Chapter 413 412: The Factory Was Burned

Mu Lin said, "Miss Hong Ling, have you finished picking out the furniture?"

"I'm done. I've paid for it, and they'll deliver and install it later."

Mu Lin nodded. "Good. Let's get ready to head back and rest."

On the way to the riverside villa, Mu Lin sent a message to Qu Zizi: "Has your family run into any trouble?"

Qu Zizi replied, "A few major clients suddenly backed out. But it's the off-season, so we didn't have many shipments anyway. We'll just find new clients later."

Mu Lin said, "If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word. Don't hesitate."

Qu Zizi laughed. "Of course! But hey, something happened to Zhengzheng's family. Did you know?"

Mu Lin: "No, I didn't. She hasn't contacted me. What happened?"

"A few hours ago, their family's factory burned down. The losses are pretty big…"

'This is going too far,' Mu Lin thought.

He could tolerate using business tactics to squeeze out a competitor, but committing arson was beyond the limits of his patience.

"I understand!"

After hanging up, Mu Lin immediately dialed Qiao Canhua's number. "Uncle Qiao."

Qiao Canhua said, "Yes, it's a huge mess. I've got a headache just thinking about it, and I'm trying to figure out how to mitigate the losses. Old He just landed a big order from a major client in Di Yang. Now that the factory is out of commission, they can't produce anything."

"He needs to find another factory to organize production immediately. Otherwise, the breach of contract will be severe. The penalty is one hundred million."

That number was absurd.

Mu Lin paused. "How's the search for a factory going? Will this cause problems?"

Qiao Canhua said, "All the factories are busy right now; they each have their own jobs. Getting someone to set aside part of their production capacity for him is out of the question."

"Even if someone was willing, it would be a long wait…"

"Besides, all the furniture materials were destroyed in the fire. They have to be sourced again, which takes time. And funding is another huge problem."

Mu Lin scratched his head as he listened. 'This is a real bind. How on earth did things get this difficult?'

Xiao Hongling had been listening to the phone call. She suddenly said, "Mu Lin, I can help with this."

Mu Lin said, "Uncle Qiao, I might be able to help President He find a factory for contract manufacturing. Please help me get in touch with him so I can coordinate."

Qiao Canhua was a bit stunned. "Mu Lin, are you serious?"

Mu Lin chuckled. "Have you ever known me to joke about something like this? I'm dead serious. Just focus on getting me in touch with him. I definitely won't let He Zheng's family go bankrupt."

Qiao Canhua was confused. He had a fairly deep understanding of Mu Lin's connections, but he'd never heard of him having any influence in the manufacturing industry.

"I'll go talk to him right away. Wait for my reply!"

After Qiao Canhua hung up, Mu Lin looked at Xiao Hongling, waiting for her explanation.

Xiao Hongling said, "My dad once invested in a furniture company and set it up with three supporting factories. Two of them have been running at full capacity, but the third one is a backup. Its equipment has been regularly maintained, so it can start production immediately as long as it has raw materials."

Mu Lin nodded in realization. "Oh, I see. That makes sense."

Xiao Hongling immediately called Xiao Longjiang to report the situation. Xiao Longjiang was very pleased with his daughter's actions.

One of the main reasons he had Xiao Hongling stay by Mu Lin's side was so she could quickly help him and win his favor.

If they spent enough time together, feelings might gradually develop.

She explained the situation with the Yuan Family's renovation company and the He Family's furniture company.

Xiao Longjiang's eyes lit up. 'My daughter handled this beautifully! This is a perfect opportunity to get on good terms with Mu Lin. It can't be missed.'

This was absolutely perfect, more than perfect.

"Do exactly as you think is best! As long as you feel it's right, just go for it! Act first, ask questions later! As long as it's a request from Mu Lin, you agree to it, even if our family has to pay out of our own pocket. Got it?"

"Understood!"

After hanging up, Xiao Hongling immediately straightened her clothes, discreetly pulling her collar down half an inch, revealing a subtle hint of cleavage.

"My dad said we can agree to any of your requests," Xiao Hongling said.

Mu Lin said faintly, "Oh, I see."

His expression remained placid, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

Seeing this, Xiao Hongling couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness.

'How can he be so dense? Is this a joke?'

Inside, however, Mu Lin sighed. 'That tycoon Xiao Longjiang is being too good to me. So good that I can't even be frank with him.'

Qiao Canhua sent Mu Lin a message. It was the name of a restaurant where He Zheng's father was currently entertaining a client.

For a man in his predicament, this was a very dangerous time. He was in an extremely vulnerable position; this was about much more than just having a drink.

One wrong move, and his company could be gone.

Sitting across from He Chen was President Liang, a man from the same industry who was ranked just slightly below him.

President Liang said, "President He, you're quite something. If I help you, what about my company? I have to make a living too, you know. Thousands of people in my company depend on me to eat!"

"Besides, this is just too much trouble. I'd end up losing a lot of money… Why should I help you?"

For the foreseeable future, they all had their own tasks. If he helped the He Family, what would happen to his own business?

"Then, besides the service fee, I'll give you an extra ten million a month. How about that!"

President Liang sneered. "Look at you. Ten million is obviously too little. It should be in the tens of millions, shouldn't it? I think sixty million sounds about right."

He Chen was stunned. This exorbitant demand was more than he could bear.

Not only would he not make a single cent, he would lose money!

This was completely unacceptable.

"President Liang, please don't joke around. The total profit from this entire order doesn't even add up to sixty million!"

But President Liang remained unfazed. "It's true, it doesn't. But the contract penalty is one hundred million! If you do nothing, then there's nothing more to say. Go ahead and pay the one hundred million yourself! I'm being kind enough to help you save money, and you're acting like I'm trying to harm you. Fine, then face it on your own!"

President Liang was full of bravado. He shot to his feet, looking very pleased with himself.

Seeing this, He Chen grew frantic. "President Liang, President Liang, wait! How about I give you an extra thirty million?"

President Liang chuckled. "He Chen, oh, He Chen. What are you thinking? You cut the price in half just like that. Why would I take on this thankless job for you?"

He Chen's expression shifted again and again. President Liang's appetite was simply too big; it had reached a point where he absolutely could not agree.

The profit on a single order was maybe thirty to forty million. There was no sense in taking a loss.

Besides, many of President Liang's actions related to this were completely unreasonable. If He Chen weren't so preoccupied, he would have brought his injured workers to confront him.

President Liang said smugly, "Listen up, He Chen. Sixty million in cash, and not a single cent less. If you're even a little short, you'll see what happens!"

He Chen's face was extremely grim. Right now, no matter what he did, it was the wrong move.

Running into someone like President Liang, it seemed this kind of trouble was inevitable one way or another.

President Liang stood up. "Looks like you're planning to be stubborn and hold out. You'd rather pay the penalty than give me the money. Interesting!"

"Well then, I hope you have fun paying that penalty. The He Family will surely be unable to recover! From now on, the market share you're leaving behind will be mine!"

He Chen was furious. He pointed at President Liang and said, "You bastard Liang, you set me up!"

President Liang roared with laughter. "That's right! So what? Let me tell you, even if I hadn't set you up, you'd be finished anyway. Who told you to offend someone you can't afford to offend?"

He Chen pressed, "Who? My He Family has always been on good terms with people. I don't recall offending anyone."

President Liang laughed mockingly. "Really? Have you or have you not crossed the Baiju Group, or Gong Jintang, Chairman Gong?"

He Chen was completely stunned. 'What the hell?'

"How is that possible? My business scope has nothing to do with the Baiju Group. Why would he target me?"

"How would I know? All I know is you're toast. Don't bother struggling. The more you struggle, the more painful it will be. I almost feel sorry for you!"

With that, President Liang drained his glass of wine and prepared to leave, looking smug.

Just then, a knock came from the door.