vstars Chapter 289 Inheritance Negotiation
Chapter 289 Inheritance Negotiation
On a bright, sunny day, atop the imposing skyscraper of the Li Group, a succession meeting that would determine the group's future was brewing beneath the surface. Inside the conference room, a crystal chandelier cast a cold, piercing light, illuminating a group of executives with varying expressions. Li Yuan, the chairwoman of the Li Group, sat at the head of the long table, dressed in a sharp black suit. Her piercing gaze swept over everyone present, as if she could see right through their hidden agendas.
"I've called everyone here today to discuss the issue of succession to the group," Li Yuan said in a clear voice, like a sharp blade cutting through the silence. "After careful consideration, I've decided that my daughter, Li Shiqing, will take over."
The meeting room erupted in chaos at these words. General Manager Chen was the first to lose her composure. She stood up abruptly, her face filled with shock and dissatisfaction: "Chairman, isn't this a bit too hasty? Shi Qing has only been the manager of the subsidiary's marketing department for a short time, and her experience is clearly insufficient. The position of the group's successor is a matter of life and death for the company, and it cannot be treated lightly!" As she spoke, Chen waved her arms, almost slamming her fist on the table.
CFO Lao Wang chimed in, "Yes, Chairman. The group is so large and the business is so complex. Shi Qing is still young and hasn't been involved in many big projects. If we let her take over rashly, I'm afraid we won't be able to explain it to the shareholders." Lao Wang adjusted his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses full of worry.
Sales Director Lao Zhang went even further, jumping up and saying, "Chairman, are you pushing the group into a fire pit? Shi Qing may seem clever, but the business world is like a battlefield. Can she handle it?" Lao Zhang's loud voice echoed in the conference room, making everyone's ears ring.
Faced with the objections of the crowd, Li Yuan's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, but she still straightened her back and said calmly, "I know my own daughter best. Although Shi Qing is young, her performance in the marketing department over the past few years has been evident to all. She is quick-witted, full of ideas, and quick to learn new things. She is exactly the kind of talent the group needs for its future development."
Sister Chen snorted coldly: "So what if the performance is good? Doing marketing and managing the entire group are two completely different things. Management requires composure, experience, and a big-picture perspective, which Shi Qing is far from meeting!" Sister Chen crossed her arms, looking like she would never compromise.
At this moment, HR Director Sister Zhao spoke softly: "Chairman, I understand your trust in your daughter, but everyone's concerns are not without reason. Why don't we give Shiqing some more time to gain more experience?" Sister Zhao's tone was tactful, but her meaning was clear: she did not agree with Li Shiqing becoming the successor right now.
Li Yuan frowned, feeling somewhat annoyed. She had assumed that as the chairperson, her decisions would be respected even if people had objections, but she hadn't expected such strong opposition today. She took a deep breath, trying to remain calm: "Let's call this meeting for today. Everyone can go back and think about it." With that, she stood up and quickly walked out of the meeting room.
Li Yuan returned to her office, plopped down in her chair, and grew increasingly angry. She picked up her phone and dialed Li Shiqing's number.
"Hello, Mom." Li Shiqing's voice came from the other end of the phone, carrying a hint of cheerfulness.
"Qingqing, where are you?" Li Yuan asked.
"I'm at the subsidiary, just finished a project. Mom, what's wrong? Your voice doesn't sound right." Li Shiqing keenly noticed her mother's unusual behavior.
Li Yuan sighed and told Li Shiqing everything that had happened at the inheritance meeting. After listening, Li Shiqing was silent for a while, then smiled and said, "Mom, it's okay. Their opposition just means there are still things I haven't done well enough. I will try my best to prove them right."
Hearing her daughter's understanding words, Li Yuan felt a little less gloomy: "Qingqing, I'm sorry you had to go through this. Mom believes you can do it. By the way, there's an opportunity to go to Hainan to discuss business. The other party is a big client. Would you like to give it a try? This is a great opportunity to prove yourself."
"Really? Mom, I'm willing to go! Don't worry, I'll definitely close the deal!" Li Shiqing's voice rose eight octaves with excitement.
“Okay, then get ready, we’ll leave tomorrow. I’ll have Sister Chen arrange everything for you,” Li Yuan said.
"Thank you, Mom! I will definitely live up to your expectations!" Li Shiqing said confidently.
After hanging up the phone, Li Yuan smiled with relief. She believed that her daughter would definitely shine during her trip to Hainan.
As evening fell, the last rays of the setting sun streamed through the window into the cozy kitchen. Li Shiqing, wearing a cute apron, was busy at the stove, the sweet and sour pork ribs sizzling and emitting an enticing aroma.
Just then, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from inside the house. Zhang Chen, the chairman of the Zhang Group, had returned home from get off work. As soon as he entered, the aroma made his mouth water. He shouted, "Wife, what delicious food have you made? I could smell it from outside the door, it's so good it's making me dizzy!"
Li Shiqing poked her head out of the kitchen and said with a smile, "I knew you loved sweet and sour pork ribs, so I made them especially for you today. Go wash your hands, dinner will be served soon!"
Zhang Chen quickly washed his hands and plopped down at the dining table, staring longingly at the kitchen. A moment later, Li Shiqing came out carrying steaming dishes: sweet and sour pork ribs, stir-fried vegetables, and a pot of delicious fish soup, filling the table to the brim.
Zhang Chen couldn't wait to pick up a piece of pork rib, put it in his mouth, and said indistinctly while chewing, "Wow, wife, your cooking skills are getting better and better! I think if you ever decide you don't want to work in business anymore, you should open a restaurant. It would be a huge success, and I'd be the first to work as the head chef and assistant!"
Li Shiqing rolled her eyes at him and said with a smile, "You're such a chatterbox. Hurry up and eat. By the way, I have something to tell you."
Zhang Chen swallowed the pork rib in his mouth, took a sip of soup, and asked curiously, "What's going on? Why are you being so mysterious? You didn't secretly prepare some surprise for me, did you?"
Li Shiqing patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's serious business! My mom arranged for me to go to Hainan tomorrow for negotiations. The other party is a big client. If we succeed, it will be a great achievement for the group."
Zhang Chen raised an eyebrow and teased, "Oh, my wife's going to show off her skills! But speaking of which, Hainan is a great place. After finishing business, you can take a short vacation. Don't forget to bring me back some coconut candy."
Li Shiqing glared at him: "All you know is eating! This negotiation is no small matter. I need to prepare properly. I don't have time to play."
Zhang Chen chuckled: "I trust my wife's abilities; she'll definitely handle it with ease! By the way, why did your mother suddenly ask you to negotiate such an important deal? Is there some special reason behind it?"
Li Shiqing put down her chopsticks and said seriously, "It's all because of the succession issue. Today, Mom and the group's senior management, including that fault-finding General Manager Chen, discussed the successor. Mom wants me to be the successor, but many people object, saying I lack experience. I guess Mom wants me to prove them wrong through this negotiation."
Zhang Chen frowned and said, "These people are really something. You've done such an outstanding job in the marketing department, and your performance is evident to all. Why can't you be the successor? But your mother's move is quite clever. Let's let your abilities speak for themselves and see what those who oppose you can say then."
Li Shiqing sighed helplessly: "Yes, I also want to prove myself as soon as possible so that my mother can have some peace of mind. But this negotiation is not easy either; the other party is not an easy opponent."
Zhang Chen patted his chest confidently and said, "Don't worry, wife! Your husband is a chairman of a company, and I've been in the business world for many years. Although I can't go to Hainan with you, I can give you some advice! For example, you need to control the pace during negotiations, not too fast or too slow. You need to make concessions when necessary, but you also need to stick to your bottom line. Also, you need to be good at observing the other party's expressions and actions, and find a breakthrough from the details."
Li Shiqing smiled and looked at him: "Alright, Chairman Zhang, then I'll thank you in advance for your brilliant plan. But I think the most important thing is to have confidence in your own plan and showcase the advantages of our group."
Zhang Chen nodded: "That's right. You're so familiar with the business, you'll definitely be fine. If they ask any tricky questions, just bring me up and say that your husband is the chairman of the Zhang Group. Let's see if they dare to look down on you then!"
Li Shiqing was amused by him: "Don't mess around. I'm going to talk business, not to rely on connections. Besides, I can close the deal on my own."
Zhang Chen raised his hands in surrender: "Okay, okay, I believe you can do it on your own. But if you encounter any difficulties, you must tell me. No matter what, I will always be your strongest support."
Li Shiqing felt a warmth in her heart and said with a smile, "That's enough. Let's eat quickly, the food is getting cold."
The two continued discussing the details of the negotiations and potential problems while eating. Zhang Chen occasionally offered humorous suggestions, making Li Shiqing laugh heartily, and the previously tense atmosphere became relaxed and pleasant. After the meal, Li Shiqing felt full of energy and even more excited for her trip to Hainan the next day.