Chapter 9 President Song

When Song Mi returned to the hotel, it was already two in the morning. After a quick hot shower, she collapsed into bed and fell asleep instantly.

The next morning at eight fifty-nine, she stepped into the meeting room right on time.

Inside, not a single one of the thirteen general managers of Sihai Group’s independent divisions was absent.

As soon as Song Mi took her seat, she announced the start of the meeting.

Twenty minutes later, barely halfway through the second round of introductory speeches, she suddenly raised her hand.

Instantly, the vast meeting room fell silent as the grave.

Everyone’s heart skipped a beat.

The Real Estate Division had been riding high these past few years—could they really be the first to be singled out and put in their place?

“Mr. Yu,” in the pin-drop silence, Song Mi lifted her gaze and looked over at him, her tone unhurried, “why don’t we start with you? Tell me something I don’t already know.”

When had Mr. Yu ever been so publicly challenged? His pride took a visible hit. “What would the Chairwoman like to know?”

The atmosphere bristled with tension, the confrontation coming to a head.

Soon, Song Mi’s crimson lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. “Perhaps you could tell us about that plot of land at the Western Suburb Leather Market?”

“Chairwoman, you’re being overly diligent!” Mr. Yu thought to himself that women really were short-sighted, fussing over trivial details just to toy with him—did she really think he was an easy target? “Such a minor project hardly warrants your personal attention.”

So, she was meddling too much, stretching her hand where it didn’t belong?

That was precisely the response Song Mi had been waiting for. “Lin, switch the conference screen to the morning news on the Financial Channel!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The footage that appeared showed live shots of the area surrounding the Western Suburb plot.

The camera quickly cut back to the studio, where the anchor continued, “…Last Friday, the relevant authorities formally approved the Western Suburb Old City Renewal Project. The initial plan centers on the Leather Market as the focal point, bringing in the second aviation hub, an arts and culture center…”

Mr. Yu’s expression grew darker and darker.

Had his people received the wrong information, or had some unexpected force intervened? Otherwise, how could a project shelved for five or six years suddenly leap to the top of the agenda?

A shadow flickered in his eyes, and he stiffened his neck. “Well…”

“There’s a related negotiation meeting this afternoon, but I imagine you didn’t receive an invitation either,” Song Mi said, her tone light, but her amber eyes cold as ice. “Since I’m the newcomer, why don’t I attend on your behalf, Mr. Yu?”

After that episode, the rest of the meeting went much more smoothly.

By the end of the executive conference, Song Mi had managed to turn the past three months’ ‘armchair strategies’ into concrete actions.

At two in the afternoon, she arrived promptly at the Lotus Hall in the Baosheng Shuipo Garden Hotel, the venue for the negotiation meeting.

Since the event was organized by the government, the chosen location was deliberately understated, to distinguish itself from the ostentatious airs of capitalists.

In truth, though, it was all the same.

When Song Mi entered, the hall was already crowded, lively with conversation and laughter.

Yet, an unexpected scene unfolded—her eyes immediately recognized a tall, poised figure in the midst of the crowd.

He must have arrived not long before, expertly navigating the circles, confident and at ease.

As she walked a few steps further, she caught snippets of conversation: “Attorney Wen, you truly are a rising star. You remain an undefeated legend in the field!”

“Indeed, I’ve heard it’s nearly a thousand cases now…”

The man’s replies were mostly, “You flatter me.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Not overly warm, but impeccable in manner.

This man truly was sparing with words.

Still, did the wounds on his face not bother him?

As Song Mi drew back her gaze, someone was already approaching her with a smile. “President Song!”