Water and Fire~Chapter 139.1: Throwing Away Two Hundred Yuan

 

Chapter 139.1: Throwing Away Two Hundred Yuan

Zhaohuan Education has an online system that helps elementary, middle, and high school students complete homework and exercises online. Because of its online functionality, Zhaohuan Education was reported to lack an online publishing service license. Without this license, Zhaohuan Education lacked the qualifications to conduct online business. Therefore, Hanhai Home Textiles' acquisition of Zhaohuan Education could not proceed until these qualifications were obtained.

In response to this issue, the China Securities Regulatory Commission issued an inquiry letter to Hanhai Home Textiles, requesting that Litong, as the financial advisor for the restructuring and acquisition, work with its parent company and lawyers to provide a clear response regarding whether Zhaohuan Education lacked the qualifications and whether it should have applied for an online publishing service license but had not.

Chu Qianmiao met with Ren Yan at Hanhai Home Textiles on the day he received the inquiry letter. They didn't say much about the report; a glance was enough to understand each other's intentions: the report was most likely made by Henong Shares. Digging deeper, the mastermind behind Henong Shares was undoubtedly Tan Shen.

Chu Qianmiao and Ren Yan discussed the matter.

The next day, Chu Qianmiao summoned all intermediaries, as well as Zhaohuan Education's management and shareholders, to a meeting at Hanhai Home Textiles to discuss solutions.

Zhao Zhenghuan's face was filled with worry. He said, "I was careless. I thought only game companies needed this, and we in the education industry wouldn't need it. I didn't expect someone to trick me at the last minute!"

As for the lawyer, Wang Jun comforted Zhao Zhenghuan. Then, with a serious expression, he turned to Chu Qianmiao and said, "It will take about three to four months to get this certificate issued. This means our project won't be able to move forward until another three to four months later, and by then, all the materials and other information will likely need to be updated."

As for the accountant, Tang Jie also said, "Not only will the materials need to be updated, but if any new developments or issues arise during this period, the project will be subject to significant uncertainty. Furthermore, the acquisition of Zhaohuan Education is intended to consolidate Hanhai Home Textiles. If this delay continues, we might not be able to submit this year's annual report. Hanhai Home Textiles will directly suffer losses, and the stock price may be affected, which will also affect the entire acquisition project."

With the stakes now clear, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly tense. Zhou Hanhai's face darkened, and Zhao Zhenghuan looked anxious. Chu Qianmiao and Ren Yan exchanged a glance. Ren Yan said, "There's no need to be so pessimistic just yet."

His words were like a shot in the arm. Zhou Hanhai's expression brightened, and Zhao Zhenghuan's anxiety subsided a bit.

Everyone in the conference room turned to him.

"Yesterday, I met with Ms. Chu from the brokerage firm to discuss this matter. She has a good solution. Let's hear what she has to say." Ren Yan's voice was calm, clear, and reassuring.

Everyone turned to look at Chu Qianmiao, waiting for her to speak.

Chu Qianmiao began by reassuring everyone, "Things haven't gotten that bad yet. Let's all stay calm for now." After a pause, she gave a calculating smile and said to Zhou Hanhai, "Mr. Zhou, don't get too worked up. Take a closer look at the CSRC's inquiry letter—it actually asks us to confirm whether we need to apply for this license. It doesn't say we must, necessarily, or absolutely must obtain it."

Zhou Hanhai looked at Chu Qianmiao, stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Ms. Chu, are you saying that we just need to prove that Zhaohuan's online homework and exercise business doesn't require an online publishing service license?"

Chu Qianmiao smiled and nodded, "That's right."

Her answer was concise and clear, further calming everyone.

She looked at Zhou Hanhai, then at the others, and said, "I specifically looked up the relevant regulations last night. According to Article 2 of the Regulations on the Administration of Online Publishing Services, the scope of online publishing services subject to management refers to the provision of online publications to the public through information networks."

Chu Qianmiao emphasized the word "public." Then she paused. Everyone listened intently—they had a feeling that Chu Qianmiao's next words would be the key to solving the problem.

Chu Qianmiao and Ren Yan exchanged another glance, and Ren Yan nodded slightly. She continued, "However, Zhaohuan Education's online homework and exercise system isn't publicly accessible. Within this system, students can only see their own completed homework and exercises, and teachers can only make corrections and comments on the homework and exercises of the students they are responsible for. Therefore, this online learning system isn't open to the public, which means it doesn't comply with Article 2. Consequently, it's not subject to the restrictions of the Regulations on the Administration of Online Publishing Services. Therefore, our ultimate conclusion is that Zhaohuan Education's online system doesn't require an online publishing service license."

As Chu Qianmiao finished speaking, Zhao Zhenghuan was filled with joy and excitement. He slammed his pen onto his notepad. "Right! Why didn't I think of that? Our system isn't open to the public! President Chu is incredibly quick-witted and figured out the key to the problem!"

Chu Qianmiao smiled and said, "This solution actually came to me from President Ren yesterday."

As she spoke, she glanced at Ren Yan. That glance was filled with a smile, and when it reached Ren Yan's eyes, it held an indescribable, subtle allure.

Ren Yan's heart skipped a beat, but he remained impassive, his expression aloof and aloof. "President Chu later added another point—in addition to answering the CSRC's inquiries with this solution, we need to do one more thing."

He glanced at Chu Qianmiao, motioning her to continue.

Chu Qianmiao caught his gaze and seamlessly responded, "That's right. I called the relevant personnel at the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television yesterday to confirm that our explanation is valid and reasonable. Our online business does not currently require an Internet Publishing Services License. But my idea is that in addition to the phone interview, our brokerage firm, as your financial advisor, will work with you, Lawyer Wang, to visit the radio, film, and television authorities and conduct a face-to-face interview with the relevant personnel. We'll then submit the transcript of this interview to the CSRC."

After hearing this, Wang Jun immediately expressed his opinion, "President Chu has given it thorough consideration. This approach is indeed foolproof!"

The meeting thus finalized the solution to the reported issue.

At the start of the meeting, everyone's mood was heavy, and the conference room seemed to be overcast with dark clouds. As the meeting drew to a close, the room felt like a radiant, sunny sky after a rainstorm, and everyone's mood lightened.

Even the anxious Zhao Zhenghuan's mood brightened. Before the meeting ended, he jokingly said, "Today's meeting really opened my eyes to what tacit understanding really means. Mr. Ren and Ms. Chu, you two are truly in sync. You understand each other with a single glance! And Ms. Chu, you're truly incredibly capable. I was practically stumped by this problem, and you solved it beautifully in no time!"

Chu Qianmiao smiled modestly, "Mr. Ren is my teacher. He taught me all my skills!" She pronounced the word "teacher" with a charm that only Ren Yan could understand.

Ren Yan turned and glanced at her.

Zhao Zhenghuan immediately said, "Mr. Ren's abilities are unparalleled!"

Ren Yan raised his lip. "I wouldn't call her that. She's almost surpassing me."

After the meeting, Chu Qianmiao followed Ren Yan to his office.

Entering the room, she sat on the sofa and said to Ren Yan, "Did you feel like that meeting just now was like a big, blow-by-blow scene between us?"

Ren Yan poured her a glass of water and took the seat next to her.

He raised his lip at her. "It's because we're both so outstanding."

Chu Qianmiao felt goosebumps on her arms. She felt that some people, after falling behind in life, become even more vulgar and unconcealed.

She picked up the glass, took a sip of water, and licked her lips.

Turning her head, she saw Ren Yan's head slowly approaching her.

His breath was almost on her face. She quickly and swiftly raised a hand to his chest, pushing him away. "What are you doing? You've already exhausted all the kissing this week, have you forgotten?!"

Ren Yan grasped her soft, white hand and moved aside. The force against his chest instantly vanished.

He leaned in close, his breath hot and intimate, a kiss poised to land on her lips.

He made her inexplicably nervous, like a mischievous deer nestled in her chest, its antlers nudging her.

This was his office.

If he kissed her later, would she respond?! What if, when the kiss reached a fever pitch, he had the urge to take things a step further? Would she push him away?! The thought was so exciting, in broad daylight, in this huge office...

The more she thought about it, the faster her breath became, a mixture of shyness and shame and a hint of anticipation coexisting almost simultaneously.

Just when her heart was about to burst, his kiss settled, his breath warm and enveloping her. She slumped, a mixture of excitement and nervousness, the air thick with color. She feared someone passing by the doorway would overhear the ecstasy, afraid Zhou Hanhai would suddenly send someone to find Ren Yan for some reason and catch them in the middle of their illicit office romance.

The more nervous she became, the more sensitive she became, and the more sensitive she became, the more intense her passion burned. Chu Qianmiao thought, amidst Ren Yan's passionate kisses, "Never mind. If he wants to take her to Wushan now, I'll just go with him. It's been ages since I've seen the voluptuous scenery of Wushan..."

After kissing for a long time, he finally released her, his lips shifting to her ear.

She expected to hear some incomparable sweet nothings, further fueling her passion.

Instead, she heard him say to her in a cryptic tone, "This morning, Henong Shares also received an inquiry letter from the regulatory authorities, and their review has been suspended. Was that you, huh?"

The heat in her body instantly evaporated by half.

At that moment, Chu Qianmiao wanted to grab Ren Yan's shoulders, shake him, shake him harder, and then yell at him: "Can you please not talk about work when we have s*x next time? Can you please not talk about it?"

***

Chu Qianmiao shook off the fluttering thought in her heart and prepared to talk seriously about work—since he wanted to talk so badly!

She adjusted her clothes and hair and replied to Ren Yan, "Yes, I did it."

Ren Yan raised an eyebrow, asking her to elaborate.

Chu Qianmiao folded her arms, chin slightly raised, and said, "After I came up with a solution last night, I couldn't help but inquire around. I confirmed that the suspension of our review was indeed caused by Henong Shares and Tan Shen. You know me, although I love to emulate Lei Feng and do good deeds, I'm not some Madonna. I respect those who respect me, I scold those who scold me, and I retaliate when those who harm me do so!"

Her fair and pretty face was taut as she spoke to Ren Yan, "So I carefully researched the situation of Xingfei Education and Yisi Education. I found that both Xingfei and Yisi Education have opened many new branches across the country, but only in two places—Shanghai and Chongqing."

"You know, Shanghai and Chongqing are the only two cities with detailed regulations for private education. In addition to approval from the industrial and commercial authorities, the education authorities, and the human resources and social security authorities, opening educational institutions and branches in these cities also requires a fire safety inspection certificate."

"Since they won't open branches in Shanghai and Chongqing, I'll assume they're taking advantage of this loophole—I'll blindly target their branches in cities outside of Shanghai and Chongqing. Some of them definitely haven't passed fire safety inspections."

"But actually," Chu Qianmiao said, looking at Ren Yan, "educational institutions are different from other companies. Their students are students, the hope of the motherland, so they must be extremely cautious. Even if the institution is located outside of Shanghai and Chongqing, it still needs a fire safety inspection certificate. I called the fire department to confirm this. And surprisingly, my blind target was successful!"

At this point, she raised the corner of her mouth and smiled. "Since someone has treated us unfairly, why can't we give them a taste of their own medicine? Well, if we want to suspend the review, let's all do it together. Our problem will be solved. Once we submit our responses and the outline for the visit, the project can resume review. But it won't be the same with Henong Shares. They have to complete the fire safety inspections one by one."

Ren Yan looked at her, silent.

Chu Qianmiao's heart began to falter.

"You... don't agree with what I'm doing?"

Ren Yan raised his hand and touched her head. "No," he paused. "I feel like you're supporting me, and that's a relief."

Chu Qianmiao's righteous air suddenly collapsed.

He saw through her...

Well... besides venting her anger for the project, she really wanted to vent her anger for him, too.

Ren Yan raised his hand and pressed Chu Qianmiao into his arms. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, his voice hoarse and emotional, "Thank you for protecting me so much."

Chu Qianmiao hugged him back.

She thought to herself, this poor guy, he'd never been protected before.

***