72 Running Up Against Walls
Watching the designers leave, Han Jiarui couldn’t help but sigh.
“Lin Xi, I still have some savings. I’ll take them out and pay the employees this month. I’m afraid I can’t avoid it this time.”
In the years that the two of them had established the company, they had encountered many difficulties, but they had never been so desperate.
“I have another idea.”
Lin Xi took out a business card and called Sun Chuantao helplessly.
“President Lin, why do you have time to call me?” Sun Chuantao sounded very excited.
Lin Xi took a deep breath and said, “CEO Sun, are you free tonight? I want to treat you to a meal.”
“Of course! Beauty Lin is treating me to a meal. There’s no reason to refuse!”
Sun Chuantao agreed eagerly, his tone filled with joy.
That night, Lin Xi and Han Jiarui arranged to meet Sun Chuantao at the restaurant.
When Sun Chuantao entered, his eyes lit up when he saw the two of them.
Lin Xi and Han Jiarui were pure, bright, and had opposing styles, but they were both beauties.
“Ladies, sorry to keep you waiting.” Sun Chuantao sat opposite the two of them.
“I didn’t know what CEO Sun liked to eat, so I casually ordered a few dishes.” Lin Xi said politely.
Sun Chuantao smiled and asked despite knowing the answer, “Why did CEO Lin and CEO Han treat me to a meal?”
“You said before that you could help us. I wonder if that offer is still standing.” Lin Xi looked at Sun Chuantao, her eyes filled with anticipation.
“Of course it stands. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an investment or partnership. You also know that with my status in the company, I can still decide on a small matter like this,” Sun Chuantao said proudly.
“That’s great.”
Lin Xi and Han Jiarui instantly beamed.
Han Jiarui raised her glass and said enthusiastically, “CEO Sun, let me toast you.”
Sun Chuantao picked up his wine glass and clinked it with hers. He enjoyed Han Jiarui’s toast.
Han Jiarui’s personality was more cheerful and she was good at socializing. Therefore, ever since the company was established, she was the one who handled the partnership contracts while Lin Xi managed the company and design work.
“But…”
Sun Chuantao dragged his voice and raised his eyebrows wretchedly. “But my help is not without a price. You have to give me some benefits, right?”
“Of course. After we sign the contract and officially start working together, we’ll give you dividends,” Han Jiarui hurriedly said with a smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Chuantao frowned. “I’m not talking about this benefit.”
Lin Xi and Han Jiarui were about to ask why when they noticed Sun Chuantao’s explicit and wretched gaze on them.
What else did the two of them not understand at this point? They were instantly furious.
Han Jiarui suddenly stood up. “CEO Sun, if this is the benefit you’re talking about, we definitely won’t agree.”
Sun Chuantao crossed his legs and looked at the two of them mockingly.
“You want an investment and partnership, but you don’t want to pay. How can there be such a good thing in the world?”
“The company is about to close down. Why are you still pretending to be a chaste woman?”
“Let me tell you, I’ll give you a chance today. Even if you come to beg me tomorrow, it will depend on my mood.”
Han Jiarui was so angry that her face turned red. She pointed at Sun Chuantao’s nose and said coldly, “Even if our company closes down, we will never do anything to sell our bodies!”
With that, Han Jiarui pulled Lin Xi out of the restaurant and got into the car.
At this moment, Lin Xi had mixed feelings. She thought that it was her last hope, but she did not expect the other party to make such an unreasonable request.
“Jiarui, it seems like there’s really nothing we can do.”
Lin Xi took a deep breath. She did not expect that all her years of hard work would be ruined in just a few days.
Han Jiarui hugged Lin Xi and patted her back gently.
“It’s okay. I’m already very happy to have you by my side all these years. At most, we’ll go to another design company to work. It’s good to be a salaried employee.”
Lin Xi nodded and leaned into her arms, crying silently.
After venting their emotions, the two of them drove home.
The next day.
When Han Jiarui arrived at the company, it was lifeless. The designers who had stayed behind knew very well that the company was on the brink of collapse.
However, Lin Xi and Han Jiarui had been very good to them all these years, so they didn’t want to leave at this time.
Han Jiarui and Lin Xi gathered some money and paid the employees this month’s salary first.
Actually, the company’s situation was very bad now, but it was a company that they had worked hard to build. They would not give up easily until the last moment.
After the two of them paid their salaries, Han Jiarui’s phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number from the provincial capital.
Han Jiarui answered the call without thinking. A familiar voice came from the other end. “Han Jiarui, it’s Lu Wentian.”
Han Jiarui looked surprised. Then, she frowned and asked, “Why are you looking for me?”
“Can you come out and meet me? Perhaps I can help you with the company.”
Hearing Lu Wentian mention the company, Han Jiarui was instantly tempted. She didn’t want to let go of any opportunity.
“Alright, let’s go to the Flower Sea Restaurant near the company.”
Han Jiarui arrived at the restaurant first and waited anxiously for Lu Wentian. After half an hour, Lu Wentian arrived late.
...
“Are you serious about helping us?” Han Jiarui asked directly.
The Lu family was rich and had a wide network. As long as Lu Wentian was willing to help them, the company would definitely be revived.
“I can help you, but you have to agree to two conditions.”
“You also know that I fell in love with Lin Xi at first sight and pursued her for a long time, so help me tell her that it’s very simple for her to want my help. Firstly, she has to break up with Chen Che. Secondly, she has to be with me.”
When Han Jiarui heard Lu Wentian’s words, a realization flashed across her mind.
She could not understand why the fabric supplier suddenly canceled the collaboration. Even the Chengyuan Department Store, which had signed the contract previously, suddenly wanted to break the contract.
Now that she saw Lu Wentian, Han Jiarui finally understood.
“Lu Wentian, you did all those things, right?” Han Jiarui questioned coldly.
Lu Wentian did not refute. Instead, he smiled proudly. “So what if it’s me? I want Lin Xi to know that I, Lu Wentian, can make you unable to live in Jiangshi City with a flick of my finger.”
“Tell Lin Xi what I said. If she doesn’t agree, she can only watch the company close down.”
With that, Lu Wentian stood up and left.
...
Han Jiarui gripped the cup tightly, her fingertips turning white.
This despicable person was unscrupulous in order to obtain Lin Xi!
Han Jiarui sat in the dining room and hesitated for a long time. In the end, she decided not to tell Lin Xi about this.
She knew Lin Xi too well. Although Lin Xi cared a lot about the company, in Lin Xi’s heart, Chen Che was more important than the company. It was impossible for her to give up Chen Che for the company.
Moreover, Lu Wentian, that playboy, was not a good person to begin with. It was a good thing not to be with him.
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