Chapter 116: The Hidden Dragon Enters Eternal Life

Today, the atmosphere at Changsheng Group was unusually tense.

As the major shareholders entered the conference room, the peculiarity of the mood was palpable.

Unlike ordinary companies, the shareholders of Changsheng Group were all senior executives. If one wasn’t a senior executive, they weren’t entitled to shares and thus couldn’t become shareholders.

These individuals, naturally sharp-minded, knew very well that this meeting shouldn’t have been convened.

Why? Because the chairman’s third son had an accident yesterday and was cremated last night. No matter what, the chairman shouldn’t have been in the mood to hold a shareholders’ meeting.

Yet, he insisted on holding it.

Such a meeting was inscrutable.

All it conveyed was that something extraordinary was afoot.

At nine o’clock, Li Changsheng entered the room, his expression utterly grim.

Once the conference room door closed, the atmosphere suffocated everyone to the extreme.

With a wave of his hand, Li Changsheng appointed the second vice president, Li Heming, to preside over the meeting.

Li Heming was also a shareholder, holding 13% of the shares, transferred from Li Changsheng himself—just half a percentage point more than Ding Lizhong’s 12.5%.

Together, father and son controlled 51% of the shares, ensuring Li Changsheng’s absolute command over Changsheng Group.

This also meant that the shareholders’ meeting was hardly distinguishable from the board of directors.

Li Changsheng was the chairman of the board.

As the majority shareholder holding more than half the shares, his will was the company’s will.

No objection from the others would matter.

Li Heming began, “Changsheng Group has encountered too many issues recently, causing the company’s stock price on the New Third Board to plummet sharply. Fundamentally, two major incidents are to blame: first, the mutant spider murder case, which thrust the company into the national spotlight and subjected it to intense shareholder scrutiny; second, Huang Chengwang’s infiltration by foreign forces, fleeing to Fusang, resulting in the near collapse of the company’s entire scientific research division. As a renowned domestic enterprise, management must be sound and accountable. This shareholders’ meeting is convened to assign responsibility!”

Every shareholder’s heart jumped in unison...

Accountability!

Who was to be held accountable?

Ding Lizhong’s heart pounded heavily. He had already sensed that today’s shareholders’ meeting was no ordinary gathering. Now, it was undeniable.

Li Heming’s opening words pointed directly at...

Raising his hand slowly under the watchful eyes of all shareholders, Li Heming pointed at Ding Lizhong. “The mutant spider murder case has attracted nationwide attention, and the project involving the mutant spider was under the purview of Vice President Ding, who also served as the technical director—he cannot shirk responsibility! As for Huang Chengwang, he was the talent Vice President Ding personally recruited from Southeast University after three visits. Huang’s escape left grave consequences. Vice President Ding, shouldn’t you bear responsibility?”

In an instant, all eyes converged on Ding Lizhong.

Ding lifted his gaze slowly, locking eyes with Li Changsheng. “Chairman, are you holding me accountable?”

He didn’t argue with Li Heming but faced Li Changsheng directly.

Finally, Li Changsheng spoke: “When we founded Changsheng Group, we had company bylaws! Article 30 clearly states that if a shareholder’s fault causes serious damage to the company, all shareholder rights shall be revoked, and company losses will be deducted from their share dividends. Vice President Ding, you remember this clause, don’t you?”

The two giants of the company confronted each other head-on.

And the issue was of grave importance.

Revocation of all shareholder rights.

This was tantamount to sweeping Ding Lizhong out the door.

Moreover, the losses to be deducted from his dividends were enormous. The obvious damage was the stock price’s volatility—a figure astronomical enough to stagger anyone—plus hidden costs such as the wastage of research investments. The total losses were incalculable...

If enforced, Ding Lizhong would likely be financially ruined.

This matter was truly serious.

Ding’s graying hair fluttered lightly. “Of course, I remember the company bylaws clearly. But Chairman, don’t forget two points. First, the mutant spider murder case has been conclusively determined to be unrelated to me. Any adverse impact from this case cannot be pinned on me. Second, although I did recruit Huang Chengwang from Southeast University, I initially assigned him as a researcher. It was you who had him establish the second research department, essentially to replace me. If he failed, the responsibility lies not with me but with yourself!”

Li Changsheng replied coldly, “Old Ding, this is not a university debate hall for you to argue. Responsibility is clear to all shareholders here. Let everyone express their opinions!”

The second-largest shareholder, Group President Lei Xiaojun, began sweating nervously. “Chairman, Vice President Ding, shall we temporarily adjourn the meeting and discuss this matter among the three of us first...?”

Inside, his mind was in turmoil.

Such a critical matter, and as president, he had been completely in the dark beforehand. Suddenly being blindsided by such a showdown was inappropriate.

However, Li Changsheng waved his hand: “If no one wishes to speak, we can proceed directly to a vote!”

A direct vote!

What was the point in that?

With the Li family controlling more than half the shares, any absurd resolution was theirs to command.

This was the downside of holding an absolute majority.

Previously, the three founding partners dealt with matters amicably, avoiding extremes and severe conflicts. But today, Li Changsheng was determined to take this path, turning what used to be harmonious shareholder meetings into a battleground from the very start...

Why?

Why was this?

The chairman had lost his son yesterday, yet he immediately targeted Ding Lizhong.

Did he truly intend to ruin the Ding family?

At that moment, the chairman’s secretary received three visitors.

One was Shen Yinchuan, captain of the criminal investigation team.

Another was a stern-faced young man, inscrutable in identity, known only by the code 88.

The third was a young man named Lin Xiaosu.

“Captain Shen!” the secretary smiled sweetly. “May I ask the purpose of your visit?”

“To see Chairman Li!”

The secretary replied, “The chairman is currently holding a shareholders’ meeting. Please wait here for no more than an hour.”

“Bring him here! Immediately!” Shen Yinchuan commanded.

The secretary was startled. “Captain Shen, the chairman is in a shareholders’ meeting—the company’s most solemn and important gathering...”

Shen Yinchuan retorted coldly, “Do you mean we should storm the meeting and drag him out?”

The secretary’s face changed.

“A company is just a company. When it comes to police investigations, who gave them the luxury to haggle? Give him five minutes to come; if not, I won’t object to summoning him to the criminal investigation team for questioning!”

The secretary was stunned. She had seen Shen Yinchuan before, but had he ever acted like this?

Absolutely not!

Not even under the watchful eye of his superior, the Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau chief.

Today...

Today was different.

There was a serious problem.

The secretary hurried out of the office, running toward the conference room.

Inside, the tense atmosphere gripped everyone.

Though the shareholders’ statements wouldn’t alter the outcome, their stance affected their own futures.

This was a clash between two titans. If one chose the wrong side, the consequence would be expulsion from the company.

Therefore, despite appearing to allow executives to voice opinions, this was essentially a test of loyalty.

The executives at Changsheng Group held coveted positions, with high salaries and dividends that outsiders envied.

Under these circumstances, who would dare oppose the chairman?

No one saw any chance for Ding Lizhong.

With the revocation of his vice presidential status looming, his billions would vanish, how much remained depended on lengthy legal battles ahead, but at present, it was gone.

Though many sympathized with Ding’s arguments, self-preservation took precedence; there was no reason to sink with him.

Everyone exchanged glances silently. Though no one spoke, it was clear that if anyone stepped forward, Ding would be utterly defeated...

Ding Lizhong, once a university professor, had struggled at Changsheng Group for over twenty years. Whether stubborn or not, he was no fool.

He knew what fate awaited him. His heart filled with injustice, but what could he do?

Just then, the conference room door suddenly opened.

The secretary hurried in.

Li Changsheng glared coldly at her. “Can’t you see we’re in a meeting?”

The secretary’s face paled slightly. She approached the chairman and whispered something.

Li Changsheng’s eyes snapped up. “Exact words?”

“Yes.”

His gaze slowly lifted, hesitating briefly. “Adjourn the meeting temporarily!”

He strode out of the room.

Everyone was left bewildered.

The most confused was Li Heming.

Even he didn’t know what had happened.

But he knew that adjournment was absolutely improper at such a critical moment. Once begun, matters should be pressed through. Losing momentum halfway invited uncertainty.

With his peripheral vision, he saw the exchanged glances between Lei Xiaojun and Ding Lizhong...

Lei Xiaojun certainly wanted Ding to stay. The two had always maintained a good relationship...

Li Changsheng returned to his office briskly.

His expression was still gloomy upon leaving the conference room.

But as he reached his office door, the gloom was replaced by calm.

When he pushed open the door, a peaceful smile adorned his face.

“Captain Shen!” Li Changsheng greeted warmly. “Thank you for waiting, my apologies!”

He shook hands with Shen Yinchuan.

Then his gaze shifted to 88.

88 did not extend his hand, speaking coldly, “Chairman Li is busy enough; spare the pleasantries.”

“This gentleman is...” Li Changsheng’s outstretched hand hesitated mid-air.

“He is my superior, outside the East Chu Public Security system!” Shen Yinchuan stated.

The office fell into an eerie silence.

Because Shen’s words were contradictory and ominous.

Shen Yinchuan, captain of Jiangcheng’s criminal investigation team, held a respectable rank—a division level official!

His superior should theoretically be from the East Chu Provincial Department.

Yet he explicitly stated his superior was not part of the East Chu Public Security system.

That opened vast realms of speculation...

Li Changsheng, a man seasoned by countless storms, felt a flicker of shock but maintained his smile. “Please, leaders, come in.”

The secretary opened the chairman’s inner office.

They all entered.

Li Changsheng deliberately ignored Lin Xiaosu, who in turn made himself invisible.

Tea was served—four cups.

The secretary did not overlook Lin Xiaosu, still offering him the basic courtesy of a guest.