Li Xingtian couldn't believe what he was seeing at that moment. He gasped with shock as soon as he arrived at the construction site. He had assumed that the team would be close to finishing by now, but he was proven wrong yet again. It looked like the foundation itself was barely completed. He could somewhat imagine his older brother giving him an 'I told you so' look later.
It finally dawned to him how foolish he'd been for designating this important task of reconstructing the resort to someone that was incompetent in his field. His stomach churned, recognizing the signs of mismanagement around the area.
He should have realized this sooner. The reports he'd been receiving for the past weeks sounded generic and weren't very specific on what had been done and what was needed to finish next. He should have believed his brother when Li Xiran visited here for the first time and told him that the project was disastrous.
Li Xingtian didn't need to be an expert to know that the project on this site was far from completion and it was one of the reasons why Li Xiran was upset with him, and why Lu Qingfeng and Yan Xiuchen were looking at him with curiosity.
Shit. He cursed inwardly. He'd be damned if the three decided to kick him out of Li Development Corp. Even his father would surely be disappointed with him if he knew what happened here and he wouldn't be able to face his parents if his brother made them aware of his failure this time.
Although the company suffered a massive loss in shares and stock price, Li Development Corp was still highly regarded in the industry. Li Xingtian refused to be the reason why his father would lose his legacy.
It only dawned on him that Lu Qingfeng and Yan Xiuchen were actually giving him a chance to prove himself, as his older brother sat there with a colder and stonier expression, remaining silent as the two regarded him. Seeing the site himself, he had no doubt that he fucked up this project big time.
He regarded the place again and was reminded that he had only been given a week to deliver a satisfying report and proposal to their two new investors. They weren't asking or scrutinizing his older brother this time. Li Xingtian surmised that Li Xiran had already passed the trial the two set upon him and now it was his turn.
Finally, he realized that if he really wanted to help his brother, he needed to figure out a way to fix all of these. He didn't care about being the future CEO of their company, Li Xingtian only wanted to redeem himself and prove to his father and brother that he was a reliable person.
While Li Xingtian spent the rest of the afternoon inspecting the construction sites around the resort, Li Xiran spent the whole afternoon with Lu Qingfeng and Yan Xiuchen. They spoke about different approaches Li Xiran could consider to move further in saving their family business, and Li Xiran was impressed at how far Lu Qingfeng could see. If Li Xiran thought that he was steps ahead of his peers and brother, Lu Qingfeng was a lot more ahead than him by miles.
"Allow me to discuss this with my father. Although I'm the one in charge now, there are still things I need to consult with him." He told the two, although he already knew that his father wouldn't have any qualms about their suggestion.
Yan Xiuchen nodded while Lu Qingfeng only hummed. It was enough for the younger man that Li Xiran was willing to cooperate with them and he didn't doubt that Li Xingtian would be able to gain some sense once he'd finished his site inspection.
The only reason why Lu Qingfeng was extending an olive branch towards Li Xiran was for the simple reason that he didn't want Xi Qian to worry about being with him in the future. While he wouldn't intervene and push the two together, Lu Qingfeng was willing to obliterate any reasons that could stop the two from pursuing their own happiness.
Xi Qian wasn't just his wife's best friend to Lu Qingfeng now. She was a valuable friend who could talk to him frankly without being intimidated by his name and status. As for Mr. Long who dared to assault her, well… Lu Qingfeng hoped that Xi Qian wouldn't find him ruthless for teaching that perverted man a lesson.
"I suppose that's fine." Yan Xiuchen replied, "but it would be better to try a new approach now. You have to know that many startup companies can offer better deals to your clients and you have to be consistent or much better in improving the delivery of the projects. You don't have to lower your bid just to win against them."
It was at that moment that Lu Qingfeng's phone beeped, indicating a new message. He read it at once and sighed, giving the two men an apologetic look. He hadn't even realized that he'd been conversing with them for hours and had finished some snacks without sharing it with his wife.
"Apologies. If we're done here, allow me to excuse myself. My wife is now asking for attention." He said as he stood up, placing his phone in his pocket.
Yan Xiuchen grunted. If he was annoyed that their talk had been cut by Su Xiaofei, he didn't make any indication of it.
"I suppose you and your brother would spend the night here?" Lu Qingfeng asked Li Xiran. "I've already asked the caretaker to arrange your rooms."
"Yes." Li Xiran answered. "Thank you for inviting us over."
Even if he and Li Xingtian wanted to return home now, the weather wasn't favorable to fly back. Thankfully, he had already considered that this might happen. He always made sure to bring extra clothes with him. It was just too bad that his business suits weren't ideal to wear in a place like this.
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