The exposé in the news highlighted several key points: Wanlong Supermarket had allegedly spent five to six hundred million yuan to acquire the shopping mall project from Yu Corporation.
In reality, only those on the inside truly understood that the deal was completed through asset swaps. Wanlong Supermarket hadn’t actually spent any cash.
Besides that, the news also mentioned that Wanlong Supermarket spent tens of millions on renovations and another tens of millions to acquire the former Mingcheng Supermarket.
On the surface, Wanlong Supermarket seemed genuinely wealthy. Yet, it was also sending a signal to the outside world—how could a newly established Wanlong Supermarket possibly have so much money?
Those who really knew the business wouldn’t bother speculating whether Liu Yutong had a net worth in the tens of millions; such valuations were often illusory.
Instead, they would estimate Wanlong Supermarket’s revenue based on the leaked information. In such a short time, the company had made acquisitions and renovations, yet there was no record of any financing. So, where exactly was this money coming from?
There was likely only one answer: they had misappropriated funds that shouldn’t have been touched.
Li Xiaohui tapped her fingers nervously and said, “Um, Yutong, I can handle this matter, but could you do me a favor too?”
Seeing her like this, Liu Yutong immediately knew she must be in some kind of trouble.
Normally, it was rare for Li Xiaohui to be at a loss, so if she suddenly asked for help, there could only be one reason...
“Go ahead, there’s no need to be so formal between us.”
Li Xiaohui then whispered the details to Liu Yutong.
Liu Yutong burst out laughing: “I see, Xiaohui, it’s actually quite easy to solve. You just need to change your perspective...”
Before long, Li Xiaohui left the dormitory in high spirits.
When Liu Yutong arrived at the company, she saw Yang Xin talking with several suppliers in the conference room.
After the suppliers left, Liu Yutong stepped inside.
Yang Xin saw her and immediately began to vent: “Miss, honestly, your sudden fame has been more trouble than it’s worth. Now the suppliers are all coming to collect their payments.”
“For now, these few guys are just barely being managed, but if more suppliers come knocking for their money, we’re going to be in real trouble. Honestly, I don’t think you should have used the company’s funds to support Yu Corporation. They’ve gotten through their difficulties, but what about us?”
Liu Yutong frowned and asked, “Weren’t you on good terms with those suppliers before? And we were even willing to pay interest. Why are they suddenly so anxious to get their money back?”
Yang Xin shook his head: “I asked, but those suppliers wouldn’t say much. They just said their cash flow was tight and they needed money urgently.”
“Cash flow problems? But you said you’ve known these suppliers for a long time, and our cooperation with Wanlong Supermarket has been stable. It’s strange that they suddenly came asking for money.”
Yang Xin nodded in agreement: “Miss, I think it’s suspicious too. What’s even stranger is that they don’t want any interest—they’re insisting the debts be paid off within three days, no exceptions.”
Just as they were discussing the issue, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and Ma Da rushed in hurriedly. "Miss, we've just managed to clear up the online information about you, but new rumors have already surfaced, claiming that Wanlong Supermarket is about to face a cash flow crisis and is on the brink of collapse!"
Liu Yutong’s autumn-water-like eyes instantly turned icy. "Have you traced the source?"
Ma Da shook his head. "Not yet. Also, the two banks we work with called to inquire about the situation. I’ve even heard that someone is secretly buying up our suppliers’ IOUs—and at a premium."
Hearing this, Yang Xin’s face darkened. "They’re trying to forcibly cut off our cash flow!"
"Miss, if what Ma Ge says is true, we’re really in trouble. I suggest we have Yu Mo repay the debt immediately. We can’t afford to delay this!"
Ma Da, on the other hand, was eager to act. "Miss, if push comes to shove, I’ll gather the brothers and have a little talk with those suppliers. Let’s see who dares to disrespect us or come knocking for debts."
Liu Yutong pondered for a moment before saying, "Don’t rush into anything yet. Yang Xin, contact the banks and prepare for a loan. Ma Da, notify everyone that next month, all stores will close for a day so the entire staff can attend the annual company party."
"Understood, Miss," Ma Da and Yang Xin replied in unison.
After the two left, Yun Cheng returned from outside.
Lately, he had been mainly keeping an eye on Chu Yang’s movements. The recent behavior of Yilian Society had been somewhat unusual.
The most critical issue was that Hua Muying had gone missing.
Hua Muying had been delivering crucial intelligence to them, but ever since Scarface destroyed that group of human traffickers at the train station, there had been no news of her. Even though Liu Yutong had sent people searching everywhere, they found nothing. It was truly baffling.
The situation had become so complicated that even she, a reborn strategist, didn’t know which way things would turn.
The first thing Yun Cheng said upon entering was, "Miss, Pan Xing wants to invite you to dinner."
Liu Yutong was slightly taken aback, an unexpected expression crossing her face. "He wants to have dinner with me?"
Yun Cheng nodded. "I guess he might be trying to make peace with you."
Liu Yutong sneered. "Make peace? Yun Cheng, do you really think that’s possible?"
Yun Cheng shook his head. "Knowing him, it’s unlikely. But I think this might have something to do with that arena competition. He probably feels we’ve earned the right to sit at the table now."
In the past, only the three major societies had the privilege to sit at the table, which indirectly showed how powerful those three were. Smaller factions didn’t even have that kind of status.
Although Wanlong Society mainly operated around the university district, no one in the underworld dared to underestimate this rising force.
In the world of organized crime, money and manpower are everything—and Wanlong Society lacked neither.
Pan Xing probably realized he couldn’t eliminate the threat Liu Yutong posed anymore, so he was considering a truce.
Moreover, Wanlong Society had been on the defensive for a while, never launching any counterattacks.
To outsiders, this basically suggested two things.
There were two things on Liu Yutong’s mind.
First, she had no desire to fight for the leadership of the Yi Lian Society.
Second, they all thought that since Liu Yutong was a woman, it was only natural for her to be somewhat indecisive.
Of course, there was also another possibility—that Liu Yutong was quietly gathering strength, preparing to take over the Yi Lian Society in one decisive move, and at the same time deal with Pan Xing once and for all.
Liu Yutong shook her head. “Yun Cheng, we’re not on the same path as them. There’s no reason for us to sit at the same table.”
Just as she was still weighing whether to accept Pan Xing’s invitation, Yang Xin came running back, out of breath.
“M-Miss, the bank has rejected our loan application. We’re being targeted!”
