Read Novel Full Chapter 52.1 – Birthday Banquet: Last Part (I)
Chapter 52.1 – Birthday Banquet: Last Part (I)
Inside the banquet hall, soothing music played from a small speaker. The guests gathered in small groups, chatting in hushed voices. Aside from gossiping about the explosive scandal of the Huo family, they were also speculating on the Ning family’s upcoming major announcement.
As Ning Shaobai came down from upstairs, he was stopped by Gao Qiongying before he could look for Rong Xin.
Previously a bit distant, the young woman now wore a face full of interest. “President Fan just came to talk to me. Guess what she said?”
Ning Shaobai responded blandly, “I’m not very interested.”
“But I kind of am,” Gao Qiongying smiled. “To be honest, I admire you. I think we’re quite well matched.”
“Did Grandpa Ning tell you? I’ll be inheriting Gaokang Pharmaceuticals. I’ll run the company, and you can be a doctor however you please, without worrying about suppression from anyone.”
She glanced in the direction of Fan Xiuzhi. “If you want, I can also help you take back what’s rightfully yours.”
Rong Xin, who had just walked over, was surprised by what he heard, thinking: ‘This Miss Gao sure is confident in herself!’
Ning Shaobai’s response was nonchalant. “What’s mine has never been taken from me, but I appreciate your kindness, Miss Gao. Thank you.”
He looked toward Ning Shaoyun and Xia Mian, who were coming down the stairs. “I have other matters to attend to. Please excuse me.”
Ning Shaoyun’s eyes were still a little red and swollen, but her mood had stabilized. “I’m okay now,” she smiled at her brother.
Ning Shaobai put an arm around her shoulders and said firmly, “Don’t worry, Sister. She won’t get away.”
The soft music suddenly turned rich and immersive, lifting the overall atmosphere. It seemed the speaker Ning Shaobai gifted to his grandfather had been properly installed.
“The surround effect is quite nice,” Xia Mian commented.
“Today’s event is very important, after all. The equipment must match the occasion.” Rong Xin told her.
Indeed, when Old Master Ning took on the stage, his voice reached every corner of the residence. “Thank you all for coming to my birthday banquet despite your busy schedules…” He had changed into a new outfit, clearly hoping to quickly bury the earlier scandal expose of his in-laws. After a few polite words, he went straight to the main topic of the evening.
“…It so happens I have a few important announcements to make today, and I’d like everyone here to witness them.”
Fan Xiuzhi unconsciously straightened her posture.
“Today is my seventieth birthday,” the old master said with a broad smile. “And it coincides with the return of both my grandsons after completing their studies. As you’ve seen, they’re both very capable. I think it’s time I lay down my burdens completely.”
He patted Ning Shaoyang, who was supporting him, and his gaze turned abruptly cold as it met Fan Xiuzhi’s. But his expression remained unchanged. “Xiuzhi has worked hard for the Ning family over the years—I truly appreciate your efforts. Now it’s time for you to rest as well.”
“United, brothers can cut through metal.” He turned to his older grandson. “I believe the Ning family will flourish even more in your generation’s hands.”
The applause from the audience was scattered and weak. This decision wasn’t good news for most of those attending, as the person they had formed close ties and collaborated with was Fan Xiuzhi. Before coming, they had believed today was not just a birthday celebration but also the official transfer of power within the Ning family. Once Fan Xiuzhi and Ning Shaoyang took full control of the company, their partnerships would only grow stronger.
But now, with Ning Shaobai—an obviously opposing force—suddenly joining the leadership, things would no longer go smoothly. Past partnerships might even face serious obstacles.
Seeing the crowd’s reactions, Old Master Ning looked at Ning Shaoyang. “Xiao Yang, what do you think of Grandpa’s decision?”
Ning Shaoyang nodded. “I’ll definitely manage the company well with my brother.”
The old master beamed with relief and beckoned to Ning Shaobai.
Ning Shaobai strode up to the stage. His grandfather took his hand and Ning Shaoyang’s, placing them together. “From now on, the Ning family is in your hands. I hope you two brothers will support each other and take the Ning family to new heights.”
Ignoring the commotion below the stage, the old master continued, “Since we’ve come this far, I might as well divide the shares, too. I currently hold seventy percent—ten percent will go to Xiao Yun and the remaining sixty percent will be split evenly between Xiao Bai and Xiao Yang…”
Rong Xin looked surprised, “Oh? He sure is going all in, huh?” He turned to Xia Mian. “Quick, look—Fan Xiuzhi’s eyes are about to pop out.”
Xia Mian glanced in the direction he pointed and, sure enough, Fan Xiuzhi’s eyes weren’t just bulging—her entire body was tense, like she was ready to throw a punch.
“But this sudden move…” Rong Xin sighed. “Old gingers sure are the spiciest. Grandpa Ning must’ve seen how strong Brother Bai’s coming in, so he’s trying to rope him in quickly.”
“Right now, Fan Xiuzhi holds ten percent of the company shares, and Ning Shaoyang has thirty—that’s forty percent total, the same as what Brother Bai and Sister Yun have together.” Rong Xin chuckled with some schadenfreude. “Divided so fairly, so openly, in front of so many eyes—he’s left himself no room to backtrack. I really wonder what Brother Bai did to scare his old grandpa into this.”
Xia Mian let out a laugh, her gaze landing on Fan Xiuzhi, who was now visibly composed again. “This might just be one person’s wishful thinking. President Fan surely isn’t going to agree.”
Just as she finished speaking, someone from the audience raised their voice.
“Sir, you may feel it’s a good time to retire, but President Fan can’t yet.” It was another shareholder from the Ning company.
“Our company’s in a critical phase of transformation. We can’t just hand everything over to two youngsters. No matter how capable they are, they’ve never borne this kind of responsibility before.”
“Besides, switching fields is no small thing. I heard your eldest grandson is a doctor—if he recklessly takes over the company and something goes wrong, can he and his younger brother bear that burden?”
The shareholder added, “A lot of our partners have poured their trust and effort into this company. It’s President Fan and you they trust.”
Once one person spoke up, others quickly followed. Naturally, the trap Fan Xiuzhi had previously set for Ning Shaobai was brought up:
“Old Master Ning, shouldn’t you at least ask the kids for their opinions?”
“Yeah, didn’t your eldest grandson just say that he had no interest in the family business? Said he’s not going to ask for the inheritance.”
“Now he’s going back on his word… that doesn’t look too good.”
“This young man doesn’t seem like the shameless type…”
Ning Shaobai felt the wave of scornful and mocking gazes directed at him—all from people closely tied to Fan Xiuzhi.
Old Master Ning’s face darkened. Seeing this, Fan Xiuzhi smiled calmly and spoke up, “Dad, you really should ask Xiao Bai for his opinion. He just told me he doesn’t want to work with Xiao Yang.”
“Whether or not he’ll change his mind later, right now they’re both at a fiery age. If our own company is affected, that’s one thing, but we can’t let our trusted partners take unnecessary risks—that’s not the way the Ning family does things.”
“She’s right. Sir, please don’t scare us like that.”
“Maybe we should just pull our investments?”
Once the opposition had gained enough momentum, Fan Xiuzhi spoke again, “If you really insist on having Xiao Yang and Xiao Bai take over together…”
“…Then we shall strip the Hainan and Mohe projects out of the company and run them separately. Those are both huge projects, and neither of the boys has experience. If anything goes wrong, at least it won’t damage the core.”
This was a blatant threat! The old master’s expression turned grim. Fan Xiuzhi’s words sounded polite, but in reality, the Ning family’s company had already paused a number of products for those two projects. Without them, the company would be little more than an empty shell.
The partners, naturally, raised both hands in agreement—after all, their collaborations were tied to those two projects.
“This makes sense. Let the kids practice on the company without affecting the big projects.”
“President Fan is so clever. She really is the backbone of the Ning family.”
“A woman as capable as any man…”
Ignoring her father-in-law’s grim expression, Fan Xiuzhi glanced at Ning Shaobai and smiled. “How about this—Director Qi and Mr. Mo of Mohe are just about to arrive. I’ll bring them to meet everyone, and we’ll see how things stand. Then you can decide, alright?”
Ning Shaobai gently patted his grandfather’s trembling hand and smiled. “There’s no need.”