As the last director voiced their opinion, a faint smile touched Ms. Yun's lips. "Excellent discussion everyone. Now, let's get to work," she declared, her voice ringing with authority. "We have a company to lead and a legal battle to navigate. Together."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. The board members began to file out, a renewed sense of purpose evident in their strides. Hong Yi, however, remained seated, his gaze fixed on Chairman Wen and Ms. Yun.
Ling Wei, who had been unusually quiet throughout the meeting, caught his eye and her brow furrowed slightly. "Hong Yi?" she began, her voice laced with a hint of concern, but before she could continue...Hong Yi rose, his voice cutting through the room's departing hum. "Director Wen, Ms. Yun, if I may have a word with you both?"
Chairman Wen and Ms. Yun exchanged a brief glance before nodding in agreement. The remaining board members cast curious looks back at them before exiting the room, leaving a tense silence in their wake.Ling Wei opened her mouth to protest, but Hong Yi continued before she could voice her concerns.
"Director Wen, Ms. Yun," he began, his gaze earnest, "you both were close to my father. Did he ever mention...updating his will?"
Chairman Wen stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, Hong Yi," he started slowly, "Hong Shan did contemplate revising the will on a few occasions. However, I cannot say for certain whether he ever completed the process."
Hong Yi nodded, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features. "Thank you, Director Wen," he said, bowing his head in respect.As Chairman Wen and Ms. Yun prepared to leave, Hong Yi followed them towards the elevator doors, with Ling Wei trailing behind him, an air of disapproval hanging heavy around her.
"Hong Yi," Ms. Yun interjected before they reached the elevator, "perhaps we should have a private conversation."
Hong Yi shot Ling Wei an apologetic glance before nodding curtly. Ms. Yun led the way out of the boardroom, leaving Ling Wei and Chairman Wen standing alone in the hallway.
Ms. Yun's office was a haven of order and efficiency. She gestured towards a chair across from her desk. "Have a seat, Hong Yi," she said, her voice firm but laced with a hint of concern. "It seems we have a lot to discuss."Hong Yi sat, his posture rigid, and Ms. Yun reached for a glass of water, downing it in one long gulp. He sensed a storm brewing beneath her calm exterior.
"Here's some water," Ms. Yun offered, extending a glass towards him, her eyes locking with his. "Hong Yi Now, tell me, what's truly on your mind?"
Ms. Yun, also known as Yun Xiang, was a force to be reckoned with. Not only was she a director at Zenith Media, but she also ran her own successful jewelry company. A childhood friend of Hong Yi's mother, Shu Ya, Ms. Yun had defied societal expectations by marrying her omega soulmate. After marrying to her husband she didn't take any other spouses.
Hong Yi leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "Ms. Yun, I believe a legal battle alone won't solve everything. Even if we damage their public image, it could backfire and hurt Zenith Media too."
Ms. Yun nodded, a glint of steel in her eyes. "We'll mitigate that damage with carefully chosen future projects that showcase our strengths. However, for now, we need to address the immediate threat."
A frown creased Hong Yi's forehead. Ms. Yun leaned closer, her voice dropping to a low murmur. "Look, Hong Yi. Your father held 51% of the company's shares. Your mother owns 4%, and Ci En has 3%. Your uncles each hold 8%, and the remaining 26% are distributed among other directors. The moment a legal battle starts, your father's shares will be frozen. Whoever holds the most unfrozen shares will have significant control over company decisions."
Hong Yi's jaw clenched. "So, what do we do, Ms. Yun?" he asked, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice.
Ms. Yun rose from her chair and walked towards Hong Yi, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She placed a hand on the chair beside him. "Hong Yi," she began, "your immediate family holds 7% of the shares combined. Your uncles hold 16% together. To maintain control, you need an additional 9%."
"And how do you propose I acquire those shares, Ms. Yun?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
"I control 11% of the shares," she revealed, a hint of something unreadable flickering in her eyes. "Enough to bridge the gap. I can provide you with the 9% you need."
Hong Yi's eyes narrowed. Ms. Yun, a woman known for turning charity into profit, was offering him a lifeline. He knew there was more to it than simple generosity. "At what cost Ms. Yun" Hong Yi asked.
Ms. Yun chuckled, a warm sound that surprised Hong Yi. "Hong Yi, you've always been so perceptive. That's why I liked you even as a child. And please, call me Aunt Yun, like you used to.
"Hong Yi met her gaze, searching for any hint of her true motives. "What is it you want, Aunt Yun?"
Ms. Yun straightened, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her features. "A promise, Hong Yi," she said. "I may seem to have everything, but there's one thing I've always desired." She walked to her desk and picked up a picture frame, her smile softening as she looked at it.
Turning back to Hong Yi, her eyes gleaming with a strange intensity, she said, "I want you to marry my son."
The revelation hung heavy in the air. Hong Yi stared at her, his mind reeling from the unexpected proposition.
Yun Xiang showed him the picture. "This is Yun Fei my only son." Hong Yi Hong Yi took the picture, his fingers brushing against hers for a fleeting moment. The image showed a young man, probably in his late teens, with a gentle smile gracing his features. He looked kind, a bit awkward perhaps, but undeniably handsome. Graduation robes hung loosely on his thin frame, suggesting the picture was taken years ago.
"Why me, Aunt Yun?" Hong Yi finally managed to ask, his voice barely a whisper. "Wouldn't Ling Wei be a better choice? She's settled, more..." he hesitated, searching for the right word, "...more suitable.
"A flicker of pain crossed Ms. Yun's face for a brief moment before she composed herself. "Ling Wei is wonderful, but Yun Fei... he's an actor now," she admitted, a hint of pride softening the edges of her voice. "He's been working very hard, but this industry can be so ruthless. A good marriage, a stable family life, it could be just what he needs and what I want to give him."
Ms. Yun's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability replacing the earlier pride. "He needs protection," she admitted, her voice softer now, "but with freedom. Freedom to make his own choices and chase his dreams. While Ling Wei..." she hesitated, searching for the right words, "bless her heart, she can be a bit...well, possessive. A good marriage should be a partnership, not a cage.
"Hong Yi furrowed his brow in thought. He'd always known his older sister, Ling Wei, to be fiercely independent, but possessive wasn't a word he'd readily associated with her. "Are you saying you think I'd be more...?"
"Suitable," Ms. Yun finished for him, her gaze meeting his directly. "You've always been a kind and understanding soul, Hong Yi. You have a gentle strength about you, and I believe you could provide Yun Fei with the support and space he needs to truly flourish."
"Hong Yi, don't worry," Ms. Yun soothed, her voice calming. "There's no pressure to rush into anything. I just want you to get to know him well before making any decisions.
"Hong Yi expected many things to happen after he came into this world but certainly marriage was not one of them. "Aunt Yun," he finally said, setting his cup down with a decisive click, "you're right. I do need time to think. This is a lot to take in.
"Aunt Yun nodded, a flicker of understanding crossing her features. "Of course, dear boy. Take all the time you need. But," she added, leaning forward with a hopeful glint in her eyes, "promise me you'll at least consider meeting Yun Fei? Get to know him as the man he is now."
"Of course, Aunt Yun," Hong Yi conceded, rising slowly from his chair. The weight of the unexpected proposal still pressed on him, a strange mix of trepidation and unexpected curiosity swirling within.
"I will absolutely keep this between us," Aunt Yun assured him, a relieved smile gracing her lips. "Take all the time you need, Hong Yi. This is a big decision, and I want you to feel comfortable with it.
"Hong Yi offered a small nod, with his mind already racing with questions he left the room made his way towards Hong Shan's cabin.