Zhou Qiao’er, Dad Was Wrong

"The situation is now clear, Chairman. Someone is definitely plotting against us. We've already poured ten billion in liquidity into Zhou Special Spirit, but the stock price still can't hold!"

On the large display screen in front of Zhou's father, the general manager of Zhou Special Spirit had a troubled expression. The other branch managers also looked grim.

"Who has the audacity to target our Zhou Pharmaceuticals?"

The general manager of the Italian branch slammed his hand on the desk. "We're out in the open, and they're in the shadows. It's all about financial power, isn't it? If they were doing this quietly, we might not have noticed, but now that we know, why should we be afraid? Let's hit them hard!"

"We can't!" The general manager of the Sakura Nation branch stroked his mustache and shook his head. "Although our Zhou Pharmaceutical Group is wealthy, if the other side dares to strike, they must be well-prepared. A slight misstep could drag the entire Zhou Pharmaceutical Group down."

The general manager of Zhou Special Spirit frowned. "So you're saying we should just watch Zhou Special Spirit go under?"

"I didn't say that. Maybe Zhou Special Spirit can weather this storm on its own. All our branches started from the same point, but look at what Zhou Special Spirit has become... I don't think it's worth saving."

The general manager of the American branch cleared his throat. "Logically speaking, we weren't prepared at all. Although we have deep pockets, mobilizing cash flow is challenging; any movement affects everything. But we should still help. I suggest we contribute as much as we can—each branch putting in one billion should be our maximum."

"We can't do that!" The general manager of Zhou Special Spirit became anxious. "We've already poured in ten billion, and it feels like throwing money into a black hole. To overcome this crisis and win this commercial war, we need at least a hundred billion!"

The general manager of the Russian branch shook his head regretfully. "A hundred billion? If we had started preparing yesterday, we could easily have gathered two hundred billion by now. But look at the time—mobilizing such a large sum would take at least a day."

"Exactly! You can't be so selfish, thinking only of your company. You need to consider us too! We're not like you—we don't have a new product launching. The headquarters allocated a large sum for you, so you could afford ten billion, but we're just running normal operations, and our cash flow is tight!"

"Enough!"

Zhou's father spoke, and the room fell silent.

All the branch managers turned their attention to Zhou's father, as he was the overall head of Zhou Pharmaceuticals.

At this moment, Zhou's father was filled with regret.

Time!

The general manager of the Russian branch was right. In such a sudden situation, even a giant company like Zhou Pharmaceuticals would need a day's notice to mobilize a hundred billion in cash flow.

And a day ago, Zhou Qiao'er had already called him, telling him to prepare early!

If he had listened to Zhou Qiao'er yesterday, he could have mobilized not just a hundred billion, but a thousand billion by now!

But...

When he heard that this information came from Tang Ao, no one, including Zhou's father, believed it!

To be more precise, they didn't believe Tang Ao!

It was this disbelief that led to the current crisis!

After interrupting the managers, Zhou's father remained silent for a long time, creating an awkward atmosphere.

The general manager of Zhou Special Spirit watched the stock price drop bit by bit, feeling as if his heart was being cut by a knife.

Today was supposed to be a day of celebration, with a new product launch. He had hoped for a stock price surge to not only reward his employees but also make a comeback within Zhou Pharmaceuticals. But now, it had turned into a disaster!

Blue and despondent!

The general manager of Zhou Special Spirit felt his heart bleed as he tearfully pleaded, "If this continues, Zhou Special Spirit... will be utterly destroyed. Chairman Zhou, please make a decision!"

Beside Zhou's father, his assistant, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly knelt down with a thud. Although the chairman had not mentioned him or even looked at him, the assistant felt his face burning with shame.

Yesterday, when Zhou Qiao'er had called to inform Zhou's father, it was the assistant who had confidently assured him that such a situation would never happen, based on his professional judgment. He had repeatedly dismissed Tang Ao's words as unreliable.

Now that things had reached this point, the main responsibility lay with Zhou's father, but the assistant was also to blame!

With tears in his eyes, the assistant said sorrowfully:

"We should ask Miss Zhou Qiao'er about this. I believe she... could ask Mr. Tang Ao, and there might be a better solution."

Zhou's father sighed deeply, glanced at the young assistant, and picked up his phone. "We'll leave it at that for now."

Through the screen, the other branch managers were stunned.

They knew Zhou Qiao'er—young, beautiful, capable, and even more talented than Zhou's father. But...

Who was this Mr. Tang Ao that even Zhou Qiao'er needed to consult?

None of the managers could think of any big shot in the business world named Tang Ao. However, the general manager of the Sakura Nation branch asked curiously, "Chairman Zhou, if I may ask, is this Mr. Tang Ao... the only son of the chairman of Tang Group?"

Zhou's father didn't hide it and nodded as he dialed the number. "I should have listened to him earlier."

The branch managers were suddenly enlightened and then fell into shock.

"That Tang Ao... isn't he a good-for-nothing playboy? I heard he even said something outrageous like his own mother had been angered to death by him!"

"Exactly, Chairman, you must be mistaken. What does that Tang Ao know about business? With his background, he couldn't even win over a small company CEO after pursuing her for ninety-nine days. Can someone like that... really do business?"

"He's just a spoiled brat! Chairman Zhou, you should rely more on Miss Zhou Qiao'er's judgment!"

Zhou's father frowned, and the managers fell silent.

On the other side of the world, Zhou Qiao'er had just picked up her phone to make a call when she saw her father's name on the screen.

Why was her father calling all of a sudden?

Could it be...

Zhou Qiao'er glanced deeply at Tang Ao, then forcefully grabbed his hand and dragged him to a secluded corner of the hospital before answering the call.

Given the gravity of the situation, she was cautious, fearing that Ye Chen's people might overhear their conversation. Only after confirming that no one else was around did she finally press the answer button.

As soon as she answered, Zhou's father's deep voice came through the phone, "Qiao'er, Dad was wrong!"