Chapter 616
Meanwhile, in Flower City, Nan Zhengde couldn''t recall thest time he visited Nanshi Corporation''s
headquarters, yet everything still seemed so familiar to him.
He had been living in retirement and rarely meddled with Nanshi Corporation''s affairs ever since Nan
Chen took over thepany.
Since he decided to let Nan Chen run thepany, he held himself back from interfering too much. He
couldn''t hand over thepany to Nan Chen on the surface while still being in control behind the
curtains.
If he did, Nan Chen wouldn''t be able to spread his wings, and the employees working under him
wouldn''t know who they should take their orders from.
Therefore, not only did Nan Zhengde relinquish all his positions, but he also stopped visiting the
company entirely. He simply stayed at home and enjoyed life after retirement.
However, he returned that day as the founder of thepany to attend an emergency meeting with the
board of directors.
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The main seat in the conference room was empty. It should''ve been Nan Chen''s spot.
The board of directors was the most influential and powerful group of people in thepany, and the
details they were about to discuss during the meeting were also top secret.
Hence, many bodyguards were stationed outside to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering.
Nan Zhengde didn''t sit in the main seat. Instead, he was seated at the side with the other members of
the board.
That tiny detail was crucial because it meant he was only there temporarily instead of retaking control
of thepany.
“Everyone, I''m here today because there''s something I want to discuss with you all.” Nan Zhengde
initiated the topic with a calm tone.
The conference room was quiet as everyone was paying attention to what he was saying.
“Due to personal reasons, Nan Chen can''t manage thepany for the time being. So, I suggest that
the board of directors choose a new CEO,” Nan Zhengde proposed.
“What happened to Mr. Chen?” asked someone anxiously.
Their anxiety didn''t necessarily mean they cared about Nan Chen. They were mainly concerned about
how his absence would affect thepany''s operation.
There were many listedpanies under Nanshi Corporation, and thepany was like arge ship.
So, if anything happened during its course, the fallout would be cmitous.
Instead of answering the question directly, Nan Zhengde vaguely brushed past why Nan Chen was
absent, iming it was due to “personal reasons.”
“Do you have a suitable rmendation, Mr. Nan?” a member of the board asked.
“I''m old now, and Nan Zhiyuan isn''t capable enough. So, if I am forced to choose someone to
rmend, my choices are limited. I think Nan Xing may be able to take on the position since he has
been working here for a long time and he''s much more familiar with how thepany works.”
The crowd exchanged nces with each other silently.
They knew what kind of person Nan Xing was. While he wasn''t a useless good-for-nothing, his sudden
ascension to the position of CEO still made everyone uneasy.
Of course, Nan Xing would be more than capable to be the CEO of one of thepanies under Nanshi
Corporation.
However, he was clearly not capable enough to take on the position of CEO of Nanshi Corporation
itself, who was in charge of managing the entire group''s operation.
Although everyone disagreed with the idea in their hearts, no one voiced their disapproval because
they didn''t want to disrespect Nan Zhengde.
Thepany belonged to everyone, but the Nan family was the founder, the biggest shareholder, and
the core of Nanshi Corporation.
Nan Zhengde''s influence didn''t decrease after he retired because he had rescued thepany during
multiple dangerous situations during his tenure.
That was why everyone wanted to show him their respect and didn''t have the nerve to go against his
will.
“No opinions?” Nan Zhengde''s gaze swept across the room.
Still, no one spoke.
“You''re all free to speak your mind. I don''t have the final say in a matter as important as this. Everyone
can contribute their thoughts on the matter.” The old man smiled.
Finally, a director broke the silence. “Mr. Xing has been with thepany for a while now. Everyone
can see his capabilities, Mr. Nan. We believe he has a bright future ahead of him and that he will
certainly be able to bear the responsibilities of a CEO and elevate thepany to greater heights one
day. However, right now, we''re afraid he''s not ready yet. He''s too young, and he''s been sheltered by
Mr. Chen throughout his employment. We''re worried he may not be able to handle it if we suddenly
ce such responsibilities on his shoulder.”
It was nothing out of the ordinary for someone to object, and Nan Zhengde had always weed
opposing ideas.
If only one voice existed in the world without others objecting to it, that sole voice must be a lie.
The truth would forever be buried if people were forbidden to speak their minds.
Nan Zhengde wasn''t a foolish man. He was always willing to ept opinions that differed from his.
Therefore, he nodded instead of scolding the person who disagreed with him.
Smiling and without a trace of admonition in his tone, he uttered calmly, “Yes, Nan Xing''spetence
iscking, and your worries aren''t unfounded. However, pray tell, who isn''t inadequate in some way or
form? When I was still in control of thepany back then, I was once a young man with many ws,
too. It was only because I weathered many storms that I grew and became better. Everyone here
represents the benefits the shareholders stand to gain. Why do you all have the right to be that
representative? That''s because all of you are excellent. However, that excellence is honed by
experiences. It''s not like you''re born with it, isn''t it?”
No one panicked or felt repulsed when they heard that. The atmosphere remained peaceful and
amicable.
“That''s why I''m asking you all to give Nan Xing a chance to try. What do you all say?” Nan Zhengde
grinned.
The members exchanged nces with each other silently again.
While they really didn''t want to disrespect him, they genuinely deplored the idea.
Sure, everyone had the right to improve, but the directors believed Nan Xing should''ve been given a
smaller stage to develop instead of making Nanshi Corporation his testing ground.
“If you must make Nan Xing the CEO, then you have to be the chairman again, Mr. Nan. That''s
our condition. We''ll be at ease if both of you work together,” a member of the board proposed.
“Yeah, I agree with that idea!” someone immediately chimed in.
“That sounds like a great idea!”
“If that is the case, then, of course, I''ll go along with it, too. With Mr. Nan overseeing thepany, we
won''t need to worry about anything!”
Nan Zhengde shook his head. “You lot are really inconsiderate to an old man like me, you know that?
I''m one foot in the coffin now, yet you''re still asking me to work? Are you lot demanding me to give you
my life so you can keep getting paychecks?”
“You don''t have to exaggerate, Mr. Nan. You''re still pretty spry!”plimented someone.
“That''s right! You may be old now, but you''re still capable!”
“Come on, don''t do that. I really am old now, and it''s been years since I helmed thepany. I can''t do
it anymore. If none of you are willing to give Nan Xing a chance, then you''re all free to rmend a
candidate and vote. The one with the most votes will be the new CEO,” Nan Zhengde suggested.
The board of directors had no choice but to concede since the old man already put it that way.
His stance was clear, and he was adamant about noting out of retirement. Either they let Nan Xing
be the CEO, or they would have to choose someone else to do the job.
However, selecting a candidate meant they were going against Nan Zhengde''s will.
Those who opposed Nan Zhengde would have to test the waters first.
It wasn''t impossible for whoever they rmended to end up bing the CEO through voting, but
that possibility was tiny.