Chapter 315: Three Questions

In a tea house with elegant decor, soothing light music played softly, and the lighting was gentle, creating a tranquil and serene atmosphere. This setting allowed guests who had been busy all day to completely relax.

At this moment, in a private room of the tea house, Xia Yu and Hu Xian sat facing each other. The atmosphere in the room was somewhat unusual.

Looking at the young man who was smiling and gentle, Hu Xian seemed somewhat absent-minded. After a moment, she lowered her head with a complex expression and stared blankly at the teacup in front of her. Her emotions were mixed, and she suddenly didn't know what to say to Xia Yu.

In fact, it wasn't just Hu Xian who felt this way; Xia Yu, who was also smiling, was deeply moved.

After entering the room, they exchanged polite greetings, but nothing more was said. It wasn't that Xia Yu didn't want to talk, but upon seeing Hu Xian, he found himself at a loss for words.

Why was that?

Because Hu Xian's condition was truly poor. Despite her clear attempts to dress up, her dire state was still evident.

Her face was sallow and haggard, her eyes were bloodshot, her lips were pale, and the exhaustion was apparent between her brows. This was clearly the result of extreme stress and physical and mental fatigue.

Hu Xian was originally a strong woman whose public image was typically capable, assertive, and decisive.

But now, the contrast was so stark that it was easy to imagine the pain and pressure Hu Xian had been experiencing recently!

This was Xia Yu's first meeting with Hu Xian, and he hadn't expected such a situation. It was somewhat beyond his expectations, so he felt at a loss for words.

However, after thinking it over, Xia Yu also understood Hu Xian's state. Considering the events of recent times—debt collection by banks, bankruptcy, and even potential imprisonment—it was understandable that even a woman like Hu Xian, let alone a seasoned CEO, would be unable to handle it.

Her ability to hold on without collapsing was already impressive!

Xia Yu waited with kindness as Hu Xian slowly regained her composure and found some stability.

Seeing this, Xia Yu smiled and said, "Ms. Hu, we have long been acquainted in spirit. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

Hu Xian shook her head with a smile, seemingly self-deprecating, and said, "It should be me who is fortunate to meet Mr. Xia. Mr. Xia is young and accomplished, with a busy schedule and valuable time. Unlike me, who can only struggle to get by. Ha…"

Xia Yu's brows furrowed slightly before relaxing. He sensed the resentment in Hu Xian's words, clearly indicating that she had strong opinions about him.

This was not good; unresolved resentment would be detrimental to their upcoming discussion.

"Ms. Hu, you flatter me. Who doesn't know that you are a remarkable woman in the business world of Xiangjiang? If we're talking about strong women, you are second to none. There's no need to say such things!"

Xia Yu said softly.

Hu Xian gave a self-deprecating smile and suddenly said, "Mr. Xia, we don't need to talk about unrelated matters. You want to buy my company; do you think it's possible?"

"Is it possible that you would come to us if it weren't?"

Xia Yu thought to himself, but naturally, he couldn't say this out loud, or Hu Xian would definitely be displeased.

"Ms. Hu, there is nothing impossible in this world. Don't you agree?"

Xia Yu smiled and said.

"But everyone knows why my company has ended up like this. I expected many people to come and ask me, but I didn't expect you to come to my door!"

Hu Xian looked directly at Xia Yu, her meaning was clear—if not for Xia Yu, she wouldn't have ended up in this situation. She hadn't intended to sell the company to Xia Yu in the beginning.

"Ms. Hu, we could have been friends from the start, and we still can be now. Of course, before the fall of *Oriental Daily*, we were considered to be in the same camp."

Xia Yu said with a smile. Hu Xian's expression changed slightly, and her mood was complicated.

This was true. When the Jiuding Media Group targeted *Oriental Daily*, Hu Xian had been quite pleased. After *Oriental Daily* fell, she was even happier for several days and couldn't help but want to thank Xia Yu.

But the situation had changed, and now it had turned out this way?

Xia Yu smiled and said softly, "Ms. Hu, may I ask you a few questions?"

"Please do!"

Hu Xian gestured for him to continue.

"First, as competitors, it's inevitable to have competition, but aside from normal business competition, have we used any other means?"

"Second, if you were to sell the company to someone else, who in Xiangjiang would be capable of taking over? Who would dare to take it on and also help you resolve your troubles? If you sold it to the British, would your father be willing to see that?"

"Third, given the current situation of your company, who in Xiangjiang has the ability to preserve it and also have a chance to redevelop it?"

Xia Yu asked all three questions in one breath, then picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea, quietly observing Hu Xian.

Xia Yu's series of questions was like a knife, cutting through Hu Xian's facade and leaving her speechless. Her internal struggle was evident, and Xia Yu couldn't help but smile.

Xia Yu's questions kept spinning in Hu Xian's mind, making her unable to stop herself from thinking further.

Indeed, Jiuding Media Group had never used unscrupulous methods against her; it had always been straightforward business competition. Even though there was a sense of targeting later, it was because she had initially seen Jiuding Media Group as a competitor.

Whether it was *Jiuding Daily* or *Fengyun Daily*, neither was specifically created to target her company. This was part of Jiuding Media Group's normal business activities, and no one had the right to interfere or criticize. It could only be said that her company had been affected.

On the other hand, she had felt the threat and had invested heavily to establish Xingdao Communications Agency, wanting to compete with Jiuding Communications Agency, but Jiuding Communications Agency hadn't taken her seriously.

Then Jiuding Media Group acquired four newspapers, which was also a normal business behavior. Even if it had some targeting intent, it was because she had maliciously targeted Jiuding Communications Agency first, so the problem lay with her.

The final downfall was primarily due to her own risky decision to falsify sales figures. This was a choice she had made herself, and the consequences were her own fault. She couldn't blame others, only herself for taking the wrong path in a moment of impulse.

So she couldn't really blame Xia Yu!

As for Xia Yu's second and third questions, they left Hu Xian speechless.

A person knows their own affairs best. Although she stubbornly claimed that no one wanted her company, the reality was that few dared to take it over, and even fewer had the ability to do so.

The people from Yihe were threatening her to sell the company at a low price, which was simply impossible!

Not to mention whether she could tolerate it, the key was that she couldn't forget her father Hu Wenhu's wishes. Why did *English Tiger News* exist? Wasn't it to compete with *South China Morning Post*?

If her father were still alive, he definitely wouldn't have sold the company to the British! So she was unwilling to do so, which was why she made the news public, hoping to find someone who could withstand the pressure from Yihe and help her.