Su Hongda’s words shifted rapidly from furious to extremely humble.

It was apparent that Su Hongda was genuinely in a rush.

Indeed, Su Hongda was stubborn and self-righteous, but from what Su Ning had observed recently, although Su Hongda treated the company as his personal property and his capabilities were mediocre, he was still considerably better than those directors like Ma Yi who outright betrayed him. The difference was somewhat like that between a feudal tyrant and a capitalist comprador.

So, when Su Hongda called, Su Ning still managed to remain patient and offer some reassurance, “Let them fuss for now.”

“How can this be okay?” Su Hongda raised his voice, “They want to sell their shares, but shares can’t just be sold off like that!”

Su Ning knew that the Su family’s shares, all added up, amounted to just over forty percent, and thirty percent of these were locked in the will. Until Su Ning officially received these shares, Su Honghui, as the director under the arrangements of old Master Su, could exercise the voting rights of these thirty percent in the board of directors, but did not actually hold them.

If invaders with intentions took over, even Su Hongda with his limited intellect could imagine the severe consequences that would ensue.

Previously, the fights with Ma Yi could be considered internal strife, but if it exceeded that scope, the entire company would be destroyed.

Su Ning calmly urged him to keep cool, then asked, “How much of the shares do those people under Ma Yi plan to sell?”

“Almost forty percent, nearly half of the management level,” Su Hongda lamented with a headache, “The other minor shareholders who don’t usually participate in company management are all like weeds on the wall, and I can only try to rally a few who are compliant.”

The fact that Su Hongda had resorted to calling Su Ning showed how desperate he had become.

Currently, the only savior seemed to be Su Ning.

“Do you still want to keep the company’s accounts hidden from me?” Su Ning asked, “I need to see them.”

“Now? It’s late at night.”

“The company is about to go under, and you’re concerned about it being late?” Su Ning countered, “I’m giving you two minutes.”

After a moment of silence, the other party agreed, timing his response to exactly two minutes: “Come to the company.”

Su Ning immediately drove over.

After viewing the accounts, the situation was much as he had expected; chaotic investments had dragged down Guang Ying Entertainment. Many records appeared suspicious, but given the elapsed time, it wasn’t easy to extract enough evidence to accuse these individuals of embezzlement or corruption.

He wanted to thoroughly understand these details to determine from a business perspective whether the company was still worth saving.

As Su Hongda watched with him, he seemed to age ten years, incessantly sighing and looking lost.

Only when Su Ning called his name and laid out the options did he respond, “Now, there are two choices.”

Two choices?!

Su Hongda perked up, “Tell me.”

“First, run.”

“They want to sell the company, you could too, and even faster. It’s still feasible to escape now, just make sure to find a good buyer, one not connected to the Shen family, to prevent them from having their way.”

“If you’re conscientious, you could take some money and distribute it among the employees; there should be plenty left over to sustain your lavish lifestyle for the rest of your life. Rest assured, Ma Yi and the others would be so angry they’d curse but couldn’t touch you.”

Su Hongda was stunned, “…But what about the company? What about the inheritance?”

Su Ning replied, “I’d act as if the money and shares in the inheritance don’t exist since I can’t access them anyway. Don’t worry, I still get five million a year; I won’t starve. As long as I’m not in debt, I’m far luckier than most people.”

This was indeed a very reasonable option.

Su Hongda still had some savings because Su Ning had publicly withdrawn from the competition earlier, essentially saving him from spending money on buying votes and giving him a way out.

Had he listened to others and actually spent money on votes, it would have been a bottomless pit, possibly needing hundreds of millions, with no way back.

Compared to that, the additional investment and compensation in Idol Star Map that amounted to just over a million had left him with much leeway; otherwise, if he had been trapped, he wouldn’t have been able to find any peace.

Reflecting on this, Su Hongda felt somewhat fortunate yet immensely guilty.

He had not been kind to this great-nephew, even resenting him for holding the majority of the company’s shares and had consistently obstructed him from involving himself in company affairs. His efforts to launch Su Ning’s career were motivated by profit, and he had lost his temper and insulted him countless times.

Yet unexpectedly, Su Ning did not hold grudges and even helped him. After handling the Idol Star Map situation, he hadn’t complained.

Now, as Su Hongda faced difficulties and heard Su Ning speak this way, he finally let go of his pride and sincerely apologized.

“Su Ning, I’m sorry, I wronged you. When your father passed, he asked me to take good care of you, especially to ensure you didn’t stray from the right path. Yet, I’ve only made mistakes. I truly haven’t honored his wishes.”

At his age, he was nearly moved to tears.

But Su Ning merely frowned and responded, “Enough, let’s not waste time on useless talk.”

This excessive calmness left Su Hongda suddenly unable to cry.

He wiped his tears and resolutely said, “I don’t want to choose that option.”

“If the company is sold so soon after your dad died, I wouldn’t be able to face him or my parents after a hundred years,” he choked up, but suppressed it, “Is there another way? We still have money, I can use all of it, I…”

He was clearly not a coward, still wanting to struggle a bit to save the company.

Hearing this, Su Ning saw him in a new light.

Before coming here, he had indeed thought that Su Hongda would just run away.

So he continued, “I have a way that might save the company, but I have conditions.”

Su Hongda responded, “Tell me.”

“You must ensure that everything concerning Guang Ying Entertainment is under my control, and you must obey me, regardless of whether I acquire the shares through that so-called marriage contract.”

“This isn’t just talk. I’ll record it, have you sign a contract, and make a written record. You won’t have any room to back out. Just being in charge of Idol Star Map doesn’t give me the authority to give orders. I need to have a real name and real power in the company.”

“And you, step back from the frontlines. Unless I need you, you can’t interfere with any company affairs.”

Previously, Su Hongda had simultaneously held the positions of chairman and CEO, which strictly speaking, aren’t the same thing. Su Ning hadn’t yet obtained the shares to enter the board of directors, but securing the CEO position for himself wasn’t hard, as long as Su Hongda was willing to make the sacrifice.

CEO—at least he needed this position to act with authority. As for Su Hongda, the chairman, he could temporarily remain there as a figurehead.

Su Hongda was stunned, suddenly sobering up and unable to cry anymore.

Su Ning had clearly laid out two paths for him to choose, each with its own costs.

Su Hongda felt unsteady, and after hearing the options, he slid off the chair and ended up sitting on the floor, where he silently pondered for a long time.

Su Ning was patient; he continued reviewing company documents, willing to wait for a response.

Eventually, Su Hongda spoke, though his voice was faint, “I… I choose the second option.”

Su Ning put down the documents he was holding and looked at him, “What? Speak up; I didn’t hear you.”

“I said, I choose the second option.”

“The second one!”

“You take over as CEO, Su Ning. Besides you, there’s no one else,” Su Hongda responded loudly, then added somberly, “I can’t truly betray my brother and sister-in-law.”

He was determined to keep the company, for even if he was once complacent, Su Hongda couldn’t accept the outcome of single-handedly ruining all of the Su family’s foundations.

Touched slightly by this response, Su Ning considered that although the original owner of the body had few virtues, he indeed had good parents who had planned everything for him—arranged support, left money, and even owed favors.

The contacts who had spoken up for him during the Shen Huai scandal, like the still-loyal director Yao Xiaolan and Liang Xiaoliang from Qilin, were all connected to old Master Su.

The current state of Guang Ying Entertainment reflected a failed company, but that didn’t mean it had always been so.

After sending Li Chu out, Su Ning had hesitated about whether the company was worth saving or if it would be simpler to start afresh.

Now he had made up his mind.

Why not give it a try?

So, looking at Su Hongda, Su Ning voiced his plan.

“The only way out for Guang Ying Entertainment now is to cut costs and increase efficiency. All meaningless projects should be sold off if possible, or scrapped if not, retaining only what’s truly valuable. This needs to happen fast; we don’t have much time,” Su Ning said, “Losing employees isn’t necessarily bad. Given its current state, Guang Ying Entertainment doesn’t need, nor can it afford, so many people.”

“And about those shareholders—”

He flicked the documents in his hand and sneered, “Profiting off their positions, abusing their power, thinking they can get away with it? Collusion and job encroachment is illegal.”

“I had people check before, but couldn’t find a complete chain of evidence. These old foxes are too cunning,” Su Hongda sighed, “They’re too well-hidden.”

Su Ning waved dismissively, “Who did you hire? You don’t even understand the lay of the land in Hai Cheng, how could you see anything? You didn’t find the key people.”

Su Hongda wanted to argue, but after opening his mouth, he conceded.

He listened as Su Ning gave a few more instructions, then could only nod in agreement, not daring to refute.

And with Su Ning’s imposing attitude, Su Hongda felt suppressed, only able to nod in agreement.

Soon, Guang Ying Entertainment held a shareholder meeting. Su Hongda, with the help of a few minor shareholders, managed to narrowly block their attempt to sell company shares by leveraging a slight majority.

Due to the popularity of Idol Star Map and Li Chu’s sudden fame, a few people within the company were willing to side with the Su family, which was perhaps their last advantage.

Ma Yi slammed the table in anger during the meeting and stormed out, encountering the newly appointed Su Ning at the door of the meeting room.

“Wait and see,” he warned Su Ning, “There will come a time when you’ll be kneeling and begging me!”

With that, he strode away.

But this slight advantage at the shareholder meeting wasn’t a victory.

By regulations, even if the board doesn’t allow shareholders to sell to others, they must buy out these shares themselves within 30 days; otherwise, it’s considered approval.

But with Su Honghui, the former coal baron, having splurged most of his funds—originally intended for buying votes—there wasn’t enough money left to buy out the shares held by Ma Yi and his group. The difference was substantial.

Soon, Su Honghui began liquidating assets, such as undeveloped projects and some previously invested shares, and reportedly, the Su family even started selling their properties.

But was this enough? Was there enough time?

The crisis at Guang Ying Entertainment couldn’t be concealed. Some previously signed second-tier stars were preparing to pay breach of contract fees to quickly escape, and many employees started looking for new positions elsewhere.

However, some remained calm and stayed.

Su Ning had expected this.

He had inquired about the actual situation of the company’s staff from director Yao Xiaolan, and after combining performance reviews and real project records, he knew who genuinely had capabilities. He had spoken to them beforehand, ensuring their salary and benefits.

While he accepted those who insisted on leaving, some who had emotional ties to the company, especially those who cared about old Master Su, stayed after hearing Su Ning out, waiting for what the future held.

Su Ning was particularly vigilant about the truly valuable copyrights of Guang Ying Entertainment, not letting anyone touch them. Despite the chaos, he knew to hold onto the most important elements. He didn’t bother explaining the rumors and speculation from the outside; there was no need.

Now, standing in the CEO office of the Guang Ying Entertainment building, he made a phone call. The person on the other end picked up quickly, and a familiar voice spoke.

“You finally called me.”

It was Shen Mingzheng’s voice.

“Yeah,” Su Ning replied, “About the matter we discussed before, we can collaborate, though there are some differences from what was initially discussed.”

“Assistant Director Shen, I still hold the same view—we have common enemies, and we need to resolve the current difficulties first.”

“But let’s postpone the marriage discussion.”

This phone call was actually made by Su Ning to Shen Mingzheng right after reviewing the company’s internal documents that night, clarifying the terms of their collaboration.

If he wanted to save Guang Ying Entertainment, aside from this Assistant Director Shen, there were no better options. However, he couldn’t guarantee that Assistant Director Shen wasn’t planning to use him as a stepping stone, so it had to be one step at a time.

“I understand,” he heard Shen Mingzheng reply, “No worries, Su Ning, we can take our time.”

Shen Mingzheng sounded in good spirits, and while his “take our time” was ambiguous, it seemed he wasn’t giving up.

Su Ning didn’t have time to probe further because Shen Mingzheng didn’t leave him a chance to ask more, quickly suggesting, “How about lunch together? I’ll come to pick you up.”

“Assistant Director Shen, you have the time?” Su Ning assumed they both would be planning to virtually live in their offices under such circumstances.

“If it’s with you, I have time,” Shen Mingzheng replied, “And it’s useful. Let’s go. Isn’t it to deal with Shen Huai and Jiang Chenfeng?”

“Can we handle it over a meal?” Su Ning questioned.

“No, it’s through you,” he heard Shen Mingzheng chuckle over the phone, “Su Ning, as long as you agree to my proposal, we’re guaranteed to win.”

“Because dealing with those two is really too easy.”

The restaurant had a certain charm, with a large tree in the courtyard under which tables were set, a relaxing spot.

Since that night when he had looked over the files, Su Ning had been constantly on edge, barely having a proper meal until now when he finally felt somewhat tired.

He had just sat down when a leaf gently floated down and landed in Su Ning’s hair, unnoticed by him. Shen Mingzheng reached out to remove it.

Su Ning smiled, “Thanks.”

“You don’t need to thank me,” Shen Mingzheng said, “The food here is good. Don’t think too much, just relax for a while.”

“If we’re collaborating, you have me too.”

It was a simple gesture, public and not particularly intimate, but sharing a meal and smiling at each other seemed to indicate a good relationship.

This scene, however, was clearly visible to Jiang Chenfeng from the second floor.