After Mr. Xiang divorced, the president regretted it

"The situation is worse than I thought..." Yan Jin's voice was a little tired, but she remained calm. "The research and development project of new composite materials has a huge funding gap. If it can't be solved as soon as possible..."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, and then Xiang Yu's low voice came: "I understand, send me a copy of the financial statement."

In less than ten minutes, Xiang Yu received an email from Yan Jin. He quickly glanced through it, frowning. The company's current funds on the books were indeed not enough to support the new composite material project to continue.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and quickly analyzed various possibilities in his mind. Financing is the only way now. However, at this critical juncture, it is not easy to raise such a large amount of funds in a short period of time.

"I have contacted several banks and investment institutions," Yan Jin's voice came from the other end of the phone again, "but they all need time to evaluate. It will take at least a month to get a result."

One month... Xiang Yu took a deep breath. He knew that the longer it took, the more disadvantageous it would be for the company. He acted decisively and said, "Stop the research and development of several other non-core projects, concentrate all resources, and give priority to solving the funding problem."

"But..." Yan Jin wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Xiang Yu. "No buts, now is not the time to hesitate, we must stop the loss as soon as possible."

After hanging up the phone, Xiang Yu leaned back in his chair tiredly, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He had to admit that he also had an unshirkable responsibility for this crisis. When Yan Jin proposed to increase R&D investment, he didn't take it too seriously, thinking that the company's strength could handle it. But he didn't expect that it would lead to the current situation...

Early the next morning, Xiang Yu convened the company's top management and announced the decision to suspend some R&D projects.

There was an uproar in the conference room. Zhao, the R&D director, stood up and said, "Mr. Xiang, the new composite material project is the hope for the company's future. How can you just stop it?"

Xiang Yu raised his hand to signal him to sit down, "I know, but..." Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted excitedly by Zhao, the R&D director, "But what? Is there anything more important than the future of the company?"

The words of Zhao, the research director, made the atmosphere in the conference room even more tense. Everyone looked at each other, but no one dared to offend Xiang Yu at this time. The financial director sitting next to him opened his mouth, wanting to say something to ease the atmosphere, but finally chose to remain silent.

Xiang Yu rubbed his brows, suppressed his irritability, and patiently explained to Zhao, the R&D director: "Old Zhao, I know you have devoted a lot of effort to the new composite material project, and so have I. But you can see the current situation. The broken capital chain is no joke. We must solve the urgent problem first."

Hearing Xiang Yu's words, Zhao, the R&D director, gradually calmed down. He sat back in his chair dejectedly, his tone full of helplessness and worry, "I understand your decision, Mr. Xiang. However, the research and development of the new composite material project has entered a critical stage. If we stop now, all our previous efforts will be in vain..."

"I will try my best to shorten the time when the funding chain is broken," Xiang Yu promised. "During this period, you and your team will sort out the existing research results and make good technical reserves. Once the funds are in place, we will restart the project immediately."

R&D Director Zhao nodded. He knew that it was useless to say anything now and he could only choose to trust Xiang Yu.

After the meeting, Xiang Yu and Yan Jin immediately plunged into the intense work of financing. They contacted all the banks and investment institutions they could, explaining the company's current situation, the prospects of the project, and their plans for the future over and over again.

However, the reality is even more cruel than they imagined. Affected by the overall environment, the entire industry is in a relatively depressed period. Coupled with the uncertainty brought about by the upcoming changes in the standards of the new composite materials industry, many banks and investment institutions have expressed a cautious attitude and are unwilling to take risks at this time.

"Mr. Xiang, we've been running around for a week, but the results aren't ideal..." Yan Jin's tone was a little tired, but she remained calm. "Most institutions asked us to provide more collateral, or increase the loan interest rate, and some even directly rejected our financing application."

Xiang Yu put down the documents in his hand and rubbed his eyebrows. He knew that the current situation was very bleak, but he could not give up, nor could he show any panic, because his every move was related to the fate of the entire company.

"Keep in contact, talk to each family one by one, we can discuss the conditions, but we must not give up any hope." Xiang Yu took a deep breath and said firmly, "If it really doesn't work..." He paused, as if he had made a difficult decision, "activate the backup plan."

"If it really doesn't work... activate the backup plan." Xiang Yu's voice was soft, but it was filled with determination to burn his boats.

Yan Jin understood what this meant. Activating the backup plan meant that Xiang Yu had to give up the bottom line he had always insisted on and sell some of the company's non-core assets. Although these assets were generally unprofitable, they were accumulated bit by bit when Xiang Yu started from scratch, and he poured a lot of his efforts into them.

"Have you really decided?" There was a hint of worry in Yan Jin's voice. She knew what this decision meant to Xiang Yu.

Xiang Yu took a deep breath and nodded firmly, "There is no other way, Jin Yu, we must raise funds as soon as possible, otherwise..."

He said no more, but both of them knew what would be waiting for them otherwise.

So Xiang Yu started to deal with the asset sale. He personally contacted several large investment companies and showed them the company's true situation and future development plan. He told them frankly that the company was currently experiencing temporary difficulties, but he was confident in the company's future. His frankness and courage impressed one of the investment companies, and they expressed their willingness to acquire some of the company's non-core assets, but the price still needed further negotiation.

At the same time, Yan Jin also started to get busy. She was responsible for communicating with the company's suppliers and customers, striving to extend the payment period and increase orders to ease the company's financial pressure. She knew that at this critical moment, every supplier and every customer was crucial. She did not miss any details, communicated with them patiently and meticulously, and finally successfully convinced most of the suppliers and customers, winning precious breathing time for the company.

However, even though they have tried their best, the company's funding gap is still huge. Time is running out.

"Mr. Xiang, this is the latest financing plan." The secretary put a document on Xiang Yu's desk, with a hint of solemnity in his tone, "The other party agreed to provide the funds we need, but..."

"But what?" Xiang Yu took the document with a frown.

"But they asked us..." The secretary hesitated, seeming to find it difficult to speak.

"Speak!" Xiang Yu suddenly raised his head with a sharp look in his eyes.

"They asked us to...sign a bet agreement." The secretary's voice became smaller and smaller, almost inaudible.

Xiang Yu's fingers tightly grasped the document, and his knuckles turned white. This gambling agreement was undoubtedly a double-edged sword. If the company could achieve the agreed goals within the specified time, they would receive a generous reward; but if they failed...

"I understand. You can go out first." There was no emotion in Xiang Yu's voice.

After the secretary left, the office fell into silence. Xiang Yu's eyes fell on the document in his hand, with a complicated look. He knew that he had reached the edge of the cliff, and this gambling agreement was his only life-saving straw, but he didn't know whether grabbing this straw would lead to a new life or... the abyss.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and Yan Jin's tired but determined face appeared in his mind. He knew that he had no way out...

Xiang Yu tightly grasped his phone, his knuckles whitening, the screen displayed the latest remittance information, a long string of numbers representing the company finally got a chance to breathe. He breathed a sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders, and leaned back in his chair tiredly.

"The funds have arrived." He said to Yan Jin who pushed the door open. His tone could hardly hide his fatigue, but more of it was a sense of relief.

Yan Jin paused, a hint of joy appeared on her cold face, but it was quickly covered up. She walked to the table, picked up the documents on the table, flipped through a few pages, and frowned slightly: "Gambling agreement?"

"Yeah." Xiang Yu rubbed his brows, "This is the only condition they are willing to give in."

Yan Jin didn't say anything, just silently flipping through the documents. Every word of the densely packed clauses was like a huge rock pressing on her heart. Although this gambling agreement brought life-saving money to the company, it also pushed the company and Xiang Yu to the forefront. If the agreed goals cannot be achieved within the specified time, the consequences will be disastrous.

After a long while, she put down the documents, looked up at Xiang Yu, and said with a hint of worry in her cold voice: "Are you sure?"

"No." Xiang Yu shook his head calmly, "But this is the best result."

He stood up and walked to the French window, overlooking the entire city. The hustle and bustle of traffic and the flashing neon lights could not dispel the haze in his heart. He knew that what was waiting for him next would be an even more difficult battle, but he had no choice but to fight to the death.

"Stop the research and development of all non-core projects and concentrate resources on the main projects." Xiang Yu's voice was calm and decisive. He knew that now was not the time to be soft-hearted. Only by concentrating all their strength could they fight their way out.

"But..." Zhao Qiang, the R&D director at the side, was embarrassed. "Stop the R&D project, our technology reserves will fall behind, which is not conducive to the long-term development of the company!"

"I know." Xiang Yu turned around, his eyes firm, "But we don't have time to consider long-term development now. Survival is the most important thing. As long as we can survive this, we can start all over again."

Zhao Qiang was silent. He knew that what Xiang Yu said was true. At the critical moment of life and death, everything had to give way to survival.

"I'll notify everyone and adjust the R&D plan as soon as possible." Zhao Qiang finally compromised and turned and walked out of the office.

Xiang Yu and Yan Jin were the only ones left in the office. Silence spread between them, and the atmosphere was so depressing that it was suffocating.

"Thank you, Jinyu." Xiang Yu broke the silence, his voice low and with a hint of imperceptible tenderness, "If it wasn't for you this time..."

He didn't know how to express his feelings at the moment. If it weren't for Yan Jin, he might not have been able to hold on until now.

Yan Jin shook her head, avoiding his gaze, and said calmly, "There's no need to talk about this between us."

Although her tone was still cold, Xiang Yu saw a hint of worry in her eyes. He knew that although Yan Jin didn't say it, she still cared about him and the company in her heart.

"Go to bed early." After Yan Jin finished speaking, she turned and left the office, leaving Xiang Yu alone standing there, looking at her back with mixed feelings.