The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 644 - 643: Pull Back From the Brink

Chapter 644: Chapter 643: Pull Back From the Brink

Dafa Zhao, carrying the secured deposit he had managed to gather, arrived outside the bidding venue just as the bidding meeting began.

He located the person in charge of the bidding meeting and tried to ask for some leniency, but was met with an uncompromising refusal.

"Mr. Zhao, you might as well head back. To be honest, whether you enter or not, the outcome won’t change."

The implication was clear: Dafa Construction had no chance of winning the bid.

"Fine, I understand. Thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal when I have time."

"We’ll see."

It wasn’t until the man had walked far enough away to disappear from sight that Dafa Zhao dropped his polite facade and turned to signal Ren Yan to speak in the car.

"Before you arrived, I asked around, and it seems very likely that Zhongtian will win this bid."

Zhongtian had always been a strong competitor for Dafa, snatching away many clients and projects from him during this period.

Today’s bid was for a municipal old street renovation project.

Such projects are not only profitable but also crucial for building good relationships with government officials, which is essential for the company’s development.

Recently, Dafa Zhao had put all his energy and effort into this project, hoping to turn his fortunes around with it. However, the bidding meeting suddenly increased the amount of the deposit. By the time he had raised enough money and arrived, it was already too late.

Deep down he was aware that the chances of winning were slim, but he couldn’t help feeling unwilling to give up without trying his best.

"President Zhao, it’s so hot today. Why don’t we go back to the company first?"

"No rush, let’s wait and see."

Half an hour later, the results of the bid were announced, and as expected, Zhongtian Design had won.

"President Zhao, I’m really sorry to outbid you. You’re not angry, are you?"

Faced with Luo Zhongtian’s mockery, Dafa Zhao responded with a pleasant smile: "President Luo is jesting. We all rely on our abilities, and with your superior skills, I admit my defeat wholeheartedly."

"I appreciate your concession. However..."

Luo Zhongtian gave a meaningful smile, "The person I admire in my life has to include you, President Zhao. You’ve lost all your clients and projects, your company is on the verge of closing, and yet you act as if nothing’s happened, which is quite admirable, haha!"

All the colleagues around them laughed.

Dafa Zhao laughed along with them, fully aware that they were all laughing at him.

For someone like him who had climbed up from the very bottom, dignity and personality were the least of his concerns.

...

"President Zhao, don’t take to heart what happened just now. Those people always have this attitude, fawning over the powerful and stepping on the weak. Back when we were thriving, they all rushed to curry favor with us. Now, they’ve all turned to flatter Zhongtian," Ren Yan said in the car, thinking that Dafa Zhao was still upset about the earlier mockery and ridicule.

"Ren Yan."

"Yes, President Zhao?"

"If we keep failing to secure projects, how much longer can the company hold on?"

Ren Yan instinctively said, "How could that be? There are plenty of projects out there. If this one doesn’t work, we’ll find another. As long as we don’t give up, we’ll find the right projects."

"I’ve done the calculations; we won’t last more than two months."

Ren Yan suggested, "President Zhao, what if we consider laying off some of the staff and cutting the remaining salaries by twenty percent? The company is going through tough times. I believe everyone would understand."

"Scrambling to survive is useless."

Ren Yan hesitated, "How about we go and ask for President Shen’s help? Plead with her to convince Madam Yan to give us a break..."

"Ren Yan, remember this: in life, it’s better to rely on oneself than on others. Others can help you for a moment, but not for a lifetime. In the end, you have to stand on your own feet and stand firm to go the distance."

Facing adversity, yet being able to speak such positive words, Ren Yan felt a surge of admiration and respect welling up from the bottom of his heart.

"President Zhao, what should we do next?"

Zhao Dafa took out a cigarette, lit one, and said, "It’s time to pay the salaries tomorrow, right?"

Ren Yan remained silent, "But there are less than five thousand in the company account, which isn’t enough to pay the salaries."

Zhao Dafa kicked the briefcase by his foot, "Take this money to the company, settle everyone’s salary, and let those who have better places to go leave, with half a month’s extra salary for each person. There won’t be any more."

Ren Yan nodded.

...

"Mrs. Zhao, would you like to reconsider? I have insider information that Fang Zheng will announce major positive news next week. The stock price is bound to soar, perhaps back to the original price. Considering the current drop, why not wait a few more days?"

If it were in the past, upon hearing such news, Shen Hongmei would definitely be overjoyed.

But now, she couldn’t muster the slightest ripple of emotion.

"Never mind, just help me sell it off, any price will do."

Seeing her determination, Xiaopan had no choice but to help her contact the buyers.

Even though Fang Zheng’s stock price had been falling for more than half a month, the overall market was still stable, and Fang Zheng, with the backing of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, held a unique advantage and broad market prospects within the industry. An increase was just a matter of time.

Therefore, with Shen Hongmei willing to sell at any cost, it was quickly taken off her hands by an investment company at a price 30% below the market value.

After deducting commissions, handling fees, and taxes, she ended up with exactly three hundred thousand.

The moment she got the money, Shen Hongmei called Yi Ling and the others to the securities firm.

"It was my presumption to think I was something special just because I had luckily made some money. I am really nothing, and what I shouldn’t have done most was to drag you into stock trading with me."

"Mingzhu was right; the stock market is a game for the rich, a competitive arena for capitalists. It’s like blindfolded people standing on the edge of a cliff, hoping to get rich—it’s only a matter of time before they fall and shatter to pieces."

"Since it all started because of me, let me be the one to end it. Sell all your stocks now, and I will compensate for each one of your losses."

Hearing Shen Hongmei’s words, Yi Ling and the others couldn’t help but show joy.

With the brokerage Xiaopan’s operation, just before the stock market closed, Yi Ling and the others sold all their stocks.

Shen Hongmei kept her word, paid to cover everyone’s lost capital, and had each person write her a receipt to avoid future disputes.

After securely keeping the receipts with thumbprints, Shen Hongmei earnestly advised them, "I have done my duty and no longer owe you anything. I hope you can learn from this lesson and not touch stocks again."

"Hongmei, we know you meant well, wanting us to get rich together—it’s just bad luck on our part."

"Yes, we had no choice. You have a large business, losing this money doesn’t affect much, but it’s not the same for us, we couldn’t survive without this money."

"We’ll remember your kindness."

Looking at their completely changed attitudes from the day before, Shen Hongmei could only feel the irony.

When it comes to their own interests, any relationship has to take a back seat; they would almost tear a piece off you if they could.

Once their interests are satisfied, they start talking to you about sincerity and emotions again.

Human nature is so pragmatic.

...

"President Zhao, the salaries have all been paid out."

Hearing Ren Yan’s report, Zhao Dafa came back to his senses, subconsciously wanted to put out the cigarette in his hand, but realized the ashtray was already full.

Ren Yan efficiently cleaned out the ashtray and placed it back in front of Zhao Dafa.

As Zhao Dafa extinguished the cigarette, he teased Ren Yan, "The company isn’t left with just the two of us as bare commanders, is it?"