnered with have refused to extend their loans, and the demand letters from downstream suppliers have overwhelmed their company's front desk."
"The court's asset freezing order and seizure order will be delivered on time at 3 p.m. today."
Qin Feng paused for a moment, then added.
"Our people planted within the Shen family have reported back that all the original accounts and evidence of the Shen family father and son's embezzlement of public funds and financial fraud have been locked."
This means that not only will the Shen family go bankrupt, but the father and son will also face imprisonment, without even the chance to apply for bankruptcy protection and prolong their lives.
"In addition," Qin Feng's tone shifted slightly, "Shen Yu's recent movements have been strange, as if he's plotting something, seemingly making a last-ditch effort."
Huo Yanzhi's hands didn't stop turning the pages of the documents, and he didn't even lift his eyelids.
"Ignore him."
His tone was as calm as if he were stating a given fact.
"He will come looking for me."
As expected.
Evening, the underground parking lot of the Huo Group.
Huo Yanzhi finished his day's work and walked calmly to his parking space.
Tonight is the Ruan family's dinner gathering. Ruan Yao sent him several messages in the afternoon, urging him to leave work early, along with various cute and coquettish emojis.
The thought of the girl's bright smile softened Huo Yanzhi's aloof aura.
Just as his fingertips touched the car door handle, a figure rushed out from the shadows of the parking lot and blocked his way.
"Huo Yanzhi".
The newcomer's voice was hoarse, carrying a desperate, mad tone.
It is Shen Yu.
After only a few days apart, the once impeccably dressed and elegant young master of the Shen family now looked as disheveled as a stray dog.
His suit was wrinkled, his hair was messy, and he had dark circles under his eyes. His eyes, which used to have a gentle smile, were now bloodshot and filled with resentment.
Huo Yanzhi did not pause at all. He opened the car door naturally, as if the person in front of him who looked like a madman was just a wisp of air.
"Huo Yanzhi, you stop right there!" Shen Yu roared, reaching out to grab his arm.
Qin Feng appeared behind Shen Yu without anyone noticing, and with just one hand, he easily grabbed Shen Yu's wrist, rendering him unable to move.
"Mr. Shen, please have some self-respect."
Huo Yanzhi then turned to the side and finally looked at him properly, his expression as if he were looking at an unreasonable stranger.
"What's up?"
His calmness and indifference deeply wounded Shen Yu's already fragile nerves.
"Why?" Shen Yu struggled. "What did our Shen family ever do to offend you that you have to be so ruthless!"
"You ruined everything I had, you ruined my family! Just because of Yaoyao? Just because you're jealous that she likes me?"
As if grasping at the last straw, Shen Yu began to stab Huo Yanzhi in the heart with his reckless words.
Do you think she'll love you if you use your power to force her to marry you?
“The person she truly loves is me. We grew up together, childhood sweethearts! I was always there for her during her happiest and saddest times.”
As if he had thought of something, he took a step closer and lowered his voice in a malicious yet boastful tone.
"Did you know? Her first kiss was with me."
Shen Yu deliberately uttered these ambiguous words, staring intently at Huo Yanzhi's face, hoping to see even the slightest crack in it.
"You don't know, do you? She used to depend on me so much, and she only told me her secrets. She married you only because she was after the power of your Huo family, and it was all because you took advantage of her vulnerability to steal her away."
"A treacherous predator like you will never win her heart!"
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