"Hello, Sister Zhao." Ling Qingyu said. "How's it going?"
"I've been watching the noodle company's shares dropping dramatically." Zhao Xiurong said. "After news of the chairman's son's imprisonment spread, especially the crime announced, his reputation went down. Infighting has been going on inside. This is the reason and I'm still waiting before I can intervene."
"Good for you. It's all yours. Any decision, I'll back you up." Ling Qingyu said.
"Thanks, Sister Ling. But here is the problem and that's why I am calling you. Police have entered the company and began to investigate tax evasion." Zhao Xiurong told a bad news.
Ling Qingyu held her breath. "That's a bit unfortunate. We can't move in straight like in our previous plan. How's the gossip going, everything as anticipated."
"Yes, public investors who owned these shares are already panicking. But our hands are now tied with police investigation. Once we make too much movement, we'll be on their radar and risk trouble." Zhao Xiurong replied.
"Is it only tax investigation?" Ling Qingyu asked.
"No, I'm not so sure. But a little bird tells me, the police are also checking out other criminal behaviors, knowing fully well, that the chairman's son's crime weren't the first time." Zhao Xiurong answered. "We knew this but the police seemed head-on to dive further. It's likely the pressure from the capital, which you've estimated."
"I did but never expected to reach this level, even undermining my original plan." Ling Qingyu sighed.
During a tax investigation, the freezing of company shares or assets relied on certain factors. The situation called for a maximum tax authority's power, because the central states had now been eying Province N.
From Zhao Xiurong's words, it hadn't reached the worst case, perhaps merely limited to freezing of an asset and shares owned by board members. Ling Qingyu didn't know for sure. She must request Athena's help for detailed explanations.
Athena, as always the best assistant, instantly cascaded the report for Ling Qingyu to draw the plan quickly.
Her plans depended on the range, investigations had reached. If every entity who had a say in the shareholder's meeting was also struck, Ling Qingyu's options got narrower.
Ling Qingyu thought more and chose the safest option for now. "We know the public investors panicking and some may try selling short. Focus on them for now, we'll buy as many shares as we can like we have in mind before."
"Won't the police realize our actions and complicate the scenario." Zhao Xiurong was keen on staying away.
"The impact is going to be minimal for us, when we focus on public investors." Ling Qingyu replied. "In the meantime, I'll inform Yang Qingyue of our action and plan."
"Alright, as you say, Boss." Zhao Xiurong said.
Tax investigations were never intended to disrupt the normal trading of a company and had a limited impact on the public investors. For Ling Qingyu, it only lengthened Zhao Xiurong's work.
Rather than buying shares from top shareholders as planned before, Ling Qingyu had to mingle through from beneath. Her hands stopped stretching toward the other top shareholders who weren't yet affected because she guessed confiscation of assets should happen soon.
Based on Wang Xiuying's narration and Athena's summary, Ling Qingyu knew the workspace was very unhealthy, full of suppression and bullying. Police Investigation had a higher chance of uncovering the hidden events and might also dig up tragedies.
Justice was definitely served, not because of the law but because Ling Qingyu participated. How long had the company run amok and endangered ordinary people's lives?
Yang Qingyue refused. "I can't always eat your meal. It's impolite to eat for free."
"You and I call each other sister. We're already this close." Ling Qingyu said.
"That won't do, Sister Ling. Going in and out of your house might arouse suspicions and my enemies are looking for my weakness." Yang Qingyue shrugged.
"I don't fear your enemies but I don't want to get in a mess. How about I deliver the lunchbox to you? Don't refuse my offer; whether you agree or not, I'm sending one."
Yang Qingyue smiled. "So, what are we going to talk about, far away from others."
Ling Qingyu glanced at her surroundings and made sure the hall was clear of people. "So, what's up with the tax investigation and police investigation going on with Tong Tong?" She asked
Tong Tong was the instant noodles company's name, Ling Qingyu planned to takeover. Not that it mattered, because the name would probably change under her ownership.
Yang Qingyue raised her brows. "No comments. Confidential until I say so."
"Come on, Sister Yang, can't you spill some beans for me?" Ling Qingyu asked. "Are we not close?"
Yang Qingyue shook her head and stopped Ling Qingyu's coquettish behavior. "Official business doesn't affiliate anything with our closeness."
"Alright, I'll be direct. You know my plan and I have told you. Why now?" Ling Qingyu got to the main point.
"Look Sister Ling, it has nothing to do with your comment. In fact, it's your intel which led me to investigate the entire company group. I'd have to applaud you for that."
"My intel?" Ling Qingyu remained confused and understood later—the culprit was Tang Ziyi.
She had requested Tang Ziyi to punish the company's higher-ups after rescuing Wang Xiuying's trio. That might be the reason, the evidence delivered to Yang Qingyue reached an astounding level.
So, it was Tang Ziyi who destroyed her plan, unintentionally. Ling Qingyu pouted her lips. Tang Ziyi's deed was nothing but it ate her unnecessary brainpower.
Since Ling Qingyu gave the green light to Tang Ziyi, she was unscrupulous. Having seen numerous dark worlds, Wang Xiuying's trio case was nothing in her eyes.
But who made Tang Ziyi see their tragedy directly and get involved. Vengeance was also swift. She hacked the hidden data, all of which could likely lead to the downfall or destruction of an entire company.
Plus, Xiao Yue, as the most righteous person among the trio: Ling Qingyu, Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue, in spite of her career as a warlord, begged Tang Ziyi to intervene.
If not Tang Ziyi warning their action could bring huge troubles to Ling Qingyu, Xiao Yue would take matters into their own hands. It could be said, Wang Xiuying's trio was lucky to meet them and found justice.
Ling Qingyu mourned, congested with a bad breath. She felt like being struck by her own friends. She didn't blame Tang Ziyi's action, not to mention, it was the order that came out of her mouth.
At least, Wang Xiuying's trio and many other hidden groups in a similar situation should be relieved. Her merits required by Miss System should also increase. Ling Qingyu comforted herself.