532: New Assistant

If Zhang Qiang’s resume was real, then his ability was definitely what Fenglei needed most at the moment.

But thinking about it, it was impossible for him to fake it.

Someone who could become General Motors’ Presidential Assistant right after graduation couldn’t possibly be without ability.

Now, the key was to see if this ability could bring him unexpected surprises.

So, he directly called Zhang Qiang.

After waiting for a few seconds, Zhang Qiang’s excited voice came from the other end of the phone.

The two then agreed to meet at a small restaurant called Old Tang Dried Tofu, next to Harvard University.

After hanging up the phone, Ren Yi muttered:

“Awesome, Dried Tofu has even opened up at Harvard University.”

Ren Yi sat in his office, planning how to communicate with Zhang Qiang.

He thought for a long time without a result, then suddenly the phone rang.

It was Lin Muwan calling.

“Mr. Ren, something bad has happened, that… that Li Bing, he withdrew his investment.”

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Zhang Kangyang originally thought that after settling with various car manufacturers and signing cooperation projects, he would have a perfect vacation, but he didn't expect it to be ruined by a bolt from the blue.

Li Bing, that old fellow, suddenly unilaterally halted his investment in Fenghuolun.

Zhang Kangyang pulled up his trousers, which he hadn't fully taken off, and then made an urgent turn, rushing out the door.

He hadn't even had a glass of water before Ren Yi called him into the room.

Ren Yi was as calm as ever, seeing the dusty Zhang Kangyang.

He was still carrying a red suitcase, clearly intending to go enjoy himself.

He couldn’t help but sneer:

“I’m working myself to death here, and you, kid, are still thinking of going on vacation?”

Zhang Kangyang entered the office, rolled his eyes and said:

“Mr. Ren, you can’t play with people like this. I just booked my flight ticket, and you’re so anxious to call me back, you’re really rushing me to my death.”

Ren Yi poured him a glass of warm water and snorted:

“Drink some water first, catch your breath. The matter we’re about to discuss might be a bit tricky.”

Zhang Kangyang felt a warmth in his heart, took the water glass, and placed it on the tea table.

Pushing his suitcase, he said: “I’ll leave this suitcase here with you. I just checked out of my room, and I have nowhere to put it now. If someone comes to see you later, it would look too bad just sitting there.”

Ren Yi said indifferently:

“Just leave it there, what are you afraid of? What if someone sees it?”

Zhang Kangyang showed a subtle smile, and still, being sensible, pushed the suitcase into the wardrobe.

Ren Yi asked:

“You look out of breath, haven’t you eaten? Do you want me to order some takeout for you?”

Zhang Kangyang waved his hands repeatedly, sat on the sofa, and took a big gulp of water:

“No need, Mr. Ren, my good vacation was ruined by you, I’m not in the mood to eat now.”

Ren Yi knew he still held some resentment, but he didn’t say anything more.

Zhang Kangyang spoke first:

“What’s the situation with Li Bing? Didn’t we already sign the investment agreement? And it’s been reported in the media, why would he suddenly withdraw his investment?”

Ren Yi explained:

“I think they must have learned about Fenglei’s plan through their investigation. I told them before that Fenglei was going to be listed on Wall Street, and they didn’t quite believe it at the time.

Now, they’ve heard something from somewhere, which is why they suddenly suspended their investment. I imagine they’re using this as a threat to get better terms.”

Zhang Kangyang said:

“That’s right, we’ve analyzed before that this situation might occur, but you wouldn’t be that accurate, would you?”

Ren Yi joked:

“You forgot, I am the omnipotent Ren Yi.”

Zhang Kangyang, however, had no mind to listen to his ramblings, and said seriously:

“Did someone within our company leak information?”

Ren Yi said:

“You’re right, there’s an insider in this matter, this person is an FBI spy planted in our Fenglei.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kangyang had an “I see” expression, seemingly unsurprised by such a thing.

Ren Yi continued:

“However, I didn’t expect Lin Fan to be involved with the FBI, and to react so quickly, terminating the intention of investment cooperation before the payment was made.”

Zhang Kangyang pouted, although he knew the reason, the current problem was actually quite severe.

“The biggest problem right now is that we’ve taken too big a step, leading to insufficient funds. Our current cash can only last for three months.

You know, once the capital chain breaks, the resulting chain reaction will be like a flood, completely submerging Fenglei.”

Zhang Kangyang listened quietly until he finished, then said:

“Ford Company just signed a project contract with us two days ago, and three billion US dollars have already been transferred to the company’s account, which can solve our immediate urgent need.

Moreover, General Motors, Alfa, Rolls-Royce, and other car manufacturers will also successively provide us with patent funds, which I believe can help us last until the end of the year.

If it really doesn’t work, we can implement salary reform, which can also save more funds for backup.

Even if employees complain, it won’t lead to a large-scale paralysis of company projects.”

Ren Yi understood his meaning. So-called salary reform, without touching the fundamental basic salary, was nothing more than a word game.

Ultimately, it still came down to salary cuts and layoffs, which is a common method many companies use when facing operational difficulties.

Zhang Kangyang continued:

“Our R&D expenditure is a big chunk, so we can let the R&D department stir up less trouble during this period, which will free up more funds.

Also, some projects that are ready but not yet executed can be temporarily halted, leaving only the charging piles, energy storage stations, and Starlink as the three main projects. Others can be restarted once Fenglei’s operations are on track.

Additionally, our investments in Wuling and Radish Run officially started making profits last month, and I estimate the dividends from there could be five billion.

If nothing unexpected happens, we can certainly last until next year.”

Ren Yi looked at Zhang Kangyang and nodded in appreciation.

Zhang Kangyang was indeed his most capable assistant, doing things in an orderly manner, and his suggestions perfectly aligned with his expectations.

“Mr. Zhang, what you said is very good, but you still missed a lot.”

At this moment, a voice came from the doorway.

Zhang Kangyang quickly turned his head to look, only to see a fair-faced young man in a suit appear at the door.

Zhang Kangyang said with a puzzled expression:

“Who are you?”

Before he could finish speaking, the young man introduced himself:

“Zhang Qiang… Mr. Ren’s new assistant!”

“What, you are…”

Zhang Kangyang’s face was full of disbelief, because Ren Yi hadn’t told him about this.

And if Zhang Qiang became Ren Yi’s assistant, then what about him?

Was he fired?

At this moment, Ren Yi had already walked up, smiling:

“Come, come, let me introduce you. Zhang Qiang, former General Motors Presidential Assistant, is now my assistant.”

Then he looked at Zhang Kangyang and added:

“I forgot to tell you, starting today, Zhang Qiang will take over your position, and you will be the United States Regional President from now on, cooperating with Lin Muwan to expand the market here.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kangyang was overjoyed.

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