"What to do, what to do!" Qi Yuanlong muttered repeatedly, pacing to Qi Song's side.
Family members understood each other well. Qi Yuanlong, like his son, had once fantasized about being a business genius.
Back when the company was under Qi Li's father, although he had lost a lot of money, he had never seriously damaged the foundation.
Now older, his ambitions had mellowed. He was content to claim minor benefits and keep the peace.
Yet, he never imagined that his single act of greed in later years would lead to this disastrous situation.
Qi Li's father had always been reasonable—a brotherly figure. He wouldn't have wanted to harm them; they were family. But Qi Li didn't see it that way.
She had long harbored resentment toward him, and now, with Jiang Hai at her side, the family dynamics had shifted completely. Qi Yuanlong had no way to respond.
All he could do was keep asking Qi Song what to do. He didn't want to give up the power he still held.
"Jiang Hai, are you determined to oppose us?" Qi Yuanlong finally asked, his voice tinged with panic.
A chill ran down Qi Song's spine. He had never expected Jiang Hai to dare—and succeed—in challenging the Qi family so easily. From the beginning, he had never taken Jiang Hai seriously.
He hadn't imagined that Jiang Hai and Qi Li together wielded such power. Heart racing, Qi Song stepped forward and addressed Jiang Hai loudly.
"Oppose you? No, I'm simply privatizing the Qi family, that's all. And you will receive real money, the exact amount you want—it's as simple as that."
Jiang Hai smiled disdainfully at Qi Song and glanced at Qi Li, silently asking if she had already made the call.
"I've already notified the company lawyer. He's on his way with the transfer documents," Qi Li said softly, a slight smile on her lips.
A wave of fatigue swept over her. Handling minor company matters was within her capability, but major issues? She often hesitated.
Though she projected a cold, aloof demeanor, she knew she sometimes overthought things.
There's an old Chinese saying: "A kind heart cannot command an army; sentimentality cannot establish success; righteousness cannot manage wealth; benevolence cannot make one an official."
Her womanly, emotional nature prevented her from being as decisive and ruthless as Jiang Hai. She even felt a twinge of regret, wishing he could manage the Qi family business with her.
But the thought was fleeting. She knew Jiang Hai well—he preferred a free lifestyle and crushing his opponents with precision. Letting him manage the company would be harder than killing him.
Seeing Qi Li ready, Jiang Hai smiled and surveyed the people in front of him. He wanted to see what kind of trouble they could muster. Everyone heard Qi Li's words.
"Everyone, this adulterous couple isn't going to give us a way out! Let's fight them!" Qi Liangcai roared, eyes red with desperation. Those behind him followed suit. A wicked plan formed in his mind as he tried to incite the former shareholders to riot.
Surprisingly, some supported him—especially the old woman from before, who lunged forward.
"You little bitch! How dare you take my shares! I'll fight you to the death!" she shouted.
But Du Ning was faster. She stepped forward, grabbed the woman's hand, and delivered a knee strike to her chest. The force sent the woman flying backward, groaning on the floor, unable to rise.
Seeing Du Ning act so decisively, the others froze. Just as they were about to attack, security guards pushed in from outside—led by Zhao Jianjun, who had gone to call reinforcements.
"Block these people and get them out. From now on, they are no longer shareholders of Qi Group," Qi Li commanded coldly.
The guards, loyal and strong, immediately pushed the men out. Backup guards arrived, two supporting each man, and escorted them to the elevator. Their shares were now legally transferred to lawyers.
Once the lawyers arrived, Jiang Hai signed the papers, and the money was transferred—the ex-shareholders had no connection to the Qi family.
Cursing and swearing, some already considered fleeing. Their previous positions had shielded them, but now, they were exposed.
"You'll die a horrible death!" "I'll haunt you even as a ghost!"
Jiang Hai laughed. Humans were shameless, indeed. These people had tried to force him to relinquish his position, yet he had seized their shares. Logic had been turned on its head: the magistrate forbidden to light a lamp while the common people could set fires.
But here, the roles were reversed: the common people—former shareholders—had been stripped of power by the family magistrate.
"This time, you're our biggest shareholder," Qi Li said, suppressing her emotions. She looked at Jiang Hai and smiled.
"Yes. And if you don't listen to me in the future, I'll remove you as chairman," Jiang Hai teased, putting his arm around her waist and tapping her nose.
"Hmph!" Qi Li wrinkled her nose, pretending to scold him, though she didn't truly believe he would.
"Ahem, let's leave it at that for today. As for privatization…" Zhao Jianjun coughed lightly, smiling at the couple.
Qi Li blushed and watched Jiang Hai, curious about his intentions.
"Privatization will continue," Jiang Hai said firmly. "I have no intention of making money for others. But for the shares held by the uncles and elders here, if you wish to sell, I'll buy them at 1.5 times market price. If you choose not to sell, you may continue profiting in the company, but delisting and privatization are inevitable."
Jiang Hai paused, considering the situation. Delisting was not his concern, but now it was unavoidable.
The company's listing had been to expand influence and exchange some shares for private wealth.
Delisting occurs for two reasons: bankruptcy or reaching the expansion limit, after which management keeps profits for themselves. Jiang Hai had no interest in listing—the Tenglong Company, his estate, and his brand were unlisted, yet prosperous.
Why share profits with others? He could make money independently.
Influence was unnecessary—the Qi family and Jiang Hai didn't need it.
Hearing Jiang Hai's resolute words, Zhao Jianjun and the others exchanged glances.
After Jiang Hai acquired the shares, he and Qi Li, combined with remaining market shares, controlled nearly 85% of the company. Zhao Jianjun held 5%, the remaining four shared 10%. Even their collective dissent could not change anything.
The matter was settled decisively. Zhao Jianjun sighed.
He hadn't expected that the company's greatest crisis since Qi Li's father's death would be resolved so effortlessly by Jiang Hai.
Jiang Hai was truly a force to be reckoned with.